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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2008 07 16 City Commission Workshop MinutesCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP JULY 16, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Wednesday, July 16, 2008 of the City Commission was called to Order by Deputy Mayor Donald A. Gilmore at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Deputy Mayor Gilmore asked, "Normally at Workshops like this we do not take Public Input unless the Commission agrees to that. Commissioners, may we take Public Input?" Commissioner Robert S. Miller replied, "Yes." Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs agreed as well. Roll Call: Mayor John F. Bush, absent Deputy Mayor Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Rick Brown, arrived at 5:41 p.m. Commissioner Sally McGinnis, absent Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent A moment of silence was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Office Of The City Manager Budget Review. Parks and Recreation Department: Mr. Chuck Pula, Director, Parks and Recreation Department addressed the City Commission on his Departmental Budget. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY 16, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 8 Commissioner Rick Brown arrived at S: 41 p. m. Mr. Pula noted numbers related to Membership at the Senior Center, to which Deputy Mayor Gilmore asked, "Would you get acopy -get those numbers to all of us?" Mr. Pula replied, "Sure." Regarding a study on utility usage/costs, Commissioner Brown asked, "Who is doing that study?" Mr. Pula replied, "It's an energy management firm; and that's all they do; but I can get you the name on that." Further discussion. Commissioner Brown then spoke of his concern with a couple of organizations being told they could not rent the Senior Center. Mr. Pula explained, "It is available through the Resolution that we have -but according to the Resolution, you need to check with the Civic Center and if it's available, you need to rent the Civic Center first; and then if the Civic Center is not, the Senior Center - is available for rental, but during non-Senior hours which are the hours after five o'clock, Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday." Commissioner Brown suggested that the Resolution be changed. Next, the Hound Ground and Splash Pad budgets were discussed. Tape 1/Side B Discussion. On the issue of Events, Mr. Pula stated, "We're gearing up to conduct a large meeting in August to try to gather all the interested parties together and see what we can come up with to try to run events that are not going to cost the City any money; and try to get to different individuals; different businesses; different sponsors to all come together. It's been kind of interesting to hear the things that we're now hearing, and we think - we can bring back some smaller type Events to benefit the community." Commissioner Brown mentioned he was going to suggest such a group get together and look into Events for the City. Further discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY l6, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 8 Regarding Leagues renting City fields, Commissioner Brown inquired of City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, "Would it be effective Ron (McLemore) - to have a line item on here that shows the pro rata share of the utility cost, for each of these?" Manager McLemore replied, "We could generate that for you." Furthermore, Manager McLemore reiterated, "We can certainly get that information for you to look at." Discussion followed on concession operations; fuel costs; mowing; and specific Parks. Deputy Mayor Gilmore opened "Public Input ". Mr. Arnie Nussbaum, 687 Andover Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke of sponsorships; and suggested that the Hometown Harvest Event work with attendees to bring donations for local food pantries; and mentioned that the Winter Springs High School Performing Arts Group could perform at City Events, for no cost. Tape 2/Side A Deputy Mayor Gilmore inquired about next year's big City Anniversary (50th) and suggested it be tied into a City Event. Manager McLemore noted, "Okay." Mr. Leroy Holloway, 705 Glasgow Court, Winter Springs, Florida: expressed appreciation for the Senior Center and Therapy Pool and noted that Ms. Susie Coffman, (Senior Center Manager, Parks and Recreation Department) and Ms. Liz Abitante (Therapy Pool Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department) are both doing a great job. Mr. Ben Lupo, 845 Bentley Green Circle, Florida: spoke favorably about the Therapy Pool and mentioned that if the Senior Center was closed on some days, that it would be unfair to those who signed up for the Therapy Pool thinking they are getting five (5) days instead of possibly three (3) days. Ms. Isabelle Laub, 1372 Blue Spruce Court, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on the Senior Center and concerns with unappropriated maintenance funds; that the Billiards Room is very appreciated; spending on the Town Center; and that the City find funds for the Senior Center. Ms. Laub also complimented Ms. Susie Coffman (Senior Center Manager, Parks and Recreation Department) and Ms. Liz Abitante (Therapy Pool Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department); and wanted to see the Senior Center open for the full five (5) days. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY 16, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 8 Ms. Isla Kreiner, 806 Big Buck Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke in opposition to the Senior Center budget cuts; and complimented Ms. Susie Coffman, (Senior Center Manager, Parks and Recreation Department). Mr. Tyler Weisman, 113 Brookshire Court, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on previous Town Hall Meetings; and noted that the audiences did not want cuts in Winter Springs. Mr. Weisman also noted that he does not agree with outsourcing and voiced his support for the Dog Park. Ms. Loretta Ames, 1 SO 3'd Street, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke in support of the 4`" of July Event; suggested that the Senior Center stay open five (5) days a week; and commented on Splash pads and the Dog Park. Mr. Bob Rucci, 973 Turkey Hollow Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke of support for the Senior Center, the Splash Pad, and the Dog Park. Mr. Rucci also mentioned that the Parks and Recreation Department does a great job. Mr. Bob Mahon, 101 S Antelope Trail, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke about him being a Volunteer at Winter Springs Events and that he has heard great praise from those attending such Events. Deputy Mayor Gilmore closed "Public Input ". Deputy Mayor Gilmore called a Recess at 7:25 p. m. The Workshop was called back to Order at 7:44 p. m. Information Services Department: Ms. Joanne Dalka, Director, Information Services Department addressed the City Commission on her Departmental Budget. With discussion, Deputy Mayor Gilmore suggested that the Information Services Department needs a Data Center. Tape 2/Side B CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY 16, 2008 PAGE 5 OF 8 General Services Department: Mr. Kevin Smith, Director, General Services Department introduced his Departmental Budget. On the issue of classified advertising, Commissioner Brown asked Mr. Smith, "How many ads are you putting out?" Mr. Smith replied, "I would have to get back to you on that." Further discussion. Mr. Smith then advised the City Commission of a requested fuel adjustment from Waste- Pro. Manager McLemore explained, "An alternative to this increase it was to bring back a proposal of one week collection, as opposed to twice a week. So, they are going to cost that out and bring it back to you as an option to look at." Commissioner Miller asked Manager McLemore if he would get the information within the next couple of weeks? Manager McLemore responded, "Yes." General Government: Discussion. Finance Department: Ms. Michelle Greco, Director, Finance Department presented her Departmental Budget to the City Commission. Brief discussion. Community Development Department: Mr. Randy Stevenson, Director, Community Development Department addressed the City Commission on his Departmental Budget. Tape 3/Side A CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY 16, 2008 PAGE 6 OF 8 Much discussion ensued on plan reviews, inspections, and documenting problems. Mr. Smith explained, "Next Commission Meeting, I will be bringing to you an Agreement asking your permission to have the City Manager execute an Agreement with the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector and then the following meeting we will have to go through the process of..." Mr. Smith continued, "...I will be asking your permission to adopt a Fire Fee next year, but only for the delinquent roll from this prior year." Commissioner Krebs suggested, "If we do Adopt something like that -that we adopt it and add on that the statement for collection of the delinquent that did not..." Mr. Smith noted, "...And, that's what we will do." Discussion. Deputy Mayor Gilmore suggested that the explanation and Ordinance be brief. Further discussion. Office of the Ciry Clerk: Ms. Balagia handed out new Budget pages to the City Commission. City Clerk Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces addressed the City Commission on her Departmental Budget; and distributed a list of tasks related to her Department. Boards: This Budget was presented to the City Commission by City Clerk Lorenzo-Luaces. Commission: City Clerk Lorenzo-Luaces began the discussion on this Budget with the City Commission. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY l6, 2008 PAGE 7 OF 8 Office of the City Manager: Manager McLemore addressed the City Commission briefly on his Department Budget. Commissioner Brown asked City Manager McLemore, "Can you produce an overview for us sometime before the Meeting of all the suggestions -and requested changes that we have discussed - we talked about what it would look like to add the two (2) heads to the Police Department and not changing the health benefits. Can you put something together that shows all of that..." Manager McLemore replied, "...Yes..." Commissioner Brown continued, "...For review before we get back together for this; so, we can see exactly what we are looking at -for expected Millage." Next, Commissioner Miller said to Manager McLemore, "We actually gave the good people of Winter Springs a tax refund -that is the way I would look at it -there was an amount of money that they didn't have to pay for our Fire Service that was made available to them this year, because we took it out of the General Fund. And, I would like to see you put some kind of a value on that in terms of a Millage for the -coming year of [20]' 09." Continuing, Commissioner Miller stated, "If we need to consider an increase in the Millage at some point because we need to set a tentative Millage here very shortly, I would like to see some consideration given to quantifying what that number is that the good people of Winter Springs benefited -this year -that they didn't have to pay." Commissioner Miller added, "I would like to see it before we set the tentative Millage." With further comments, Commissioner Miller noted, "I would like to see an exact number of what that reduction represents - if it is 6/10`" of a Mil, fine." Further discussion. Tape 3/Side B Commissioner Brown spoke of possible position cuts and suggested that the City Commission consider reducing their monthly expenses if cuts are made across the City. Discussion. Regarding a date for a Special Meeting on the Tentative Millage, Deputy Mayor Gilmore remarked, "So, we will have it on the 4`" [of August] [2008]?" Commissioner Krebs remarked, "Yes." Commissioner Gilmore said, "5:30 p.m." No objections were noted. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -JULY 16, 2008 PAGE 8 OF 8 Discussion ensued next on holding Roundtable Discussions on Budget issues. Commissioner Krebs suggested, "Is the [July] 23rd [2008] okay with you?" Commissioner Miller replied, "Yes, that's fine." Commissioner Brown said, "Yes." Commissioner Krebs continued, "5:30 [p.m.]." No objections were noted. Commissioner Krebs then said, "And then you want to put another one on the [July] 31St [2008]?" Commissioner Miller commented, "Right." No objections were noted. Mr. Smith reiterated, "Workshop on the [July] 23rd [2008] at 5:30 [p.m.]; Workshop on the [July] 31St [2008] at 5:30 [p.m.]; Tentative Millage Special Meeting on the [August] 4th [2008] - 5:15 [p.m.]." No objections were noted. ADJOURNMENT Deputy Mayor Gilmore adjourned the Workshop at 9:50 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: DANIELLE HARKER, DEP UTY CITY CLERK AND ANDRE LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: iUHN F. BUSH ~ ~~~~ iVIAYOR NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the July 28, 2008 Regular City Commission Meeting.