Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-19-08 special agenda - budget — reading text

beautifying the right -of -way outside of the cemetery. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Beal Memorial Cemetery Fund The Beal Memorial Cemetery Fund transfers 20% of sales for perpetual care and 25% transfer of the crypt net sales to the general fund to repay the loan to build the mausoleum, which should be paid in full by the end of FY 08/09. 232 Special Council 8 -19 -08 Beal Memorial Cemetery Fund ( cont) The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. ADD ON TO RECREATION BUDGET Reeves Mr. Minich moved to add $ 3, 000 back to Events to accommodate Kid' s Day. Mr. seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Miller absent). RECREATION BUDGET ( CONT) Mr. Minich moved to approve the Recreation and Cultural Services budget as amended. Garvie, Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Miller absent). PUBLIC SERVICES Tom Murray, Public Services Director, reviewed the organization changes in that the Public Works Department is becoming Public Services, and transferring out will be the Streets and Engineering Divisions to Utilities and the Right of Way and Cemetery to the Cultural Services Department, while Public Services will be gaining Community Development Services. Public Services Public Services provides services to both the Community and other City departments by providing direction and oversight to Development Services, Building and Zoning, Community Development Block Grant, Community Redevelopment Agency, Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, and Solid Waste. Mr. Murray discussed the goals and objectives including to review and evaluate all departmental process for sufficiency, efficiency, and effectiveness; evaluate all business lines for customer satisfaction and potential improvements; and conduct comprehensive analysis of energy savings alternatives. Development Services Development Services facilities the overall development of the City and ensures conformance to the Land Development Code and City Council direction. The goals for this division include utilizing the Evaluation and Appraisal Report to update the 10 -year Comprehensive Plan for the City; restructuring the Neighborhood Program to develop citizen participation; and encouraging Board and Committees to regularly communicate with City Council to ensure that goals are being determined and achieved. The City Manager advised the City Clerk will be coordinating dates for the Board to meet with Council. Discussion ensued regarding the amount of interaction that is needed between the City Boards Committees and Council, and comments included that Council chooses the board and the freedom to consider and make representatives and they should be allowed recommendations, and that sometimes a Council member's presence at a Board meeting can cause a " chilling" effect among the Board members. Dr. Pullen noted that when he was first elected to Council, he attended many of the Board meetings and was often thanked by the members for coming and showing an interest. The City Manager advised that it was Staff's understanding from the Strategic Planning Session that Council wanted to have periodic reports from the boards and committees and that is why the issue was revisited, and that Council will be receiving the Strategic Planning document in September.  233 Special Council 8 -19 -08 Development Services (cont) Further discussion was held regarding whether salaries of individuals who are no longer department directors due to the reorganization should be reduced. The City Manager explained that this budget year no one is getting a salary increase except for the COLA, and in the case the individual will continue to have the same responsibilities and number of persons under her than she previously had. The City Manager continued that when an individual leaves, the position will be classified as management and at that time salaries will be changed. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Building and Zoning Building and Zoning reviews all development plans and new business licenses for compliance with the Land Development Code and City ordinances, as well as issuing building permits, collecting fees, and inspections. Goals include the expedient processing of building permit while code compliance; maintaining the Development Review applications maintaining Committee to improve service to the private sector; and creating informational pamphlets to increase the public' s knowledge of current processes and requirements. Discussion was held regarding the downward trend in permits issued in FY 07/08, and the trend upward beginning with FY 07/ 08. Malcolm Foley, Planning Manager, explained that after the hurricanes in 2005 there was a large amount of single family redevelopment getting roofs repaired; the trend now is toward commercial development with lower interest rates. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Fleet Maintenance Services Fleet Maintenance Services is responsible forproviding safe, reliable, economical and environmentally friendly transportation. The main goal is to reduce repair costs while maintaining safe working order of all vehicles and equipment in City fleet. Mr. Murray noted the creativeness of the Fleet Maintenance staff in trying to get as much out of each piece of equipment; or vehicle as possible to keep it in service. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Facilities Maintenance Services Facilities Maintenance Services crews are responsible for electrical, heating and air conditioning, and plumbing and maintenance repair, as well as installation and maintenance of traffic control devices, signals, signs, and roadway markings. Goals include providing efficient service to all internal departments and special events by completing work orders in a timely manner. Capital improvement projects include renovations to the City Hall Annex roof. Council questioned the fluctuation in hours to support special events from year to year. Allen Lassiter, Service Operations Manager, advised that more support has been given the past years such as the tree lighting ceremony and Bowlegs. The City Manager stated that a lot of the support for events was not budgeted for, and a lot of the support has been withdrawn to balance the budget. Mr. Minich suggested that if an organization requires more support than budgeted for, then have the organization pay for it. The City Manager stated the organizations will be notified of what has been budgeted. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. 234 Special Council 8 -19 -08 REPLACEMENT OF TRUCK Mr. Murray advised an adjustment for the Facilities Division is $ 12, 000 for a truck to replace a 1982 Chevy Blazer, which was borrowed from the Police Department when a 1988 truck ceased to work. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) The Community Development Block Grant program provides Federal funds for rehabilitation. of homes of low and moderate income residents as well as for a summer day camp. This is not a separate division and there are no personnel associated with it. Mr. Murray explained administration of the program is outsourced to OCDC, and City Staff continues with the World Changers and summer youth enrichment programs. The' Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) The Community Redevelopment Agency ( CRA) redevelops and rejuvenates . existing infrastructure in the CRA area. Mr. Murray stated the goals to implement the CRA Plan, develop attainable housing bonus points for the CRA area, and begin implementation of the CRA Urban Framework Plan are tied together and is an important initiative for the CRA. Other goals include adopting an illustrated Architectural and Design regulations; expanding the presence of Community Policing in the CRA area; and providing construction drawings for streetscape improvements on Chestnut Avenue. Dr. Pullen mentioned the stormwater problem in the CRA area and to restore the infrastructure in the CRA is important, but he did not see that in the budget. The City Manager explained the CRA prioritized projects and what is in the budget is what they brought forward, and the majority of funding for the next five years will go to the parking garage that was previously reviewed and voted on. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Sanitation Fund The Sanitation Fund encompasses 10.4% of the City' s activities and services and accounts for solid waste operations that are financed and operated in a manner similar to a private business. The City Manager explained that a fee increase for sanitation is not being proposed; however, a fuel adjustment is being proposed of about 54 cents per residential customer per month, as a result in the rise in diesel costs. The Mayor questioned recycling sales. Allen Lassiter, Service Operations Manager, advised scrap metal is picked up from the side of the road and sold to as a way for the City to receive revenue. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Minich moved to approve the Public Services budget as presented. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 1 with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed ( Miller absent). RECESS The meeting recessed at 7: 30 p.m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 7: 45 p.m.  235 Special Council 8 -19 -08 UTILITY SERVICES John Hofstad, Utilities Director, discussed the revenue picture and advised that a 3% rate increase is being anticipated for water and sewer rates, but noted a decrease in revenue collection due to vacant homes that have not sold, as well as conservation due to economic conditions. Mr. Hofstad also noted that revenue exceed expenditures due to policies and reorganization due to attrition. Water Operations Water Operations maintains the City's nine potable water wells, five elevated water storage tanks, and four ground water storage tanks. Mr. Hofstad advised there are no changes planned for this division, and that the budget is up 2. 3% due to expenses for fuel, an increase in maintenance contracts, and an increase in operating