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08/04/2009 CITY COUNCILWORKSESSION MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER August 4, 2009 Present: Mayor Frank Hibbard, Vice-Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember George N. Cretekos, Councilmember John Doran, and Councilmember Carlen Petersen. Also William B. Horne II - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City present: Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City Attorney, Cynthia E. Goudeau - City Clerk, and Rosemarie Call - Management Analyst. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall. 2. Introductory Comments - William B. Horne II, City Manager 3. Consolidation of Public Communications and Neighborhood Services Public Communications Director Joelle Castelli reviewed department changes. One employee from Development and Neighborhood Services moved to Public Communications. Neighborhoods Week has been reduced to 1 day, the CAN program has been shelved, consolidated the courier route, and eliminated the print shop. In response to questions, Ms. Castelli said the department will bid out quick copy needs. The courier is now fully charged to one code. 4. Consolidation of Planning and Development and Services Planning Director Michael Delk reviewed the department organizational chart. Work loads have reduced in some areas and increased in others. Staff continues to look at all areas to implement changes as seamless as possible. 5. Consolidation of Engineering and Construction Services Engineering Director Mike Quillen reviewed changes. Staffing in the construction inspection division has been reduced to 5 employees. The department will have to use more consultants to construction engineering inspections for projects. Department will receive help from Planning and Development Services for inspection of driveways and sidewalks. The consolidation of departments will create one building to declare surplus. Special Work Session 2009-08-04 1 In response to questions, Mr. Quillen said department will increase consultant costs as construction has decreased and more cost effective than hiring full-time employees. The traffic operations division is responsible for street lights, signs, etc. and includes a site plan reviewer and computer operators for signal system. 6. Council Discussion Items 6.1 Special Worksession on the 2009/10 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget In response to questions, Parks and recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said it would cost $500,000 to demolish the existing Morningside Recreation Center, improve the park and restore area where potential new building can go. Improvements include tennis courts, shade structures and relocation of the playground. Most improvements will be made regardless if new building is built. Staff was directed to provide breakdown of improvement costs. It was stated that there is one vacancy in the City Attorney's office and there are no intentions to fill the position, representing a $68,000 savings. Discussion ensued. Concerns were expressed regarding need to maintain city services and facilities and impact to citizens if millage rate is increased. It was stated that individuals have expressed an interest with increasing the millage rate to maintain city services. Discussion ensued regarding consolidating library branches. In response to a suggestion, Library Director Barbara Pickell said children must be at least 10 years old in order to use the Saint Petersburg College Library. The East Library is 4 miles away from the Main branch. Ms. Pickell said the Main Library is not adequately staffed to handle influx of users if the East branch is closed. It was stated that if the millage rate was set at a revenue neutral rate, $7 million in additional cuts still needed. Special Work Session 2009-08-04 2 In response to a suggestion, Budget Director Tina Wilson said Penny for Pinellas III lists the intermodal facility project before the combined library facility. Concerns were expressed regarding the location of the proposed intermodal facility. Discussion ensued. It was suggested that road millage funds be used to maintain Rescue Unit 50 and North Greenwood Library. Staff was directed to agenda further discussion at Thursday's council meeting. 3. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 3:42 p.m. Special Work Session 2009-08-04 3