HomeMy WebLinkAbout09082014BAC MinutesCITIZENS BUDGET REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
6:00 P.M. MONDAY — SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
CITY HALL
1225 MAIN STREET
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
1. Chairman Herlihy called the Citizens Budget Review Advisory Committee to
order at 6:00 p.m.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. ROLL CALL
Ed Herlihy
Dionna Farmer
Bill Flaherty
Bruce Hoffman
Gary O'Hara
Tim Slaven
Christine Vicars
ALSO PRESENT
Ken Killgore, Administrative Services Director
Frank Watanabe, Community Development Director/City Engineer
Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary
4. Approval of Minutes: August 4. 2014
MOTION by Ms. Farmer and SECOND by Mr. Flaherty to approve the August 4,
2014 minutes passed with a voice vote of 7-0.
5. Committee Discussion of Millage and Budget Recommendations Made to City
Council and Consideration of Possible Changes
Chairman Herlihy said they were convened to decide on recommendations for
City Council. For the public's benefit, he reiterated the amounts discussed at the
Board's last workshop:
an additional $265, 000 would be raised with a proposed millage
of 3.8556 to be divided up as follows.
$100, 000 for the Lagoon
$50, 000 for All Aboard Florida
$15, 000 for the COPS Grant
$100, 000 for road resurfacing
He began to say the Lagoon money would be spent on seed money to obtain
seven baffle boxes and the oyster mat project. He explained that Council did
send a resolution to state officials requesting funds for the needed boxes.
Citizens Budget Review Advisory Board
September 8, 2014
Page Two
Mr. O'Hara said he learned from the City Engineer that the City has two boxes in
place, a third one is underway and a fourth is budgeted through the Coolidge
Street improvements; they cost $50,000 to buy/$20,000 to install so he felt the
$100,000 should be reduced.
The City Engineer confirmed the high end cost to purchase and install a new
baffle box is in fact $100,000; there is one box at Davis Street and upon
completion of the Presidential Streets Project there will be two more with
charcoal filters; so there will be three new boxes at the end of October. The
Davis Street box can be retrofitted with the charcoal filter. He also noted the
Coolidge Street improvements have not been approved by Council yet.
The City Engineer said the projects were ranked by the Indian River Lagoon
Coalition and the remaining boxes needed by the City came in fourth place so
there is no guarantee the City will receive any money especially since the second
ranked Septic to Sewer Project is $2M. He said boxes should be placed at all of
the outfall locations in the City, but at least three more should be installed for the
Lagoon at the main discharge sites. Maintenance will require a vacuum truck
and they cost $14,000 a month to rent or $400,000-500,000 for a new truck.
The rest of the Board members supported the $100,000 Lagoon allocation noting
the protection of the Lagoon enhances all of their property values.
To pay for the vacuum truck, the Finance Director explained that the millage will
buy the baffle box, and then continue in future years to pay for the maintenance
of the boxes.
Mr. O'Hara reiterated he is not comfortable raising taxes based on money they
might not get from the state. The City Engineer said the growing trend is that all
grants are requiring matching funds or "seed money." Chairman Herlihy pointed
out most of the businesses are east of US 1 and depend on the Lagoon so they
should be proactive.
All Aboard Florida
Chairman Herlihy said he has concern that consulting assistance will be needed
to complete the Environmental Impact Statement.
The City Engineer reported that he has completed the index risk calculator for the
City but the County has indeed hired a consultant at the cost of $38,000 to
complete their report. Chairman Herlihy added the County and City Attorneys
are going to oppose All Aboard Florida's request to renegotiate the crossing
agreements.
There was consensus to leave the $50,000 allotment for All Aboard Florida.
There was consensus to leave the $15,000 for the COPS grant.
Citizens Budget Review Advisory Board
September 8, 2014
Page Three
Road Paving
Chairman Herlihy reminded them there is over $1 M needed for road repair to
think about for the next 6-8 years and some of the roads might not last. The City
Engineer added that he is finishing up the 2014 Paving Assessment where the
stages are color coded and this report will depicts a lot more yellow and red
roads with serious signs of failure.
The Finance Director reminded them the health insurance savings ($57,000) was
rolled into road paving, staff's recommendation of 3.7166 millage would provide a
total of $200,000 for road resurfacing.
Mr. Hoffman cited discussion held at the last Metropolitan Planning Organization
Citizen Advisory Committee where nationally there is very little gas tax available
and the Committee might suggest a gas tax increase to the County Commission.
The Finance Director said a $100,000 homestead property at a 3.7166 millage
rate would pay $2.79; 3.8556 millage rate would pay $7.05. Ms. Farmer pointed
out homeowners would pay more but have safer, better roads.
Chairman Herlihy asked if anyone would be interested in taking away $100,000
from the roads to bring the recommended millage down.
The City Engineer expounded the best way to take care of roads is put two
inches of overlay on every 5-10 years; the second way is to mill the failed surface
and put overlay back on; when there is base failure, patchwork with overlay is
needed, leading sometimes to full reconstruction. The worst case scenario is if
there is moisture in the base then depth reclamation is needed, costing millions.
He cautioned the road failure expense is steep once the asphalt is gone.
Ms. Farmer and Mr. Flaherty remarked the nominal millage increase would go a
long way to protect their property values and quality of life.
Chairman Herlihy confirmed he would go forward to City Council with their
recommendation of a 3.8556 millage rate.
The Finance Director announced the Police Benevolent Association settled on a
3% increase that was included in the proposed recommendation.
6. Public Input - None.
Being no further business, Chairman Herlihy adjourned the Citizens Budget
Review Advisory Board meeting at 6:48 p.m.
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