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09/28/1999CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 28, 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 Bill Horne Assistant City Manager Robert Surette Assistant City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. This meeting regards the 1999/2000 Fiscal Year Budget. The City Manager reviewed the 11 previous budget-related meetings. ITEM #2 – Public Hearing - Approve the revised recommended Penny for Pinellas project listing On March 6, 1997, the City Commission adopted Ordinance #6137-97, which requires a special hearing for funding changes in any Penny for Pinellas project totaling $500,000 or more. The only proposed change to a project totaling more than $500,000 is the transfer of funds from the East “Library Branch Expansion” project scheduled for FY (fiscal year) 2009/10 to the Main Library project scheduled for construction in 2002. Concern was expressed the D.D. Davis Park project had been removed from the list without public input. Concern was also expressed Penny for Pinellas funds earmarked for the park had been shifted to balance the budget. Discussion ensued regarding how the public is notified of proposed changes to the Penny for Pinellas list. Commissioner Hooper moved to approve the revised Penny for Pinellas project listing as recommended by staff. There was no second. Commissioner Hart moved to put D.D. Davis Park back in the Penny for Pinellas project list. The motion was duly seconded. It was recommended a public hearing be held before any projects are dropped from the Penny for Pinellas list, even if funding is less than $500,000. Upon the vote being taken, Commissioners Clark and Hart voted "Aye"; Commissioners Johnson and Hooper and Mayor Aungst voted "Nay." Motion failed. Commissioner Hooper moved to approve the revised Penny for Pinellas project listing as recommended by staff. The motion was duly seconded. Opposition to the reallocation of Penny for Pinellas project funds to balance the budget was indicated. Upon the vote being taken, Commissioners Johnson, Hooper, and Hart and Mayor Aungst voted "Aye"; Commissioner Clark voted "Nay. Motion carried. ITEM #3 - Public Hearing & Second 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) Commissioner Johnson moved to declare the millage rate to be levied for Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 1999, and ending September 30, 2000, for operation purposes including pensions and debt service, and road maintenance for capital improvement expenditures at 5.5032 mills. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Assistant City Attorney presented Ordinance #6456-99 for second reading and read the ordinance in full. Commissioner Clark moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #6456-99 on second and final 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 & Second Reading Ord. #6457-99 - Adopting Operating Budget for Fiscal Year beginning 10/1/99 and ending 9/30/2000 One citizen expressed concern regarding cuts to youth programs indicating funding decisions are made prior to program reports are made. In response to a question, Human Relations Director Eleanor Breland said reports from previous years could be used to make funding decisions. The Assistant City Attorney presented Ordinance #6457-99 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hooper moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #6457-99 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. "Nays": None. ITEM #5 - Public Hearing & Second Reading Ord. #6458-99 - Adopting Capital Improvement Program Budget for Fiscal Year beginning 10/1/99 and ending 9/30/2000 The Assistant City Attorney presented Ordinance #6458-99 for second reading and read it by title only. Commissioner Hart moved to pass and adopt Ordinance #6458-99 on second and final reading. The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was: "Ayes": Johnson, Clark, Hooper, Hart and Aungst. "Nays": None. Concerns regarding the budget process were expressed and changes were recommended. Staff was complimented for their efforts. It was felt beginning the budget process in January will simplify next year's efforts. The importance of evaluating and eliminating unnecessary programs was stated. Positive results from the Strategies for Success program were anticipated. ITEM #6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.