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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-2023 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 2023 WORK SESSION The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work Session on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 5:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, 1* Floor, City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Present: Mayor Art Woodruff Vice Mayor Sheena R. Britton Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr. Commissioner Patrick Austin Commissioner Patty Mahany Assistant City Manager Craig Radzak City Attorney William L. Colbert Deputy Clerk Cathy LoTempio Absent: City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. City Clerk Traci Houchin Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:55 PM. l. Presentation RE: Update from the Sanford Housing Authority with EJP This presentation was continued. 2. Continued Discussion RE: Fire Assessment by Cindy Lindsay, Finance Director Ms. Lindsay provided a power point presentation on Fire Assessment Fees. A fire assessment is a charge imposed against real property to pay for fire services provided by local government. It does not include Emergency Medical Services (EMS) beyond a first responder. Although this fee is not a tax, they are similar in that they both generate revenue to pay for services and facilities, they are both mandatory and they can be collected on the tax bill. The difference is that the assessment fee must benefit property; taxes do not. Authorization for special assessment comes from the local government; taxes must be provided by general law. Local governments may develop the rate of CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 2023 WORK SESSION assessments and the manner of appropriateness; taxes must be prescribed by legislature. She said there are case law requirements and two court approved methodologies; Historical Demand Methodology and Availability/Protection from Loss; Tiered Methodology. She discussed the differences in the factors from 2009 versus 2023. There are currently 255 homes in Sanford that do not pay taxes. They would have to start paying taxes if the City adopts the fire assessment fees. Commissioner Austin asked for a list of all the calls of service from this year. Ronnie McNeil, Fire Chief, said Public Emergency Medical Transportation (PMT) is not allowed to be combined with the fire assessment. Mayor Woodruff worked on this project years ago with former Fire Chief, Jerry Ransom. The commission denied to adopt the fees then, as the public was not in favor of it. Commissioner Mahany said the City needs more money for the budget for the future. She said the Commission needs to decide to either increase the millage rate or adopt the assessment fees. Ms. Lindsey said the Commission would have to adopt a Resolution prior to December 31, 2023 to submit for the fire study. The fee for the study would cost $70K, which could be reimbursed if approved. Chief McNeil said the study would take six to eight months. The City would have to post a Request for Proposal (RFP) then it would take another six to eight months before the fees would go into effect. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 2023 WORK SESSION 3. Regular Meeting Items — additional information 1. Monroe Hall Redevelopment Downtown Sanford Project, by Craig Radzak, Assistant City Manager. [Commission Memo 23-104.E] (RM 6.E) Mr. Radzak said this item is to award the Request for Qualification (RFQ) to G3 Development (G3). If the Commission acts on this item tonight, the City would issue a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with no obligation to the City. Mayor Woodruff and Vice Mayor Britton expressed concerns with moving forward so fast and not seeing any plans. Vice Mayor Britton said that she did look at the G3 website and liked what she saw. She is also concerned with moving Monroe Hall. Mr. Radzak said G3 was the only developer to respond to the RFQ. Mr. Radzak offered to put together a presentation from G3 and provide it at a future work session. Jerry Gunther, of G3 said they are currently working on the City of Longwood’s Parking Garage. He reiterated that the company finances, designs and delivers the project. Commissioner Mahany asked what is going on with Heritage Park. She would like to know that before the City moves forward with this project. Commissioner Austin suggested hiring outside council to end the Heritage Park contract. He said the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is sun setting next year and the funding CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 2023 WORK SESSION would no longer be available. Mayor Woodruff said he has met with the County regarding the funding being extended. William Colbert, City Attorney, said if the Commission would like the attorney’s office to revisit ending the contract with Heritage Park again, they would. He reminded the Commission if the Heritage Park Contract goes to litigation it would take a minimum of three years. 4. Briefing Items Mr. Radzak said Public Hearing Item 7.A has been continued to the June 26, 2023 meeting. Fred Fosson, Human Resources/ Risk Management Director provided an update on the Classification and Pay Study. He said the City is ready to move forward. This should bring the City up to competitive pay in the County. 5. City Manager Comments Vice Mayor Britton, Commissioner Wiggins and Commissioner Mahany congratulated Ronnie McNeil, Fire Chief on the completion of Chief Fire Officer Designation. Commissioner Austin thanked the Commission and Mr. Fosson for answering his questions. Mayor Woodruff said the Community Meeting for the Greenway Expressway (417) Connector is next week. The Commission will have to decide if the City wants to provide support of the project. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 2023 WORK SESSION Mayor Woodruff provided information regarding the Hopper Academy loan. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:02 PM. Attest: