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04/27/1989 BUDGET WORK SESSION April 27, 1989 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at the Main Library with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Don Winner Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner William Nunamaker 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 9:00 a.m. and the following was discussed: The Manager reviewed the agenda for today's meeting. He stated comments in the Public Works area regarding reductions in service are obsolete and this will be discussed later in the meeting. Fire Department Charles Hunsicker, Assistant City Manager, stated no reductions or enhancements are proposed for the Fire Department. He stated in the coming year Clearwater will be striving to improve its ISO rating, which is already high, in order to make lower insurance rates possible for the City and its citizens. He also reported impact fees will be studied as a revenue source. Chief Davidson stated we will be formalizing the closet unit dispatch Agreement we have with other area Fire Departments. This program has been in operation for several years but is being formalized as a way of improving the ISO rating. Discussion ensued regarding the interlocal agreements for fire districts and concern was expressed regarding the structural damage to the Clearwater Pass Bridge. It was indicated that each jurisdiction is responsible for its own equipment and any damage that may occur to it. In response to questions regarding response to the beach, it was indicated the ladder truck is over the 15 ton weight limit however, if there was a need, the truck could go over the bridge. In response to questions regarding EMS response times, it was indicated an EMS unit is stationed on the beach during the weekends. A question was raised regarding the work load and Bob Davidson, Fire Chief indicated there have been alot of dumpster fires which have been caused by arson but the number of structural fires has remained steady. False alarms are up. The proposed false alarm ordinance was explained. A question was raised regarding painting the sign at Safety Village and it was indicated the City would honor that request. A question was raised regarding how Safety Village was funded and it was indicated it is done through donations. In response to a question, it was reported there are four vacancies in the fire department however two of these vacancies are from retirements with those individuals still being on the payroll. Discussion ensued regarding the ability of people to stay on the payroll by being paid for half of their sick leave and it was indicated this is a bargainable benefit that would be difficult to change. In response to a question, it was indicated there are three hazardous material units in Pinellas County that the county funds. The City Manager reported the Explorer's Program uses volunteers for non emergency activities. Further concern was expressed regarding the county wide emergency management system. It was reported Pinellas County is appealing the decision resulting in the suit by St. Petersburg regarding the funding. It was indicated the City of Clearwater will remain neutral at this time. However, the county funds four of our units and we have six. It was indicated the City of Clearwater uses its firefighters in a duel role, as firefighters and as emergency management system people, in other words, paramedics. Discussion ensued regarding the proposals for Clearwater Paramedics being required to transport patients to medical facilities. It was indicated the City would need to add people if we are required to transport. There is state legislation pending on this subject. A question was raised regarding on what the four percent taxable value increase was based and it was indicated this is based on information from the property appraiser. The City Manager reported staff if not comfortable at this time with including an increase in the franchise fees as expected revenue. Police Department Charles Hunsicker, Assistant City Manager, indicated they are proposing a package that will maintain the level of service while addressing increase in crime. Seven additional officers in patrol, an additional marine patrol officer, one for beach patrol and two in the investigative division are being requested. Police Chief Klein indicated the ten positions are for the greatest focus of increasing the patrol division. He stated there is a tactical team assigned to the west district, mainly for the north and south greenwood areas dealing with the crack cocaine problem. Extensive discussion took place regarding the need to increase patrol officers and how to increase the hours an officer is able to be on the street. Concerns were also expressed regarding the amount of overtime and it was indicated while we can not eliminate overtime, we are attempting to at least maintain it at its current level. It was indicated it takes nine months to put an officer on the street as they must go through the police academy and extensive training. There are currently 19 vacancies in the patrol division. Discussion returned to the need for additional police in order to address citizens' concerns. Discussion also ensued regarding how to cut down on the amount of time it takes to put officers on the street. It was suggested the Commission authorize hiring over strength as between turn over and training time, it is highly unlikely that there would be more officers actually on the force than authorized in the budget. Further discussion ensued regarding the need to have additional police officers and how to control costs at the same time. Consensus of the Commission was to authorize hiring the ten police officers being requested in next year's budget immediately. It was also indicated the civilianization plan will continue to be pursued in order to free up officers from administrative duties to put them back on patrol. Marine Patrol It was reported that the enhancement requested was a part time person for Pier 60. Bill Held, Harbormaster, indicated we have a bare bone staff at the Pier and there is a morale problem as there are no vacations and people have to work on holidays. Revenue has increased and they need to bring in two attendants during busy times. In response to a question, he indicated one part time person would be adequate. A question was raised regarding whether or not there has been consideration in increasing the dockage fees and Mr. Held indicated these prices are reviewed each year with recommendations made regarding whether or not increases should be approved. It was indicated the Seminole Ramp is doing well with most people paying a daily rate for use of the boat launching facility. In response to a question, it was indicated there had been no negative reports regarding the newly constructed restrooms on the beach. A question was raised regarding allowing all commercial boats to fuel at the marina at the same discount as those docked at the marina. The meeting recessed from 11:58 a.m. to 1:09 p.m. Public Works Department The City Manager indicated there have been cuts made in this department but there is improved output with the reorganization. Questions were raised regarding the status of those positions that had been targeted for deletion and the City Manager indicated there was no intention to lay off any personnel but rather to eliminate those jobs through attrition and transfers. Charles Hunsicker, Assistant City Manager, indicated he was very impressed by the "can do" attitude in the Public Works Department with the level of service remaining high. It was reported one of the reductions being proposed is to eliminate residential sweeping. It was emphasized we will continue to have a private company sweep downtown streets, parking lots, beach streets and parking lots and beach residential. It was indicated that beach residential sweeping is needed for environmental reasons. It was felt the residential sweeping in the rest of the City was not cost effective at this time. A question was raised regarding whether or not prisoners could be used to do some of this work and it was requested staff check with the County Sheriff. Questions were raised regarding the need for fuel trucks and it was indicated the City felt it was better to have a supervisor with a tank truck to fuel heavy equipment rather than having credit with gas stations. Another suggested reduction is to eliminate an electrical helper. Gardner Smith, Assistant Public Works Director for Infrastructure, indicated alot of the electrical work that has been needed will no longer be needed and they are training lift station mechanics to do electrical work. It was indicated another reduction is to eliminate one position in the water bond construction crew. An enhancement being requested is to add four people to monitor water quality to meet FDER mandates. It was indicated in the future, we may need to enhance our stormwater quality. In response to a question, it was indicated we do have to maintain retention ponds and remove contaminated soils from our property. Additional proposals for reductions are to eliminate one vehicle in water pollution control, to reduce building and maintenance costs and to reduce operating costs. In discussing the utilities division, it was indicated there are concerns regarding the inability to answer the phones. It was reported a proposal is to eliminate one of the accounting clerk I positions and to redistribute the work load. In response to a question, it was indicated the City collects 99.6 percent of its accounts and in the past year we have had to write off only $46,000.00. It is proposed to reduce two service technicians in the gas division and to subcontract out some of the work that is needed. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not this is false economy as we will be spending more money than the revenue generated. Another proposal is to reduce additional service lines and concerns were again expressed that we would be cutting revenue. It was indicated that in the last fiscal year the gas division did well, but this year, due to warm weather, we did not generate as much revenue as had been hoped. Bob Brumback, Assistant Public Works Director for Utilities, indicated the gas division contributes half a million dollars to the general fund and we would have to sell it for 29 million in order to make up for that loss. Concerns were expressed the gas division was different from other areas as it is the only fund that generates revenue to the general fund. Concerns were expressed regarding some of the reductions proposed and it was requested staff come back after more study on these proposals. Questions were raised regarding the growth rate and the number of new customers per year and it was indicated the gas division has increased at approximately 4 percent each year and the number of new customers was unavailable at this time. A question was raised regarding the hot water heater program and it was indicated 109 gas water heaters had been hooked up. It was indicated these options would all be looked at in a future worksession. In the sanitation division, it was indicated a proposal is to eliminate one driver and truck resulting in five day turn around rather than three day. Concerns were expressed regarding the impact on household pick ups and it was indicated this should not effect that service. Commission consensus was not to eliminate one of the trucks but to approve the reduction of the transfer station operation. In the transportation division, it is being proposed to eliminate a crane truck and to rent one when needed. It was indicated there will be a slower response time. It was also suggested to eliminate one of the chief electricians for the lighting duties, again resulting in a slower response time. An additional reduction is to reduce operating supplies by $8,700.00. A question was raised regarding whether or not we had completed the change over of lighting to sodium vapor and it was indicated that it is 96 percent complete. Bill Baker, Public Works Director, indicated we do have a high level of service in the number of street lights we provide and this could be reduced. It was indicated the police department would not be in support of this and it could impact public safety of neighborhoods. In discussing the parking fund, it was indicated the County purchases the meters for the Sand Key parking lot and questions were raised regarding potential improvements to this lot. A reduction is also being proposed in meter purchases. A question was raised regarding the possibility of having a cashier at the Sank Key Lot and it was indicated the County does not wish to charge a fee for parking at this facility. Discussion ensued regarding security guard services and it was indicated this is for late night security in the garages. It was indicated the garages are checked once an hour. Commission consensus was to discuss the remainder of the budget proposals at the end of the May 1st Commission worksession. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.