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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-08-1994 Special Workshop• • CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 8, 1994 A Special Workshop Meeting of the Cape Canaveral City Council was held on August 8, 1994, at the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Mayor Salamone. ROLL CALL: Mayor Joy Salamone Present Mayor Pro Tem John Porter Present Councilmember Arthur Berger Present Councilmember Leo Nicholas Present Councilmember Rocky Randels Present City Manager Bennett Boucher Present City Attorney John Kancilia Present Acting Deputy City Clerk Susan Stills Present BUSINESS: 1. Discussion Re: Proposed Annual Budget for FY 1994 -95. General Fund - Operating General Fund - Capital Mr. Boucher stated that there would be no tax increases in the General Fund for FY 94/95, no reserves would be utilized from Capital, and the same level of service would be offered. Mayor Salamone questioned why the proposed budget indicated a 10% tax increase in beautification and library, and would this action be taken once the budget was approved. Mr. Boucher replied that discussion for this meeting would focus on the General Fund and the proposed increase was tentative. Mr. Berger questioned what were the charges for services under the summary of revenues and what were the charges last fiscal year. Ms. Haggerty answered $5,000 was the estimate for FY 94/95 and that was strictly lot clearing with an estimated revenue of $4,400 for FY 93/94. Mr. Berger asked if there were any anticipated revenues from licenses and fees. Mr. Boucher answered that there had been an increase of individuals pulling building permits. Ms. Haggerty added that Mr. Morgan submitted a projected view of increased building growth. Mr. Nicholas questioned the Southern Bell and the FPL franchise taxes in which there was an estimate of $9,000 in FY 93/94, and $9,300 was taken in, which was an increase from FY 92/93. He asked why there was an anticipated decrease in FY 94/95. Ms. Haggerty explained that she reviewed historical data. Mr. Nicholas also questioned the gas franchise tax which was estimated at $20,000. Ms. Haggerty explained that she spoke to a representative from City Gas • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Special Workshop Meeting August 8, 1994 Page 2 and was informed that during the last fiscal year an error was made and some of the Port Authority billings were reflected and that the City of Cape Canaveral would be credited for these billings. Therefore, the Gas Company confirmed that they would reduce the fee from $20,000 down to $12,000. Mr. Nicholas questioned why the City traditionally received $6,000 to 7,000 in gas tax revenues and now there was an anticipated $12,000 for FY 94/95. Ms. Haggerty explained that this amount was due to an increased customer base. Ms. Haggerty stated that a new historical base would be built. Mr. Nicholas asked what effect the occupational license fees would have on revenue. Ms. Haggerty answered that revenue from the new fee under the classification "property for rent" was not yet known. Mr. Boucher commented that no appropriated fund balances would be utilized for any capital equipment. Mayor Salamone clarified that no reserve funds were utilized in the proposed budget. Mr. Nicholas questioned the $45,000 in fines and forfeitures which was a substantial increase over FY 93/94. Mr. Boucher answered that the City Manager's Association disputed with the Clerk of the Court regarding these fees and the Clerk readjusted the amount charged. Legislative: Mr. Boucher stated that Mayor and Council's salaries would be increased. Mr. Porter stated that he remained opposed to the increase in salaries. Administrative: Mr. Boucher stated that the overview reflected the projects and tasks being undertaken. Mr. Berger asked if the proposed budget accounted for raises and the 2.5 % cost of living increase. Mr. Boucher said that it did. Mayor Salamone asked what was included in the Newcomers Packet distributed from the City Treasurer's department. Ms. Haggerty explained that it would consist of the services the City provided as well as other utility service information along with their phone numbers in a condensed nature. Mr. Nicholas questioned the City Manager's salary of $45,476. Mr. Boucher stated that the salary included a cost -of- living increase. Mr. Nicholas asked if that amount included the bonus from last year. Mr. Boucher said that it did not. Growth Management: Mr. Boucher explained that "Growth Management" was an old section with a new name. This section encompassed the boards that the Building Official worked with such as Planning and Zoning Board, Local Planning Agency, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Mr. Boucher commented that he spoke with the County Planning Department and one of their staff planners could be utilized for $20.62 an hour. Mr. Berger asked how many hours were projected to complete the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Boucher replied that due to the amount of research necessary it was not possible to estimate the number of hours a planner would be needed at this time. Mr. Nicholas asked if Commercial Development would fall under this category. Mr. Boucher answered that a section for Commercial Development was included. Mr. Porter questioned past discussion of the hourly wage for a planner from an engineering firm. Mr. Boucher stated $60.00 an hour. Mr. Porter • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Special Workshop Meeting August 8, 1994 Page 3 also noted that it would be beneficial to use the County planner because of the City information already in the County's possession. Law Enforcement: Mr. Boucher stated that the same level of service was offered as last year and there was no change in the number of crossing guards. Mr. Boucher also stated that he spoke to Lt. McGee regarding his concern on crime prevention and the services available to deter crime. Mr. Porter commented regarding an article in FLORIDA TODAY in which crime was a concern to all of Brevard County. He said that he, too, spoke to Lt. McGee regarding a community policing program. Mr. Boucher suggested crime prevention seminars. Mayor Salamone was in favor of community involvement, however she stressed the need for trained officers and encouraged Council to support funding that advocated law enforcement. She suggested that Council address the voters with a suggested increase in the ad valorem tax. Mr. Berger questioned if any federal grants were available to assist with acquiring additional officers. Lt. McGee answered that the government would sponsor additional officers for a specified portion of time, however, after that time the funding must be provided by the City. Mr. Nicholas questioned maintaining the level of service in the contract between the City and the Sheriff's Department and said that officers could be taken from other precincts should there be a significant decrease in the number of officers in the City. Lt. McGee answered that the level of service was not a problem, but there was an increase in the number of calls. Mr. Nicholas questioned why the FY 91/92 budget which was $669,000 increased in FY 92/93 to $854,000. Lt. McGee explained that 90% percent of that increase was due to insurance and workman's compensation. Mr. Boucher questioned if Council thought the agents belonging to the drug task force had been beneficial. Mr. Porter expressed that the benefits were difficult to measure due to the discretionary nature of the program. Mr. Boucher commented that within the 2.7 years of activity there had been 46 arrests out of 49 cases of drug - related incidents. Further discussion followed on crime prevention as well as funding for youth programs that related to drug awareness. Mr. Porter questioned Lt. McGee on his opinion of a community policing program. Lt. McGee answered that although such a program was useful it could incur civil liability. Mr. Kancilia concurred with Lt. McGee on the matter of civil liability. Lt. McGee added that Brevard Community College offered a reserve training program that provided an individual with auxiliary police training and he also added that office volunteer assistance answering the phone would be appreciated. Mr. Nicholas questioned the departmental breakdown of personnel. Lt. McGee explained that there were two secretaries in the department; on the day shift, there was one supervisor and three deputies; on the afternoon squad, there was one sheriff /sergeant and two deputies; on the midnight squad, there was one sergeant and two deputies; and the relief squad, which worked • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Special Workshop Meeting August 8, 1994 Page 4 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday on a 10 -hour shift, assisted the afternoon and midnight shift on their days off; and three agents on the drug task force. Fire: Mr. Boucher noted that the basic contract had been adjusted back from $220,000 to $215,000 which was reflected in the City Manager's budget request. Chief Sargeant commented that under equipment maintenance $6,000 was requested but only $5,000 was reflected in the budget and the basic budget was decreased because the Canaveral Port Authority had its own fire inspector. Mr. Boucher stated that the $6,000 would be appropriated if necessary. Chief Sargeant commented that the general insurance price would be decreased this year from $20,000 to approximately $12,500 with the same amount of coverage. Mr. Boucher explained that the County could include the City in the MSTU whereby the City would have one engine available and a crew with assistance from the Merritt Island Fire Department. Mayor Salamone stated that at no time was Council displeased with the service of the Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department or the Police Department, it was simply an inquiry from a Councilmember. Mr. Boucher noted that Chief Sargeant expected to increase the department's level of service in FY 95/96 and informed Council that addressing an increase in the millage may be necessary. Discussion followed on the need for equipment replacement and Chief Sargeant noted that increased costs paralleled increased growth. Mr. Nicholas related a commendation from a patron of his business saying the Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department was one the best with a highly trained staff, and Mayor Salamone complimented Chief Sargeant on maintaining a balanced budget. Building Department: No changes. Street Department: Mr. Boucher commented that the program had grown over the years from capital intensive to a maintenance intensive program due to a lack of additional funding. Mr. Berger questioned the decrease of $12,000 in operating expenses. Mr. Boucher explained that $15,000 for the Tower Boulevard project was reflected in the amended column. Mr. Porter questioned what the gas tax monies could be allocated toward. Mr. Nicholas stated that initially the gas tax monies were used for road construction and repairs. He referred to Mr. Hoog's question during the July 28th workshop meeting which concerned where the $163,000 for FY 93/94 was being allocated. Mr. Nicholas noted that the money was used in Operating and Maintenance. Mr. Boucher explained the gas tax formula was based on two premises: 1) population, and 2) how much the City spent on transportation during a five year period. Previously, the City had allocated excess money from the general fund into transportation to complete more projects and thus receive increased gas tax revenue in later years. Mr. Boucher stated that during the last five (5) years, transportation expenditures had decreased; therefore, the City's share of the gas tax revenue had also decreased. Mr. Nicholas stated that the original guidelines for gas tax use were that it could not be used for Operating and Maintenance. Mr. Boucher advised that the guidelines had been changed to allow the funds to be used for • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Special Workshop Meeting August 8, 1994 Page 5 transportation maintenance costs. Mr. Porter asked what other roads needed to be paved other than Tower Boulevard. Mr. Boucher answered that Oak Lane was the only other road owned by the City. Further discussion followed on the funds for new paving. Mr. Nicholas commented on the $3,000 to $4,000 spent each year for replacement of street signs. Mr. Boucher reported that Kay McKee was doing research on recycled signs that used a material other than those with an aluminum back. Mr. Porter questioned if any of the Operating and Maintenance costs could be leveraged with a grant. Mr. Gluskin answered that no grants had been found at this time. Mr. Nicholas asked which traffic signals the City was responsible for; Mr. Gluskin stated the City was responsible for A1A, North Atlantic and Buchanan Avenue, and the flashing light on Jackson, also any lights on City streets. Parks and Recreation: Mr. Boucher stated that he spoke with Ms. Hanson regarding the 12 -15 age group that was in need of activities and he would be working cooperatively with Ms. Hanson and Lt. McGee for a solution. Further discussion followed on the adequate locations and times for youth activities in the City. Mayor Salamone reiterated that Council would be supportive of any youth activities Ms. Hanson considered. Legal Services: Mr. Boucher stated that the amount for legal services was dependant upon the bid for FY 94/95. Garbage Services: Mr. Porter suggested that the garbage service contract be bid out. However, Mr. Boucher stated that the present service contract was effective until September 30, 1999. Further discussion followed on the quality of service. Mr. Porter recommended a combined garbage service agreement with Cocoa Beach, the County, Cape Canaveral, and the Port Authority. Mayor Salamone requested that Council and staff document the garbage service. Mr. Nicholas questioned the $6,000 used for dumping charges. Mr. Boucher explained that the amount was the annual landfill disposal fee paid to the County. Community Development: Mayor Salamone stated that $2,200 would be used for the Commercial Development plan. Mr. Boucher commented that the Commercial Development Board hoped to use a County planner to insert a redevelopment plan within the Comprehensive Plan to expound on some of the goals, policies, and objectives of the Board. Non - departmental: Mayor Salamone noted that in this area there was no line item for Christmas bonuses in the budget for FY 94/95. Mr. Nicholas also questioned if a cap needed to be established for this. Ms. Haggerty replied that the Christmas bonuses could be inserted as a separate line item with a reflected cap. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Special Workshop Meeting August 8, 1994 Page 6 Capital Improvement: Mr. Boucher stated that $15,850 was allocated for a patrol car and accessories, a replacement copy machine in City Hall which had a lease expiration of June, 1995, and painting the raquetball courts. Mr. Nicholas asked if the City would be purchasing another copy machine. Mr. Boucher commented that $21,888 was spent in lease payments. Discussion followed on the costs involved in leasing versus purchasing a copy machine. Mr. Boucher noted that under Recreation several items were included such as, shuffleboard courts, basketball courts, and a ballpark restroom upgrade. Research was being done for grant money for these projects. Mr. Boucher commented that in order to receive grant money the projects needed to be reflected in the five -year capital plan. Mr. Nicholas questioned the need for a bucket truck for the Streets Department. Mr. Boucher replied that the truck was in poor condition and replacement was essential. Mr. Porter asked if the cost of the bucket truck could be offset by a grant. Discussion followed on funding for the bucket truck. Mr. Porter requested that if Council or staff knew anyone who may be interested in joining a group that would work on finding grant programs, that they inform Mr. Boucher. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M. Susan Stills, Acting Deputy City Clerk