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08-18-99 vMINUTES OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS AT 5:30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1999 111111 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. Page Two AA Budget Workshop IP 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 Page Three 11) Budget Workshop 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. Page Four 410 Budget Workshop August 18, 1999 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. Page Five 111 Budget Workshop August 18, 1999 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 0