HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-11 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2002
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Budget Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Thursday, July 11, 2002, at 9:05 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City
Hall, 7525 NW $$th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Gertrude
Mishkin, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant City
Manager Michael C. Cernech, Management and Budget Officer Chris Sammartino, and City
Clerk Marion Swenson.
1. Budget Review:
a. Utilities: Utilities Director Gagnon gave a presentation, and said he eliminated one
laboratory intern and two apprentice positions. Mayor Schreiber asked about the program
modification for the reading system, and Support Services Manager Wilder said it is an upgrade.
Commissioner Sultanof asked who is responsible for replacement of meters and Utilities
Director Gagnon said Tamarac is responsible for all meters, except the sub -meters on multi
family developments. There was discussion about backflow prevention and the unfunded
mandate from the EPA. Water Plant Superintendent Harvey said we have until December 31,
2003 to comply. Mayor Schreiber asked about the increase in telephone costs and
Management and Budget Officer Sammartino explained the accounting procedures. There was
discussion about the number of meters read every month, the decrease in electric costs and the
GIS computer.
At 9:25 a.m., Vice Mayor Portner left the room for one minute then returned
Commissioner Roberts asked how much of a rate increase would be needed to fund the 5-year
capital improvements and Utilities Director Gagnon spoke about matching expenses with
depreciation. Commissioner Roberts asked about widening Pine Island Road from Commercial
Boulevard to Southgate and Engineering Coordinator Wainwright explained Broward County's
plan to six -lane Pine Island Road and the transition back to four lanes just north of Commercial
Boulevard. Commissioner Roberts said she hoped replacing the water main (p. 14-31) would
not have the same result as Westwood 24 and Utilities Director Gagnon said there would be no
adverse effects if the main were replaced. There was a discussion about credits for water
filters. Commissioner Roberts asked if the city would be reimbursed for any work done at the
turnpike entrance on Commercial Boulevard, and Utilities Director Gagnon said we are in their
right of way and not entitled to reimbursement. Commissioner Roberts asked if protective
coating (14-46) would last for 10 years and why an engineer is needed to do this. Water Plant
Superintendent Harvey said we are looking at 15-30 years. Utilities Director Gagnon said an
engineer is needed for specifications and to meet standards. Most likely we will do this in-
house. Utilities Director Gagnon thanked the Commissioners for their support.
b. _City Clerk: City Clerk Swenson gave a presentation. Commissioner Roberts asked
about elections, and a discussion ensued about costs and poll workers. City Manager Miller
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said The Ruffin Group sent a letter to all cities looking for "Executives On Loan" to train in the
operation of election equipment and work during the elections. This was sent to department
directors, and is voluntary. City Manager Miller said he had discussed having a voting machine
in City Hall and would like staff instructed on use of the machine; also he would like to call in
Board and Committee members to make sure they know how to use the new equipment.
Commissioner Sultanof suggested contacting Bob Cantrell at the Supervisor of Elections' Office.
Commissioner Roberts asked about the increase in rentals and leases and questioned the cost
of the fax machine. City Manager Miller explained the difference in grade between home and
office equipment and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino said both printer/copiers are
included in the rental/lease line item. Commissioner Roberts said next year 5710 should be
taken out of the line items since election costs appear in a different line. Vice Mayor Portner
questioned the unfunded personal computer for the front counter, and Management and Budget
Officer Sammartino explained existing computers might be relocated. City Manager Miller said
if one is not found we will look at this again next year.
C. City Attorney: City Attorney Kraft gave a presentation. Commissioner Roberts asked
how long it takes staff to work on liens/foreclosures, and City Attorney Kraft said about 2 hours
each, in addition to hours put in by other departments. Commissioner Roberts questioned the
estimated number of staff hours, and asked if this included the Assistant City Attorney. City
Attorney Kraft said it did but it is a very conservative estimate of hours. Commissioner Roberts
questioned the difference between part-time and temporary employees and asked that this be
reflected accurately.
d. Fire Rescue: Chief Budzinski reported that the Broward County Commission looked at
two items regarding fire rescue services and they accepted language worked out by the League
of Cities creating the Broward County Fire Rescue Council in an advisory capacity, requiring the
county to facilitate and fund improvements in the communication system. Chief Budzinski
spoke about the CLINCON Competition in Orlando and said out of 60-70 international teams,
Tamarac finished #3 in yesterday's preliminaries.
Chief Budzinski gave a presentation on the Fire Department budget. There was discussion
about automatic aid between North Lauderdale and Margate, and the fact that Tamarac was not
invited to participate in negotiations. Vice Mayor Portner asked when the Fire Chief or Battalion
Chiefs respond to a fire, and Chief Budzinski explained. Commissioner Roberts questioned
several items in the Fire Department budget for clarification, and Chief Budzinski and
Management and Budget Officer Sammartino explained the reasoning behind the budget
requests. Vice Mayor Portner asked for an explanation of fire department payroll, and
Commissioner Sultanof spoke about his concerns with linking to the County's dispatch system.
Vice Mayor Portner said nine cities collect no fire assessment fees and the remaining cities
average $84.18. He would like the city to look at increasing the fee down the road. There was
discussion about transport collections and the reasoning behind not using a collection agency.
Commissioner Sultanof left the room at 11:10 a.m. Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:15
a.m., and reconvened the budget workshop at 11:25 a.m., with all present.
e. BSO: BSO Chief Dugger gave a presentation. There was a discussion about staffing
and BSO Chief Dugger said while the city budgeted a 5% increase for the Sheriff's Office, BSO
came in with a 3.8% increase this year, which leaves 1.2% to be used for the creation of new
positions: a crime analyst and a clerical assistant, which would free up Community Service
Aides to take over some of the work from the sworn officers. Additionally, BSO Chief Dugger
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said he would like to reassign one officer to the motor unit. The total cost for all the above
would be $93,344.00. After discussion there was a unanimous expression of interest to
approve the crime analyst, clerical assistant and reassignment of one officer to the motor unit
for a one year trial period, with a report to the commission in 6 months. Mayor Schreiber said
since BSO Chief Dugger has been here, the police services have improved tremendously.
Commissioner Sultanof spoke about lack of police patrols on Commercial Boulevard and
University Drive. Vice Mayor Portner spoke about excessive speed used by patrol cars on
major streets. City Manager Miller said several months ago there was discussion of replacing
the security guard with a BSO deputy but it is not financially feasible, and his recommendation is
to continue with the security guard at this time. Commissioner Roberts asked for a noise meter.
There was discussion about enforceability of the City's noise ordinance, and City Manager Miller
said the cost for a noise meter is about $4,000 and he would look into it. Management and
Budget Officer Sammartino spoke about school crossing guards and said $21,000 would be
added to the budget to cover guards for the new middle school.
City Manager Miller asked for an expression of interest to authorize staff to incorporate changes
discussed at these budget hearings into the budget book, as well as any modifications that may
come up between now and the first hearing on September 11th, and consider this the budget
that will be used for the public hearings. After the public hearings in September, the book will
be reprinted, reflecting all final changes and decisions of the commission. All said yes. City
Manager Miller thanked Assistant City Manager Cernech, Management and Budget Officer
Sammartino, the finance staff and department directors for a job well done.
Vice Mayor Partner charged the City Manager with the task of finding new revenue streams for
the following budget year. Vice Mayor Portner wished Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner
Roberts much luck in their upcoming campaigns for reelection. City Manager Miller confirmed
that Vice Mayor Portner wanted the finance staff to look at all available options and revenue
streams so they will be prepared to cover any deficit for FY04.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the budget workshop at 12:40 p.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
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