HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-11 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesBUDGET WORKSHOP
JULY 11, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Budget Workshop to order at
9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 in room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525
NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner
Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen
L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft,
Interim Assistant City Manager/Personnel Director Maria Swanson, and City
Clerk Marion Swenson.
FIRE RESCUE: Fire Chief Budzinski introduced Assistant Fire Chief Forsberg
and Assistant Fire Chief Schuldt.
Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation and overview of the Fire Department's
accomplishments, goals and proposed budget. Commissioner Portner asked
about outstanding issues related to automatic aid, and Fire Chief Budzinski said
the issues were not completely resolved, and the underlying issues were with
Broward County. Commissioner Roberts asked about medical protocol, and Fire
Chief Budzinski explained it involves new drugs and treatments. Commissioner
Portner asked how the Fire Department gets information on the File of Life out to
the public, and Fire Chief Budzinski said it is presented at every public event,
brought to clubhouse meetings in each community, and presented in conjunction
with the emergency preparedness program. There was discussion about
information included in the File of Life, and Vice Mayor Sultanof said he got the
word out to his community when it first surfaced. Mayor Schreiber asked about
AED's for Woodmont and Woodlands, and Fire Chief Budzinski said an
ordinance is being prepared outlining requirements the City will use for those
AED's spread throughout the community. Mayor Schreiber spoke about a
program for an alert light outside a door when 911 is called, and Fire Chief
Budzinski said that is available. Commissioner Roberts asked about getting
visible house numbers through Broward County, and Fire Chief Budzinski said
Broward County provides numbers for unincorporated areas, and it is possible to
get house numbers for Tamarac through CDBG grant funds. Commissioner
Mishkin asked if there is a certain size house number to be used and Fire Chief
Budzinski said about 4". Mayor Schreiber asked what percentages of monies
are recovered and Fire Chief Budzinski said about 76% has been recovered in
the last 12-month period. Commissioner Portner asked if all rescue calls are
directed to Florida Medical Center, and Fire Chief Budzinski said they go to the
closest appropriate medical facility for stabilization, which is most often University
Hospital.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2001
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There was discussion about Scott Air Pack Program Upgrade, (page 114), and
Mayor Schreiber recommended approving the $38,075 for the program.
There was discussion about Program Modification Station 41 Plumbing Upgrade
(page 115). Commissioner Portner asked why only $20,000 was recommended,
and City Manager Miller said Fire Chief Budzinski would negotiate the contract
for the upgrade, and if the additional $5,000 were needed to complete the job it
would be made available.
There was discussion about Lieutenant Upgrade Program (page 116). Fire Chief
Budzinski explained that as the Lieutenant positions are approved, the Rescue
Supervisor positions would be phased out, and this will take about three years.
Personnel Director Swanson gave an explanation of contract language and prior
discussions regarding the Rescue Supervisors and Lieutenant positions now
requested. Commissioner Roberts asked if the Rescue Supervisors might make
the transition to Lieutenant, and Fire Chief Budzinski said of the top three
candidates on the list, 2 are currently Rescue Supervisors.
There was discussion about New Drugs for Patient Treatment (page 117).
Commissioner Portner asked why only $10,000 was recommended, and City
Manager Miller explained the $20,000 is a projected amount, and if more than
$10,000 is needed a request can be made at mid -year. Commissioner Portner
asked why this is a #5 priority, and Fire Chief Budzinski said there are currently
drugs available to treat certain injuries and illnesses which can continue to be
used if the new drugs are not available. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked whether the
drugs can be purchased on a cooperative basis, and Fire Chief Budzinski said
we currently purchase through the Broward County Cooperative.
There was discussion about the Hydraulic Extrication Equipment Replacement
(page 118), and Commissioner Portner asked why only half the amount
requested was recommended. City Manager Miller said he suggested
replacement of one this year and one next year. Commissioner Roberts said
Tamarac has a very good Fire Department.
Commissioner Roberts questioned the Traffic Preemption devices (page 121),
and Fire Chief Budzinski said the County provides controllers at the intersections
and the City needs the triggering device. Commissioner Portner questioned the
02 Cascade Tank Systems (page 121), and Fire Chief Budzinski explained the
savings to the City upon purchasing the systems. Commissioner Roberts asked
whether there is a safety problem having the system in the firehouse, and Fire
Chief Budzinski said it is a closed system and we will be able to assist people in
replenishing their oxygen supply if power goes out during a disaster.
Commissioner Roberts questioned the increase in overtime (page 122), and Fire
Chief Budzinski said this is administrative overtime. Commissioner Roberts
questioned the increase in longevity (page 123), and Management and Budget
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Wednesday, July 11, 2001
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Officer Sammartino explained this is due to step increases during the year.
Assistant Chief Forsberg said this also includes holiday pay. Commissioner
Roberts questioned the increase in Line Item 4102, wireless phones, and said
the City needs to look at the cost of cell phones and pagers. Vice Mayor
Sultanof spoke about the decrease in Line Item 2203, (page 122) and Mayor
Schreiber spoke about the increase in line item 4101 (page 123). Commissioner
Portner questioned the increase of line item 5100 (page 122) and Fire Chief
Budzinski said this is due to the public education specialist bringing more to the
community. Assistant Chief Forsberg said this also includes movement of line
item 4701 to line item 5100. Commissioner Portner asked about the increase in
line item 5801 (page 122) and Fire Chief Budzinski said this is an internal service
charge paid to other departments.
Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:00. The Budget Workshop reconvened
at 11:15 with all present as before.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT: Building Official Gioia gave a presentation. Mayor
Schreiber asked about the recommended amount of only $2,500 for travel and
training, and City Manager Miller said there is a travel and training fund that
should be utilized for training and this amount of $2,500 will supplement that line
item. There was discussion about Printing and Postage (page 81) and it was
explained this was for brochures. There was discussion about Rentals and
Leases (page 82).
NON -DEPARTMENTAL: Finance Director Lange gave a presentation. Mayor
Schreiber questioned the increase in line item 5700 (page 156) and Finance
Director Lange said this is for Strategic Planning. Finance Director Lange gave a
definition of Non -Departmental. Commissioner Roberts questioned the increase
in line item 5801 (page 156) and Finance Director Lange said it is for computer
support provided by the Information Technology Department.
POLICE SERVICES: Commissioner Roberts questioned line item 4905 (page
155). There was discussion about these funds having been used since 1989 by
BSO for training, when the Tamarac Police Department switched to BSO. Chief
Dugger gave a presentation and explained the use of the funds. Finance
Director Lange said what is not used will be rolled over to the next year. Mayor
Schreiber questioned the increase in line item 3402 (page 155), and
Management and Budget Officer Sammartino explained this is for 3 crossing
guards for the new school.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Information Technology Director Sucuoglu
gave a presentation and budget overview. Commissioner Roberts asked about
staff instructors for computer classes at the Community Center. Information
Technology Director Sucuoglu said Parks and Recreation reached an agreement
with outside trainers. Mayor Schreiber asked about e-government and there was
discussion about uses for Tamarac and implementation of certain programs.
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Mayor Schreiber said e-government would streamline and improve services, and
Commissioner Roberts said she did not think the residents are for it at this time.
Vice Mayor Sultanof said at this time a framework is being established.
Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said we would begin with a billing
system. Commissioner Roberts asked if a cost benefit analysis has been done
yet, and whether revenue would be generated. There was discussion about
transaction fees and the need to upgrade the website. Commissioner Portner
expressed concern about programs becoming obsolete. Personnel Director
Swanson explained the website is used for employment opportunities through the
personnel department and she receives many requests to have the system made
more interactive. There was discussion about complaint tracking, and City Clerk
Swenson explained how the City Clerk's office tracks inquiries and complaints
and said a tracking system would make this more effective and efficient.
Commissioner Mishkin said this is a wave of the future. Mayor Schreiber
questioned the increase in line item 4602 (page 163), and Information
Technology Director Sucuoglu said this is due to HTE's new maintenance
formula. Commissioner Roberts questioned the decrease in line item 4926 (page
163) and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said this is now a self -
funding program. Mayor Schreiber questioned increase in line item 9700 (page
164), and Finance Director Lange explained that this year he is not budgeting for
depreciation, thereby, the increase in the line item.
City Manager Miller suggested postponing the Finance Department's
presentation until Thursday, July 12, 2001.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor
Schreiber adjourned the Budget Workshop at 12:55 p.m.
MARION SWENSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
Budget Workshop
Wednesday, July 11, 2001
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