City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 7/17/2014 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Tuesday,June17,2014 5:00PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bob ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5 - Linda Bob; Albert Eckian; Michael Holland; Karen LeHeup-Smith; and Kress Muenzmay I. Workshop Item 14144 Workshop on Capital Improvement Plan FY 2015-2019 Dianne Kramer, Acting City Manager, explained the purpose of the workshop to provide a review of the proposed Capita/Improvement Plan (CIP) and the status of the current year projects. Jim Myers, Finance Director, provided an overview of the 2015-2019 CIP and a status report on current year projects. He explained each project and any reasons for delays. He then reviewed the expenditures by category and funding source. Mr. Myers reviewed the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) projects including the completion of the Palmetto Plaza projects, sidewalks within the CRA District and Phase 28 of the Ferran Park improvements. The Commission cited previous discussion regarding the improvements to Ferran Park and asked if it would be better to complete the splash pad prior to the entrance improvements. Ms. Kramer explained there are insufficient funds to complete the splash pad. She further explained that the City has been contacted by someone interested in doing a public/private partnership and commented on the possibility that the splash pad could be completed with that type of partnership. Mr. Myers reviewed the planned sidewalk projects for 2015-2019 and the funding sources. He commented on the effect on the revenues if the discretionary sales tax is not renewed after December 2017. He then reviewed the unfunded projects that had previously been proposed and explained the projected debt for the eastern wastewater plant and reclaimed line extension. He noted those projects are subject to the results of ongoing engineering studies. Mr. Myers explained the fiscal/imitations including limited recurring revenues to support large non-utility CIP projects, the sunset of the sales surtax, and the reduction in CRA T/F funding due to lower property values. He noted the limited borrowing capacity due to the T/F funding sunsetting in 2020. He then expressed concern for the utility funds regarding future rate increases tied to CIP projects. II. Commission Discussion The Commission questioned whether or not the CRA can be renewed and commented on the need to begin preparation for that renewal process. The Commission then questioned the Grove Street traffic calming project estimated at $1 .2 million with Ms. Kramer stating that project is currently unfunded. She explained some of the improvements proposed for that project. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 71112014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final June 17, 2014 Ms. Kramer pointed out various projects including some added in the current year due to necessary maintenance including the following: 1) HVAC replacement and reroofing of the Police Department; 2) Reroofing of the Community Center; 3) Improvements to Palmetto Point including exercise stations, a beach volleyball court, and backstop at the mound; 4) New telephone system; and 5) Adding electricity and a stage at Palmetto Plaza. She noted two projects not previously discussed with the Commission: 1) Remodeling of the Customer Service area in the Finance Annex; and 2) Installation of two electronic message boards - one in front of City Hall to replace the existing sign and one on Bay Street near the fitness center. She further commented on additional signs needed for the fire station and parks such as Cardinal Cove. Mr. Myers noted the needed addition of a new bus for Parks & Recreation. He added that anything over $50,000 would have to be brought back to the Commission for approval. Ms. Kramer explained the need for the new bus due to increased usage as a result of the reduction in courtesy bussing by the School Board. The Commission asked about the Haselton Water Plant electrical equipment and if it is an upgrade or replacement. Ms. Kramer explained that it was a recommendation from the study on water system operations and is a combination of upgrade and replacement. The Commission then asked for an explanation of the Three Lakes Subdivision project at $242,000 with Ms. Kramer explaining that is for replacement of the galvanized pipe lines. The Commission then discussed the Palmetto Plaza project, negative comments received regarding that project due to a lack of visible benefit to the community and the need for a plan to encourage use of that facility as well as for use of Ferran Park. It was noted that the workshop on Sharp's Park might change some of the direction for Ferran Park. The Commission discussed the new brand being developed by Lake County "Real Florida, Real Close" with a focus on ecotourism and the County's natural amenities, those capital projects that are required versus those projects that are not, the need for a long-term plan for Palmetto Plaza and other areas, the need for the City to re-invest in the City in order to attract new investment to the City, the need for marketing and the high cost of redevelopment. The Commission commented on the need to consider a different time and day for the Farmer's Market with Ms. Kramer explaining the difficulty in finding a better day and/or time due to the vendors already scheduled to set up at other markets. IlL Publiclnput-None IV. Commission Direction Ms. Kramer commented on the efforts by staff to look ahead for required maintenance of buildings, equipment and vehicles. She asked if there is anything in the plan that the Commission would like to remove . The Commission questioned the need for a vehicle for Information Technology with Ms. Kramer explaining the need with two technicians who move computer equipment throughout City. The Commission asked about the status of the repaving of Kurt Street with Commissioner Muenzmay noting that he was asked by County Commissioner Leslie Campione when the City was going to repave Kurt Street. He stated he discussed with Commissioner Campione the effect on the City due to the reduction in gas tax funding and Commissioner Campione indicated the County should take over the project. Ms. Kramer reported that she was told by Jim Stivender that the County would put Kurt Street on their work program. She indicated that program would be coming out in July. City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 71112014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final June 17, 2014 The Commission discussed how much of the road might be done by the County and whether the City would be able to repave the section between Bay Street and Atwater. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission to have the CIP brought back as is for acceptance in July. Mr. Myers noted that on the same agenda would be the required budget revision to the current CIP. V. Adjournment - 6:01 p.m. City Clerk Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes refl ect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, g;o to www.eusus.org andchck on the Video for the meetmg m questiOn A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meetmg can be obtamed from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. City of Eustis, Florida Page3 Printed on 71112014