This Commission Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology. Some Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application to respect the social distancing guidelines.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2 (Not Present)

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2 (Joined the meeting via Zoom at 5:38 pm)

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1 (Joined the meeting via Zoom at 5:33 pm)

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney (Joined the meeting at 5:33 pm)

Xavier Colon, Interim CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Cheryl Miller, Finance Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Matt Misco, Senior Accountant (Joined the meeting at 5:36 pm)

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 5:30 pm.

 

 

1.       FY23 BUDGET DISCUSSION

 

Mr. Freeman discussed Version 2 of the Budget, which was attached to the Agenda. He highlighted the changes made since Version 1. He noted that the changes were minor in nature, most of which came from suggestions made by the Commissioners at the prior Workshops. FY 2023 Version 1 to Version 2 Change Summary was passed out to the Commissioners and was included in the record.

 

Mr. Rayan proposed outsourcing some of the tasks that were formerly handled by his department. Backflow testing and Chloramine management functions would be outsourced due to limited staffing. He plans to bring this forward at the August 22^nd regular City Commission Meeting for approval. He also discussed the property next to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He is hoping to purchase this land for future expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He would like this added to the August 22^nd meeting as well for approval.

 

  Commissioner Williams questioned the current use of that property. Mr. Rayan clarified that it is the land that is east of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Mr. Rayan emphasized that the land is very important to his department. Without being able to expand, they would have to build a whole new plant in the future.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

August 9, 2022

Page 2 of 2

 

Commissioner Smith requested the subject of the Wastewater Treatment property be put on the August 22^nd Workshop for discussion.

 

Commissioner Jones spoke on the property that was being discussed. 1401 24^th Ave W is the address of the property. He wants the residents of the apartments that are near there to be kept in the loop as they move forward.

 

Commissioner Williams questioned the legal procedures when purchasing properties for the City. He asked if there is a requirement to notify the neighbors ahead of purchasing a property. Mr. Barnebey responded that there is not.

 

Commissioner Williams questioned if Veolia would be handling the Chloramine station outsourcing. Mr. Rayan responded that they will if the updated contract to do so is approved. He will have that on the August 22^nd meeting.

 

Commissioner Cornwell stated that she is not in favor of raising the Mayor and Commissioners’ salary.

 

Commissioner Smith expressed his agreeance with the proposed Version 2 budget. 

 

Commissioner Jones said Mr. Freeman did a fabulous job on the Version 2 Budget.

 

Commissioner Williams questioned why Commissioner Cornwell did not agree with the increases. Commissioner Cornwell responded that she does not agree with increasing the salaries of the Mayor and the Commissioners above the 8% because the 8% was determined to be fair and equitable for the City’s employees and would be for them as well. She is in support of the 8% increase, but not going above that for the Mayor or Commissioners.

 

Commissioner Williams believes we need to set up a timeframe to look at the salaries for the Commission and the Mayor. However, he is not comfortable with giving the Mayor and Commissioners an additional raise either.

 

Commissioner Smith opined that in order for people to want to run for Office, the salary needs to be more competitive. He believes that both the Mayor and the Commissioners deserve more money for the job they are doing. He urged the other Commissioners to think of those that will follow them, and the hope that more people will want to run for Office if the salary is higher.

 

Commissioner Jones agreed with Commissioner Smith. He believes they need to think of the future. The Mayor and the Commissioners’ seat need to be valued. The City needs to catch up to neighboring municipalities.

 

Mayor Bryant said this will go to the tentative Budget hearing on September 12^th for a vote.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:13 pm.