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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-03 - City Commission Special Meeting Minutes (2)5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321 TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900 October 3, 1980 PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA The following items will be considered for discussion and possible action by the City Council on Friday, October 3, 1980, at 10:00 A.M., in Council Chambers of City Hall. 1. Tamarac Utilities - West - Rates - Temporary Resolution #1662 - Discussion and possible action concerning a option of the rates applicable to the Utility owned by the City, serving customers west of State Road 7. 2. Tamarac Utilities -- West -- Bud et - Temporary Ordinance #823 - Discussion an possib e action to adopt a Utility Fund West Budget for Fiscal Year 1980/81. First Reading. The City Council may consider such other business as may come before it. The public is encouraged to attend. Carol A. Evans Assistant City Clerk r� r CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TAMARAC UTILITIES WEST RATES & BUDGET OCTOBER 3; 1980 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Falck called the Special Meeting to order on Friday, October 3, 1980, at 10:15 A.M. Due to the lack of a quorum the Meeting was delayed fifteen minutes beyond the 10:00 A.M. meeting time. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT & EXCUSED ALSO PRESENT Mayor Walter W. Falck Councilwoman Marjorie Kelch Councilman Irving Zemel Vice Mayor Helen Massaro Councilman Irving M. Disraelly Arthur M. Birken, City Attorney Edward A. Gross, City Manager Larry Keating, City Engineer Steve Wood, Finance Director Bob Hoyt, Asst. Finance Director Barry Magnes, Tamarac Utilities,West Mayor Falck read the Meeting Notice into the record which indicated that the purpose of the Meeting was to adopt rates applicable to the Utility owned by the City, serving customers west of State Road 7; and to adopt a Utility Fund West Budget for Fiscal Year 1980/81. The Mayor apologized for being a few minutes late, he said he had just left a session relating to the school problems for the next two or three years. He said they needed some "advice" so he was attending their meet- ing. 1. Tamarac Utilities - West - Rates - Temporary Resolution #1662 - Dis- cussion and possible action concerning adoption of the rates applicable to the Utility owned by the City, serving customers west of State Road 7. SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Temp. Ord. #1662 Approved, adopting rates and charges applicable to the Utility owned by the City and serving customers west of State Road 7. RESOLUTION NO. R-tO— 66 PASSED The City Attorney read the title of the Resolution into the record. Mayor Falck opened the Public Hearing and asked if anyone from the public wished to be heard. Mr. Harry Jacobs, Isles of Tamarac, appeared to discuss the Item. He said he had moved into his home in June, 1979. He installed a sprinkler system which is attached to City water after being given permission to do so by the City. He stated he knew it would cost more than those who are on the Lake, or those who had a well; however he was under the im- pression that rates would be the same or lower after the City purchased the Utility. Mr. Jacobs discussed the amount of water he used, and he said the water used for the sprinkler system did not go into the sewer and he uses very little water in the house. He said that he is particularly concerned about the sewer charge, and cited his monthly charges which he stated had increased almost $7.00 a month, and every month he is billed $13.20 for sewer charges. It was Mr. Jacobs' contention that he was being penalized because those people who were on the well or the lake used their sprinkler system more than he and yet their sewer charges were less than his because he must pay the minimum charge and thereafter pay 70(� per 1,000 gallons up to 10,000 gallons of water used. Mr. Jacobs said he did not think it fair that he should be charged $13.20 a month compared to approximately -1- 10/3/80 /lc $6.00 when his usage is much less. City Attorney Birken explained to Mr. Jacobs that the previous rates charged by the Utility, reflected in his bill of $7.00, were the 1968 rates, and were under the roll -back rates. Mr. Jacobs questioned why he should pay higher sewer charges when so little of the water he uses goes into the sewer. City Manager Gross told Mr. Jacobs the sewer charge is based upon his water consumption with a maximum of 10,000 gallons - anything above that would not be charged for. Mr. Jacob's said he could not see why that was fair, and if the charge was based upon the amount of water used he could understand paying that much more, similar to the commercial user. Mr. Gross pointed out the commercial user has different rates. Mr. Jacobs said he could not understand why he had to be penalized because the City had taken over the Utility. Councilwoman Kelch explained to Mr. Jacobs that because he had a sprinkler system which he had elected to have he was using more water and he is making the decision himself. Mr. Jacobs said the rates were supposed to remain the same when the City took over the Utility. Councilwoman Kelch disagreed. The City Manager told Mr. Jacobs that was not true, that everyone knew of the problems between the City of Tamarac, the PSC and the Utility Company. City Attorney Birken clarified the matter of rates, and explained the rates previously charged were 1968 rates and were temporary roll -back rates. Secondly, the rates are based essentially upon what an average family uses. The fact Mr. Jacobs' family uses less is commendable, but the average used by the city and the rate structure is more than fair. according to industry -wide standards. Mr. Jacobs asked why he should be penalized on the sewer basis. Council- man Zemel explained to Mr. Jacobs that the people who water their lawns with City water have that problem. He told Mr. Jacobs he has the same system and uses very little water in his house, therefore the water they use is primarily for lawn sprinkling. Councilman Zemel said it can not be differentiated for lawn sprinkling. Mr. Jacobs inquired why the charge shouldn't be on the water charges rather than sewer charges, Councilman Zemel said the City had worked for a year to come up with rates that are equitable to everybody, and the present system is the most equitable. Councilwoman Kelch told Mr. Jacobs that he has an option and it is his choice that he uses the potable water, the City does not require him to do so. Further Councilwoman Kelch told Mr. Jacobs he has the option of doing what neighbors have done and to desist from using potable water or he has the option to investigate having an irrigation meter installed. Either factor would be his option. --.She also explained to Mr. Jacobs everyone owns the Plant and the City must operate the Plant from the reve- nues that come from the rates. No one makes any money on the Utility Plant, Councilwoman Kelch stated. It was her suggestion that Mr. Jacobs examine all of the options and decide which is best for him. There being no further comments from the Public, the Hearing was closed. by Mayor Falck. Councilwoman Ketch said it was her understanding there was no appreciable change in the rate structure, City Attorney Birken said there was no change in the rates. Councilwoman Kelch MOVED APPROVAL of Temporary Resolution #1662, Resolution establishing rates and charges applicable to the Utility owned by the City serving customers west of State Road 7. Councilman Zemel SECONDED. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. 2. Tamarac Utilities - West - Budget - Temporary Ordinance#823 - Dis- cussion and possible action to adopt a Utility Fund West Budget for Fiscal Year 1980/81. First Reading. SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Tamarac Utilities West Bu get for Fiscal Year 1980/81 Adopted on First Reading. City Attorney Birken read the Title of the Ordinance. -2- 10/3/80 /lc F J VOTE: Mayor Falck opened the Hearing to the Public. No one appeared to discuss the Item, and the Public Hearing was closed. City Manager Gross brought to the Council's attention the fact this is the first year the City is actually budgeting for the operation the City has had control over for the total year. The budget for the next fiscal year is well within the figures given to the financial people who wanted to sell the bonds, he said. Further, Mr. Gross stated in actuality the Budget will show an 11% increase in expenditures for the year which is cost of living and inflationary factors, however the figure shows the City has held within the limits. City Manager Gross stated there is about a $700,000 diffence in costs between the previous year budget. Of the $700,000 difference, half a million of it is due to the bond issue directly, because of requirements of the bond issue and they deal strictly in the reserves required by law, and to pay for financing of the bonds. The City Manager said the second major area of increase involved in the budget is salary. When the Utility Company was purchased there were major operational problems due to lack of adequate staffing, and when people left in the top positions, licensed positions required by law, the positions were not filled by the Utility. Mr.,. Gross also told the Council the Utility had not been operating 24 hours a day under the previous ownership. He said the empty positions have been filled by the City and most of those in the licensing area - people who have the water and sewer treatment licenses which are the major additions to the cost of operating during the fiscal year. All other items of increase are directly attributed to the bonding and required under the Capitol Improvement program which the City must abide by which amounts to $480,000. for the year 1981. However, Mr. Gross stated that even with the utility costs for the year, the City will cover their debts by 1.55% which is required in the state- ments of 1/10 so the City is well within the coverage of the law and well within the coverage of the bond issue, itself. Mr. Gross also stated one of the main reasons why the increase is needed is that the City is moving ahead building the operation, and there will be connection charges for the 201 program and also the changes in Commercial Boulevard and McNab Road where there will be expenses. Councilwoman Kelch MOVED that Temporary Ordinance #823, adopting the Revenue Fund; Sinking Fund; Service Account Sinking Fund, Reserve Account Renewal and Replacement Fund and General Reserve Fund of the City of Tamarac Water and Sewer System West of State Road 7, for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1981 be approved on First Reading. Councilman zemel SECONDED the Motion. ALL VOTED AYE. Mayor Falck stated that the second and final reading will take place at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 14th, 1980, in the Council Chambers. The City Manager complimented the Finance Department for the work they have done this year. He noted it was a completely different budget from last year, a most comprehensive job and he appreciates and compli- ments the Department for the work they did. Mayor Falck expressed the appreciation of the Council. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 10:45 A.M. r MA OR ATTEST: APPROVED B _ a"AssVestant CITY COUNCIL ON City Clerk u This public document was promulgated at a cost of $ or $ �� per copy to inform the general public and public officers and employe -es about recent opinions and considerations by the City Council of the City of Tamarac. -3- 10/3/80 /lc