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CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

REGULAR SESSION

224 S. Jefferson StreetPerry, Florida

May 27, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith, Pam Feagle,

MEMBER ABSENT: Doug Everett

Mayor Frith said Councilmember Everett had contacted him and City Hall to say he had business out

of town and would be unable to attend the meeting.

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Vern Clark, Billy LaValle, Sarah Drawdy, June

Byers and Annette Anderson

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order and led those attending the meeting in prayer. Mayor Frith led

the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called the roll.

PRESENT ABSENT

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett X

Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (4)APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES.

After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Alexander made a motion to adopt the minutes of

May 6, 2003, Special Session as written; seconded by Councilmember Feagle and upon roll call vote

was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett ABSENTMayor Frith X

Councilmember Scott made a motion to adopt the minutes of May 13, 2003, Regular Session as

written; seconded by Councilmember Feagle and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY


AGENDA ITEM (4)RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

There was no one to address the Council at this time.

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Page 2, May 27, 2003, Council Minutes Regular Session

AGENDA ITEM 5(A)PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING JULY 18, 2003 AS UNITY DAY INTHE CITY OF PERRY.

Mayor Frith read the proclamation aloud. Councilmember Alexander made a motion to adopt the

Proclamation proclaiming July 18, 2003 as Unity Day in the City of Perry. The motion was seconded

by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY


AGENDA ITEM 5(B)CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONTRACT BETWEENWASTE PRO, INC., AND CITY OF PERRY FOR COMMERCIAL REFUSE COLLECTIONSERVICES.

City Manager Bill Brynes said the Council had approved the contract at the last meeting and now

needs to authorize execution of the contract by the Mayor and City Manager. Councilmember Feagle

made a motion authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to sign the contract between Waste Pro, Inc.,

and the City of Perry for Commercial Refuse Collection Services. The motion was seconded by

Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was as follows:YEA NAY


Councilmember Scott questioned why the refuse collection containers were placed in the ball field area

at Jerkins Community Center. Mayor Frith assured Councilmember Scott the containers would be

moved. Director of Public Works Barney Johnson said the containers were placed there temporarily

until they could be moved (to another location).

With the consensus of the Council, Mayor Frith deviated from the agenda to discuss Agenda Item 5(D)

at this time.

AGENDA ITEM 5(D)CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE.

City Manager Bill Brynes had prepared written information concerning a proposed employee healthinsurance plan. Mr. Brynes briefly reviewed items that are used to set insurance rates. Mr. Brynes said

claims history for prior years is a big factor and noted the City has had some high claims in past years.

Mr. Brynes talked about the 12-month contract whereby claims made at the end of the year may not be

billed until after the contract period. Mr. Brynes said a 15-month contract would be better but would

cost more.


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Mr. Brynes said there is a fully insured plan the City could contract at $385.00 for employee and

$1,047.00 for family. Mr. Brynes said the problem with this is that Tallahassee Memorial Hospital nor

local physician Miles Nelson (surgeon) is not in the network. Mr. Brynes said generally, it would take

about six months for them to get into the network if they wished to do so. Mr. Brynes said another

plan being looked at is a $315.00 employee and $760.00 family plan. Mr. Brynes said this plan

includes a $500.00 deductible, $15.00 co-pay, prescription card, 80/20 in network and 60/40 out-of-

network. Mr. Brynes said this is a public health management trust fund plan. Mr. Brynes explained

what a trust fund plan is and said the City is already a participant in a trust fund plan for its liability

and other insurance. Mr. Brynes also spoke about the administrative costs even if there are no claims.

Councilmember Feagle asked why the City couldnt just call Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Mr. Brynessaid they would not sell to the City but the individual (broker) that handles the school systems health

insurance is trying to get this for the City. Mr. Brynes said the City could contract for a two-year

commitment saving the City from having to look for another carrier year after year. Mr. Brynes said

there is a proposed 10 percent increase in premiums with this carrier. Mr. Brynes said the broker is

having some difficulty with the aggregate stop/loss coverage ($500,000) but is trying to work this out.

Referring to payment of claims, Director of Finance Sarah Drawdy told the Council her doctor said if

he could get a letter from the City about the insurance problem he would be willing to be patient for

payment. Mayor Frith said he thought, by consensus and not by a vote, the Council said the City

would be responsible for employees claims. Mayor Frith said he thinks the employee should have a

letter (on City letterhead) to send to their doctors explaining the problemthe sooner the better.

Mayor Frith said even if the City should sign a contract tomorrow it would be some period of time

before claims from last year are paid. Mr. Brynes said this could be as early as next week. Referring

to outstanding claims, Mr. Brynes suggested that if the claims are small (approximately $50.0) the City

should just go ahead and pay those claims. Mr. Brynes suggested also if the claim is large the doctor

could be asked what it would take to settle that claim. Councilmember Feagle asked if Mr. Brynes

meant the City would pay the claims. Mr. Brynes answered yes. Councilmember Feagle asked if the

proposed insurance company could accept the claims retroactive? Mr. Brynes said they might if the

City pays for this. Mr. Brynes said there would be no way to determine if employees had met their

deductible (and what amount of claims should be paid) and a tremendous amount of resources could be

wasted trying to figure all this out.

Mr. Brynes suggested that rather than schedule a special meeting to approve the contract with

Gallagher & Associates if it comes in, the Council could approve that staff could go ahead and move

on the contract. Mr. Brynes said if it doesnt work out, the Council could plan to meet Thursday, May

29th to discuss other options. Councilmember Feagle commented that the City should look at

something long-term that is good and stable for the City and the employees. Mr. Brynes commented

that under a self-insured plan, the balance of this budget year could increase $116,000 and there could

be an annual increase of $348,000. Councilmember Feagle asked what this would mean to employees.

Mr. Brynes said it means the City could not afford it nor could the employees afford it.


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After this discussion, Councilmember Scott made a motion that if Gallagher & Associates comes

through with a contract as discussed, the staff could move on accepting it; but if not, the City Council

and staff would meet in special session on Thursday, May 29, 2003. The motion was seconded by

Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY


Mayor Frith said he would strongly consider providing some information to the health providers about

the citys health insurance problems. Mr. Brynes said staff had called local doctors to inform them.

AGENDA ITEM 5(C)CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS MONTHLY FINANCIALREPORT.

Mr. Brynes gave a brief report. Councilmembers had no specific questions. Mr. Brynes said cash

(reserves) is holding its own but the health insurance problem will make a difference. Councilmember

Feagle said the Council should have several workshops before budget time and before a vote is made

on the Citys millage rate this year so the Council (and staff) would know exactly where the City is

financially and where it needs to go financially. Councilmember Scott concurred. Councilmember

Feagle said she anticipates the budget would be difficult this year as Council would have to make some

hard-lined decisions. Councilmember Feagle said she would suggest discussions in detail to determine

what needs to be done. Mr. Brynes spoke of making a chart detailing the Citys every source of

revenue (that has substance) for review. Mayor Frith commented he thinks at some point the City

might have to come up with increased utility rates.

AGENDA ITEM 5(D)CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE.

This item discussed above.

AGENDA ITEM (6)CITY MANAGER.

Mr. Brynes commented briefly on Waste Pro, Inc. requesting a list of customers. Mr. Brynes said the

previous contractor, Waste Management, would not provide their list to the City. Mayor Frith asked if

there were something in Waste Pros contract to the effect they would provide this information to the

City. Mr. Brynes said there was and the contract could be terminated if this information is not

provided to the City.

Councilmember Feagle spoke to publicly thank the Perry Womans Club and everyone else who helped

to celebrate the Citys 100th Anniversary celebration and make it a successful event May 17.

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AGENDA ITEM (7)DEPARTMENT HEADS.

Director of Public Works Barney Johnson reviewed bids from Young Striping Co. and Jenkins

Painting, Inc., for striping the downtown area streets that were recently repaved. Mr. Johnson asked

the Council if they preferred to have the stop bars painted or have them done with thermo-plastic.

Mr. Johnson told the Council the cost for paint would be $1.98 per linear ft. versus $2.50 per linear ft.

for the thermo-plastic. Councilmember Feagle asked Mr. Johnsons opinion. Mr. Johnson said

contractors have told him that the thermo-plastic would last three to four times longer than the paint.

Councilmember Feagle said she would rather the City pay more for something that would last longer.

Councilmember Scott agreed.

Mr. Dale Young, Young Striping Co., commented that paint would not stick to the thermo-plastic and

told the Council that the County had tried it and had not been satisfied with the thermo-plastic but he

would recommend the City try it.

Mr. Johnson told the Council the City had never tried the thermo-plastic because of the extra expense

but he would probably try it. Councilmember Feagle said she would have to take Mr. Johnsons

recommendation and trust his judgment. When asked, Mr. Brynes said he would go with the thermo-

plastic. Councilmember Feagle made a motion that the City accept the bid from Jenkins Painting, Inc.

in the amount of $2.50 per linear ft. for thermo-plastic painting of the stop-bars. Councilmember Scott

seconded the motion and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett ABSENT

Mayor Frith X

Mr. Johnson discussed a request from Bob Meissner, engineer. Mr. Johnson said Mr. Meissner wants

to install two retention ponds and build them with an overflow. Mr. Johnson said this would be on city

right-of-way. Mr. Johnson said Mr. Meissner is requesting the Councils approval. Mayor Frith asked

what Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) had to say about this. Mr. Johnson said

Mr. Meissner does not have a permit from SRWMD. Mr. Johnson suggested the Council could require

Mr. Meissner to obtain the SRWMD permit and City Planning and Zoning Board approval before

coming to the Council. Mr. Johnson said another option would be for Mr. Meissner to construct theponds with tie-ins to the state (storm water) system.

Mr. Johnson updated the Council on the leak that was found in a manhole where the liner (put in years

ago) had separated from the pipe. Mr. Johnson said the leak was fixed and in one week the flow

dropped 300,000 gallons a day.

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AGENDA ITEM (8)CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS.

Councilmember Feagle reviewed several previous requests:

1. Councilmember Feagle said some weeks ago she gave staff a list of street signs that need to be

replaced because they cannot be read.

2. Councilmember Feagle asked what could be done about old and abandoned houses and cars.

3. Trash on Main Street.

4. Grass growing over the sidewalks.

5. Request that the cemetery be kept up this summer.

6. Cleanup of Veterans Park.

Mr. Johnson said the signs had been ordered and should arrive Wednesday. Mr. Johnson said the signs

would be replaced throughout the City.

Councilmember Feagle asked Director of Community Development Billy LaValle what could be done

about a specific abandoned house. Mr. LaValle questioned how far the Council would like to go with

this issue. Mr. LaValle said he has tried to deal with the owner but the owner would not talk with him.

Councilmember Feagle commented there are provisions in the city ordinance pertaining to such issue.

Mr. LaValle said he doesnt know what can be done and questioned, What makes a house a problem?

Councilmember Feagle talked about the house having broken windows and the grass being grown up

on the property. Mr. Brynes said the City had recently control burned and hauled off two to three

houses.

On another matter, Mayor Frith said several weeks ago Council and staff had talked about the City

purchasing a garbage truck at a cost of approximately $95,000-$96,000. Councilmember Feagle said

Council did vote to purchase the truck but someone had mentioned the other truck could be repaired

and the City wouldnt have to spend $96,000. Mr. Brynes said the question is, If the truck was

ordered how would the City pay for it? Councilmember Scott asked Mr. Johnson if the truck was

irreparable. Mr. Johnson said nothing is irreparable but asked if that truck was worth spending $4,000

on it. Mr. Johnson also questioned if it was worth the complaints from residents about trash not being

picked up. Mayor Frith said trash pickup was what Council and staff was discussing and he thought

the approval for purchase of a new truck was a done deal. Councilmember Alexander agreed

Councilmember Scott said right now she is concerned about how the City is going to pay for insurance.Mr. Johnson invited the Council to go by the Citys garbage compound and take a look at the Citys

equipment.

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AGENDA ITEM (9)ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was

adjourned at approximately 7:25 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________

William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________ Annette Anderson, Secretary Date

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