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06/10/1999 CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSESSION CITY OF CLEARWATER June 10, 1999 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner Ed Hooper Vice-Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Also Present: Michael J. Roberto City Manager Richard L. Hedrick Deputy City Manager Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Mayor called the budget worksession to order at 9:05 a.m. at City Hall to review the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (FY 1999/00-2004/05). Deputy City Manager Rick Hedrick said in addition to the CIP, the operating budget will be reviewed. Budget Work Sessions will be scheduled to address a proposed fire fee and millage increase. Service levels will also be reviewed. He noted the fire fee is not included in general fund operation numbers. General Introduction & Review of the FY 2000 Capital Improvement Program Budget Director Tina Wilson reviewed the proposed CIP for FY 1999/00 – 2000/2005, which do not include the Fire Department. She reviewed proposed expenditures for each department within the general fund. She noted general fund expenditures include engineering, recreation, Pier 60, libraries, facility maintenance and other areas. In response to a question, she explained how funds for the Clearwater Airpark will be reimbursed. She said road millage has remained the same over the last 10 years and it is time to consider an increase. The City Manager noted major streets are updated every 10 years. However, other roads need to be addressed. Ms. Wilson summarized funds received from the local option gas tax and projected a 4% increase in revenues for transportation impact fees. She reviewed changes to Penny for Pinellas projects. Work in progress includes the Main Clearwater Library, beach parking garages, Mandalay Avenue and Gulfview Boulevard, Cleveland Street, Pier 60 Park Plaza and Capitol Theater. She will provide the Commission with the total “unfunded” projections. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson explained how lease purchases are handled and said that funding sources are tied to the operation for which it is needed. She will place a notation in the budget document to more clearly explain in the final document how debt is reflected in a department’s operational budget. A concern was expressed that four entities (Police, Library, Jolly Trolley, and Parks & Recreation) will become orphans and all funds will be allocated to the parking garage. The meeting recessed from 9:58 to 10:05 a.m. mbu06b99 1 06/10/99 Department Presentations Police Police Chief Sid Klein reviewed proposed funding for the Take Home Car Program. He said the two-year pilot program will result in long-term cost savings and will improve officer morale. Research obtained from other cities that have the program indicates an 80 – 87% reduction in vehicle maintenance costs. Vehicle life was nearly doubled. Loading and unloading of equipment, reduced emergency response times, etc. will result in substantial cost savings to the City. The program will require officers to be on the clock from the time they leave home. Mr. Klein said he felt the financial benefits far outweigh expenses incurred by the pilot program. The program will provide fiscal responsibility and the best police services possible to the city. Additional program benefits include higher police visibility, improved radio communications, and diminished strain on available space in parking garages. In response to a question, Mr. Klein said 63 of 258 sworn officers live in Clearwater. He suggested the City allow officers residing in a three-county area be permitted to take vehicles home. The additional one-half hour time savings per day per officer means more police coverage on the street. In response to a question, Mr. Klein said an additional 55 vehicles will need to be purchased for the program. More information will be transmitted over laptops to reduce roll call time. Chief Klein will provide the Commission with information regarding the number of officers who live in the County. In response to a question, Finance Director Margie Simmons said the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) regulates the use of public vehicles, etc. They are not considered a benefit to employees and are not taxable. Mr. Klein reviewed costs for replacement of the Police computer network and the Wood Valley substation. He said Wood Valley is a neighborhood in transition with a need for a police presence. Staffing will be shared from the Jasmine Court neighborhood patrol. The proposal includes a request to build a substation adjacent to the Parks & Recreation facility. He reviewed costs for a multipurpose vehicle to be shared with the Fire Department. He also reviewed costs for a traffic homicide investigation vehicle, detective vehicle replacement, and a Fire Department building. The current Fire Department building could be a multipurpose facility for the Police Department for storage of high profile vehicles, a training room, staff use, and storage of critical records and computer backup programs during emergency storm conditions. The meeting recessed from 10:58 to 11:06 a.m. Parks & Recreation Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader reviewed the 1999/00 CIP for the department, including general fund projects, Pennies for Pinellas projects, and lease purchases. He will supply information regarding the total funding for all CIP projects. It was questioned if anything can be done to help Countryside High School find an additional $20,000 to build restrooms. Staff will re-contact the County regarding assistance for funding recreational fields since many nonresidents use them. Funding for skateboard parks was discussed. Mr. Kader said the City is working with St. Petersburg Junior College to utilize their field house for various activities. mbu06b99 2 06/10/99 Public Communications Public Works Director Jackii Molsick reviewed funding requests for the Public Communications Department. She recapped department accomplishments and requested funding for: 1) Deko computer video bulletin board system that is not Y2K compliant; 2) A Betacam SP video deck; and 3) A broadcast Betacam camera. It was requested staff provide costs for a complete transformation of the system prior to adoption of this request. In response to a question, Mr. Hedrick said departments have not been asked to rate proposed projects in a priority format. Public Works Administration Public Works Administrator Rich Baier reviewed major projects including the Memorial Causeway Bridge, town pond project, traffic calming proposals, State Road 60 corridor project, intersection improvements, bridges, docks and seawalls, pollutant storage tank, utility rate study project, ground water quality protection, and street resurfacing/sidewalks. There is a need to balance impacts such as traffic flow and actions that can restrict or eliminate cuts on roads. He also reviewed unfunded projects: 1) North Greenwood corridor enhancements; 2) Memorial Causeway enhancement project; 3) Roadway project landscaping; 4) State and County road transfers; 5) Paving unpaved streets; and 6) Court Street enhancements. Ms. Wilson said two other proposed projects being considered include a City Clerk imaging system and replacement of the Tide Mark system. She requested the Commission consider a date for the first public hearing to review TRIM rates. Another budget meeting is scheduled for June 18, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said in the event funding is not available for any of the proposed projects, immediate action would be taken to scale back projects. It was commented that general fund projects are dependent upon millage rates. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 12:48 p.m. mbu06b99 3 06/10/99