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06/15/2004CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION CITY OF CLEARWATER June 15, 2004 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor Frank Hibbard Vice-Mayor Hoyt P. Hamilton Councilmember William C. Jonson Councilmember Carlen Petersen Councilmember Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Mary K. Diana City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Introductions and Comments – Bill Horne, City Manager City Manager Bill Horne said the City has completed a 12-month budget process. In January 2004, the staff prepared for a “worst case scenario.” Department Directors were directed to identify program reductions. Increased property values have helped the budget situation. The contingency reserve exceeds the 8-1/2% goal. 3. General Overview of City of Clearwater’s Preliminary Fiscal Year 2004/05 Budget Process and General Budget Information – Tina Wilson, Budget Director Budget Director Tina Wilson reviewed the preliminary FY (Fiscal Year) 2004/05 budget and budget process. The budget is 98% complete, however staff awaits preliminary property tax information from the County. She said departments were asked to identify programs and activities that were not their highest priorities. Financial impacts included medical insurance, property/liability insurance and workman’s compensation. Human Resources Director Joe Roseto said the City would release a RFP (Request for Proposal) on June 25, 2004 for medical insurance. He said the industry trend is for rate increases in the 10% - 15% range. The number of claims submitted affects premiums. Ms. Wilson said property liability insurance rates increased significantly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, but have since decreased. Property taxes have increased significantly, but are slowing. New construction accounts for 17% of the $746 million in increased property value; 83% or the increase is from existing value. She said revenues in the General Fund are flat. The budget will focus on the City Council’s priorities of public safety, economic development, quality of life, infrastructure maintenance, and human resources. No millage rate increase is being requested. 4. Downtown Police Patrol – Chief Klein Police Chief Sid Klein said last year, the Council directed staff to develop solutions regarding transients, crime, homelessness, and other public safety issues impacting Downtown. He said Downtown redevelopment success would require additional police resources, however, a lack of redevelopment would result in increased crime and require additional law enforcement for prevention. The budget has earmarked $300,000 to retain the team of officers assigned to Downtown, and retain six of 11 grant-funded officers slated for elimination. The Downtown team, operational last year, features five officers and one sergeant, who police the area between Missouri Avenue and the Bayfront, and between Drew Street and Druid Road. The team has a bicycle patrol, plain-clothes officers, and drug enforcement officers. They also provide back up for other units, overlap CHIP (Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) team duties to provide community policing, patrol the Pinellas trail, attend neighborhood meetings, cover concerts, parades, etc., and work with the Community Response Team and Parks & Recreation Department to patrol the new Main Library. Chief Klein reviewed arrests and traffic violations in Downtown and recommended a team of officers be based Downtown. He recommended converting into a police substation the building by the tennis courts below City Hall. With the help of 10 Americorps participants, he recommended an ambassador program be created to address citizen needs, tourism, and promote a safe environment Downtown. In response to a question, Chief Klein said revamping the building by the tennis courts could be completed in several months and be funded by contraband forfeitures, etc. In response to a remark that Americorps and other volunteers primarily are located on the beach, Chief Klein said when more volunteers are available, they also will be located in the Downtown. Americorps participants are criminal justice majors at St. Petersburg College. Chief Klein reported Florida’s Governor wants Clearwater’s program to be a pilot program. While Americorps participants have no authority, they are able to provide eyes and ears, help tourists, etc. Participants wear uniforms and are issued police radios. Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone said for more than a year, staff received complaints from Downtown business and property owners regarding harassment by homeless individuals. Since the Downtown team became operational, those complaints have ended. The City Manager reported a Downtown team in the early 1990s was disbanded when the Police Department budget was reduced. The current Downtown team was organized in response to business owner and library patron concerns, and police observations. Grant-funded positions were scheduled for elimination. No officers have been transferred Downtown from other City areas. Officer Donnelly was complimented on his excellent rapport with the community. 5. Kevin Dunbar, Parks & Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar referred to the May 2002 master plan. He reported staff had considered ways to provide services without pressuring the General Fund. a. Martin Luther King Community Center Staff is working with the African American Leadership Council to transfer their activities from the Holt Avenue facility to the Martin Luther King Community Center. It was remarked that entities using that facility should benefit the community. b. Joe DiMaggio Recreation Center Staff is working with St. Petersburg College regarding acquisition of the Joe DiMaggio Recreation Center. The four-year agreement with the college expires September 30, 2004. Mr. Dunbar suggested St. Petersburg College could operate the facility as a basketball or soccer academy or purchase it. That action would save the City $190,000 annually. The Long Center still would serve the needs of the community. c. Moccasin Lake Nature Park This park depends heavily on ad valorem taxes. Staff is identifying new revenue streams through grants and new programs and has reduced the City’s subsidy to $168,000. The City Manager reported Pinellas County School Board plans to construct an elementary school between Palmetto to Russell would affect the Martin Luther King and Holt Centers. The City’s lease on the Martin Luther King Center property expires in 2007. The School Board owns the land. The college also has expressed an interest in creating a training program at the former Greenwood Library site, which could impact some programs. The City Manager said the City leases space from the school system, and recommended all work together. It appears the former library building could support a training program for three years but the building is old. In response to a question regarding the Joe DiMaggio Recreation Center, Mr. Dunbar said a soccer academy at the facility would have an indoor component. The academy would be operated by a not-for-profit organization. Hopes are to finalize an agreement regarding the Center and present it to the Council by September 30, 2004. Mr. Dunbar reported the Holt Avenue Complex probably will be demolished. Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback said the Florida National Guard has expressed interest in transferring ownership of the Armory to the City. Staff is identifying priorities and organizations that can use these facilities. Mr. Brumback complimented department directors for working through the budget process, stating they have been excellent stewards of City resources. Tougher decisions will need to be made in the future. 6. Tampa Bay Partnership – Reg Owens, Economic Development Director Economic Development Director Reg Owens said staff regrets the decision to reduce by $25,000 the allocation to TBP (Tampa Bay Partnership). In response to Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County requests to develop a strategy related to national urban issues, the TBP created the Economic Development Council to consider urban housing and to develop ways to attract retail, and to rehabilitate and revitalize downtowns. The TBP also produced a national brochure profiling 11 urban downtowns. At the national leadership council meeting in May, the TBP reviewed many topics regarding urban projects. As one of the three largest regional communities, Mr. Owens said Clearwater can presume a major leadership role on issues, if it maintains a $50,000 level membership. When the Economic Development Council successfully attracts major industries etc. to the region, Clearwater benefits by increased housing, tourist dollars, taxes, etc., which far exceed the $25,000 fee. In response to a question, Mr. Owens said at the $50,000 Governor’s Council Level, Clearwater would have the ability to discuss regional issues with select leaders in a seven-council area, and a voice regarding how funds are spent. Mr. Stone agreed that Clearwater should not reduce its influence. Mr. Owens said TBP now proactively recognizes the need to address urban city requirements at the national level. It was suggested a TBP representative be invited to a future Council meeting. Mr. Owens said all economic development directors meet quarterly to get acquainted with peers and discuss issues and strategies. Other The City Manager requested feedback regarding nonprofit requests for City funding. Consensus was to continue handling requests through the structured process. Extraordinary requests could be discussed with the Council. Ms. Wilson said City funds have not been used for social services. The Council would approve anything outside the budget. The City Manager said there is a flexible fund for one-time requests. Otherwise, funding sources must be found. 7. Budget Calendar Ms. Wilson reviewed budget meeting and public hearing dates: 1) July 15, 2004 - Council sets tentative millage rate; 2) September 2, 2004 - first public hearing on the budget and discussion of Penny for Pinellas tax; and 3) September 16, 2004 – second public hearing on the budget. A status update on preventative fire inspections and the emergency management manager was requested. Ms. Wilson and her staff were complimented for a job well done. 8. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.