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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-23-2001 Budget Workshop Meeting1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING CITY HALL ANNEX 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida MONDAY July 23, 2001 5:00 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Burt Bruns Mayor Pro Tem Buzz Petsos Mayor Rocky Randels Richard Treverton Larry Treverton Others Present: Bennett Boucher, City Manager Susan Stills, City Clerk Andrea Bowers, City Treasurer Morris Reid, C.B.O., Building Official Nancy Hanson, Recreation Director Ed Gardulski, Public Works Director Walter Bandish, Water Redamation Superintendent John Cunningham, CCVFD DISCUSSION: 1. Recap of Budget Changes from Workshop Meetings. Mr. Weber questioned a 26 percent increase in Capital Outlay. Ms. Bowers reported that $50, 000 is from Landscaping and $30,000 from Manatee Park. Mr. Treverton suggested using the State Road AlA Beautification funds for landscaping on the corridor. Mayor Randels clarified that the AlA Corridor grant funds would proceed. Mr. Gardulski reported that his department is working on finalizing easements and formulating the bid documents for the Al A project. Mayor Randels clarified that the $600,000 noted under Phase III would be allocated over a three -year period and the word "Phase" deleted. Mr. Bruns questioned how much was spent of the $600,000 in line item 6314 in the Sewer Enterprise Fund during fiscal year 2000/2001. Ms. Bowers replied that a minimal amount was spent. Mr. Boucher said that he would provide a recap of expenditures for Phase IV. 1 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 23, 2001 Page 2 Mr. Bruns asked when the Reclaimed Water Capital Outlay would be finalized and when would expenditures reach the point of maintenance and repair. Mr. Gardulski deferred project completion to the Council in that Council would need to determine the final areas that receive reclaimed water. Mr. Bandish stated that approximately 15,000 feet are left for installation. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos questioned a $200,000 increase for Sewer Manhole Rehab. Mr. Gardulski replied that the increase would allow for more stringent coverage in the permitting process in order to satisfy the Department of Environmental Protection. Mayor Randels questioned the 22% in School Crossing Guard salaries. Ms. Bowers explained that the increase might be due to under - budgeting in the previous year and additional wages paid to one guard for training responsibilities. 2. Discussion on Domestic Violence Officer. Mayor Randels clarified that the City operates a balanced budget. He outlined that the City Manager budgeted the amounts that would allow three additional items for police services. Mayor Randels questioned if Council desired to transfer funds from another source to install a domestic violence officer. Mr. Boucher related that Mr. Treverton questioned the discrepancy in the number of calls on domestic violence in that information received sets calls as three per week and Lt. Young stated calls at 30 per week. Commander McGee explained that calls outweigh the number of actual cases in which an individual is taken into custody. Mr. Bruns expressed his opposition to a domestic violence officer and stated that funding for police services is difficult enough without adding an additional staff person. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos stated that although he is not fully opposed, he would desire definitive information on the program. Commander McGee stated that the concept is to provide a social services related follow through subsequent to a domestic violence call. Mr. Treverton stated that he would like to see how the program is implemented first as well as a funding option. Mr. Weber asked if there is someone on staff who could provide this service at overtime pay. Commander McGee responded that Palm Bay and Orlando have an advocate and he would look into their success. He would provide Council with additional information. Mayor Randels expressed that he shared the overall opposition of the Council. He related that the budget for police services was already increased 13% percent for a level of service. Mr. Boucher stated that the police services operating budget increased by $140,000. He related that the department is requesting a major increase as well as an additional staff person in a time when the City is at a maximum on taxes. 3. Ballot question — Police Ad Valorem Tax. Mr. Weber stated that the ad valorem projections are based on previous year activity. Ms. Bowers replied that the 3.5% ad valorem amount is conservative due to 1 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 23, 2001 Page 3 the cyclic nature of the construction industry. She related that the new condominiums would anticipate an increase level in police services. Mr. Bruns stated that subsequent to a boon in construction the level of police services would still need to be addressed. Mayor Randels stated that the 1994 referendum to increase ad valorem taxes for police services passed by only 2 %. Mr. Treverton pointed out that with a one mill increase would provide less that one - half million dollars for use over time certain. Mr. Bruns clarified that a one mill increase would still leave a deficit. Mr. Weber restated that $472,000 would not last at the current rate of expenditures. Mr. Boucher related that he would prefer to work with current resources before requesting a tax increase from the residents. He related further that Council might want to consider postponing a decision to increase taxes until a plateau in development. Mr. Boucher stated that an increase in fire taxes could be explained due to an unfunded mandate that requires additional staff, however, the police tax increase would need supporting documentation. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos requested that staff provide comparatives on ad valorem tax increases with other municipalities Mr. Weber requested to see a value on new construction. 4. Ballot Question — Fire Ad Valorem Tax. Mr. Boucher related the requirements from the (NFPA). Mr. Cunningham reported that legislation did pass requiring additional staff. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos asked when it would take effect. Mr. Cunningham related that HB 1710 and 1720 are anticipated to pass in a precedent area. He replied that the NFPA document forms compliance and prosecution standards. Mr. Cunningham emphasized the need to address police and fire issues due to future construction. He related that a certain level of service would be requested due to the type of construction. 5. Use of the Bennix Funds. Mayor Randels pointed out the ideas for use from the information provided. Mr. Treverton suggested beautification on the beach ends. He questioned if a non - expendible trust could be pursued. Ms. Bowers replied that Council would need to talk with Mr. Bennix in order to decide if that diverts from his wish to spend the money on beautification. Mr. Bruns stated that the Beautification Board was tasked with providing beautification ideas. Mr. Weber stated five possible projects. He revisited the need for a hiring landscape designer. Mr. Bruns stated that Washington Avenue Park could be designated in Mr. Bennix' honor. Ms. Hanson suggested consolidating the beach end signage. 6. City Hall Expansion Options. Mr. Boucher stated that the information submitted is Option One in order to create additional space for City Hall staff. Mr. Boucher reported that he spoke with City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 23, 2001 Page 4 Catherine Stewart, Library Director and he made a recommendation to install a platform in the Library Meeting Room and to include multi -media resources. The City would be responsible for any remodeling. Mr. Reid reviewed the proposed expansion project using the service bay in City Hall Annex. Mr. Reid related that the bay area is not a full two -story building, however the space above has been suggested for storage. Mr. Bruns requested a physical walk-through of the proposed project. Mr. Reid replied to Mr. Weber that he currently has 528 square feet of office space. Mr. Reid reviewed Option Two - purchasing the building across the street from City Hall. Mr. Bruns restated that he would like to do a walk-through of the proposed options. Mayor Randels directed each member of Council to set up a time to take a tour of the options available. 7. Open Discussion on Any Budget Item. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos questioned if money is reserved in this budget for street repair. Mr. Boucher replied that Council would need to determine an amount to be used from the Escrow account Mayor Randels requested to place this as an item on the next City Council meeting agenda. Mayor Randels reported $136, 964 for street repairs. Commander McGee related that Deputy John Potter would be awarded the Deputy of the Year Award from the Sheriffs Association for the State of Florida. ADJOURNMENT: There being no fiitther business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M. Susan -St1r ls, CITY CLERK