Loading...
CCMtg12-17-07MinLONGWOOD C;IT~' COMMISSION Longwood City Comnnission Chamlbers 175 West 'Warren Avenue Longwood, Florida M][NU'I'ES DECEM_BER.17, 2007 7: X00 ~.:M. Present: Mayor John C. Maingot Deputy Mayor H.G. "Butch" Bundy, Jr. Commissioner Brian D. Sackett Commissioner Dan Anderson Commissioner Mike Holt: Teresa S. Roper, City Atl:orne3 John J. Drago, City Administr;~tor Sarah M. Mirus, City Clerk Tom Smith, Division Manager• of Streets/Fleets Craig Dunn, Computer Servicf~s Manager Richard Kornbluh, Division Manager of Utilities Carol Rogers, Director ojf Financial Services Ryan Spinelli, Executive Assistant Cindy Carbonell, Fire Department Tom Jackson, Police Chief Danielle Adzima, Community ~~ervices Coordinator Paul Sizemore, Director of Community Services Laurie Mooney, Fire Chief 1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Maingot called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. A moment of SILENT MEDITATION was followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Mirus read the following announcement: A. Senior Matinee will beheld on December 19, 2007 from 1:30 p.m. unti13:30 p.m., Longwood Community Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. 4. RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAM~-TIOPIS. A. Nomination and selection of th~~ recipient of the Martin.Luther King Good Citizenship Award (Presentation. scheduled for January 21, 2008). CC 11-17-07/383 Mayor Maingot nominated Herla Barthelemy to receive the 2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Good Citizenship Award.and read a brief biography on ~ her. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Anderson nominated Pastor Augustine "Gus" Davies to receive the 2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Good Citizenship Award and read a brief biography on him. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. B. District #4 Nomination of the Business Person of the Month Award for January 2008. Deputy Mayor Bundy nominated Karen Jaeger, Executive Director, The PLACE of Comfort, 947 Longdale Avenue, for the Business Person of the Month Award for January 2008. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. 5. BOARD APPOINTMENTS. A. District #4 Nomination to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Deputy Mayor Bundy nominated Lori A. Rice, 609 Quail Avenue, to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice. vote. B. District #2 Nomination to the Board of Adjustment. ~ Commissioner Anderson nominated Tom C. DeNegre, 330 Ferdinand Drive, for reappointment to the Board of Adjustment.. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. 6. PUBLIC INPUT. A. Public Participation. None. 7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. Mr. Drago reported he had placed a brochure before the Commissioners that he will be posting on the City's website. He said the Mayors and Managers have been meeting relative to an informational flier for the public regarding the January 29th ballot amendment on Property Tax Reform. He advised this would also be placed on the back of the Illz~minations as a featured article and placed in the water bills at the end ofthe month. He said 1VIr. Spinella would also place a link on the City's webpage to a detailed explanation from the Florida League of Cities. Commissioner Sackett recommended some revisions to the language on the flier. Mr. Drago said if the flier was approved by the Commission it would be printed on the back of the Illuminations and placed on the City's webpage. ~ CC 12-17-07/384 Deputy Mayor Bundy said this was a go~~d first step. He stated people would be ~ out in force making citizens aware of the situation. He suggested they needed to ~ make people aware of the impact this would make on the local services. Mayor Maingot said the next step 'was to set up public meetings where this issue could be addressed to educate the. public,. He suggested high school students would be a good medium to reach and educate their parents. Mr. Drago said people would be ir.~undat~~d from both sides of the issue. He stated Unions would be out in force and makin„ phone calls. The Orlando Sentinel did a good job in giving a calculation sheet to show the savings and getting the information out. Deputy Mayor Bundy suggested sending out a notice fo the Homeowner Associations to tell them the Comrnissio:~~ers would be available to address this issue. 8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONS;RS' F;EPORT. District #3. Commissioner Holt reported Senator Lee Constantine would be holding his District Open House from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on December 19th. He stated Chairman Carey of the County Commission hadsent information about consolidation of meetings. ~'' Mayor Maingot said. this was broti7ht up at the. last City/County meeting and the consolidation of meetings would be discussed at their next joint meeting. Commissioner Holt'wished everyone Happy Holidays. District #4. Deputy Mayor Bundy inquired if there was an update on the Florida Municipal Investment Pool. Mr. Drago advised the City did have approximately $6 million and we had withdrawn about $2 million wthotrt penalty. The other $4 million remains there. He said the thinking was that the market would start to stabilize after a while. He stated Ms. Rogers was looking into bringing forth a different investment policy so they can diversify. Deputy Mayor Bundy said he would assume there were policies and procedures for investing in this fund. He inquired if :it was within the agreement to give them the authority so that they could freeze these funds. Mr. Drago explained the Board of Trustees controlled the fiord. He said they did hire a manager to advise them, but the authority lies with the Board of Trustees. Deputy Mayor Bundy thanked staff for t].Ze j ob they have done throughout the ~°' year and he recognized each Department. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas. CC 1'1.-17-0'7/3'85 District #5. Commissioner Sackett. echoed the same sentiments and said all have done a superior job. He wished the Happiest of Holidays to all. He reported Ms. ~/, Meli held a meeting. today to finalize a pool plan for Lyman High School and a meeting would be set up for the second week in Jariuary. District #1. 1Vlayor Maingot reported several of the Commissioners had attended the meeting at the Rolling Hills Moravian Church on December 6th, concerning the widening of 434. He said this was the 8th year the Longwood Carolers went out to the various .health care facilities. This year they went caroling on December 9th and had 46 carolers. December 1 Oth, he participated in the Longwood Area Chamber of Commerce meeting. December 12th, he attended the Seminole Community College Criminal Justice Institute graduation ceremony where Chief Jackson was the guest speaker. Mayor Maingot's son was a recipient. in the graduation process and received an academic award. He reported that earlier today he gave a welcome address to the Senior Citizens participating in a Health Education event that was co-sponsored by the City and the Family Physicians Group. District #2. Commissioner Anderson reported he attended a MetroPlan meeting on December .6th, the same day of the meeting at the Moravian Church. They discussed the priority schedule; and the widening of 434 was number two on the schedule for completion. He stated they discussed the involvement of the City and he told them they never came to the City to see if the plans matched with the needs of the City. He said they also discussed the money for medians. He declared ~ , one of the critical areas in which the process is broken, was between the City and the County. Commissioner Anderson thanked Mayor Maingot for the caroling each year and said it means so much to the people they visit. He thanked staff for all they do. Mayor 1Vlaingot said he and Mr. Drago have met with the County Chairman and staff on several occasions to express the City's concerns on the widening of 434. He stated they have the Commuter Rail coming with millions of dollars being invested. He declared they have not given a second thought to the fact that Lynx, the widening of 434; and. the Commuter Rail will occur at the same time. Deputy Mayor Bundy suggested this be placed on an Agenda for discussion and inviting Chairman Carey to the meeting. He stated this vas number two on the priorities because the County was fronting the fiords. It was the consensus of the Commission to place this on the Agenda for the second meeting in January: 9. CONSENT AGENDA. A. Approve Minutes of the December 3, 20D7 Regular Meeting. B. Finance Division of the Financial Services Department recommends payment of approved and estimated bills for January 2008. CC 12-17-07/3 86 -i C. Finance Division of the Financial Services Department recommends approval of the Monthly :Financial Report for November 2007. D. Properties Maintenance Di~~isic-n of the Public Works Department recommends the City Commission approve a purchase order with Grounds Maintenance Services in the amount of $39,000.00 for turf maintenance of Candylan.d Park for the fiscal year and authorize the City Administrator to sign,all appropriate documents. Commissioner Sackett moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. 10. PUBLIC HEARINGS. A. The Community Development ]Division of the Community Services Department recommends. the City Commission read by title only and adopt Ordinance 07-1851 to amend the Longwood Development Code (LDCA OS-07) to comply with the Wekiva Parkway.and Protection Act. Ms. Roper announced havi~ig proof of publication for this and all public hearings on the agenda. She then read Ordinance No. 07-1851 by tifl.e i only. Ms. Adzima advised, this w;as the second step to the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act. The first step was to have all local governments impacted by the Wekiva Study area to adopt policies in their Comprehensive Plans to protect the Wekiva Study area. It is now necessary to adopt Land Development Regulations to implement the specific parts of the policy that relate to private development within the study area. Mayor Maingot opened the public; hearing. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the Ordinance. Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bundy and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner AndF;rson moved to adopt Ordnance 07-1851. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. ' B. Finance Division of the Financial Services Department recommends the City Commission read by title only and adopt Resolution. 07-1187 ~ establishing the City's notice of intent to use. the uniform method for collecting non-ad valorem asses:~ments in 2008. CC 12-17-Oi'/387 Ms. Roper read Resolution No. 07-1187 by title only. Mayor Maingot opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the Resolution. Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing. Secorded by Deputy Mayor Bundy and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Anderson moved to adopt Resolution 07-1187. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bundy and carried by a unanimous roll call vote..' C. City Administrator recommends the City Commission read by title only, and .adopt Ordinance 07-185 which amends the Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services contract. Ms. Roper read Ordinance No. 07-1855 by title only. Mayor Maingot opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the Ordinance. Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bundy and carried'by a unanimous ~ voice vote. Deputy Mayor Bundy moved to accept Ordinance No. 07-185.5. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. D. The Finance Division of the Financial Services Department recommends City Commission read by title only and adopt Ordinance 07-186 which amends the Fiscal Year 07/08 Budget. Ms. Roper read Ordinance No. 07-1856 by title only. Mayor Maingot opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the Ordinance. Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Bundy and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Deputy Mayor Bundy moved to accept Ordinance No. 07-1856. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and.carried by a unanimous. roll call vote. ~~ CC 12-17-07/388 ~ 11. REGULAR BUSINESS. _~ A. The City Administrator recommends the City Commission hear a presentation from PMG Associates, Inc., relative to a draft Utility Rate Study and give staff'the direction the Commission deems appropriate. Mr. Drago advised the Commission had before. them a draft rate study for water and wastewater. He, said the Commission had been told by the auditors on several occasions the fund was getting-a little low in revenues basically because of the capital expenditures. But, more importantly because of the assessments which are basically loans. He declared the last time they did a rate study was seven (7) years ago. They have asked for a new rate study that Mr: Gonot will present. Mr. Steve Gonot, an Economist with PMG Associates, Inc., thanked the City for the opportunity to review the Utility Rate Study. He advised the rates do need to go up and. said tl:~e rates have not been reviewed since 2000. He said there has bef;n no I;rowth in the number of accounts. There has been no increase in the transfer to the General Fund over the past six (6) years with the exceptio~l of last year. He reviewed the rates and said the base rate for water would move from $4.50 a month to $6.30 a month and then reviewed the volume raise increases. They are recommending an increase on the wastewater from a base rate of $3.30. to $4.69 and he reviewed the volume rate increased charges. They will eliminate the sprinkler fees as a separate category on other eliarges. He stated most importantly was where the City compared to other communities. He said the average fee for the City of Longwood's base rate was currently $14.50 and near the bottom of the :range with the surrounding communities. If the Commission accepts the proposed new water,rates, they will move up to $20..30, and. this is still within the dollar amount of the top five surrounding cities. The wastewater rates for the City are currently the lowest. The new proposed rate would be moved up to $3.3.19, which is an increase of ~$ l 1.89 and they would still be in the low tier. He advised the new rates were comparable to the surrounding communities and were justified. He summarized. the proposal and said the transfer to the General Fund would more appropriately meet costs. More importantly the planned capital improvements were appropriately addressed and this provides the dollars necessary to put in 1;he capital improvements for both water and wastewater. Mayor Maingot said they were looking at a 60% increase in rates. Mr. Gonot responded in thc> affirmative for the overall rates. He explained that in the City of Longwood everyone was on water,. and the increase was closer to 40% because of the 100'% coverage. In wastewater there is not ~' 100% coverage and this pe:reenta;~e is closer to 76%. He explained th.e overall total was 60% when blending the two. CC 12-17-071389 Commissioner Anderson said they set the rates high the last time and over the years they have leveled off. ~i Mr. Drago said the last time the rate .study was done they proposed the rate was good for five (5) years and it has been seven (7) years. He stated the Commission was also sensitive to limit the capital component and not raise it too high. In the past, the Commission had discussed and indicated a better approach would be to look where the rates need to be and move them up little by little on a yearly basis. He said the components that made up these rates were the operating costs, capital component and the addition of installing water meters that are read by radio frequency. Therefore, that would eliminate meter readers. Commissioner Anderson inquired if these rates have been calculated to give the step to hold for five (5) years. Mr. Gonot responded in the affirmative. He said there would be some adjustments if they decide to adjust the rates yearly. He explained this flat rate would cover all of the improvements through the year 2012. He stated if they choose to stagger the rate increases they would need to move some of the capital improvements out. Deputy Mayor Bundy said wheri they adjusted the rates in 2000, they knew this day was coming. Fortunately, it came two (2) years later. He stated the problem with stepping. the increase, was how much revenue loss there would be. In looking at the: five (5) year Capital Plan, they know this was the money needed at today's pricing. He declared if they go to a lesser rate stricture, then they would not be able to afford the projects. He said hooking up new customers would bring in new revenue. He would like to see a program to reward and encourage people for water conservation. Those who do not conserve should pay a higher premium for large corisuinption. Commissioner Anderson said they needed to do the fiill step for the capital component. He would not want to see the cost for an emergency project. He said the key was to explain the reasoning behind the increase and the rate stricture. Commissioner Sackett said there was a chart with revenue expenses available for Capital Projects. He inquired if it was possible. to have a chart for Expenses,. excluding Capital. Mr. Gonot responded in the affirmative. Ms. Rogers advised a big part of the wastewater increase was due to what the City pays to the County. Commissioner Holt inquired when the rate increase would go into effect. CC 12-17-07/390 ~ Mr. Drago said this would depend upon the Commission. He said if they ~ come to a consensus on the amotmt of the rate increase, it could be ~ adopted in 2008. Deputy Mayor Bundy inquired if~there was a contract with the County. Ms. Rogers said they buy c:apacit:y each time a customer hooks up to the system. Deputy Mayor Bundy suggested the City discuss with the County a long term approach for the wastewater. Commissioner Anderson commented on the structure of the fees and said the City encourages conservation with the payment of higher rates if usage is higher. He inquired if they were going. to have two separate meters, but one rate structure. Mr. Gonot responded in the affirmative. He said placing the customers on the regular water usage for watering of lawns was a very strong conservation measure. Deputy Mayor Bundy said he would like to see; some type of a rebate program to encourage people to change out to a more efficient system. He stated he thought one of the; reasons they had the sprinkler fees as a separate category, was to encourage the installation of separate meters in the event the City ever went to reclaimed water. Commissioner Sackett referred to the proposed volume charges. He suggested leaving the 0-101; at $1.00 to make a mark difference and encourage conservation. IVIr. Gonot said.he would need to review the consumption usage. He advised this was based on a. uniform consumption. Commissioner Sackett said this vt~ould encourage installing some of these items as the payback would: be quicker. Deputy Mayor Bundy said'the price differential within the 10-20 was not significant enough to wan•ant this. He suggested a larger spread would help. Commissioner Anderson said, along, the lines of what was being. suggested, he recommended adding more brackets at the low end, and G removing some brackets at the hil;h end. He suggested using a much steeper curve, then flattening it out as they go along. Mayor Maingot said they have some recommendations to bring forward at the, January 7th meeting. CC 12-17-07/391 12. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT.. Ms. Roper wished everyone Happy Holidays and a healthy and safe New Year. ~ ! 13. CITY CLERK'S REPORT. Ms. Minus said Commissioner Holt had requested the minutes from the last Joint City/County meeting. She spoke with a representative from Deputy Chair McLean's Office and the minutes are not available at this time. She stated she would pass these along as soon as they become available. Ms. Minus said she had placed a memorandum in the Commissioner's mailboxes in regards to the Business Person of the Month plaque. She visited and. spoke with Premier Promotions and was give a quote of $50 per plaque. Deputy Mayor Bundy inquired if this was engraved. Ms. Minis responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Holt said one of the businesses he presented the Business Person of the Month Award to was going to donate the plaques and they didn't pursue this. Now they are talking about spending $50 a plaque. Deputy Mayor Bundy said when he became aware of this, it was at a reduced fee. He stated the plaques were of a fairly good size. ~ ~i 1VIs. Minisaclvised the estimate. was fora 9" x 12" piano finish with any color background. Mr. Drago inquired if Chief Jackson knew who the company was that was going to donate plaques. Chief Jackson said it was Premier Promotions and initially they offered to donate one a month. He stated this was six to eight months ago and the cost was $19 if we had to buy one. He said she had indicated one a month was a good community outreach. He stated the person Ms. Minis spoke to may not be aware of what Ms. Grant had offered the City. Mr. Drago inquired if Ms. Minis needed to talk with Ms. Grant regarding this matter. Deputy Mayor Bundy said he would like to move forward with this. He suggested either the City Clerk or Chief of Police contact Ms. Grant. Deputy Mayor Bundy moved to authorize the Clerk to expend $50 or less per month. Seconded by Commissioner Holt. Commissioner Holt- said if there is a donation from this company he would like to ~ know how long this was good for. He stated he would like to see incorporating the CC 12-17-07/392 large picture in a frame. He inquired if they would need to provide more fluids in ~ the budget for this. Mr. Drago said it would depend o:n whai; was agreed upon for the plaque. Ms. Mirus said the recipient does :receiv~~ a 4" x 6" picture of the presentation with a letter. Deputy Mayor Bundy said the presenter could expend their funds to have the picture enlarged and framed if they so chose. He said a nice plaque would be good. Commissioner Sackett said the motion vas to spend $50 or less. He suggested if they can to start in January. Ms. Mirus said when they arrive to the figure; she would place a memorandum in the Commissioners mailboxes. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. 14. ADJOURN. Mayor Maingot adjourned the meeting at B:SS n.m. ATTEST: ,~ ~~ ~ Sarah M. Mirus, CMC City Clerk CC l~'.-17-0'7/393 V ~ This Page Left Blank Intentionally. ~/ CC 12-17-07/394