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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2007 08 23 City Commission Workshop Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP AUGUST 23, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Thursday, August 23, 2007 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). Roll Call: Mayor John F. Bush, present Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, absent Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, arrived at 6:33 p.m. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, present INFORMA TIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Office Of The City Manager Budget Review. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore addressed the City Commission regarding this Agenda Item. Commissioner Joanne M Krebs arrived at 6:33 p.m. With discussion on the responsibilities of a Risk Manager, Mayor Bush suggested that the City look into a Risk Manager. Discussion followed on the need for another Planner for the Community Development Department and that it wasn't on the list. Manager McLemore stated, "It needs to be on there." Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis commented that it was of interest to her. On the issue of a Fire Truck not being in the Budget, Manager McLemore stated, "Not on this list." Other options for paying for this were suggested. Discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 23, 2007 PAGE20F5 Commissioner Rick Brown asked, "Do you have a list of what made up that nine hundred thousand [dollars] ($900,000.00) - this is different from that non-recurring Fund Balance." Manager McLemore replied, "It is coming to you in an Agenda Item." Further discussion ensued on plans to build a third Fire Station; to which Manager McLemore noted, "We need those eight (8) firemen to fully man that first class unit." Discussion. Manager McLemore said, "We need to have that discussion of what you would do with that three hundred thousand [dollars] ($300,000.00). I would say put a portion of your money out for your special projects to a revolving account and commit a certain amount every year to keep building it up." Commissioner Krebs suggested, "Probably fifty (50) [thousand dollars] ($50,000.00)." Deputy Mayor McGinnis commented, "Fifty (50) [thousand dollars] ($50,000.00) is good." Discussion. Mayor Bush reiterated, "So, what Ron's (McLemore) recommended here, the two twenty [thousand dollars] ($220,000.00) up there would become fifty [thousand dollars] ($50,000.00)." Manager McLemore added, "This is under the strategy if you maintain your current Millage." Further discussion. Tape l/Side B Mr. Kevin Smith, Director, General Services Department addressed the City Commission saying, "In order to levy that 4.2919, we need a unanimous Vote - for the City of Winter Springs, that's all five (5) Commissioners. To levy the Millage that the Manager has recommended; the same unanimous Vote; all five (5) Commissioners. Your next option would be to roll back to current year levels. That's the Roll Back Rate that we calculate every year. So, as we go forward to FY (Fiscal Year) [20]'08, if you levy - in FY (Fiscal Year) [20]'08, the Roll Back Rate, that only requires a two-thirds majority; or for us, four (4) Commissioners. However, if you levy this rate here, we have a five hundred thousand ($500,000.00) shortfall to deal with. So, we either have to cut five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) or seek alternative revenue sources to the tune of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) approximately." Commissioner Krebs asked, "When do you say seek other alternative revenue sources?" Mr. Smith replied, "Fire Fee for example." Manager McLemore and Mr. Smith added, "Or higher Recreation fees." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 23, 2007 PAGE30F5 Mr. Smith stated, "Your next option is to go all the way back to what the State has mandated that we have to do which is roll back to FY (Fiscal Year) [20]'07 and then cut - for us at Winter Springs, an additional nine percent (9%). That results in a Millage rate of 3.5766; which you could levy just with your normal majority Vote. But, that would require, as we discussed several times; that's your 1.3 million dollars ($1,300,000.00). So, we have to cut 1.3 million ($1,300,000.00) or find alternative revenue sources to the tune of 1.3 million dollars ($1,300,000.00)." Discussion. Mr. Smith continued, "Anything higher than - this rate right here would require a Referendum. " Manager McLemore then said, "Next year, if the Constitutional Amendment passes, add another, we think - a million dollars ($1,000,000.00) to that 1.3; so, that'd be 2.3 million dollars ($2,300,000.00) that you don't have any more, that we used to have; just to get even. And the thing that scares everybody about this Constitutional Amendment is nobody really has a real firm understanding of what that number's going to be; because it involves Elections by individuals as to whether they want to keep their - Save Our Homes or other things." Continuing, Manager McLemore explained, "So, that's the reason the Fire Fees become so important to us because it insulates us from both ofthese. And our concern in the next Legislative Session, they might try to do away with this option all together." Mr. Smith remarked, "It's important to note, again, even if it does not pass, we still have restrictions placed upon us in FY (Fiscal Year) [20]'09 as to what the Commission can override and the amount they can override. And again, it's more limited than what you have in front of you and available to you in FY (Fiscal Year) [20]'08." Mayor Bush commented, "So, all of these Millages you've got up there include the 8.2 million dollars ($8,200,000.00) that we are going to receive in additional revenue over last year." Mr. Smith replied, "Yes, Sir." Discussion continued. Deputy Mayor McGinnis stated, "And once it goes on the Tax Rolls, then you are pretty guaranteed that you are going to get all of it." Mr. Smith replied, "Yes." Further discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 23,2007 PAGE40F5 Regarding the Town Hall Meetings planned for the first week in September, Manager McLemore asked, "How do you want to style those Meetings in terms of an Agenda? What do you want to talk about in those Meetings? Do you want to deal only with Budget or do you want to deal with other issues?" With discussion, Commissioner Brown suggested that the Mayor do an introduction and then to open the floor to the residents for questions. Commissioner Krebs recommended that the Commission should encourage questions. Deputy Mayor McGinnis remarked that she would like a brief overview on the Budget. Mayor Bush suggested explaining the Fire Assessment District. Commissioner Krebs and Deputy Mayor McGinnis both agreed with this. Discussion. Tape 2/Side A Manager McLemore suggested, "I'm concerned about the amount of notice that's out there about these Meetings. I think it would be worthwhile to spend a little bit a money to send out a quick mail notice." Deputy Mayor McGinnis stated, "I agree totally." Commissioner Krebs added, "I was going to ask about that." Additionally, Deputy Mayor McGinnis said, "One (1) postcard.. ,," Commissioner Krebs noted, ".. . Yes, a postcard. . ." Deputy Mayor McGinnis added, "... List all the Meetings and do it ASAP." Mayor Bush recommended, "And if you do a little oversized postcard too, I think, so it stands out." Commissioner Krebs added, "I think Commissioner Brown is right too. I would still put it in the water bill." Manager McLemore stated, "That is done." Mayor Bush then suggested, "Put it on the Web." Discussion continued Mayor Bush commented, "And then on the [August] 29th [2007], let's have another short Meeting just to review the presentation." Deputy Mayor McGinnis remarked, "Okay." No objections were noted. Mayor Bush stated, "6:30 [p.m.] on the [August] 29th [2007]?" Commissioner Krebs stated, "That is fine." No objections were noted. On the postcard issue and Labor Day, Commissioner Krebs inquired, "Is there any way to have them hit Thursday before they go away?" Mayor Bush commented, "Sure." Manager McLemore stated, "Oh yes, we're going to try to get it out of here this week." On the Workshop tentatively scheduled for August 28, 2007, Mayor Bush stated, "[August] 28th [2007], I don't think we need it at this point. That was a tentative date." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 23, 2007 PAGESOFS Furthermore on mailing out the Postcards, Mayor Bush suggested working with SWOP (Seminole Work Opportunity Program). Manager McLemore said, "If we got them out of here tomorrow or at worst Friday, they'd be there by - Monday, Tuesday of next week. " Further discussion. Mayor Bush commented about the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce "Industry Recognition Luncheon" which is being held on Thursday, September 13,2007 and asked the City Commission to let City Clerk Andrea Lorenzo- Luaces know if they were planning to attend. And, as there would probably be extra seats, Mayor Bush suggested that Staff could go. Deputy Mayor McGinnis recommended, "I think our Fire Chief and our Police Chief." Deputy Mayor McGinnis noted, "Ron (McLemore) is going - and Randy (Stevenson, Director, Community Development Department) will go." Lastly, Mayor Bush mentioned that he was going to be making a presentation on "SeminoleW A Y" at the Seminole County Commission Meeting next Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Discussion continued. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Workshop at 8:09 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: DANIljLLE HARKER, ASSIST ANT TO THE CITY CLERK AND A A LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: t. ~1ht&d OR JOHNF. BUSH NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the September 10, 2007 Regular City Commission Meeting.