05/01/1989 BUDGET WORK SESSION
May 1, 1989
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall 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 12:01 p.m. and the following was discussed:
A question was raised regarding whether or not there would be any public forums regarding the budget and it was indicated none had been scheduled at this time. Consensus of the Commission
was to schedule it to be discussed in conjunction with the regularly scheduled meeting of June 1, 1989. Staff is requesting direction regarding some of the questions still pending from
previous budget worksessions.
In the Parks and Recreation Department the recommendation to reduce the yearly interfund transfers for the Phillies improvements was discussed. It was indicated this would be deferring
payments on the loan. Mike Wright, Assistant City Manager indicated we would be adding two years to the term of the loan and we will be having further discussions with the Phillies.
Commission consensus was to approve this reduction.
Another reduction was the elimination of the after school program in Oak Grove Middle School. Concerns were expressed regarding needing this in order to give children an activity to
participate in after school. A question was raised regarding the number of children participating and it was indicated 35 to 40 participate each day. It was indicated they are mainly
participating in athletic programs. Consensus of the Commission was to leave this program in the budget.
In the Library Department concerns regarding increasing library hours by opening the main, east and countryside libraries on Sunday was discussed. It was indicated the challenge is
to have additional hours at the libraries without additional cost. Discussion ensued regarding the ability to do this. Discussion also ensued regarding whether or not there was a need
for libraries to be open on Sunday and it was suggested the increase in hours be done through the use of volunteers. Consensus of the Commission was there would be no increase in the
hours unless it could be done at no cost.
The proposals for reductions in the gas division were discussed. Charles Hunsicker, Assistant City Manager, stated if the reductions were approved, we would fall behind in our efforts
to increase the profitability of the gas division. He stated he is recommending reduction options #1, 3 and 4 not be approved. It was also stated that option #2 regarding the relocation
of gas mains had been taken from planned replacements and this also needs to be retained. Consensus of the Commission was for all options to remain in the budget.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposal to change the calculations of garage charges and it was indicated the depreciation time is being extended. Questions were raised regarding
overcharges that had already been paid by the department and it was indicated the garage fund had paid for the new garage and the loan to the Phillies.
A question was raised regarding whether or not 10 percent of the departments budgets would be returned to them and it was indicated that recommendations will be forth coming.
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.