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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 09 13 City Commission Regular Minutes 92-93-26 AMENDED . REGULAR MEETING CITY COMMISSION CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS SEPTEMBER 13, 1993 The Regular Meeting of the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, was called to order by Mayor Philip A. Ku1bes at 7:30 p.m. Roll Call: Mayor Philip A. Ku1bes, present Deputy Mayor John V. Torcaso, present City Manager John Govoruhk, present City Attorney Frank Kruppenbacher, present Commissioners: Don Jonas, present John Lange11otti, present Terri Donnelly, present Cindy Kaehler, present The invocation was given by Commissioner Terri Donnelly and the pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Attorney Frank Kruppenbacher. Approval of minutes of Aug. 23, 1993: There were no additions or deletions; the minutes stand approved as presented. Public Comment: Paul Partyka, Oswego Court, gave the Commission a brief update on the status of the Winter Springs Art Festival which is to be held December 4-5, 1993 at the Central Winds Park. He presented the Commission with a Press Release which is attached to the minutes. . Ron Sarbo, president of FC America Soccer Club, commended the City on the effort they are doing to promote and get a good quality soccer complex started in Winter Springs. He said he had a problem and he needed the Commission's help. To use the fields there is about ten criteria to meet, and he said his teams can meet all but one and that is that 50% of their teams be comprised of Winter Springs students. After discussion the consensus of the Commission was to allow them to use the fields if they pay a user fee, and if the fields are available. Howard Seib, Seneca Boulevard, spoke about the Tuscawi11a Taxing District. Sylvia J. Krummel, Cheyenne Trail, asked for assistance to her problem with her Christmas display. She said she received a letter from the park asking that she hire off duty police officers to direct the traffic, and she said she cannot afford to do that. (This item was to be brought up under Mayor Ku1bes' seat). Mayor Ku1bes presented Amanda Wood a plaque for her accomplishment as the Seminole County Outstanding Fifth Grade Student. Mayor Ku1bes thanked everyone for their cards, letters, flowers, fruit baskets and balloons while he was in the hospital. . General Agenda A. Public Hearing for 1993-1994 Fiscal Year Tentative Budget; Ad Valorem Mi11age- Discussion; Recompute and announce Tentative Millage Rate; Adopt Tentative Millage Rate and adopt Amended Tentative Budget: Mayor Ku1bes recessed the Commission Meeting and opened the public hearing for the 1993-94 Tentative Budget. Art Hoffmann, Mt. Laurel Drive and Joel Austin, Stoner Road, spoke in regard to the Budget. Mayor Ku1bes closed the public hearing and reconvened the Commission Meeting. The proposed millage rate is 3.9221 mills. . Regular Meeting, City Commission, Sept. 13, 1993 Page 2 92-93-26 Motion was made by Commissioner Kaehler to adopt the millage rate of 3.9221. Seconded by Commissioner Langellotti. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Torcaso, aye; Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; motion carried. Mtoion was made by Commissioner Kaehler to adopt the amended Tentative Budget. Seconded by Commissioner Langellotti. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; motion carried. Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ord. No. 548, proposing an amendment to the Charter of the City to amend the article of the Charter pertaining to election terms to provide for a term limitation for the Mayor and City Commissioners to three con- secutive terms, etc.: Attorney Kruppenbacher read Ord. No. 548 by title only on second reading. Mayor Kulbes recessed the Commission Meeting and opened the public hearing. Kathleen Riley spoke for the ordinance. Mr. "Laub spoke in discussion of the ordinance. Mr. John Ferring spoke against the ordinance. Mayor Kulbes closed the public hearing and reconvened the Commission Meeting. Motion was made by Commissioner Langellotti to adopt Ord. No. 548. Seconded by Commissioner Kaehler. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Donnelly, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; Commissioner Jonas, aye; motion carried. . Mayor Kulbes called a recess at 8:55 p. m. and called the meeting back to order at 9:05 p.m. Discussion of City Manager Applications: Mayor Kulbes said he reviewed the 211 applications that were sent in. Commissioner Torcaso asked each Commissioner if our present City Manager is doing the job of the City Manager and do they think he is qualified to stay on as our City Manager. Commissioners Kaehler, Langellotti and Torcaso said yes. Commissioners Donnelly and Jonas and the Mayor explained they could not answer with a yes or no answer. Discussion followed. Motion was made by Commissioner Kaehler to amend the agenda to put the issue of the selection of city manager on the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Langellotti. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Donnelly, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; motion carried. Motion was made by Commissioner Torcaso that we offer the City Manager John Govoruhk a two year contract. Seconded by Commissioner Kaehler. Second and motion were withdrawn. Motion was made by Commissioner Torcaso that we appoint John Govoruhk as the City Manager and direct the City Attorney to bring back at the next meeting a contract. Seconded by Commissibner Kaehler. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Kaehler, aye; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Donnelly, aye; motion carried. . . . . Regular Meeting, City Commission, Sept. 13, 1993 Page 3 92-93-26 There was discussion of hiring an assistant city manager. City Manager Govoruhk said that position could be created under next year's budget. First Reading of Amended Ord. No. 550, relating to Emergency Management Powers, etc.: Motion was made by Commissioner Torcaso, seconded by Commissioner Kaehler, to read Ord. No. 550 by title only on first reading. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Torcaso, aye; Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Donnelly, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; motion carried. Attorney Kruppenbacher read Amended Ord. No. 550 by title only. Amended Resolution No. 709, requesting the School Board of Seminole County to name the high school Winter Springs High School, etc.: Attorney Kruppenbacher read Amended Resolution No. 709 by title only. He stated for the record, this is to identify there will be students residing in the city limits that will not be attending Winter Springs High School. Motion was made by Commissioner Kaehler to adopt Resolution No. 709 as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Torcaso. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Donnelly, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; motion carried. Parcel 51 (Hooker Property, Tuscawilla) Review of 27 Unit Conceptual Plan: Don LeBlanc, Land Development Coordinator, explained this is approximately 16 - 17 acres that was previously approved for 197 condominium units. Mr. Mikes is in the process of purchasing the property and wants to convert it into a 27 unit private subdivision. Mr. Mikes was present and made a presentation to the Commission. Commissioner Kaehler said she would not be in favor of waiving the sidewalk require- ment. Motion was made by Commissioner Donnelly to approve the 27 Unit Conceptual Plan as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Torcaso. Discussion. Commissioner Kaehler stated for the record, that for the safety factor the reason that you have sidewalks is to give pedestrians a place to walk in relative safety; I think that putting them in the street is not fulfilling our responsibility and am going to vote against this because of the sidewalk issue. Mr. Mikes said he would get a price for the addition of sidewalks and when it is turned over to the homeowners association the funds will be there. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Jonas, aye; Commissioner Langellotti, aye; Commissioner Donnelly, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, no; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; motion carried. Discussion of Resolution providing for user fees and charges relating to special events held within the City of Winter Springs, etc.: Manager Govoruhk explained that staff put together this document which would require a permit for anyone coming into the City to have a parade, carnival, any use of City property. This is for the Commission's review, and will be on the next agenda if the Commission agrees with it. Chief Govoruhk thanked the Commissioners for their comments and he said he appreciates the offer to stay to see a lot of the projects continue. . . . Regular Meeting, City Commission, Sept. 13, 1993 Page 4 92-93-26 Mayor Kulbes set a Workshop Meeting for Sept. 21, 1993 at 7:00 p. m. to hear presentations by architects for the Public Safety Complex. Attorney Kruppenbacher passed out a draft ordinance which authorizes the payment of $15.00 for each member of an appointed board. This is to be on the next agenda. Commission Seat V - Cindy Kaehler: Commissioner Kaehler said she has been getting some complaints about our passive areas in our parks. They are not being utilized because of high grass and other problems. She said she would like to know why these areas are not being taken care of. Commissioner Kaehler reported that 105 responses to the bus survey received and over half said they would use public transportation. Kaehler is to take a look at a proposed bus route and the cost and the people would be willing to use it. have been Commissioner then see if Commission Seat I - John V. Torcaso: No report. Commission Seat II - Don Jonas: Commissioner Jonas spoke about pursuing the widening of SR 434 for the health, safety and welfare of the children once the high school opens. Commissioner Jonas also spoke about the big mishap in Seminole County with the soccer facility. He also asked the Attorney the status of the Attorney General's opinion regarding the maintenance agreement regarding the ownership of the front entrance. Commission Seat III - John Langellotti: Commissioner Langellotti asked Attorney Kruppenbacher to state his position on that maintenance issue. Attorney Kruppenbacher said he and Attorney Bricklemyer believe that based upon their research, they can work an assessment process on the public portions of the property to deal with the concerns and issues that were raised. As to the private portion of the property they would deal with the Attorney General on that. Commission Seat IV - Terri Donnelly: No report. Mayor's Office: Mayor Kulbes nominated William Ramsey to the County's Citizen Advisory Board for Impact Fees. The following letter was received from William A. Jacobs, 207 Sweetgum Court: Since around 1976 I have served as a City Commissioner, member of the Planning and Zoning Board, Bord of Adjustment, Charter Revision, District Committee, Florida Municipal Pension Fund and currently I am on the Pension Board. As you can see, I have been on both sides, some with payment and some without payment. My purpose is to give you comments, based on years of service to the City through my experience on many boards concerning your proposed Resolution on Payments to the Boards. . Regular Meeting, City Commission, Sept. 13, 1993 Page 5 92-93-26 If you would read the Resolutions providing payments to the Boards, the Mayor and City Commissioners you will see it contains the same language, "expense reimburse- ments...for natural and necessary expenses." In Resolution number 590, providing payment to the Mayor, $500.00 per month, Deputy Mayor, $400.00 per month, and City Commissioners, $350.00 per month "for expense reimbursement..for expenditures naturally and necessarily incurred," not a salary. You are receiving from SEVEN TO TEN TIMES THE AMOUNT PER MONTH PAID TO BOARD MEMBERS who qualify under similar Resolutions under IDENTICAL STANDARDS. Recently, I did some research at City Hall. I read over the minutes for the past three years. During this time, the City Commission met on an average of slightly over two meetings per month. If you break their payments down to a per meeting basis, at two meetings per month, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Commissioners would receive $250.00, $200.00, and $175.00 per meeting respectively. Board members, who qualify, receive only $50.00 per month. I know, and I am sure you are aware that some boards usually the Planning and Zoning board, meet as many as four times a month. Also, I am sure if you check the time the City Commissioners spend at meetings now, you will find that they are spending about 1 hour less than in the 70's and 80's. During that time there was more business to conduct because of the tremendous growth the City was experiencing. If you agree there is less business to conduct, this may explain why some Boards are meeting less, namely the Board of Adjustment and probably the Planning and Zoning Board (except for special projects). . I certianly do not resent or oppose the monies paid to the Mayor or City Commissioners, you may well be underpaid. What I do resent and oppose is your apparent attitude. By proposing a reduction in payments to only the Boards, your implying that your time is more valuable and you are more important than others who serve the City. This is my impression from listening to the tape of the meeting where you tried to pass this Resolution, without input and without including yourselves. You want to reduce payments to the Boards because they're not meeting as often as in the past. Maybe the City Commission and some boards are putting in less hours than years past, however if a change is necessary, the change should apply to ALL. Not only is your proposed Resolution reducing the Boards' payments going to anger many who serve the City, you may well have insulted them ($15.00 per meeting for gas and a babysitter for some meetings that may last over four hours is an insult). I know there are some members on various Boards that do not want any payment, some that need the money to pay for out of pocket expenses, and some that want their pay to justify spending many hours away from their families. However, our May and Commissioners did not know this, for they did not ask for any input from those directly effected. GET ALL THE INFORMATION AND BE FAIR. I agree, there is a problem in attendance and some Boards may not be meeting as often as in the past. By proposing this reduction in payments, without even getting input from the Boards' members, YOU ARE GOING ABOUT IT THE WRONG WAY. Fortunately, the City Attorney advised against it. . . . . Regular Meeting City Commission, Sept. 13, 1993 Page 6 92-93-26 It seems to me by attempting to pass this Resolution you are demonstrating what is wrong with the United States Congress. THE CONGRESS PASSES LAWS THAT AFFECTS OTHERS, BUT EXEMPTS THEMSELVES DIRECTLY OR THROUGH OMISSION. So if you decide to adopt this Resolution which reduces board members' reimbursements and eliminates pay for non- attendance, then REDUCE YOUR PAY proportionately and DO NOT PAY YOURSELVES for non- attendance. DO NOT do what our Congress does. My point is, THINK before you pass this Resolution. Make sure you don't hold the Boards to a higher standard than you hold yourself. Make sure your decision is in the best interest of the City. I know you do not want it to backfire. My recommendation is to mirror the Mayor/City Commission compensation scale as follows: Chairman $75.00 per meeting with a maximum of $150.00 Vice-Chairman $60.00 per meeting with a maximum of $120.00 Members $50.00 per meeting with a maximum of $100.00 Conversely, pay yourselves $250.00 for the Mayor, $200.00 for the Deputy Mayor and $175.00 for the City Commissioner per meeting, with a maximum of $500.00, $400.00, $350.00 respectively, based on attendance. (End of letter). Motion was made by Commissioner Jonas to reappoint Me1 Glickman to the Commerce & Industry Board. Seconded by Commissioner Kaehler. Discussion. Vote on the motion: Commissioner Lange110tti, aye; Commissioner Donnelly, aye; Commissioner Kaehler, aye; Commissioner Torcaso, aye; Commissioner Jonas, aye; motion carried. Mrs. Krummel's problem was discussed. to try to work it out. The City Manager is to get with Mrs. Krummel Meeting was adjourned 10:45 p. m. Respectfully submitted, /n~Th~ Mary T. Norton, City Clerk u YOR