HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 07 15 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
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CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES
WORKSHOP
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013 - 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL—COMMISSION CHAMBERS
1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434,WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
Mayor Charles Lacey
Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick - Seat Four
Commissioner Jean Hovey- Seat One
Commissioner Rick Brown - Seat Two
Commissioner Pam Carroll - Seat Three
Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs - Seat Five
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS,FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP-JULY 15,2013 PAGE 2 OF 6
CALL TO ORDER
The Workshop of Monday, July 15, 2013 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor Charles Lacey 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 Charles Lacey,present
Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick,present
Commissioner Jean Hovey,present
Commissioner Rick Brown,present
Commissioner Pam Carroll,present
Commissioner Joanne M.Krebs, absent
City Manager Kevin L. Smith,present
City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese,arrived at 6:02 p.m.
City Clerk Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces,present
A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC INPUT
No one spoke.
REGULAR AGENDA
REGULAR
600. Office of the City Manager
REQUEST:
Requesting the City Commission receive a Budget Overview Presentation from Staff on the Fiscal Year
2014 Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City Of Winter Springs Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, as proposed, totals $37,981,125 representing a
$304,833 or 0.8% decrease from the prior fiscal year's total budget of$38,285,958. Total proposed General
Fund spending of $16,148,316 represents a $172,554, or 1.1%, increase from the prior fiscal year. The
proposed operating millage rate of 2.4300 mills and voted debt service millage rate of 0.1100 mills remain
unchanged from the prior fiscal year.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS:
This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager,
City Attorney/Staff,and is available on the City's Website,LaserFiche,and the City's Server.Additionally,
portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the respective Meeting Agenda which has also been
electronically forwarded to the individuals noted above, and which is also available on the City's Website,
LaserFiche,and the City's Server; has been sent to applicable City Staff,Media/Press Representatives who
have requested Agendas/Agenda Item information,Homeowner's Associations/Representatives on file with
the City, and all individuals who have requested such information. This information has also been posted
outside City Hall, posted inside City Hall with additional copies available for the General Public, and
posted at five (5) different locations around the City. Furthermore,this information is also available to any
individual requestors. City Staff is always willing to discuss this Agenda Item or any Agenda Item with any
interested individuals.
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS,FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP-JULY 15,2013 PAGE 3 OF 6
Additionally, the Fiscal Year 2014 Proposed Budget has been posted to the City's Website. The Budget
Hearing was advertised in the City's Newsletter and on the City's electronic sign.
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Manager is requesting the Mayor and City Commission receive a budget overview presentation
from Staff on the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
City Manager Kevin L. Smith began the discussion on this Agenda Item and stated, "The revenues continue to be
a challenge, expenses likewise; but we have a balanced Budget in front of you that recommends the same Millage
Rate as last year."
City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese arrived at 6:02 p.m.
Mayor Lacey noted, "This Budget calls for a hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars ($155,000.00) tax increase.
Does that signify that we've reached, if not the end of the road, a bump in the road in our abilities to continually
reduce expenses, to be able to lower our revenues?" Manager Smith noted, "Arguably a bump in the road."
Further comments followed on revenues and expenses.
Continuing, Mayor Lacey said to Manager Smith, "If this Commission didn't have the stomach for the one
hundred and fifty-five thousand dollar($155,000.00) tax increase and we left here with direction to keep the Mil
at 2.3959,the rolled-back rate,what would we do to accommodate that?" Manager Smith responded that he could
take money out of Reserves or"The second option would be to cut expenses; to go into the Budget that we have
and find one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) somewhat in expense cuts. That is a decision of
this body and certainly one of the things I'd be looking for is direction on where to set the Millage Rate. It will be
on your Agenda for Monday night. Again, that's that rate we could lower, but we could not raise without re-
mailing at significant costs and what not."
Commissioner Rick Brown asked where such cuts might come from to which Manager Smith suggested,
"Probably the first place I would have to look is employee raises."
Discussion ensued on median household costs.
Mayor Lacey referenced the approximate one hundred and fifty thousand dollar ($150,000.00) number and
thought that it/a similar number was discussed during Budget talks within the last couple of years and noted,
"That was the approximate amount of contribution we had to make into the Pension Fund to accommodate extra
overtime for our Defined Benefit Plan. Do you know in this Budget year, whether that is a similar number that is
in that hundred and fifty thousand dollar ($150,000.00) range?" Manager Smith remarked, "It was a significant
number and that continues to be a cost that-contributes to the expense structure and the level of our expenses."
Discussion followed on Health Insurance changes and the Pension.
Mayor Lacey then suggested, "I would like to see by next Monday an analysis of what the 150 hour decision does
in this Budget year, to see if it comes close to the number that we need and if so, find those savings that would
allow us to avoid the tax increase of the hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00)." Manager Smith
stated, `Be happy to do that if I have Consensus from the body."
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS,FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP-JULY 15,2013 PAGE 4 OF 6
Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick remarked, "Two (2) things I would like to add to that as you are going back to do
that, if that is the direction that we will give you - you started talking about raises for employees. I know they
haven't had a full raise or anything of that nature for a period of time; and the other thing is capital costs for any
repairs in the community that are necessary. Those are things that I have looked at and seen, and I know you and
I have had conversations about those. Those things I consider are part of the possible monies, if you can't
squeeze it out of the Budget. If that is the direction we give you, those are two (2) things to me that are very
important."
Mayor Lacey then inquired, "Do I have any support from the Commission for my suggestion on the Pension
Contribution discussion?"
Manager Smith was asked to elaborate on past Pension discussions and explained that "A couple of years ago
now I think, we sat in front of this body looking to make some tweaks, changes to our Pension program. That
included migrating away from a Defined Benefit Plan in favor of a Defined Contribution Plan for all new
employees, while making certain tweaks to the existing DB Plan which all current employees would be
grandfathered into.
One of the suggested changes was for example, an extra two percent (2%) contribution from employees and there
was a handful of others but one of the suggested changes was somewhat in concert with some new laws from the
State which capped the amount of overtime that could be eligible for Pension or pensionable at 300 hours. My
recommendation,based on a lot of thought, a lot of reflection, a lot of analysis was that at the end of the day, that
amount should be—not 300 hours, or not the 150 that we ultimately ended up with,but in fact zero. So, the final
decision of this body was to go with 150 hours."
Further comments followed on the previous points that Manager Smith addressed; and then Mayor Lacey added,
"If by coming back to that more reasonable position, it allows us to avoid a tax increase, I am very much in favor
of that." Commissioner Pam Carroll stated, "I would support that." Commissioner Brown remarked, "You know
I do." No objections were voiced.
Deputy Mayor Resnick asked if a week was enough time to check into this matter. Remarks followed on
informing other parties and that this was a management decision.
Mayor Lacey further asked the City Commission if they supported his preference. Deputy Mayor Resnick said
that he did. Commissioner Carroll stated, "I support it." Commissioner Brown agreed and remarked, "As you
have heard." Commissioner Jean Hovey also commented, "I give you my support." Manager Smith then said,
"Understood." Additional comments ensued.
Continuing, Manager Smith spoke about costs for the UCF (University of Central Florida) Incubator and whether
the City Commission would like to continue with funding for this and/or would the Mayor and City Commission
like to receive a presentation on the UCF(University of Central Florida)Incubator.
Commissioner Brown noted, "I think the opportunity to continue to have the Incubator here is a huge boost for
when that space does start to develop and the GID (GreeneWay Interchange District) begins to grow."
Furthermore, Commissioner Brown said, "I would really like to see us take a long, hard consideration if anybody
has any intent or mindset to suggest cutting funding to that important program."
Next, Commissioner Hovey asked about funding options and suggested she would be interested in hearing a
presentation from the University of Central Florida Incubator, and what the seventy-five thousand dollars
($75,000.00)a year is specifically spent on.
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS,FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP-JULY 15,2013 PAGE 5 OF 6
Deputy Mayor Resnick also addressed a partnership with the University of Central Florida Incubator and
remarked, "The Economic Development person we had has since left us, but his work hopefully was to work with
those particular groups of people. Do we have a plan to bring somebody like that back to continue working on
it?"
Manager Smith responded by saying, "I'm currently evaluating the best route to recommend to you all for that
purpose. I'm not so sure to be quite frank, that the best person isn't sitting behind me" and referenced Mr. Randy
Stevenson, ASLA, AICP, Director, Community Development Department. Manager Smith added, "I'm trying to
currently evaluate the best utilization of our resources, perhaps Randy (Stevenson) with Consulting Funds to
augment himself,or perhaps we bring a person in." Further comments.
Mayor Lacey said, "As to them coming forward, I somewhat disagree with Commissioner Hovey. I am not sure
what we would gain from having them come here and give us a story other than perhaps this is enough that we
send them a message that we are not to be taken for granted; they need to remember that we are here and we are
giving them seventy-five thousand dollars($75,000.00)a year."
Commissioner Brown then commented on the merits of the University of Central Florida Incubator and visiting
their operation to find out more about their programs. Deputy Mayor Resnick also spoke on previous meetings
held with the University of Central Florida Incubator and suggested, "Maybe Andrea (Lorenzo-Luaces, City
Clerk) or somebody could set up another meeting and all as a group go over there." Commissioner Brown
commented, "Sure." Commissioner Hovey added, "I was thinking they could come and present the information
so our citizens could hear what they were doing."
Mayor Lacey commented, "I think there are three (3) things we can do —we can tell Kevin there is a Consensus
`No'; we can tell Kevin there is a Consensus `Yes'; or we can tell Kevin that we want to schedule a meeting."
Commissioner Brown and Commissioner Carroll stated, "My Vote is `Yes'." Deputy Mayor Resnick remarked,
`Yes'." With no objections voiced, Mayor Lacey then summarized, "We have got a Consensus `Yes' -figure out
how we can meet,when we can meet."
Manager Smith noted, "I have spoken with the folks at the (University of Central Florida) Incubator and they
would be more than happy for you to come over and see them at any time, be that as a collective body, where we
post it, or individually." Continuing, Manager Smith noted, "Regardless of whether or not we have a person in
the position of Economic Development Director, we fully intend to continue to engage and partner and reach out
to the folks at the (University of Central Florida) Incubator." Manager Smith then asked, "So, I have
Consensus?" With no objections voiced, Manager Smith was told"Yes."
Further,Manager Smith mentioned that related to applicable heating and cooling issues, "I would like to add forty
thousand dollars ($40,000.00) to the Capital Budget—something that I didn't have the final analysis on when we
prepared the Capital Budget, was the maintenance of our facilities which is important." With additional
comments, Manager Smith noted, "I would again ask to include the forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) for A/C
repairs."
Mayor Lacey said to Manager Smith, "It has been truly herculean what you and Shawn (Boyle, Director, Finance
and Administrative Services Department) have done to overcome the Capital Budget plan year after year. How
do we look for [20]'12/[20]'13 and being able to do that?"
Manager Smith explained, "As I look to temporarily fund Capital, although legal and appropriate fiscally, to fund
Capital out of Reserves, it was a temporary effort; it was intended to be temporary and quite frankly, we've gone
longer than I wanted to. But reality necessitates that I continue to do so; but our ability to cover that remains
uncertain at this point for[20]'13 and for[20]'14." Manager Smith added, "It's possible,but it's not probable."
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS,FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP—JULY 15,2013 PAGE 6 OF 6
Mayor Lacey said to Manager Smith, "I think what you are telling us is when we look at the [20]'13/[20]'14
Budget year, we have to expect that it is really going to come out of our Fund, when we are done." Manager
Smith stated,"Probably."
Comments followed on funding for the Record.
Deputy Mayor Resnick then said to Manager Smith, "The forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) you are asking to
take out, is that an absolute number or —just a maximum of forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00)?" Manager
Smith responded, "Certainly, I wouldn't spend it if we didn't have to." Deputy Mayor Resnick added, "Get the
lowest possible Bid in order to replace, so we don't get to forty thousand dollars($40,000.00)." Further remarks.
Mayor Lacey asked, "Any voicing of objections to the Capital plan?" No objections were stated.
Further discussion followed on the Pension Plan.
Tape 1/Side A
Brief comments.
PUBLIC INPUT
No one addressed the City Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lacey adjourned the Workshop at 6:46 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
II ORENZO-LUACES,MMC
CITY LERK
APPROVED:MA GHARL' LA►N�
NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the August 12,2013 City Commission Regular Meeting.