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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-2009 Minutes Workshop�` CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING Ic CITY HALL ANNEX 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida TUESDAY July 14, 2009 5:30 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hoog Council Member Buzz Petsos Mayor Rocky Randels (Arrived at 5:36 P.M.) Council Member Shannon Roberts Council Member Betty Walsh Others Present: City Manager Bennett Boucher City Clerk Susan Stills City Treasurer Andrea Bowers Precinct Commander Alan Moros Assistant Fire Chief John Cunningham Recreation Director Robert Lefever City Engineer John Pekar 1. 5:30 P.M. —P.M. — Law Enforcement Services. Mr. Greg Pelham addressed the Council and reported on a Budget of $2.6 million. He noted a decrease in the Capital budget and then opened the floor for questions. Mr. Pelham recounted how some equipment, such as light bars, was recycled and any savings would be noted. Mr. Pelham stated that he would return with information related to the Pay Step increases subsequent to his meeting with the Brevard County Commission on Thursday. Ms. Bowers informed that $41,000 of the School Resource Officer was budgeted from the Police Trust Fund. Ms. Roberts asked if the position was filled. Mr. Pelham informed that position remains open. Ms. Roberts referred to the School Resource Officer on Page 42 and received clarification that this referred to the Officer located at Cocoa Beach High School. Ms. Roberts asked about the Community Policing Program and requested to know the Commander's % rte approach. Commander Alan Moros stated his Community Policing Department philosophy of interacting with the community. Ms. Roberts asked if the Neighborhood Watch was part of this Program. Commander Moros affirmed that it was. He explained City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 14, 2009 Page 2 of 6 the value of one person for the community to trust and to whom the residents could call on to action taken. Commander Moros referred to Page 5 related to Staffing. He explained how he listed the positions; however, any one position higher had subordinate Staffing attached to it. He affirmed for Ms. Walsh that the salaries included benefits. Mr. Pelham replied that the figure presented was what they intended to send back at the end of the year. Ms. Roberts asked if there were any anticipated changes in their working relationship with the Port. Commander Moros replied that BCSO's working relationship with the Port was good. Mr. Petsos asked for the number of Agents. Commander Moros replied two in the City and one at the Port. Mr. Petsos expressed his concern over the Sergeant's salary. Commander Moros questioned how the allocation could be made. Mr. Petsos asked who supervised the front desk Staff. Commander Moros replied, Amy Moody, the Administrative Assistant. Mr. Petsos clarified the decision to retain one individual for Community Policing. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog agreed with Mr. Petsos' concern with the salary of $96,000 for a Sargeant. He expressed the desire to retain the School Resource Officer. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog expressed his concern with the purchase of a motorcycle which was no longer in active use. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog also brought up the idea of shared facilities between the Port and the City officers. Commander Moros explained how separating the officers based on facilities, for example, between City and the Port, would hamper morale. Ms. Roberts clarified that this shared facilities discussion was intended to give the Officers another location to go to and in consideration of future Port facilities planning would allow the Officers to have another place to drop -by. Mayor Randels did not agree with the loss of four deputies and a desk person. Mayor Randels questioned if the City Council desired to reduce services over the last year. Ms. Walsh asked if the other Staff available at the desk could continue to effectively answer telephone calls and handle walk-in traffic. Commander Moros affirmed that they could. Ms. Walsh also asked how long the Community Policing position was vacant. Commander Moros stated six to seven months. He explained how it was more convenient to have one designated person to handle the Community Policing issues. Commander Moros provided some explanation to previous questions: 1) the importance of having a Sargeant in management and to fill in as a Road Deputy and 2) the motorcycle has been in the repair shop since the crash; but, the traffic patrol person was assigned to a vehicle. Commander Moros informed that he preferred to retain a motorcycle. Ms. Roberts expressed her agreement with Mayor Pro Tem Hoog on the lack of use for the motorcycle. Commander Moros also stated that the weather was a factor in using a City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 14, 2009 Page 3 of 6 vehicle at this time. Ms. Roberts asked if the motorcycle was new when purchased. Commander Moros affirmed. Mr. Petsos asked if the Port has a specific Staff Assistant. Commander Moros replied no. Mr. Boucher pointed out that much of the activity was coming from the Cove area. Commander Moros explained the arrest reports would go through the Staff Assistant, Amy Moody. Mr. Petsos stated his intent to not have the City providing more coverage than the Port. Commander Moros replied that all Commanders were paid the same across the Board. Mr. Pelham clarified that the Port does have a person assigned to their service. Ms. Roberts asked for an understanding of the Overtime. Commander Moros replied that most of the overtime relates to manpower shortages. He explained how a Deputy coming in to train removes a person from personal time. Ms. Walsh asked if the overtime dollars would be less once other staff positions were filled. Mr. Pelham noted the difficulty in predicting overtime. Ms. Roberts asked if there was any money in the Budget related to anticipated Law Enforcement Department needs based on the City utilizing the Library Meeting Room. Mr. Boucher affirmed that there was funding. Ms. Roberts asked for data to use as an indicator for the Community Policing and Neighborhood Watch programs. Ms. Roberts asked if the Department was seeking any grants related to Federal Economic Stimulus Funding. Mr. Pelham replied that he had six outstanding and he did not anticipate much by way of that type of grant. He informed of two private grants that relate to the jail. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog referred to the 301 calls related to walk-in service and asked if this was broken down by day -time and night-time. Commander Moros replied that this was not done in the past but could be consider for the future. Ms. Roberts expressed that there was no localized service and calls were deferred to the Titusville Central dispatch. Commander Moros stated that the mechanism was not in place at the Canaveral Precinct to dispatch emergency calls to a Deputy. Mayor Randels asked if there were consensus from the City Council related to the Law Enforcement Budget. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog expressed his favor to maintain the level of service. Mr. Petsos recommended removing the one desk position to which Ms. Roberts and Ms. Walsh agreed. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog also agreed with eliminating the one desk position. Mr. Boucher asked for the opportunity to discuss with the Commander to have both Community Policing Officers on the road and to have the GCU Sargeant, over the Community Policing Program, work with the Home Owners Associations. [HOAs] Commander Moros expressed how his vision differed from the former command and of his intent to operate an effective business. Ms. Joyce Hamilton asked if the $*** was included in the contract. Ms. Hamilton asked if two cars were turned in and if any of the equipment was recycled. Mr. Pelham responded that the radios were transferred and one of the light bars was reused. Ms. Hamilton inquired if placing the City of Cape Canaveral logo on City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 14, 2009 Page 4 of 6 the vehicles was budgeted. Commander Moros affirmed. Mr. Petsos stated that he did not believe the City needed two Community Policing Officers. Ms. Roberts asked if there were an electronic defect with the speed control monitor. Commander Moros announced that Lt. Ludwig was transferring to the South Precinct. 2. 6:30 P.M. — 7:15 P.M. — Fire Service CCVFD. Fire Chief Dave Sargeant informed that grant funding was competitive. Chief Sargeant also informed that the station received a free gift of painting from DAB Company, Mr. David Barr, owner. Chief Sargeant said that he submitted for a Homeland Security Grant and replied to Ms. Walsh that they were already in receipt of the Safer Act Grant. Chief Sargeant reported that their contract price decreased. He also noted a decrease in the contract related to Health Insurance saying that they were able to negotiate for a decrease in Health rates. Chief Sargeant stated that they also participated in the Healthy Lifestyles Rebate Program. Chief Sargeant announced the plan to reduce the Capital by $15,000. He referred to Fire Inspection trends throughout the State and explained how Self -Inspection notices ON could go out to the businesses and if performed within 30 -days, no inspections would be required the Fire Department would only perform a spot check. Chief Sargeant explained how anything over two -stories would be checked annually and all other properties every three years. Chief Sargeant informed that since the incident related to Country Inns and Suites communication was more effective with the Building Department. Ms. Roberts asked if there were new Forms and processes for signatures. Mr. Morley responded that he has since developed some of the automated features in the Permitting process for cross-checking purposes. Chief Sargeant referred to the 800-Mghz radios. Mr. Boucher explained how since the Brevard County Emergency Management took control of the 800-Mghz system, all cities that received traffic fines funding were paying for the backbone of the system. Chief Sargeant informed that he bills the City for half of the cost. Chief Sargeant stated that he had minimal requests by way of Capital purchases. However, City Council must remain aware of 5 -year Plan items. Chief Sargeant informed that the Fire Pumper and mini -Pumper were anticipated purchases. He stated that if he did not receive the Fire House grant, he would also need to seek the Council's assistance related to the roof repair. Chief Sargeant stated that Brevard County, as the taxing authority for collecting the Emergency Services funding, was not required to return the money. However, the ambulance was housed at Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral at no cost. Chief City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 14, 2009 Page 5 of 6 Sargeant explained the specifics related to some of the cost for additional telemetry needed in the vehicles in order to take a patient to the right hospital. Mr. Boucher referred to Page 38 and inquired about the low number of volunteers. Chief Sargeant explained that most volunteers sought paid positions. He stated that those who did not desire to become paid firefighters were the steady volunteers. Chief Sargeant replied to Ms. Roberts that the cost of housing in Cape Canaveral was high which hindered recruits from living in the City. Mr. Boucher asked if there were recruiting cycles. Chief Sargeant affirmed that one was in progress. Chief Sargeant assured for Mayor Randels that they worked in conjunction with Brevard Community College. Mr. Petsos expressed two concerns: 1) he did not desire to see the Fire Inspections transfer to the Building Department Staff; Ms. Roberts agreed, and 2) he did not like not seeing Capital funding going into the Budget for Fire Service. Ms. Bowers clarified that $300,000 was set aside. Chief Sargeant stated that the amount of Capital fluctuates based on the necessity of purchases. Ms. Walsh asked why a Special Assessment was not applied. Mayor Randels explained that property values were used as the assessment tool. Ms. Roberts pointed out how the residents were questioning this implementation given the current dramatic changes in property values. Mayor Randels stated that this could become part of the Charter Review discussion. Ms. Roberts inquired about the Fire Station on the north side of the Port. Chief Sargeant replied that the plan was to use this station strictly as a fire house. He informed that the Department was taking advantage of the Department of Homeland Security no cost training which included free flights and transportation. Chief Sargeant requested if merit increase funding became available for the City employees, could it also be provided for the Fire Department Staff. Mr. Boucher replied that he did not foresee that happening. Ms. Walsh referred to the $300,000 for the Truck and Equipment Reserves. Ms. Bowers stated that in 2007 the City's millage was 2.7 and Council chose to begin a debt service calculation. Mr. Nicholas asked about the $70,000 grant for bunker gear. Chief Sargeant replied that the Department reuses old gear since they could not give it away. 3. 7:15 P.M. — 8:00 P.M. — Community Development. Mayor Randels referred to Pages 45 to 59 of the Proposed Budget. Mr. Morley reported a significantly reduced budget. He noted, from his last quarterly report, an increase in Construction Permit Valuation. Mr. Morley noted reduced Overtime expenses and how Meetings were conducted on an as -needed basis. Mr. Morley informed that the Legal Services were also cut back. He stated that no physicals were included. Professional Services were reduced due to the hiring of the Planning and Development Director. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 14, 2009 Page 6 of 6 Mr. Morley informed that the minimum of training was anticipated. Ms. Walsh asked about the Plotter -Scanner. Mr. Morley informed that he was working with the City of Cocoa Beach and Brevard County for large -plan scanning assistance. Mr. Morley pointed out that increased Postage was based on the anticipated Evaluation and Appraisal Reports amendments. Mr. Morley informed that he requested $11,000 for Equipment Maintenance due to assistance with their computers. Mr. Petsos asked why the cost for computers was so high. He asked for more information related to the City's Information Technology services. Mr. Morley referred to Printing also related to the Evaluation and Appraisal Related amendments. Publishing related to Legal advertising expenses. Office supplies and a defibrillator were included but not identified in these Accounts. Uniform was reduced; however, those in Staff engaged in field assignments needed new uniforms. Motor Fuel was related to the price of gasoline. Memberships and Training related to the core training necessities. Mr. Morley stated that he was looking toward on-line Continuing Education Credits in the future. Code Enforcement CEU classes were cancelled. Mr. Morley informed that if the Community Development Department was seeking IAS accreditation then $8,000 was required in the upcoming Budget. Ms. Roberts stated that she was seeking management initiatives for improvements to Staff processes. Ms. Roberts explained how she was seeking to see the Department activate the Springbrook software capabilities which the Business and Cultural Development Board also inquired about to provide a list of businesses. She expressed concern with spending money on Accreditation without implementing the Springbrook module first. Mr. Morley explained that he did not want to plan a system conversion in the midst of the Business Licensing notification cycle. This could, however, still be pursued. Ms. Roberts requested to see a detailed plan. Ms. Roberts emphasized seeing major management reforms as an initiative this year over pursing the Accreditation process. Mr. Petsos proposed inserting 50 percent of the Building Department Accreditation cost into the Budget. Ms. Walsh and Mayor Randels agreed. Ms. Roberts stated that Accreditation was a process but business fundamentals needed to be addressed as well. Ms. Bowers informed that much of the Springbrook training was already paid for and only one person needed to receive the overall training related to the Building Department Springbrook module. Mr. Nicholas noted the Organization Chart and asked why it did not identify both the Building Official and the Planning and Development Director as parallel titles. Ms. Bowers took note.of.this -for egrrection. , ADJOURNMENT: ' - ` There being no further, business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:00 P.M. J6 Susan Stills, CMC, Interim CITY CLERK