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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2007 09 11 City Commission Special Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of Tuesday, September 11,2007 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, arrived at 6:32 p.m. Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, arrived at 6:32 p.m. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Office Of The City Manager Budget Review. City Manager Ronald W McLemore arrived at 6:32 p.m. Commissioner Robert S. Miller arrived at 6:32 p.m. Manager McLemore and Mr. Kevin Smith, Director, General Services Department reviewed possible scenarios related to the proposed Fire Assessment. Commissioner Miller inquired, "If we were to adopt this, when would the earliest that we could adopt it? Tonight?" Manager McLemore responded, "If you tell us to go, we will have the Ordinances - and ready to go for you right away." Mr. Smith noted, "It is going to be more the November, December timeframe." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 11,2007 PAGE 2 OF 8 Discussion. Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs asked Manager McLemore, "If there is cost of a house - or a home that would equate to that two hundred and three dollars ($203.00), do we know that figure?" Manager McLemore responded, "We could try to develop that for you." Furthermore, Manager McLemore noted, "We could run some scenarios on hundred thousand [ dollar] increments and I think it will pop out for you.". Manager McLemore added, "What that Millage would generate - equate it." Further discussion. Commissioner Rick Brown sated, "I like the idea of Option 5) of the revenue neutral page. It gives us the opportunity then to go back with a lobbying effort to the citizens for the additional expenditures if we wanted to see happen in the Fire Department, equipment, the new station, the compression issues, and really start addressing what we need to have done in the Fire - Department." Commissioner Miller then mentioned the possibility of a Referendum. Manager McLemore added, "You can raise your Assessments as you need to." Discussion continued. Mayor Bush stated, "I think we need a Motion to implement the Fire Assessment Fee - so we can get that started." "I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT OPTION 5) ON THE REVENUE NEUTRAL PAGE - AT THE MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT ALLOWABLE OF THREE MILLION, FOUR [HUNDRED] SEVENTY-FIVE [THOUSAND] - THREE NINETY-NINE [DOLLARS] ($3,475,399.00) - APPROXIMATELY; THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE ASSESSMENT." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. DISCUSSION. MAYOR BUSH ADDED, "THE MOTION IS TO ACCEPT OPTION 5) WHICH WOULD BE REVENUE NEUTRAL AND ASSESS AT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LEVEL, WHATEVER THAT ENDS UP BEING WHICH COULD CHANGE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, A LITTLE BIT, AND START THE WHEELS ROLLING ON GETTING THE ORDINANCES PASSED." VOTE: DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE COMMISSIONER KREBS: AYE COMMISSIONER BROWN : AYE COMMISSIONER GILMORE: AYE MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 11,2007 PAGE30F8 Discussion ensued on a possible Referendum, and hiring more Staff to which Commissioner Miller stated, "There are personnel needs. I think we need help in the Clerk's Office; I think the Police Department needs one (1) or two (2) - new Officers. If we also look at other areas, I think there is a question in my mind about the Planning Department, whether they would need an additional person." Discussion. Commissioner Brown said to Manager McLemore, "We were talking about Andrea's (Lorenzo-Luaces, City Clerk) head count last night, that head count was originally budgeted for two (2) years; that temporary head count that Danielle (Harker) was filling, was originally approved for two (2) years. When she (Andrea) lost that full-time head, did that funding go away, or is that still there." Commissioner Krebs noted, "It is still in the Budget." Commissioner Brown added, "Then it is neutral to bring somebody on to fill that temporary for the following year." Manager McLemore then said, "If we can hire somebody for a special project, we can treat that as a non-recurring expense, so if it's funded, then we could hire that position and treat it as though it is a non-recurring expense." Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis suggested, "Make us a special project." Commissioner Brown then explained, "It was for special projects." Manager McLemore added, "It was." Continuing, Manager McLemore remarked, "I think what you're asking - is there a person there who is budgeted in our Budget, and that slot is not filled now, that's the question. Then if it is not filled, you can fill it." Commissioner Brown noted, "And it is not filled, because we converted the temp to a full-time position, the temp position is still open. " Mayor Bush remarked, "So the budgeted money is still in the Budget." Commissioner Miller added, "For [20]'07-[20]'08." Deputy Mayor McGinnis stated, "Alright." Commissioner Brown added, "And then we can make sure when we start the budgeting process next year, that head count is permanent, because she is going to need it." Manager McLemore added, "Once it goes permanent though, then we will treat it as a recurring expense." Commissioner Krebs, in speaking about other staffing issues, said to City Clerk Lorenzo- Luaces, "That we know is funded, you should hire somebody. And, we still need to get to those others that this Commission may feel is needed as well." Commissioner Miller added, "I would like to have a discussion on how we hire somebody for Planning. I would leave it up to Staff I guess as to what level they would hire." Tape 1/Side B CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER I I, 2007 PAGE40F8 Commissioner Miller commented next on his concern about crime and asked that we work on preventing issues with gangs. Manager McLemore noted, "The Planning Department. We need to give them some help. Well, I can do that by increasing our Consultant money at - thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) which is half what a person would cost us in this year, as a temporary cost. Like I said, we have a situation there for Andrea (Lorenzo-Luaces), without committing me to a full-time position, until we get on a more firm basis to be able to predict what our future is, I just don't know what these people are going to do." Mayor Bush asked, "Do we keep it the way it is?" Manager McLemore responded, "I can handle the Planning Department with some additional Consultant Fees. I can buy that help as we need it. Then maybe next year, or the year after, we see how we can deal with that. We've got that open slot for Andrea (Lorenzo-Luaces) that is funded already. .. " Commissioner Brown said, "... And she can hire against that?" Manager McLemore noted, "Right. So - I guess my bias is to stay in revenue neutral, because I think people are going to have some time for them to digest this Fire Fee and get it behind us." Next, discussion followed on crime statistics. On more staffing, Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis said, "I would ask that each. Department Head - we have been through this before, if they have dire needs, then they have to - say it." Further discussion. Chief of Police Daniel J. Kerr, Police Department addressed the City Commission on staffing, crime issues, and possible Grants. Commissioner Brown spoke for the Record on the Citizen Advisory Committee meetings. Next, Commissioner Miller commented for the Record on a previous Consensus for Police Department Officers. Commissioner Krebs asked, "Will we be able to do something with that Grant, should that come about? Even though it is not budgeted?" Manager McLemore noted, "We would evaluate it based on their regulations that they attached to it." Commissioner Krebs then inquired, "Will we have money in the Budget to work with it, at that time?" Manager McLemore stated, "We would." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER I I, 2007 PAGE50F8 Mayor Bush called a Recess at 7:52 p.m. Mayor Bush called the Special Meeting back to Order at 8: 12 p. m. Manager McLemore said, "If you take your Vote on option 5) on the Fire Fee, and you keep it totally - revenue neutral to the City, then your Tax Millage is going to be 2.9429 - now, remember that two hundred and seventy thousand [dollars] ($270,000.00), three hundred thousand dollars ($300,00.00) we talked about that is a different - if you maintain your current Millage, you don't have that. If you want to put it back in there, what it will do is reduce your revenue neutrality from a hundred percent (100%) down to ninety percent (90%), so you might have effectively raise another ten percent (10%) in revenue." Mayor Bush asked, "What would that make the Millage?" Manager McLemore responded, "I would keep it current. I would make your Millage 3.0696." Discussion. "I WOULD MOVE THAT WE ADOPT ITEM 5) ON THE REVENUE NEUTRAL AT THE MILLAGE RATE OF 3.0696." MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BROWN. COMMISSIONER BROWN ADDED, "ON THE REVENUE NEUTRAL PAGE." MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. "I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THE MILLAGE UNDER OPTION 5) AT 2.9429 REVENUE NEUTRAL AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KREBS. DISCUSSION. VOTE: DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: NAY COMMISSIONER BROWN : NAY COMMISSIONER KREBS: NAY COMMISSIONER GILMORE: NAY MOTION DID NOT CARRY. "I WOULD LIKE TO RE-MAKE MY MOTION THAT WE ADOPT ITEM 5) AT THE 3.0696 MILLAGE RATE." MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BROWN. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. DISCUSSION. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER I I, 2007 PAGE60F8 VOTE: COMMISSIONER BROWN : AYE DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE COMMISSIONER KREBS: AYE COMMISSIONER GILMORE: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Manager McLemore said, "We will work up some tables for you on that three hundred thousand [dollars] ($300,000.00)." Mayor Bush asked the City Commission, "Do we need to meet tomorrow night?" Commissioner Krebs stated, "I don't think so." Manager McLemore said, "No." No objections were noted. Commissioner Miller asked about maintenance of the State Road 434 corridor. Tape 2/Side A Mr. Steve Richart, Urban Beautification Services Division Manager, Community Development Department addressed the City Commission on the problems. Mayor Bush said, "Don't you think that should be an Agenda Item that comes back?" Deputy Mayor McGinnis stated, "I agree." Furthermore, Deputy Mayor McGinnis asked Mayor Bush to address the County Commission on this issue. Mayor Bush remarked, "I will be glad to." Deputy Mayor McGinnis stated, "We undertook this obligation. It was a major project in the City. It is important and there is no question about maintenance. It isn't even debatable. We have to do this. So, bring it back as an Agenda Item." "I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROPRIATE TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000.00) FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PLANT MATERIAL THAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW." MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KREBS. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS. DISCUSSION. MANAGER McLEMORE STATED, "THE MAINTENANCE ISSUE, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD INTO THAT TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR ($270,000.00) REVENUE STREAM, BECAUSE THAT IS AN ON-GOING INCREASE - IN THE BUDGET." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER I I, 2007 PAGE70F8 COMMISSIONER BROWN STATED, "WE ARE GOING TO BRING IT BACK AND I KNOW, BUT LONG TERM COMMISSIONER MILLER, I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE." COMMISSIONER BROWN ADDED, "THAT WHOLE AREA THOUGH NEEDS TO BE UPDATED FROM [US HIGHWAY] 17-92 ON UP." VOTE: COMMISSIONER KREBS: AYE COMMISSIONER BROWN : AYE COMMISSIONER GILMORE: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Commissioner Krebs mentioned to Mayor Bush to remind the County Commissioners about the wasted tax dollars spent to re-do the landscaping. Discussion. "I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE BRING THIS BACK AS AN AGENDA ITEM WITH SOME RECOMEDA TIONS." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS. MAYOR BUSH ADDED, "I THINK YOU NEED TO INCORPORATE WHAT COMMISSIONER MILLER IS SAYING - AND THAT IS THE CORRIDOR ALL THE WAY FROM [US HIGHWAY] 17-92 TO THE GREENEWAY NEEDS TO BE PUT TOGETHER." DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS ADDED, "MY MOTION WILL BE THE ENTIRE [STATE ROAD] 434 CORRIDOR - TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS POSSIBLE." SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KREBS. DISCUSSION. VOTE: COMMISSIONER GILMORE: AYE COMMISSIONER BROWN : AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE DEPUTY MAYOR McGINNIS: AYE COMMISSIONER KREBS: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Village Walk, "Perennial Peanut", and trees were discussed next. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Special Meeting at 8:37 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ,.., A LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: ic~ CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 11,2007 PAGE 8 OF 8 NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the September 24,2007 Regular City Commission Meeting.