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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-2022 Workshop.m v SEBASTLA HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING WORKSHOP MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022-1:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor Hill called the Sebastian City Council Workshop to order at 1:00 p.m. 2. A moment of silence was held. 3. Mayor Hill led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Members Present: Mayor Jim Hill Vice Mayor Fred Jones Council Member Dodd (arrived at 1:08pm) Council Member Nunn Council Member McPartlan Staff Present: City Manager Paul Carlisle City Attorney Manny Anon, Jr. City Clerk Jeanette Williams Administrative Services Director / CFO Ken Killgore Human Resource Director Cindy Watson Leisure Services Director Brian Benton Engineer Director Karen Miller Police Captain Tim Wood S. WORKSHOP ITEM (in accordance with R-21-32, at workshops, matters may be discussed and placed on an appropriate City Council meeting agenda for formal action. Substantive decisions shall not be made at workshops.) A. Presentation by Ken Killgore. Administrative Services Director/CFO The Administrative Services Director/CFO put together a summation with a brief PowerPoint of what the American Rescue Act allows and disallows. (see attached) He explained that these workshops allow the public to give their input as to the possibilities for the usage of the Rescue Act Funds the City received. After Council hears all of the input from today's workshops, they will work together to figure out the best way to utilize the funds that were allocated to the City. He explained how Legislation talked about the intent of the funding being used for temporary assistance for government agencies to provide assistance for the economic City Council Workshop January 26, 2022 Page 2 impact from the pandemic. Sebastian was allocated $3,332,127; the money can only be used to cover eligible costs incurred from March 3, 2021 through December 31, 2024. The CFO said the Rescue Act Fund does have some restrictions such as the money not being able to be used to replace lost revenue as the result of tax cuts. He also said the city must file a detailed report that accounts for the use of the funds. He covered the four eligible categories that he funds can be used. First is for COVID-19 Emergency Response which covers safety equipment, vaccinations, rental assistance or grants to small business. The second category is the Premium Pay to the Essential Workers which gives support to workers with the greatest health risk. Third is the General Revenue Loss Recovery, this can be used to avoid cuts to essential Government Services. The final category is Specific Infrastructure Projects, which can be used to improve access to clean drinking water; support to stormwater infrastructure; broadband internet access; or affordable housing. B. Questions or Comments from the Public Susan Larusso, Joyhaven Drive, stated that she worked for the city when there was a recession and they had to take furlough days. She said the city employees have been through a lot and they could really use a boost. She asked Council to take care of the employees. Graham Cox, Geroge Street, suggested the City hire a part time Project Manager to visit the non-profit and public agencies to find out what they would need to be able to operate in Sebastian. Bill Simmons, Sebastian, said the City should gear the money towards infrastructure because many households would benefit. Don Sandos, Yearling Trail, said if the Governor gives employees a bonus then the City should not give employees another bonus. Ken McDonough, PBA representative, told Council that when the pandemic started First Responders did not know what they were dealing with when they went into people's homes or when they assisted EMS with mouth to mouth resuscitation. He said the Act does allow for monies for essential workers and other agencies have already given money to their employees from the Act. He gave credit the City Manager for understanding what the Responders were going through and offering a percentage of the funds to the people that protected City. Andrea Ring, Sebastian, suggested using the money for a project that would help the city move forward. John Denise, Sebastian, told Council they have hard decisions to make and should realize they will not please everyone. Marc Maison, Sebastian, said the essential workers were here through the pandemic andnot one time were services to this community ever affected. He would like to see City Council Workshop January 26, 2022 Page 3 everyone receive premium pay for what they did and will continue to do for the community no matter what happens. Eileen Hanley, Sebastian, would like to make funds available in the future for children who do not have internet access. She would also like the funds to be used for the problems the city has now and not for the new infrastructure being built. Debora McGruder, Records Specialist for the Police Department, said her department handles everything that the public brings in. Several people in her department have gotten CoVid and she has had to give up her days off to cover for them. She asked Council to give everyone something because they all put their lives on the line. C. Questions or Comments from the Citv Council The Mayor said he appreciated everyone's comments. The ideas were all very constructive. He explained the Rescue Act Funds are for Premium pay which is different from pay raises. He said Council will make decisions on pay raises once the Compensation Study is done, if there are any discrepancies. Council Member Dodd said he has a great respect of the entire Police Department and would like to be able to do something for them. Council Member Nunn asked the CFO to explain what the definition of essential employee is. The CFO said it is very difficult to confirm because in one section of the Act it states if you are an exempt employee you are not eligible, but if you read further into other sections of the Act an exempt employee is eligible. He said the City Manager is able write a reason why an employee should be compensated. Council Member Nunn then asked if the funds could be used for something that has already been budgeted for. The CFO replied that he read nothing that would restrict the funds being used for something that has already been planned for. Council Member McPartlan would like to see the money used for top priorities. He would like to put money toward stormwater because this has been a problem for years. Also he would like to hire a Community Advocate that would help the people receive services they need. 6. The Mayor adjourned the Workshop at 1:57 p.m. Approve;4r 022 Regular City Council meeting. Mayor J ATTEST: -- - 36rnette Williams, M — City Clerk — — 0mn S HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING WORKSHOP AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022— 5:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor Hill called the Sebastian City Council Workshop to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. A moment of Silence was held. 3. Mayor Hill led the Pledge of Allegiance, 4. Members Present: Mayor Jim Hill Vice Mayor Fred Jones Council Member Dodd Council Member Nunn Council Member McPartlan Staff Present: City Manager Paul Carlisle City Attorney Manny Anon, Jr. City Clerk Jeanette Williams Administrative Services Director / CFO Ken Killgore Human Resource Director Cindy Watson Public Facilities Director/Airport Manager Scott Baker Brian Benton Leisure Service Director (Zoom) Engineer Director Karen Miller Deputy Police Chief Greg Witt 5.ORKSHOP ITE M MYn accordance w R 21-32, at workshops, matters may he discussed and placed on an appropriate City Council meeting agenda for formal action. Substantive decisions shall not be made at workshops.) A. Presentation by Ken Killoore. Administrative Services Director/CFO The Administrative Services Director/CFO put together a summation with a brief PowerPoint of what the American Rescue Act allows and disallows. (see attached) He explained that these workshops allow the public to give their input as to the possibilities for the usage of the Rescue Act Funds the City received. After Council hears all of the input from today's workshops, they will work together to figure out the best way to utilize the funds that were allocated to the City. He explained how Legislation talked about the intent of the funding being used for temporary assistance for government agencies to provide assistance for the economic City Council Workshop January 26, 2022 Page 2 impact from the pandemic. Sebastian was allocated $3,332,127; the money can only be used to cover eligible costs incurred from March 3, 2021 through December 31, 2024. The CFO said the Rescue Act Fund does have some restrictions such as the money not being able to be used to replace lost revenue as the result of tax cuts. He also said the city must file a detailed report that accounts for the use of the funds. He covered the four eligible categories that he funds can be used. First is for COVID-19 Emergency Response which covers safety equipment, vaccinations, rental assistance or grants to small business. The second category is the Premium Pay to the Essential Workers which gives support to workers with the greatest health risk. Third is the General Revenue Loss Recovery, this can be used to avoid cuts to essential Government Services. The final category is Specific Infrastructure Projects, which can be used to improve access to clean drinking water; support to stormwater infrastructure; broadband Internet access; or affordable housing. B. Questions or Comments from the Public Michael McCormick, George Street said the seawall behind his house is failing. He hopes the money can be used to fix the seawalls. Cary Broome, Indian River Drive, said he would like to see the money used as additional money for the septic to sewer hookup. He said the grant that is offered now is ten thousand dollars but it cost forty thousand dollars and that doesn't include the cost of landscaping. Sharon Herman, Sebastian, said she would like to see some of these funds used to show appreciation to the employees for coming to work during the pandemic. Ashley Penn, Sebastian Police Officer said the employees that work for the City of Sebastian are amazing. Every employee plays a role in keeping our citizens happy. She would like Council to give each employee, not just the first responders, some of the money because they did not have to do what they did to keep this city running smoothly. Sherry Matthews, Sebastian, said she believes in taking care of the people. She doesn't remember seeing anywhere on the employee application where it says if we have any type of pandemic that the employees must show up for work. She said all of the employees are essential regardless of job, tasks or duties and they deserve something because they did not signed up for this. She would also like to see the money used for infrastructure and for some of the smaller projects. John Christino, Sebastian, said the City Manager did a terrific job keeping City Hall safe. He would like to see the money used for the septic problem especially along the river. Bill Flynn, Main Street, suggested covering costs for items the employees had to purchase for CoVid care. The other important issues are stormwater, and the culverts. He reminded everyone that this is not free money; everyone has to pay this money back so we need to focus on long term projects that affect the entire community. City Council Workshop January 26, 2022 Page 3 John Antosia, Curtis Circle, said he would like the people that work for the City taken care of first because they take care of our citizens 24/7. Laura Moss, County Commissioner for Indian River County, thanked Council for having the Workshop. She wished the County held a meeting for public comment. She said public input is the best way for elected officials to make decisions. C. Questions or Comments from the City Council The Mayor said he appreciated everyone coming out and giving their input. Council Member Jones said first he would like to see premium pay for all city employees that are eligible. Second, he would like money to go towards the septic to sewer program. Third, some money should be spent on some of the roads that need repaired. Last, money should be spent on drainage and our stormwater system. The Mayor agreed with the Vioe Mayor's list of priorities. He stated that the employees should receive a percentage of this money. He said the employees are what kept this city running and they are the reason the city came through this as well as it did. He expressed how proud he is of all of the employees. The Mayor explained that the city is doing a comprehensive study of our stormwater system and when that study is complete, Council is going to have to figure out how to fund that. This is going to be a huge undertaking including what to do with the seawalls. Council Member Nunn said he also agrees with the Vice Mayor's list of priorities. He would like to have an estimated cost getting the river based properties onto septic and see if anything can be done to offset that cost. He would also like to use some of the money to do some Immediate repairs to help those people whose seawall is eroding into their backyard. Council Member McPartlan said he is not comfortable deciding anything until the stormwater study and the employee compensation study is completed. He is looking to use the 3 million dollars so citizens do not have their taxes raised. This money could be used to offset some of those costs but we will not know until the studies are completed. Council Member Dodd said the 3 million dollars will not be a drop in the bucket to cover the cost of the stormwater plan. He said that as far as the septic project on the riverfront, the city has agreed to remove all of the septic takes on the east side of US1. The problem with that project is funding so this money could definitely have an impact on that project. He said he also would like to see the compensation study completed to see the implications before any decisions are made. 6. The Mayor adjourned the Workshop at 5:42 p.m City Council Workshop January 26, 2022 Page 4 Approved at the February 9, 2022 Regular City Council meeting. May -d ATTEST: / p q MMC—C.Ovr1Q jn�ette Williams,,MMC — City