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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-2024 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES ppp fflgp SEPTWEMBER 912024 ORK SESSION The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work Session on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 4:00 PM, at the City Commission Chambers, 1St Floor, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Present: Mayor Art Woodruff Vice Mayor Patty Mahany Commissioner Sheena Britton Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr. Commissioner Patrick Austin City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. City Attorney William L. Colbert City Clerk Traci Houchin Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio -Mayor Woodruff Icalled , the meeting to order at 4:06 PM. 1. Discussion RE: Utility rate increase by Raftelis. Brynt Johnson, Director of Public Works and Utilities provided a power point presentation on the Utilities Rate Adjustment. The presentation included the mission statement, a review of assets and growth, the increases of operating costs, additional future capital projects, and maintenance. He said one of the big projects that has been implemented is fire hydrant maintenance, repair and replacement. For unknown reasons, a lack of maintenance resulted in placing hydrants out of service. The Commission expressed their concern with the hydrants being out of service. Fire Chief Ronnie McNeil said the City has 38 hydrants that are out of service. However, the City has an agreement with Seminole County in which they will send a tanker truck to every call. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 99 2024 WORK SESSION Mr. Johnson said that within the departments, there are plant expansions, upgrades, as well as maintenance. There are 78 lift stations that need to be replaced, investigating an alternative water supply, and the City is responding to unfunded mandates. The Utilities Department has several funding resources: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) $9,910,415 which covered the Vacuum Sewer Rehabilitation, the State Road 46 Water Main Replacement and the Utility System Rehab — pipe lining. Grants are covering sewer lining/manhole rehabilitation, and they also utilize State Revolving Funds and Impact Fees. Bill Marcous, Utilities Operations Manager, introduced Shawn Ocasio of Raftelis, who presented the water and wastewater forecast. Mr. Ocasio said 96% of recurring revenue of the utility is derived from the user rate. The City is facing major issues with the utility system with the impacts of inflation on the cost of operations and capital costs. He reviewed the study tasks and approach, revenues and operating expenses, revenue requirements for the capital improvement plan, revenue requirements regarding debt service, the adequacy of existing rates and proposed rates, proposed rate adjustments identified in a financial forecast, observations and the Raftelis recommendations. Commissioner Britton expressed concern with an increase in the Utilities rate, yet residents are only receiving mediocre service. She said the City is not transparent and has poor leadership. Commissioner Austin said the Utilities department does not have good customer service and that communications throughout the departments need to CITY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 99 2024 WORK SESSION improve. Vice Mayor Mahany agreed with not raising the rates at this time. She said that she would not vote on the increase until the majority of the new water meters have been installed and are providing accurate readings. Commissioner Wiggins asked what the City can do to improve the customer service. Mayor Woodruff asked Mr. Marcous what he needs to help the Utilities Department provide better customer service. Mr. Marcous said he will speak with staff and come up with a solution. Commissioner Austin said the goal should not be adequate customer service. 2. Vendor renovations at the Orlando Sanford International Airport by Mayor Mayor Woodruff provided slides demonstrating the new renovations to the second floor of the Orlando Sanford Airport, There will be a St. Johns River Market and an 1877 & Company store. Downstairs in the baggage area, there will be two Fort Mellon Express Stores. Mayor Woodruff said Jennifer Taylor from the Sanford Airport Authority is present if anyone has questions. Ms. Taylor said the construction will be completed one year from November. Commissioner Britton said they have done a phenomenal job. 3. Waterfront connection property by Mayor Woodruff. 4. The use of social media by elected officials by Lonnie Groot. Lonnie Groot, Assistant City Attorney, reviewed some of the do's and don'ts of social media to the Commission. He provided two social media cases that went to trial regarding elected officials. He said it is important to never block a resident from social media pages and to remember that all social media is public record. Also, CITY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 99 2024 WORK SESSION remember that all Quasi-judicial items must be disclosed if they are discussed on social media. Lisa Holder, Chief Communications and Cultural Affairs Administrator, explained that the City uses a social media platform called page freezer that archives all the City's pages. If a citizen asks for public records on social media, page freezer will retrieve the request. She reiterated that all elected officials should have all social media accounts registered with page freezer. Commissioner Britton stated she has a disclosure on her social media. Mr. Groot said that helps but would not solve an issue. Vice Mayor Mahany asked about threating residents. Mr. Groot suggested to report it to the Police Department. Ms. Holder said other cities have a full-time employee who monitors their social media accounts. Commissioner Wiggins stepped away from the Dias at 5:49 PM and returned to the Dias at 5:51 PM. 5. Discussion RE: Open for Business Action Plan. Tony Raimondo, Director of Development Services, introduced the new Building Department staff. , Commissioner Britton gave kudos to staff on the action plan, new signage and wayfinding. Mr. Raimondo introduced all the staff responsible for compiling the action plan. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 99 2024 WORK SESSION 6. Regular Meeting Items — additional information. Mr. Bonaparte said City staff recommends denial on Consent Item M, a special event permit application for 'R.W. Merthie Community Block Party'. Lisa Jones, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that there is an open code enforcement case on the property and that it is City policy to deny the request when there is an open code enforcement case. Vice Mayor Mahany expressed concern paying $I OK for the design of a door in the Commission Chambers. Mr. Johnson explained that there is electrical behind the walls, and the design for the door would be tied in with the new sign for City Hall. 7. Briefing Items. Craig Radzak, Assistant City Manager said City staff has compiled a survey for the public regarding the old catalyst site. He said that there are about 10 questions. Staff will be emailing this to the Commission for their review and comments. Mayor Woodruff handed out a drawing that he put together for his suggestions of use for the old catalyst site. 8. City Manager Comments. Mayor Woodruff apologized to staff, residents, and the Commission for not running Commission meetings the way he is supposed to. He said that there are rules of the Commission that he will be following, one includes respect for one another at the Dias, no campaigning or grandstanding. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 99 2024 WORK SESSION City Clerk (CL)