Loading...
09-19-21 Budget Workshop adopted minutessLAN- , MINUTES 4 0 4d Budget Workshop Meeting tj y' x'` r' Thursday, August 19, 2021 - 6:00 PM i : % Commission Chamber ATTENDANCE: Present: Ellen Glasser, Mayor - Seat 1 Bruce Bole, Commissioner - Seat 2 Michael Waters, Commissioner - Seat 3 Candace Kelly, Commissioner- Seat 4 Brittany Norris, Mayor Pro Tem/ Commissioner- Seat 5 Also Present: Shane Corbin, City Manager(CM) Brenna Durden, City Attorney (CA) Donna Bartle, City Clerk (CC) Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager (DCM) Melissa Burns, Finance Director(FD) Steve Swann, City Engineer (CE) Scott Williams, Public Works Director (PWD) Dan Arlington, Building Official CALL TO ORDER Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT Sarah Boren spoke about four different funding suggestions for using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Mark Gabrynowicz spoke about the Environmental Stewardship Committee's submitted budget and suggested uses. 2. FY2021-2022 BUDGET TOPICS CM Corbin mentioned this is the second of the Budget Workshops, and additional Workshops could be scheduled if needed. He explained the budget for Public Works had been revised. He also explained there has been confirmation of the American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) funds and it has been incorporated into the budget. Proposed FY21-22 Budget Finance Director Melissa Burns reviewed pages 209 through 225 of the agenda packet and answered questions from the Commission. Budget Workshop August 19,2021 Commissioner Norris suggested combining projects when possible to alleviate double construction. Mayor Glasser asked for clarification about the -33% Local Option Gas Tax. Finance Director Burns said she receives her estimates from the State of Florida, and the -33%resulted in a 6.2% revenue increase for the City. Mayor Glasser asked if the first tranche from the ARPA funds were included in the budget or both tranches. Finance Director Burns replied and said only the first tranche of funds were budgeted. Public Works City Engineer Steve Swann reviewed the General Fund Capital Outlay for FY22. Mayor Glasser asked if a sand blower was purchased to use on the public access points. PW Director Williams said sand blowers were not purchased, but a tractor was purchased to clear the sand. Mayor Glasser asked about the City standard for the accesses and sand build-up. CE Swann explained sand build-up helps beach renourishment. Commissioner Waters asked if the white picket sand fencing is functional with beach renourishment. PW Director Williams and CE Swann explained that specific fencing is not permitted by the City. Most of the fencing is on private property. Commissioner Kelly asked for a brief overview of the Sidewalk at Seminole Country Club project.CE Swann explained there is no road crossing or connection to Seminole Road sidewalk, and a regular sidewalk would be installed. Mayor Glasser asked about the drainage issues at Howell Park. CE Swann explained a FEMA grant is pending for dredging and drainage at the park and surrounding areas. Additional grants would be applied to allow for additional funds to restore the creek and the bridge in the park. Commissioner Waters asked about the 16th Street Beach Walkover project. CE Swann explained the decking and railing are failing on the walkover. The project requires the City to work with the neighboring property owner to complete the project. Mayor Glasser asked for details regarding the ROW Parking Pads with Turf Block project. CE Swann explained it's an ongoing project to create additional parking on Mayport Road near Beaches Diner and the Arts Market. Commissioner Norris asked for details regarding the milling and paving project. PW Director Williams mentioned the details and schedule for the milling and paving project is in the upcoming Staff report. Commissioner Norris asked about the Public Works Building rehabilitation project. PW Director Williams explained the project would entail tearing the current building down to the Budget Workshop August 19,2021 beams and rebuilding from that point. The new rebuild of the building would bring the building up from a Cat 1 rating to a Cat 3 rating. Mayor Glasser provided an update regarding the reallocation of funds from the COJ for the Lifeguard station and the Baker Center. She mentioned she has been speaking with several people from COJ regarding this project. A conversation ensued regarding the mold issue in the current building. Mayor Glasser reviewed the milling and paving project schedule. She mentioned that she received an email from residents regarding the tight corner on 19th causing the garbage truck to drive on the landscape and the lack of maintenance on Selva Lakeside. Commissioner Norris asked for details regarding the Dutton Island drainage project. PW Director Williams explained the roadway entrance to Dutton Island needs repair and pullouts installed for passing cars. Commissioner Bole asked if any projects are tied to the vulnerability analysis. PW Director Williams said the Aquatic gardens project is tied to the analysis. Mayor Glasser asked if any Public Works projects tie into the Connectivity Plan. PW Director Williams stated the sidewalk improvement project and the Country Club project are part of the plan. A conversation ensued regarding obtaining a professional Arborist for the City to assist with tree mitigation situations and be used as a resource to residents. Public Safety CM Corbin gave an overview of budget items related to the Police Union's requests. Police Chief Victor Gualillo spoke about the request for a pay increase, the need for two additional officers, and additional scheduling suggestions. Commissioner Waters asked about the City offering incentives for recruiting and retaining new officers. Chief Gualillo stated the offered salary is equal to surrounding Departments. Chief Gualillo explained the Union's suggestion of changing the pay structure to match surrounding Departments. A conversation ensued regarding shared fees and responsibilities for irrigation and electricity with Neptune Beach. CM Corbin would provide additional information at an upcoming meeting. Commissioner Norris asked about budgeting overtime for Officers.Chief Gualillo said overtime is budgeted annually. However, more overtime is required now for the amount of work the officers do including required training. Chief Gualillo said even with the struggle of recruiting new officers, he would not lower the required standards. Budget Workshop August 19,2021 Mayor Glasser asked about the Parking Attendant and Community Service Officers working the paid parking solution at 18th and 19th Street. She asked about hiring a paid Parking Attendant instead of sharing an employee with Neptune Beach. Chief Gualillo said he would suggest the City compare the options of hiring a professional organization to provide paid parking services or hire its own employees. CM Corbin and Commissioner Norris stated a third-party company had been contacted, and they are awaiting a response with details. Mayor Glasser spoke about additional budget-related topics to be discussed in an upcoming meeting. Building Department Building Official Dan Arlington spoke about page 123 of the agenda and answered questions from the Commission. He spoke about the increase in construction and some of the revisions of the Florida Building Code. He also reported changes the department made during Covid-19 in order to work online more but still serve the community. Charter Review Committee CA Durden asked the Commission if they would like to start the Charter review in 2022 or 2023. She reviewed the history and segments of Section 81 (Periodic Review)and the previous Charter review bringing up the question of when to start the next Charter review. She suggested the review start in 2023, which would be eight years after the new revision was voted on and effective. City Clerk Bartle agreed with CA Durden about beginning the review in 2023. It was the consensus of the Commission to start the Charter review in 2023. 3. CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Commissioner Boles mentioned the noticeable positive changes in garbage collections. Commissioner Kelly thanked Public Works Director Williams for the level of detail in the budget presentation. Commissioner Norris thanked the Department Heads for their work during the budget process. Commissioner Waters thanked the staff for their hard work preparing the budget. He expressed his support to keep the Police Department staffed and trained. Mayor Glasser expressed her support for assigning priority to the different City projects. She thanked the staff for the budget preparation. She suggested other departments meet with the Commission to review their budgets in person. She spoke about including a raise for the City Clerk in the budget and on time. Budget Workshop August 19,2021 CM Corbin thanks the staff for their work during the budget review. He welcomed the Commission to call or email him with any questions or concerns regarding the budget. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Glasser adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Attest: Vd‘bizte. Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk El"'Tosser, Mayor g-2/ Date Approved: Budget Workshop August 19,2021