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09/14/1999CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 14, 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 Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Tina Wilson Budget Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Budget Director Tina Wilson reviewed the FY 99/00 budget summary, including general fund and CIP expenditures, and the effect of the proposed 5.6158 millage rate on a $100,000 homeowner. The total proposed budget for FY 2000 is $251.4 million of which $80 million is General Fund The City Manager reviewed suggestions to reduce the millage rate by a tenth of a mill: 1) eliminate 1 $50,000 budget analyst position; 2) reduce the Strategies for Success program by $25,000 ( general fund savings of $12,250) ; 3) reduce Economic Development program by $100,000; 4) use $325,000 from Pennies for Pinellas by eliminating D. D. Davis Park and allocating to the Clearwater Beach Aquatics Pool . The Manager recommended contracting with the Chamber to provide the $148,000 of advertising/promotion previously performed by the Tourism office. This would be funded by not filling the vacant Deputy City Manager position ($103,000) and allocating $45,000 of the savings generated from the transfer of the Housing Discrimination Program to Pinellas County. Discussion ensued regarding proposed summer youth program changes. The program will become a year round employment program with the assistance of the Chambers of Commerce. Police Chief Sid Klein said plans include using $50,000 of weed and seed funds in conjunction with the $50,000 proposed in the budget to administer the program, possibly contracting with Lockheed Martin. One citizen spoke in opposition to cutbacks for the summer youth programs. Discussion ensued regarding various suggestions for changes to the budget. Concerns were expressed regarding using Penny for Pinellas funds to balance the budget. Opposition was also expressed to the suggestion to cut the Economic Development budget. Commissioner Hart moved to accept the City Manager’s proposal to eliminate funding in the Strategies for Success program by $25,000, resulting in General Fund savings of $12,250, eliminate the D. D. Davis Park development project for $325,000, applying those Penny for Pinellas funds to the Clearwater Beach Aquatics Pool, and apply $185,000 of Vision funds from the 1998/99 budget to the unappropriated retained earnings at year end. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Mayor Aungst, Commissioners Hooper, Johnson, and Hart voted “aye”; Commissioner Clark voted “nay”. Motion carried. It was clarified that approving this motion resulted in the shifting of Penny for Pinellas funds to balance the budget. Commissioner Hooper moved to reconsider the previous motion. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Commissioner Hart moved to accept the City Manager’s proposal to eliminate funding in the Strategies for Success program by $25,000, resulting in General Fund savings of $12,250, eliminate the D. D. Davis Park development project for $325,000, applying those Penny for Pinellas funds to the Clearwater Beach Aquatics Pool, and apply $185,000 of Vision funds from the 1998/99 budget to the unappropriated retained earnings at year end. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Mayor Aungst and Commissioners Hooper and Hart voted “aye”; Commissioners Johnson and Clark voted “nay”. Motion carried. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson explained how the adopted changes will affect the budget. The meeting recessed from 7:33 to 8:00 p.m. Ordinances 6456-99 and 6457-99 were revised based on the actions taken before the recess. The revised ordinances were distributed. ITEM #2 - Public Hearing & First Reading Ord. #6456-99 - Declaring the millage rate to be levied for Fiscal Year beginning 10/1/99 and ending 9/30/2000, for operation purposes including pensions and debt service, and road maintenance for capital improvement expenditures at 5.5032 mills (the levy of 5.5032 mills constitutes a 9.9% increase over the rolled back rate of 5.0088 mills) The City Attorney presented Ordinance 6456-99 for first reading and read it in full. Commissioner Hooper moved to pass Ordinance 6456-99 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart, and Aungst “Nays”: None. ITEM #3 - Public Hearing & First Reading Ord. #6457-99 - Adopting Operating Budget for Fiscal Year beginning 10/1/99 and ending 9/30/2000 The City Attorney presented Ordinance 6457-99 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Johnson moved to pass Ordinance 6457-99 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart, and Aungst “Nays”: None. ITEM #4 - Public Hearing & First Reading Ord. #6458-99 - Adopting Capital Improvement Program Budget for Fiscal Year beginning 10/1/99 and ending 9/30/2000 The City Attorney presented Ordinance 6458-99 for first reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hart moved to pass Ordinance 6458-99 on first reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: “Ayes”: Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart, and Aungst “Nays”: None. ITEM #5 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.