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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2009 05 04 City Commission Workshop MinutesCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MAY 4, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Monday, May 4, 2009 of the City Commission was called to Order by Deputy Mayor Joanne M. Krebs at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor John F. Bush, absent Deputy Mayor Joanne M. Krebs, present Commissioner Jean Hovey, present Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Gary Bonner, present Commissioner Sally McGinnis, absent City Manager Kevin L. Smith, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, arrived at 6:02 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was held. REGULAR AGENDA REGULAR 600. Utility/Public Works Department Requesting City Commission To Review Preliminary Rate Study Recommendations For Water. Sewer And Reclaimed Water User Fees. Mr. Kip Lockcuff, P.E., Director, Public Works/Utility Department introduced this Agenda Item. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese arrived at 6:02 p. m. City Manager Kevin L. Smith presented some brief comments to the City Commission. Mr. Jack Burgiel, Public Resources Management Group, Inc., 225 South Swoope Avenue, Maitland, Florida: addressed the City Commission. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - MAY 4, 2009 PAGE 2 OF 6 Discussion. Commissioner Jean Hovey referenced a number on page 2 of the handout entitled, "Water and Wastewater System Rate Study" and spoke of the `3-inch' item referenced and suggested the "proposed" price seemed to have doubled. Mr. Burgiel stated, "That must be a typo. It is probably supposed to be $148.64" not $248.64. Mr. Burgiel added, "Good catch." Commissioner Gary Bonner suggested, "I would love to see - some sort of scheduling or tracking of what would have happened if we would have had just an index that would have been tied to the CPI (Consumer Price Index) or something along those lines; so that we would know where we would be just anticipating normal economic changes that occurred in the economy during that time frame. I think that that should be part of how we explain this to the consumer, because we are going to go back and catch up as it were." Mr. Lockcuff noted, "I would like to do that going forward too." Commissioner Bonner added, "I would love to do that going forward." Deputy Mayor Krebs added, "I would think that was a good idea too." No objections were voiced. Continuing, Commissioner Bonner added, "I don't know if it is Consumer Price Index or what the appropriate measurement would be but we need some way to sort of track ourselves." Much discussion. Tape 1/Side B Discussion. Commissioner Bonner pointed out, "We are treating all customers the same on Wastewater." Mr. Burgiel stated, "Correct." Discussion followed on Hacienda Village. Next, Commissioner Bonner spoke of "The plan, over the next five (5) years for the deployment of Reclaim - what is the process for determining that, street by street?" Mr. Lockcuff mentioned there was a document available related to this. Discussion. Next, Commissioner Bonner asked when the Ordinance [Water Restrictions] would be discussed? Mr. Lockcuff responded, "Probably - June, July. The goal is we have got to have it in place by November 1 sc - nothing has changed as of today." Further discussion followed on capital costs and operating costs. Regarding rate increases, Commissioner Bonner asked to see them broken down. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - MAY 4, 2009 PAGE 3 OF 6 Commissioner Rick Brown said to Manager Smith, "I am assuming as this goes forward, you will do the general informational bulletins and blasts out to the citizens?" Manager Smith said, "Absolutely - there are requirements to do so; plus, we will do our best to educate through other mechanisms." On the topic of Impact Fees and possible increases, Commissioner Brown suggested "A more phased approach." Mr. Burgiel noted, "Sure, you can phase them over a couple of years. I have seen that done." Commissioner Brown then asked, "Why is our meter tampering rate so low? I would think we would want that as high as possible." Discussion. Next, Commissioner Brown remarked, "So, the next review after this implements, and the last of the increases go in 2010 would be when? Did I hear you say you are going to tie it to some kind of indexing or are we going to set a date certain to go back and look at rates periodically?" Mr. Lockcuff responded, "I would recommend we do tie it to indexing if the Commission is comfortable going in that direction?" Commissioner Brown said, "Okay." No objections were voiced." Discussion. Tuscawilla Country Club costs were then reviewed. With discussion, Mr. Burgiel stated, "I wanted to be on the conservative side - what if the rate is that `$0.50/Thousand', what would the cost be to Tuscawilla (Country Club)? Mr. Lockcuff commented, "We can refine it and bring it back." Commissioner Bonner suggested, "With respect to all of our customers, we probably should refine that number if you don't mind me asking you to do that?" Mr. Lockcuff said, "No, Sir." Commissioner Bonner added, "They are a supplier as well as a consumer, so perhaps that could all be factored into your estimations." Mr. Lockcuff asked the City Commission about Hacienda Village and stated, "We're okay with the arrangement." Deputy Mayor Krebs said, "Leave it the way it is." Mr. Lockcuff then asked, "Bring it back at the next Study?" Deputy Mayor Krebs stated, "Yes, look at it again later." Commissioner Brown remarked, "I agree." Commissioner Hovey nodded affirmatively. Mr. Lockcuff noted, "There is no formal agreement, just continue as status quo? Yes, they would absorb whatever rate increase you adopt." Commissioner Bonner explained, "I am comfortable with that on the servicing side. It seems to be working." As to the next step in the process, Mr. Lockcuff explained, "We would bring an Ordinance [Rates] back - June, July, something like that. Any preference? It would be an October 1 implementation date." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - MAY 4, 2009 PAGE 4 OF 6 Deputy Mayor Krebs opened the "Public Input" portion of the Agenda Item. Mr. Ron Ligthart, 1036 Winding Waters Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke of being displeased with the proposed increases; and suggested the City consider the cost on a whole, to live in the City with consideration of Franchise Fees, Communication Taxes, etc." Mr. Lockcuff noted, "With only 1700 Reclaimed, we were thinking of having a separate mailer just to them." Deputy Mayor Krebs said, "I think a separate mailer would - be a good thing too." Further brief comments followed on the Cody Study. Deputy Mayor Krebs closed the "Public Input" portion of the Agenda Item. Discussion. Tape 2/Side A On the issue of Reclaimed Water and watering days, Mr. Lockcuff noted, "The source becomes our issue, not your issue as a customer. The rules don't change - you just get reconnected, nothing changes - rates, source or anything - we can have that discussion and I will bring some more information on it." In other City business, the Town Parke Apartments project was briefly addressed, and Deputy Mayor Krebs asked if this Agenda Item could be discussed when she would be present, and that she would not be present at the May 11 t', 2009 City Commission Meeting. "I am asking if you would, by Consensus of course, agree to entertain another meeting with them and discussion with some more information. I believe Chief Brunelle is working on some more information for us and will have it ready and I just think, just to be prudent, that is what we should do." City Clerk Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces distributed an email from Commissioner Sally McGinnis to those on the dais, related to this subject. With further brief comments, Deputy Mayor Krebs noted, "I would like the Applicant to be notified." Commissioner Brown stated, "I agree. I would like to have an opportunity to discuss this again." Attorney Garganese said, "From a procedural standpoint, if it is the Commission's desire to reconsider, you can just provide that direction and the matter will be placed on a future Agenda, where you can discuss it in detail." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - MAY 4, 2009 PAGE 5 OF 6 Furthermore, Attorney Garganese explained, "From a procedural standpoint, if you want the matter - rescheduled for a future Commission Meeting, I think you can do that. That is my view. You would need to provide that direction." Manager Smith added, "I would need to know if that is the Consensus from the Commission." Deputy Mayor Krebs noted, "I will get to that Consensus." Commissioner Brown commented to Attorney Garganese on the information provided by the Developer and mentioned pending litigation between the City of Oviedo and the Developer, and asked, "Is there any way we can find out if it has already been docketed, charged, where it is public record? Where we can find out exactly what the extent of that lawsuit or pending litigation is?" Attorney Garganese responded, "I will check on that and bring that information back to the Commission." Mr. Randy Stevenson, ASLA, AICP, Director, Community Development Department stated, "You did give Concept approval to the Plan last Monday evening. I have a set of documents that have been requested that we sign stating nothing more than we've given Concept approval." Further comments. Deputy Mayor Krebs said to Attorney Garganese, "If we listen to this and we decide this isn't really the road we want to take, what Randy (Stevenson) just said, how does that play into this?" Attorney Garganese noted, "If the City Commission wants to reconsider it, then I would suggest that that be put in abeyance until you decide what you want to do." Continuing, Deputy Mayor Krebs asked the City Commission, "Would you like to go back to hear more information?" Commissioner Hovey stated, "Yes." Commissioner Brown remarked, "Yes." Commissioner Bonner nodded in agreement. Deputy Mayor Krebs commented, "Me too. You have got your Consensus City Manager." Manager Smith said, "Understood. We will bring it back to a future Agenda." Discussion. As to when this matter would be discussed, Deputy Mayor Krebs stated, "I would prefer to be here." Deputy Mayor Krebs then suggested, "We do have a Workshop on the 18,' [of May 2009]. We could turn it into a Special Meeting and add that." No objections were voiced. Commissioner Bonner stated, "Point of Order" and commented on this rescheduling. Deputy Mayor Krebs summarized, "There will be a Special Meeting on the 18 1h [of May 2009]; and do you want to start at 5:30 [p.m.] or 6:00 [p.m.]?" Commissioner Hovey said, "5:30 p.m." No one noted any objections. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - MAY 4, 2009 PAGE 6 OF 6 With discussion on the Application process, and what the deadline was, Mr. Stevenson stated, "I will find out tomorrow." Attorney Garganese stated, "Even if there was a deadline, you have a Meeting next week - if you want to formally Vote to reconsider and schedule it on the 18th [of May] as a formal action item, we could put that on the Agenda and then next Monday, you can Vote on that." Deputy Mayor Krebs said to Attorney Garganese, "If you could do that, that would be great." Deputy Mayor Krebs then also mentioned that the City Commission had planned to discuss the City Manager position and stated "I would like to be part of that discussion, if you could wait to put off - not to the Special Meeting, but to the Meeting on the 26th [of May 2009]." Deputy Mayor Krebs added, "By Consensus, I would appreciate that." Commissioner Hovey commented, "I am okay with it." Commissioner Brown said, "Fine." Commissioner Bonner remarked, "I am fine with that." ADJOURNMENT Deputy Mayor Krebs adjourned the Workshop at 7:53 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: r AN A LORENZO-LUACES, MMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: AYOR JOHN F. BUSH NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the May 26, 2009 Special City Commission Meeting.