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08/22/1989 - Budget Town Meeting - ~ ..,,> " BUDGET TOWN MEETING August 22, 1989 Members present: R ita Garvey Don Winner Lee Regulski Richard Fitzgerald Members absent: Mayor/Commissioner Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Also present: Cynthia Goudeau Ron H. Rabun Betty Deptula City Clerk City Manager Director of Admin. Service The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. at the City Hall Annex, Community Room. The City Manager reviewed the budget stating the City of Clearwater is levying the same millage rate as last year. He reviewed the expenditures stating that 46% of the General Fund Budget is being spent on public safety which includes Police and Fire. He emphasized that the efforts being put forth regarding Downtown are important as the redeve~opment of Downtown will help us to increase, as well as balance the mix of, our tax base. He stated reorganization of Departments including the consolidation of Traffic Engineering, Public Works and Utilities into one department has allowed reduction in personnel and thereby cost savings. He reported that the City has negotiated with the Philadelphia Phillies to extend the lease for Jack Russell Stadium and Carpenter Field until 2002. In reviewing the revenue for the City, he stated 33% comes from property taxes and that only 23.6% of the total tax bill are City of Clearwater taxes. He reviewed future plans stating that the sale of the gas system is being investigated, however, the system will only be sold if an acceptable price is offered. He indicated that the City's ability to pump water is decreasing and we are having to buy more of our water from the county. The upgrading of the water pollution control plants to advance waste water treatment is progressing. He reviewed the Enterprise Funds which do not affect City Property Taxes and stated that Clearwater Pass Bridge is a top priority. 8/22/1989 1 ....'.-. .-.. . In reviewing the distribution of expenditures for capital improvement, he indicated that in order to maintain the air park, investments will be required. Dorothy Berg, representing the Friends of Moccasin Lake Park, requested consideration be given to not cutting the part-time instructor at Moccasin Lake Park. She stated the park does serve many people and the part-time instructor is needed to fill the requests for guided tours. The City Manager indicated that the Parks and Recreation Department is investigating ways of making the cuts without having to eliminate the instructor. Michele Krentzman, representing the League of Women Voters, Natural Resources Committee, spoke in opposition to the elimination of the instructor at Moccasin Lake Park and called for environmental management to become independent of the Publ ic Works Department. She requested that the Water Resource Specialist Position, which is to be eliminated, be retained. Marlene Metzler spoke concerning the possibility of funding for the Kids- A-Poppin Program being cut. She requested the Commission allow a five minute presentation by Kids-A-Poppin at their next Commission Meeting. Rosalee Grenelle questioned whether or not there are cuts proposed for the Cultural Arts Division of the Recreation Department which would eliminate the City Player's ability to put on a performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The City Manager responded to Ms. Krentzman's comments environmental management and stated that he recognizes the centralization and strengthening of this area, however, did not feel to be a separate department. Lisa Lanza, former 'chairman of the Beautification Committee, questioned whether or not the Water Resource Specialist Position proposed for a cut is a position that was previously considered and retained. The City Manager indicated this was not the same position. Ms. Lanza requested the Commission consider a Environmental Advisory Board for the City of Clearwater. regarding need for it needed Herbert Leonhardt requested a second Jolly Trolley for the Beach. Major Martin, representing the Coachman Ridge Homeowner's Association, requested an explanation regarding the relationship of the City between PACT and the Center Foundation. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm 8/22/1989 2 ~- '-.' -. , ~ A. 'i'1 ;;l.2..l ~'i' ~~- l"L<..-~~ LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CLEARWATER/UPPER PINELLAS COUNlY August 22, 1989 The League of Women Voters of Clearwater/Upper Pinellas County recently stated to city' government officialS its opposition- to the proposed elinlinationof the part-time instructor's position at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, the city's environmental/energy education facility. City Manager Ron Rabun replied expressing interest in the use of volunteers for this position. The City's Conservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan for Growth Management, in Objective 22,7. states the city wilr "provide- educational information programs and create public awareness by 1995." And further, Policy 22.7.3. states the city will "recognize Moccasin Lake Nature Park as a unique facility which provides educational programs and activities dealing with wildlife habitat, wildlife education and alternative energy conservatiorr. " If the City won't keep its part-time instructor's position, its only instructor's position, at the City's only environmental education facility, then this Conservation Element is a sham and a disgrace. The State of Florida has enacted the Florida Environmental Education Act in Which the Commissioner of Education is relegated "powers and duties of ... coordinating and assisting the efforts of private organizations and governmental agencies that are concerned with environmental education." What governmental agency in Clearwater is concerned with environmental educatiom:? As we stated in our original statement, Moccasin Lake Nature Park is the p.o. BOX 6725 · CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 34618 · 813-447-1564 -. , ~'''' -,- 't. J Page 2 League of Women Voters- only facility for environmental education in the city, in either the public or the private sector. The League is very concerned about the lack of commi. tment shown- by City officials to preserve and protect the City's fragile environment. For the last year, the City has not filled the position for a Water Resource Special"'i.st, Now the City proposes the position, be eliminated, The City for some time has not had an independent Environmental Management Office, That department, whiah consists of tr:ree specialists, has been under the supervision of Public Works, The League promotes open governnent and responsible management of our natural resources, As long as the City's Environmental" Manager is under the control of Public Works, the League feels there is no responsible man~gement of precious natural resources. The League of Women Voters of Clearwater/Upper Pinellas County calls for independent Environmental Management, for the continuation of fuming for the Moccasin Lake Nature Park instructor's position-and the Water Resource Specialist's position, Thank you for your consideration on this very important matter of our City's natural resources. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Michele Krentzman Chair Natural Resources Committee MEMORANDUM COPIES TO: COMMISSION PRESS Date SEP 07 1989 CITY CLERK .... FRor1: The City Commission Ron H. Rabun, City Manager~~' ~ TO: COPIES: Kathy Rice, Assistant City Manager/Administration; Betty Deptula, Director of Administrative Services; Cyndie Goudeau, City Clerk SUBJ ECT: Responses to Citizens Questions at the August 28, 1989 Town Meeting on the Budget DATE: September 5, 1989 Attached you will find summarized responses from the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments to citizens comments and questions raised at the recent town meeting. Only Dorothy Berg and Rosalie Grenelle requested formal responses. These individuals have been contacted by Parks and Recreation staff. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact myself or Betty Deptula. RHR/ da~v attachments Questions at the August 22, 1989 Town Meeting on the Budget. Citizen Question Mrs. Dorothy Berg questioned whether or not proceeds from recycling activities at tloccasin lake Park will be returned to the Moccasin lake Nature Park. Several Questions were raised regarding the cutting of a part-time instructor's position at Moccasin lake Park. Ms. Marlene Metzler expressed concern regarding a rumored cut in funding for "Kids A Poppin." Ms. Rosalie Grenelle questioned reductions in the Cultural Arts section of the Parks and Recreation budget. Ms. Michele Krentzman requested that the City, 1) establ i sh a separate Envi ronmental Department and appoint a new Environmental Advisory Board and 2) she also questioned if we had deleted an environmental position in this year's proposed budget. Staff Response Yes. The proceeds from aluminum cans, glass, paper and plastic are returned to the park and are recorded budgetarily in the parks donation code to be used for nature park materials. Ms. Berg was pleased with this response. Our response at the meeting was that this part-time position will not be cut, but that its cost will be offset by savings in maintenance dollars through the use of volunteers. This "cut" was a rumor only and no cuts will be made to this program or to their Director, Betty Jane Pucci. Ms. Metzler was pleased with this response. Mr. Ream Wilson contacted her to explain that 20 hours per week would be saved from this funding area by the elimination of one adult production by the City Players at Memorial Civic Center. We will continue the production at Ruth Eckerd Hall and the children's workshop and classes. Ms. Grenelle was pleased to see the funding remain constant for the children's program and was pleased with the staff response. I responded in the Town Meeting)and to Ms. Krentzman following the meeting that I indeed, had plans to strengthen and give more authority and expertise to our environmental program in Clearwater, but that I did not believe that a separate department or board was the best solution. Most environmental decisions are specified and are driven by State Statutes in any event. The new program that I intend to introduce in the next few months I think will be quite effective. Also, I incorrectly responded at the Town Meeting that a cut had not been made to the manning tables for the environmental section. A cut was discussed and made during our service option portion of the budget review. This however, was only an interim deletion pending the reorganization and strengthening of this section as I have already stated. . ," Citizen Question Mr. Herb Leonhardt requested that we add another Jolly Trolley to our Beach route to also service Sand Key and North Clearwater Beach. Staff Response We have not included any funding in the proposed budget for purchase of an additional trolley at this time. As you know, a staff committee has been working for some time with various groups on the beach to devise new transportation alternatives. It would therefore, seem appropriate to withhold any direct action on this request now, but consider this latest suggestion (another Jolly Trolley) along with the other suggestions that are now being studied and then present them to the Commission to determine the best overall solution to beach transportation issues.