03-30-1998 - Workshop
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9HE CITY OF ED8EWATER
POST OFFICE BOX 100-EDGEWATER, FLORIDA 32132-0100
Mayor Randy G. Allman
District 1 Councilman James K. Gornto
District 2 Councilman Myron F. Hammond
District 3 Councilman Gary W. Roberts
District 4 Councilwoman Judith R. Lichter
City Manager J. Kevin Grace
City Attorney Nikki Clayton
City Clerk Susan J.Wadsworth
March 25, 1998
-PUBLIC NOTICE-
The City Council of Edgewater will hold a workshop
session at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 1998, in the
Community Center. The purpose of the workshop is to
continue discussions regarding their goals and objectives for
1998-99.
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
104 NORTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE
(904) 424-2404 FAX-(904) 424-2409
CITY OF EDGEWATER
City Manager's Office
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 23, 1998
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kevin Grace, City Manage /L
SUBJECT: Goal Setting Session - March 30, 1998
As you are aware, this session is designed to follow up on our previous goal setting
session back in February.
Based upon the discussion that took place at the February session, the Council has
established the following goals /priority projects:
1) Recreation center construction;
2) Fire station construction;
3) Development of an Annexation plan;
4) Development of an Economic Development action plan; and
5) Construction of entrance feature landscaping projects on U.S. 1.
Staff is diligently working on these priority items, but is in need of direction from the Council
on several other issues. The following is a brief outline of these remaining issues:
A. Code Update
This is an item which has been discussed by the Council previously, but
specific direction has not been finalized. Most of the discussion thus far has
centered specifically on the Land Development Code. However, there are
other aspects to the code which are in need of review.
Given the number of priority goals and objectives, I would recommend that
this be considered a "longer term" goal, but important nevertheless.
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Goal Setting Session
Page two
The Council should consider how it wishes to proceed with a review of the
code. The alternatives include:
directing staff to undertake the review; or
referring the matter to one or more of the City's committees (i.e.,
Planning & Zoning Board); or
creating an ad hoc committee specifically for this purpose -.
4-c) /se 0-n n . (
B. Fiscal /Budget issues
In order to put our goal setting and priority projects in proper perspective, we
need to discuss briefly what our goals are for the upcoming budget process
as well as some of the challenges which will have to be dealt with.
1. Millage rate - I believe that it is a reasonable goal to keep the millage
rate steady in the short term, with a longer term goal of reducing the
millage rate as we become more successful in our economic
development efforts. 3 {, i,d
2. Personnel - f have asked Department Directors to prepare their
budgets without an increase in the number of personnel. The only
exception will be the staff needed to man the new fire station and to
operate the new recreation center. Staff is exploring various manning
alternatives regarding both of these facilities. However, these
requirements are likely to have a substantial impact on the FY
1998/99 budget. Additionally, all three of our union contracts will be
negotiated this summer, and represents a potential impact on our
budget.
3. Public Works - There are a number of issues facing the City in this
arena.
a) The City has not budgeted sufficiently in the past to complete
routine re- surfacing of its paved roadways. It is estimated that
approximately $300,000 is needed each year to perform this
maintenance work. The current year budget for re- surfacing is
$40,000.
b) The City has not budgeted to assist property owners in the
paving of unpaved dirt roads. If the City is going to continue
with its recent policy of assessing property owners for 2/3 of
the cost and the City paying 1/3, the funds will have to be
allocated for this purpose)
c) With the addition of a substantial number of new retention
areas in Florida Shores, current City resources may be
insufficient to provide proper maintenance.
Goal Setting Session
Page three
4. Reserve Funds - Our recent audit report presented a glowing account
of our reserve funds as of the end of the last fiscal year. However, it
is important to keep in mind that a number of items are going to
substantially affect our level of discretionary reserve funds. These
include the construction and subsequent operation of the fire station
and recreation center, the vacation /sick leave payout to several
former employees of the City, a requirement to upgrade the Finance
Department computer system to make it year 2000 compliant, as well
as anticipated expenditures to undertake the U.S. 1 beautification
project. While each of these items are necessary and worthwhile
expenditures, we must keep in mind that a minimum level of 15% in
our general fund reserve should be maintained with a goal of getting
it back up to 25% in coming years.
With regard to these financial issues, I would suggest the
following goals for the Council as we approach the budget
process:
• maintain a stable millage rate;
• appropriately staff new facilities, but keep staff increases to a
minimum;
• prioritize maintenance needs over new capital construction in
the Public Works area; and
o maintain a general fund reserve of 15 %.
If you have any questions regarding any of these matters prior to the March 30th work
session, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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JKG:sue
cc: Department Directors
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