Minutes 09-13-05
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
ON THE FIRE ASSESSMENT HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 AT 6:30 P.M.
IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present
Jerry Taylor, Mayor
Mack McCray, Vice Mayor
Bob Ensler, Commissioner
Mike Ferguson, Commissioner
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
James Cherof, City Attorney
Janet Prainito, City Clerk
Absent
Carl McKoy, Commissioner
I. Call to Order
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. He explained that the purpose of the
meeting was to have a public hearing on the fire assessment and to consider adoption of
proposed Resolution No. R05-146.
II. Public Hearing on Fire Assessment
City Attorney James Cherof read Proposed Resolution No. R05-146 by title only.
Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comment from the public.
Dominic Desiderio, 2755 South Federal Highway, indicated this was his third appearance
before the Commission. He clarified he was not against the fire department and felt they were
doing a great job. Mr. Desiderio was opposed to the Commission's disregard for the small
property owner in Boynton Beach. He questioned if the City of Boynton Beach could legally
discriminate against the small property owner under the false pretense of a fire assessment.
He gave the example of a 5,000 square foot house paying $70 and a 1,000 square foot house
paying $70. Further, the large property owners such as Kmart, Albertson and large plazas and
developments get a free ride over 50,000 square feet. He pointed out the Boynton Beach Mall
that has 500,000 square feet pays 1<t a square foot and his 20,000 square foot building pays
15<t a square foot. Mr. Desiderio felt the appropriation was unfair and commented 5,000
square feet pays $629 and a warehouse pays $173 and a nursing home pays $990. He pointed
out the Boynton Beach Mall pays $6,295 and the Manor Care Nursing Home with 47,000 square
feet pays $7,921. Mr. Desiderio felt the Commission should be ashamed of the apportionment.
Since no one else in the public wished to speak Mayor Taylor closed the public audience.
Mayor Taylor asked for comments from the Commission.
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Special City Commission Meeting
Fire Rescue Assessment
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 13, 2005
Vice Mayor McCray asked it be noted the assessment is under the Sunset Law and asked for the
end date to be stated. Mr. Bressner indicated the assessment would end on September 30,
2008.
No further comments were offered.
III. Adoption of Proposed Resolution No. R05-146 Re: Relating to the
provision of Fire Rescue Services, facilities and programs in the City of Boynton Beach,
Florida; amending the preliminary rate resolution; re-imposing fire rescue assessments
against assessed property located within the City of Boynton Beach for the fiscal year
beginning October 1, 2005; approving the rate of assessment; approving the
assessment roll; and providing an effective date
Motion
Commissioner Ferguson moved to adopt proposed Resolution No. R05-146. Vice Mayor McCray
seconded the motion that passed 4-0. Mayor Taylor noted Commissioner McKoy was absent.
IV. Adjournment
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was duly adjourned at
6:45 p.m.
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