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09-24-1987 - Special A_ u Q CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 24,1987 MINUTES Mayor Baugh called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Center. He stated the items on the agenda as: 1) Resolution on millage 87-R-38; 2) Second & Final Reading of Budget Ordinance 87-0-21; 3) Action on Resolution 87-R-38; and 4) Action on Ordinance 87-0-21. ROLL CALL Mayor Earl Baugh Councilman Louis Rotundo Councilman Russell Prater Councilman Neil Asting Present Present Present Present Councilman David Mitchum City Attorney Jose' Alvarez City Clerk Connie Martinez Chief Lawrence Schumaker Present Excused Present Present Also present was Ms. Karen Rickelman, Finance Officer. Mayor Baugh requested a motion to go from the Special Meeting into the Public Hearing. Councilman Asting so moved. Councilman Prater seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Resolution on millage 87-R-38 - Ms. Rickelman read this Resolution by title. RES. 87-R-38 - A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A CERTIFIED MILLAGE RATE OF 6.300 MILLS PER $1,000.00 ASSESSED VALUATION FOR THE CITY OF EDGEWATER, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1987-1988, WHICH REPRESENTS A SIX POINT THREE ONE (6.31) PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE ROLLED BACK RATE OF 5.926; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Second & Final Reading of Budget Ordinance 87-0-21 - Ms. Rickelman read this Ordinance by title. ORD. 87-0-21 - AN ORDINANCE SETTING A FINAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING REVENUES TO BE COLLECTED FOR THE CITY OF EDGEWATER, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1987, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1988, SETTING FORTH REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES OF THE GENERAL FUND AND VARIOUS ITEMS THEREOF; THE WATER AND WASTEWATER FUND; THE WATER AND WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT FUND; AND THE REFUSE COLLECTION FUND; SHOWING A MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWN BY "EXHIBIT A"; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PRO- VIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Rickelman stated some of the items that called for an increase were: all departments budgeted to increase the self-insurance pool another $300,000.; five additional employees budgeted in the General Fund, one in Water-Wastewater and three in Refuse collection; ten vehicles to be purchased in General Fund, one in Refuse, and three in Water-Wastewater; computer system for Planning and Develop- ment and Code Enforcement Departments to help update the Comprehensive Plan and for building permit and code enforcement record keeping; renovation of old Library for the Police Department; $10,000. for a Fire station in the South end of Florida Shores; replacing gas pumps at Public Works; and after October 1st Public Works will no longer handle installation of culverts. She pointed out the Library includes $505,000. for construction of the Library but this is offset by a Federal grant of $200,000. and a State grant of $50,000. She continued that Parks and Recreation expenditures are $176,320. from recreation money for Veteran's Park; a neighborhood park in Florida Shores; development of Roberts Road; developing Park Avenue; and developing two bike paths. She said in Water-Wastewater there's construction of a 12" line to Florida Shores for fire protection; and rehabili- tation of Flagler and South Riverside sewer systems. Ms. Rickelman stated that the Water-Wastewater fund has an increase in the base rate from $3.60 to $4.00 and from $1.20 to $1.25 for 1,000 over the minimum 2,000 gallons. She said the Refuse rate increase was from $6.25 to $7.00 for residential and for commercial it's $7.75 to $8.50 per month. (J o Resolution on millage 87-R-38 and Second & Final Reading of Budget Ordinance 87-0-21 (Continued) - Martin Ludwig, 2223 Travelers Palm, complained about the taste and quality of the water. Mayor Baugh explained the recent expansion of the water plant and developing of a new type of treatment system, and pointed out the water has been tested and it's perfectly safe. Mr. Ludwig suggested they rake out the crud in the lines when they put them together. Mayor Baugh noted that they flush the lines before they hook them up. Mr. Ludwig suggested they could rake it out by hand. Wallace Trickey, 1815 Mango Tree, asked for an explanation of the $75,264 for Councilmen. Ms. Rickelman replied they took $20,000 to help fund the self-insurance fund, as they did for other departments, except for Legal Counsel and Civil Defense. She noted that there's a liability policy on property as that can't be self-insured. Mr. Trickey asked if he can get a record of what the Councilmen get at the end of the year and Mayor Baugh replied yes. Mr. Trickey asked about fire and rescue of $155,635. and enforcement of $149,000., since enforcement has some employees part time. Ms. Rickelman explained that only two employees are part time under Code Enforcement, and there's only one employee out of Fire. She read the breakdown of salaries, insurance, etc., under Code Enforcement, and noted that there's been a copy of the budget available for anyone to review. Mr. Trickey stated he feels Code Enforcement is high compared to Fire and Rescue, which is needed. Ms. Rickelman pointed out that there are five paid employees in Code Enforcement and only one full time person in Fire. Ruth A. Taylor, 2115 Travelers Palm, asked about people on fixed incomes who have to pay these high expenses. Mayor Baugh replied that they cut one-half million out of what was requested and maintained the same millage rate as last year, but the assessed value came through the County and the City has no control over that. Ms. Taylor stated that the youth in the area have no activities to look forward to and she volunteered her time as chaperone. Mayor Baugh explained the various parks for the young children and new ball parks are for recreation. Ms. Taylor said she hopes they don't close the River and Mayor Baugh pointed out that has nothing to do with the budget. John Siburn, Connecticut Avenue, asked about life insurance for Council of $25,000. Mayor Baugh stated it will be the same as Department Heads. Mr. Siburn asked what the Police officers get and Mayor Baugh replied their policy is for $50,000. Mr. Siburn asked if the City pays it and City Clerk Martinez replied yes. Mr. Siburn referred to when he had to pay his own insurance. Tom Sheridan, Willow Oak, stated that last year two Councilmen voted to impose a tax increase of 18.4% and two others voted against it. He said this year they're asking for an increase of 6.31%, which is 24.71 for the two years, or a yearly average of 12.35%. He said in eight years the taxes will be doubled at this rate. He asked what revenue was generated last year and Ms. Rickelman replied for ad valorem it was $1,101,464. Mr. Sheridan asked what constructive purposes they spent money on and Mayor Baugh replied that's the General Fund budget. Mr. Sheridan asked why they wanted that amount of money and Ms. Rickelman replied that last year they went self-insured and the first $300,000 went into that. Mr. Sheridan asked how much of the revenue gained last year is carried over to this fiscal year and Ms. Rickelman replied very little. Mr. Sheridan stated that it generated over one million dollars and it was all spent. Mayor Baugh pointed out that's generated every year. Mr. Sheridan stated that's why he's concerned. Ms. Rickelman said revenue last year was $1,101,464 and this year it's $1,261,357 so it's approximately $161,000 over last year for ad valorem. Mr. Sheridan stated he knows it's necessary to support government and they're willing to pay it for a government that will give them what they want but he doesn't want to be excessively taxed to subsidize wasteful spending. He stated that the other day a front end loader was mowing grass and this should be looked into. -2- Council Special Meeting Minutes September 24, 1987 Q o Resolution on millage 87-R-38 and Second & Final Reading of Budget Ordinance 87-0-21 (Continued) - Jake Lodico, 302 North Riverside Drive, reviewed the budget when he was on Council and they had a City Manager. He said he's giving the City twice as much as year before last and he wonders what they're doing with the money. He said they should vote on the half-million dollars for the Library. Mayor Baugh clarified that they received $200,000 for a Federal grant and $50,000 from the State, which is half the amount. Mr. Lodico said taxes keep going up and he gets no relief from anyone. Mayor Baugh asked if he'd gone to the County and Mr. Lodico replied that he gets sent back and forth and now he has 235 feet instead of 230 feet on his property. He said they need a manager at the County as much as this City does. Mr. Lodico asked why they read the meters every month and Mayor Baugh reminded him that he was on Council when they did that because of the bond issue. Frank Opal, Florida Shores, stated that the County taxes increased 39~%, the School Board increased 19~% and Edgewater increased l4~%. He said this budget is created for white welfare, and discussed a recent visit with a nephew who reviewed the budget. He asked where the money is going since colored people aren't getting it. He said white welfare is money for nothing. He added that his telephone bill has four taxes on it and his light bill has tax on it. Mr. Opal stated there is no communication here and everything is done in City Hall before they meet here. He said they want to annex and go to Oak Hill. Mr. Opal stated that every time they turn around they have a new reporter and they know nothing. Mr. Opal said he compared the budget to Ponce Inlet, South Daytona, and others, and only Orange City may have a budget like ours, and there's a reason for that. He said that Legal Counsel isn't in other budgets but Edgewater has it. Mayor Baugh pointed out that other cities have an attorney and 3 or 4 working full time. Mr. Opal stated they get rid of planners and fire anybody if they know something. He said Tom Sheridan got wise and went to the other side of the fence. He added that they shouldn't get any grants, and asked what they'll do when they lose it. He said they put in substandard streets. He recalled they found money in the treasury when Mr. Wargo was on Council. He stated that he sees how the budget is pushed through. Mr. Opal stated this is the worst Council he's had in this City since he's been here and that includes those working at the head of it also. James Hatfield, 236 Old County Road, stated three years ago the budget was $1,912,000 and now it's $3,700,000 with an overall budget of $6,300,000. He said double the budget in three years is extensive and expensive. He said they're hiring people in different departments, and one under miscellaneous, and that person is probably to run errands. He noted they're getting five more vehicles than the employees they're hiring. He said FEC engines are over 50 years old and with proper maintenance and equipment, they'll last longer. Mayor Baugh suggested he come to City Hall and get the amount of vehicles and the mileage on some of the Police vehicles since some are over 100,000. He added that they're replacing equipment that's worn out. There was discussion between Mr. Hatfield and Mayor Baugh regarding the different departments and their uses of the equipment. Mr. Hatfield referred to the 2" line for fire pro- tection and the amount of fire hydrants, plus fire protection on Old County Road. He said he rarely sees a Police car on his street because it's a washboard. He again referred to the statement made by Councilman Asting about engineers. He referred to the twenty-one million dollar bond issue to upgrade the public works system. Mayor Baugh explained it's to put sewers in Florida Shores and upgrade the sewer plant and that's only a figure and not a true one. Mr. Hatfield referred to money borrowed for the water treatment and it was $350,000 paid a year. Mayor Baugh said past Council did it, and the new wells they put in and changing of water plant, but there was no increase in taxes because money was there to do it. Mr. Hatfield and Ms. Rickelman discussed at length the amounts of the bond issues from the past and the payments on each. -3- Council Special Meeting Minutes September 24, 1987 o o . . Resolution on millage 87-R-38 and Second & Final Reading of Budget Ordinance 87-0-21 (Continued) - Alice Murphy, 230 North Riverside Drive, stated all monies come from the people and it's very expensive to live in Edgewater. She said a person with a large lot is helping the City. She noted they can concrete their property completely in this City. She said she has lots in Florida Shores and they don't have adequate fire protection there. She pointed out that vacant lots don't need Police protection and they don't use the schools. She asked the average cost of an employee in the City, for 75 employees, not counting the Police. Mayor Baugh said there are over 100 employees. City Clerk Martinez said there are 107 employees, including the Police. Mrs. Murphy said employees have fringe benefits and get sick leave when they quit, and she wondered how much that cost. She asked if they have job classification sheets. Mayor Baugh replied they have a merit plan and she can stop by and look at it. Mrs. Murphy noted that an employee took a vacation and nobody had to replace the employee. She stated that at a Board meeting she was told she couldn't talk, but nothing was done about that. She added that taxes are astronomical on her property that she bought 18 years ago and she hoped they can save money. Wallace Trickey, 1815 Mango Tree, asked if the City needs a Personnel Board or Personnel Director. Mayor Baugh replied the City has a Merit Board and City Clerk Martinez is the Personnel Director. Mr. Trickey asked if preference is given to residents and Mayor Baugh pointed out they're discussing the budget now. Bill Klein, 2910 Needle Palm, asked the assessed valuation of last year that the budget is based on. Ms. Rickelman replied the taxes value last year was $183,992,838. Mr. Klein asked the assessed valuation the County set this year that they're basing this budget on and Ms. Rickelman replied $210,753,098. Mr. Klein asked if that includes the valuation increases everybody in the City seemed to get and Ms. Rickelman replied yes, new construction, annexation, and increased valuation. Mr. Klein asked the proposed cost of the 12" water line and the reply was $65,000. Mr. Klein asked where it will run and Ms. Rickelman replied Mango Tree to the water tower at Kumquat and 21st. Mr. Klein stated that he's interested in this as President of Florida Shores, and $65,000. does not seem to be an appropriate amount of money to spend for the lives of people in Florida Shores. Mayor Baugh explained that at the present time if they had a fire in Florida Shores they could pump that tank dry in no time and putting in the 12" line will increase the fire protection by being able to pump the water out there. City Clerk Martinez noted that taking the 2" line to 6" is in the other budget as a regular maintenance item. Ms. Rickelman said there are not hydrants on every corner and not all are 6", but the 12" line from Mango Tree to the tower will fill faster to have the water available to the hydrants. She noted he budgets for additional hydrants each year and they replace lines when money and manpower are available. She added that the City doesn't have the money to do it all at one time and that's why they proposed the C.I.P. and the proposed bond issue was discussed. Mr. Klein stated they need to consider putting priority on Police protection with two additional men. He asked the proposed increase in population and Ms. Rickelman replied that Mr. Wadsworth projected 300 new homes. Mr. Klein stated they're building 365 homes in Florida Shores and 40 to 60 outside the City for the last three or four years. He added they need more Police protection and more fire protection. He pointed out that from six million they're only proposing $65,000 to run a 12" line for increased fire protection to save lives. Mayor Baugh noted there's another $35,000 in capital improvements. Mr. Klein asked the amount the Recreation Department has under the assessment program. Ms. Rickelman replied it's $200,000 approximately. Mr. Klein asked how much was spent this year and Ms. Rickelman replied $85,000. Mr. Klein asked last year's balance and Ms. Rickelman replied it was $158,023. She pointed out they have September collections and expenditures. There was a discussion about the amount allocated for recreation. Mr. Klein suggested they cut some fat out and go back to additional Police protection, and that they put priority on some things as they put $10,000 for land to the South but no building. I I -4- Council Special Meeting Minutes September 24, 1987 I..' . o o Resolution on millage 87-R-38 and Second & Final Reading of Budget Ordinance 87-0-21 (Continued) - Jake Lodico asked how much the City is worth and Ms. Rickelman replied the taxable value is $210,753,098., and that doesn't include the homestead. Bill Klein asked that they consider redoing the mikes so people can hear because that's one of the biggest complaints. lost their lives Mr. Siburn stated they have, but they John Siburn, Connecticut Avenue, asked how many people have in fires in the last 20 years and Mayor Baugh replied none. they don't have fire problems because of the type of people need to bring 4" lines to the hydrants. Mayor Baugh requested a motion to close the Public Hearing and go into the Special Meeting. Councilman Prater so moved. Councilman Mitchum seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Action on Resolution 87-R-38 - Ms. Rickelman read the millage resolution in its entirety. Councilman Asting moved to adopt the Resolution. Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Action on Ordinance 87-0-21 - Ms. Rickelman read this Ordinance by title only. Councilman Prater moved they adopt Ordinance 87-0-21. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Baugh requested a motion to adj ourn. Councilman Rotundo so moved. Councilman Prater seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:22 P.M. Minutes submitted by: Lura Sue Koser ATTEST: h~ COA J. NE ILH~Y / / IflV ~ /#rJf:C-- COUNCILMAN - ZONE FOUR ~ CITY CLERK a7n~ Approved this 5th day of October ,198----1-. ~~~ MAYOR -5- Council Special Meeting Minutes September 24, 1987 7P- -r r ~ y-s