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City Commission, Sanford, Florida
WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 26
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The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida met in Work Session on Monday, February 26, 2001, at
3:30 o'clock P.M. in the City Manager's Conference Room, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present:
Mayor-Commissioner Larry A. Dale
Commissioner Velma H. Williams
Commissioner Randy Jones
City Manager Tony VanDerworp
City Clerk Janet R. Dougherty
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Absent:
Commissioner Whitey Eckstein
Commissioner Brady Lessard
City Attorney William L. Colbert
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The Chairman called the meeting to order.
Interview nrosnective board member to Central Examininl! Board.
Kent Prager appeared and expressed a desire to serve on the Central Examining Board. He reported he is the
owner of Prager Builders and a long time resident of Sanford.
Status of the canital camnail!n of the Zoo. and annreciation for notable water.
Ed Posey, Executive Director of the Central Florida Zoological Park introduced John Williams of Wayne
Densch, Inc. and Alesandra Saunders, members of the Board of Directors. He also introduced David Hayes, the Project
Manager with Wharton-Smith Construction and Andrea Farmer, staff member and Fred Antonio, Director of Operations and
General Curator. Mr. Posey thanked the Mayor and Commission, and the City, for supplying potable water to the Zoo. In
the future they look forward to working with the City on drain fields and a septic system.
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Mr. Posey reported the Zoo has raised approximately $6 million ofa $10.5 million, 15 year expansion and
redevelopment plan. This three-phase Master Plan will nearly double the current 300 animal collection, and expand the
existing Zoo site from21 acres to over 40 acres. It will also increase animal conservation programs for endangered species
and increase education programming (through the Wayne Densch Environmental Education Complex). Also, a $1 million
operational endowment program has been developed to work along with the Capital Campaign, and about 1/10 ofthose
funds have been received. Mr. Posey reported there will be additional restroom facilities provided, and new health care for
the animals. Mr. Posey distributed copies of the Central Florida Zoological Park's 2000 Annual Report.
David Hayes presented a pictorial view of the initial phases of construction at the zoo, which include the
entry road, some parking area, infrastructure that will be needed and the educational complex and exhibitors' space. He
reported there will be a 1/4 scale miniature train circling the Zoo that is being installed by a private donor. Future phases
will include a quarantine area for animals and a new veterinary center.
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Mayor Dale reported because of the residential area being developed just east of the Zoo, the City should be
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able to accommodate the Zoo with sanitary sewer in the very near future.
Sanford Housinl! Authority.
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Ed Blacksheare, Chairman; Tim Hudson, Executive Director; and Robert Walter, the Modernization
Coordinator appeared to answer questions that were previously asked by the Mayor and City Commission. They provided
to the Commission an Account Reconciliation spreadsheet that provides for reconciliation of$801,000. This spreadsheet
was provided to HUD in Jacksonville during an audit over the past three weeks. The Commission asked several questions
regarding specific expenditures and employees and received satisfactory answers. HUD in Jacksonville just completed a
Management Review and Audit of the Sanford Housing Authority, and the results should be forthcoming.
Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Hudson ifhe or his wife owned the Cosmetology School or the Child Care
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Center. Mr. Hudson reported neither he nor his wife own the Cosmetology School or the Child Care Center. Commissioner
Williams also asked Mr. Hudson if the company that Mr. Hudson owns was ever paid by the Housing Authority for any kind
of work or services, or was any of the $801,000 utilized to benefit his company in any way. Mr. Hudson reported no, his
company has not received any of the funds.
Mr. Blacksheare distributed copies of three original applications of the Housing Authority for Comprehensive
Grant Program funding, with supporting documents. He reported that the Sanford Housing Authority had received
excellent "Report Cards" since 1996, and he didn't anticipate the forthcoming report to be that much different.
Mr. Blacksheare reported that he and Mr. Hudson are equal partners in a company called Savvy, and they
may develop a strip mall together. Mayor Dale asked Mr. Blacksheare ifhe evaluated Mr. Hudson and he reported he did.
Mayor Dale reported he would have a hard time evaluating someone whom he was partnered with on another venture, it
might be seen as a conflict by some people. Mayor Dale reported he would rather Mr. Blacksheare and Mr. Hudson not
have a business together.
Mr. Blacksheare, in response to a question from the Mayor, discussed a situation between Mr. Hudson and
Seminole County, and stated that Seminole County officials reported that this was a situation that any citizen could have
applied for, it was done in accordance with the rules, regulations and stipulations except one factor, that he was not a low
income home buyer. Mr. Blacksheare reported he was told if that factor was corrected the issue would be solved. He
further reported that the current owners have stipulated by way of certification that they are actively seeking qualified, low
income individuals to sell those homes to, which at the present time are being rented. Mayor Dale asked if anything came
through the Sanford Housing Authority that benefited the buyer of Mr. Blacksheare's property. Mr. Blacksheare reported
nothing more than any other private landlord who has property he wishes to put up for Section VIII or TBRA; they are put
on a list and if someone is interested they contact the landlord and then the Section VIII Department would get involved.
Mayor Dale reported the county told him about the same thing that Mr. Blacksheare reported, that there was
a violation if it was not sold to a low income buyer, and that could be resolved. Mr. Hudson reported it is in the process of
being resolved, the county has received a certification from the owners that they are putting the homes up for sale for two
very low income individuals. Mayor Dale asked if they were going to use S.H.I.P. funds to do that. Mr. Hudson reported
yes, as well as down payment assistance.
Commissioner Jones asked how all this came about, and Mayor Dale reported that Mr. Hudson has a
company by the name ofTDH & Associates which received a grant through Buddy Balagia, who handles S.H.I.P funds and
Block Grants, to buy some lots and build as many as eight houses. Mr. Hudson reported the $65,000 was to be expended
on purchasing the lots, doing demolition, and doing some infill, but the actual cost of construction was handled by him and
his wife as the owners. Mayor Dale reported it is his understanding that Mr. Hudson tried to rent the homes, but the county
told him he had to sell them.
Commissioner Williams asked if Mr. Hudson was sure he didn't take any money out of the $800,000 to
purchase those homes. Mr. Hudson reported, no, the only thing he receives from the Housing Authority personally is his
salary. Mayor Dale asked Mr. Blacksheare ifhe had anything to do with TDH & Associates. Mr. Blacksheare answered,
"no". Mayor Dale asked if Mr. Blacksheare, or anyone on the Sanford Housing Authority Board, had anything to do with
building those houses. Mr. Blacksheare answered, "no". Mr. Hudson reported that his wife is handling the correction of
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City Commission, Sanford, Florida
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the violation with the county.
Mayor Dale asked Mr. Blacksheare about investments, and Mr. Blacksheare reported HUD from Jacksonville
looked at the investments during the audit and it will be included in their report. Mr. Blacksheare read two statements from
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their auditors, Greene, Dycus & Co., stating "the audit did not disclose any audit findings which are required to be reported
Commissioner Williams reported she has a copy of a request that was made by the Orlando Sentinel about
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regarding management and budget" and "during the audit nothing came to the auditors' attention to indicate that the
Authority had not complied with laws, rules and regulations, had any illegal or improper expenditures, or had other matters
requiring correction which mayor may not materially affect the financial statement, other than as mentioned in this
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management letter."
some personnel folders offorrner employees, and she remembers reading in the paper that some of the files they were
requesting were missing, and they were going to file a law suit. She asked why the paper was asking the Housing Authority
for the personnel files of Eric Williams (Commissioner Williams' son) and her. Mr. Hudson reported he did not know why
that request was made, and that neither Eric Williams nor Commissioner Williams has not been an employee of the Sanford
Housing Authority since he has been there, and have not been paid.
Mayor Dale reported it appears to him there has been no criminal activity on the part of the Sanford Housing
Authority, or any activity or attempt to defraud or divert money. [Commissioner Williams left the meeting briefly and
returned. ]
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Annual audit for the city of Sanford.
William Royster and Roger Bowen of Greene, Dycus & Co., P.A., and Tom Riley, Consultant from Holland
and Riley, appeared to review the City of Sanford Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ended September
30, 2000. Mr. Riley reported the City received over $3.2 million in Federal Grants in the past year, and the conclusions
were that there were no major weaknesses in internal control, and no major compliance violations. The report on
compliance was unqualified.
Mr. Bowen distributed and discussed an overview of the Financial Statement reporting the General Fund
Revenues increased about 4 million dollars, with a 6 \1,% increase in ad valorem taxes (almost $.5 million dollars). Mr.
VanDerworp reported the increase in ad valorem taxes was in tax base, not tax rate, the rate went down. Mr. Bowen
reported every item in the General Fund Revenues was over budget this year, except for contributions which were $4,300
under budget. Additionally, expenditures were 13% under budget (about $3.5 million). The cash position of the City
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increased $4.5 million dollars, or 34%.
Annual audit for Sanford Airoort Authoritv.
Eldon McDirmit ofMcDirmit, Davis, Puckett & Company, P.A. and Kelly Leary, the Audit Manager, and
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Bryant W. Garrett, Director of Finance & Administration, appeared to present the Sanford Airport Authority Financial
Statements for the years ended September 30, 2000 and 1999. Mr. McDirmit reported the auditors issued an unqualified
opinion to the Airport Authority for this year, which is the best opinion they can issue. He reviewed the balance sheet,
stating there has been an increase of about 25 million dollars in assets over the prior year, about $3 million in cash and the
remainder in construction and progress (equipment). The liabilities have increased about $11.7 million and contributed
capital has increased about $13.2 million. Operating Revenue has increased about $1 million over the prior year, and
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Operating Expenses declined about $300,000.
Mayor Dale reported that property and equipment are carried at cost under FAA accounting rnles. The
Financial Statement shows the 2000 acres of Airport land is valued at $2,314,381, but in reality it is worth about $60
million. The Airport is worth around 250 million dollars, not $57,625,240 as reflected on the Financial Statements.
Mr. McDirmit reported the Authority is in compliance with all laws, rules and regulations and also their
internal controls. The auditors found no material weaknesses or reportable conditions that need to be made known to the
City. Recommendations for improvements to internal control, which the Commission received about a month ago, include:
a reminder that there has been a change in Florida Statutes regarding investment policies and there needs to be an investment
policy in place by fiscal year 2001; there is a need to begin reconciling some of the balance sheet items and some of the
subsidiary ledgers, specifically accounts receivable and some of the grants (this is already being put in place); and create an
accounting procedures policy manual outlining policies related to purchasing and disbursements.
Mayor Dale reported that he and Mr. Garrett have met and they understand where the weaknesses are, and
they know they need to be corrected and have already started working on them. One of the things that they are working on
is putting money into reserves because there is no reserve account right now.
Goldsboro/Georl!etown Master Plans and FY 01102 CDBG projects.
Charles Rowe, Director of Community Development, reported the Master Plans submitted to the
Commission are a map to be used to guide the community leaders and City officials in allocating resources. He stressed that
the project costs and regulatory issues such as permitting requirements and size often times slow the project or prolong the
process. A series of meetings were held in both Goldsboro and Georgetown to evaluate their communities' public facilities,
public services, employment opportunities, well maintained housing and strong community organizations. A list of needs
and potential projects that are both CDBG possible and non-CDBG eligible projects was created. Mr. Rowe reviewed the
projects that are suggested for the March 1st submission for Community Development Block Grant participation. Two
projects that are being proposed for the Goldsboro area which are not listed in the information given to the Commission are
the Mulberry Avenue extension project extending Mulberry Avenue to Country Club Road with grade A asphalt. Also,
Mulberry Avenue between 14th Street and 18th Street is currently in the process of the ditch closure, and it is proposed to
be paved with grade A or grade B asphalt at $130,000, or using cold mix which would be $30,000. Mr. Rowe asked for
direction from the Commission on this proposed project.
One recommendation that would benefit both Goldsboro and Georgetown would be to hire a code
enforcement officer for each of those neighborhoods. Commissioner Williams reported possibly a Code Enforcement
Committee of volunteers from the neighborhood would be helpful. Also, she would like to have the homework assistance
program included for the Goldsboro area, as well as the Georgetown area. She also would like improvements to Bentley
Park be included for grant funds.
City Manager VanDerworp reported the projects included in the Master Plan will be submitted to the County
this week. Mayor Dale reported he has been working very hard on the Front Porch Program, and the Governor will be
making a decision on that this week.
Pay & Class Plan revisions for General Emplovees FY 2000/01.
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City Manager VanDerworp reported he has talked to each of the Commissioners individually about this item
and if there are no questions action will be taken at tonight's meeting. There were no questions.
Florida Retirement System invoice.
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City Manager VanDerworp reported he has talked to each of the Commissioners individually about this item
and if there are no questions action will be taken at tonight's meeting. There were no questions.
Re~ular Al!enda items. Add-on items. and other items.
City Clerk Janet Dougherty distributed an amended Job Classification page for Resolution No. 1872 which
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will be voted on tonight, the Police Department Status Report, and an Agenda for the Special Meeting on March 7, 2001 at
City Manager VanDerworp distributed a copy of the Citizens' Report that will be distribnted in the next few
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11 :00 a.m. to review and certifY the election results.
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City Manal!er's briefinl!.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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No briefing.
Mayor
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Attest:
City Clerk
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