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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. 1 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 1 1 No Text