08-18-99 vMINUTES OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP HELD IN
COMMISSION CHAMBERS AT 5:30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1999
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Commission members present were the Mayor Shaughnessy and Commissioners Beaver, Borno,
Meserve and Mitchelson (who arrived at 5:40 p.m.).
Staff members present were City Manager Thompson, Finance Director Van Liere, Public Works
Director Bob Kosoy, Assistant Public Works Director Donna Kaluzniak, Police Chief John
Campbell, and City Clerk Maureen King.
Mayor Shaughnessy called the meeting to order and asked the City Manager to report on a meeting
of Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee which he had attended that day. City Manager
Thompson reported that he had been prompted to attend the meeting, partly because of an article
which had appeared in the newspaper indicating that Atlantic Beach had not paid Jacksonville for fire
services as per the June 1, 1999 contract. City Manager Thompson said he had advised the
Jacksonville officials that Atlantic Beach has not yet received an invoice and would be glad to pay
the amount due when the invoice was received. He pointed out that another, more complicated issue
related pension funds. He explained that there was a significant discrepancy in the figures calculated
by the Jacksonville actuaries and the actuarial firm hired by the City of Atlantic Beach, but the
actuaries are now working together to resolve this difference. He also explained that this matter was
further complicated by the financial interests of the Pension Board and the State of Florida. He said
it would be necessary to change the pension plan and the recommended changes would be brought
to the City Commission for approval.
The City Manager said he had just received some notification that American Heritage Life Insurance
company was proposing to increase the health insurance premiums for the HMO by 16.7% and the
PPO by 15%,which would result in an increase in premiums of approximately $20,000. He pointed
out that staff will be looking into this matter and will report back at a later date. Discussion ensued
regarding the possibility of linking with other entities to shop for better rates and it was felt that the
city may also look into this further.
Discussion then ensued regarding the Enhancements which had been proposed in the budget, as
follows: A copy of the proposed enhancements is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
1.City Pay and Classification Study (No. 3 in the attached summary of proposed
enhancements)
The City Manager felt that a pay and classification study, if implemented, could be a great benefit to
employees; however, he said that, historically, it can also create morale problems since some
employees would be identified as under-paid and if they received large increases, this would cause
morale problems among other employees. He pointed out that the city's current plan did not have
steps and therefore, employees had no indication as to the type of raises they could expect to receive.
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Budget Workshop
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August 18, 1999
Discussion ensued regarding different types of pay plans and Commissioner Meserve felt that pay
plans with steps were becoming less popular. The Mayor pointed out that according to the pay
studies which are carried out each year by the Florida League of Cities, several of Atlantic Beach job
classifications were under paid. The City Manager felt that the estimated figure of$8,000 - $10,000
would fund a complete study;however, he did not feel that it would be necessary to have a full-blown
study, and pointed out that there was sufficient expertise among city staff to undertake a study in-
house. Commissioners Beaver and Meserve agreed and said that was what the Human Resource
Director was hired for, and he should be allowed to look at the issue and make his recommendations.
At 6:30 p.m. the Mayor called a recess. Chief Alfred of the Jacksonville Fire Department was in the
City and had entered the meeting. The meeting reconvened at 6:40 p.m. and discussion continued
regarding a proposed pay and classification study. It was felt that the city had always tried to be fair
and competitive in approving salaries,but there would probably be more problems with the non-union
employees, since the union employees had the union to represent their interests.
2. Increases in Police Personnel (No. 1 in the attached summary of proposed
enhancements)
III Discussion ensued regarding the Police Department request to add one detective, two patrol officers
and one-half Records Clerk.
Commissioner Borno felt that three additional officers would not be sufficient and he recommended
the city consider adding two new detectives and four new officers. Following further discussion, the
City Manager said he preferred to add officers incrementally and felt that three additional officers
would be sufficient for this year. However, he said that if he needed further officers, he would come
back to the City Commission again next year with a further request.
Mayor Shaughnessy inquired how Atlantic Beach compared with other areas with regards to the
number of police officers per capita. The City Manager pointed out that Atlantic Beach was
somewhat low,but since this was a residential community and there were not any high-rise buildings,
and this was not a high tourist area, he felt that three additional officers would be sufficient at this
time.
3.Parks and Recreation Enhancements (No. 4 in the attached summary of proposed
enhancements)
The City Manager advised that staff had recommended painting the interior of the Adele Grage
Community Center, and replacing some tiles in the lobby area. He pointed out that the Recreation
Advisory Board had submitted several recommendations and while staff supported some of the
0 recommendations such as Fraser Park, mulch for the walkways in Howell Park, they did not
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August 18, 1999
necessarily agree with others. Commissioner Beaver felt that mulching of walkways, etc. was a
maintenance item and should not be included in enhancements. Commissioner Mitchelson felt that
wood chips could be obtained from tree companies at little or no cost.
Discussion then ensued regarding the recommendations submitted by the Recreation Advisory Board,
as follows:
Programs and Events-$25,000(Expand the number of programs for youth and senior citizens.
Allocate $5,000 for Teen Council)
The City Manager reported that no detail had been provided on this matter and he did not know what
the board had in mind. Mayor Shaughnessy said she would like to see the break-out sheets of the
Parks and Recreation Budget, i.e. what is included in the current level of service, and how much is
budgeted for programs, as well as other items. Commissioner Meserve agreed, and said he felt the
Recreation Board should come to the City Commission with their proposals, and the City
Commission could then decide if they wish to fund it. The City Manager agreed that staff would
provide information regarding the current level of service and then the City Commission could decide
if they wished to include additional programs.
Adele Grage Community Center- $15,000(Conduct feasibility study on how the center should
be used and complete design work)
The City Manager said that staff did not support this request and felt that the $15,000 would only
represent a down payment if the building was completely redesigned. He noted that suggestions were
made at the previous meeting regarding the use of this building, and he felt that if the City
Commission already had ideas about how they wished the building to be used, a feasibility study
would be unnecessary.
The Mayor noted that Commissioner Borno had suggested at the previous workshop that the second
floor of City Hall be expanded. If this were done, the Recreation Department staff could be moved
to City Hall. Discussion ensued regarding the condition of the Adele Grage Community Center, and
the City Manager said he felt the building was structurally sound, and noted that a sprinkler system
had been installed a few years ago. Commissioner Beaver said he liked a suggestion which was made
some time ago to make the building more user-friendly, and possibly adding an ampitheater at the
back. He felt that the City may wish to look into something like this in the future, but in view of the
many other projects which were planned, he did not feel this was the time to consider major
improvements to the community center.
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Russell Park- $6,750 (Maintenance of baseball fields and program support)
Discussion ensued regarding the Atlantic Beach Athletic Association and the Mayor felt that Atlantic
Beach was one of the few entities which did not maintain its baseball fields. Commissioner Borno
said he would like to see an accounting of ABAA funds. Commissioner Mitchelson and the City
Manager expressed concern that the concession stand showed a loss, and it was felt that future
contracts with ABAA should require them to submit an audit of their finances. The City Manager
felt that ABAA did not do enough to encourage minorities to participate in the program and the
Commission concurred that they would like to see better efforts in this regard.
Donner Park- $75,000 (Purchase adjoining lot for additional ball fields to be developed)
The City Manager reported that staff opposed the board recommendation, not because they object
to expanding the size of the park, but because the intent was to construct additional baseball fields
which he felt would have a negative impact on existing programs.
Fraser Park- $3,000 (Design plan for the median and sculpture garden)
The Mayor felt Fraser Park should be the next area that is considered; however she indicated she
would first like to finish the park projects which are in progress. Also, she wanted to investigate the
possibility of purchasing any property which is adjacent to existing parks, because in ten years, the
chance to buy land would be gone. Commissioner Beaver was amenable to looking into what could
be done in Fraser Park and budgeting a little money for this park. The Mayor suggested this matter
be referred to the Beautification Committee, Cultural Arts Board and Recreation Advisory Board.
Soccer Field - $100,000 (Develop regulation size field. Identified site may be unsuitable for
regulation field - need to identify alternate site)
The Mayor indicated that the Recreation Advisory Board had suggested the Tresca property
Intracoastal Waterway Park)as a possible location for a soccer field. She said the City had not had
a study done to determine if it would be possible to construct a soccer field at that location, nor do
they have any indication of the cost. In addition, she indicated that the residents from that area had
requested that property along Atlantic Boulevard be maintained as a buffer for their residential
community. Discussion ensued regarding possible locations for a soccer field and Commissioner
Beaver felt that Jordan Park offered a possible location for a soccer field. It was also suggested that
staff look into the possibility of purchasing a block of residential lots which could be used for an
active park. It was also suggested that the City work with the Atlantic Beach Elementary School
PTA to see if an arrangement could be worked out to use the school grounds for soccer practice.
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The City Manager presented two petitions from residents of Section H, one requesting that a buffer
be maintained between Atlantic Boulevard and the residential area, and the other requesting that the
City purchase land in Section H to be used for active recreation.
Commissioner Borno, again suggested the City Commission consider extending the second floor of
City Hall.
Commissioner Beaver inquired regarding a sign at Selva Marina Circle. The sign was placed there
many years ago and said something to the effect "this is not a ball park." Commissioner Beaver felt
that the sign had not been placed there by the City and asked if it could be removed. The City
Manager agreed to look into this matter.
It was determined that a third budget workshop should be held on Wednesday, August 25, 1999, as
previously scheduled. City Manager Thompson indicated he would provide answers to questions
which had been raised at this and the previous budget workshop, and he would prepare an agenda
for the next meeting.
IIIThere being no further discussion, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Maureen King
City Clerk
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