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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 06 05 Ad Hoc Winter Springs Citizen Property Tax Reform Mitigation Study Committee Meeting Minutes.pdfCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 55 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER The Ad Hoc Winter Springs Citizen Property Tax Reform Mitigation Study Committee Meeting of Thursday, July 5, 2007 was called to Order at 6*30 p.m. by Chairman Michael S. Blake in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). 2. ROLL CALL Chairman Michael S. Blake, present Vice Chairman Mathew Matisak, present Committee Member Sondra Ahlers, arrived at 6038 p.m. Committee Member Ethel Beecher, present Committee Member Fred G. Curtis, present Committee Member Kathryn Fairchild, present Committee Member Mark Fischer, present Committee Member Cindy Gennell, arrived at 6:35 p.m. Committee Member Dale Kirby, present Committee Member Charles Lacey, present Committee Member Ron Ligthart, present Committee Member Gerry M. Marino, absent Committee Member Edward Martinez, Jr., present Committee Member Richard M. Mastroberte, absent Committee Member David W. McLeod, present Committee Member Terry Patten, arrived at 6:49 p.m. Committee Member Bill Poe, present Committee Member Bob Rucci, present Committee Member Max Swaim, present Committee Member Rande Thompson, present A moment of silence preceded the Pledge of Allegiance. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 512007 PAGE 2 OF 17 3. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 289 2007 AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES. "I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE MINUTES." MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER McLEOD. SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER POE. DISCUSSION. WITH CONSENSUS OF THE COMMITTEE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. Chairman Blakes said, "Let the Record show [Committee Member] Mr. Martinez voted `Nay' on the Minutes." Committee Member Cindy Gennell arrived at 6:35 p.m. Regarding the approved Minutes, Committee Member McLeod stated, "June 28tn " Committee Member Sondra Ahlers arrived at 6: 38 p.m. 4. REVIEW Chairman Blake distributed a "Question and Answer" sheet related to questions asked at the June 28tr', 2007 Meeting. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore said, "At the Commission Meeting we had last Monday night, the Commission did say that if you need a little more time and have another Meeting or so, they wanted to make sure that you had that discretion." 5. DISCUSSION OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE REDUCTION MITIGATION OPTIONS AND STRATEGIES. Manager McLemore introduced this Agenda Item and reviewed Mitigation Alternatives. Committee Member Terry Patten arrived at 6:49 p.m. Regarding street lighting, Manager McLemore said, "One thing which I am going to talk to the Commission about is the option of applying this fee to Corridors, not neighborhood streets. Discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING — JULY 5, 2007 PAGE 3 OF 17 Further discussion ensued on the General Fund, Operating Budgets, and Department Budgets, Public Education information was addressed to the Committee Members. Discussion. Tape I/Side B While discussing the Police Department's Budget and suggested budget cuts, Vice Chairman Mathew Matisak said, "This City has invested, not only the City, but the residents of this City have invested a tremendous amount of money over the years in their personal property and public property and with the removal of Code Enforcement, we end up with a big issue and that is people that let their property run down, it reduces the overall property value in other areas." Vice Chairman Matisak then said, "Code Enforcement is a very effective tool." Discussion. Committee Member Kathryn Fairchild spoke for the Record and mentioned she would not support the loss of School Resource Officers. Information related to Fire Department Budget Cuts was discussed next. Regarding Fire Station #28 at City Hall, Chairman Blake asked, "Is there anybody here that would recommend or want to recommend the closing of this Fire Station?" Chairman Blake then asked, "Is there anybody that would want to?" With no objections, Chairman Blake stated, "That is off the table." Committee Member Bill Poe commented, "I just don't want to see anybody lose their job in the City of Winter Springs over fifty-eight dollars ($58.00) when in fact, we probably could manage our way through this without any difficulty." Discussion. Chairman Blake reiterated the charge to the Committee Members as noted in Resolution 2007-15. Further discussion. Committee Member Ron Ligthart referred to his email dated July 3, 2007. Discussion. Tape 2/Side A CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING — JULY 512007 PAGE 4 OF 17 Discussion ensued on the Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District Lighting Fees. Information on Parks and Recreation Department proposed Budget reductions was discussed next. Discussion ensued on various Events and Programs. Chairman Blake asked, "Is anybody in favor of cutting the Senior busing to the Senior Center?" Chairman Blake stated, "And I believe I saw one and a half (1 %2) hands, two Discussion. Committee Member Ligthart said, "If I was going to have to make a choice then I'll say get rid of that Hometown Harvest." Chairman Blake called a Recess at 8: 30 p.m. Chairman Blake reconvened the Meeting at 8:42 p.m. Clarification was asked on the Consensus for the Senior Bus Service. Chairman Blake said, "For the Senior Busing, there were two (2) people who were not in favor of not cutting it, which meant there was a vast majority and Consensus to remove it from the list of recommended cuts." Next, information on Community Development Department proposed Budget cuts was reviewed. Discussions ensued on Arbor, Urban Beautification, and Street Lighting Assessment issues. Further discussion ensued on State and County funding and Grants. Tape 2/Side B The Public Works Department suggested Budget Reductions was the next topic discussed. Discussion ensued on Roads/Right-Of--Way Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance and storage for Holiday Decorations. Next, the Information Services Department proposed Budget cuts were discussed. Ms. Joanne Dalka, Director, Information Services Department addressed questions by the Committee on her Department's Budget. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 5, 2007 PAGE 5 OF 17 Regarding Development Maintenance and License Fees, Manager McLemore asked Ms. Dalka, "Can you take a quick look at it if we let you go back?" Ms. Dalka replied, "Yes." Manager McLemore continued, "Just — generally, how much goes into those different categories." Chairman Blake asked, "And what the special programs are. Split those out for us." Ms. Dalka said, "I can do that." Governmental Budget Reductions was discussed next. On the Governmental Budget sheet, the numerical amount was listed, only the descriptive title "City Manager" was missing; to which Chairman Blake said, "If you look on the left where it says `City Commission', City Manager should be right above there." Discussion. Chairman Blake said, "Now we are at the point in time where we have got to decide what we are going to forward to the Commission. And we have heard from many folks in many respects. One thing that we have decided is if we accept the recommendations that Staff has put together for us, we have line items taken out, the closing of this Fire Station, which was three hundred and five thousand dollars ($305,000.00) and we have removed the recommendation of terminating the Senior Center Busing Services, which was thirty- seven thousand [dollars] ($37,000.00). So, that is three hundred and forty-two thousand dollars ($342,000.00) that our recommendation would fall short from generating the appropriate cuts. Who has a recommendation for how we can help the Commission close that gap?" Regarding the elimination of the Code Enforcement Bureau, Vice Chairman Matisak commented, "I don't believe that we should and I stated my reasons for that earlier and I think it is a big, big mistake. Many of those people are Law Officers and they help keep our property, what it is. I think anytime we remove Public Safety Officers directly who have direct contact with the public, I think we are in a bad condition there. So, I make the recommendation that we - cut or remove Code Enforcement as an elimination." Discussion ensued on the Pension Plan. Chairman Blake said, "Give us a suggestion on a monetary amount, how we can make a change that actually could be implemented that will affect that number." Committee Member Ligthart said, "A 401K Plan should be introduced or talked about." Chairman Blake said, "Are we prepared to make that recommendation to the Commission that they change from a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and implement a 401k Plan?" Chairman Blake asked, "Is that what you are recommending?" Committee Member Ligthart replied, "I am recommending because you have got to start somewhere." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING — JULY 512007 PAGE 6 OF 17 Chairman Blake said, "I will take it to the Board and please just signify you agree or don't agree. Should we recommend to the Commission to eliminate the Defined Benefit Plan, which is the Pension Plan that we currently have in place..." Committee Member Ligthart asked, "...for General Service employees, correct?" Chairman Blake replied, "There is only one Plan in affect and if you are making a recommendation, then that is the Plan that has to be affected. So, the question is, are we in favor of recommending elimination of the Defined Benefit Plan, the Pension Plan? Basically you would freeze it and all benefits in it would stay the same up to the time that people have in place, and implementing a Defined Contribution Plan, such as a 401k plan? That is the question. All in favor of making that recommendation?" Committee Member Lacey asked, "To make a rational decision on the question you put forward, Mr. Chairman, we have to know , is it feasible that we could make an implementation of that change in time for affecting this fiscal year and what would — what would the affect of that be?" Chairman Blake continued, "Who is in favor of retaking that specific recommendation to the City Commission, just raise your hand." Discussion. Chairman Blake asked, "Is anyone against making that recommendation? Okay, it is clearly a Consensus." The Committee Voted against making that recommendation. Regarding the three hundred and forty-two thousand dollars ($342,000.00) of additional recommended cuts, Committee Member Gennell asked, "In this document, were they proposing the Lighting District?" Chairman Blake replied, "I was actually going to handle those under replacement revenues which would be the next item I am going to. That would encompass the fire department being under an MSBU (Municipal Services Benefit Unit) potentially, or a Lighting District. Some sort of a dependent Special District that would create an offset funding." Chairman Blake said, "So, you are proposing that in addition to these cuts that the replacement revenue of establishing a Special Lighting District that would mirror the required additional cut necessary would be appropriate?" Committee Member Gennell said, "Yes." Referring to Resolution 2007-15, Committee Member Ahlers said, "And we are looking at Option 1), not Option 2), so that the revenues..." Chairman Blake said, "...At the moment, we are. Yes." Tape 3/Side A CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 5, 2007 PAGE 7 OF 17 Committee Member Sondra Ahlers said, An adoption of Alternative Revenue measures. Also a `c)' which is a combination of the two (2). What my colleagues - are saying and I is that we are opting for `c)', that there is a combination or an Alternative Revenue and that we can avoid `a)' altogether. So, what you are suggesting is that we have to have an answer for each and every one of those four (4)." Chairman Blake said, "Yes. Our response should include the following. It didn't say exclude some of these. It said include the following. And that is what I intend to do. That is what they have asked me to do. That is what they asked this Committee to do." Committee Member Poe said, "Understanding now how you are approaching this, and I know that we earlier made some comments that we would like to remove some of those items from the Budget; I too would like to remove them, because I think they are necessary, but if we have to deliver the cuts, I'll move that we adopt the proposal that was presented by the City Manager which gives us the one point three million dollar ($1,300,000.00) cut as presented." Seconded by Committee Member Bob Rucci. Committee Member Lacey said, "Point of Order" and asked about Robert's Rules of Order. Manager McLemore said, "The Resolution specifically says you won't Vote, you will do it by Consensus." Continuing, Committee Member Lacey stated, "We are not operating under Robert's Rules of Order, so, all these Motions — are not in Order. My fundamental point is that I want to endorse the Chairman's approach to this. I think that is the right way to get there. He is cognizant of the political realties that we have to face and the ammunition that we have to give the Commission and the best way to provide that ammunition and I think we ought to follow through to, `a)', `b)', `c)', and `d)' and get to the end." Committee Member Fred G. Curtis said, "Well then I think the solution is simple. Which is for `a)' we say this is the tax list of cuts with two (2) items put back in and we don't recommend it. And then go on to `b)', `c)' and `d)'." Committee Member Mark Fischer said, "I agree with this process. I think the Commission has to be compelled to take the proper action." Chairman Blake said, "Is there anybody in the roam that is in favor of providing for letter `a)' here, the one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) in cuts that have been identified by Staff — to the Commission as an option? Staff — identified one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) for cuts that would represent one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) in expenditures that could be taken out of the Budget. Is there anybody here that is in favor of delivering this list of one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) in cuts to the Commission to satisfy our requirements under letter `a)'? Is there anybody who is opposed to providing this list of expenditure cuts?" Chairman Blake said, "By Consensus, we will provide this list as presented Mn Manager, to the Commission as areas where they could cut up to one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) in expenditures " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 512007 PAGE 8 OF 17 Vice Chairman Matisak said, "Since we are not Voting, and we have a Consensus and those..." Chairman Blake said, "...Minority report." Vice Chairman Matisak said, "Yes. That we can make comments after and submit them to the Clerk so that they can be on Record as to why we were against a particular..." Chairman Blake said, That is correct." Vice Chairman Matisak said, "Okay. I just wanted to make sure that everybody understood that so that if there is a particular component in there that made you say `No', you can identify why for the Record." Committee Member Ahlers said, "Can we make a formal Addendum to that Budget and just say — that we do not recommend this procedure?" Chairman Blake said, "It would be my expectation that once we identified each of these four (4) items — that we would have a cumulative statement that would prioritize those and let them know what the opinion of the Committee as a whole — what a Consensus body would be." Chairman Blake stated, "Any minority Report would need to be in writing. If you want to submit something, feel free to. It needs to be in writing and it will be part of the Public Record and will be part of the presentation that I make to the Commission — on July 161n, [2007]." Chairman Blake said, "Alternative Revenue Measures, two (2) specific ones have been discussed at some length, one (1) of those would be the establishment of an MSBU (Municipal Services Benefit Unit) to provide Fire Services in the City. The second one would be a similar type action for dependent District for street lighting either across the entire City or as the Manager suggested, across Corridors. We can probably address both of those and any others that anybody wants to throw in, such as — and I am looking at these as alternatives not additional revenue necessarily. Let's handle that one secondly." Chairman Blake said, "Alternatives such as the Special Districts." For clarification, Committee Member Rucci asked, "Does that include this business — of the two (2) different methodologies that we are affecting the Fire Department, the Fire Fees type of scenario or selling off the Fire Department to the County?" Chairman Blake said, "I have not yet mentioned a consolidation with the County. That would — I think would need to stand on it's own as a separate recommendation." Discussion. Chairman Blake stated, "New ways to collect revenue. That is what I am talking about right now." Chairman Blake said, "The way a Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) is set up — each individual property owner pays for the burden they create on the service that is being provided." Chairman Blake then said, "It is not arbitrary." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 512007 PAGE 9 OF 17 Manager McLemore said, "The Supreme Court of Florida has laid down very specific guidelines and it says there has to be a rational nexus between what you charge and the benefit is actually derived by the property. And it will change from community to community based on what the characteristics of the community are." Chairman Blake said, "Would you please indicate if you are in favor of proposing this as an alternative to the Commission?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Nine (9)." Chairman Blake said, "And those that would be against proposing this." Chairman Blake stated, "Eight (8)." Chairman Blake stated, "So, that would be a split recommendation. " Committee Member Gennell said, "Why would this Committee want to recommend one rather than the other. In other words, perhaps recommend endorse Lighting Districts and not endorse Fire Districts." Chairman Blake asked, "Does anybody feel differently against the two (2)9 That would mean you would vote differently if they were separated? I see nothing there, so we have asked and there doesn't appear to be any difference." Chairman Blake said, "Then moving on to a creation of new Revenue Sources. New Revenue Sources would include the items — Fees at parks, it would include the [Auto] Accident Fees, Auto/Fire Incident Fees. They are all on this one page called `Mitigation Alternatives'." Continuing, Chairman Blake said, "Does anybody want to talk about the School Resource Officer. Trying to charge that to the School Board? I suggested we work with the other cities in the County to all approach at the same time. I think that would be the appropriate way to handle it. Is anybody in favor of that recommendation?" Chairman Blake said, "So, we do have a Consensus to recommend that funding source to the Commission." Chairman Blake said, "Do we want to split up Auto Accident [Fees) and Fire Incident [Fees), or can we take those together? These are sources that would actually be billed to insurance companies. Is anybody in favor of recommending those two (2) revenue sources together to the Commission?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "We have Consensus on that item." Discussion. Next, Chairman Blake said, "[Committee Member) Contntissioner McLeod has spoken on the Fire Inspection fees. Is there anybody that would favor that new Fee to the Commission as a way to generate revenues?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "That one is not recommended." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 5, 2007 PAGE 10 OF 17 Next, on Parks and Recreation, Committee Member Dale Kirby asked, "Is that all Parks and Recreation including the Senior Center, the Parks, the whole — what is this one hundred and thirty seven thousand dollars ($137,000.00) suppose to represent?" Chairman Blake said, "What the Manager said and I agree with, I think we leave it for the Commission to decide as they would have to do anyway, where to charge, where not to charge — but merely, a recommendation that they need to reap some revenues from the Parks and Recreation operation." Committee Member Ahlers asked, "The one hundred and thirty seven thousand dollars ($137,000.00) that you are talking about raising new service fees, is the same one hundred and thirty seven thousand dollars ($137,000.00) that you are talking about in cutting the Budget earlier? So, it's either one or the other, not both?" Chairman Blake said, "These would be revenue sources they could use to reduce the amount that they would have to vote to raise the Millage. It's one or the other." Chairman Blake said, "Is this Con:mittee in favor of recommending to the Commission in a position of Park and Recreation Fees in order to recover some of the lost revenues?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "It carries by Consensus." Referring to Consolidation, Chairman Blake said, "Whether or not we would want to recommend to the Commission to further explore and consolidate the City's Fire Department with the County's Fire Department similar to what Altamonte Springs has done; does anybody want to recommend to the Commission that we consolidate the City's Fire Department with the County?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "So, that one will not be recommended We will not recommend, to be very clear, consolidation of the City's Fire Department with the County for the purposes of the revenue change." Chairman Blake asked the Committee Members, "Do we have any other extraordinary recommendations to offer to the Commission besides the Millage Vote?" Discussion. Regarding the Pension, Contntittee Member Ligthart asked, "What about the Multiplier, is that three (3)?" Chairman Blake said, "It is going to three (3)." Committee Member Ligthart said, "Can we keep it at two point five (2.5) 9' Committee Member Ligthart then said, "And do we also want to entertain the retirement age as an example? And, I also propose a freeze on any more benefits that we keep offering." Chairman Blake said, "I would say that your comments would not be taken up, because we did handle the Pension issue earlier and there was an overwhelming Consensus to not make the recommendation based on the Pension Fund at that time. Has anybody changed their position on the Pension Fund? Would you want to re -look at attributes associated with it?" Chairman Blake said, "Seeing none, then we will stove on." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 5, 2007 PAGE I 1 OF 17 Discussion ensued. Committee Member Rande Thompson asked about "Dispatch services consolidating with the County." Chairman Blake said, "The only dispatch services we have currently are Police and I believe Fire is County." Chief of Police Daniel J. Kerr said, "Whenever cities have done that and there have been a couple that have, they don't reduce the cost significantly." Chief Kerr said, "I'll use Sanford as an example, when I have talked to them, they were promised they were going to get a certain level of service, certain number of dispatchers for their City, and once they finally got it, that was reduced, so their response times actually went up. So, I don't think we want to reduce our level of service for a small savings." Chairman Blake asked, "Does the Committee wish to explore the recommendation to move the Police dispatch services to the County?" Chairman Blake then said, "Does anybody not wish to explore it at this time?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "So, we will not go further down that road " Next, Chairman Blake said, "Would the Committee desire to make a recontnaendation to the Commission to - Vote the nine percent (9%) Millage decrease back into the Budget? This is the eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) amount to vote back into the Budget " Chairman Blake said, "To be clear, there are two (2) components to the cut The first component is the nine percent (9%) reduction about eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) that is required by the Legislation. The Commission may Vote on a — four/fifths (4/5) Vote. In other words, four (4) Commissioners must vote affirmatively and can override that and have the eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) put back into the Budget That would require four (4) Votes. Do we wish to recommend that to the Commission? If so, raise your hand. Does anybody desire not to recommend to the Commission. So, we have an overwhelming Consensus to recommend the nine percent (9%) back into the Budget " Further discussion. Continuing, Chairman Blake said, "Does this Committee desire to recommend to the Coma:fission that they take the unanimous Vote to override the rollback portion, which is that five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) — this would provide us a full funding to where all one point three million dollars ($1,300, 000. 00) would be restored. Does this Committee desire to recommend this to the Commission? All those in favor? Any against? By a narrow margin, we do indeed have a Consensus to recommend this as well. " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING — JULY 55 2007 PAGE 12 OF 17 Chairman Blake said, "Now, we have made several items available that we will be recommending to the Commission. Is there an overwhelming majority of us to desire to prioritize, is there one (1) item or two (2)? Do we intend to prioritize what we are recommending to the Commission? I had one suggestion to put the Votes first as being recommendation of the Committee. In other words, does the Committee desire to say, `Here is what we recommend you do first'. First, would be an override Vote. Would that override Vote be unanimous for all one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00), or would it be a replacement of the nine percent (9%) cut which would require a four/fifths (4/5) Vote?" Chairman Blake said, "Who would prefer to have the unanimous one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) replaced being the top priority, if you can raise your hands for the top recommendation. The full override." Discussion. Committee Member McLeod said, "I would keep them separate so that they can vote just lIke we did." Chairman Blake said, "I will accept any recommendation as to how we can take — five (5) different items and amongst ourselves to develop a list that is prioritized." Chairman Blake asked, "So, which of the five (5) items is our biggest priority?" Next, Chairman Blake said, "Of all of the different items that we voted to forward to the Commission, does anybody have as their first or second, top of the second priority something other than the eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) or the one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00), four/fifths (415) or five/0 vote? So, we isolated those being our top ones. Now, we can go to, please Vote either for one or the other and please only Vote once and this will help us to determine which is our Consensus top choice. Who here would prefer to have the top recommendation as a five/0 vote to replace all one mon three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00)?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Seven (7)." Chairman Blake then said, "Who would prefer to have the top recommendation, a four/frfths (415) vote eight hundred thousand dollars ($800, 000. 00) ? " With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Nine (9). So, that then would be the top recommendation is to replace eight hundred thousand dollars ($800, 000. 00). Then our second recommendation priority would be the five/0 — then our third recommendation would the replacement of revenue through the imposition of fees, is that correct? Now, we actually had several different ones Do we want to prioritize those?" Discussion. Tape 3/Side B CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 512007 PAGE 13 OF 17 Manager McLemore said, "You're number one preference would be for them to do the entire one million three hundred thousand dollar ($1,300,000.00) override — and I think your second priority, if you are not willing to do that, do the eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) override." Chairman Blake said, "For the sake of clarity, let's go back to the beginning because I do want to make sure that everybody is on the same page. Here are the ground rules. From an operational standpoint, the Commission may vote as many times as they want — to pass or not pass either of these two (2) options. They do not have one (1) chance to do it. Secondly, either of these actions could be completed in only one (1) Vote or in a series of votes. Thirdly, our job is to merely let the Commission know what our preference is as the people. Do we prefer that however they do it, that they work to pass the Ordinance to collect Ad - Valorem taxes equaling one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00) over what the Legislature set or do we prefer that they vote that they Vote to only collect eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) in Ad -Valorem tax revenues over what the Legislature set. And you can only prefer one of those two, not both because only one of those two can occur. They can either adopt eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) or they can adopt one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00). They can not adopt five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00). It is not on the Table." Chairman Blake then said, "Do we prefer that they do the eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) or the one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00)? Please Vote for only one (1). And whichever one gets the highest indication of interest, will be our top recommendation, the other one will receive our second level of recommendation." Chairman Blake said, "Who here would prefer to recommend to the Commission that of all the different actions that they could possibly take, I prefer that they vote in the one point three million dollars ($1,300,000.00) restoring all the funding in place. It would require a unanimous five/0 vote." With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Ten (10). By an overwhelming majority, we are swapping what we talked about before. Joan [Brown, Deputy City Clerk] to be sure that you have this on the Minutes correct - the action is of this Committee's top recommendation is for the Commission to vote unanimously to restore all of the funding that was cut by the Legislature's action. If that is not possible, then the secondary recommendation of this Committee to the Commission is to restore the nine percent (9%) cut that requiring a four/fifths (415) vote. " Chairman Blake said, "We've got our top and our secondary recommendation. One thing we could do is we could offer other options that are not recommendations. Those options could be those additional fees, through user fees — lumping those things that we agreed to transmit to them that would be options to do, but not necessarily our recommendations." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 53 2007 PAGE 14 OF 17 Chairman Blake said, "Is there any objection to including the Auto Accident and Fire Incident Fee for Fee replacements as our number three (3) options? And we should implement anyway." Chairman Blake then said, "Is there any objection to including those as our number three (3)? Seeing none — then I will ask the Clerk to include the Auto Accident and Fire Incident Fees combined as one (1) additional revenue source under number three (3)." Next, Chairman Blake said, "Parks and Recreation, those Fees. How do you feel about those?" Chairman Blake then said, "Is anybody in favor of presenting Parks and Recreational Fees as the fourth alternative in the recommendation to the Commission? Anybody in favor of presenting that? I think that is Consensus. Anybody against?" Chairman Blake said, "School Resource Officer. Does anybody want to put it in as number four (4) 9 Chairman Blake then said, "So, all we have left then is the School Resource Officer and Parks and Recreation. Which one do you want to be on top? We already had a Consensus to include them on the list. The question is where on the list do we put them? Who wants to have Parks and Recreation first? With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Seven (7)." Chairman Blake said, "Who wants to have the School Resource Officer next? With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Nine (9). It's going to School Resource Officer and then Parks and Recreation and then, you asked for it, but we certainly don't recommend it, one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000.00) in cuts Does anybody object to that statement? Is anybody in favor of that statement as a Consensus —position of the Board? So we have Consensus on that," Next, Chairman Blake said, "I want to be certain that the Clerk understands that we took two (2) votes on the number one (1) and number two (2) and the second vote overrode the first vote. They weren't Votes, they were indications of Consensus." Discussion. Continuing, Chairman Blake said, "As I mentioned earlier, on July 161h [2007] — I will be going before the Commission and I will present to them our recommendations. My presentation will include the entire list of recommendations that we are giving them, which is everything that we just discussed so far, and it will be in priority order. My recommendation will include the fact that this Committee overwhelmingly decided by Consensus to recommend to them that the first option followed somewhat closely by the second option - highly desirable and anything below that line was deemed to be somewhat undesirable and that the cuts at the bottom of the list - provided because they asked for them were not recommended." Chairman Blake asked, "Does anybody, as a Consensus, take exception to me characterizing the work we have done in that fashion?" There were no objections noted. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 55 2007 PAGE 15 OF 17 In presenting this Report to the Commission, Chairman Blake said, "I will attempt to be very fair and answer their questions — and understand they don't have to take our recommendation either. They can do just about do anything they want to do, but I will try to present to them the work that we did in a fair light." Chairman Blake said, nally — recall that Consensus reports are what this Committee will file. If there is a minority Report, I need to have that to the Clerk's office by close of business next Thursday, the 12th [July 2007]. If the report is not to the Clerk's office by close of business, that's five o'clock, on Thursday the 121h [of July], then it will not be included as part of my Report to the Commission on the 16th [of July]. A minority Report should be concise, it should be to the point and it should address facts associated directly with what the Commission's charge was to do. If it is deemed off in some other direction and not addressing this budget issue — then I will not include that portion in my Report to the Commission." Chairman Blake then said, "In closing, next week since the Report has to be in by five o'clock we won't be meeting, but that creates another problem, and that is the Minutes won't be available. Minutes will not be approved and so I need the Consensus of this Committee — I need a show of hands that gives me the authority to go to the Commission and present what I have told you. Chairman Blake then said, "So far everybody is in agreement with — what's been done or not? There were no objections noted. Manager McLemore said, "You are required in the Resolution — to publish your Report. Publish means it is a written Report. It is published in the Public Record. I will work with your Chairman. We will develop that Report and it will be delivered to the Commission based on what he is talking about to you right now. But, it will have all these documents in it and it will be a fully bound and complete report of this group." Committee Member Patten asked, "Any of the minority Reports that are written will be a part of that official document?" Chairman Blake said, "To the extent that they comply with what I already stated which is they have to be available and into the Clerk's office by close of business, that is five o'clock on July 121h and they point to the issue at hand. With that being done, they will be presented to the Commission. If there are any that show up, I will discuss those with the Commission as well, so that they know. I want the Commission to have an excellent viewpoint of what went on here." Committee Member Ahlers asked, "Is there a majority Report written?" Manager McLemore said, "Absolutely." Committee Member Ahlers said, "Will that be available to the Committee Members for approval prior to you appearing?" Chairman Blake said, "We will have that done by five o'clock on the 12th [of July] as well and everybody will have a copy of it prior to the Commission Meeting. I told you what I am going to say and I am going to say that if you take exception, come to the Meeting." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 53 2007 PAGE 16 OF 17 Lastly, Chairman Blake said, "Education. To make recommendation to the Mayor and Commission regarding pre -Referendum public education strategies that should be employed to provide the public with factual information regarding the impacts of the proposed Referendum on the delivery of essential services in the City. This is referring directly to the Constitutional Amendment for the `Save Our Homes' repeal which will be on January 28th [2008] next year and the question is, we are to recommend to the Commission whether or not they should be involved in a public education process that is fair and balanced. Any discussion on whether or not the Commission should be involved in a public education process for the `Save Our Homes' Amendment?" Committee Member Fairchild said, "The City should publish a newsletter." Chairman Blake said, "So, you are in favor of the City providing some public education on the Referendum question." Committee Member Fairchild said, "Yes. Absolutely." Committee Member Ahlers said, "I would like to add, that I am in favor of education. The City should supply some. And [Committee Member] Commissioner Gennell's suggestion of a Public Forum meeting or a Town Meeting would at least show that the Committee Member Rucci said, "I would be much more in favor to just do the newsletter." Chairman Blake asked, "Anybody want to speak against the public education program?" There were no objections noted Committee Member Beecher suggested, "Usually we include Homeowner's Association newsletters and sometimes a few lines on the water bill." Chairman Blake again asked, "Any discussion against some level or some type of public education?" Chairman Blake said, "I think one of the things we have to be very careful about is the content that would be in that public education media — flyer — Town Hall. I think it would be very easy for the City to paint itself into a corner by having a self serving educational program — it really needs to be very factually based. Otherwise, you won't get the desired results. You won't get good results at all and that would be my concern. Would this Commission like to discuss the content of what a public education process might include?" Committee Member Gennell read a brief portion of Resolution 200745. Chairman Blake said, "Does the Committee desire to recommend to the Commission that the City should be involved in a public educational effort based on the language in the Resolution which Commissioner Gennell just read? All those in favor of that recommendation?" With a show of hands, Chairman Blake said, "Then by Consensus, we will, as part of the Report recommend that the Commission be involved in public education." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES AD HOC WINTER SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING — JULY 5, 2007 PAGE 17 OF 17 For clarification, Chairman Blake said, "The question is, I had asked for — your Consensus permission to deliver the Report though it may be sight unseen and we are not coming back to approve it prior to my presentation of the Report, but a copy of the Report will be emailed out to everybody or available at the Clerk's Office by close of business July 12"' [20071 — next Thursday, so, I am asking for your permission to present your Findings and Recommendations to the Commission." There were no objections noted In approving the final Minutes, Chairman Blake then asked, "I would also ask Consensus of the Committee to give me the authority to sign the Minutes as being appropriate. I do promise you that I will read then: and review them and consult with the Clerk's Office to make sure they are a fair and accurate representation of the business that was transacted here. So, based on that, would the Committee give me the permission to sign the Minutes?" There were no objections noted 6. WRAP UP DISCUSSION In closing, Chairman Blake said, "I really appreciate everybody serving and I appreciate you making the job of Chairman as easy as it was — we are the people and the Commission really wanted to hear from the people and I really did try hard to make sure that everybody had a free flow of conversation to get ideas out there." 7. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Blake adjourned the Meeting at 11:22 p.m. SUBMITTED BY.• L. BROWN CY CITY CLERK i�,�ICHAEL S. BL��KE, CHAIRI�V AN .AD HOC Wl?�1'fFiZ SPRINGS CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX REFORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE NOTE: These Minutes were approved on UrUl. � / ;Z , 2007.