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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-19 Budget Workshop City Commission MeetingMINUTES OF MEETING DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19,2023 - 5:00 PM Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Present: Mayor: Vice-Mayor: Commissioners: City Manager City Attomey City Clerk: A. J. Ryan IV Lori Lewellen Joyce L. Davis Tamara James Marco A. Salvino, Sr Ana M. Garcia Eve Boutsis Elora Riera, MMC 2. Budget Presentation City Manager Garcia wanted to provide an update with regards to the flooding that occurred last week and stated that all the streets in Dania Beach are 100% passable as of last night. Without the involvement of everyone, the City would not be where it is today. Everyone did a fantastic job and she thanked everyone for their hard work. City Manager Garcia welcomed back Yeimy Garcia to the Dania Beach Team and Finance Department. Chief Financial Officer DiPaolo spoke on stormwater plans and the different projects planned within the current budget and upcoming budget. He commented that the City currently has a stormwater assessment at $60 per year for a basic single family dwelling and larger developments are charged more. The stormwater assessment currently generates approximately $3 million per year which allows for some capital projects per year. Chief Financial Officer DiPaolo commented that in order to ensure the City's destiny for the next few years and to make the necessary investment would be to increase the stormwater assessment by $100 per year for three years which will add approximately $ l5-16 million to the stormwater operation. City Manager Garcia commented that the funds the City will receive from this will allow the City to ensure that every single project that is needed within the City is designed. Commissioner James clarified that the Finance Department was requesting for an increase from $60.00 to $160.00 and ChiefFinancial Officer DiPaolo responded affirmatively. Commissioner James commented that she does not want to put residents in a financial situation. She is in favor of increasing the amount, but not the proposed $100.00. She would like to look at all of the assessments before making the decision. Commissioner Salvino stated that after what the City has gone though with the flooding, there are some major issues. Most of the drainage problems were in the southwest area and the County needs to take responsibility and assist for those areas that were affected. He commented that the pumps are owned by the County and not the City and some of the pumps were not tumed on so they need to be held liable. He stated that FDOT also needs to maintain the drainage because there were drains that were not cleaned out and those were the areas that had the most flooding. Discussion ensued regarding the flooding. Vice Mayor Lewellen asked when the last time the amount was increased and Chief Financial Officer DiPaolo responded that the last increase was in 2022 and was from $40.00 to $60.00 and it was increased before that in 201 I . Vice Mayor Lewellen asked about any assessments that the County is doing and Chief Financial Officer DiPaolo was not able to provide any information on assessments from the County. Vice Mayor Lewellen commented that there are major infrastructure issues in new areas that have been discovered due to this flooding situation that occurred and inquired ifthese new areas will be included in the current projects prior to the storm and City Manager Garcia responded that $15M worth of design would allow the City to tap into the major issues but reminded the Commission of the southeast drainage that still needs that last amount of funding. Deputy City Manager Sosa-Cruz clarified that three areas were identified last year and three areas have been identified since this flooding. These are the projects that the City would like to assess to be able to have designs ready for funding from Federal, State or County. Discussion ensued regarding any other possible options available instead of charging the residents more. Chief Financial Officer DiPaolo commented that the City can take out a loan for $20 million which would equate to $30.00 annually for 20 years with interest. Commissioner Davis commented that northwest 1"t Street is completely inundated and there are many people who have had major damages and losses to their homes and vehicles. She believes that the residents are not understanding these projects and they need to be provided with the information on these projects and how it is going to benefit the City. 2 Vice Mayor Lewellen expressed her concems for the proposed increase. Minutes of Budget Workshop Dania Beach City Commission Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 5:00 p.m. Deputy City Manager Sosa-Cruz commented that the southeast drainage project is broken down into two phases; phase one and phase two. Phase one is already designed and waiting for Broward County to provide funding agreement so it can be submitted to Broward County Commission. Once signed, the City can go to bid for construction and the bidding process will take approximately l2 months and another 12 months for construction. It will take approximately two years to complete phase one and two. Mayor Ryan stated that the City is old and similar to how the City reinvests as a City, the homeowner needs to reinvest as well and this will protect their home from potential damage. This increase would be approximately $8.33 per month extra for three years per household. This would address the entire City and if we and the residents reinvest for and in our City, it would encourage those in Tallahassee to approve funding for our City. Development has not kept pace with improvement of the stormwater drainage although we do require that they do reinvest in draining and infrastructure. The drainage projects that have been completed recently have made a big difference. City Manager Garcia asked Deputy Director of Public Services Ozaydin if the City would be able to complete projects if they were to receive $15 million and Deputy Director of Pubtic Services Ozaydin responded that the City would be able to complete projects and provided examples. Vice Mayor Lewellen wants to ensure that the funds will go toward projects that will be completed and not just the project designs. City Manager Garcia commented that the City is looking for every oppoffunity for funding to assist in any way possible. To answer Commissioner James' question, Deputy City Manager Sosa-Cruz commented that the goal is for the $50 million to cover design and construction for the whole City, however the Estates will most likely begin with the design phase due to the size ofthat project. City Manager Garcia commented that the goal is for at least 500% of the $15 million will be invested in construction. Chief Financial Officer DiPaolo stated that this is all very preliminary and costs are being estimated without talking to design consultants. Estimations are being made based on past projects and similarity in size, however there are no exact numbers. 3. Budget Discussion Minutes of Budget Workshop Dania Beach City Commission Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 5:00 p.m 3 Commissioner James commented that insurances will increase due to this flooding and the City needs to keep that in mind when wanting to increase the assessment because lt will greatly impact the residents. She also commented on areas ofconcem that flooded heavity. Mayor Ryan commented on his priorities which included:- Stormwater drainage- Infrastnrcture - Marine pollution and compliance to protect waterways- Identity improvements for the City through events and public art such as changing street signs to a different color to stand out from other cities. Commissioner James was in favor of Mayor Ryan's identity ideas of the street sign colors and inquired rfthere are color restrictions. City Attomey Boutsis responded that there are different colors that can be used for the street signs. Deputy City Manager Sosa-Cruz commented that there could be an opportunity for a wayfinding master plan for designs and colors and have different phases. Discussion ensued regarding street signage. Vie Mayor Lewellen commented on her priorities which included:- lnfrastructure and capital funding for larger projects- Increase in Social workers- Problem properties/high crime properties- Public safety Vice Mayor Lewellen asked for status with 606 West Dania Beach Blvd. and City Anomey Boutsis responded that she does not have a status on the property and will have to get information on the property. Discussion ensued regarding the problem properties within the City. There was consensus from the Commission for staff to have a dialogue with the realtors ofthese properties. Commissioner James commented on her priorities which included:- CW Thomas Park- Trolley/Freebeesystem - Sidewalks and speed humps- Supplementing ongoing projects- Increase funding for Senior programs Deputy Director of Public Services Ozaydin provided an update on the speed humps and sidewalks project. Discussion ensued regarding sidewalks and traffic calming Minutes of Budget Workshop Dania Beach City Commission Wednesday, April I9, 2023 - 5:00 p.m. 4 Commissioner James commented revisiting the option of bicycle stations to encourage residents to use other means of transportation and City Manager Garcia commented that this could be something that could be done within the current fiscal year. Deputy Director of Public Services Ozaydin provided an update on the burying of the lines. Commissioner James commented that she is working with City of Hollywood for the possibility of connectivity through the State park. Commissioner Davis commented on her priorities which included:- Funding for stormwater and drainage infrastructure projects - Climate change/ Environment; Chief Resiliency Officer position - Continue events such as Earth Day and Back to School- Funds for public art and for the Beach Rangers to walk up and down the beach more often to monitor the area and the murals - Advertising and branding- Partnership funds - Sponsorship funds - 5k walk Commissioner James forgot to mention the summer youth employment program and the financial literacy program that she would like to see continue. Discussion ensued regarding security for the mural to avoid vandalism. Commissioner Salvino commented on his priorities which included: - Banners at City entrances and lighting - Update signage code for the businesses Discussion ensued regarding the sipage and ways to improve signage throughout the City 4. Adjoumment Mayor Ryan adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m. ATTEST:CITY OF DANIA B CtI ELO MMC ARCHI MAYOCITY CLERK Approved: July ll, 2O23 Minutes of Budget Workshop Dania Beach City Commission Wednesday, April 19,2023 - 5:00 p.m. 5 J. RYAN IV Deputy City Manager Sosa-Cruz provided an update on the new Dania Beach shuttle service.