08-29-2002 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 29, 2002
Page 1
A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday,
August 29, 2002 at the Police Department Community Services Room. Mayor Turville and Council
Members Caputo, Dupee, Mullins and Renick were present at the meeting. Also present were City
Manager Saunders, Finance Director Van Zile and Accountant Lisa Strickland.
Mayor Turville welcomed those present and stated that the purpose of the workshop meeting was to
continue discussion of the proposed 2002-2003 budget.
City Manager Saunders referred the Council Members to the draft Budget document and stated the first
item to be discussed was the Stormwater Fund.
City Manager Saunders and Finance Director Van Zile explained the purpose of the Fund. There were no
proposed changes to the draft Budget.
Next to be discussed was the Sanitation Fund, which City Manager explained included garbage collection,
recycling and yard waste collection and disposal.
Finance Director Van Zile discussed the current provision for waivers that allow discontinuance of garbage
service for those customers who are away for extended periods of time with the City Council. He discussed
the fact that the cost to provide the service is still in place even though the resident is out of town and that
many communities charge a reduced fee rather than waiving the fee for those out of town. Finance Director
Van Zile proposed that the garbage rates be amended to eliminate waivers and implement a lower fee that
would be tied to water service. He explained that if water service is discontinued the resident would be
charged the lower garbage rate until the water service resumes, at which time the sanitation rate would
revert back to the regular fee.
Also discussed was a reduction in the cost of extra garbage containers. City Manager Saunders stated that
both items would be brought to the City Council in the form of an ordinance at the beginning of ~e new
fiscal year.
City Manager Saunders then referred the City Council to the Community Redevelopment Agency Budget.
There were no proposed changes to this draft Budget.
Next discussed was the proposed Cemetery fund. City Manager Saunders explained the purpose of the
fund and explained that only revenues generated from earnings from reserves can be utilized for the
upkeep and that the City Council should possibly consider an increase in the price of the cemetery lots in
order to provide additional funding for future maintenance.
C~~ Council Member Dupee stated she wished to see additional dollars placed in the Police Department budget
_,h,~ to fund a speed control notification device City Manager Saunders stated this could be included in the
C~~ '~., Police Impact Fee Fund Budget. It was thd consensus of the City Council that this would be a good piece
~ ' of equipment for the Police Department to acquire.
City Manager Saunders provided information regarding early lightning detection equipment that was
discussed at a previous meeting. It was the consensus of the City Council that two of these units should be
placed in the budget for Hancock Recreation Area and Palatlakaha Recreation Area.
Next discussed was the Lake Apopka Trail initiative. It was the consensus that $2,500 should be placed in
next year's budget for assistance to this project.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 29, 2002
Page 2
City Manager Saunders stated that additional funds should be included for expenditure requirements
included as a part of the City's recent Consumptive Use Permit. HE stated that approximately $20,000
would be needed for wetland monitoring.
Finance Director Van Zile then discussed with the City Council the expected premium increase in
Workmen's Compensation Insurance of possibly $170,000 and stated that we are researching other
providers for any cost savings with carriers other than the Florida League of Cities.
City Manager Saunders stated that of the $170,000 increase, approximately $75,000 would be to the
General Fund and would create a deficit in this year's budget. He explained that this deficit could be
funded fi.om General Fund Reserves.
The City Council next discussed the possibility of adding an additional paramedic for Fire Station #2. City
Manager Saunders provided additional information as requested at the last meeting. It was the consensus of
the City Council that the additional paramedic should be included in the budget in order to provide around
the clock paramedic service fi.om Station #2.
City Manager Saunders then stated he had received a request for conthbutions from the Lake Community
Action Agency, Hospice and Childhood Development Services. After considerable discussion, it was the
consensus of the City Council to continue the $1,000 contribution to the Lake Community Action Agency,
which the City has historically contributed to, with no additional funding allowances for the other requests.
City Manager Saunders then stated that he had received a request fi.om the South Lake Chamber of
Commerce for $5,000 to be used for the annual Light Up Clermont celebration. After discussion, it was the
consensus of the City Council not to include this funding in the budget.
Council Member Dupee then discussed with the City Council the possibility of sponsoring one of the
Chamber breakfast events in the upcoming year. After discussion, this item was not included in the
· proposed budget.
City Manager Saunders then provided the Council Members with a listing of the current and proposed
Department Head and City Manager salaries, including merit adjustments for the upcoming year. There
were no proposed changes to this listing.
The City Council then discussed items to be placed on future workshop agendas in the near future.
There being.no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m.