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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-02 Minutes WS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION HELD AUGUST 7,2002 CALL TO ORDER Mayor pro tern Anderson called the Budget Work Session to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, and asked City Manager Gleason to present the budget. PRESENT: Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Parker, and Johnson. Also present were City Manager Gleason, City Clerk Grafton, Finance Director Horton, Finance Supervisor Carter, Budget Analyst Brosonski, Accountant Bishop, Human Resources Director Diedrich, Building/Zoning Official Velie, Assistant Building/Zoning Official Washington, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Acting Public Works Director Wheeler, Planning Director Wagner, Acting Police Chief Goclon, Code Enforcement Supervisor Simon, Information Systems Manager Ross, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, Communications Manager Ek-Collins, Fire Chief Strosnider, Assistant Fire Chief Firstner, Recreation Director Farmer, Support Division Chief O'Neil, and Utilities Superintendent Holland. ABSENT: Mayor Vandergrift (ill) REVIEW AND DISCUSS: BUDGET FY 2002-2003. City Manager Gleason gave an overview of the budget process used this year and he distributed two reports. The first showed the dollar variance between the previous budgets and proposed budgets for each department, indicating the efforts being made by staff to tighten the budget and add more fiscal responsibility to the process. He said 70 % of the budget goes for personnel, benefits, etc. and 12 % is new money. The rest is pledged to bonds, loans, leases, etc. The second report showed reserve fund balances for General Fund, Stormwater, Water/Wastewater, and Solid Waste. Mr. Gleason pointed out the actual balances in General Fund and Water/Wastewater Fund fall below the minimum recommended percentages for reserves. He said the ideal goal would be to no longer pull from the reserves to make current payments. Mayor pro tern Anderson said historically this Commission has reviewed the budget book page by page, stopping when someone has a question. He asked that anyone in the audience wishing to speak please not be redundant. The review of the book began at page 2-1 and proceeded without comment that led to a change to page 4-3, where Mayor pro tern Anderson said account number 347530 should include the Jim Beech Recreation Center with Community Center Rental. On page 4-8, item 8204 West Orange Chamber of Commerce, Mayor pro tern Anderson asked that payment on this wait until the end of the year after all other obligations are taken care of. On page 4-15, Organizational Chart, Mayor pro tern Anderson noted with approval that Mr. Ross becomes a director upon the approval of this budget. City of Ocoee Budget Work Session August 7, 2002 On page 4-24, Finance Department, Mayor pro tern Anderson said the Accountant and Budget Analyst should be at the same pay grade, grade 14. Human Resources Director Diedrich said she would support that change and they should be exempt (not eligible for overtime pay). On page 4-56, Janitorial, Mayor pro tern Anderson said next year to consider putting all of the janitorial services here instead of separating out the Beech Recreation Center and the Community Center. On page 4-60, Law Enforcement, there was discussion about who should have the responsibility of the street crossing guards. On page 4-67, Fire Control, Mayor pro tern Anderson suggested the organizational chart should show the Administrative Assistants reporting to the Assistant Fire Chief instead of the Fire Chief. Chief Strosnider explained the procedures in their office and said he coordinates the day to day work in the office. On page 4-73, Protective Inspections, there was discussion regarding animal control. Commissioner Parker said she would like for the City to provide the truck and equipment to the County in exchange for service. Oh page 4-103, Parks and Recreation, there was discussion regarding the addition of Assistant Parks and Recreation Director and Aquatic Supervisor. Mr. Gleason and Mr. Farmer responded to questions. On page 4-112, Community Relations, Mayor pro tern Anderson said he wants Community Relations to be not a department but rather under the City Manager department, and he wanted a volunteer program similar to that at Health Central. Commissioner Johnson said he wanted to see the TV operations moved over to Information Services. On page 8-1, Personnel, Mayor pro tern Anderson expressed concern that the new IS director would be properly prepared for the position. Mr. Gleason said if he had not thought the move was right he would not have suggested it. Mr. Gleason talked about the reserves, saying the time has come to hold down on spending. He proposed moving Franchise Fees back into the General Fund and without objection was directed to do this. He talked about incentive prices to encourage users to reduce water consumption. Consensus was reached to look at fees and rates. RECESS 8:17 P.M. - 8:25 P.M. On page 9-1, Personnel Additions/Reclassifications, Human Resources Director Diedrich said Protective Inspections had been reorganized, eliminating some positions and reassigning duties upward. She stressed that the changes had nothing to do with the job performance of 2 City of Ocoee Budget Work Session August 7, 2002 any of those presently in the positions that had been eliminated, but rather to realign for effectiveness and efficiency. Commissioner Howell stated for the record that he did not agree with this, as it appeared the employees will be doing the same thing for less pay. Commissioner Parker said some inequities were created a few years ago and this is to bring them back into line. She reviewed some of the positions listed in the Florida League of Cities survey, comparing the salaries with Ocoee' s, and said it was time to correct the inequities. Commissioner Johnson said the inequities were created when the job raises were done two budget years ago. Mrs. Diedrich described the salary reductions created by the transfers and asked for authorization to adjust those salaries to where they would be if they had continued in the old position with pay raises. Mayor pro tern Anderson asked for the figures in writing. Jim Fleming, 511 Orange Avenue, spoke briefly regarding the budget. Recreation Director Farmer reviewed the changes in his department. Mayor pro tern Anderson asked for a report showing the difference between paying YMCA versus having city employees run the programs. The Commission agreed that the August 8 budget work session would not be needed and the requested reports would be provided at the Tentative Budget Hearing on September 9, 2002. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee ~$~ Scott Anderson, Mayor pro tern 3