Loading...
09-03-1998 Special Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Thursday, September 3, 1998 at the Highlander Hut. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pool with the following Council Members present: Council Member Council Member Norquist, Council Member Brown and Council Member Wolfe. Other City officials present were City Manager Saunders, Finance Director Van Zile, and Clerk l~easley. PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION 1014 - MILLAGE RATE Mayor Pool stated that Resolution 1014 would adopt the Ad Valorem millage rate of 2.979 which represents a 5.23% increase over the rolled-back rate. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1014 in its entirety and opened the public hearing. Jeff Biddle asked about fire department positions. City Manager Saunders stated that the budget includes a full-time fire chief position beginning in January and to funding for a fire department consultant to develop a long-range plan for fire and rescue service after the Chief is hired.. No further comments were received and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. 98-258 A motion was made bp Council Member Norquist, seconded b_~ Council Member Brown and carried unanimousl_¥ bp roll call vote to tentativel_¥ adopt Resolution No. 1014. RESOLUTION NO. 1015 - GENERAL FUND BUDGET City Manager Saunders stated that this Resolution will adopt the budget for General Fund. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1015 by title only and opened the public hearing. JeffBiddle asked about additional parking in the downtown area. City Manager Saunders stated that the budget does include $38,000 for downtown parking which may possibly be located on West Avenue if recommended by Council and the Clermont CRA. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 Page 2 Council Member Wolfe stated he had a concern with the increase in General Fund Revenues of $207,000 and the increase in personnel of $309,000 which is 50% more payroll expense than additional revenues. The last two years shows an increase in revenues of $288,500 and a personnel budget increase of $522,000 which is a 10.1% increase in revenues and a 26.5% increase in payroll. He was alarmed at the payroll increase and stated he reviews these types of ratios for his business. City Manager Saunders stated there is a significant difference between government and industry in that government provides a service. He explained that as the City grows, the addition of more parks, and more streets requires the addition of more people to provide an adequate level of service. Personnel costs will increase at a much faster rate than operation and maintenance costs because of the services provided. Council Member Wolfe was concerned that the City should stay within the revenues. City Manager Saunders explained that the City was within the revenues and they are presenting a balanced budget. Finance Director Van Zile stated the comparison of personal service expenses to revenues is not a valid comparison due to it only shows a portion of the total picture. A better analysis would be to compare personal services and operating expenses to revenues due to both types of expenses coincide with the growth of the City. °This comparison shows the 1998-99 budget ratio (personal services and operating expenses vs. revenues) actually less than the 1997-98 projection and just slightly higher than the 1995-96 and 1996-97 rates. Based on this comparison, the City's increase in expenses in delivering services is in proportion to the City's revenue growth. Council Member Wolfe stated that revenue increase of 7.4% and payroll increase of 14% was a concern to him. He was also concerned with the surplus being less than three-month's expenses. Mayor Pool stated that the City has less personnel for the population than most cities. He estimated that Mt. Dora and Tavares have 150 employees each. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 Page 3 A Cherry Knoll subdivision resident stated that a 266 unit apartment complex is planned adjacent to them which plans to have underground power and he requested that underground power be included for a distance of three power poles west of the Cherry Knoll subdivision (approximately 1/10 mile) which were moved with the Rails to Trails City Manager Saunders stated he will get a price and the cost could be paid from maintenance funds. No further comments were received and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. 98- 259.~ A motion was made by Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council Member Brown, and carried three to one with Council Member Wolfe voting nay to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1015. RESOLUTION NO. 1016 - INFRASTRUCTURE FUND BUDGET City Manager Saunders stated that this is the fund that accounts for the 1¢ sales tax which was adopted by Lake County about 12 years ago. This fund is restricted to only infrastructure use and is mainly used to repay the previously approved debt for the Palatlakaha Recreation Area, the Police Department expansion, and the Public Works facility, as well as provide annual funds for other infrastructure needs. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1016 by title only and opened the public hearing and no one asked to speak and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. 98-260 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe, seconded by Council Member Brown, and carried unanimously to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1016. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 Page 4 RESOLUTION NO. 1017 - 1989 SALES TAX BOND FUND BUDGET City Manager Saunders stated that this fund's only function is to account for the debt service regarding the 1989 Sales Tax Revenue Bond. Revenues are generated through the infrastructure tax and transferred to this fund for the bond payment. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1017 by title only and opened the public hearing. No one asked to speak and he closed the public hearing. 98-261 A motion was made by Council Member Brown, seconded by Council Member Norquist, and carried unanimously to tentative!¥ adopt Resolution No. 1017. RESOLUTION NO. 1018 - WATER FUND BUDGET Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1018 by title only and opened the public hearing. City Manager Saunders stated that this enterprise fund provides for the City's water services. No one asked to speak and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. 98-262 A motion was made by Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council Member Wolfe, and carried unanimously to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1018. RESOLUTION NO. 1019 - SEWER FUND BUDGET Mayor Pool stated that this enterprise fund provides for the City's sewer services to approximately 3,400 customers. He read Resolution No. 1019 by title only and opened the public hearing. JeffBiddle asked about the planned expansion of the east side sewer system. City Manager Saunders stated the expansion is planned to occur during the next budget year. No further questions were asked and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 Page 5 98-263 ,4 motion was made by Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council Member Wolfe, and carried unanimous!¥ to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1019. RESOLUTION NO. 1020 - STORM WATER UTILITY FUND BUDGET City Manager Saunders stated the fund generates revenues from the monthly storm water fee charged to utility customers. Various storm water projects and storm water maintenance is provided with the funds. Mayor Pool read Resolution 1020 by title only and opened the public hearing. Mrs. McCaffrey asked what were the total funds. Finance Director Van Zile stated that the total is $152,000 for the year. Mayor Pool stated that since 1991 the City has partnered with the citizens to provide $1.1 million to manage stormwater. He stated that Leesburg, Eustis, Tavares, Mt. Dora and Clermont have spent $7 million on stormwater management projects whereas Lake County has spent nothing. No further comments were made and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. 98-264 ,4 motion was made by Council Member Wolfe, seconded bp Council Member Brown, and carried unanimously to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1020. RESOLUTION NO. 1021 - SANITATION FUND BUDGET City Manager Saunders that the Sanitation Fund provides for garbage and trash collection, composting, and recycling. He stated that an analysis will be done regarding alternatives including private hauling and other disposal sites such as Sumter County. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1021 by title only and opened the public heating. No comments were made and Mayor Pool closed the public hearing. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 Page 6 98-265 A motion was made bp Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council Member Brown, and carried unanimously to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1021. RESOLUTION NO. 1022 -GROUP SELF INSURANCE FUND BUDGET City Manager Saunders stated that the City is self-insured. The budget shows the amount received from the City and the employees, and the expenditures. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1022 by title only and opened the public hearing. 98-266 A motion was made by Council Member Brown, seconded by Council Member Wolfe, and carried unanimously to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1022. RESOLUTION NO. 1023- CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUND BUDGET Mayor Pool stated the fund was set up to provide perpetual care to the cemetery. All sales proceeds of cemetery lots are deposited into this restricted fund which was designed to provide funding for perpetual care and maintenance of the cemetery. He stated the remaining lots should be calculated and an analysis made whether an increase is needed so that perpetual care can be assured. Mayor Pool read Resolution No. 1023 by title only and opened the public hearing. No one asked to speak and he closed the public hearing. 98-267 A motion was made by Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council Member Wolfe, and carried unanimousl~¥ to tentatively adopt Resolution No. 1023. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 Page 7 WORKSHOP Council Members agreed to hold a Workshop to review planned developments on September 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Police Department. There being no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Attest: