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07/25/2007 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER July 25, 2007 Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor John Doran Vice-Mayor Carlen Petersen Councilmember George N. Cretekos Councilmember Paul Gibson Councilmember – arrived 3:13 p.m. Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Other Items on City Manager Reports 2.1 Review Council Changes from Budget Workshop of July 16 and Council Meeting of July 19, 2007. – Tina Wilson, Budget Director Budget Director Tina Wilson reviewed budget changes previously discussed. The recommended millage rate of 4.6826 mills for FY (Fiscal Year) 2007/08 would bring back approximately $3 million that could be budgeted. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson stated none of the utility rate increases will go to the General fund. It was noted that while the general fund contribution to the Jolley Trolley is recommended to be $150,000, the CRA contribution has not been reduced. 2.2 Outstanding Issues: a) Neighborhood Services and b) School Resource Officers a) Neighborhood Services The City Manager requested that two FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) positions, identified for elimination, be retained to achieve the Council’s vision of a higher level of neighborhood engagement. Development & Neighborhood Services Director Jeff Kronschnabl said Neighborhood Services would no longer participate in Paint Your Heart Out Clearwater activities. He said if the positions are reinstituted, program visibility will grow and monthly activity reports will be submitted. Councilmember Petersen moved to retain the two Neighborhood Services FTEs targeted motion carried for elimination. The was duly seconded and unanimously. Council Special 2007-07-25 1 b) School Resource Officers The Mayor said other municipalities have indicated they will accept the School Superintendent’s offer of a 34:66 cost ratio for School Resource Officers. If the City does not accept this proposal, the School Board will assign internal officers. Deputy Police Chief Bill Baird said at specific times the Police Department would have directed patrols available for back-up. Consensus was to budget $112,000 for School Resource Officers. 2.3 Presentations and Remarks from Public: a) Tampa Bay Partnership; b) Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.; c) Jolley Trolley Remarks from Public One resident spoke in support of Neighborhood Services. Two residents spoke against government waste. Two residents spoke in support of beach facilities and two residents opposed funding the Jolley Trolley. a) Tampa Bay Partnership Stuart Rogel, of the Tampa Bay Partnership, provided a PowerPoint presentation, outlining Tampa Bay Partnership activities to bring together communities and businesses in the seven-county region. Key initiatives include: 1) Measuring Region’s Progress; 2) Workforce Housing/Redevelopment; 3) Regional Transportation; 4) Bay Area Legislative Delegation; and 5) Business Development 2.0. Support was expressed for the partnership as it works to leverage all bay area legislators and is involved with issues that extend beyond Clearwater. b) Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. Executive Director Robert Friedman thanked the City for its past support. He said Ruth Eckerd Hall had reduced its $300,000 annual request for the three-year education program to $200,000 this year and $100,000 for the final year. He said a strong arts education program supports development of the work force and cultural opportunities attract people to Clearwater. Eighteen people spoke in support of funding Ruth Eckerd Hall programs and one person spoke in opposition. c) Jolley Trolley Bill Kirbus, of the Jolley Trolley, said trolley service exists for tourists and transports almost 150,000 people annually and generates more than $300,000 annually in revenue. In response to questions, Mr. Kirbus said beach operations are critical as all advertisers are located there. Route operations do not change seasonally and weekends are busy throughout the year. It was noted that while operating costs increased, the City’s contribution Council Special 2007-07-25 2 had decreased 3% annually. Mr. Kirbus said the organization needs 400 square-feet for office space and an additional 8,000 square-feet for maintenance. Current office space is leased for this year. He said the trolley would have to stop downtown service if the City’s contribution is limited to $150,000 and the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) makes no contribution. Information was requested on the Jolley Trolley’s cost for the downtown leg. It was suggested that CRA funding and downtown service be discontinued until downtown activities increase. Concern was expressed that while the State had mandated across the board cuts, the Council was not cutting its funding to some agencies. Consensus was to provide office space for the Jolley Trolley at the Main Library and discontinue downtown service until the route is feasible. City Council Discussion In response to questions, Mr. Friedman said the cities of Safety Harbor and Dunedin have contributed to Ruth Eckerd Hall’s capital campaign but not to its operating costs. The hall receives a $39,000 annual Pinellas Arts Council grant and funding from the School Board to operate programs in schools. He said the City’s subsidy would be higher if the hall did not attract people from outside Clearwater. Requested funding is for 18 education programs that primarily impact Clearwater and cost $2 million annually. Discussion ensued regarding City contributions to the three-year education program. It was stated that the City pays Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. to run the center and this contribution endows a much larger program. It was commented that the request is not recurring and Ruth Eckerd Hall is a local jewel that provides arts, a necessary quality of life. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said it is not possible to determine the impact on next year’s budget if the property tax referendum passes, Councilmember Petersen moved for the City to contribute an additional $200,000 to motion Ruth Eckerd Hall for FY 2007/08. The was duly seconded. Councilmembers Petersen, Doran, Cretekos, and Mayor Hibbard voted “Aye”; Councilmember Gibson voted “Nay.” Motion carried . Councilmember Cretekos moved to reduce City contributions to organizations by 5% across the board, with the exception of the $150,000 contribution to the Jolley Trolley. The motion was duly seconded. Councilmember Doran moved to amend the motion to reduce contributions that are motion $10,000 or less by 5% and discuss other requests separately. The was duly seconded. Councilmembers Petersen, Doran, and Mayor Hibbard voted “Aye”; Councilmembers Cretekos carried and Gibson voted “Nay.” Motion to amend . Council Special 2007-07-25 3 Upon the vote being taken on the amended motion to reduce City contributions that are $10,000 or less by 5% and discuss other organization requests separately, Councilmembers Petersen, Doran, Cretekos, and Mayor Hibbard voted "Aye"; Councilmember Gibson voted "Nay." Motion carried. Discussion ensued. It was stated cuts should treat all organizations fairly. Councilmember Cretekos moved to reduce City contributions of $10,000 or more by 3%. The motion was duly seconded. Councilmembers Doran, Cretekos, and Gibson voted "Aye"; Councilmember Petersen and Mayor Hibbard voted "Nay." Motion carried. Discussion ensued regarding staffs recommendation to reduce Clearwater's contribution to the Tampa Bay Partnership from $50,000 to $25,000. Concern was expressed that the City would not be represented on the Board of Governors and would lose influence if its contribution drops below $50,000. Council member Doran moved to approve a City contribution of $50,000 to the Tampa Bay Partnership for FY 2007/08. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The City Manager said on August 13, 2007, staff will present the budget as discussed to this point. Other Council Action Councilmember Cretekos reported that START (Solution to Avoid Red Tide) had approached the BIG-C (Barrier Islands Governmental Council) and requested a $1,000 contribution from each City. Consensus was to support a $1,000 contribution. Councilmember Doran reviewed proposed options related to increased hotel density on barrier islands: 1) PPC (Pinellas Planning Council) makes first recommendation; then City and County approve Development Agreement and 2) Planning maps would be changed; process may require DCA (Florida Department of Community Affairs) approval; reported PODS (Portable on Demand Storage) had expanded to construct temporary living units for post disaster situations. Council member Gibson challenged City communities to follow beach residents' lead and organize solutions to recreation center funding shortfalls. 6 . Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. 4~/~~ ...... --- Mayor City of Clearwater Attest: r~E JJ- Council Special 2007-07-25 4