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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2008 09 02 City Commission Workshop MinutesCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Tuesday, September 2, 2008 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 5:30 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 Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent A moment of silence was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Brief discussion followed on Hurricanes. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore said to the City Commission, "If it is okay with you all, we would like to think of the Agenda coming out on Thursday, instead of Wednesday; if that is something that you can live with. We are very, very busy right now." Commissioner Sally McGinnis stated, "That is okay with me." Mayor Bush asked, "Is that okay?" No objections were voiced. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Office Of The City Manager Budget Review. Manager McLemore introduced this discussion on the Budget. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 2 OF I 1 Mayor Bush opened the "Public Input"portion of the Agenda Item. Mr. Art Gallo, 199 Nandina Terrace, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke on behalf of the Seminole Lacrosse Club. Mayor Bush closed the "Public Input "portion of the Agenda Item. Mr. Gallo added that Parks and Recreation Department projects are hard to measure and his organization supports the City Commission. In other City business, Manager McLemore commented on potential Hurricanes and how they might affect the City. Discussion followed. Mr. Kip Lockcuff, P.E., Director, Public Works/Utility Department said, "The creeks are down, but we gave up a lot of storage in the system. All the lakes are up, groundwater is saturated, so, if anybody was around Saturday -Saturday we had about two inches (2"), all run-off, didn't seem to bring anything up too bad. But, certainly eight to ten inches (8-10") inches in a day is going to probably be a repeat of what we had; twenty inches (20") last week or two (2) weeks ago." Discussion. With further comments, Mr. Lockcuff explained, "We just need to make sure the water courses are running. The problem we had on MacGregor (Road) was a plugged pipe. We fixed that. Winding Hollow, I'm not sure you can do anything different, we went back there and there's actually on the power easement; there's a couple of culverts that the power company maintains, those are completely gone; so, it will flow very clearly now. Not sure we will want to put them back, but they may have the right to do that." Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs asked if there was an evacuation plan and was there an email system to notify people? Mayor Bush asked about the reverse 9-1-1 system? With further discussion, Mayor Bush then asked Chief of Police Daniel J. Kerr, Police Department, "Can that be pinpointed to a certain part of the City, like the `327' prefix for instance, would be most of the west side?" Chief Kerr explained, "Yes, many times we target an area for information and we get it out. As a matter of fact in this last storm, the very one we are talking about, we got a lot of information out to people through the reverse 9-1-1 system." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 11 Mayor Bush added, "Well, maybe I think what Commissioner Krebs is suggesting, that maybe we do something like that to just inform people -what the City can do." Chief Kerr said, "What we can do is put information to them -for example if they're flooded, and we were running people through with 4-wheel drive vehicles, the ones we could get through, that we were getting to them when we could and other information about the fact that they may want to evacuate -that -obviously we can't make some people but we can tell them that it's going to be impassable and if they want to leave now, is a good time to leave. We did get that kind of information out in different areas." Discussion. Commissioner Robert S. Miller recommended that if the next storm comes toward us, that should send out word via the reverse 9-1-1 system to Winding Hollow, Hacienda Village, and the low areas of the Highlands; suggesting that people go to shelters and not wait and to work with the County on this. Chief Kenn noted, "Any information that needs to get out - we will get out early." Manager McLemore then said, "We cannot conflict with the National Weather Service nor what the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) information is giving out - we can add to it. We cannot prognosticate the weather." Mayor Bush remarked about what Mr. Lockcuff had said, that, "The ponds are full -the ground can't take any more, and any more rain is going to run down the streets. That is what I think people need to know." Mayor Bush asked Chief Kerr, "Taking what Kip (Lockcuff) said, could that be put on the reverse 9-1-1 ?" Mr. Kevin Smith, Director, General Services Department then addressed the City Commission on the Budget. Discussion. On pay for Police Officers, Manager McLemore asked, "What direction would you want to give and then we will cost that out." Manager McLemore added, "What is it that you would like for us to look into?" Mayor Bush stated, "I think our Police Officers ought to be paid commensurate with other Departments." Mayor Bush said "I am saying, let's improve it." Mayor Bush added, "And if we can afford it, we ought to do it." Furthermore, Mayor Bush noted, "When the Cody Study raises these ranges, what does it take - I am talking about everybody now, not just Police, that everybody makes the move -not just new people. That just doesn't seem fair to me." Commissioner McGinnis added, "Yes." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 11 Manager McLemore said, "What I would do, if we had the money. I'd adjust people in the ranges where they are and I'd put everybody with five (5) years of service at the 25~' quartile; I'd put everybody with ten (10) years of service at the 50`x' quartile; and I'd put everybody with fifteen (15) years of service at the seventy-five percent (75%) quartile. That's a one (1) time adjustment." Commissioner Miller noted, "I will support it." Mayor Bush remarked, "I think we need to see what it costs." Manager McLemore stated, "Give me a direction and I'll work the numbers for you." Commissioner McGinnis commented, "Go ahead, work it up. I would like to see what that is." Deputy Mayor Donald A. Gilmore stated, "If we do that, we're putting -people into their pay grade based on their years of service -are we not violating our Merit Pay Plan by doing that?" Manager McLemore said, "The way I see it is that would be on top of your Merit Plan, in other words, if it took. seven (7) or eight percent (8%) to get someone to that quartile, that would be on top of their Appraisal -that's the way I would see it; because what you are trying to do is get everybody to an appropriate separation, like a one (1) time adjustment. Then you go forward and try to maintain it. So, I would say that you would put your merit increase on top of that. You don't have to, you could use your four percent (4%) to do that. I'm not sure it would help you really accomplish what you want to do though, doing it that way." Continuing, Manager McLemore said, "What I was saying is you would do a one (1) time adjustment to your system to get everybody to the appropriate places to address this issue of compression." With further comments, Manager McLemore said, "You'd be doing a one (1) time adjustment and then going forward you would try to maintain the system as close to that as you could, as you had dollars available." Mayor Bush said "Well, I would like to see the Manager come back with a recommendation that working with not only the Police Department, but other Departments as well. I think we are all aware that the employees are what makes the City tick, and I think the hurricanes and so forth are classic examples of that, not only the Police, Fire, the Public Works people; Paxks and Recreation, everybody - is putting in a lot of overtime and not getting paid for it, especially the salaried ones. So, I think it is something we certainly should consider." Commissioner McGinnis said, "I support that." Then, Mayor Bush asked, "Do we have Consensus on this, Commissioners?" Deputy Mayor Gilmore stated, "Yes." Commissioner McGinnis stated, "Yes." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FIARIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 5 OF 11 Mayor Bush stated, "Now, if I understand this correctly, what you are saying is based on everything you know to date - on page 3, the Add Backs could go in based upon the pluses and minus off of page 1, the Millage would be 2.5453." Mr. Smith stated, "Yes." Mayor Bush added, "Right now, and the TRIM (Truth-in-Millage) was set at - 3.0338, that was the cap, can't go above that. So, then in reality, whatever the Manager would come back with would be additional onto that Millage of 2.5453." Mr. Smith added, "Correct, assuming that you did all the Add Backs." Commissioner Krebs commented, "We have already discussed the merit pay and we discussed the Cody Study." Mayor Bush noted, "Everybody is okay with those two (2)?" Commissioner McGinnis remarked, "Yes." No objections were noted. Continuing, Commissioner Krebs stated, "The Christmas Parade, I really think that that is tradition and if there is one event that the majority of the events are attended by Winter Springs residents, it is the Parade. And I really do feel strongly in keeping the Parade - it is not very expensive." Discussion. Mayor Bush asked Chief Kerr what the Police cost was? Tape USide B Chief Kerr responded, "Right in the neighborhood of five thousand [dollars] ($5,000.00)." Commissioner McGinnis said, "I think it is something we need to continue." Commissioner Rick Brown said, "My feeling is they all ought to be paying for themselves one way or the other." Commissioner Krebs noted, "I think they should as well, but I think we should keep that as one of them to try and help fund. I don't know how you get a sponsor for the Parade, though." Commissioner McGinnis said, "I don't agree with `They should all pay for themselves'." Commissioner Miller remarked, "There are certain things in my opinion that makes cities great cities, and all those things up there in the past I think have helped make this one of the cities that people take notice of. We can put them all on a pay as you go basis, and we'll be like most of the other places." With further comments, Commissioner Miller noted, "I would rather just leave all the things up there for the time being." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 6 OF 11 Commissioner Krebs continued, "I do think that the Christmas Parade is really important to Winter Springs." Commissioner Krebs added, "I am not saying we shouldn't find sponsorships and monies to help pay for these, I am afraid we're not going to find all of the money to pay for them and to give it all up because we can't pay five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or whatever a small amount, be a partner in it as well - it is going to have to cost us something I think, until we can find the right person; which I think we're out looking for aren't we - to get us what we've been asking for. I still think the Christmas Tree Lighting -the Christmas Concert, the Spring Concert, I love music, I have been to a couple of them. It seems one time they are well-attended, other times they are not. This year, the 4~' of July Event, I have been asked by more people to please, if you do one thing, bring back the Parade, and bring back the 4~' of July. But this also is our 50c1i year Anniversary coming up, and I really think we need to celebrate Winter Springs' S0~' year Anniversary, and if we could do that in conjunction with the 4~' of July event." Commissioner Krebs added, "I would like to keep them in there -also -with the intent of having, hiring that person to bring in the sponsorships." Additionally, Commissioner Krebs stated, "A couple of them, if we need to let them go, then we can let them go." Commissioner McGinnis said, "There's one important event that's missing from here and that is the Fall Event. Commissioner Krebs added, "It is missing - I think we can get that for seven thousand [dollars] ($7,000.00) this year, can't we, Chuck (Pula)? Didn't you say that?" Manager McLemore answered, "Just to clarify, the budget that you handed me was for ten thousand [dollars] ($10,000.00), and we had contributions of three thousand [dollars] ($3,000.00). So, we need to raise another seven thousand dollars ($7,000.00). I'm convinced we can raise most of that, if not all of it, probably at least fifty percent (50%) of it fairly easily." Commissioner Krebs suggested, "I think we need to put that back up..." Manager McLemore added, "...I think for three (3) or four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) at most, we can have this event." Mayor Bush said, "So, add that Fall Event back in and put it at seven thousand [dollars] ($7,000.00) for the time being..." Manager McLemore explained further "...Well, it's a ten thousand dollar ($10,000.00) Event but with revenues, I think net wise, it won't cost us more than two (2) or three thousand dollars ($3,000.00)." Commissioner McGinnis said, "I think we can do without the Christmas Concert. We have two (2) Philharmonic Concerts now a year. If we did, we have the Christmas Parade, the Christmas Tree Lighting, I don't think we need a Christmas Concert. That is my opinion. I do like the Spring Concert." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FIARIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 7 OF 11 Discussion. About the Tree Lighting Event, Commissioner Krebs remarked, "My opinion is to keep it in there, but I still say that - I think you have to plan for it." Furthermore, Commissioner Krebs stated, "I am saying, plan for it, but let's get somebody in here to bring those numbers down." On the issue of Concerts, Commissioner Krebs stated, "I think we can do away with the Concerts this year, unless we get somebody." Continuing, Commissioner Krebs commented, "Take it off, until you do." Discussion followed on possibly charging for Concerts. Mr. Chuck Pula, Director, Parks and Recreation Department noted, "We could charge for that particular Event; we have not set that precedence. The Springs Concert that you are referring to also is a catered event and it's a high dollar catered event." Mr. Pula added, "Our Event is more of a children's Event." On the issue of costs for attending, Mayor Bush suggested, "Let the kids in free and charge the adults." Mr. Pula responded, "We could do that - I mean we could do that and see how it goes the first year." Further discussion ensued on the logistics of collecting monies. Mayor Bush noted, "I think it has been brought up, Commissioner Krebs - if I read you right Commissioner, you were saying both Concerts should be zapped, unless we can figure out some way to pay." Commissioner Krebs added, "Yes, I think and on the other ones, we need to find ways to receive revenue whether it be from sponsorship or parking." Mayor Bush suggested, "What if we went with one (1) Concert and started the parking initiative, and also of course, looking for sponsors, etc." Commissioner Krebs remarked, "If you do that, then I would say go with the Spring Concert because you will hopefully have somebody in there - to help defray costs." Mayor Bush said, "So, everybody is in agreement that the Christmas Concert is scratched?" Commissioner McGinnis, "Yes." Commissioner Krebs, "Yes." No objections were noted. Mayor Bush then remarked, "The Spring Concert is still on the table with some creative thinking from Chuck (Pula) - and I agree with Commissioner Krebs on the 4t1i of July, this is our 50~' Anniversary. I think that we could partner those two (2) items on the 4~' of July, and I think it would be very appropriate - so, I personally would like to see it stay. Again, we can charge for parking -for that just like we do the others." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 8 OF 11 Discussion followed on food concessions and Commissioner Krebs suggested it would be better if we could get a percentage rather than a flat fee. Commissioner Krebs asked Mr. Pula, "Can we check into that?" Mayor Bush then stated, "Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, Spring Concert, 4`~' of July - and the Fall Festival, and that comes to about one hundred and twelve thousand dollars ($112,000.00) when you subtract the twenty-three thousand [dollars] ($23,000.00) - without sponsorships, without parking revenue, etc." Discussion followed on the two (2) Fire Department personnel who are not being picked up by Seminole County. Manager McLemore said to Commissioner Krebs, "We need to talk afterwards. The preference is to always try to hire from inside." Furthermore, Manager McLemore responded, "We will find things for them to do." Mayor Bush said, "But if the Commission approves the ninety-two thousand dollars ($92,000.00) then you would put them in some kind of a job and they would be evaluated in that job, just like anybody else." Mayor Bush then asked, "Do you want to leave the ninety-two thousand dollars ($92,000.00) in there?" Commissioner Krebs noted, "I do. I think there are plenty of things around here. I have seen people needing help." Commissioner Brown stated, "Yes." Deputy Mayor Gilmore said, "I support the money in the Budget and those people can do jobs." Commissioner McGinnis commented, "I would support that. There were no objections. Mayor Bush summarized, "The ninety-two thousand dollars ($92,000.00) stays in -the Manager will find positions for them." Next, Mayor Bush asked, "The lot clearing, is there anybody against that?" Commissioner Krebs stated, "No." No objections were voiced. Mayor Bush asked Captain Glenn Tolleson, Code Enforcement Bureau, Police Department, "Is that enough?" There were no objections. Discussion ensued on foreclosures in the City of Winter Springs and Mayor Bush spoke on data he had received from Seminole County. Then, discussion followed on keeping lots mowed. Captain Tolleson explained, "In answer to the question, as to what was shown up there, yes, I can work with that. Some of the things that we're dealing with now and Kip's (Lockcuff) shop is actually pricing it out for me is the pools, and whether they're in foreclosure or abandoned, because that number is not on there; I have those as well, and the power is shut off -what do we do with the pools?" Discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 9 OF 11 Mayor Bush said, "You are doing a good job, Captain. I appreciate that, I know the other Commissioners do too." With further comments, Mayor Bush asked the City Commission, "So, everybody is okay with the amount?" Commissioner McGinnis stated, "Yes." Mayor Bush noted, "Since the Captain is okay with it, I guess we are okay with it." There were no objections. Mayor Bush then asked, "How about the two (2) Police Officers?" Commissioner Krebs said, "Yes." Chief Kerr stated, "We definitely can use the two (2) Officers, I don't think there's any question about that. I haven't had a chance to make a presentation to you or the City Manager about our most recent presentation that we were given by the County - the influx of gangs that have come into Seminole County." With discussion, Mayor Bush asked, "Everybody is in agreement then with the two (2) Officers?" No objections were voiced. Next, discussion followed on problems associated with air conditioning units and the process involved to get broken units fixed. Commissioner Krebs asked Manager McLemore "How can we help you, ~ Ron (McLemore)?" Manager McLemore answered, "Don't make me bid. Give me the authority to go negotiate something." Manager McLemore added, "If you say I can sole source, just go out there and do it -that will help some; and also tell me that I can go ahead and do it and bring back to you the Supplemental Appropriation, instead of having to wait, and meet with you and get it. Just tell me I can do that." Mayor Bush suggested, "Why don't we ask the Manager to put that on the Agenda?" Commissioner Krebs noted, "I think you should." No objections were voiced. Discussion ensued on a maintenance program for air conditioning units. Tape 2/Side A Further discussion followed. In other City business, Mayor Bush mentioned an area business event, and also reminded the City Commission about the Board and Committee Appreciation Brunch scheduled for this Saturday, September 6, 2008. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 10 OF 11 Next, Manager McLemore noted the Workshop on Goals is still scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2008 and asked, "Is it your desire to follow through with that?" With no objections, Mayor Bush stated, "Yes." Manager McLemore then asked, "We try to put -out daily Memorandums from us during this hurricane -did you want us to continue that?" Commissioner McGinnis remarked, "Yes." Hearing no objections, Mayor Bush summarized, "Yes." Lastly, Manager McLemore asked the City Commission, "Is there any other information relative to the Budget we can try to develop for you?" Mayor Bush said, "I think the information on the parking and things like that would be good to know." Mayor Bush gave Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces, City Clerk some Arts Festival posters and said, "Andrea (Lorenzo-Luaces), you can put them up on the door until we get a bigger one." Commissioner Brown commented on speaking to an Event Planner who resides in the Highlands and said to Manager McLemore, I am due to return her call, and I will send her over to you." Manager McLemore commented, "Please." Commissioner Miller spoke about biodegradable pens which were shown to the City Commission. Mayor Bush noted, "I will have to get you more information on -how much the percentage of it is biodegradable." Commissioner Miller stated, "Alright." Next, Commissioner McGinnis said she would be forwarding an email on community based care and that the City Commission could choose to make a personal contribution to help others. Commissioner McGinnis added, "I will send -that address to Andrea (Lorenzo-Luaces)." Other events were also noted. Manager McLemore then mentioned that the City Clerk needed to order the refreshments for this weekend's Board and Committee Appreciation Brunch, but we were concerned with the possible Hurricane situation. Mayor Bush stated, "Commissioner Gilmore said the same thing -let's leave this up to the Manager and Andrea (Lorenzo-Luaces) to decide." Commissioner McGinnis noted, "I agree." Commissioner Brown then asked Manager McLemore if signs could be placed at the entrance to the Winding Hollow subdivision. Ms. Leah Weisman, 113 Brookshire Court, Winter Springs, Florida: addressed the City Commission briefly on signage and the Winding Hollow subdivision. Mayor Bush said to Manager McLemore, "So, you will work with the Winding Hollow HOA (Homeowner's Association)." CITY OF W[NTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP -SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 11 OF I l ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the City Commission Workshop at 7:13 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: LaDONNA SLAYTER, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY CLERK AND ?A LORENZO-LUACES, CMC LERK A_PPROV.ED: r~ Z YOk JOHN F. BUSH NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the September 22, 2008 Regular City Commission Meeting.