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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07 14 City Commission Workshop MinutesCITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA %LATER S 0 Incorporated • 1959 • ' GOO wF- "T CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014 - 5:15 P.M. CITY HALL — COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA Mayor Charles Lacey Deputy Mayor Rick Brown - Seat Two Commissioner Jean Hovey - Seat One Commissioner Pam Carroll - Seat Three Commissioner Cade Resnick - Seat Four Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs - Seat Five CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JULY 14, 2014 PAGE 2 OF 6 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Monday, July 14, 2014 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor Charles Lacey at 5:16 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor Charles Lacey, present Deputy Mayor Rick Brown, absent Commissioner Jean Hovey, present Commissioner Pam Carroll, present Commissioner Cade Resnick, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Kevin L. Smith, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, present City Clerk Andrea Lorenzo - Luaces, present A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC INPUT No one addressed the Mayor and City Commission. REGULAR AGENDA REGULAR 600. Office of the City Manager REQUEST Requesting the City Commission receive a Budget Overview Presentation from Staff on the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. FISCAL IMPACT The Fiscal Year 2015 Budget, as proposed, totals $40,498,477 (excluding appropriations to fund balance), and represents a $1,638,385 or 4.2 %, increase over the prior fiscal year's budget of $38,860,092. Total proposed General Fund spending of $17,217,846 represents a $379,945, or 2.3 %, increase, over the prior fiscal year. The proposed operating millage rate of 2.43 mills and voted debt service millage rate of 0.11 mills remain unchanged from the prior fiscal year. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney /Staff, and is available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server. Additionally, portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the respective Meeting Agenda which has also been electronically forwarded to the individuals noted above, and which is also available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server; has been sent to applicable City Staff, Media/Press Representatives who have requested Agendas /Agenda Item information, Homeowner's Associations/Representatives on file with the City, and all individuals who have requested such information. This information has also been posted outside City Hall, posted inside City Hall with additional copies available for the General Public, and posted at five (5) different locations around the City. Furthermore, this information is also available to any individual requestors. City Staff is always willing to discuss this Agenda Item or any Agenda Item with any interested individuals. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JULY 14, 2014 PAGE 3 OF 6 Additionally, the Fiscal Year 2015 Proposed Budget has been posted to the City's Website. The Budget Hearing was advertised in the City's Newsletter and on the City's electronic sign. RECOMMENDATION The City Manager is requesting the Mayor and City Commission receive a budget overview presentation from Staff on the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. City Manager Kevin L. Smith introduced this Agenda Item and during his opening comments on the matter of Health Insurance stated, "In large part due to the efforts of our Staff, we're not looking at a ten percent (10 %) increase in Health Insurance this year, matter of fact, we're looking at just over a six percent (6 %) decrease, with the same benefit structure that we had the previous year." Continuing, Manager Smith mentioned there was a "Two percent (2 %) budget pool programmed into this Budget for employee raises with the same type of approach that we took last year or the year that we're currently in." Next, Manager Smith asked that Trustee membership with the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce be discussed and pointed out, "That membership is currently paid for this calendar year. It would be up for renewal January 1, (2015) upcoming on a calendar year basis. And, funding for the Winter Springs/UCF (University of Central Florida) Incubator, that is paid up through the fiscal year — so the discussions on renewal for that would be October I". We do have a three (3) year contract. We're in the first year of fiscal year [20]'14; that is the first of that contract. [20]'15 would be the second - this budget would be the second; then obviously [20]'16 is the third. There is the standard language if you will, that any funding is subject to the City's ability to budget and appropriate those funds." The contractual comments related to the Winter Springs/UCF (University of Central Florida) Incubator were referenced and Manager Smith added, "The Chamber is not contractual; it's just an annual Trustee Membership. We did have a contract — you may remember a few years ago, at the Chamber's request and our agreement. We did not enter into any type of contract going forward, just their "Standard Trustee Membership" which is on an annual basis." Manager Smith added that he would need some decision, "Prior to the renewal dates of both those items. Again, by January 151, (2015) for the Chamber, and by October 1 ", (2014) for the Incubator." Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs commented on wanting to see some of the results from the Incubator, whether any businesses had located here in Winter Springs from the Incubator, hiring of individuals for such new businesses and added, "I personally would like to see us invest our money in something that is going to be directly related to Winter Springs. And that may mean using our own efforts in Economic Development and using those monies to fund us here, to go out into the marketplace and seek those — businesses that we would like to re- locate or locate here; and if they need help of some sort, utilize that money, that way." Commissioner Jean Hovey agreed and stated, "I would rather us spend the seventy -five thousand dollars ($75,000.00) in -house and for us, Winter Springs." Commissioner Hovey noted she had been to the Incubator and had seen their operation, but thought that "We are not receiving the benefit for all that money that we paid out ". Manager Smith confirmed that the timeline has been approximately six (6) years; and the amount was approximately a half million dollars. Manager Smith explained, "A two hundred thousand dollar (200,000.00) initial payment; three (3) years later, it was a three (3) year contract for seventy -five thousand [dollars] ($75,000.00) per year — that's four hundred and twenty -five thousand [dollars] ($425,000.00) and then the first year of this three (3) year contract is seventy -five [thousand dollars] ($75,000.00) for a total of half a million to date." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - JULY 14, 2014 PAGE 4 OF 6 Commissioner Hovey added, "I am in agreement. I would rather see it stay in -house and we take care of it. Commissioner Pam Carroll asked if the former Economic Development Director Brian Walters had tried to meet the people with the Incubator, work with the businesses and try to find space; and then asked if there was affordable space that would work with the needs of these Incubator businesses. Commissioner Carroll added, "What have we invested in terms of a reach out to develop a stronger relationship ?" Commissioner Carroll then commented on the City's proximity to the University of Central Florida and being between two (2) airports and added, "I think we need to reach out more, before we abandon it." Further comments. Commissioner Cade Resnick said he had reached out to the previous Winter Springs/UCF (University of Central Florida) Incubator Director, referenced the new Director, thought there should be some type of a partnership of both entities, and remarked that he agreed with possibly using the money to bring in a quality Economic Development staff member. Commissioner Krebs then commented on wanting to make a good investment. Mayor Lacey also spoke of his concerns and the investment, reliable partners, and did not think we were getting a good return on the investment after all. Discussion followed on metrics, being responsible for a good return, and locations in the City that were available for new businesses. Mr. Randy Stevenson, ASLA, AICP, Director, Community Development Department mentioned some options for suitable office space, as did Commissioner Carroll. Commissioner Hovey then thought that an in -house staff person could help market possible locations and listed a number of more affordable spaces and options. Commissioner Hovey added, "I think we have plenty of space, it is just getting someone to market it." Summarizing the discussion, Mayor Lacey remarked, "I think it is clear, there is not a Consensus that the Commission can leave you with tonight, so I think we are headed towards an item to Vote on." Further regarding the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce and the five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) investment, Commissioner Hovey asked if there were other membership options and at what price, but did not recall seeing a lot of information about Winter Springs' businesses and information in emails from the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce. Manager Smith mentioned that the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce had on occasion asked our Staff to provide information to them, and that was in addition to our five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) donation, which amounts to more taxes being used. Commissioner Krebs said that she agreed with Commissioner Hovey and that perhaps a different level of membership was more suitable for our needs. Discussion followed on information available in the record that others could access, and reduced staff levels with less time to take on other tasks. Commissioner Resnick noted that he had attended meetings of the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce and spoke on marketing and our City Logo, and added that "I think we have started to develop this partnership more so now — I don't want to see us cut it just because. That is where the benefit to me is. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP — JULY 14, 2014 PAGE 5 OF 6 Commissioner Carroll remarked about being on the "Winter Springs Festival of the Arts" Committee for a number of years, their new "Artoberfest" theme, and the recent move of the office of the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce to the City of Oviedo, to which some residents have said to Commissioner Carroll that we should have a Winter Springs Chamber. Discussion ensued on whether we would have the "Winter Springs Festival of the Arts" without the Trustee Membership. Commissioner Resnick complimented Commissioner Carroll for her strong efforts to keep the "Winter Springs Festival of the Arts" here in Winter Springs and that perhaps without Commissioner Carroll's support and our Trustee Membership, the "Winter Springs Festival of the Arts" might be relocated out of Winter Springs. Further comments followed on the "Winter Springs Festival of the Arts ", the need for a bigger crowd, how long other art festivals took to become what they are, a festival at Saint Stephen Catholic Church which is more visible, and the need for more foot traffic at the "Winter Springs Festival of the Arts ". Continuing the discussion, Mayor Lacey said to Manager Smith, "I think the process would be to bring this back likewise with the Incubator" so the City Commission could make a decision. Manager Smith stated, "We'll bring back the Incubator as an Agenda Item no later than the second meeting in August, in anticipation of the October 1 renewal and similarly, with the Chamber prior to the January 1 renewal — we'll bring that back consistent with our November/December meeting schedule." Manager Smith then acknowledged Mr. Shawn Boyle, Director, Finance and Administrative Services Department and Ms. Kelly Balagia, Budget Analyst, Finance and Administrative Services Department, as well as the Department Directors and City Staff. Commissioner Krebs then said the Ms. Balagia, "You have done a fantastic job since I have been here" and commented on a challenge given years ago to try for some financial accounting awards and that Ms. Balagia during the first challenge, received an award for the City." Commissioner Krebs then said to Mr. Boyle, "Putting this Budget together, and all that and making it so easy for us to read and understand, makes all the difference in the world, because it wasn't like that when I first came on this Board — but thank you! Really thank you!" PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Arsenio Calle, 110 Arrowhead Court, Winter Springs, Florida: addressed the City Commission on the Budget, less taxes, how things have changed for the better over the years, and how new management has improved the City. Further, Mr. Calle spoke on Advisory Board and Committee Appreciation events and how much the City Commission does, in comparison to the Boards and Committees, and thought there should be more appreciation given to the City Commission for their efforts. Commissioner Hovey suggested that Mr. Calle could try to contact the local newspapers to share Mr. Calle's comments. Commissioner Krebs also mentioned that Mr. Calle could possibly start a civic organization or a citizen's group to help more. Mr. Calle then complimented what the City Manager had done in these tough times, commented on how Mr. Boyle had greatly helped, the lack of commercial property in Winter Springs, and how the Police Department has helped keep crime down. Mr. Calle mentioned he would try to contact the newspapers to which Commissioner Hovey said she had contact information if Mr. Calle wished to get with her. Tape I /Side B CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP — JULY 14, 2014 PAGE 6 OF 6 Commissioner Hovey added, "I wanted to thank Chris Caldwell (Director, Parks and Recreation Department) and his Department for a great 4th of July event — your whole team." Mayor Lacey added, "Chris (Caldwell) — I want to echo that because from where I was — the word I would use is `flawless', because I did not see any issues the whole time." Further comments ensued that no tax dollars were used for the event. Mr. Calle additionally mentioned past events. Remarks followed on this hometown style event, and Commissioner Carroll's assistance in past years with a Special Events , what that Committee did, and Police Department assistance. Mayor Lacey closed "Public Input ". ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lacey adjourned the Workshop at 6:08 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CA S A)ORENZO- LUACES, MMC CITY CLERK NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the July 28, 2014 City Commission Regular Meeting.