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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. Budget Workshop Wednesday, July 11, 2001 1 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 Budget Workshop Wednesday, July 11, 2001 2 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. Budget Workshop Wednesday, July 11, 2001 3 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 4