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09-25-1991 - Special/Public Hearing ~. CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER SPECIAL MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 25, 1991 MINUTES Mayor Wessler called the Special Meeting/Public Hearing to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Center. The purpose to hold a public hearing and take action on Res. 91-R-57 re: millage rate of 4.600 and to hold a public hearing and take action on Ord. 91- 0-10 re: FY 1991-92 budget. Also on the agenda is the selection of top choice and alternate for City Manager. ROLL CALL Mayor Tanya Wessler Councilman Kirk Jones Councilperson Louise Martin Councilperson NoraJane Gillespie Councilman Michael Hays City Attorney Krista A. Storey Acting City Manager Fred Munoz City Clerk Susan Wadsworth Police Chief Lawrence Schumaker Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Councilperson Gillespie moved to open the public hearing 91-R-57. Councilperson Martin seconded the motion. CARRIED 5-0. on Res. Motion Debbie Loeffler, 2104 Travelers Palm asked Council to consider going to the rolled back rate. Acting City Manager Munoz explained the consequences if this is done. The rolled back rate will bring in the same dollars that last year's rate brought in, however, this does not anticipate inflation and the City would lose purchasing power. Somewhere down the line they will then have to come back and hit the public with a large rate increase to make up the difference. There was further discussion with Mrs. Loeffler, she wanted comparisons to other cities, which Acting City Manager Munoz gave her. She again asked Council to please consider the rolled back rate. Councilman Jones explained the process the Council has gone through to get to this point. He added that it might look like we are over taxing, but the City does not get all the money. Acting City Manager Munoz comes to the City, and that budget. pointed out that 21% of the tax bill does not even amount to the Police Mr. Dominick Fazzone, 302 Paradise Lane, sympathized with the lady's situation, however, he said the place to go and complain is at the County level. He has attended the budget workshop meetings, and this Council has agonized over the budget and they cut everywhere they could. There were no further comments. Councilperson Gillespie moved to close the public hearing. Councilperson Martin seconded the motion. Councilman Hays see taxes go uP. citizens this is stated we all live here and none of us want to however, to maintain the level of service to the the way we have to go. Councilperson Gillespie pointed out it would only be a few thousand dollars difference by going to the rolled back rate. Motion CARRIED 5-0. .r Councilman Kirk Jones moved Hays seconded the motion. to adopt Res. 91-R-57. Councilman City Attorney Storey instructed the Mayor to read the Resolution in full to the public and that the proof of publication be read into the record. Acting City Manager Munoz read September 22, 1991 publication. the notice from the Sunday, Mayor Wessler read Res. 91-R-57 in full: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of EdQewater, Florida, adoptinQ a certified millaqe rate of 4.6000 mills per $1.000.00 assessed valuation for the City of Edqewater, Florida, for the Fiscal Year 1991-1992, which represents a three and seventy-nine hundredths percent increase from the rolled back rate of 4.43215; repealinQ all resolutions in conflict herewith and p~ovidinQ an effective date. Motion to adopt this resolution CARRIED 4-1. Councilperson Gillespie voted No. Councilperson Gillespie moved to open the public hearing on Ord. 91-0-10 re: FY 1991-1992 budget. Councilperson Martin seconded the motion. Mrs. Gigi Bennington gave her opinion of the proposed budget. She assured Council they will have to readdress this budget in a few months. She feels the freeze on positions until January is irresponsible, the Building Department budget is too high considering building is at a low point currently, the Fire Department budget should grow at a slower rate and expand only as needed. She stated with the Legal Department has gone from $50,000 to 5139,000. and that has to be made up somewhere, maybe all the departments could take a 5X cut, except the Police Department. It is her opinion that department was unjustly cut when Mr. Johnson was here and they are behind the other departments. She added the City needs stability as far as a new City Manager, we should stay with someone we know is committed to Edgewater. Too much of the City's savings is being used to balance this budget. If we stay on this spending course, we will have to raise taxes next year, we can't afford to go up much more. Acting City Manager Munoz justified some of the budget from last year. increases in the Councilman Hays moved to Jones seconded the motion. close the public hearing. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Councilman Mayor Wessler read Ord. 91-0-91 by title only: An Ordinance settinQ a final budQet and appropriatinQ revenues to be collected for the City of EdQewater. Volusia County, Florida, for the fiscal year beqinninQ October 1. 1991, and endinq September 30, 1992. settinq forth revenues and expenditures of the General Fund and various items thereof: the Water and Wastewater Fund; the Refuse Collection Fund; the Stormwater Management Fund: and the Internal Service/Self-Insurance Fund: showinQ a more detailed breakdown by "Exhibit" A: repealinQ all ordinances or resolutions in conflict herewith; containing a severability clause. providinQ for publication of this ordinance and providinQ for an effective date. Councilman Hays moved to adopt this ordinance. Jones seconded the motion. Councilman Kirk Councilman Hays mentioned for those who weren't at the budget workshops, this is a document that we will certainly look at again. He stated his feelings that we will be coming out of this recession we are in, if not the department heads will have some tough decisions to make. We want to be able to maintain the services that the citizens need. 2 Council Special Meeting September 25, 1991 ~ Councilman Jones agreed he does not want to see people laid off, but we have to do what is necessary to keep the level of service we have. He justified the increase in the Fire Department, stressing the need for the medical attention to the public that is available with the trained firemen. Mrs. Leoffler was given the floor again questioned the need for all the firemen volunteers and they use to be enough. at this time. She when we have the Councilman Jones again explained the medical trainino being more intent for the firemen than for the volunteers. The volunteers are the best, no one is saying different. They have a limit on what they are trained to do and when they are available. Mayor Wessler explained there were a lot of places to cut the budget, rather than in the Fire and Police Departments. Councilman Hays told the public all of this was discussed in depth at the budget workshops and this discussion is probably not over. Councilperson Gillespie suggested that Chief Vola's information sheet would help explain this to the people. Acting City Manager Munoz went over the hours the firemen. He added that the budget will be a monthly basis and the hiring freeze may necessary. worked by each of watched closely on become permanent if Councilperson Gillespie stated she of our budget. She would like to budget presentation. is not happy with the form see a simplified version of Motion CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Wessler stated that she was asked to allow public input regarding the choices for City Manager. Mr. Fazzone spoke to the Council, stressing the need for stability and this being a crucial period. He has sat through four selections of City Managers. He highly recommended Mr. Munoz for the jOb, stating he is dedicated to the City and has seen us through some rough times. He may not have the City Manager experience as some of the other applicants, but he has proven that he will work hard for the City. Mayor Wessler explained the ranking will be done from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest and 1 the lowest. City Attorney Storey explained the votes have to be read aloud into the record, Council can not vote out of the sunshine. Mayor Wessler read the votes: Councilperson Martin's votes; Mr. Crew - 2, Mr. McMahon Mayor Wessler's votes; Mr. Crew - 0, Mr. McMahon Councilman Hay's votes; Mr. Crew - 1, Mr. McMahon Councilperson Gillespie's Mr. Crew - 2, Mr. McMahon Councilman Jones votes; Mr. Crew - 1, Mr. McMahon Totalling 7 for Mr. Crew, and 14 for Mr. Yoder. 5, Mr. Munoz 3, Mr. Yoder 4. 3, Mr. Munoz 5, Mr. Yoder 1 . 5, Mr. Munoz 4, ~lr . Yoder 3. votes; 5, Mr. Munoz 3, Mr. Yoder 4. 4, Mr. Munoz 5, Mr. Yoder 2. 22 for Mr. McMahon, 20 for Mr. Munoz Councilperson Gillespie moved to enter into negotiations with the highest scoring candidate. 3 Council Special Meeting September 25, 1991 ~ '. Mayor Wessler asked that instead of moving for negotiations, we do the background check first and we should decide on a price range that we agree on. She stated that from all the meetings she has attended the consensus is no City Manager will work for less than their City Attorney. If we are going to pay that type of salary it needs to be stated now. Councilperson Martin said she feels it is negotiable and does not need to be stated. Our City is growing and we need to move forward with someone who has experience. Councilman Jones agreed we need experience. He reminded Council of the CIP program that Mr. Munoz has carried us through, which was a very tough piece of legislation. He said Mr. McMahon was evasive regarding the salary he would take. He suggested we offer him the $45,000. that is in the budget. Councilperson Gillespie stated Mr. McMahon was looking at last year's budget. She reminded Councilman Jones they tried to get Mrs. Storey for a little less, but we are happy we have her now. Councilman Hays stated he evasive about the salary. didn't feel Mr. McMahon was being He simply said it was negotiable. There was discussion at this time about which should come first, the offer of salary or the background check. City Attorney Storey informed Council they could make the offer contingent upon the background check, the physical and the drug testing. Council agreed there should be no included with the offer. car allowance or car phone Councilman Hays stated a complete offer should be made to Mr. McMahon whatever is decided, it should be done professionally. Mayor Wessler stated she liked Mr. McMahon, but for the Council to use experience as their reasons to choose him over Mr. Munoz displeases her. We had experience with Mr. Johnson, but he could not get us through the point we just went through with the CIP program, Mr. Munoz got us through it. She commended Mr. Munoz. Councilman Jones also noted his appreciation for Mr. Munoz. He added that Mr. McMahon'x experience should also be appreciated. Councilman Hays stated Mr. wants to be in this area. McMahon has applied here before; he Councilperson Gillespie stated Mr. McMahon's children are all grown now and he explained to us he is not limited on his income as he was before. Mr. Keaton was given the floor. He spoke on Mr. Munoz's behalf and asked the Council to be cautious about this decisjon. Mayor Wessler McMahon? asked what range the Council wants to offer Mr. Councilman Hays suggested $50,000. Councilman $45,000. Councilperson Martin stated $50,000. Gillespie $50,000. Mayor Wessler stated $45,000. Jones stated Councilperson City Attorney Storey was requested to draft the offer in letter form and let the Council members review it before it is mailed. City Attorney Storey reiterated the offer is the $50,000. and the normal employee benefits, three months severance clause, retirement and term. Mayor Wessler suggested his term not pass City Attorney Storey's term. It was agreed that Council discuss any other items that come up. 4 Council Special Meeting September 25, 1991 ,.' Mayor Wessler asked if Mr. McMahon does ri6t accept, is it the consensus of the Council to go with the background check on Mr. ~unoz? It was agreed that City Attorney Storey would start the background check on Mr. Munoz if Mr. McMahon does not accept the offet- . Councilperson Gillespie moved to authorize the City Attorney to enter into initial negotiations with Mr. McMahon. Councilman Hays seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 3-2. Councilman Jones and Mayor Wessler voting No. Councilperson Martin seconded the motion. moved to adjourn. Councilperson Gillespie Meeting adjourned 8:25 P.M. Minutes submitted by: Debbie Sigler ~IMA COUNCILPERSON - ZONE 2 S1.~ COUNC _PERSON - ZONE . m{ COUNCILMAN - ZONE 4 ~ ~ ~ V' ~~ ~ j--4--- :ZT: I . ~A '-CIT~K . ~, Approved this ~I day of O~ . 1991- ~~C> ~~W MAYOR 5 Council Special Meeting September 25, 1991