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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-2021 CC Minutesan a SESTIN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 — 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor Dodd called the Regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Father Dave Newhart, Episcopalian (Ret.), gave the invocation. 3. Council Member McPartlan led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. ROLL CALL Mayor Ed Dodd Vice Mayor Jim Hill Council Member Fred Jones Council Member Bob McPartlan Council Member Chris Nunn Staff Present: City Manager Paul Carlisle City Attorney Manny Anon, Jr. City Clerk Jeanette Williams Administrative Services Director/CFO Ken Killgore Asst. Administrative Services Director Cindy Watson Police Lt. Rob Vafiades 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS - None 6. PROCLAMATIONS. AWARDS, BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS 21.099 A. Presentation by the Treasure Coast Regional Plannina Council (TCRPC) — Steohanie Hel yt. AICP - Economic Development & Interaovemmental Proarams Director Ms. Heidt introduced herself and announced the TCRPC has set up an on-line survey to determine where there are gaps in access to capital for small businesses; and what is available by lenders to fill those gaps. She also said the Economic Development Administration has released their funding opportunities for the American Rescue Plan dollars and the TCRPC is planning a webinar to explain what they do and how they can help with various plans and initiatives. Mayor Dodd urged all Sebastian businesses to fill out the survey at tcrpc.org because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to use federal money to solve problems. Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 2 21.100 B. Presentation by the Indian River County Veterans Advisory Council - Martin Zickert. Chairman. Colonel. USAF (Ret) and Jim Romanek. USAF (Ret) Executive Director Mr. Romanek introduced himself and invited residents to visit the designated veteran parking signs unveiled in the City's parking lot earlier in the evening. He said the Council has been providing emergency basic living expense support for qualified discharged veterans and their families through their Upward American Veterans Program since 2012 and there are additional programs to help veterans that aren't required to be paid back. He said he wanted the public to know they are there for the veterans who are honorably discharged or retired. Mr. Romanek said the Council works with the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Organization to locate and provide services to the homeless veterans. Council Member McPartlan confirmed the Treasure Coast Homeless Coalition does conduct an annual Point in Time Count to find veterans. 21.101 C. Presentation by the Children's Trust of Indian River County - Lisa Kahle, Proiect Facilitator Ms. Kahle introduced herself and presented a PowerPoint presentation outlining the history of the idea for the children's trust. She explained there were many programs developed and implemented but too few children were being reached. When the Children's Services Advisory Council funding was reduced in 2008 and not increased until 2017, the community was willing to take a look at adequate and sustainable funding for children's services and what solutions could be developed to address those needs. An exploratory committee was formed who reached the consensus that the current funding model did not provide adequate, sustainable funding to meet the needs of the children and investing in evidence based resources for children and families would provide measurable returns for the community. She further explained the committee explored funding models and determined a hybrid model to create a dedicated funding structure which would fall under the County government would be the most efficient funding source. It was unanimously supported by the Indian River County Commission and now must be approved by each municipality through a resolution for ballot referendum in 2022, Michael Kent, retired CEO of the United Way, shared data indicating the challenges the community is facing and the millage rate that will support the activities of the trust for the following twelve years as well as the return on the dollars. Meredith Egan, CEO of the United Way, said the funding will expand the established programs that are in other parts of our community to the children in Sebastian and bring them to scale. She asked Council to allow the voters to decide on the future of the children's trust. Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 3 Jeff Smith, Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, said the hybrid method was picked to allow his office to do the accountability studies, review the outcomes and audit the expenses. He said his office was ready to act upon voter approval. He said, as the Clerk to the Court, he could tell first-hand how expensive it is for law enforcement, social programs, and the government to intervene later in the children's lives. If more intervention was done early, the return to the taxpayers would be phenomenal. Mayor Dodd thanked the commiftee's members for their presentation and advised that Council discussion would take place later in the agenda. 7. PUBLIC INPUT Bill Simmons, Drawdy Way, said he would have assumed that some Council Members are aware of agenda items prior to publication and the issue related to the American Rescue Plan wouldn't have even been brought up. John Christino, Sebastian, said last year the residents paid a 12.5% tax increase so the City employees could receive a 2% increase, noting residents had a difficult last year too. He said he would like to see the American Rescue Plan money go to projects and asked that a workshop be scheduled as soon as possible. Vice Mayor Hill noted the agenda is set by the City Manager and discussion on any items on the agenda are done at the meetings. Ryan Blade, Sebastian, said he supports using the American Rescue Plan monies for infrastructure projects, such as Crab E. Bills which is an important building; and if employee bonuses are given out, it should be determined if there were other bonuses given. Bill Flynn, Sebastian, said he hasn't heard of anybody supporting bonuses across the board but return the sick leave or vacation time used for COVID. He said he would like to focus on the immediate needs such as Crab E. Bills, the Harbor Lights Motel and drainage issues and feels a workshop is necessary. Clint Phipps said he supports having a workshop to decide what the grant money should be used for. Mayor Dodd said the American Rescue Plan issue was blown out of proportion. The City Manager provided a beginning document to discuss what to do with the money and it was not a final proposal. He asked people to understand what they are talking about before they post on social media. He said there wouldn't be a workshop until the budget is finalized. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes — July 14, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 4 21.042 B. Resolution No. R-21-12 — Accepting the 3' Quarter Financial Report and Recognizing Necessary Amendments and Adjustments to the FY 2020-2021 Annual Budget (Transmittal, R-21-12, Report) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA RECOGNIZING CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2020 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AS PROVIDED FOR IN EXHIBIT "A"; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SCRIVENER'S ERRORS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 21.102 C. Resolution No. R-21-15 — Parking -in -Lieu Purchase Program for 1623 U.S. Highway #1, Unit A-3, Sebastian Executive Building (Transmittal, R-21-15, LDC Sec., Request) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, APPROVING PARTICIPATION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TIMOTHY C. MCNAMEE AND PATRICIA ZAMBELLI IN THE PARKING —IN-LIEU PURCHASE PROGRAM, LIEN AGREEMENT AND COVENANT RUNNING WITH THE LAND, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1623 U.S. HIGHWAY #1, UNIT A-3, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SCRIVENER'S ERRORS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 21.080 D. Approve Agreement between the Sebastian Charter Junior High, Inc. and the City of Sebastian for a School Resource Officer and Authorize the Mayor to Execute the Appropriate Documents (Transmittal, Agreement) MOTION by Vice Mayor Hill and SECOND by Council Member McPartlan to approve consent agenda items A-D. Roll call: Vice Mayor Hill - aye Council Member Jones -aye Council Member McPartlan - aye Council Member Nunn - aye Mayor Dodd - aye Motion carried. 5-0 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS & APPOINTMENTS 21.086 A. Plannina & Zonina Commission - Interview. Unless Waived Submit Nominations for One Unexpired. Alternate Member Term — Term will '�xoire November 1. 2022 (Transmittal. Aoolication. Advertisement. Member List) Vice Mayor Hill and Council Member Nunn nominated Ms. Jordan. Ms. Jordan introduced herself. By unanimous consent Ms. Jordan was appointed as an alternate member to the Planning and Zoning Commission. 21.103 B. A000int Council Reoresentalive to Attend the Indian River Countv Redistrictino Meetinas (County Attv Memo) Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 5 The City Manager said the County is required to balance the census tract as much as possible and it would be beneficial to have a Council Member attend those meetings to ensure Sebastian is well represented. Vice Mayor Hill nominated Mayor Dodd. Council Member Nunn seconded the nomination. It was the consensus of Council, to have Mayor Dodd represent the City at the meetings. 10. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None 12. NEW BUSINESS 21.101 A. Citv Council to Provide Direction on How to Proceed with the Consideration of the Proposed Children's Trust of Indian River County (Transmittal. PPT. Draft Resolution. Draft Aareement. IRC Draft Ordinance. F.S.125.01(5)(a)) Mayor Dodd said everything the committee members are saying that needs to be done, certainly needs to be done but he didn't understand why more isn't being done by existing agencies such as the school board with pre -kindergarten. Ms. Egan said it is being done but it's not to scale and there are only so many slots for what is available. Mayor Dodd said he would like to schedule a public workshop to give the citizens an opportunity to discuss a millage increase in a public workshop setting with the committee members present. Council Member MCPardan disclosed that he is the Community Development Administrator for the Department of Children's and Families (DCF) for the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County. He also sits on the Martin County Children's Services Council, Okeechobee County Children's Services Council and the Indian River Children's Children Services Advisory Committee (CSAC). He said that he was a member of CSAC when the County wasn't funding the full millage percent and the County challenged the community to come up with $250,000 a few years ago. He said there are a lot of needs in the Community and this funding could prevent a lot of issues; Ms. Kahle's committee was looking for a resolution to place a dedicated millage rate on the ballot and then they will have public workshops. He said speaking not only as a DCF administrator but as a resident, this is much needed and beneficial for the whole community. Vice Mayor Hill thanked the committee and said the investment in children is paramount to the future of Indian River County. He said they are not being asked to levy a millage on the residents but that it would be open for discussion until the 2022 election where the citizens would have the right to decide. He said he did not have a problem supporting a resolution. Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 6 Council Member Jones said he is all for the children but he does not want to vote for resolution until hearing from the citizens. Vice Mayor Hill asked him if there was a meeting with the opportunity for residents to voice their concerns on the resolution, would that be okay. Council Member Jones said it would, as long as it was advertised in advance. Indian River County Commissioner Susan Adams said that has been the process the committee has followed with the other municipalities. Council Member Nunn clarified this was an open discussion to bring an agenda item to a future meeting to discuss a possible millage increase to be put on the ballot for the citizens to decide. It was the consensus of Council to put the resolution on the August 25 Council agenda for discussion. Ms. Kahle said the committee is looking forward to engaging the community. Ray Miller verified it would not be an ordinance but a resolution. 21,023 B. Set Pr000sed Millace Rate for FY21/22 - Submission of DR420 to Pro0ertv Aooraiser�Transmittal. PPT. Draft Budget: httos://weblink.citvofsebasttan.o�r IWebLink/Dm iew.asoxlid=242177&dbid�&reoo=City&cr--1 Forms DR-420. DR-, a. DR-420MM-P) The Administrative Services Director/CFO said the proposed millage rate they were about to discuss would need to support the expenditures of the general fund for next year. He said the increase of the operating account was due to the higher cost of the election. He said staff has drafted a budget assuming a rolled -back rate of 3.0043 giving a $200,000 homesteaded property a tax decrease of about $16.00. (See attached PowerPoint presentation.) He said the Budget Review Advisory Committee has voted to submit a proposed millage rate of 3.1514 with the possibility of dropping to the rolled -back rate if nothing extraordinary happens by the time the budget is adopted in September. Mayor Dodd said this was standard procedure to put the higher amount. MOTION by Vice Mayor Hill and SECOND by Council Member Jones to set the proposed millage rate at 3.1514 and direct the City Manager to execute and transmit the required fors. Bill Simmons asked that if there was a shortfall on the expense side, would there be coverage by the American Rescue Plan. Mayor Dodd explained that they could not use the Plan to make up for budget deficits. Mr. Simmons said he hoped to keep the millage at the rolled -back rate. John Christine said if the tax base grew by $32M, he asked how much more that has contributed to tax coffers. The City Manager responded that with the rolled -back rate, the additional revenue will be $95,342 Ryan Blade said he supported lower taxes Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 7 Council Member Nunn said they are supporting the same tax rate as last year and they still wish, and hope, to roll it back to a lower tax rate but it will take a little more out of people's pockets because the values have gone up. The motion to set the proposed millage rate at 3.1514 passed with a unanimous voice vote. (5-0) 21.012 C. Resolution No. R-21-13 - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airoort Imorovemenl Prooram (AIP) Grant Agreement # 3-12-0145-018-2021 to Construct a Taxi Lane and Reconstruct a Distressed Portion of Taxiwav Aloha at the Sebastian Municioal Airoort in the amount of $614.422.00 (Transmittal. Grant. R-21-13) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE AN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (AIP) GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RELATING TO THE FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF FM445871-1-94-01 "CONSTRUCTION OF TAXI LANE" AT THE SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SCRIVENER'S ERRORS; AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT. The City Manager said this was a grant for Taxiway A and the proposed Square Hangars and asked Council for approval. Vice Mayor Hill said this was another excellent job by the Airport Director Scott Baker with minimum output by the City of Sebastian. MOTION by Vice Mayor Hill and SECOND by Council Member Jones to approve Resolution No. R-21-13 The City Manager cited the chronological receipt of grant monies for the development of the Square Hangars. (See attached) Ray Miller asked if both phases would be done by the same trucking company; and where in the budget was the money coming from. Mayor Dodd said the City's percentage was coming from the discretionary sales tax fund. The construction has not been bid yet. Roll call: Council Member McPartlan - aye Council Member Nunn - aye Mayor Dodd -aye Vice Mayor Hill - aye Council Member Jones - aye Motion carried. 5-0 13. CITY ATTORNEY MATTERS - None 14. CITY MANAGER MATTERS The City Manager announced the Indian River Legislative delegation will be meeting September 26 and asked Council to let him know their legislative priorities. Regular City Council Meeting July 28, 2021 Page 8 15, CITY CLERK MATTERS - None 16. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS A. Council Member Jones - None B. Council Member McPartlan - None C. Council Member Nunn said as an interesting note, the City of Jacksonville has 19 Council Members and spends two to three days having Council meetings. D. Mayor Dodd noted Florida is now the epicenter of the earthquake known as COVID 19; hospitals in Florida are being inundated and he asked people to please get vaccinated. E. Vice Mayor Hill thanked staff and the Council Members for their hard work and asked the citizens to do their research before posting social media statements. 17. Being no further business, Mayor Dodd adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 7:34 p.m. Approved at the August 10, 2021 Regular City Council meeting. lK� � Mayor Ed Dodd _ ATTEST Childreds TRUST of inawn Par County A request for a resolution from the City of Sebastian for inclusion in the Children's Trust of Indian River County WHEREAS, the community has taken action to formally recommend to the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners the establishment of a dependent special district to be known as the Children's Trust District and to hold a referendum on the creation of the Children's Trust District with the authority to levy an ad valorem tax to support authorized Children's Trust; and WHEREAS, investing in developmental and educational resources for children and families will provide measurable returns for our community; and WHEREAS, Indian River County's children need enhanced services; and WHEREAS, 14.5% of babies born in Indian River County each year are considered low birth weight or preterm and 50% of babies born in Indian River County each year are born into poverty; and WHEREAS, over half of the children in Indian River County are not prepared to enter kindergarten; and WHEREAS, as many as 50% of children with developmental delays or disorders are not diagnosed or properly treated before they start school; and WHEREAS, over 60% of students are eligible for free & reduced lunch; and WHEREAS, in Indian River County only 60% of children in 3rd grade read on grade level and only 51 % of 7th graders are proficient in 7th grade math; and WHEREAS, every year in Indian River County over 1,500 reports of suspected child abuse are received by the Department of Children and Families; and WHEREAS, over 10% of middle school age children report using alcohol in the past 30 days; and WHEREAS, 18% of Indian River County students are chronically absent; and WHEREAS, 64.7% of Florida's youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment in 2021;and WHEREAS, quality programs addressing these needs pay for themselves many times over and the cost of inaction is a tragic loss of human and economic potential that we cannot afford ... WHAT EXISTS Children's Services Advisory Committee BCC shall provide an assigned millage of up to 0.125 mil "Dependent" millage from IRC's General Fund Based on peak millage of 0.125 mil WHAT'S PROPOSED Children'sTrust of IRC 0.25 mil for 4 years 0.375 mil for 8 years "Dedicated" millage through referendum Projected $ in FY23/24 = $2,395,448 Projected $ in FY23/24 (Year 1) = $4,790,895 Projected $ in FY27/28 = $4,284,924 Projected $ in FY27/28 (Year 5) = $8,569,848 Projected $ in FY34/35 = $5,831,190 Projected $ in FY34/35 (Year 12) _ $1 1,662,379 REAUTHORIZATION REQUIRED IN 12YEARS AVERAGE COST FOR HOMEOWNERS IN SEBASTIAN Median value of owner -occupied housing units — 2015 to 2019 $195500 NOTE: Assuming the standard $50,000 homestead exemption 0.25 mil = $36.38 0.375 mil = $54.57 [$18.19 current CSAC cost] [$18.19 current CSAC cost] Chitdreres TRUST of w* Rwer Comfy Big Picture 50% of 1,200 births/year in IRC are Medicaid Eligible = 600 children/cohort are in need of appropriate wraparound services from birth. Alice families: 40% of our households are ALICE Free & reduced lunch: 64.6% of our elementary students are eligible Key indicators (higher than the state): Child abuse & neglect: foster care rates & sexual violence Behavioral health: suicide rate, hospitalizations for mental disorders & substance abuse Juvenile crime: youths arrested Poverty: free/reduced lunch & ALICE Households Childreds TRUST of lrdlon River Coun?y WHAT OUR CHILDREN NEED FOR SUCCESS Prenatal health Healthy birth Early brain development Quality early childhood education Extended day Extended year Behavioral health support Children's TRUST of Ind** River COU14y QUANTIFYING THE NEED • 3,848: Total of estimated waitlists • $8,551,400: Estimated additional dollars required to meet waitlist need • $2,222: Estimated investment/child • 7,200 children 0-5 in our community • 4,600 live in, or on the margins of, poverty • <2,000 are currently served by quality early childhood programs • Average cost of quality early childhood education in IRC is up to $1 1,000/year • 17,000 students in public school • 10,000 live in, or on the margins of, poverty • <2,000 are served by current after school services to youth in IRC • Average cost of quality extended day programs in IRC is approximately $2,000/year There s so much more... • Extended year • Behavioral health • Early Identification Projected Population — 7-1-2019 (US Census) Persons under 5 years, percent Persons under 18 years, percent WON 15.90% F."r-I a 4,153 Chitdreres TRUST of w* Rwer Comfy RETURN ON INVESTMENT "Policymakers would be wise to coordinate these early childhood resources into a scaffolding of developmental support for disadvantaged children and provide access to all in need. The gains are significant because quality programs pay for themselves many times over. The cost of inaction is a tragic loss of human and economic potential that we cannot afford." Heckmanequation.org James Heckman, University of Chicago, Nobel Prize Winning Economist Work done in counties throughout Florida by entities such as the Children's Trust "manages to save taxpayers' money. Because they are working to improve health, taxpayers spend less on health care. Because they are making sure students are ready to achieve in school, taxpayers spend less on remedial instruction. Because they are helping families build strong and healthy homes, taxpayers spend less on social services and intervention." Dominic Calabro, CEO, Florida TaxWatch 6V6ChitdreWs TRUST of Ito* Nuer County • Tony Carvajal, Exec VP, FL Chamber of Commerce, Children's Movement • Expanding early learning initiatives provide benefit of $8.60 for every $1 invested. Half of this is from increased earnings of the children when they grow up. • Early childhood education is critical to preparing Florida's children for future careers. • James Heckman, University of Chicago, Nobel Prize winning Economist • Workforce development starts with early childhood development. • 7-10% per year ROI based on increased school & career achievement as well as reduced costs in remedial education, health & criminal justice expenditures. (Perry Preschool Program) • Comprehensive, high quality early childhood programs (birth to 5) yielded a 13% :RE T U R N:ENT ROI per child, per year in education, economic, health and social outcomes. V E S T (Abecedarian/CARE) • The earlier the investment, the greater the return. • High -quality early childhood education is an effective tool for fighting intergenerational poverty. • Children who do NOT receive a quality early education are: • 25% more likely to drop out of school • 40% more likely to become a teen parent • 50% more likely to be placed in special education • 60% less likely to go to college • 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime Source: K-12 Stem Education: Breakthroughs in Research & Practice Q����D Childreds TKUST � of lnd{gn River CounTy RETURN ON INVESTMENT EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IS A SMART INVESTMENT The earlier the investment, the greater the return <. - Prenatal programs — Programs targeted toward the earliest years Prenatal 0-3 Preschool programs -� - - Schooling 4-5 School -lob Training Post -School Source: James Heckman, Nobel Laureate In Fconomics Adequate & sustainable funding Agency accountability Program oversight Long-term planning around how best to meet identified needs Measurable outcomes Alignment & coordination of funding