HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-08-13 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes11
CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
Tape 1
CALL TO ORDER : Mayor Bender called the City Council Budget
Worksriop to order at 9:05 a.m. in Conference Room #1, City Hall.
PRESENT :
Mayor H. L. Bender
Vice Mayor Henry Schumann
Councilman Norman Abramowitz
Councilman Irving Katz
ABSENT AND EXCUSED :
Councilman Joseph Schreiber
ALSO PRESENT :
Jd n P. Kelly, City Manager
Dina McDermott, Assistant City Manager
Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Assistant City Manager/
Public Services Director
Mitchell S. Kraft, City Attorney
Mary Blasi, Finance Director
Kline Jones, City Engineer
Alan Levine, Public Works Operations Manager
Ed Doyle, Recreation Operations Manager
Phyllis Polikoff, Secretary
Page 58 PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
Page 102, Department Personnel:
Mr. Kelly said the Public Services Annual Report was sent to the
Council members for their review. He said Council reduced the
rolled -back rate from 6.25% to 6%.
C/M Abramowitz said Public Works, Engineering and Utilities were
combined and Mr. Kelly agreed. Ms. McDermott said, however, there
were three separate budgets.
C/M Abramowitz asked about employees who worked a portion of the
time out of two Departments. Mr. Kelly said that applied to
Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. and Vernon Hargray who were split between
the Utilities and the General Funds.
C/M Abramowitz asked about the vehicles in each Division. Ms.
McDermott said the fleet was split between the General Fund and
the Utilities.
Total Personal Services
- Regular Salaries
Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Assistant City Manager/Public Services
Director said Alan Levine was transferred from Grounds and
Maintenance and was paid entirely out of Public Works
Administration. He said no additional people were added and Mr.
Kelly reiterated that a portion of Mr. Couzzo and Mr. Hargray's
salary also came out of this budget.
C/M Katz asked if the duties of Roberta Bonavia, Marsha Berman and
Carolyn Knoles spilled over to Engineering and Utilities. Mr.
Couzzo referred only to Ms. Bonavia and said all three employees
were paid entirely out of Public Works Administration.
Page 30, ENGINEERING
Page _ 2, Department Personnel
Total Personal Services
Regular Salaries
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 2
Mr. Couzzo said Gordon Sparks' salary had been completely funded
from the Utilities budget but proposed transferring the employee
to Engineering. C/M Katz disagreed.
Mr. Couzzo said Kline Jones or Mr. Sparks' salary should have been
charged to the Utilities budget. C/M Katz said work done for the
Utilities should be charged to Utilities. C/M Abramowitz agreed
with Mr. Couzzo's rationale. Mary Blasi, Finance Director, said
the charge -back would have to increase if Mr. Sparks remained in
the General Fund.
C/M Abramowitz said Mr. Sparks should remain in Utilities. Mayor
Bender and V/M Schumann agreed. Mr. Kelly suggested deleting Mr.
Sparks' salary from the General Fund and transferring it to the
Utilities budget. C/M Katz disagreed.
C/M Abramowitz asked if an employee could automatically buy back
his annual leave or sick -leave. Ms. Blasi said, yes.
V/M Schumann asked what happened if all the sick or annual leave
was bought back and the employee got sick. Ms. Blasi said the
employee could not buy back the entire amount, they had to keep a
minimum of 280 hours on the books.
C/M Abramowitz said an employee should be unable to automatically
buy back his accrued leave. Ms. Blasi said the City was required
to accrue this money as a liability and it would be set aside.
Mr. Couzzo said the employee was paid 50% of the amount over 280
hours in December of each year. C/M Katz said the money was set
aside anyway. Ms. McDermott said the Union Contract would be
negotiated next year and buy-back would be reopened.
Total Direct Operating Expenses
#333 - Density Test
C/M Katz asked if this would be with the Revenues. Ms. McDermott
said, yes, Page 15.
Page 30 Continued
Total Personal Services
- Regular Salaries
Mr. Kelly said Draftsman I was filled because the employee did not
retire. Mr. Couzzo proposed eliminating the current positions of
Chief Engineering Designer and Assistant Chief Engineering
Designer which were paid a higher salary and replacing them with
Draftsman I and II which paid a lower salary. He said they were
draftsmen and not designers; Page 92 indicated what they would be
paid and the Engineering Department would save money without an
adverse affect on the workload.
Mayor Bender asked why the two employees were not reclassified
last year. Mr. Kelly said Mr. Couzzo recommended the change
since becoming Director of Public Services and that Mr. Jones
determined the positions should be downgraded.
There was discussion regarding job descriptions and
responsibilities of the employees filling the two current
positions.
Tape 2
Ms. McDermott said changes were proposed last year but were not
carried out and this year Mr. Couzzo and Mr. Jones changed the
duties and responsibilities of the Engineering Department. She
said the two employees in question primarily did map work and they
were not designers.
* There was further discussion regarding job descriptions. Mayor
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 3
Bender asked Mr. Kelly to get input from all the Department
Heads with regard to the employees and their job descriptions.
Ms. McDermott said job descriptions for every single employee
were recently redone and they would be provided to the Mayor.
C/M Abramowitz agreed with Mr. Couzzo's recommendation.
C/M Katz asked if Mr. Jones and Mr. Sparks would be able to do the
superimposing on the MapGraphics with regard to Ms. Frasier
without hiring new people or changing titles. Mr. Jones said he
and Mr. Sparks were already doing some of the super -imposing work.
Mayor Bender asked Mr. Jones if he would be able to input all the
superimposing work into the MapGraphics system within the 18
months. Mr. Jones said, yes.
C/M Abramowitz disagreed with C/M Katz and said next year it was
possible that people could be hired or fired.
Mr. Couzzo said the recommended salaries were very competitive and
the net savings could be approximately $200000.
Pa a 32 (Continued)
Total Capital Outlay
- Special Equipment
Mr. Couzzo said this was the cost to replace the current filing
cabinets.
#6AD - Golf Driving Range
Ms. Blasi said $12,500 was for the preliminary survey but the
money would come out of Engineering and be charged back to Parks
and Recreation Impact Fees. C/M Abramowitz asked about survey
results and Mr. Couzzo said Mr. Kelly had the report.
There was discussion regarding the environmental issues. Mr.
Couzzo said the City had to develop a mitigation plan with which
to negotiate a settlement with the environmental agencies.
C/M Abramowitz asked if more money would have to be spent before
Council made their determination. Mr. Couzzo said, no, and that
monies had already been allocated.
r
There was further discussion and Mr. Couzzo said a mitigation plan
would be submitted to the environmental agencies before the end of
the following week. He reiterated that the money would come out
of Park and Recreation Impact Fees and then it would be
transferred into a special account for the driving range.
#640 - Vehicles
Mr. Couzzo said vehicles were requested to replace two older
vehicles but the request was denied.
Pa a 67 STREET LIGHTING
Total Ogerating Expenses
- Electricity - Streets
Mr. Couzzo said this was consumption only and some lights would be
upgraded in some high -trafficked areas.
#509 - Street Lighting Renovations
Mr. Couzzo said in his opinion, it would be difficult to do the
renovations with $500,000. He said some consumption was in #435
and the change -outs were in #509. Mr. Kelly said the upgrading
would take place over several years.
C/M Abramowitz said after 15 years FP&L was obligated to change
all light fixtures without the City paying. V/M Schumann asked
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 4
what percentage was FP&L obligated to do. Mr. Jones said FP&L did
75% of what the City intended to do.
Mayor Bender asked how street light bills were charged. Mr. Jones
said by pole and lumins.
V/M Schumann said FP&L advised that rates would increase and asked
if the City would be affected. Ms. McDermott said the budget
included FP&L's proposed increase.
Mayor Bender asked if electric rates were negotiated or fixed.
C/M Abramowitz said the City signed a Large --User Agreement with
pre -determined rates.
V/M Schumann asked why the actual figure was $569,559 and the
recommended figure was $555,000. Mr. Couzzo answered $569,559 was
encumbered versus expended.
Ms. Blasi said $459,000 was spent in FY 1990/1991 and the estimate
for FY 1991/1992 was $475,000.
Mayor Bender said he would contact FP&L to determine if there was
special wiring just for the street lights. Mr. Couzzo said he
would prepare a detailed report showing encumbrances versus
expenditures.
Page 40 CITY HALL OPERATIONS
Page 94, Department Personnel
Tape 3
Ms. McDermott said this represented inside and outside maintenance
for City Hall.
Total Direct Operating Expenses
Other Contractual Services
Mr. Couzzo said it represented elevator maintenance, pest control,
security system monitoring, pressure cleaning, landscaping
maintenance and maintenance on the sound system.
Page 41 Continued
Total Capital Out a
-- Machinery an Equipment
Mr. Couzzo said it represented the cost to replace all existing
HVAC piping, and, in his opinion, should have been done initially.
C/M Katz suggested a qualified HVAC in-house employee should do
the work and not contract it out. Mr. Couzzo said a Senior
Tradesperson and not an HVAC person was proposed and would be
discussed at the appropriate Budget Workshop.
Mr. Couzzo said the Senior Tradesperson would also do plumbing.
C/M Katz asked why the A/C was not balanced. Mr. Couzzo said the
Staff, the contractor and the Mechanical Inspector advised there
were defficiencies when the building was constructed. C/M
Abramowitz said Keith Emery was in charge of the inspections.
Mr. Couzzo said corrections were made and City Hall was in better
condition than before.
Page 42 GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING
Page 95 Department Personnel
Total Personal Services
Regular Salaries
Mr. Couzzo said the Senior Tradesperson came out of the General
Government Building budget.
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 5
Total Direct O eratin Ex enses
TM -Eecrc y
Ms. Blasi said Electricity was previously deducted from the Multi -
Purpose Center and from Park facilities and it would now come out
of one budget. Ms. McDermott said the bill for the Multi -Purpose
Center was separate because of the agreement with the Broward
County School Board.
#340 - Other Contractual Services
Mr. Couzzo said this was reduced because the Senior Tradesperson
would do the HVAC work and was similar to the contract for pest
control at the Multi -Purpose Center, Recreation Center, Public
Services Complex, fire and security systems and for fire
extinguisher service.
#306 - Special Supplies/Services
Mr. Couzzo said it represented the cost of materials and supplies
for the new Senior Tradesperson.
Page 43 Continued
Total Ca ital Out air
Vehicles
Mr. Couzzo said it could be used by the Senior Tradesperson and
for any employees in the General Governmental Building.
C/M Katz asked about the two vacant Maintenance Worker positions
and said the new Senior Tradesperson should have a Certificate of
Competency. Mr. Couzzo said a job description for the Senior
Tradesperson would be prepared. Ms. Blasi said the vacant
Maintenance Worker positions were filled. Mr. Couzzo agreed.
Page 64, STREETS AND ROADS
Page De artment Personnel
Total Direct Operating Expenses
Other Contractual Services
Mr. Couzzo said monies were transferred to do curbing at Woodlands
Boulevard.
#342 - Off The Road Violations
Mr. Couzzo said this Item represented the costs to correct Code
violations originally given to property owners. He said the
property owner was assessed and a lien was issued for the cost to
make the corrections and the City was reimbursed.
V/M Schumann asked if there were problems collecting the costs.
Ms. Blasi said a lien which accrued interest was put on the
property. C/M Katz said he was advised that any personal property
could be liened. V/M Schumann said the property owner should be
forced to pay and Code Enforcement had no validity if they could
not enforce the law and the Code. C/M Katz agreed.
Mayor Bender asked if the City considered utilizing a collection
agency to collect these fines. C/M Katz agreed and suggested the
City might consider going to the newspapers to urge the property
owner to pay. Mayor Bender disagreed.
Mr. Kelly said Code Enforcement and Council had to decide whether
they wanted revenues or compliance.
There was discussion regarding the proposed Field Superintendent
who would assist Alan Levine. Mr. Levine said he spent many hours
doing Grant work with Ms. McDermott which left him little time to
handle the canals, parks, buildings, vehicle maintenance and
Tape
City Council
8/13/92/PP
Page 6
Budget Workshop
streets as well as payroll and in-house training and Grant work.
C/M Katz asked whether the Field Superintendent's salary would be
split between two Departments. Mr. Couzzo said he proposed
$25,000 and the salary would not be split.
Total Capital Outlay
1640 -VehCes
Mr. Kelly said this was to replace a backhoe/loader and a truck
with a flat-bed. C/M Katz suggested used or new equipment could
be purchased at an auction. Mr. Couzzo agreed but added that the
equipment should not be in place before the budget was approved.
Mayor Bender suggested reducing the figure and, if more funding
was needed, Mr. Couzzo could come before Council again.
C/M Katz asked why the City contracted out for a cherry -picker if
equipment was available which could be improvised to do this work.
4
Mr. Couzzo said Utilities had a cherry -picker.
C/M Abramowitz asked about the cost of a bucket truck which would
be used to replace streets lights. Mr. Couzzo said over $100,000
and, in his opinion, it was not beneficial to do this and one Fire
truck was also being used.
C/M Abramowitz said the Senior Foreman's salary was due to his
length of employment and, in his opinion, this employee should not
be promoted to Field Superintendent.
#640 - Vehicles (Continued)
Mr. Kelly said the City did not have the authority to buy at an
auction because the Charter indicated that any purchase over
$10,000 had to go out for bid. He suggested that Council should
reduce the amount. Mr. Couzzo said the equipment was necessary.
Ms. Blasi agreed with Mr. Kelly.
Page 666 (Continued)
Total Capital OutlaX (Continued)
1643 - Machinery and Equipment
Mr. Couzzo said this was for a truck and roller for putting down
asphalt. C/M Katz reiterated that new or used equipment could be
purchased at an auction and suggested waiting for 30 days before
anything was purchased. Ms. McDermott said funds had to be
allocated.
#640 - Vehicles (Continued)
Mayor Bender suggested amending this to $119,100.
Page 61, GROUNDS MAINT./LANDSCAPE BEAUT.
Page 103, De artment Personne
Ms. McDermott said there were changes in funding and staffing for
additional beautification and landscaping to the medians. Mr.
Couzzo said vacant positions would be filled with entry-level
field personnel.
Total Direct Overatina Exnenses
ME - Commercial Blvd. Irrigation
#4RD - Commercial Blvd. West/Sunrise
#4RX - Beautification - Miscellaneous
#4RY - Beautification - Urban Forestry
Mr. Kelly said the City of Sunrise planned improvements to the
median on Commercial Boulevard from Pine Island Road to the
Sawgrass Expressway. Ms. McDermott said it would be a joint
effort and the City would also apply to the State for funding.
Mr. Kelly said he hoped the City of Sunrise would do the
maintenance and it was a reasonable expenditure.
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 7
Mayor Bender asked why the Total recommended was $212,046. Mr.
Kelly said $50,000 4RD represented a portion of the beautification
project. C/M Abramowitz said he believed the City of Sunrise
would pay the entire amount if the City of Tamarac decided not to
participate in the project.
There was discussion regarding the entranceway signs for the City
and the roads and medians where they would be put.
C/M Abramowitz suggested putting the $50,000 elsewhere. Ms.
McDermott recommended 4RX in the new budget.
C/M Abramowitz recommended eliminating the monies in Item 4RX and
transferring them to Item 4RX. Ms. McDermott said she would file
for Grant funding if beautification projects were done on
University Drive or Commercial Boulevard.
Mayor Bender suggested amending 4RX to $100,000 and eliminating
4RD entirely.
V/M Schumann questioned 4RX and what it would buy. C/M Abramowitz
suggested that Mr. Couzzo submit a plan before anything would be
bought. Mayor Bender agreed. Ms. McDermott said funding would
not be adequate but she could file for a Grant from Broward County
for the trees. She said curbing and irrigation would have to be
done by the City and some projects did not qualify for State or
Broward County Grants.
V/M Schumann asked the cost of the trees on Commercial Boulevard.
Ms. McDermott said over $90,000 was paid between the Cities of
Tamarac, Lauderhill and the Department of Transportation.
C/M Abramowitz said trees should not be planted until there was an
irrigation system. Mr. Kelly said irrigation and curbing was a
requirement of the Grant. Ms. McDermott said irrigation on Nob
Hill Road would cost less than $15,000 but curbing would cost
more. Alan Levine said 4RB was just for irrigation on Commercial
Boulevard.
V/M Schumann said he wanted to see a plan. C/M Abramowitz
suggested that Council should transfer $50,000 from 4RD to 4RX and
that nothing should be done until Council approves the plan. C/M
Katz agreed.
C/M Katz said beautification should start with irrigation and the
Commercial Boulevard project should start from scratch because it
would be cheaper. V/M Schumann suggested splitting $50,000 from
4RD and transferring $25,000 into 4RX and $25,000 into 4RB. Mr.
Kelly agreed with V/M Schumann. C/M Abramowitz agreed.
There was discussion regarding the personnel who would do the
irrigation and beautification work.
Tape 5
Page 68 CANALS/DRAINAGE
Page 105,,Department Personnel
Total Personal Services
Regular Salaries
Mr. Couzzo said there were three employees with one vehicle
picking up the debris and one vehicle doing the spraying. C/M
Abramowitz said the City chose to maintain the canals.
* Mr. Kelly requested a daily report from. Mr. Levine advising
where his crew was working.
Total Direct Operating Expenses
Propane Gas
Mr. Couzzo said this was for drainage engines on Southgate
City Council
8/13/92/PP
Page 8
Boulevard.
Budget Workshop
Page 69 (Continued)
Tota Ca ita Out a
- Machinery ani Equipment
Mr. Couzzo said this represented the cost to replace the existing
drainage engine. C/M Katz suggested having the engine
rehabilitated and he would find out who had the parts.
#640 - Vehicles
Mr. Couzzo said it was to replace an old truck.
Ms. McDermott said this. Budget encompassed all the City's
waterways.
Mr. CouZZo said he applied for a Grant to get Carp for the canals.
V/M Schumann asked about the installation of screening to prevent
the carp from swimming out of the canals.
Mr. Couzzo said more chemicals in the canals produced more debris.
He said other cities were having the same problems.
Ms. McDermott said within the next 10 years, all Broward County
canals would be polluted from the run-off and there would be more
problems in the future.
Page 68 (Continued)
Total Direct 02erating Expenses Continued
1464 - Repairs Machinery & Equipment
Mr. Couzzo said this represented equipment and controls to repair
the engines and a Jet Vac was used in the storm drainage system to
clear blockages. C/M Katz asked if there was a maintenance
program to clean the manholes. Mr. Couzzo said, yes.
Mr. Couzzo said during the Hurricane season, canals were lowered.
C/M Abramowitz asked if it was feasible to contract out at that
time for harvesting the canals. Mr. Couzzo said he would
investigate and advise.
Page 70 RECREATION ACTIVITIES
Page 106, Department Personne
Mr. Couzzo said the Recreation Activities Supervisor position
would be filled after October I. He said the Recreation program
was filled the entire summer.
C/M Katz said he saw children destroying plants and foliage at the
Multi -Purpose Center. He said one Universal machine would be made
available at the Fitness Room at the Multi -Purpose Center. Mr.
Couzzo said he understood the Universal machine would go to the
Public Services Complex.
C/M Abramowitz asked about the bus. Mr. Couzzo answered it would
only be for local travel and other bus transportation would be
contracted out.
C/M Katz asked about purchasing additional equipment. Mr. Couzzo
said it was not considered for this budget.
There was further discussion pertaining to Recreation facilities
and equipment.
V/M Schumann asked when Ann Lauritano, Senior Administrative
Assistant to the Recreation Supervisor, was hired. Mr. Couzzo
said March, 1992.
V/M Schumann said Ms. Lauritano was not physically in the
Department and that Ed Doyle did not need an Administrative
L�
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 9
Assistant. Mr. Couzzo agreed and proposed that she should be
transferred to Public Services Administration but his proposal was
not approved.
There was further discussion regarding Ms. Lauritano and where she
physically worked. V/M Schumann said it was an attempt to
circumvent the budget. Ms. Blasi said there was an Administrative
typo budget -for Public Works, Utilities and Recreation but no
budyet-for-Public Services. She said Ms. Lauritano was part of a
Po-pl S'tpervisad by Roberta Bonavia .
C/Si Aixamowit� suggested that a percentage of Ms. Lauritano's
salary shvulrt be charged against the Divisions she worked for.
C/MCat,,...a4reed.
'gape 6
Mr. Kelly suggested creating a Public Services Administration
Budget. C/M Katz agreed.
There was discussion pertaining to matching job descriptions to
people.
Ms. McDermott said the Public Works Administration budget would be
eliminated and renamed Public Services Administration. Mr. Couzzo
agreed. C/M Katz suggested that an Administrative Assistant
position should be -created. Mr. Couzzo said there already was.an
established position in the Recreation Department and Ms.
Lauritano would be transferred back to Recreation. C/M Abramowitz
disagreed.
Ms. Blasi said creating a Public Services Administration budget
would not cost any dollars. C/M Abramowitz agreed. V/M Schumann
said $30,532 would be deleted from the Recreation budget and it
would be put into the new Public Services Administration Budget.
Pa a 73 MULTI -PURPOSE RECREATION CENTER
Page 107 Department Personne
Total Personal services
3" -- Par - me Emp oyees Wages
#156 - Temporary Summer Employees wages
Mr. Couzzo said the employee worked only in the morning at the
.Recreation Center. He said the Temporary Summer employees worked
the Before and After School Program. He said all six vacant
positions were filled but the Before School Program Director was a
proposed position.
C/M Abramowitz asked if the new basketball court would have any
impact on salaries. Mr. Couzzo said, no, and lights might be
installed next fiscal year out of Park and Recreation Impact Fees.
PagePage 75 PARK FACILITIES
, Department Personnel
Ms. McDermott said this represented the maintenance at all Park
facilities and the vacancies were for temporary employees.
Total Direct Operating Ex enses
.. Other Contractual Sery ces
Mr. Couzzo said it was for the security system, maintenance for
irrigation of pump repair, plumbing services, pressure cleaning
the park and for the lighting system design for the basketball
court. He said some plumbing work could be done in-house.
Total Personal Services
1174 - Fald Annua Leave
Ms. Blasi said it was estimated accrued sick time which would be
paid in December. She said it could be reduced. Mayor Bender
suggested it should be reduced to $500.
City Council Budget Workshop
8/13/92/PP
Page 10
Mayor Bender ADJOURNED the Budget Workshop at 12:50 P.M.
664eLle;Z-AO�'�
CAROL A. EVANS
CITY CLERK
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