MINUTES CITY OF FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

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1 MINUTES CITY OF FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, met in special session at Oscar M. Corbin, Jr. City Hall, 2200 Second Street, its regular meeting place in the City of Fort Myers, Florida, on Tuesday,, at 5:15 p.m. Present were Mayor Randall P. Henderson, Jr., presiding, Council Members Teresa Watkins Brown, Johnny W. Streets, Jr., Terolyn P. Watson, Liston D. Bochette, III, Fred Burson and Gaile H. Anthony. Also present were Saeed Kazemi, P.E., City Manager; Gwen Carlisle, City Clerk; and Grant W. Alley, City Attorney. Absent: None. OPENING PRAYER Mayor Henderson gave the opening prayer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Mayor Henderson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Mayor Henderson requested to allow Public Input prior to Item No. 1. MOTION: Councilperson Bochette moved to approve Public Input prior to Item No 1; seconded by Councilperson Brown; motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC INPUT PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS (Three (3) minute time limit per speaker) Lydia Black, CEO and Executive Director, Alliance for the Arts, spoke in opposition of reducing the arts and cultural budget line item proposed in the tentative operating budget for Ms. Black presented and discussed the Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5) study. This study provides evidence that the non-profit arts and culture community is a $50 million industry in Fort Myers and generates almost $7 million in local and state government revenue. Ms. Black stated that the communities that support the arts and culture not only enhance the quality of life but they also invest in the economic well-being of that City. Jim Griffith, CEO and Executive Director, Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, spoke in opposition of reducing the arts and cultural budget line item proposed in the tentative operating budget for The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center is drawing in people that perform all over the world and is raising the bar and providing a cultural destination in

2 2 P a g e Southwest Florida. Mr. Griffith asked the Council to reconsider and at the very least, to maintain the same level of support from the previous years. Jason Parrish, Interim Artistic Director, Florida Repertory Theatre, spoke in opposition of reducing the arts and cultural budget line item proposed in the tentative operating budget for Mr. Parrish asked the Council to consider not only the cultural impact but the return on investment. He noted that any major American city with a booming economy where people want to live and companies want to settle in have a thriving arts community; an art community that is not only funded by ticket sales and private donation but by the local and state government who see their economic impact. Sharon McAllister, Executive Director at ArtFest Fort Myers, spoke in opposition of reducing the arts and cultural budget line item proposed in the tentative operating budget for Ms. McAllister stated the arts and culture make for a complete community and asked the Council to think about the message that sends to the arts community, visitors and potential new residents. Michael Flanders, President and CEO of Edison and Ford Winter Estates, former Ward 4 Councilperson of the City of Fort Myers, spoke in opposition of reducing the arts and cultural budget line item proposed in the tentative operating budget for Mr. Flanders read a portion of an article written by Dana Roes, Art Professor, Florida Southwestern State College, discussing the importance of art and what it means to the community. He noted that the arts and economic prosperity results revealed, Lee County art organizations and their audiences spend up to $140 million in our area and the arts and culture sector supported over 38,000 jobs. CITY ATTORNEY S ITEMS 1. Presentation and discussion of the proposed millage rate at mills for calendar year 2018, tentative Citywide Operating Budget for Fiscal Year and preliminary 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2019 through City Manager Kazemi stated the FY 2019 budget presented today is based on the input received from the budget workshops held in May and July. The proposed budget incorporates a reduction in the millage rate and maintains most other fees and rates at the current level, with the only exception being Stormwater and Recreation for non-city residents. The tax base came in 8.2 percent higher than last year and there is growth in all other City revenue streams. The Citywide budget including the first year of the Capital Improvement Program is $397 million; an increase of $6.1 million from the prior year. There is an increase in the amount of Utility Capital Improvement Project. With the execution of the 2019 budget, the

3 3 P a g e General Fund unassigned reserve is estimated at $15.3 million or 12.8 percent of the total budget. The amount does not reflect any reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Irma expenditures. Until the reimbursement is made from FEMA, the General Fund has nearly $10.8 million to cover those expenditures. Christine Tenney, Deputy Director of Budget, presented and discussed the proposed millage rate at mills for calendar year 2018 and the tentative Citywide Operating Budget for Fiscal Year The PowerPoint presentation discussed the tentative millage rate at , examples of taxpayer impacts for a single-family residence and for a commercial property, Fiscal Year 2019 General Fund Budget and other City Fund Operation budget highlights, 5 year Capital Improvement Program and Fiscal Year 2019 Citywide budget. Councilperson Streets stated for the record, he is not in favor of increasing any fee for any child, resident or not. Ms. Tenney listed the 2019 General Fund budget changes since the July workshops. The revenue changes included: reducing the millage rate from to , increasing projection for interest income, increasing recreation revenues, increasing STARS revenues and increasing licensing and permitting revenues. The expenditures changes included: reducing debt service payment, reducing the Transfer to Tif, reducing subsidy to Skatium, Fort Myers Country Club and Eastwood Golf Course and adding $225,000 to Non-Departmental Professional Services. City Manager Kazemi stated that the Real Estate Usage Study will look at the 114 City-owned properties and will advise on what the best uses of each individual property are. Councilperson Burson inquired what changes were made from the 2007 analysis. City Manager Kazemi stated recommendations that were proposed and implemented from the 2007 evaluation included that the Imaginarium would not be subsidized by the City and that the Burrough s Home become a non-profit organization. Councilperson Watson arrived to the meeting at 6:01 p.m. Ms. Tenney discussed the Summary of Special Program Funding reductions and stated the City recognizes the significance of the role that each of these agencies and organizations play in our City. The School Resource Officer program will cost the City $1.2 million and was the driving force on why the City looked at reduction in discretionary money. Councilperson Bochette stated that although the reduction in the arts and cultural line is minimal, every penny counts in the art community and they turn it around in money back to the City; to reduce or restrict one of the City s revenue funds is counterproductive. Discussion ensued on

4 4 P a g e looking at the overall budget and beyond the scope of one group as the taxpayers are also looking for a reduction, City employees are looking for relief, the Ad Valorem tax initiative on the upcoming ballot may reduce the General Fund by $1.7 million and the mandate from the Lee County School System all need to be taken into account. Councilperson Burson stated that the City cannot count on a five percent increase in new construction every year, the way to generate more revenue is by reducing the millage rate and taking advantage of the appreciation. Councilperson Streets stated that he is not in favor of supporting this budget, the funding should be restored for these organizations and the vacant positions should be funded to provide better service for citizens. Councilperson Streets arrived to the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed added positions in the FY2019 budget, positions that will continue to be frozen and the temporary help that will be contracted to assist departments in need. 2. Adopt tentative millage rate of mills for calendar year 2018 and grant permission to advertise for final public hearing on the millage rate to be held on Thursday, September 27, Mayor Henderson opened the Public Hearing and asked for Public Comment, there being none, Mayor Henderson closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Councilperson Burson moved to adopt the tentative millage rate of mills for calendar year 2018 and grant permission to advertise for final public hearing on the millage rate to be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018; seconded by Councilperson Anthony; motion carried unanimously. Councilperson Bochette stated that while he is supporting this motion, he wants to reiterate that the homestead exemption creates added pressure. For clarification purposes, City Attorney Alley read the title into the record. 3. Adopt tentative City Operating Budget for Fiscal Year and grant permission to advertise for the final public hearing on the Fiscal Year Operating Budget to be held on Thursday, September 27, MOTION: Councilperson Anthony moved to adopt the tentative City Operating Budget for Fiscal Year and grant permission to advertise for the final public hearing on the Fiscal Year Operating Budget to be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018; seconded by Councilperson Brown; motion carried unanimously.

5 5 P a g e Councilperson Bochette clarified for the record that adjustments can be made to the City Operating Budget, as late as September 27, Permission to advertise an ordinance for a public hearing amending the City Code, Chapter 90, Utilities, Article II Water, Section Rates and charges established; due date; delinquencies; Article IV Sewers, Section Service rates and charges; by rescinding the three percent increase in water, sewer and irrigation water rates for Fiscal Year 2019; amending the scheduled rate increases for water, sewer and irrigation water for Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, 2022, and City Attorney Alley read the title into the record. MOTION: Councilperson Anthony moved to approve permission to advertise an ordinance for a public hearing amending the City Code, Chapter 90, Utilities, Article II Water, Section Rates and charges established; due date; delinquencies; Article IV Sewers, Section Service rates and charges; by rescinding the three percent increase in water, sewer and irrigation water rates for Fiscal Year 2019; amending the scheduled rate increases for water, sewer and irrigation water for Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023; seconded by Councilperson Brown; motion carried unanimously. 5. Permission to advertise an ordinance for a public hearing increasing reclaimed water rates by 10% from $0.88 per 1,000 gallons to $0.97 per 1,000 gallons effective October 1, City Attorney Alley read the title into the record. MOTION: Councilperson Anthony moved to approve permission to advertise an ordinance for a public hearing increasing reclaimed water rates by 10% from $0.88 per 1,000 gallons to $0.97 per 1,000 gallons effective October 1, 2018; seconded by Councilperson Brown; motion carried unanimously. 6. Resolution amending the rates for the use of Parks and Recreation Buildings and Facilities; Rescinding Resolution No a; and providing for an effective date. City Attorney Alley read the title into the record.

6 6 P a g e MOTION: Councilperson Anthony moved to adopt Resolution amending the rates for the use of Parks and Recreation Buildings and Facilities; Rescinding Resolution No a; and providing for an effective date; seconded by Councilperson Brown; motion carried unanimously. Mayor Henderson mentioned using the neighborhood funds as a way to close the gap on the arts and cultural budget line. The Council was in agreeance to finding a pathway to close that gap and having the organization that receives the funds be accountable and show how it will benefit the City. Richard Moulton, Director of Public Works, clarified that the level of need for additional staff requested in the Water Distribution Department was due to the growth in the economy creating a need in the construction industry. There being no further business to come before the Council, it was moved by Councilperson Anthony; seconded by Councilperson Bochette to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m.; motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gwen Carlisle City Clerk