Minutes 09-17-02MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 AT 6:00 P.M. IN COMMISSION
CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present
Gerald Broening, Mayor
Ronald Weiland, Vice Mayor
Mike Ferguson, Commissioner
Charlie Fisher, Commissioner
Mack McCray, Commissioner
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
Jim Cherof, City Attorney
Janet Prainito, City Clerk
I. OPENING
Call to Order
Mayor Bmening called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
I1. Final Budget Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2002/03 Budget
Mayor Bmening announced that this was a Special Meeting to approve the final
budget for fiscal year 2002/03. Mayor Broening asked if there were any changes
whatsoever to the budget from the first hearing. There were none.
Mr. Bressner reported that at the first hearing the Commission adopted the first
reading of the Ordinance that reduced the millage rate and tonight the
Commission is being asked to approve the Ordinance on final reading.
III. Public Hearing
Mayor Broening opened the public hearing.
Alice Otis, 203 SW 13th Street, Boynton Beach, said that it was reported in the
newspapers that the budget was small. She said the reason the budget is small
was due to dwindling resources. She stated that those small resoumes were hers
that she could use those funds to purchase items for herself. The Commission
was elected by the voters to spend the taxpayers' money on necessary services
to benefit the entire community. She would like the projects that have been
approved by the Commission placed on a ballot to be approved by referendum.
She stated that citizens should have the right to control spending of their own
money.
The Public Hearing was closed.
Meeting Minutes
Special City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
September t7, 2002
Vice Mayor Weiland would have liked more cuts in the budget. He noted that
staff would be doing some benchmarking by looking at every Department to see
where additional cuts could be made in the future. Vice Mayor Weiland
requested that he be allowed to participate in this process and asked about a
timeframe when the benchmarking would begin. He would like this process to
begin as soon as possible.
Commissioner Fisher took issue with anyone on the Commission trying to
micromanage the City Manager. He pointed out that the City Manager is paid to
work with staff and it is not the responsibility of the Commission to sit in on those
meetings. Commissioner Fisher said that Management should be allowed to do
their job.
Vice Mayor Weiland did not feel it would be micromanaging. He would like to
look at the numbers and the statistics. Vice Mayor Weiland was not suggesting
that they direct the City Manager, but that the Commission could act as an extra
set of eyes.
Commissioner Ferguson would like to see a further reduction in the tax rate and
noted that personnel accounts for almost three-quarters of the budget. He would
like the Commission to direct some policy initiatives to staff indicating that the
Commission wants to continue to reduce the tax rate.
Commissioner McCray agreed with Commissioner Fisher's comments. He did
not think it was the Commission's responsibility to check on the City Manager
and Department Heads. This would appear that the Commission had a distrust of
staff. When the City Manager brings reports to the Commission that would be
the time to ask questions.
Mayor Broening disagreed that every issue that was questionable should go to
referendum. He pointed out that this was never the intention of the Founders of
this County and it is not the intention of the Charter of this City. He pointed out
that governance makes the elected officials responsible for the decisions that
affect all the citizens of Boynton Beach.
Mayor Broening said that he had no intention of getting himself involved in the
day-to-day operations of the City and noted that this was illegal in accordance
with the City Charter.
He pointed out that Boynton Beach is doing as well, if not better, than any other
municipality or county that he knows of. He commended staff for being 100%
responsive to the Commission's suggestions and noted that the City has made
great strides over the last several years.
2
Meeting Minutes
Special City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
September 17, 2002
III.
Proposed Resolution No. R02-156 Re: Adopting a final millage rate
for Fiscal year 2002/03 - 2nd Reading
Attorney Cherof read proposed Resolution No. R02-156 adopting the final
millage rate of 7.600 mills for the City's General Operating Funds for the Fiscal
Year Beginning October 1, 2002 and Ending September 30, 2003; Providing that
the Final Millage Rate of 7.600 Mills is 0.94 percent above the Computed Rolled-
back Rate; and Providing for Severability, Conflicts and an Effective Date.
Motion
Commissioner Fisher moved to approve R02-156. Motion seconded by
Commissioner McCray.
Vice Mayor Weiland did not think that cutting $140,000 from a $50 million
operating budget was enough. He would have liked to have seen a lot more cut.
Mayor Broening pointed out that once this Commission votes, it is a Commission
decision regardless of the outcome of the vote.
Mayor Broening called for the roll. City Clerk Prainito called the roll. The motion
passed 4-1. (Vice Mayor Weiland dissenting)
IV. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 02-049 Re: Adopting
a Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2002/03
City Attorney Cherof read proposed Ordinance No. 02-049 by title only.
Motion
Commissioner Fisher moved to approve Ordinance No. 02-049. Motion
seconded by Commissioner McCray. City Clerk Prainito called the roll. The
motion passed 4-1. (Vice Mayor Weiland dissenting)
Mayor Broening announced that this concluded the Special Meeting.
Motion
Commissioner Fisher moved to take a recess until the 6:30 p.m. Regular City
Commission Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner McCray and
unanimously carried.
3
Meeting Minutes
Special City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
September 17, 2002
V. Adjournment of Special Meeting
The Special Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
~ Clerk -~¢2_/~ ~-_~
Recording Secretary
(one tape)
e May. or
(September 19, 2002)
4