HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-11 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION
FY 2001 BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
JULY 11, 2000
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Budget Workshop to order in
Room #105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida
33321, on Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at 8:30 AM.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner
Edward C. Portner.
ABSENT AND EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Commissioner Larry Mishkin, and
Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on the Parks and
Recreation Budget. There was discussion about the Turkey Trot, and Vice
Mayor Roberts asked if procedures were in place for BSO to follow the race.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said are procedures are in place.
Commissioner Portner asked about evening functions, and Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles responded. Commissioner Portner asked if the Recreation
Center on University Drive would be maintained after the Community Center
opened, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it would be used for
youth and teen programs, as well as rental groups. Mayor Schreiber asked if
there would be personnel at that facility, and Vice Mayor Roberts asked if there
were enough maintenance workers to cover both facilities. Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles responded in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned
the PVC fencing on page 149 of the proposed budget, and Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles spoke about a bond issue that Broward County is considering
and said there may be money for the municipalities. Commissioner Portner
questioned the batting cage and water fountain, and Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles explained the importance of the water fountain. Vice Mayor
Roberts questioned line item 1508, Special Events, line items 5706 and 5607,
Easter Egg Hunt and Recreation Activities, and asked about funding for teen
services. Commissioner Portner questioned line item 3401, Employment Agency
Fees and line item 6310, Construction. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles
responded.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on the Social
Services Division's Budget. Mayor Schreiber suggested removing transportation
from Social Services at some future date and making it a separate division.
There was discussion about ridership in the new transit service. Commissioner
Partner asked whether the Social Services Coordinator position would be filled,
and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said she is in the process of
evaluating that position. Commissioner Partner asked about elimination of the
part time drivers, and asked if there were a hue and cry from the residents
because of stops that are taken away, would the City consider reinstating them.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded. There was discussion
about the County eliminating route 57 and the impact it would have on the Green
Route.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on Capital
Improvements. Mayor Schreiber asked for an explanation of a passive park, and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is one that is not sports related.
There was discussion about the bleacher shade covers. Commissioner Partner
did not feel this expenditure was necessary.
There was discussion about lighting for Tamarac Park Sports Field. Mayor
Schreiber asked about bond indebtedness, and Assistant City Manager
Hemstreet said City Manager Miller would meet with the Directors and come
back to the Commission with a package of information for the total program.
Public Works Director Verma gave a presentation on the Public Works Budget.
Commissioner Portner left the room at 9:55 a.m.
Mayor Schreiber asked who is responsible for maintaining the various medians in
Tamarac, and Public Works Director Verma responded that depending on the
areas it could be the homeowners, the association or the City.
Commissioner Portner returned at 10:00 a.m.
There was discussion about a new building for Public Works.
Management and Budget Officer Ralston explained cost allocation. Public Works
Director Verma said Acting City Engineer, Hesham Ali will be leaving the City to
accept a position with DOT and this will leave the Public Works Engineering
Division three staff members short. There was discussion about prompt
response to residents' concerns.
Mayor Schreiber recessed the Budget Workshop at 10:30 a.m. Mayor Schreiber
reconvened the Budget Workshop at 12:05 p.m. with everyone present except
Commissioner Mishkin and Commissioner Sultanof who were excused for cause.
Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation on the Fire Department Budget. Mayor
Schreiber asked about funding for the smoke detector program, and Fire Chief
Budzinski said Tandy Corporation has been providing the smoke detectors and
there is a block grant in the works to continue the program.
There was discussion about accreditation, replacement radios, vehicles and pre -
fire planning. There was discussion about the three lieutenant positions and Vice
Mayor Roberts, Commissioner Portner and Mayor Schreiber recommended
putting the three lieutenant positions on hold.
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Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the treadmills, and Assistant Fire Chief
Forsberg responded.
There was discussion about Fire Station #3. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet
said there are no funds in this budget for Fire Station #3 and staff will come back
to the Commission with information. There was discussion about temporary
housing to alleviate overcrowding at Station #1 until an additional facility is
provided. Mayor Schreiber and Vice Mayor Roberts recommended against the
temporary housing. There was discussion about resurfacing the parking lot.
Mayor Schreiber recessed the Budget Workshop at 1:35 p.m. Mayor Schreiber
reconvened the Budget Workshop Meeting at 2:10 p.m. with everyone present
except Commissioner Mishkin and Commissioner Sultanof who were excused for
cause.
Utilities Director Gagnon gave a presentation on the Utilities Department Budget.
There was discussion about the Lab Intern and consultants. Vice Mayor Roberts
questioned the rate study and City Manager Miller said the Finance Department
reviewed the situation and suggested not moving forward with the rate study this
year. Commissioner Portner questioned water force, and Laboratory Manager
Oney responded. Mayor Schreiber asked about the possibility of building our
own water treatment facility, and Utilities Director Gagnon explained the cost
involved.
MIS Director Sucuoglu gave a presentation on the Management Information
System, soon to be called the Department of Information Technology. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked about the non -departmental fund, and Management and
Budget Officer Ralston and Assistant City Manager Hemstreet explained. Mayor
Schreiber asked about the computer purchase plan and MIS Director Sucuoglu
said it is working well. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the Audio Visual System
and Mayor Schreiber suggested holding back on the Audio Visual System at this
time. Commissioner Portner asked for an explanation of megahertz, and MIS
Director Sucuoglu explained. Commissioner Portner questioned line item 4602,
Repairs and Maintenance Service Contracts, and MIS Director Sucuoglu
explained what it includes. Mayor Schreiber questioned maintenance warranty,
and MIS Director Sucuoglu explained. Commissioner Portner questioned line
item 5900, depreciation, and Management and Budget Officer Ralston explained
the new business accounting methods being used. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if
some of the older computers would be available for donation and MIS Director
Sucuoglu said they would. Commissioner Portner questioned disc capacity, and
MIS Director Sucuoglu said this is an AS400 system upgrade.
Risk Manager Sredzinski gave a presentation on the Risk Management
Department. Commissioner Portner questioned line item 5800 Administrative
Service Charge, and Management and Budget Officer Ralston explained. Mayor
Schreiber asked about line items 4522 and 4502, and Assistant City Manager
Hemstreet responded and explained that as of October 1, 1996 the League of
Cities covers City of Tamarac for workers compensation.
Assistant City Manager Hemstreet gave a presentation on the City Manager's
Budget - Mayor and Commission: Commissioner Portner questioned line item
4910, the reduction in advertising. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet
responded. There was discussion about the methodology to institute payment of
the Commission's salary for the forthcoming year.
Vice Mayor Roberts asked why the Chamber of Commerce and Lauderdale
Lakes Alzheimer's Association did not request any donation this year in the
Grants and Aid account. Commissioner Portner suggested adding them. Mayor
Schreiber said the Area Agency on Aging is requesting a lot of money, and City
Manager Miller said he has a letter from the Area on Aging, and each year they
ask for their fair share based on population. The last few years Tamarac paid its
fair share amount. Mayor Schreiber asked for the figures to be verified, and City
Manager Miller said he would look into it. Vice Mayor Roberts thanked the
Commission and Finance Department for putting the BRACE Scholarship into the
budget. Vice Mayor Roberts asked why there was an increase for the Red
Cross. Management and Budget Officer Ralston responded.
Mayor Schreiber questioned the management interns, and Assistant City
Manager Hemstreet responded.
Assistant City Manager Hemstreet said the Public Information Office is now a
separate division of the City Manager's office. Public Information Officer Moore
gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the digital camera and the
reduction in salaries. Public Information Officer Moore and Management and
Budget Officer Ralston responded.
City Attorney Kraft gave a presentation on the Legal Department's Budget, Vice
Mayor Roberts asked about the law clerks and City Attorney Kraft responded.
Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the auditing service in last year's budget, and
Management and Budget Officer Ralston responded it was a one-time MediaOne
item.
Interim City Clerk Swenson gave a presentation on the City Clerk's Budget. Vice
Mayor Roberts questioned the copy machine and new position. Interim City
Clerk Swenson explained the benefits of the copy machine and said the new
position was not recommended. Mayor Schreiber asked the election and there
was discussion about referendum election(s) and the City's ability to get on the
County's ballot. City Manager Miller said the Charter Board may have additional
referendum questions and we may want to hold a special election. Mayor
Schreiber suggested taking the election money out of this year's budget. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked if it is taken out and needed for November, would there be
a problem. City Manager Miller said there the funds could be reallocated.
Management and Budget Offcep.,„.Ralston game:w a,, presentation on Boards and
Committees. Vice Mayor Roberts asked why school crossing guards are in the
police line item and not code enforcement. Management and Budget Officer
Ralston said they come under public safety. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned line
items 4701 and 4905, printing other and educational assistance. Management
and Budget Officer Ralston explained that there was additional fine and forfeiture
money a few years ago that is available for tuition reimbursement for police.
Mayor Schreiber asked about health insurance for retirees, and Management
and Budget Officer Ralston explained there is a change in accounting.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor
Schreiber adjourned the Budget Workshop Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Marion Swen on, CMC
City Clerk
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