09/04/2012 - Budget SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 4, 2012
Present: Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Councilmember Bill Jonson, and Councilmember
Jay E. Polglaze.
Also Present: William B. Horne II - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City
Attorney, Rosemarie Call - City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague - Official
Records and Legislative Services Coordinator.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Mayor George N. Cretekos
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
The Invocation was provided by Mayor George N. Cretekos.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Doreen Hock-DiPolito.
2. Administrative Public Hearings
2.1 Set a final millage rate of 5.1550 mills for fiscal year 2012/13 against non-exempt
real and personal property with the City of Clearwater and pass Ordinance 8355-
12 on first reading.
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes, which defines
requirements for the Determination of Millage and the rules governing Truth in
Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public hearings to
adopt a final millage rate for the new year. The adoption of this ordinance to
establish the millage rate and the two related budget ordinances are an integral
part of fulfilling these requirements.
The City Council set a tentative millage rate of 5.1550 mills on July 19, 2012,
which is the rate that appeared on the TRIM bill notices mailed to taxpayers in
August. The millage rate of 5.1550 mills represents a 1.60% decrease from the
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rolled back rate of 5.2387 mills. Ordinance 8355-12 is presented in order to adopt
the millage rate of 5.1550 mills to support the operating and capital improvement
budgets for the 2012/13 fiscal year.
Budget Director Tina Wilson provided a PowerPoint presentation. The estimated
2012/13 General Fund Expenditures is $113.4 million. The tentative millage rate of
5.1550 mills will provide a reduction of$460,000 in property tax revenues for the new
budget year.
One individual spoke in opposition and supported lowering the millage rate.
Councilmember Doreen Hock-DiPolito moved to set a final millage rate of 5.1550 mills
for fiscal year 2012/13 against non-exempt real and personal property with the City of
Clearwater. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Ordinance 8355-12 was presented and read in full. Councilmember Jay Polglaze
moved to pass Ordinance 8355-12 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and
upon roll call, the vote was:
'Ayes Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Councilmember Bill Jonson, and Councilmember
Jay Polglaze.
"Nays None.
2.2 Approve the City of Clearwater Annual Operating Budget for the 2012/13 fiscal
year and pass Ordinance 8356-12 on first reading.
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes and the rules governing
Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public
hearings to adopt the budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related
ordinances adopting the 2012/13 millage rate and the Capital Improvement
Budget are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements. On June 30, 2012, the
City Manager provided the City Council with a Preliminary Annual Operating and
Capital Improvement Budget that outlined proposed estimates of revenues and
expenditures for the 2012/13 fiscal year.
On July 16, 2012, the City Manager presented the preliminary budget at the work
session for Council discussion. The preliminary budget was also presented at the
July 19, 2012 council meeting for citizen input. No changes have been made to
the preliminary plan as presented.
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One individual spoke in opposition.
In response to a comment, Budget Director Tina Wilson said reserve funds were used
to balance the recycling fund to avoid a rate increase.
Vice Mayor Paul Gibson moved to approve the City of Clearwater Annual Operating
Budget for the 2012/13 fiscal year. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Ordinance 8356-12 was presented and read by title only. Councilmember Bill Jonson
moved to pass Ordinance 8356-12 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded.
In response to questions, Ms. Wilson said staff reviews the five-year revenue
projections for utility operations during the spring time sessions. Assistant City Manager
Jill Silverboard said the scheduled stormwater rate increases were reduced recently.
Upon the vote being taken, the vote was:
'Ayes Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Councilmember Bill Jonson, and Councilmember
Jay Polglaze.
"Nays None.
2.3 Adopt the Fiscal Year 2012/13 Annual Capital Improvement Budget and
establish a six-year plan for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and pass
Ordinance 8357-12 on first reading.
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes and the rules governing
Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public
hearings to adopt the final budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related
ordinances adopting the 2012/13 millage rate and operating budget are an
integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
On June 30, 2012, the City Manager provided the City Council with a Preliminary
Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Budget that outlined proposed
estimates of revenues and expenditures for the 2012/13 fiscal year. On July 16,
2012, the City Manager presented the preliminary budget at the work session for
Council discussion. The preliminary budget was also presented at the July 19,
2012 council meeting for citizen input.
No changes have been made to the preliminary plan as presented.
Special Council 2012-09-04 3
One individual spoke in opposition.
Councilmember Doreen Hock-DiPolito moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2012/13 Annual
Capital Improvement Budget and establish a six-year plan for the Capital Improvement
Program (CIP). The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Ordinance 8357-12 was presented and read by title only. Councilmember Jay Polglaze
moved to pass Ordinance 8357-12 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and
upon roll call, the vote was:
'Ayes Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Councilmember Bill Jonson, and Councilmember
Jay Polglaze.
"Nays None.
2.4 Approve the recommended Penny for Pinellas project list, as revised for Fiscal
Years 2012/13 through 2019/20.
On March 6, 1997, the City Council adopted Ordinance 6137-97. The ordinance
established the requirement for a special hearing prior to adoption of the capital
improvement budget to discuss the use of Penny for Pinellas tax, and at any time
in which there is any proposed change to the Penny for Pinellas project funding of
$500,000 or more.
The worksheet details all changes to Penny for Pinellas projects. The changes
that meet this criteria in the proposed 2012/13 capital improvement plan include:
• Ruth Eckerd Hall - This project was originally funded for $4 million in 2010 to
provide for the expansion of the PACT learning center (Marsha P. Hoffman
Institute of Performing Arts) by providing additional space for classes and
activities currently being conducted at the center. The funding amount for this
project is proposed to be reduced to $500,000 with the balance of$3.5 million
allocated to the Capitol Theatre project.
• Capitol Theatre - This project proposes funding of$3.5 million transferred from
the Ruth Eckerd Hall project to provide major renovations and improvements
to the Capitol Theatre.
• Youth Sports Fields Renovations - The Youth Sports Field Project proposes a
reduction of$2.5 million to allocate the funding to the specific Sid Lickton Field
project.
• Sid Lickton Complex Renovations - This new project totaling $2.5 million
funded from the Youth Sports Fields Renovation project provides for major
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renovations and improvements of the baseball and softball fields at this youth
sports facility.
In response to questions, Budget Director Tina Wilson said the City Manager did not
recommend budgeting for East Gateway infrastructure improvements. Downtown
streetscaping has been designated a low priority; funds have been allocated in years
2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, $2 million each year. Penny II funds allocated for a
specific project have been set aside and cannot be reallocated to another project
without a public hearing. Status of Penny funds are reported to Council every quarter.
Staff was directed to provide a list of projects that have been allocated Penny II funds.
Councilmember Jay Polglaze moved to approve the recommended Penny for Pinellas
project list, as revised for Fiscal Years 2012/13 through 2019/20. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
2. Milotiirri
The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
Mayor
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