Loading...
06-19-1986 - Special/Workshop 1 , . o o CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER SPECIAL MEETING AND WORKSHOP JUNE 19, 1986 MINUTES Mayor Baugh called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. in the Community Center. He stated the items on the agenda as: 1) Recommendation on banking services proposal from City Auditor, 2) Parks and Recreation Department's recommendation on bid for paving entrance road and parking lot at Park and Pier, 3) Reconsider- ations of motions to table for full Council- A.) Request for additional personnel in the Planning Department, B.) Request for additional personnel in the Parks and Recreation Department, 4) Volusia County Road impact fee, and 5) Police Chief's request to upgrade the patrolmen's salaries one step. ROLL CALL Mayor Earl Baugh Councilman Louis Rotundo Councilman Russell Prater Councilman Neil Asting Councilman James Inman City Attorney Jose' Alvarez City Clerk Connie Martinez Chief Lawrence Schumaker Present Present Excused Present Present Excused Present Present Also present were: David Garrett, Recreation Director/Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Superintendent; Dennis Fischer, Building Official/Code Enforcement Officer; and Mrs. Lynne Plaskett, Planning Assistant/Grants Administrator. Mayor Baugh stated that he felt they didn't have a reason to go into the workshop and no Council member expressed an objection. Recommendation on banking services proposal from City Auditor - City Clerk Martinez pointed out they all received a copy of the lengthy and detailed recommendation from Mr. Alex Kish. She noted they were asked to go out for bids the past three years. She stated that she has a serious problem with the number one choice, Barnett Bank, because it's located across the river. She said they only have one officer on duty at times and banking runs could take an hour with the bridge up and she doesn't feel this is feasible. She recommended the bids be rejected and at a later date they can resubmit an ad for proposals to go out again. She added that she doesn't think it's feasible or equitable now. Councilman Asting noted the communication is in keeping with that and he made a motion to follow the City Administrator's advice and reject all bids. Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Councilman Rotundo asked for comments from Mr. Bernard Sikes, Southeast Bank repre- sentative, who was in the audience. Mr. Sikes said he'd rather not comment without seeing the letter until they go out for bids again. Mr. Sikes was provided with a copy of the letter from the auditing firm. Parks and Recreation Department's recommendation on bid for paving entrance road and parking lot at Park and Pier - Mr. Garrett read his memo in which he recommended the bid be awarded to Martin Paving for $21,185., which was the lowest bid and appeared to meet all specifications. Councilman Asting asked if the money is budgeted and Mr. Garrett replied that it's the Port Authority Grant. Councilman Rotundo moved to accept the recommendation of Parks and Recreation. Councilman Inman seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Mayor Baugh asked how long it will take and Mr. Garrett said they'll probably begin after the 4th. City Clerk Martinez noted the bid was that it's to be completed in 60 days. Reconsideration of motions to table for full Council - Request for additional personnel in the Planning Department, and Request for additional personnel in the Parks and Recreation Department - Councilman Inman stated he originally tabled this due to the fact that they should have a full Council's input but the fact is this is an important request and they're getting over their heads in work. He said he was concerned about where the person will be and he understands they'll be in Mrs. Plaskett's office. Mrs. Plaskett agreed. Councilman Inman said due to the critical situation they have, he can't wait for full Council, and he moved to remove it from the table. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4-0. ) , ~ . . o o Reconsideration of motions to table for full Council - Request for additional personnel in the Planning Department, and Request for additional personnel in the Parks and Recreation Department (Continued) - There was a discussion about the updating of the Comprehensive Plan and the duties of the secretary in that department at this time. Councilman Asting agreed they need an additional person to assist in the Planning Department and the Building Official's Department. Councilman Rotundo asked how many work in Planning now and Mrs. Plaskett replied one, and she's secretary to the Planning and Zoning Board and to the Industrial Board and has all their meetings. Mayor Baugh noted that Mrs. Plaskett took on a lot from the Building Department and he doesn't think some of these things should remain there as they're doing a lot less and she's doing a lot more. Mrs. Plaskett asked if there were specific items he's referring to and Mayor Baugh said she recommends all plans before Planning and Zoning. Mrs. Plaskett replied that it's between the Building Official and her and the client. Mayor Baugh noted she'd relieved the Building office of some of their jobs and they should get someone from over there do come over and help her. Mrs. Plaskett stated it wasn't being done properly before. She said she'd like to train the current secretary to do some of the things she's doing and have the new person take over the typing of minutes and that will give them time for the Comprehensive Plan. There was further discussion about the Building Department and Planning Department overlapping. Councilman Rotundo asked Mr. Fischer if he has a secretary and Mr. Fischer replied that Beth Beeco is a Plans Examiner and does permit preparation and takes care of the Building Department. He reviewed how the permit fees are determined, and said the Plans Examiner answers the telephone and gets inspections down and handles building-related questions. He noted she's also secretary to the Building Code Board. Mrs. Plaskett stated the advisory board secretary has her review applications for special exceptions and variances because it's aplanning function, and she feels she can make a recommendation for or against what's being done. She added that the advisory board secretary is not familiar with it, but she could handle it later. There was a discussion about the title of Mrs. Plaskett's position. Councilman Inman noted that the Comprehensive Plan has a deadline and asked if it's an ongoing program or one deal. Mrs. Plaskett stated they have to amend the existing Comprehensive Plan to bring it up to State requirements and then every five years, and after it's adopted they have one year to change the zoning ordinance to be in conformance so that one doesn't overrule the other. She pointed out they've had five meetings and had one piece of paper out of it. She added that she also has five grants she hasn't had time to look at. Councilman Inman stated that the grants is one reason why she was hired and Mrs. Plaskett agreed she understands that. Councilman Inman said his concern is when the Comprehensive Plan is done and ordinances are corrected to be in conjunction, there might not be enough work for that person. Mrs. Plaskett replied there would be work for her even if they didn't have the Comprehensive Plan and the grants. Councilman Inman moved to grant the request for one person to assist the Planning Assistant. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Reconsideration of motion to table for full Council - Request for additional personnel in the Parks and Recreation Department - Mr. Garrett stated they had a busy season with parks and recreation but there are so many maintenance things going on all the time that they have more than they can handle. He pointed out they're considering buying more property that will need to be developed and maintained. Councilman Asting asked if an outside contractor was set up to clear parts of the land on Roberts Road. Mr. Garrett said they have to go out to see what parts they want to have cleared first. -2- Council Special Meeting & Workshop Minutes June 19, 1986 .. () o Reconsideration of motions to table for full Council - Request for additional personnel in the Parks and Recreation Department (Continued) - Councilman Inman noted they have the 14 acres and other parcels of land the City owns that's supposed to be developed for parks and recreation and a lot of people have moved here and paid their impact fee and they have nothing to show for it. He added that David Garrett is responsible for parks and recreation and also for roads and grounds, and he can see why they haven't cleared the land yet because it will grow over and it would have to be done again. He said he doesn't have the manpower to start the 14 acre project, and now Edgewater is the host city for the tournaments. Councilman Inman then moved to take this off the table also because with this situation, he's going to have to have help. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Councilman Asting asked about the status of plans and playground equipment for the Roberts Road property. Mr. Garrett said they'll get the plans and subcontract and will do the playground equipment which has to be safe and easy to maintain. Councilman Asting asked if Public Works has finished with Umbrella Tree and Mr. Garrett replied they need about 10 loads seed it and get the playground equipment playground equipment at Menard-May Park. bids, they should get equipment for both of fill to be levelled and then they'll in. Mayor Baugh suggested they get Mr. Garrett said if they go out for areas. Councilman Asting asked Mr. Garrett how many people he's asking for. Councilman Inman reviewed the cost breakdown if it were three employees for the remainder of this. fiscaLyea.r."totalling less than $11,430, which would include 27% fringe benefits. Councilman Asting asked how he stands on his budget and Mr. Garrett replied that he has a little left in salaries due to people quitting. City Clerk Martinez pointed out there's not $11,000 left and it will have to be from surplus collected or budget amendments. She added that lifeguards had to come out of his budget also. Councilman Asting asked if lifeguards could be paid from recreational funds since they're providing a recreational function and safeguards lives at Menard-May Park rather than from the General Fund. Mayor Baugh said he doesn't think they can take salaries out of it. Councilman Asting asked that the City Attorney render a written opinion on it. Councilman Rotundo agreed he needs the manpower. Councilman Asting said they have to consider the money. Councilman Inman said he wouldn't have proposed it in the beginning if he didn't think he needed it, and after they develop the parks, they then have to maintain them. Mr. Garrett noted it's 7 days a week. Councilman Asting asked Mr. Garrett if he wants three, and Mr. Garrett said that would be good, and it depends on Council priorities. Councilman Asting moved to authorize three more employees for the Parks and Recreation Department. Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. Mayor Baugh said the funds will be a budget amendment and City Clerk Martinez noted if it's needed in August, and they'll review to see if overco11ected will compensate. Motion CARRIED 4-0. City Clerk Martinez noted a very good employee will be requesting a leave of absence on the next agenda so he can go to rookie school. There was a brief discussion of what City properties the Parks and Recreation Department maintains. Vo1usia County Road Impact Fee - Mayor Baugh stated he asked this be on the agenda. He said he and Councilman Asting and City Clerk Martinez went to a meeting on this subject in Port Orange on Tuesday, and Volusia League of Municipalities is very unhappy with the County about this ordinance and the entire body, excluding Daytona Beach and Lake Helen, voiced their opposition. He said the City Attorneys, totalling 12 because City Attorney Alvarez represents two cities, would have a meeting to find out legally where they stand if there's to be a suit brought against the County. He requested Council authorization for the City Attorney to attend this meeting with expenses to be 50% by us and the other by Orange City. He noted Edgewater will donate millions of dollars in the next 10 years and it stands to get nothing out of it. -3- Council Special Meeting & Workshop Minutes June 19, 1986 i Q o Volusia County Road Impact Fee (Continued) - Councilman Asting noted the questions came up at the same meeting about the County coming in and directing us or the Building Official to collect the monies and then turn it over to the County. He said the County also directs that if the money is not collected or paid, the City will issue the stop work order. Mayor Baugh noted the City Attorney is not at this meeting because he's at the County meeting today. Councilman Rotundo asked why Daytona Beach isn't participating and Mayor Baugh asked why Daytona Beach wanted to annex all the cities in. Councilman Asting said the money collected will be spent on the County roads they will never use. He noted residents go by U.S.l or 95 to Daytona Beach. Mayor Baugh noted the County was quartered and Edgewater, Oak Hill, and New Smyrna Beach are in this district with all funds to be used here, but if someone else needs money, they could transfer it to the other area. Councilman Asting noted the County said from the City limits to the end of Park Avenue they handle and they'd widen Park Avenue provided the City makes a survey to see how they could go about it. Mayor Baugh noted they still have to request them to do it and they could say no. Mayor Baugh said they were checking into cities drawing up their own ordinances. City Clerk Martinez agreed the City Could draw up an ordinance on road impact fees. Mayor Baugh stated he thinks they should opt out and get our own road impact fee so every penny will come into our City for new construction for roads for Edgewater. Councilman Inman referred to the possibility of a reverse trend regarding building and impact fees, and contractors may not want to pay two impact fees. There was a discussion about the present impact fees. Councilman Asting said there are so many improvements needed with road paving, water plant expansion, sewer system for Florida Shores, etc., and they're costly projects. Councilman Rotundo said they can't let them take the money out of the City. Mayor Baugh requested a motion to allow the Attorney to attend this meeting of the cities, and the City to pick up whatever costs necessary. Councilman Inman so moved. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4-0. There was a discussion between Mayor Baugh and Councilman Rotundo regarding the proposals made by the cities and different percentages, and the interlocal agreement proposed by the County. Police Chief's request to upgrade the patrolmen's salaries one step - Councilman Asting stated he's interested in making the salaries comparison to other cities and we're the lowest paid of the cities listed. Chief Schumaker noted the cities are in this County and he left out Oak Hill. Mayor Baugh said they might be the lowest paid in salary, but they're quite high in benefits. Chief Schumaker stated he's in a quandry because as a Department Head, he's to provide the most efficient service in the most economical manner but the Department is wasting a tremendous amount of money because as soon as they get an officer who's viable and can work with expertise, they start the cycle again with recruiting, oral board exams, and training, etc. He said they spent about $7,200 on Officer Myer between salaries, uniforms and outfitting him and he's become effective now. He noted now he's going to a better paying job. He requested a step increase in his Department, and noted he's not losing Sergeants, just patrolmen, to better paying jobs. He said it was pointed out to him that if they're going to get knocked down or abused, it might as well be for $16,600 instead of $13,500. He noted with a 12,000 population and 10 or 11 officers to police them, the degree of risk increases. He said if the officer is going to put himself between the people and harm's way, he wants to be paid for it. Mayor Baugh asked how many are leaving from New Smyrna Beach and Chief Schumaker replied he had no idea. Mayor Baugh noted they recruit from within all municipalities. Chief Schumaker said he knows the #1 on the list was one he recruited and the other wasn't much lower. -4- Council Special Meeting & Workshop Minutes June 19, 1986 o o Police Chief's request to upgrade patrolmen's salaries one step (Continued) - Chief Schumaker stated that Officer Myer is leaving the end of the month. Councilman Asting noted they act as a training camp for Police to move on. Councilman Rotundo said it was always like that. Mayor Baugh said it wasn't before and in 8 years he only lost 7 and they were one of the lowest paid then. City Clerk Martinez noted that all 7 were for wages and Mayor Baugh contradicted that one retire-d and two got out completely. Councilman Asting said Edgewater is the lowest starting salary except for Ponce Inlet. Councilman Rotundo noted their population is 1,300. Mayor Baugh pointed out they have more coming during the season. Councilman Inman asked if the other officer is going to leave, or if he'll stay if he gets a raise in salary. Chief Schumaker said he doesn't know. Joe McDonald, the officer who was recruited, spoke to Council about his prior experience in an area more than twice the size of Edgewater. He said he's Traffic Homicide Investigator and day shift supervisor and Field Training Officer and has taught the officers and they've ridden with him. He said the Sheriff's Department is talking to him because he's a certified instructor in Police motorcycle operation and they're wanting someone to instruct them. He said he can't answer as to whether he'll leave, because of his background, and he has to get into an area now. He said he told them previously that he'd put his application in at the Sheriff's Department. He stated the City has grown and bettered itself in the last five months, and he's been in Police work for 15 years. He said this City does not offer that much better benefits than anyone else. He pointed out he'd start at $7.54 now to go to $7.85 in October and the patrol car with a cash value of $4,500 a year benefit with the maintenance, insurance, and gasoline included. He referred to a recent suicide incident and said if he has to do this, he wants to do it for a car and at $16,500 rather than at $13,500. He pointed out that with the raise, they'll be able to get better people and keep them. Councilman Inman reviewed his prior experiences in the law enforcement field. He said he follows the administrative portion and feels they have a good Chief and that a majority of the Police Department feels that same way. Officer McDonald said he's not wrong. Councilman Asting suggested they approve items A and B on the second page of the memo. Mayor Baugh asked what they'll do if they increase it now and then other cities get their big raises. Councilman Asting said they have to keep up with them. Councilman Inman noted that Holly Hill pays $16,200. Mayor Baugh commented on the tax base there. Councilman Asting noted Edgewater, South Daytona, and Holly Hill are equal in size and they're paying more. Mayor Baugh noted that they're getting more taxes because of more~businesses. Ms. Marion Phinney, 9 Pines Avenue in Wildwood, stated that new people won't move into an area if they hear about a high crime rate and that the City loses their good men. She said an officer has his life on the line and they're heading into a safety crisis if they don't pay more money and keep them here if they do a good job. Chief Schumaker reviewed the projected costs on the third page of his memo. He noted there was one change on the last item due to a recent increase and there would be 2 patrol officers going from ll-C to ll-D and 1 patrol officer going from ll-D to II-E. He reviewed the number of 301 calls in 1984 compared to 916 average calls a month now. He stated his people perform a service to the City that no other employee performs because of urgency of the task. -5- Council Special Meeting & Workshop Minutes June 19, 1986 , . C) o Police Chief's request to upgrade patrolmen's salaries one step (Continued) - Chief Schumaker stated that people move into a community because they feel safe and they'll move out if they feel insecure. He said he doesn't know where the money will come from but they'll spend it wisely to get professional people. He referred to how citizens react when a mistake is made by an inexperienced officer and the reaction when it's a professional person. He added that they have a good foundation but lost one good officer and may lose another so they haven't progressed if they can't keep the people here. Councilman Asting advised Chief Schumaker that he has the support of the entire Council, has had in the past, and will continue in the future. He said he accepted the recommendation that newly hired officers be assigned to ll-B and all other patrol officers get a one-step increase over the current step, and he made that a motion, and added that at the next budget they'll take a close look at the Police salaries. Councilman Inman seconded the motion. City Clerk Martinez asked the effective date and Chief Schumaker requested that it be immediately. City Clerk Martinez suggested it be the following day (June 20) as the beginning of the new pay period. Councilman Asting agreed. Motion CARRIED 4-0. Mayor Baugh asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Rotundo so moved. Councilman Inman seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 4:18 P.M. Minutes submitted by: Lura Sue Koser ~ ~ FO fU,P 1-/4 { ?! CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR 7i1L 7r~~~~ COUNCILMAN - ZONE HREE k-.....v1...,,,, --? ..-;7A' / ~~~ ...-,,--..< , C;OUNCILMAN - ZONE FOUR ~ (/ ATTEST: Approved this ~11 ~1 ~ 0 ~ (Sf-- MAYOR day 0 , 198~ -6- Council Special Meeting & Workshop Minutes June 19, 1986