HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2009 03 30 City Commission Workshop MinutesCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION
WORKSHOP
MARCH 30, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The Workshop of Monday, March 30, 2009 of the City Commission was called to Order
by Mayor John F. Bush 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 John F. Bush, present
Deputy Mayor Joanne M. Krebs, present
Commissioner Jean Hovey, present
Commissioner Rick Brown, present
Commissioner Gary Bonner, present
Commissioner Sally McGinnis, absent
City Manager Kevin L. Smith, present
City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, present
PUBLIC INPUT
No one spoke at this time.
REGULAR AGENDA
REGULAR
600. Office Of The City Manager
Requesting The City Commission To Receive A Budget Overview Presentation And
Discuss The Groundwork For The Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget Process.
City Manager Kevin L. Smith addressed the City Commission on this Agenda Item and
reviewed a document entitled "Preliminary Budget Analysis" for Fiscal Year 2010 -
General Fund. Manager Smith then commented on Revenue Growth; Expenditures;
Property Taxes; and potential revenues from Red-Light Cameras.
Chief of Police Kevin Brunelle addressed the City Commission on the status of Red-
Light Cameras.
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Manager Smith continued with his presentation on Investment Earnings; Special Revenue
Funds; Staffing; and Zero-Based Budgeting. On Capital Expenditures regarding possibly
setting up a Capital Equipment Replacement Fund, Manager Smith noted, "I will talk to
you more about that as we go forward."
As Manager Smith continued with his presentation, Manager Smith added, "I have
addressed Budget deficits of this magnitude before. I have total confidence with the
Staff, the Commission - we'll get through it."
Commissioner Gary Bonner stated, "Thanks for the outline, Kevin (Smith). It really puts
it all in context." Continuing, Commissioner Bonner remarked, "When do you want to
come back to us at the next Workshop and start talking about some of these details? So,
when do you envision us getting together?" Manager Smith responded by saying, "Thirty
(30) days would be my recommendation."
Furthermore, Commissioner Bonner said to Manager Smith, "Within thirty (30) days,
what is your approach to prepare for our next Workshop?"
Manager Smith responded by saying, "What I'm going to do is fine tune these numbers."
Manager Smith added, "I'm hopeful these numbers get better. And, as we get more
information, we can fine tune them." Furthermore, Manager Smith stated, "But, what
we're also going to be doing that I can control is we'll have a better indication of what
this operating number is going to look like through our Zero-Based Budgeting. I am
hopeful that we get significant savings there."
Continuing, Manager Smith suggested, "We're going to make more direct decisions on
what we're going to have to do to close that Budget gap."
Commissioner Bonner commented on the Zero-Based Budgeting and asked, "Will we be
seeing that sort of detail in this thirty (30) day, time frame?" Manager Smith stated,
"That is the plan."
Continuing, Manager Smith further addressed Zero-Based Budgeting. Discussion.
Commissioner Rick Brown asked Manager Smith, "Are you going to break out the
Transfers in line as to where that money is coming from?" Manager Smith stated, "This
is just a summary - when we come back, we'll have a much more detailed Budget."
Commissioner Brown continued, "When you come back, can you document how much of
those Property Taxes are actually business-based..." Manager Smith stated, "...Yes..."
Commissioner Brown added, "...And how much are residential?" Manager Smith
remarked, "We have the Commercial component; the Personal Property component; the
Non-Homestead; and the Homestead component."
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CITY COMMISSION
WORKSHOP - MARCH 30, 2009
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Manager Smith further noted, "My goal today was to show what we're up against; to put
some numbers on it; to kind of explain why we're here; and the plan to address it."
Discussion.
Mayor Bush commented to Manager Smith about a follow-up Workshop and suggested,
"Maybe by - the first Commission Meeting in April on the 13th (2009), you may have
some idea of where you are and then we could set the next Workshop?" Manager Smith
stated, "Sure. I would be happy to do that." Mayor Bush added, "Let us put that on the
Agenda - to set the Workshop date."
Mayor Bush again opened Public Input.
No one spoke.
Mayor Bush closed this Public Input.
Commissioner Bonner said to Manager Smith, "I think you are taking the right approach
and that the by-product of this exercise is really going to give us, not only the detail, but
the ability to prioritize; and I thank you and the Staff in advance because these will be
difficult decisions; but at least we will have all of the detail to make the best possible
decision. Thank you."
Mayor Bush noted, "I will add to that - we just saw more information now than we have
seen..." Commissioner Brown added, "...This has probably been the most informative
fifteen (15) minutes I think we have had in the past couple of years..." Mayor Bush
continued, "... So, it kind of goes with Kevin's (Smith) efforts to make the Budget
transparent and make it obvious and understandable. That is the main thing, to make it
understandable."
Furthermore, Manager Smith explained, "When we talk about - trying to bridge this gap,
one way to do it is to increase the Millage. I am not saying that's what we should do. I
am just saying that is one way; or increase revenues." Continuing, Manager Smith noted,
"We do have Grant opportunities that we're pursuing also." Manager Smith commented
on one possibility which is a Cops Grant program and explained, "I think it's something
we need to look at. My plan is to apply for it. If we get it, we don't have to accept it.
We may not get it; but let's apply for it now and let's evaluate this over the next thirty
(30) days as we are doing everything, and I'll come back to you with a better
recommendation." Further discussion.
Next, discussion ensued on an upcoming Workshop on the EAR (Evaluation And
Appraisal Report) and which sections would be covered.
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Ms. Eloise Sahlstrom, ASLA, AICP, Senior Planner, Community Development
Department addressed the City Commission and stated, "I think what would be good is if
we could get through about four (4)." Ms. Sahlstrom suggested "Housing, Parks and
Rec[reation], Conservation, and - Infrastructure." Continuing, Ms. Sahlstrom noted,
"There are actually nine (9) Elements, if we could get through at least four (4) for next
Monday night." Ms. Sahlstrom was then asked about the order and responded, "Housing,
Parks and Rec[reation], Conservation, Infrastructure."
With further comments on the Budget, Mayor Bush said to Manager Smith, "When do
you estimate that the Commission will see how this breaks out by Department?"
Manager Smith answered, "Hopefully at the next Meeting. More realistically, probably
the one following that."
Mayor Bush then suggested that Manager Smith, "Take a look at when we will have
these Workshops so we can plan ahead with our calendars?" Mayor Bush added, "If you
can do that over the next few days, it would be helpful." Manager Smith remarked, "I'll
be happy to do that." Mayor Bush said to Manager Smith, "We won't hold you to it, if
you have to change it - just a rough idea."
Mayor Bush again opened Public Input.
Mr. Ron Ligthart, 1036 Winding Waters Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and mentioned he hoped this would be addressed.
Mr. George Seely, 211 Birch Terrace, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke of the economy
and crime and suggested the Police Department should not take any reductions.
Mayor Bush mentioned, "The Commission has got great confidence in Chief Brunelle's
handling of this situation and I think he will respond appropriately."
Mayor Bush closed Public Input.
Deputy Mayor Joanne M. Krebs commented on a recent article about retail. space losses
and noted, "I am going to get a copy of that - and send that in and maybe you all could
read that."
Mayor Bush mentioned that he and Manager Smith met with a representative from City
State Technologies, Inc., which had just been admitted to the UCF (University of Central
Florida) Incubator, and noted, "I asked Kevin (Smith) - to see if we could at some point
bring this to the Commission." Manager Smith remarked, "It's definitely worth looking
into and I am doing so and I will come back to you all at the appropriate time." Mayor
Bush added, "It goes along with what Kevin (Smith) has been saying about making the
Budget transparent - and understandable."
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Furthermore, Manager Smith stated, "And regardless if we utilize this gentleman's
services or not, this is still incumbent upon us to do something of this type to get this
information out on the Web - so, our citizens can understand it." Mayor Bush noted
some information from the company and stated, "I will leave this with the Clerk if
anybody wants to take a look at it."
Brief discussion followed on this week's CALNO (Council of Local Governments in
Seminole County) meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bush adjourned the Workshop at 6:39 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
ANDREA LORENZO-LUACES, MMC, CITY CLERK AND
r
BROWN
I?VPUTY CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
4A 110R JOHN F. BUSH
NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the April 13, 2009 Regular City Commission Meeting.