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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-85 WS . MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP HELD JUNE 20, 1985 PRESENT: Commissioners Rodgers, Bateman, and Hager, City Manager Griffin, and Deputy Clerk Louloudis. ABSENT: None. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ison called the workshop to order at 6:05 p.m.. Mayor Ison led those present in prayer and to the Pledge of Allegiance. PRELIMINARY BUDGET OVERVIEW Mr. Griffin introduced Mr. Eldon McDirmit, CPA, who has been handling the City's auditing for approximately seven years. Mr. McDirmit stated the budget is a tool used to monitor expenditures during the year, and he was present if the Commissioners had any questions of him. . Under General Government, Mr. Griffin's proposed major expenditure is the addition to City Hall and the Police Dept.. Mr. Griffin gave an estimate of $500,000.00 to build this addition. The general consensus of the Commissioners was $500,000.00 is too much money for this project and they were against the addition if it could not be built for less money. Mr. Griffin explained that he calculated the estimate by using Orange County School Board's rate, which is $110.00 per square foot. They asked that Mr. Griffin report back on how much the addition could be built for. Comm. Rodgers suggested an expansion on the Community Center, and a large common fire proof vault for storing important records. Mayor Ison suggested moving the Commission meetings to the Community Center and using the current chambers for administrative use. Comm. Bateman spoke against the walk in vault. POLICE DEPT. . Chief Brandt asked for six new marked patrol cars. The approximate cost would be $60,000.00. There are two cars over 100,000 miles and four cars between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. There are 16 cars presently in the Police Dept.. The cars are not on a retirement schedule, but the auditors have them on a depreciation schedule. Mr. Griffin stated eventually the cars will be on the PCP, personal computer, on a maintenance program, to determine when each car is costing the City more to fix it than it is worth. Chief Brandt allows the sergeants to take the cars home, because they can be called back, but the patrol officers can not take the cars home. Chief Brandt beleives there is merit in having assigned vehicles. Chief Brandt tries to keep two officers in the field at all times, but at times it is difficult. The Police Dept. has a manpower deficiency, but personnel will be 1 . City Commission Workshop June 20, 1985 P ag e 2 . addressed at another time. When straw voted, Comm. Rodgers and Hager were for three vehicles, and Comm. Bateman and the Mayor were for purchasing four vehicles. Mr. Griffin informed the Board that he was exploring the idea of leasing the detective cars. By leasing the vehicles, people would not get to know the detective cars. Mr. Griffin felt he could lease four vehicles for $8,000.00 per year, for the economy size. The blue lights and radios could be plugged into the cigarette lighters. The general consensus of the Commission was to check further into leasing the detective vehicles, find out the cost, and check the insurance coverage. Chief Brandt also asked for two personal computers to use in the Dispatch Section. It takes a long time for tag and Drivers License transmissions, and the computers would help these transmissions to be more efficient and effective. Chief Brandt reported that most of the time there is only one dispatcher. Mayor Ison commented that the City must do something to catch up. Mayor Ison suggested taking it to the citizens for monies. Comm. Bateman felt the citizens should know the truth, had the problems been dealt with previously we would not have to face $300,000.00 now. We must live within our means but at the same time not being a saving association. Comm. ROdgers feels the City must keep monies in the reserve. Mr. Griffin commented that the City must live up to their responsibilities, and currently 75% of the budget is being put in reserve funds. Comm. Hager felt the computers could wait until next year. Mr. Griffin explained that these computers could be interfaced with the Fire Dept. also, and they cost approximately $3,500.00 each. The Commissioners agreed to consider approving purchase of one computer this year and another next year. The master unit computer for the Dispatch Section will cost approximately $50,000.00. Mr. Griffin also proposed $50,000.00 for a new frequency. Mr. Griffin has been in contact with the FCC. He hopes the City stays on the same band, otherwise we wil have to change all of our radios. The new radio frequency will cost $50,000.00 to $100,000.00. FIRE DEPARTMENT . The Fire Chief has asked for the Target Budgeting of $50,000.00 for Engine Replacement for next fiscal year. We currently have Engine 2, a 1962 vintage, that will need to be replaced in the near future. Mr. Griffin informed the Commission that he and Chief Strosnider had previously talked about getting a mini pumper, which would serve for small residential fires. The general consensus of the Commission was to forget the mini pumper, as the Fire Engine Trucks would have to respond also. Comm. Rodgers thought $50,000.00 would not be enough monies, and also suggested to budget $60,000.00 for two years, to purchase a new Fire Truck. 2 . ~ Commission Workshop June 20, 1985 Page 3 STREET DEPARTMENT The Street Department requested $15,000.00 for a new front end loader. The one they currently have is just worn out. The Commission did not have any objections to this budget item. SHOP DEPARTMENT . The Shop Department feel they need to replace the fuel pumps and metering system for the City's gas and diesel fuel dispensing. The cost is approximately $7,500.00. The meters in place currently no longer work, therefore currently we are keeping a manuel system, which leaves a lot of room for error. We have had fuel shortages, which at times are found. We also have had some problems with the pumps not working. The Commission questioned how we knew the tanks are not leaking. We could pressure test them to find out if they are leaking. The new meters will compute the mileage of each vehicle. Also, the vehicles are maintained by mileage. Comm. Rodgers stated he would like to move the entire Shop area. Mr. Griffin stated the meters and pumps could be moved. The Shop Dept. also asked for a high speed wheel balancer and front end aligning machine, which will cost about $2,300.00 each. Comm. Rodgers asked why we do not contract out for our maintenance on the vehicles. Mr. Griffin responded that it is more cost efficient. The Commission requsted that Staff investigate whether or not other cities have an in house shop department. RECREATION DEPTARTMENT Mr. Jim Beech requested a small front end loader. The cost is $5,000.00. Mr. Beech also requested monies to pave the utility road surrounding Vignetti Park, and some parking areas, which will cost about $40,000.00. Mr. Beech also requested the monies to build three restroom facilities, one for Vignetti Park, one for Geneva Park, and one on the Western Shore of Starke Lake. The cost of these buildings is $20,000.00 each. The Commission inquired about providing a swimming area in Starke Lake. DER and St. Johns stated there is not much of a chance, as first we would need to remove the weeds, and they are conducting an experiment with the fish in Starke Lake. . WATER DEPARTMENT The Water Department would like assist for reading water meters. down on labor. The approximate system is $15,000.00. Our goal to purchase a computerized This would drastically cut cost for the "Utilicorder" is to read meters and bill 3 . City Commission Workshop June 20, 1985 Page 4 on a monthly basis. The "Utilicorder" will upload addresses, information about each meter, such as the average meter reading, and download the meter readings into the computer, which also will save labor/salaries for General Government. This device will leave less chance for error. There are roughly 3600 meters in the City, which takes approximately 15 to 16 days for the Water Dept. to read and maintain these meters. Mr. Griffin informed the Commission that he is going to propose two new Meter Reader positions in the Water Dept.. These two persons will read and maintain meters only, instead of the Water Technicians. The Water Dept. also requested a cushman-type vehicle for the meter reader to utilize, instead of tying up a truck for reading meters. The approximate cost for such a vehicle is $3,500.00. The Commission was highly in favor of billing monthly. SANITATION DEPARTMENT . The Sanitation Dept. would like to purchase a limb device, designed specifically for the handling of limbs and other greenery. This would save a lot of wear and tear on our packer trucks, not to mention our Sanitation collectors. The cost is $16,500.00. This is a mechanical arm, mounted on a dump-body truck, that then would transport the trash to the wood-only land fill. Currently, the Sanitation Dept. has five packers which are in use on a daily basis. One of the packers is continually going to the shop. The Sanitation Dept. is picking up limbs and greenery three or four Wednesdays per month, instead of just the last Wednesday. The City would save on dump fees by the County, by bringing these limbs and grass clippings to the wood only land fill. The City can not have a land fill of our own as DER will not allow it. The Sanitation Dept. has a need for another packer truck also, at a cost of approximately $60,000.00. MAGUIRE HOUSE . Mr. Griffin stated the first step for the Maguire House, no matter what we will end up doing with the building, is to get the foundation leveled up, and get it into the registry. Mr. Griffin was informed the porches can be left on the house as they were added to the original house around 1920, therefore the house can still be accepted for the State Grant Funds. Mr. Griffin added we are having trouble finding someone to level the house. The Commission is committed to the Historical Commission to appropriate funds for the Maguire House. Comm. Rodgers commented if we aren't going to do something with the house then plow it down, and if we are then let's start it. Betty Irvine is head of the Historical Commission now, and she likes the idea of the library. A bunch of old books does not constitute a library. Mr. . . . City Commission Workshop June 20, 1985 Page 5 Griffin informed the County may not support our library, as their branch. The Commission requested Mr. Griffin send a letter to the County asking them to consider putting a branch library in Ocoee. The Commission agreed they have no interest in breaking the City financially; a surplus at the end of the fiscal year is good; and they see things that must be done. Mayor Ison suggested putting the dollars the City earns in interest into capital improvements. Mayor Ison also asked that the Garbage Pick-up Rate Increase be put on the next agenda. Comm. Rodgers stated we need to appropriate some amount of money for capital improvements for the water system. Mr. Griffin thought we should get done with the capital improvements now in process, then take a look at what else needs to be done. Mr. Griffin informed the Board that we have $70,000.00 left over, which we can carryover into next year's budget. The Peach/Moxie drainage problem is being paid from the monies in the bank. The Commission suggested we appropriate monies for Peach/Moxie Drainage in the next budget. Mr. Griffin thought any work on W. O. Sewer Plant is wasted until we know what is going to happen; whether we will buyout Prima Vista or not. NOMINATION FOR FLORIDA MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD Mayor Ison suggested submitting Commissioner Hager for the award, for the work he has done. Comm. Bateman and Rodgers agreed with Mayor Ison. The resolution opposing the County's Ordinances was approved unanimously by Tri-County, and will be signed by Mayor Ison, based on the previous regular meeting, then sent to Orange County. The workshop adjourned at 9:00 P:t!1~ ~ ciL,~ MAYOR ISON ~ _1