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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-02 Minutes SS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION FINAL BUDGET SPECIAL SESSION HELD SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the Final Budget Special Session to order in the Commission Chambers at 7:00 p.m. and announced this was an advertised public hearing to finalize the budget and adopt a final millage rate for the City of Ocoee. The City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.5789 mills which represents a 0% increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 4.5789 mills. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum City Clerk Grafton called the roll and declared a quorum to be present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker. Also present were City Manager Gleason, City Attorney Rosenthal, City Clerk Grafton, Finance Director Horton, Finance Supervisor Carter, Budget Analyst Brosonski, Accountant Bishop, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, Human Resources Director Diedrich, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Acting Public Works Director Wheeler, Fire Chief Strosnider, Information Systems Manager Ross, Planning Director Wagner, Communications Manager Ek-Collins, Assistant Building/Zoning Official Washington, Police Chief Goclon, and Recreation Director Farmer. PUBLIC HEARING Finance Director Horton reported the proposed millage rate of 4.5789 is the rolled-back rate and represents 0 % increase in taxes. The ad valorem tax revenue will provide funding for operating expenses, programs, capital improvement projects, and the purchase of equipment and vehicles. The public hearing was opened. Comments by Citizens R. P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, asked what changes were made between the last budget and this budget, particularly regarding manpower. City Manager Gleason responded there was one new full-time position for an aquatic supervisor, and several part- time lifeguards would be needed. This cost will be offset by the savings, because the City will no longer be paying YMCA for this service. He added this budget is less than 1 % over last year's budget. Kristen Leach, 2712 Estep Court, advised six cats were missing in her neighborhood and three were confirmed dead. Her cat was one of those killed by a bobcat and she felt the City should not give up the position of animal control as proposed in this budget. She added the City had done nothing to inform the public about this danger. She asked that the animal control position not be given up, as this person was needed to catch the bobcat. City Manager Gleason explained that animal control is not concerned with wildlife, but rather with Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Special Session September 23,2002 domestic animals, and the state will step in for wildlife control. He added that all Orange County citizens are paying the County for animal control and it would be appropriate for all to benefit from these tax monies rather than have Ocoee citizens paying twice for animal control. Commissioner Parker said she would follow up on this as she had already contacted some wildlife specialists, who said for a fee of $150 to trap and $150 to dispose of the animal, they would take care of the problem animal(s). She said she felt this could be accomplished with an expenditure of less than $1,000 and she asked Mayor Vandergrift to declare this an emergency item so she could make a motion. Mayor Vandergrift declared this to be an emergency item. Commissioner Parker. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to contact a wildlife specialist to trap and remove wild animals and resolve this situation. Motion carried 5-0. Karl Meyer, 2205 Essex Drive, addressed the Commission regarding domestic animals roaming in packs in Coventry Subdivision. Commissioner Parker said that, as a result of insurance companies refusing to cover incidents involving shepherds, chows and pit bulls, irresponsible pet owners have turned their pets out and they are running in packs. She said she plans to go to the County to address this issue, as they should take care of the City of Ocoee residents as well as the unincorporated areas of the County. Ms. Leach asked to be advised of the name of the trappers. Both Commissioner Parker and Mr. Gleason said they would give her the information. Edith Galarza, Boxing Booster mom, addressed the Commission regarding the closing of the boxing program and gym. City Manager Gleason advised the City was not closing it down, just privatizing the program, and would be providing $10,000 to aid Mr. Cristelli in finding another location. Irma (?), spoke as an animal advocate in opposition to removing the animal control position from the budget and in favor of continuing the mobile spay/neuter clinic. Comments by Commissioners Mayor Vandergrift agreed with this last speaker regarding animal control, and said he had advocated a part-time animal control position in the past. Mayor Vandergrift moved to amend the budget by deleting the assistant public works director position and retaining animal control. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Johnson discussed double taxation and said each citizen should go to the County and let them know they expect service. Page 2 of 4 Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Special Session September 23, 2002 Commissioner Parker said the mobile spay/neuter clinic could still come out whether the City has an animal control department or not. Commissioner Anderson said the focus should be on mosquito control rather than animal control at this time Correction/Addition: and that's another dual taxation issue. Commissioner Howell said there are some things he does not agree with in the budget and he would like to vote on Parks & Recreation and Public Works items separately. City Attorney Rosenthal advised this was not possible as the budget was not subject to separate votes. Commissioner Johnson said he wants to amend the travel policy so that anything they spend on trips will come directly out of their stipend. This will be discussed further at the next regular meeting. Mayor Vandergrift asked if there were any amendments the Commission wished to propose to the adopted tentative budget and there were none brought forward. City Attorney Rosenthal announced since there were no amendments to the adopted tentative budget, a recess was not needed. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-22, setting final millage rate. Commissioner Parker. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-22 setting a final millage rate at 4.5789 mills for fiscal year 2002-2003. Prior to calling for the vote on the above motion, Mr. Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance and announced the name of the taxing authority is the City of Ocoee, the rolled-back millage rate is 4.5789 mills, the proposed percentage by which the proposed millage exceeds the rolled-back rate is 0%. The millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 4.5789 mills. Mayor Vandergrift asked for public comments or Commission comments and there were none. The vote was then called for. Motion carried 5-0. RECESS 7:53 - 8:02 p.m. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-23, adopting final budget. Commissioner Anderson. seconded bv Commissioner Parker. moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-23. adopting the final budget for fiscal vear 2002-2003. Mayor Vandergrift asked for public comments and there were none. Commissioner Howell stated that overall it was a good budget but there were things he could not agree with so he must vote against the whole budget. He then elected to propose a change in the reclassifications. Page 3 of 4 Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Special Session September 23,2002 Commissioner Howell. seconded by Mavor Vandergrift, moved to amend the adopted tentative budget and Ordinance No. 2002-23 to make changes in the positions listed on page 9- 2 by deleting the two reclassifications, the title change, and the aquatic supervisor position in the Recreation Department and move the funding figures (48,765.) into contingency. When discussion was called, Commissioner Johnson asked Recreation Director Farmer to report on the dollars he has turned in compared to last year's receipts. Mr. Farmer reported an additional $10,000 has come in as a result of the pool, and for rentals an additional $30,000 plus. When the vote for the proposed amendment was called, the motion lost 1-4 with Mayor Vandergrift and Commissioners Anderson, Johnson, and Parker voting no. Vote on motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-23, adopting the final budget. When the vote on the original motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2002-23 adoptinQ: the final budl!et was called the motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Anderson commended staff for a very professional job and the best budget he has seen. The rest of the Commission agreed. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Vandergrift announced the end of the budget public hearing and adjourned the meeting at 8: 15 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee Page 4 of 4