Minutes 04/30&05/02/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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399 April 30, 1985 Parks and Recreation Landscape Services Within the Department of Parks and Recreation, the most noticeable improvement has been within the Landscape Services Division. As a result of staff reorganization to emphasize smaller, more productive crew sizes, as well as an automated work order system, this division has begun to meet management and community expectations. I feel more improvement is needed, however, especially in areas of highway median maintenance, Citywide beautification, ball riel mowing, sewer and water pump station beautification, and general park maintenance. Therefore, additional manpower, equipment, and material are recommended in this budget to accomplish this goal at a cost of approximately $75,000. Public Works In 1981, due to budgetary constraints, bulky refuse collection was cut from twice a month pickup to once a month. At each civic group and neighborhood organization that I have had an opportunity to address, the most consistent concern of our citizens was this one subject. To them, the collection of bulky refuse and the seemingly endless period of time that bulky refuse remains on the streets is a health hazard and eye sore. Finally, with the greater emphasis on litter and debris disposal by Council, we have exacerbated the problem. The present service level is unacceptable; therefore, ~ am recommending a return to twice a month pickup, effective August 30, 1985. To adequately staff and equip this service, two additional two-man crews are necessary, as well as four additional trucks at a cost of approximately $360,000. During last year's budget preparation, I recmmmended to you a gradual phase-out of our Dumpmaster Collection Service to commercial customers. To this end we discontinued service %o the School Board and the Redevelopment and Housing A~thority in July of 1984. A review of this year's expenses and revenues shows a cost of approximately $48,000. Since this service can be provided more efficiently by privat~ contractors, I am recommending an end to the CityTs Dump- master Service program to all other commercial agencies. Fire Also in 1981, because of budgetary constraints, twelve positions in the Fire Department were eliminated. These twelve positions were known as Engine Company #1, located at Fire Headquarters. Because of actual and anticipated growth experienced in this particular area, restoration of the twelve-man engine company is now in order. Therefore, I ~ave also included in this budge~ sufficient funds to be~in the restoration of this crew at an estimated annual cost of $300,000. Department of Communications and Emergency Services The present telecommunications equipment used to dispatch police, fire and other City employees ~s fifteen years old. I am recommending that this system be overhauled and modernize based on the study findings of the Director of Communications and Emergency Services. Althoug~ the cost of this new system will be $3.9 million, I feel that it represents a reasonable amoun~ and will make our system more efficient, effective, reliable and comparable to systems in neighboring communities. Additionally, this system will increase our ability to deliver more responsive police and fire serviaes so our citizens. With your approval, I will purchase the new system through a lease purchase arrangement and thereby reduce the financial ~mpact in this budget to $200,000. Public Utilities Last year I recommended no increase in water or sewer rates~ however, I stated that a substantial increase would be required in fiscal year 1985-86 if certain Environmental Protec- tion Agency '~EPA) programs were mandated. While we were not able to secure a waiver regarding the EPA mandates, discussions are proceeding with officials of Hampton Roads Sanitation Distric (HRSD) on the sale of the Pinner's Point Sewer Treatment Plant. If this sale comes to fruition most, but not all, of the substantial pro~ected cost increases ~?mIt were because of the EPA mandates will not have to b experienced by our citizens. Discussions are continuing with HRSD officials and the State Water Control Boar~, and it is hoped that a final report will be sub- mitted to City Council in the near future. The proposed utility rate structure, however, does reflect a modest increase required to maintain an agmng infrastructure. The proposed rates will increase residential utility bills by 4% or S0.67 per month. The average actual bill would still be considerably lower than the Cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk, and would be comparable to those of Norfolk and Newport News. The rate ~ncrease for water of approcimately 10% (from $1.15 per $100 to $1.25) ~s necessary in order to ensure an adequate rate of return and still provide the neces- sary modernization program. Also proposed is an increase in the water tap fee from ~250 to $325 and a sewer connection fee of ~800 where there is not service available. These charges have not been increased in six years and presently have no relationship to actual costs incur- red for t~e service. Finally, Federal programs require a charge to private commercial agencies for the elimination of strong waste. Strong waste is de~ied as solvents, grease, and other industrial materials that make the waste harder to treat than average domestic waste. There- fore, by law this budget begins a graduated rate for msers in our system. I anticipate in future years this rate to be expanded to offset all of our costs. Parking A~thority Rates for parking in the Central Business District of Portsmouth are substantially below other communities that have municipal parking structures of parking lots. There has become an increased demand for our parking facilities and spaces are becoming competitive. We still