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HomeMy WebLinkAbout072520031225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter July 25, 2003 Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget The Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget is being delivered today for your individual review and preparation for the August 20th workshop and September 11th and September 24th public hearings. The proposal recommends no increase in the current year's property tax rate of 4.5904 mills, with a total appropriation for all funds to be $18,218,837. As referenced in the Letter of Transmittal located in the beginning of the document, citywide goals, objectives, highlights and trend analysis is being offered in an effort to summarize the City of Sebastian's recent performance and future expectations. In addition, as explained during Wednesday evening's meeting and at last night's Budget Advisory Committee meeting, all non Police Benevolent Association position line items, including charter officers, department directors and other exempt and non exempt employees reflect a 3% adjustment to wages and salaries, solely for budgeting purposes - not labeled either a cost of living adjustment (COLA) or merit increase. Recommendations for an actual COLA will be offered commensurate with a presentation to City Council relative to a proposed labor agreement with the local chapter of the Communications Workers of America - anticipated to be made available within the coming weeks. While reviewing this budget proposal however, it is imperative and productive to focus on the aforementioned goals, objectives and proposed projects, programs and accomplishments, not only on individual line items, consistent with the principles of the performance budgeting format first initiated four years ago. Arrangements will be made to speak with each of you individually as necessary to address any questions and/or concerns any of you may have concerning the Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget during the remainder of the budget process period. Any of you may therefore feel free to contact either Acting Director of Finance Debra Krueger or myself if the need arises. City Council Information Letter July 25, 2003 Page 2 Consensus Building and Communication Process Proposed Southside Recreation Complex In response to perceived issues having recently been raised by residents residing near the area of the proposed future construction of the Southside Recreation Complex (Miller Drive vicinity, etc.), please be advised that I will host a meeting with concerned individuals Tuesday evening, July 29th at 5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. A primary purpose for this discussion will be to educate citizens about processes involving long term planning of such future park construction activities, as well as the City of Sebastian's Comprehensive Planning requirements for future active and passive park facilities. As you will reference in the capital improvements section of the Proposed Fiscal year 2004 Proposed Budget (Page 105), $200,000 from next year's Discretionary Sales Tax fund has been allocated towards future park development activities, including public planning and design efforts that will take into consideration recommendations to be offered by area residents. Fin's Barge As referenced in the attached electronic mail message report compiled and delivered by Director of Growth Management Tracy Hass yesterday afternoon, please be advised that the barge currently located in the Indian River Lagoon adjacent to Fin's Grill and Raw Bar was actually relocated from another restaurant from Cape Canaveral nearly two months ago. Numerous staff meetings began soon thereafter, resulting in discussions about requirements for local authorization to implement this arrangement. However, prior to any permission to be offered by the City of Sebastian, it becomes necessary to secure permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In addition, because the barge is technically a vessel, a United States Coast Guard rating is required. After these requirements have been satisfied, the Department of Growth Management would be able to begin its review process via receipt of a modified site plan to reflect such additional outdoor seating/serving area. As such, Fin's was directed to cease operations of the barge, until all of the aforementioned conditions have been satisfied. After the City declared cessation, DEP formally directed reinforcement in this regard. To date, the City of Sebastian has not received official notification from DEP permitting City Council Information Letter July 25, 2003 Page 3 this activity. Nor has, and likely as such, a site plan been submitted to Tracy's office. The barge has therefore not been operational. We will of course keep City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission advised regarding this matter, should Fin's officials decide to formally commence with this proposed addition. Curbside Recyclin.q Collection Services The attached notice relative to continued curbside recycling collections services was delivered to City Hall earlier this week. The Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District has recently extended its agreement with Waste Management, Inc. to continue services in Sebastian, as well as throughout the County. Recycling collection service at single, multiple and mobile home units will continue until September, 2009. Solid waste, yard waste and recycling collection services will now therefore continue to be provided uniformly by a single contractor, minimizing heavy equipment traffic to an extent in our community. Out of Office Please be advised that I will be out of the office next week beginning Wednesday July 30th to offer a few days of quality time with the family. I will be assessable however, as we will simply visit various tourist destinations in the Central Florida area. Jean Tarbell will maintain my itinerary during my brief absence. However, I will be available via cellular telephone should any of you require the need to speak with me personally during this time. I will report back to City Hall the following Monday morning, August 4th. Police Chief Jim Davis will serve as the City's official point of contact in the event of emergencies or other problems that may arise. No information letter will therefore be delivered next week! Enclosure(s) · Personal Copies - Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget Electronic Mail Message from Tracy Hass - Fin's Barge Letter from Polly Kratman, Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District, Curbside Recycling Collection Services My Documents/InfoLetter183 Terrance Moore From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Tracy Hass Thursday, July 24, 2003 4:20 PM Terrance Moore Jan King; Jim Davis; David Puscher; Antoine Vanmeir; Warren Lindquist; George Barge located at Finn's Restaurant Bonacci Terrence, Per our conversation this morning, I've compiled the following update with regards to the Barge located and Finn's Restaurant. On May 28th of this year, I was notified of the new barge at Finn's, at which time I contacted managing partner Buz Underill to inquire about the facility. As a result a meeting was scheduled for May 30th, also in attendance were building inspectors Richard Schofield and Chuck Geisz, Growth Management Manager Jan King and Code Enforcement Officer Warren Lundquist. The obvious first question for Mr. Underill was in reference to why he transported the barge to Sebastian without first contacting us with regards to the legalities of operating such a facility. Mr. Underill proceeded to explain that the barge had been in operation as a floating bar in Cape Canaveral for several years, where it was operated legally, and he did not foresee the need to obtain local authorization prior to locating the barge at Finn's. We quickly corrected Mr. Underill and explained the necessity to obtain local authorization, as the addition of seating changes the scope of his use and would therefore require certain site plan modifications. We also requested copies of relevant Department of Environmental Protection permits, and Coast Guard ratings, as the barge is technically a vessel. Also explained to Mr. Underill was the responsibility to modify the existing site plan to reflect the additional outdoor seating/serving area for the restaurant. We then advised him to cease operations at the barge, and submit a site plan modification application with copies of the necessary state and federal permits, at which time we would review the plan and respond accordingly. Shortly thereafter we contacted the DEP to advise them of the existence of a floating bar (barge) located at Finn's. DEP performed an inspection the following week when they also explained the necessity to obtain regulatory permits for operation of the barge, and they reinforced the cessation of operations already in place. As of today, August 24, we have not received any documentation from Mr. Underill with regards to the legal operation of this facility. And as far as we know, Finn's has not used the barge as an element of their restaurant since the last week of May. I will provide you with updates as we progress with site plan review of this proposed addition to the Finn's Restaurant and Raw Bar. Tracy INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DISTRICT Landfill / Administration / Recycling 1325 74th Avenue SW Vero Beach, FL 32968 Phone:772~770-5112 772-770-5113 772-770-5114 Fax: 772-770-5296 July 17, 2003 Terrance Moore, City Manager City of Sebastian 1225 M-fin Street Sebastian, FL 32958 Fax: Assessment Fees 1840 25th Street Vero Beach,FL 32960 Phone:772-567-8000 Ext. 1300 772-770-5143 Re: Curbside Recycling Collection Service Dear Mr. Moore: This provides notice that the Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District has extended the contract for Recycling Collection Service at single, multi-family and mobile home units through September 03, 2009. The collection service will continue to be provided on a weekly basis. Inasmuch as the District has an interlocal agreement with your municipality for provision of this service, this service will continue in your community through September 03, 2009. If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact this office at 770-5112. Sincerely, Polly Kratman, Managing Director Solid Waste Disposal District PK/dc A:City of Sebastian Printed on Recycled Paper