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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2004 06 10 City Commission Workshop Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP JUNE 10, 2004 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Thursday, June 10, 2004 of the City Commission was called to order by Mayor John F. Bush at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Mayor John F. Bush, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Michael S. Blake, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present (via telephone) Commissioner Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner David W. McLeod, arrived at 6:56 p.m. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent A moment of silence was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. Office Of The City Manager Budget Review. In his opening remarks, City Manager Ronald W. McLemore noted a revised page, E-20. Oak Forest Wall And Beautification District Advisory Committee: Discussion ensued with Mr. Kip Lockcuff, P.E., Public WorkslUtility Department Director. With discussion on the "Maint. Fund", Commissioner Michael S. Blake asked Mr. Lockcuff, "When are we going to see this project?" Commissioner Blake added, "You are asking us for about a sixty-five percent (65%) increase in the maintenance portion of their Assessment, and we are going to do it blind? We are not going to see what plans we are talking about? What kind of expansion? We are not going to talk to the residents?" Discussion ensued on a previous Informational Agenda Item related to this issue. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10.2004 PAGE20F9 Discussion Commissioner Blake then said that "I am most unhappy about the way it is coming to us. This is something that I should have known about before. It is something every other Commissioner and the Mayor should have had an opportunity to talk about before, and not here at the Budget meetings." Commissioner Blake added, "My concern is the level of communication." Furthermore, Commissioner Blake said, "If this is initiated by the homeowners, the property owners, the folks that spend the money, I am all for it." Commissioner David W McLeod arrived at 6:56 p.m. Discussion. Mr. Terry Patten, 845 Benchwood Court, Winter Springs, Florida: as the Chairman of the Oak Forest Wall And Beautification District Advisory Committee, Mr. Patten addressed the City Commission. Commissioner Robert S. Miller asked Mr. Patten, "Has this ever been mentioned - in your Newsletter?" Mr. Patten responded, "No." Commissioner Miller suggested, "I would encourage you to put a big spread on this in your Newsletter." Mayor Bush then said to Manager McLemore, "I would like to recommend the next time this happens that this not be an Informational [Agenda] Item - it be a Regular Agenda Item, and - individuals like Terry [Patten] could be present and give a presentation to the Commission. " Mr. Patten briefly spoke for the record on "Public Input." Discussion. Tuscawilla Lighting And Beautification District Advisory Committee: Commissioner Blake stated, "Why are maintaining a Fund Balance in this Account?" Manager McLemore responded, "We'll get some answers." Discussion. Tape I/Side B Commissioner Blake said, "My feeling on both the Oak Forest [Wall and Beautification District] and the TLBD [Tuscawilla Lighting And Beautification District] Assessment Districts - I think we are being premature here. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGE30F9 There is no reason why we should be approving these new dollar numbers into a budget, before each of us have had an opportunity to go through and have the Commission have an opportunity to make a decision with the help of the residents in those areas, as to whether or not these additional improvements should be made. We should revert back and use the standard operating budget that we have used in previous years. Once the issue is ripe and goes through all the different stops that it has to get to, prior to this Commission making a decision - if the Commission then decides to go ahead and implement those additional improvements, we merely need to amend the Budget." Mayor Bush added, "I agree with you in the fact that it needs to be more public and not an Informational Agenda Item. It needs to be a Regular Agenda Item." Discussion. Mr. Moti Khemlani, 605 Morgan Street, Winter Springs, Florida: as a Member of the Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District Advisory Committee, Mr. Khemlani addressed the City Commission and stated, "At the last [Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District Advisory Committee] Meeting, Don Gilmore as the outgoing Chairman did make that comment that we need to pass this information over to the people; and we are going to do that." Mr. Rande Thompson, 108 Marsh Creek Cove, Winter Springs, Florida: also as a Member of the Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District Advisory Committee, Mr. Thompson stated, "We want to go to the community. We are definitely going to go to the community." Furthermore, Mr. Thompson added, "We have talked about putting it in the Newsletter, so that every member of the community is aware of it." Mayor Bush said to Manager McLemore, "Is this something to be put in the City's Newsletter?" Manager McLemore responded, "It could." Regarding the "Country Club Village Streetlighting Assessment", Commissioner Blake said, "What happens if there is money leftover in the account, at the end of it?" With discussion, Commissioner Blake added, "It is not the Association's money." Manager McLemore said, "That is an interesting question." Commissioner Blake further stated, "In anticipation of that, I would hope that we would either make sure that it all gets spent and creates a deficiency, or check into whether or not we can use these funds to prepay the bills that were collected and intended to pay, which is the electric bill - the light bill." Manager McLemore said, "Sure. Okay." Mayor Bush called a Recess at 7:50 p.m. Mayor Bush called the Workshop back to order at 7:53 p.m. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGE40F9 Parks And Recreation Department: Discussion ensued with Mr. Chuck Pula, Director, Parks and Recreation Department on printers. Commissioner Blake asked, "Why is the black and white printer so much more expensive than the color printer?" Commissioner Blake added, "It is just one of those things you might want to check into." Discussion ensued on budget items related to the 4th of July event. Tape 2/Side A With discussion on Senior Bus Transportation, Commissioner Sally McGinnis stated, "We have not determined yet if ridership is out of necessity or convenience." Manager McLemore said, "Why would the Seniors be giving money out to other people all over the place, when they could be using those funds to help offset the costs of this bus. And that is a legitimate thing for them to do." Commissioner Blake added, "I agree." Mayor Bush said to Mr. Pula, "I think that is a good point." Mr. Pula added, "We definitely will look at it." Mayor Bush then said that regarding "Advertising the Gambling Cruises - I just don't think that is a good idea." Commissioner Blake added, "I don't think it is appropriate either." Mr. Pula said, "Are you speaking of - in the Newsletter? We can take care of that. " Discussion. Regarding a possible shade structure, Commissioner Blake inquired, "How much would it cost and will it enhance the view - from the Police Department and the Fire Department?" With discussion, Mr. Pula said, "I'd like to do it - as quick as we can get it up there." Commissioner Blake asked, "Are you asking to have it put in the Budget?" With further discussion, Commissioner Blake said, "Put it in there." Manager McLemore then said, "Okay, we'll make that amendment." Mayor Bush said, "You all are doing a good job, we appreciate it!" Commissioner Blake added, "Yes, you are doing a great job!" In other Budget related business, Commissioner McLeod said "Are we not moving ahead with this over here - this expansion of City Hall?" Manager McLemore responded, "We are putting that off for a while, because the revenues are not coming in." With discussion, Commissioner McLeod suggested, "When we get into that one, let's talk about. Maybe we need to find another way to do it." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGESOF9 Community Development Department: Discussion ensued with Ms. Max Epstein, Customer Service Division Manager, Community Development Department. Discussion ensued on the possibility of two-tier pricing to incorporate priority service. Next, discussion ensued on a possible Receptionist for the Lobby, and Commissioner Miller suggested, "It is something that we should think about." Also discussed was improving the telephone system, to which Mayor Bush stated, "I would like to see that." Commissioner McGinnis also agreed. Commissioner McLeod suggested, "I think what we need to have out here is maybe some signage over the windows that directs the people." Regarding improving telephone service and quality, Commissioner McLeod suggested, "I think the first thing should be - if you want to speak to an Operator push zero [0], and then go on through - if they want certain Departments." Commissioner McLeod added, "One thing that I did notice is that when you go to the zero [0], and they do send you somewhere, you never go back." Commissioner Miller then said, "Can I assume then that the City Staff is going to look into addressing the telephone system - and signs?" Manager McLemore responded, "We will address the messages, the queuing, and all that kind of stuff - do you want me to bring back a proposal, a recommendation... Mayor Bush pointed out that "...I think the Commission's consensus was really the telephones." Tape 2/Side B Commissioner Blake suggested, "Make it more user-friendly." Commissioner McLeod said, "When it is done Ron [McLemore], call it a few times to see how it works." Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore noted that "One of the suggestions that I might like to make on the telephone system is that the City Staff go to the outside and start making phone calls trying to find out information - in other words, duplicate what the resident of Winter Springs does." Mayor Bush recommended, "Just make a call to the City when you don't know to whom you should speak." Next, discussion ensued on the City's Arborist. Mayor Bush said that Mr. Mingea advised him that he "Needs publications so that he [Mr. Mingea] could show people things." Commissioner Blake suggested, "It is all on the Internet." Ms. Epstein stated, "It is possible that he [Mr. Mingea] wants additional brochures, but we haven't sat down and discussed the reasons why he [Mr. Mingea] would need that. That is something that I will discuss with him [Mr. Mingea] tomorrow." Mayor Bush added, "If there was a [Computer] terminal or a workstation at the counter, then he [Mr. Mingea] wouldn't need the publications, he could easily bring it up." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGE 6 OF 9 Next discussed was Mr. Mingea's access to the Internet. Ms. Epstein added, "We do have the ability to produce that information and he has the ability at his fingertips." Mayor Bush then inquired about computer skills; to which Manager McLemore stated, "We will have that discussion with him." Mayor Bush stated, "He is truly sincere about his love for - trees!" Ms. Epstein added, "He does a phenomenal job!" Utility Department: Discussion ensued on long-term Stormwater issues. A new page G-l was handed out by Staff. Discussion. Commissioner Blake stated, "Normally you give us a resurfacing list." Mr. Lockcuff responded, "We will have it in the Budget for next time." Mr. Lockcuff verbally noted the streets which will be resurfaced. Mayor Bush then said to the City Commission, "Maybe you have seen the correspondence from a citizen who had written me and I turned it over to the Manager and Kip's [Lockcuff] response." Mr. Lockcuff stated, "I didn't copy them. I can though." Mayor Bush added, "If you want a copy of it, the Clerk - Andrea [Lorenzo- Luaces] can get it." Next, discussion followed on Decellanes. Regarding the "Public Facilities Impact Fee Fund", Commissioner McLeod suggested, "I would tell you to probably add another twenty (20) to - twenty-five percent (25%) to that project." With discussion on the shortage of some building supplies, Commissioner McLeod added, "It is one of the reasons I would move forward with it - I think it is going to get worse, before it gets better, over the next couple of years." Manager McLemore said, "We can look at that." Commissioner Blake said, "The question is where do we have to get it from to move forward and get it done, and then we can pay it back." Commissioner McLeod said to Manager McLemore, "It was something that was needed two (2) years ago, when you came to us." Manager McLemore remarked, "We will come back to you with a way to do it." Commissioner McLeod said, "Okay. When." Manager McLemore added, "We will work out a way to make it work." Tape 3/Side A CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGE 7 OF9 With discussion on "Solidwaste/Recyc1ing Fund Revenues", Manager McLemore stated, "The bottom line is we are going to redo this for your submission in July. We are reviewing that Performa now." Commissioner Blake said, "I would like to see those numbers. I would be very interested in them. And even if that is the case, the purpose of this Fund was for rate stabilization over the nine (9) year period." Commissioner Blake added, "We have three (3) years remaining. What are we going to do about it?" With further discussion, Commissioner Blake noted, "Let's have the conversation when you do your study and bring it back." Next, Commissioner Blake asked, "Don't we have some increases in our debt payments coming up?" Commissioner Blake suggested to Manager McLemore, "If we could maybe just look at that again." Manager McLemore responded, "Okay." Regarding the "1999 Debt Service Fund", Commissioner Blake said to Manager McLemore, "Talk to me about the fund balance that we are carrying in that one - half million dollars. Is that that one that requires reserves?" Manager McLemore said, "I have got to check it for you." Manager McLemore added, "I will get back that information on your Debt Service requirement." Discussion. While on page E-28, Commissioner Blake inquired, "Is this line of credit, a revolving line of credit?" Manager McLemore responded, "By Resolution, I believe you can extend it. I would have to check." Commissioner Blake then said, "But I thought that was a Bank requirement, wasn't it?" Furthermore, Commissioner Blake added, "Let's look into that because there is probably enough money there to take care of a major portion of the City Hall expansion." Further discussion. Discussion ensued on a proposed "VFW [Veteran's of Foreign Wars] Monument". Commissioner Blake said, "We put so much into this Town Center in terms of its design, its flavor, its overall atmosphere, that I think the Commission ought to retain some control over what monuments, if any, goes in the Town Center - and if so, where, and what they look like. And to see it up here, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for a 'VFW [Veteran's of Foreign Wars] Monument', I think that, in and of itself is - an Agenda Item." Mayor Bush suggested, "I would recommend you give it a different name." With additional discussion, Commissioner McLeod suggested, "Maybe you just rename this as a Memorial Walk, as being that area and if one of those things happens to come back as a Veteran's memorial, then at that time, present it as a Veteran's Memorial." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGE80F9 Manager McLemore stated, "I am scratching 'VFW' [Veteran's of Foreign Wars] and just leaving 'Monument'." Commissioner McGinnis stated, "I would like some consideration given to changing 'Memorial' to 'Commemorative'." Commissioner Blake added, "I don't like it when things come up that way." Mayor Bush spoke about the involvement of the Rotary Club and suggested, "At some point, they need to come to the Commission I think and enlighten us." Commissioner McGinnis agreed and said, "Yes." Commissioner McLeod said, "I wouldn't wait until the point that you want to do it. I think it ought to be brought forward and - say - here is the Rotary - we would like to present an idea to you and give this Commission some time to give some thought to it." Commissioner Miller suggested to Manager McLemore, "Somebody has got to come here and tell us - and if we need to make a commitment of some kind, then we can do it at that time. Fine. So we leave it as 'Monument' for the time being." Mayor Bush summarized, "We have changed the name to 'Monument' and left the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) in - or 'Commemorative Monument'. I like 'Commemorative' better too." Discussion. Regarding the "Public Works Compound", Commissioner Blake asked, "What did we budget for the improvements at that time?" Manager McLemore stated, "I don't think we had a budget for the improvements when we took that property. I will go back and check the Agenda Item." Commissioner Blake added, "What I really want to know is how do we get to 3.3 million and what are we getting for it?" Manager McLemore added, "I will check that Agenda Item and bring you a copy of that." Commissioner Blake then stated, "The City owns various pieces of property; and the City has paid money to have them appraised - I think we need to talk about what our plans are for these parcels." Additionally, Commissioner Blake said, "We are searching for money to build a Fire Station in two (2) years. We are searching for money to re-build City Hall. We are spending what is ending up being a lot more I think, to build a Public Works Compound. It is time that we get an Inventory on these properties before us on the next Agenda and make a determination." Manager McLemore said, "Okay." Mayor Bush inquired, "Do you have any idea Ron [McLemore], when you want to put that on the Agenda?" Manager McLemore stated, "Next Meeting." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JUNE 10,2004 PAGE 9 OF 9 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Workshop at 10:27 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: _ ""r" e- - > ~ /" .-- .....- -ORENZG-J~UACES, CMC 0. ~.., - _~, -;Y en....... '.' cp..~ ...- . /.... "