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09/04/1990 CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORK SESSION September 4, 1990 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall, with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Sue Berfield Commissioner Also present were: Ron H. Rabun City Manager Elizabeth Deptula Administrative Services Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. and the following items were discussed. Discussion ensued regarding the response to the memo of Art Deegan, President of Island Estates Homeowners' Association, regarding the budget. It was explained that, although plans are to contribute $1.4 million to the general fund surplus, it will actually come to $1,629,000 due to additional savings or earnings. In response to a question regarding how salary increases were calculated, the Administrative Services Director indicated it was not simply a matter of plugging in 107% of the current salaries. She stated the salaries were calculated based on anniversary dates, longevity increases, and other factors. The City Manager stated he did not feel justified in continuing the hiring freeze as all the targeted positions have been addressed. He indicated the budget is based on direction from the City Commission. Discussion then ensued regarding police overtime, and it was indicated the program for special speed enforcement on Clearwater Pass Bridge is all overtime. Questions were raised regarding whether or not fines collected for speeding covered the cost of the program. It was stated police overtime needs to be looked at very carefully, and that 33-35% of the overtime costs are for court appearances. Concerns were expressed that the City of Clearwater is paying more overtime than other jurisdictions. It was stated some overtime is due to contract agreements. A suggestion was made that the Marine Patrol be eliminated, and the three officers be assigned to street patrol. Chief Klein, responding to the question regarding the cost of the special speed enforcement, indicated the City collected $191,052 more than the overtime cost for this program. Chief Klein also indicated Clearwater is currently in labor negotiations with the FOP unions. He reported that, as more arrests are made, additional court time is required. He stated they have tried to control these costs to some degree in determining who is authorized to be subpoenaed for court cases. In response to a question, he indicated the Police Department is contacted by the State Attorney when scheduling court dates. Discussion ensued regarding the fact that adding additional officers will create additional arrests which will, in turn, create even more court time. Consensus of the Commission was to reduce police overtime by $186,000. Discussion then turned to the subsidy for user fees at the Center Foundation, with the suggestion being made that the user fee be assessed for participants at the Center Foundation and passed on to the Center Foundation. Concerns were expressed regarding the need for some history of this program prior to knowing what to charge. It was indicated the agreement with the Center Foundation would call for the City to pay any monies needed at the end of the year. Consensus of the Commission was for staff to continue to recruit new members to the Center Foundation and to leave funding for the Center Foundation as is. A suggestion was made that the proposed restrooms for Coachman Park be eliminated. Commission consensus was to delete these restrooms from the budget. A suggestion was made that some of the capital improvement projects be transferred to be funded by the Infrastructure sales tax and free up $228,180 from the general fund. Charles Hunsicker, Assistant City Manager for Operations, stated this would cause no problem. Consensus of the Commission was to reduce the general fund in this area by $228,180. Discussion ensued regarding the capital improvement projects scheduled for funding through the road and drainage millage; and a suggestion was made that drainage capital improvement projects be transferred to the proposed stormwater utility. It was indicated if the stormwater utility was implemented by January, the revenue stream would support this. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed stormwater utility fee. It was indicated staff is assuming a $900,000 reimbursement from stormwater utility to the general fund. It was indicated that timing is everything in that the ordinance should be coming forward in October or November with the billing to begin in January. A question was raised regarding whether or not $1.3 million would be considered, and it was indicated we may not be able to generate that much. Consensus of the Commission was to go with $1 million to be generated by the stormwater utility fee. This would result in a $834,000 reduction to the general fund. A suggestion was made that the amount of funds going to the surplus be reduced. Concerns were expressed regarding the world situation and the increased costs for energy, materials, etc. Consensus of the Commission was there be no reduction in the funds proposed for the general fund surplus. A question was raised regarding savings in Sanitation, and it was suggested such things as once a week pickup and recommending leaving grass clippings on the lawn be pursued. It was stated long term waste and garbage rates will need to be looked at as recycling and other means to reduce the waste stream impact rates. A question was raised why paving in conjunction with the Sailing Center on Sand Key was needed, and it was indicated there have been problems with people getting stuck in the sand, as well as the need for the City to meet code for the parking lot. A question was raised regarding how much had been contributed for the gazebo at the Mandalay park, and Mr. Wilson, Parks and Recreation Director, indicated the funds have not been received to this point. Response was requested to some of the points in Mr. Deegan's letter to the Tribune, in particular regarding a laser printer for Personnel costing $2,000 while a laser printer for Public Works cost $2,700, the price of a postage machine, VCRs, executive chairs, riding mowers, and replacement sedans v. original sedans. Kathy Rice, Assistant City Manager, indicated that for replacement sedans we are able to reuse light bars and other specialized equipment; when we receive a new sedan, everything is replaced. A question was raised regarding whether or not police vehicles actually needed high performance engines, and the Police Chief indicated the 24 hours of continual use requires this higher standard of car. Betty Deptula, Administrative Services Director, indicated the difference in laser printers had to do with the difference in the brand of equipment and the capabilities of the printers. She stated the $700 for a VCR includes the VCR, TV and stand - all three, not just the VCR. She indicated she will look at the executive chairs which are listed at $500 a piece; and the 50 inch Gravely riding mower is a typical cost. The meeting adjourned at 3:43 p.m.