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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC Minutes 1 17 14CITIZENS' BUDGET COMMITTEE Meeting Date: January 17, 2014 Conference Roam 3 MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER Ron Knaggs, Chair Dan Kurek, Vice Chair John Culverhouse Richard Pancoast William Donovan Marty Laven Patrick Campion Craig Mundt Ed Lounds Jane Bachelor James Clasby Jay L. McBee Gwen Morris Stephanie Morgan Carl Hensley Faye W. Outlaw Marie Gouin Sherry Burroughs Roger Shinn Robert O'Sullivan Don West Beth Ryder Ed Matthews Don Pauley Gary Wilson Robert Bentkofsky Jennifer Hill Laurie Waldie Tara Raymore Mark Satterlee Karen Smith Commissioner Hutchinson Chris Lestrange Michael Powley John Wiatrak Mr. Culverhouse welcomed the group and called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. REPORT ON OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD (PUBLIC COMMENT) Ms. Outlaw explained the resolution attached that was passed by the Board of County Commissioners in November, 2013. Mr. Knaggs started discussion with other members and Ms. Outlaw. Mr. Mundt made a motion to have public comment on the agenda prior to the Citizens' Budget Committee January 17, 2014 Page 2 Committee's business and give the Chair the option to recognize members of the public post discussion. After a second to the motion, it carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT No member of the public spoke at the meeting. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 18, 2013 MINUTES After a motion by Mr. Lounds and second by Mr. Mundt, the minutes were unanimously approved. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Mr. Culverhouse thanked the Committee for the opportunity to serve as Chair and complimented and thanked staff. Ms. Outlaw asked for nominations for Chair. Ms. Morgan nominated Mr. Knaggs. Mr. Clasby seconded the nomination. Mr. Mundt moved that nominations be closed. Mr. Lounds moved that a unanimous ballot be cast. Mr. Mundt seconded it. Ms. Outlaw congratulated Mr. Knaggs. Mr. Knaggs thanked Mr. Culverhouse for his outstanding job. Mr. Knaggs asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Mr. Lounds nominated Mr. Kurek. There was a second and Mr. Mundt moved that nominations be closed. A unanimous ballot was cast and Mr. Kurek was elected. UPDATE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) RECEIVED BY BOCC Ms. Gouin reviewed the attached memo. Mr. Lounds asked Mr. West about specific roads. Mr. West explained some of the challenges and criteria used to develop the list. Mr. Satterlee added some information. Mr. Clasby asked about the life span of the roads. Mr. Pauley explained that it depends on the type of traffic. Mr. Lounds asked about improvements to air conditioning systems. Mr. Matthews and Mr. Shinn answered his questions. Ms. Gouin continued her report. Ms. Outlaw added to the stormwater information. Mr. McBee asked about switching from millage to user based fees (special assessments). Mr. West gave history, explained the reasons the County made its choice and options for the future. Ms. Hill explained some of the process. Commissioner Hutchinson explained that the County maintains some areas inside the city limits of Fort Pierce. There is a fairness issue with prioritizing the projects. She asked the Committee to help. She feels it is unacceptable for the residents to endure Citizens' Budget Committee January 17, 2014 Page 3 the flooding conditions. Mr. McBee asked again about the user fees. Mr. West feels an interlocal agreement with the City would be best. There have been some staff level conversations. Finding the money is the challenge. Ms. Outlaw gave her perspective. Mr. Lounds started discussion on it being the city's choice if they take the responsibility of roads and stormwater when they annex. Ms. Outlaw said she would check with legal and bring the answer to the next meeting. Mr. Lounds asked about shifting the millage. Ms. Outlaw explained the 5-year plan. The Board has the discretion to shift it at any point. Mr. Lounds started discussion on timing of the shift of funds and denying annexation. Ms. Outlaw said they can challenge, but she and Mr. Satterlee agree that it is often not worth the effort. Mr. Clasby asked if it is normal in the State for a City to not take stormwater when annexing. Ms. Outlaw said it would be interesting to look at. Mr. Lounds asked about drainage being blocked since the City of Fort Pierce is east of the unincorporated County. Mr. West said it is normally not a problem. The canal system is used. Mr. Donovan asked about South Florida Water Management. Mr. West said they are a partner and provide funding. The County and Cities have partnered for grants. Mr. Knaggs started a discussion on the amount of the shortage. The strategies have not been decided. When asked if the recent storm had increased the funds needed, Mr. Powley answered that it had. He gave the example of Indian River Drive. Current projects and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance were discussed. Mr. Lounds asked about homeowner responsibility. Mr. West explained the process and challenges. Mr. Kurek gave history on the Lakewood Park project. Ms. Gouin gave more information on the deficit. Mr. Knaggs started discussion on the challenge given by Commissioner Hutchinson. Ms. Morris asked about Port St. Lucie. Mr. Knaggs said the Committee needs to know the legal circumstances and asked that it be brought to the next meeting. He will check with the Board for their view. Mr. Kurek asked about Fort Pierce. When Mr. Clasby asked, he was informed that Indian River Estates is in the unincorporated County. After Ms. Gouin's presentation of Section 3, Mr. Laven asked for an update and timeline on the Supervisor of Elections' building. Mr. Bentkofsky reported on the plans. Mr. Laven started discussion on energy savings and proper sealing of the buildings. He made a comment on a third party for stormwater. Mr. Campion asked about energy saving projects being done at the time of construction of the new building. Mr. Matthews answered. Ms. Morgan expressed her concern about the buildings not being properly sealed. Mr. Shinn explained the situation. Ms. Morgan started discussion on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the State Attorney's office. Mr. Shinn explained that the ADA codes change. Ms. Bachelor started discussion on the contractors. Citizens' Budget Committee January 17, 2014 Page 4 Ms. Gouin summed up Section 4. Ms. Outlaw expressed her concern about the decrease in funding for future budgets. OTHERISSUES Mr. Knaggs would like the Committee to compare the FY15 Budget Schedule with the Committee's meeting dates. Mr. Knaggs asked for the results of FY13. Ms. Outlaw hopes it will be ready for the next meeting. Mr. Knaggs asked if there were requests for other presentations. Ms. Outlaw plans to bring the legal opinion on the annexation and what Port St. Lucie does. Mr. Lounds asked for an introduction to the new Economic Development Council Director and an update on their plans. He would also like a report from the research park. Ms. Outlaw asked that it be in March or April. ADJOURNMENT After a motion and second, Mr. Knaggs adjourned the meeting at 9:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Marlin The next CBC meeting will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014, at 7:30 a.m., in Conference Room 3, at the St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex.