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Home My WebLink About2008 05 12 Other Distributed At This Workshop Date: May 12, 2008 The following was distributed at the May 12, 2008 City Commission Workshop. :� CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES PUBLIC MEETING WITH CITY STAFF ON THE BUDGET MAY 8, 2008 CALL TO ORDER �� The Public Meeting With City Staff On The Budget of Thursday, May 8, 2008 of the City Commission ��as called to Order at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal �3uilding (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). REGULAR AGENDA � � REGULAR � 600. Office Of The City Manager � Discussion Of Potential Budget Reductions. � (During This Discussion, Stajf Wou1d Be Very Interested To Receive Input From The � Citizens OJ i�inter Springs On Related Potentia! Budget Reductions). �� City 1��lanager Ronald W. McLemore ��elcomed e��eryone and noted that Nlayor John F. � Bush, and Cominissioner Sall}� I�1cGinnis �� present and in the audience. and that Deputy Nfa��or ponald A. Gilmore �vas on the telephone. Manager I�1cLemore then introduced the Department Directors �vho «�ere also in attendance. 1�lanager I�1cLemore opened the discussion ��.�ith a Po��erpoint Presentation on �he � Budget. �i�lr. Bob Rucci, 6;'3 Turkey Hollotiv Drive, 6�inter Springs, Florida: asked if the suggested cuts ��-ere for this year or next year? Manager McLemore responded "This vear." Mr. Rucci then asked if Grant monies to enhance the Dog Park were going to still be available through 201 1 as originally understood. Mr. Chuck Pula, Director, Parks and Recreation Department stated, "On the Dog Park Grant, the project must be completed by April of 2011." Further discussion. Manager N1cLemore recognized former City Commissioner Edward Martinez, Jr. who also was in the audience. , ' CIT�' OF ��'INTER SPRRJGS, FLORIDA tiifNUTES PUBLIC 1fEETRJG ��'ITH CITY STAFF ON THE BUDGET — h1AY 8, 2008 PAGE Z OF a Mr. Edtiti�ard Martinez, Jr., 205 Little Cr Lane, T�'inter Springs. Florida: commented on the spending reductions and the Millage. Manager I�1cLemore explained, "Those are expenditure reductions and after those expenditures, there was a Revenue Budget to pay for those things that «�ere not eliminated." Further comments included the benefit ratio on the proposed Police Department automated ticket system. Chief of Police Daniel J. Kerr, Police Department spoke briefly on this. Mr. Arnie ��'ussbaum, 68? Andoi�er Circle, IT'inter Springs, Florida: noted the merits of community Events and asked if there was some ��ar� to salvage some City Events, and suggested that the Holiday Parade, the Christmas Tree Lighting, the Holiday� Orlando Philharmonic show, and Dancing under the Stars be held. Mr. Nussbaum suggested that there be an intra-agency discounting of City services. AIs. Leah FT'eisman, 113 Brookshire Cotrrt, [l�'inter Springs, Florida: commented on the design of the Dog Park and that the space ��as also to be used for Special E��ents parking; and Nis. ��'eisman mentioned that there are fiinds that have not yet been used for the Dog Park. ��1s. Isabelle Laisb, 13?2 Blue Sprisce Cor�rt, ii'inter� Springs, Flor spoke on the merits of the Senior Center and the sen�ices pro��ided to the Senior Citizens. 1��1s. Laub also asked that the part-time staff person for the Therapy Pool be changed to a full-time �� position as her sen�ices ��ere in great demand. I�1s. Laub suggested that perhaps roads and lawns not be maintained as much to sa��e some money, and asked that funding not be cut for the Senior Center. �LIr. Leroy "Doc" Hollotivay; 70� Glasgoiv Court, 6��'inter Springs, Flor thanked the City for the Senior Center and especially for the Therapy Pool. Mr. Hollo��ay asked that there not be any Senior Center cuts and stated, `'Liz (Elizabeth Abitante, Therapy Pool Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department] is doing a fantastic job" and asked if she could become a full-time employee �vith benefits. I�1r. Holloway also commended Ms. Susie Coffman, Senior Center Nianager, Parks and Recreation Department, on her ��ork. ' Manager McLemore pointed out, "There are no cuts on this list, involving the Senior Center." Mr. Ron Ligthart, 1036 GT'inding l�Yaters Circle, I�'inter Springs, Florida: asked why the Budget was higher two (2) years ago, and why Special Events were now costing more , than in previous years. , � C1TY OF �l'(NTER SPRfNGS, FLORID.A �tINUTES PUBLIC �1EETITJG WITH CITti' STAFF ON THE BUDGET— h1AY 8, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 4 Continuing, Mr. Ligthart asked about Vl'orkforce Housing. Tape IiSide B Discussion ensued on such housing and a related reduction in crime. Next, Mr. Ligthart commented on a referenced cut; spending on beautification and streetscape improvements; and gro�v�th in Lake Mary. Mr. l�latt Alatisak, ?94 Seneca ��leadoit�s Road. i�'inter Springs, Florida. commented on ��hether there was an}� cost cutting done in City Departments; and asked if unspent funds as of toda�-, could be frozen and added back into the Budget. _Mr. Michael Carpino, 110 i�oodleaf Driti�e, 6�"inter Springs, Florida: spoke on the merits of City Parks, especially Central «'inds Park; remarked about the benefits of sports programs; and hoped that fees for sports programs ��ould not be increased. 141s. Pamela Carf•oll, 86� Dyson Drive, 6�'inter Springs, Florida: commented on the Splash Pad planned for Trot��ood Park; suggested that some Special E��ents be alternated «�ith neighboring cities Long«�ood and Oviedo; and asked if a wage freeze ��as being considered. ��1r Rorr Pillera, 88? Benc�hit�oo�l Drii•e, i�"i�zter Springs. Flof�ida_ spoke on the Dog Park and matching funds; and ho�� sotneone should also be looking at the postponed �� projects so that thev "Don't go a�i�a��." ,t1i �1�1att ,tfatisak, -9-1 Seneca ;tleudoi��s Rouc�, i�"ijiter Spr�ings, Florida: remarked about ��hether there ��ere some Emplo� ee De�•elopment dollars still a� ailable. Nir. Kevin Smith, Director, General Services Department stated, "I don't ha�•e the exact numbers on memory." Mr. Smith added, "VVhat those exact numbers are, I don't remember. I �vill check." Mr. Matisak suggested that perhaps the total Employee Development dollars be tallied up and submitted to citizens. Mr. Anthon}� Colon, 394 Ttit�elve Oaks Dr �Yinter Springs, Florida: asked about the comparison of the top funded Departments and ho�� they compare �vith neighboring municipalities. Brief discussion. . � CITI' OF �ti`f�TER �PRINGS. FLORIDA �1�;UTES PUBLIC �tEET�NG «'ITH C1Tl� STAFF ON THE BUDGET — titAl' 8. 2008 PAGE 4 OF 4 ,11r. �llatt �Llatisak, �9=1 Seneca ,lleadotirs Road, [�'inter Springs, Florida: inquired about tonight's I��leetine and �i�hat �vas the next step? Manager I�1cLemore stated, "The Clerk is taking these comments and we �vill deliver it to them Monday — for them to consider." Mr. Ron Pillera. 882 Benchivood Drive, u`inter Springs, Florida.� commented on Amendment 1 and �y�hat municipalities could do. I�Ir. Bob Rucci, 6�3 Turkey Holloiv Drive, l� inter Springs, Florida: spoke further on previous legislative actions and majorit}' Votes. :'I�ls. Yolanda Serrano, -131 Bo.rtit�ood Circle, «'inter Springs, Florida: asked if there would be an increase in ��ater bills. I�lanager I��1cLemore stated, "I don't l:no�� of any �vater rate anticipated in the next Budget cycle." In closing. ��lanager l�tcLemore remarked, "I appreciate }•ou coming and I appreciate the tone of vour discussion and ��e will rela}� that on to the Commission." �DJOURNMENT The Public �'�ieeting «�a� adjourned at 7:18 p.m. RESPECTFC'LL }� SUB:tI1TTFD ANDREA LORENZO-L�UACES. CI�1C � CITY CLERK APPR 0 6� ED: MAYOR JOHN F. BUSH � NOTE These tiLnutes were approced at the _, 2008 Reeular Cin Commission hteehn�