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

supplies. Mr. Hofstad discussed the Hurlburt re -use project, advising that every grant avenue has been explored and that the cost of completing the line is slightly over a million dollars. The Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant has become increasingly competitive through the years, and the City is also talking with the Water Management District and there could be some funding through that. Mr. Hofstad continued that Hurlburt is trying to program some funding on their end to complete some improvements at the plant, but to get the line to where it is needed and to get it running will take work on both ends. Mr. Hofstad advised that if funding through a grant is unsuccessful, he will have to program dollars in the budget, which has money available in the budget to perform a reclaim water master plan. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Sewer Operations Sewer Operations maintains the sewer plant to treat wastewater. Wastewater is treated to a standard that allows for irrigation to the golf course or release to the sprayfield. Mr. Hofstad advised that the City is continuing to work with the County to work out arrangements for wastewater treatment. Discussion ensued regarding accommodating current employees in the division when and if the City joins with the County on wastewater treatment. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Water Distribution Water Distribution is responsible for maintaining 119 miles of water mains; 10,400 service lines, valves, water meters, and extends water mains as needed. Mr. Hofstad advised one of the service workers is being eliminated, and they have the resources to move other divisions around if needed. Overall, this budget is down, increases are due to cost of utilities, fuel, oil, etc. Discussion ensued regarding the meter replacement with the touch -read system which can be converted to radio -read in the future. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Sewer Collection Sewer Collection maintains the lift station, pump station, and one hundred miles of gravity sewer lines, as well as responding to customer complaints, inspecting sewer mains and laterals with closed circuit television equipment, and repairing or replacing sewer mains as needed. Mr. Hofstad explained this budget is down due to scaling back the CIP schedule and capital outlay schedule. 236 Special Council 8- 19- 08 Sewer Collection (cont) The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Non -Departmental Discussion ensued regarding the use of contingencies for unforeseen emergencies such as a break in lines, and that so much of the work is done underground and not visible to the citizens. It was also explained that any funds not used goes back to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Engineering and Survey Engineering reviews all site plans, subdivision plans and as -built drawings for compliance with City codes and outside agency requirements. Michael Beedie, Utilities Operations Manager, advised the number of employees will be reduced from four to three with the combining of the engineering position, which is vacant, with that of Mr. Beedie's position. Goals for Engineering include the implementation of the GIS strategic plan, to begin field data collection of water, sewer and stormwater feature location; and training for Staff. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Streets Streets maintains a transportation of 97 miles of paved streets, 1 mile of unpaved streets, sidewalks, and curbs through regular street sweeping and pavement rejuvenation and /or overlay .programs. Mr. Beedie advised of a reduction in employees due to the reallocation of employees to the Stormwater Division. Also discussed was one capital improvement project for pavement improvement in the amount of $ 75, 000.00. Discussion ensued on the paving of Butler and that the City Council will hear a land use change on September 9 when the issue of paving Butler will be discussed. The Mayor asked for public input. Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street, stated his concern that he did not want to see the City streets neglected. Mr. Beedie responded that there is a system of prioritizing roads to be paved first, and the roads will be addressed as funding permit. There was no additional public input. Mr. Beedie also addressed the GIS system. Storm Water Fund Stormwater management addresses water quality, flooding, environmental, and regulatory issues. Mr. Hofstad advised the budget for stormwater management as presented is predicated on adoption of the stormwater utility, and informed money is not available to continue to fund the stormwater division and meet the needs of the community from a stormwater perspective. Mr. Hofstad reported the City is in its last year of the initial term of the NPDES permit and the renewal permit has been applied for; however, the total maximum daily loads established for coastal communities will not be published until around 2010 and once published, communities with NPDES permits will be expected to comply with the State and DEP which will be an enormous undertaking.  237 Special Council 8 -19 -08 Storm Water Fund (cont) Mr. Hofstad advised Council will receive the second ordinance on the stormwater utility next week. Discussion included the fact that if funding were made available for the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance ( CBA), the City would have less money to do construction projects, and that funding for the CBA would include public outreach programs, and is part of the public participation component in the NPDES program. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Minich moved to approve the Utility Services budget as presented. Mr. Holmes 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). GOLF CLUB FUND The Golf Club consists of two championship 18 -hole golf courses, putting green, driving range, and clubhouse. The Pines Course has a challenging layout of over 6, 800 yards, and the Oaks Course offers over 6,400 yards of narrow fairways. The Club holds many community oriented golf tournaments and promotes a Junior Golf Program every summer. Jim Frazier, Golf Club Administrator, advised that the budget for the Golf Course looks good; that tournament participation is on the increase and the maintenance budget continues to decrease due to tree line to tree line maintenance. Discussion ensued on expenses for fertilizers, which has been cut back due to rebates that are applied for, and that the overall budget is a little bit less than total revenues projected, so funds are expected to be put in reserve. The City Manager advised that the funding of four positions was cut from the budget but the authorizations remain; however, if the need arises it will come back to Council to reauthorize the positions. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Minich moved to approve the Golf Club budget as presented. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Miller absent). Mr. Minich requested he be provided a worksheet that provided the additional revenues from the increase in the tentative millage rate to ascertain how much has to be added to the budget. The City Manager advised he would be provided with that worksheet. RECESS There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 8:50 p. m. APPROVED: ATTEST: MAYOR: CITY CLERK Ive