Loading...
08-30-82 v AGENDA CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH SPECIAL CALLED MEETING August 30, 1982 1. Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget and Proposed Millage Rate 2. Ordinance No. 20-82-37 - An Ordinance Adopting an Operating Bud- get for the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida, for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 1982, and Ending September 30, 1983 - Second Reading 3. Proposed Personnel Rules and Regulations 4. Review of Proposals to Provide Auditing Services MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD AT THE CITY HALL ON AUGUST 30, 1982 AT 8:00 P.M. PRESENT: Robert B. Persons, Jr. - Mayor-Commissioner William I. Gulliford, Jr. John W. Morris, Jr. Catherine G. Van Ness, Commissioners AND: A. William Moss, City Manager Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney Adelaide R. Tucker, City Clerk ABSENT: Preben Johansen, Commissioner The meeting was called to order by Mayor Persons. The pledge to the flag was followed by the invocation, offered by Commissioner Van Ness. Mayor Persons regretfully announced that Commissioner Johansen is still in the hospital, and expressed the hope that all would send wishes for a speedy recovery. 1. Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget and Proposed Millage Rate The City Manager summarized a cover letter presented to the Commission on the tentative budget and proposed millage rate for the interest of the Public. He stated that on July 26, 1982, the City Manager presented to the City Commission a proposed budget for FY 1982-83. Workshop sessions were held on August 9th and 23rd,1982 and several changes were requested. 1.) Mr. Moss suggested that the best option available on the question of how the position of Fire Chief could be funded is to budget for the personnel as is now provided in the Public Safety budget, and increase the budget to provide funds for a full-time Chief. He suggested a beginning salary of $20,613 and fringe benefit cost would make a total of $26,225, excluding uniform, equipment, and transportation.20e City Manager also advised that $25,000 allocated for a C. I.P. project (meeting room) were transferred to the General Services Contingency Acct. (01-510-49) , and after making adjustments as discussed, that account has $43,078 available which may be transferred to the Public Safety Account to fund the position of Fire Chief. The City Manager explained, for the benefit of the audience, that prior to the con- clusion of the public hearing, the City Commission is required by Chapter 200.065 of the Florida Statutes to: Amend the tentative budget as it sees fit, adopt the amended tentative budget, recompute its proposed millage, and publicly announce the percent, if any, by which the recomputed proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled back rate. The proposed millage rate as presented does not exceed the rolled back rate. The pro- posed operating millage rate is $2. 3645 per $1,000 assessed value, a 48% reduction from the prior year operating millage. The tentative millage rate adopted during the public hearing may not exceed the rate tentatively provided to the Property Appraiser, and the millage adopted at the final public hearing cannot exceed the rate tentatively adopted at the first hearing unless, prior to the final hearing, each person is sent a personal notice of his taxes under the two rates. After a shprt discussion on the dates, the following motion was made by Commissioner Van Ness and seconded by Commissioner Gulliford: Motion: Change the Public Hearing dates on Ordinances No, 70-82-10; 80-82-22, and 90-82-75 originally scheduled for September 10, 1982 to September 13, 1982, and set the date for the final budget hearing and adoption of the millage rate for September 17, 1982 at 8:00 P.M. The Motion carried unanimously. PAGE TWO MINUTES-SPECIAL CALLED AUGUST 30, 1982 The City Manager requested that the minutes reflect that the Federal Revenue Sharing allocation for the coming year is $122,000. He is proposing to allocate those funds toward the construction of the new Public Works building. Mayor Persons then declared the floor open for a Public Hearing, and invited any comments from the floor. Approximately thirty-three citizens were in the audience, Three stated their objections to the telephone tax. They were Mr. Don Goodling, 328 5th St. who preferred to have higher property taxes in lieu of the telephone tax; Mrs. Eloise Claiborne, 1042 Beach Avenue, who felt the regressive taxes would be too much of a burden for some citizens. She also objected to the cost of the Public Works building and suggested the Commission consider a prefab building, and Mr. John Weldon, 380 5th Street, also objected to the telephone tax, stating it would be too much of a burden on the poor people. Mrs, Claiborne congratulated the City Manager and staff on the format of the proposed budget stating that in her many years of studying the City of Atlantic Beach budgets, this was the easiest one to read that she had ever seen. She expressed a strong concern on the capital out- lay proposed for the sewer. Commissioner Gulliford responded to Mrs. Claiborne's comments. He advised that a meeting had been held on the Public Works building just prior to this meeting and all bids were rejected on the new Public Works building. The Committee all agreed that some type of metal building that is economical and functional will be much more appropriate for the city's use.He expounded on how they had inherited past sewer problems, such as the fact that the general fund has been subsi- dizing the sewer fund for many years, and the increase in fees will begin to show the actual costs. He added that the city is now at 94% capacity of the existing sewer plant and the Committee had met with D.E.R. and determined that the best alternative to the community for a short term is to go with package plants which will increase our capacity about 20% in the interim until the City gets funding. The package plants are also salvageable, maybe as much as 75%. A general discussion followed, including any possible changes that could be made concerning the tentative budget and proposed millage rate during the meeting of September 13, 1982. The Mayor then declared the Public Hearing closed. Mayor Persons expressed the opinion that some thought should be given to appropriating some capital funds for improvements West of Mayport Road around Church Road or the East side of Mayport Road around Jordan St. The City Manager advised that studies are now being done on that section. Discussion followed. The Mayor declared a five minute recess. 9: 15 p.m. The meeting was called back to order by the Mayor. Commissioner Morris made the following motion which was seconded by Commissioner Gulliford: Motion: Adopt the tentative budget and proposed millage rate The motion carried unanimously and the final Public Hearing was set for September 17, 1982 (Friday) at 8:00 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PAGE THREE MINUTES-SPECIAL CALLED AUGUST 30, 1982 2. Ordinance No. 20-82-37 - Second Reading AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1982, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 1983 Said Ordinance was presented in full, in writing, and read on second reading by Mayor Persons. Commissioner Van Ness made the following motion and Commissioner Gulliford seconded: Motion: Ordinance No. 20-82-37 be passed on second reading, by title only. The Motion carried unanimously. The Public Hearing was set for September 17,1982 at 8:00 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3. Proposed Personnel Rules and Regulations The City Manager presented his extensive proposed Personnel Rules and Regulations that would amend the last personnel program passed in 1965. Mayor Persons expressed the opinion that several items should be discussed including step raises, and suggested that a committee be appointed to work with the City Manager on any changes before the Ordinance is presented. Mayor Persons appointed Commissioner Van Ness as Chairman, and Commissioners Morris,&Persons, Chief Stucki and the City Manager to serve on the committee. A meeting date was set for September 1, 1982, Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m. 4. Review of Proposals to Provide Auditing_ Services Mr. Moss respectfully submitted the following names for consideration by the City Commission. In alphabetical order, they are: Ernst & Whinney Price Waterhouse Touche Ross & Company Tyson & Swindell He explained that ten firms submitted statements of qualifications to the City. Three members of the City staff reviewed the proposals and individually tabulated a score based on predetermined criteria. He then listed six procedures the City Commission may wish to consider in the selection process as described in Chapter 473. 317 Florida Statutes. Discussion followed. Commissioner Gulliford moved that the Commission request public presentations by the above four firms giving qualifications, ability, and approach to audit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Morris. The date was set for September 13, 1982 and it was suggested that each firm be asked to limit their presentations to a maximum of ten (10)minutes. Mr. Moss expressed appreciation to Mr. Cravey for his fine work on the evaluation. Miscellaneous Business Commissioner Gulliford suggested that the Mayor appoint a Committee to meet prior to the next meeting to discuss the increase in compensation to the City Manager, and report to the full Commission what their recommendation might be. The Mayor appointed Commissioner Gulliford to Chair the Committee, and he and Commissioner Van Ness would serve on the Committee. A meeting was set for September 1,1982 at 7:00 p.m. PAGE FOUR MINUTES-SPECIAL CALLED AUGUST 30, 1982 Commissioner Morris reported that the Committee appointed to search for a new City Clerk had met on August 24, 1982, and the City Manager confirmed that the advertisement had been placed in the local papers, with a salary range of $13,000 to $15,000. Mayor Persons commented that it might be wise to leave a little more flexibility on the high range, and suggested the top range be raised to $17,500. The following motion was made by Commissioner Gulliford and seconded by Commissioner Morris: Motion: Set the upper limit of the salary for the new City Clerk to $17,500. The motion carried unanimously. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mrs. Corradine suggested that the Commission give serious consideration in the upcoming budget for the purchase of microphones for each Commissioner, as the back of the room has great difficulty in hearing. The City Manager was instructed to look into the cost. There being no further business, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. ii or v (SEAL) Robe t B. Persons, Jr. Mayor-Commissioner ATTEST: Adelaide R. Tucker City Clerk