HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-04 Minutes WS
MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORK SESSION
HELD AUGUST 23, 2004
CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Vandergrift called the work session to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers. Acting City Clerk Brasher took roll.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and
Parker. Also present were City Manager Frank, Assistant to the City Manager Shira,
Acting City Clerk Brasher, Chief Communications Supervisor Simanski, Community
Development Director Wagner, Finance Director Horton, Finance Supervisor Carter,
Accountant Bishop, Budget Analyst Brosonski, Fire Chief Strosnider, Assistant Fire
Chief Firstner, Human Resources Director Diedrich, Information Systems Director
Ross, Parks/Recreation Director Farmer, Police Chief Goclon, Deputy Public Works
Director Zaitooni, Public Works Director Wheeler, Fire Inspector Stanley, and Facilities
Maintenance Supervisor Reed.
ABSENT: None
REVIEW AND DISCUSS: BUDGET FY 2004-2005
Page 4-73
Commissioner Johnson said when the Assistant Fire Chief was added he thought a
Fire Marshal position was to be added as well. Assistant Fire Chief Firstner said the
department has proposed to reclassify one of the Fire Inspectors to Fire Marshal, not
add an additional position. City Manager Frank said he was aware of the proposal but
funds are limited and the hiring of the new Fire Chief could affect the organizational
structure of the department. Finance Director Horton said the cost of the
reclassification would be $7,000. Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner
Anderson said they would like to see this position in the budget. It was the consensus
of the Commission to promote within to fill the Fire Marshal position.
Page 4-74
Commissioner Anderson inquired as to why the Rescue Squad #25 goes on every
call. Assistant Chief Firstner said the size of the truck does not matter on the nature
of the call; the rescue truck goes on every call. Commissioner Parker said she has
been saying for years that the City needs to have a vision for the Fire Department.
City Manager Frank said a Strategic Planning Session is being planned in September
and input from the Commission can be discussed at that time.
Commissioner Johnson inquired as to why the Rescue 1 Squad truck is still used.
Chief Strosnider said it carries heavy equipment that cannot be carried on the other
trucks and the equipment is not always used, but available if needed. Discussion
Ocoee City Commission Budget Work Session
August 23, 2004
ensued regarding the use of Rescue Squad 1.
Page 4-78
Commissioner Anderson said he felt the Building Department started having
problems when the Office Manager was moved down to a Permitting Clerk.
Human Resources Director Diedrich said that position is a pay grade 11, which is a
higher pay grade than any other Administrative positions in the City; the pay grade is
even higher than the City Manager's Executive Assistant. This individual was
compensated in a management capacity and this is a position that is clerical in nature
with a maximum of three individuals reporting to them. If the position is moved up, it
will destroy the integrity of the clerical support system.
Commissioner Howell said adding one Municipal Inspector is not enough and he
would like to see more added to the budget. City Manager Frank said this is a tough
position to fill due to the pay grade and the salary adjustments that would be needed
for the Inspectors already employed by the City. Community Development Director
Wagner said it is hard to find qualified individuals to fill the positions. Human
Resources Director Diedrich said it is hard to hire certified Inspectors due to the high
standards the state has set. Ms. Diedrich further stated the need for City Commission
to lobby the Florida League of Cities and the Orange County Management Group to
lobby the state to lower the standards because this is a problem across the state.
Mayor Vandergrift asked Staff to bring back some information so the Commission can
follow up on this issue. Building Official Phelps stated due to the shortage the state
has come up with private providers when the private providers were allowed; the state
has inflated salaries for Inspectors. Municipalities are not competing against each
other; they are competing against private providers.
Commissioner Johnson said he would like an additional Code Enforcement Officer
added to this budget or add a part-time Code Enforcement beginning October 1 and
make them full time mid-year. City Manger Frank said it would be possible to add a
Code Enforcement Officer in the budget to start mid-year.
City Manger Frank further stated that Code Enforcement should be discussed at the
Strategic Planning Session. Commissioner Johnson said he would like the Code
Enforcement Officer to start October 1. Mayor Vandergrift said $40,000 would have to
be added to the budget to offset the cost of the additional Code Enforcement Officer.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the hiring of an additional Code Enforcement
Officer. Finance Director Horton stated the Building Department generates the
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Ocoee City Commission Budget Work Session
August 23, 2004
highest amount of fees by department. Ms. Horton clarified that hiring a Code
Enforcement Officer will cost :t $48,000, a Municipal Inspector will cost :t $57,000, a
Fire Marshal will cost :t $7,000, and up to $12,000 would be needed for equipment for
the additional positions. City Manger Frank asked for clarification on what positions
are to be added to the budget.
It was the consensus of the Commission to add an additional Building Inspector, an
additional Code Enforcement Officer, and upgrade a Fire Inspector to Fire Marshal.
Commissioner Anderson asked Staff to bring a report back to Commission as to how
much revenue a Municipal Inspector brings in annually. A lengthy discussion ensued
regarding Municipal Inspectors.
Mayor Vandergrift stated that he would like an AM/FM radio broadcast station to notify
the public for emergencies and miscellaneous.
Page 4-88
Commissioner Anderson asked that additional funds be added to the Cemetery
Maintenance line item so the cemetery can be landscaped and irrigated. Parks and
Recreation Director Farmer said there is irrigation in the cemetery. Mayor
Vandergrift said the Boy Scouts would like to volunteer to clean up the cemetery.
Commissioner Johnson said the cemetery rules and regulations need to be enforced.
Parks/Recreation Director Farmer said staff attended a Cemetery Workshop and a
proposal for the cemetery will be brought before Commission.
Commissioner Anderson
Said he would like to see the sidewalk on Ocoee-Hills Road widened to
five feet instead of the planned four feet. City Manager Frank said it would make
sense to widen the sidewalk to five feet if right-of-way permits.
Said he would like to a lighted marquee that can be seen from both
directions on Bluford Avenue.
Voiced his concerns with the reclassification in the Human Resources
Department.
Said he would like to see the percentage of police officers in the City
compared to the percentage of police officers in other municipalities of the same
population. Commissioner Johnson said he would like to see the percentage per
officer, per department.
City Manager Frank stated that the Commission has entrusted him to be the City
Manager and to make recommendations regarding the budget and personnel issues
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Ocoee City Commission Budget Work Session
August 23, 2004
and what is proposed in the budget is what he needs to run the City correctly for the
2004-2005 fiscal year.
Commissioner Johnson
Said he would like a list of all job reclassifications for the past six years.
Said he would like the employees to receive a 3% merit increase this year
and 4% next year. Budget Analyst Brosonski said the additional 1 % increase would
cost an additional $50,000.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding merit increase, pay for performance increase,
and longevity. Commissioner Howell said he was in favor of a 3% merit increase.
Commissioner Parker said she was in favor of a 3% merit increase. Mayor
Vandergrift said he was in favor of longevity. Commissioner Anderson said he was
in favor of a 3% merit increase.
Commissioner Johnson said he would like each department to establish the costs of
the infrastructure for the new high school.
Commissioner Howell - None
Mayor Vandergrift
Asked City Manager Frank if he had any suggestions for improvement for
the next budget cycle. City Manager Frank said he may make some recommendations
at a later date.
ADJOURN
The budget work session adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Attest:
APPROVED:
City of Ocoee
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Brenda Brasher, Acting City Clerk
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