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Minutes 09-04-91MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 AT 7:00 P. M. PRESENT Arline Weiner, Mayor Edward Harmening, Vice Mayor Jose Aguila, Commissioner Lillian Artis, Commissioner Lynne Matson, Commissioner James Cherof, City Attorney J. Scott Miller, City Manager Carrie Parker, Assistant City Manager Sue Kruse, City Clerk Grady Swann, Finance Director Mary Munro, Budget Analyst Mayor Weiner called the meeting or order at 7:05 P. M. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mayor Weiner. AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Miller said that pursuant to Florida Statute 200.065(2)(c) the governing body of each Taxing Authority shall hold a Public Hearing on the tentative budget and pro- posed millage rate. Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, the governing body shall amend the tentative budget as it sees fit, adopt the amended tentative budget, re-compute its proposed millage rate, and publicly announce the percentage, if any, by which the re-computed proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled back rate. Pursuant to the same Statute, the percentage increase in millage over the rolled back rate necessary to fund the bUdget 'is 3.58 percent. That is calculated by taking the proposed millage rate of 7.7528 of the general property fund, assessing the roll back rate of 7.4846, the difference being .2682 mills, leaving the percentage increase of the millage 3.58. The specific purpose for which the ad valorem tax revenues are being increased is to maintain the level of municipal services, programs and activities and primarily to increase in services, personnel, contractual commodities, general expenses, as well as the depletion in the revenue stream areas. Within 15 days after this meeting adopting the tentative budget, this Taxing Authority governing body must advertise in a newspaper of general circulation its intent to finally adopt a millage rate and budget called the final millage MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 rate and final budget. This date has been set for Thursday, September 19, 1991 at 7:00 P. M. At the conclusion of this public hearing, the City Commission shall adopt its ten- tative millage rate first and then adopt its tentative budget. The adoption of the budget and the millage levy by resolution shall be by separate vote and the millage levy resolution establishing tentative millage shall be read publicly in full prior to its adoption. Mayor Weiner opened the hearing to the public. PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Tentative Budget and Proposed Aggregate Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 1991/92 Chris Wandell, 51 Cedar Circle, said that he was a Fire Department Inspector, and that there is a possibility that he may lose his job. He said that five years ago he made a commitment to the Fire Department and to the City of Boynton Beach and its citizens. He felt that Boynton Beach should have a commitment to him to provide him with a job. Greg Seider, 3650 Dorrit Avenue, said to take the two fire inspectors away from the City is'going to jeopardize the lives of people in the City, as well as firefighters. He did not think the City would be able to handle the number of inspections currently being done. He said that the people that are supposedly going to be used to do these inspections already have responsibilities, including fires and EMS duties, and that it is going to be very difficult for them to perform an additional task. He thought the City should collect the outstanding funds for false alarms. He said that in previous years his department was under their budget. His department is run efficiently and with less personnel than most other departments. He did not see how the City could have his department cover larger areas, reduce the work force and still provide the service. Lee Wische, 1302 S. W. 18th Street, thought a solution to the budget Problem would be to privatize our sanitation department. He read part of an article entitled "Learn from Delray" written by Robert Zimmerman from the August 22, 1991 issue of the Boynton Times. (A copy of this article is attached to the original of these Minutes.) He said that 'the Commission voted down this proposal even though millions 2 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 will be saved without firing sanitation workers or any others. He asked the Commission to reconsider their denial, save the employees that they intend to fire, and keep our levels of service constant. Harvey Oyer, 227 S. W. 15th Avenue, stated that he thinks the greatest good that this Commission can do for the public is to make every attempt to cut the taxes. He said he thinks that this Commission, collectively and individually, has agonized trying to protect the jobs of everyone here, but thinks it has an obligation to the community as a whole. He suggests that the Commission cut the taxes and cut them drastically. One of the ways that this can be done is for the Commission to offer to take a 25 per cent pay cut as a symbolic gesture that they mean to cut taxes. He suggests that the Commission set a roll back in wages based on what levels are at, starting at the top and working down. He suggests that the Commission divorce and possibly do away with the program of community improvement. Vice Mayor Harmening stated that during the three days of the budget hearings, the philosophy that he expressed was bascially very similar to Ex-mayor Oyer's. Elizabeth Jenkins, 711 N. W. 1st Street, voiced her opinion that the mess that the City is in is because of Tradewinds. Regarding layoffs, she expressed her concern over the blue collar workers and their families. Marjorie Lindgren, 330 W. Ocean Avenue, wanted to know why her assessed valuation went up over $20,000.00 this year. She also expressed concern over the sidewalks on Ocean Avenue being in disrepair. Mayor Weiner advised Ms. Lindgren that the Commission did not raise her taxes, but that the county assessor raised the assessed value of her home. Mayor Weiner agreed with Ms. Lindgren that the sidewalks on Ocean Avenue need repair, and she hopes that by Ms. Lindgren attending this hearing and talking about it, that the Commission can get it done faster. Dorothy Ellin~tgn, 5 Corrie Place, spoke in favor of the Community Improvement Department, saying that affordable housing is just one aspect of this department. She thinks 3 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 it would be unfair to the citizens of the community to cut those funds at this time. She also said that there are funds in that department's budget for repair of Ms. Lindgren's street. There was discussion wherein it was determined that Ms. Lindgren does not live within the boundaries of the Community Redevelopment District, but in the Community Improvement District. Michael Kato, 1302 S. W. 25th Place, said he was a fire marshal in a neighboring city and has a special interest in life safety. He spoke in support of maintaining the fire inspector positions which the Commission was considering cutting. He felt that the Fire Prevention Bureau was the worst place for the Commission to consider cutting a posi- tion and urged the Commission to reconsider this matter. Marie Shepherd, 140 W. Ocean Avenue, spoke of developing a good neighbor policy. She also expressed her astonishment at the county assessments, especially in depressed areas. Regarding taxes going up, Vice Mayor Harmening said that he just wants to let everyone know that he is right in there with everyone else because his assessment went up $22,734.00, which is a pretty good jump considering that he was in a depressed area. Mayor Weiner explained that assessments were handled by the county and the City Commission had nothing to do with them. She said that what we are dealing with today is the City's tax millage. So far we have kept our millage rate the same as it was last year. Commissioner Aguila thinks it would be a mistake to let the two fire inspectors go. He said that an alternative would be to decrease one firefighter from each shift at Station 3. Mr. Miller said that if that was done, we would be rendering the area almost inoperable and that we woul. d only be able to respond with the pumper. He said that we have thirteen firefighters that are certified inspectors, who are paid five percent of their salary to undertake fire inspections throughout the year. Some of these inspectors render up to 171 inspections a year. Others have rendered nothing while receiving the five per cent. This five per cent 4 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 equates to thirty-three or thirty-four thousand dollars a year. If each one of these individuals would do eight to ten inspections a month, that would easily cover one fire inspector being laid off. If you take eight firefighters, add an additiOnal three, and tell them you want ten inspec- tions a month, earning five per cent, you would be getting over 1,200 inspections a year. That is more than both inspectors in question do right now. Vice Mayor Harmening stated that he thinks the administra- tion should set a target on the number of inspections they have to make in order to maintain their five per cent slush fund. Commissioner Aguila said that the other option is that we do not give them the five per cent, we do not give them the inspections, and we maintain the inspectors who are there to perform that task. With proper fire inspections, one does not have to worry about whether you need a pump or a ladder. During discussion, it was determined that this could not be done because of a contract being negotiated at the present time. Vice Mayor Harmening stated that inspections are part of fire training and if they keep their eyes open, they will see that there are fire inspection violations. The Building Department also makes inspections. Therefore, we are pretty well covered on inspections. Commissioner Aguila stated that he is more convinced now than he was during the budget hearings that we may be making a mistake, in letting the fire inspectors go, and we need a different alternative. Commissioner Matson agreed with Commissioner Aguila. She said that during the budget hearings, she was very much opposed to eliminating the position of fire inspectors. She feels that it is a revenue producing position and that in the interests of the health, safety and well being of our residents, we cannot afford to give up an inspector. Discussion ensued concerning the inspectors that were not doing their jobs. Mr. Miller stated that to reinstate the two inspectors would cost approximately $36,000.00 a year. The millage rate is 5 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ' SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 tentatively set at 7.7528. He suggested the Commission consider some of the recommendations of his relative to the contingency. He believed other departments should be looked at. He said that during the workshop session he asked for each department to come up with a certain area upon which to make cuts. When it came to the Fire Department, the cuts that they had proposed were minimal compared to the other departments. The Police Department was able to give up close to four or five hundred thousand dollars and still were able to maintain service by reassigning and shifting personnel around. That is what is being proposed here to some respect. Commissioner Aguila suggested that the Fire Department be told what their budget is and to see that it works, which includes keeping their fire inspectors. The Department head is going to have to make it work. That is his job. Michael Kato, 1302 S. W. 25th Place, said that you cannot take people who respond to emergency calls and expect them to do the same kind of work as one full-time inspector. He thought that the suggestion of cutting one person per shift is an alternative, rather than cutting seven and nine year veteran inspectors. He said that you are cutting back more than a position. You are cutting back a lot of experience that cannot be replaced on shift or by rehiring people. Discussion ensued regarding where to obtain the money to keep the fire inspectors. Mayor Weiner suggested that this issue be temporarily put aside and that the Commission proceed with the rest of the additional recommendations. Mr. Miller reviewed his nine additional recommendations outlined in Memorandum No. 91-235. He explained his proposal to eliminate the supplemental appropriation to the family dental insurance program, which would save the City about $50,000.00. Vice Mayor Harmening did not think this could be done because the union contract has not been settled yet. Attorney Cherof concurred that it cannot be done until the contract is renegotiated. Vice Mayor Harmening stated that he was not in favor of eliminating the supplemental appropriation to the family MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 dental insurance program unless we could get the employees' union to immediately agree with this. He felt it was discrimination between union and nonunion members. There was discussion regarding item number six dealing with the beach parking attendants and whether we could get by with just one of them. Mayor Weiner asked how much the 0.0332 mills amounts to in money, to which Mr. Miller answered $61,361.66. She noted that that almost accounted for the inspectors' salaries. There were other remarks concerning the tentative millage rate which had been set. There was discussion regarding the contingency account, as well as the five year loan for the large aerial fire truck. .The truck cost $454,000.00 and the City is repaying the loan at $47,336.00 a year with interest. Greg Seider, 3650 Dorrit Avenue, referred to the aerial fire truck and he thought the City bought a piece of equipment that is worthwhile. He said that lives depend on good equipment that works well. He was also concerned about his department already being understaffed. Mayor Weiner announced that there would be a five minute recess. The meeting resumed at 9:05 P.M. MAYOR WEINER DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED. Mr. Miller said the 7.7528 millage rate would include $50,000.00 additional for contingency, ending up with $100,000.00 in contingency, the salary for one fire inspec- tor, and appropriation for the $21,619.00 which is to be put back in for dental. In addition, you would also have an extra $37,190.00 for reinstating the seconded fire inspec- tor, leaving a balance left over of about $2,625.00. Commissioner Artis suggested that the Fire Department con- sider voluntarily giving the City back the five per cent received for inspections. It might then be possible for the City to keep the fire inspectors that were contemplated being laid off. 7 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 Greg Seider said that he would confer with the members of the union regarding this issue. However, he wanted to let the City know that the individuals who collected that five per cent have dual duties in the department. It is not that they are not doing the inspections. When they get called to an alarm, they have to stop the inspection. The alarms take an hour to an hour and a half. Attorney Cherof advised Mayor Weiner that this was not the appropriate forum for collective bargaining. The City Commission approved of Mr. Miller's nine recommen- dations with the exception of eliminating the supplemental appropriation to the family dental insurance program. In addition, two fire inspectors would be reinstated instead of one. LEGAL Proposed ReSolution No. R91-149 Re: Adopt Tentative Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 1991-92 Attorney Cherof read the title of the Resolution. "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A PROPOSED TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.7528 FOR THE CITY'S GENERAL OPERATING FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1991 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1992; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Commissioner Aguila made a motion to approve Resolution R91-149. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Matson. A roll call vote on the motion was taken by Sue Kruse, City Clerk, as follows: Commissioner Artis - Aye Commissioner Matson - Aye Mayor Weiner - Aye Vice Mayor Harmening - Aye Commissioner Aguila - Aye The motion carried 5-0. 8 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 Attorney Cherof pointed out that based upon the millage rate number, the proposed millage rate is 3.6 per cent above the computed roll back rate. Be Proposed Resolution No. R91-150 Re: Budget for Fiscal Year 1991-92 Adopt Tentative Attorney Cherof read the title of the Resolution. "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1991, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1992; AND DETERMINING AND FIXING THE AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY FOR THE ENSUING YEAR; DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF APPLICABLE FUNDS ON HAND; ESTIMATING RECEIPTS FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND; PUBLICITY FUND; UTILITIES FUND; VEHICLE SERVICE FUND; SANTITATION FUND; LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX FUND; WAREHOUSE FUND; COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT FUND; SELF-INSURANCE FUND; AND GOLF COURSE FUND; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Vice Mayor Harmening made a motion to approve Resolution R91-150. The motion was amended to insert $28,381,154 in the blank space of Section 1 of the Resolution adopting the tentative budget. Commissioner Aguila seconded the motion. A roll call vote on the motion was taken by Sue Kruse, City Clerk, as follows: Commissioner Matson - Aye Mayor Weiner - Aye Vice Mayor Harmening - Aye Commissioner Aguila - Aye Commissioner Artis - Aye The motion carried 5-0. MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 4, 1991 ADJOURNMENT The meeting properly adjourned at 9:25 P. M. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ATTEST: e Mayor --~.~ ¥~~ Commissioner ~/ - ~6m~i~s ioner Commissioner Ci~~ Clerk Recording Secretary (Three Tapes) 10 ~:,¥::.::**'.~'-'~:.¥ ~:,*j.,::*****:.~±::.~ ;~*<*:****~.~.=-~.......~.... ............. ::~: :*' : ' ::~ *:~: ' ~:'" : ~::*:**'** ': : * '*' ~: ............. · :-'**.*~* *-=*:-.c*.**~ ~*:-:*:*;*:*:.:****:.;*.*-:.:.::?***:s:¥::.*:*****~ ~.:::~**:~,'-~:.~:~,:~::,, Learn from Delray Editor: Despite the threat of firing employees and lowering our service~, ~our so-called "astute com- mission'' rejected privatizing our sanitatio~n de- partmen~ Although, the city would realize a savings over a million dollars in collection fees, in addition to more than another million dollars for the pur- chase of our equipment. Has our commission t~ken the time to check to see if any other municipalities have pr~vat~ze~l their sanitation department? Obviously not, or~ they would have found out that 19, have gone the~ route of privatizing. They wouldn t have to look far, since our next door neighbor, Delray Beach, has privatized its sanitation department for ap- proximately the last eight years. Iq] save our con, mission the job of researching this information by listing the 19 municipalities Briney 'Breezes, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen P~dge, Golf~ew, Greenacre$, Haverh~, Highland Beach, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Lake Clarke Shores, Lost Tree Village, Manala- pan, Ocean Ridge, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Tequesta and ViLlage of Golf. Since the sanitation en~ployees are assured of! being retained, and there would be no need of fir- ing any employees or lowering, our levels of ser- vice, I believe it's time for this ¢onrmission to show it represents the entire city's best interest and vote for privatization. -- Robert Zimmerman, Boynton Beach