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.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tamara Cornwell, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

Marisa Powers, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Jake Bibler, City Planner

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Paula Hall, HR Director

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

Cheryl Miller, Finance Director

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.            VERSION 2 BUDGET DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN) (30 MINUTES)

 

Mr. Freeman introduced Version 2 of the budget. He reminded the Commission of the Salary Study, which was performed to ensure we are staying competitive in the market. The City contracted Evergreen Solutions to perform this. The next meetings are September 9^th which will be the tentative budget hearing, and September 23^rd which will be the final budget hearing.

 

Karl Fuchs, Senior Consultant with Evergreen Solutions, presented the salary study report, the PowerPoint was made part of the Minutes.

 

 Mr. Freeman reiterated that this was the methodology behind the study. The City does this to make sure we are staying competitive with the market. The recommendations have been incorporated within the Version 2 budget. The budget is balanced with the implementation.

City Commission/CRA Workshop

August 26, 2024

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 Commissioner Cornwell questioned the market results for the entry level positions. Mr. Fuchs explained that they analyze the entry level, mid-point and high point of all the classifications. She then asked about the 28 positions that are vacant. In Version 2 the positions are funded. Each of those have a minimum, midpoint, and maximum. She questioned re-classifying the titles of positions. They cleaned those up, so there was consistency. She asked if we are competitive, and it was answered absolutely. That was part of determining external equity. Mr. Fuchs suggested doing these studies every 3-5 years.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if there would be some type of longevity scale. Mr. Fuchs answered that each employee was evaluated based on their pay plan. Moving throughout the scale was discussed along with the GSA pay structure. Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Freeman about the changes over the years in the pay structure. Mr. Freeman stated that at one point they had a structure like the GSA, and they moved away from it. It gives the City more flexibility.

 

 Commissioner Jones believed the middle employees suffer. The longevity needs to be detailed. At some point they need to realign with the understanding of increases/steps employees will receive over the years.

 

 Mr. Freeman highlighted other changes in the Version 2 budget.  

 

 

2.               IMPACT FEE DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN/M.POWERS) (30 MINUTES)

 

Peter Napoli from Stantec Consulting presented the impact fee study. The PowerPoint was part of the agenda. The increased impact fees wouldn’t impact current residents; this is for future residents moving into the City. The fees haven’t been updated since 2006. They are proposing a maximum increase of 28% for general government, 50% for police, 38% for parks and recreation and 47% for roads. The US CPI Growth since 2007 is 47%. He went on to discuss reforms to Florida Impact fee laws. There are different thresholds for implementing these increases. He went on to highlight a suggested phase in, which was included in the agenda packet. He suggested updating their impact fees every 4 years.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked about the houses that are not in the City but are using our sewer services. It was answered that they pay the county’s impact fees.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked why the multi family is less than the single family. Mr. Napoli explained the methodology.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the general government phase in chart. Mr. Thomas explained their ability to adopt impact fees over different time frames for their cost recovery. He also asked why non-residential properties don’t pay for parks and recreation. Mr. Thomas answered that they don’t directly benefit from them. It’s an industry standard and is a state precedent.

 

This will be brought back in the form of an Ordinance in the future.

 

 

3.               IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH SIGHT DEVELOPMENT, LLC (M.POWERS/M.RAYAN) (30 MINUTES)

 

This item is also on the 7:00 pm Consent Agenda for approval.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

August 26, 2024

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Ms. Powers explained the background of this item. She discussed the history of this project, which was also outlined in the point paper, included in the agenda. Aaron Thomas was here representing Sight Development.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned if they were going to fill the retention pond. No, it is going to be an easement near the retention pond, per Mr. Rayan. Mr. Thomas showed where the planned development will be in relation to the retention pond.   Mr. Rayan will check on the connection from the retention pond to the fairgrounds area that Commissioner Williams asked about. Costs were questioned. Sight Development will incur all costs associated with this. There are no city dollars involved. This is just an easement. They are not purchasing it. It is still going to remain City property.   Mayor Bryant hopes there will be some modification to the design of the building. It was noted that they are constrained in how they can build over certain contaminated areas.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked about the possibility of them bidding on the old police department property. At this stage, Sight Development isn’t interested in that. 

 

 Commissioner Jones asked about Veolia’s rebate. It goes back into the CIP and then at the end of the year it goes back in the fund balance. It’ll be part of the 5-year CIP.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:51 pm.