CC 02/24/2021 Minutes (Pre-Planning Budget Workshop)

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of February 24, 2021 — Pre -Budget Planning Workshop Page 6 of 9 First approach — increase to $22.47 per month, approximately 22% Second approach — first increase to $21.74 per month, approximately 18%; second increase to $23.25 per month, approximately 7% Third approach — gradual increases with the first being 14% and then yearly incremental increases of 2 3/ %, ending at $24.05 per month Discussion: A lengthy discussion ensued which included: the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three approaches and the approximate fund balances at the end of the six years left in the contract period; the unknowns of negotiating a new contract for solid waste services; the fact that since solid waste collection billing is included in the utility bills, customers may have the perception that the utility rates have increased; the fact that the City had not raise solid waste rates in ten years; option three with gradual increases would most likely have less of an impact on customers giving them the ability to adjust over time; rates should be reviewed every year or two to alleviate the need for a large increase at one time; the importance of providing information to customers explaining the need for the increase, that there has not been an increase in 10 years and the rate they are being charged is actually less than what the service costs; historical reasons for the City having started providing solid waste collection services; and the current recycling program and the need to educate the customers about what is recyclable and what is not. The Commission as a whole felt that the third option would be best for the customers overall and would be less of a burden on them than a large increase at one time. Mr. Newlon advised he would be developing legislation to bring to the City Commission in the near future to authorize these pricings, and he would work with staff to develop an information campaign to explain to customers why an increase is necessary. B. Brightwater City Manager Randy Newlon gave a presentation on Brightwater, which included the following: - Brightwater is the family home of founder Hibbard Casselberry. It was designed and built in 1953 by famed architect James Gamble Rogers. - Brightwater is a two-story home with approximately 7,000 square feet in area. It fronts the shore of South lake Triplet with a view of the Casselberry Golf Course to the west. - Located at 700 S. Lost Lake Lane, the house sits on land of 8.9 acres in the center of the City of Casselberry. - The City owns a parcel north of the Brightwater Estate. It is just over 3 acres and part of it functions as part of the golf course. - The City owns a parcel south of the Brightwater Estate. It is just under 3 acres and almost half is lake bottom. If all combined, there may be approximately 12 acres that could be programmed. - The Brightwater property is owned by the Estate of John Casselberry. It was offered for sale to the City in 2019. It was desired to preserve the estate for posterity and add it to the City's park system. - The City commission authorized the City Manager to negotiate with the Estate. Two appraisals were obtained to inform the negotiations. - The home is in disrepair and deemed to add no value. The approach taken for the appraisals was to value according to its highest and best use. That was to subdivide and redevelop with multiple single-family homes.