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Minutes 09-11-82PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET, HELD AT CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 AT 9:00 A. M. PRESENT Mayor Walter "Marty" Trauger Vice Mayor James R. Warnke Councilman Joe deLong Councilmember Patricia Woolley Councilman Samuel Lamar Wright Peter L. Cheney, City Manager Betty Boroni, Deputy City Clerk James Vance, City Attorney Mayor Trauger called the meeting to order at 9:00 A. M. and stated that the discussion for the first portion would be confined onCe, tO the Federal~Revenue ~haring portion ofT'the 1982-~83~ Budget as the City has had an increase in this and must hold two public hearings. He said the Council would hold one now to start this and then when they get into the main budget, they will consider it again for the second hearing on the Public Revenue Sharing. To familiarize the audience with what is Federal Revenue Sharing into the budget, Mayor Trauger introduced City Manager Cheney explained the parts and why the City had an increase in the Federal Revenue Sharing. Mr. Cheney stated the City had a hearing on Federal Revenue Sharing sometime ago prior to making any suggestions on how to use it. At that time the expected allocation for revenue sharing this year was about the same as last year, or a~little over $400,000. At that hearing on the proposed use of revenue sharing, City Manager Cheney said the City had about 8 or 9 people who made suggestions. The City then put the revenue sharing budget together and included most of those suggestions in the proposed budget since that was the suggestion people have made. After that, City Manager Cheney continued, the City received information from the Federal Government that they were going to get about $120,000 additional from Federal Revenue Sharing. Some cities in the area got less. Boynton Beach got more. City Manager Cheney said it was difficult to figure out why Boynton Beach got more because of the way revenue sharing is a~located, but it is partly because the City's relative Population and values, taxing effort, and o'ther kinds of things were different than other cities in Palm Beach County. When it came out of the formula, Boynton Beach ended up with an increase in revenue sharing, City Manager Cheney told the audience. City Manager Cheney said the City feels they should have a second hearing on that increase,~if anyone wants to make .suggestions on the use of that increase in order to comply with Federal regula- tions. He said the~City was suggesting at this hearing that the people make comments on the suggested use of revenue sharing. Right now, it is proposed to read that additional amount of money be used for projects in the coming years (for which there are many construction projects that the City needs) such as increased fire station capacities, a larger police station, increased library space, and other increased spaces for activities in the City, park development, and things of that nature. MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 City Manager Cheney stated that the current proposal is that that money be in a reserve for future decision, but he said the City would like to have any additional suggestions for future revenue sharing as a part of this hearing. Then the Mayor wi'll close this hearing, and then they will open a hearing on the general fund of the City, which is next on the Agenda everyone had in Item III. City Manager Cheney thought in Item III, the audience could really talk about anything having to do with the budget that they want and they would not have to feel restricted to just the General Fund. City Manager Cheney said that could also include comments on Revenue Sharing. City Manager Cheney emphasized that the first hearing should be limited primarily to suggestions on the use~-of~r~venue-?sharing. He said it was not meant to cut anybody off. It was meant to proceed with the requirements for the Revenue Sharing Law. Mayor Trauger asked if anyone wished to speak on Federal Revenue Sharing or its allocation of funds. He said if they did, they should go to the microphone and give their name and address for the record. PUBLIC HEARING - PROP-OSED USE OF FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS Leonard W. Kanonik, t330 S. W. 28th Avenue, Golfview Harbor, Boynton Beach did not think anyone was complaining about Federal Revenues. He thought the Council was going to do'anything that they want to do anyway. MaUde Lee, speaking for the Boynton Beach Child Care Center, 909 N. E. 3rd Street, Boynton Beach, thanked the Council for what they have done for the Center in the past. In fact, the Center has been getting support from the City since 1975. MS. Lee said the Community Action Council has been operating programs in the Boynton are~ aimed at eliminating poverty, since 1969. Because of the Federal cutback and the new thrust in the funding of programs (she noted they were talking about the Federal Revenue Sharing coming back to the City), Ms. Lee saidwi~h.this new'Federalism approach, as well as other funding coming back to the local govern- ment, they are having to appeal to the local communities for additional support. This year Ms. Lee said the Day Care Center is need of one part- time person to assist the Center Director, a clerical person, and they are asking for continued support for the After Care Program. Ms. Lee informed the Council that' there are many needed repairs that they are required to do in the Center to accommodate the handicapped children that they serve and any handicapped persons from the community. Ms. Lee asked the Council to consider these concerns. - 2 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 In view of the fact that the cutbacks'~of the Government are going to affect some employees at the Center, CounCilman deLong pointed out that these people are going to come and ask for some aid on that. He thought the City needed to take more concern and interest in the Child Care Center. Councilman deLong saw where the~.CitY Manager has ~prOvided for some rehabilitation of the Center itself, which he thought was a move in the right direction; and he wished to go on record as saying that when they come in for additional help, he will certainly support them. Mayor Trauger asked Councilman deLong if he had any recommendation for any amount. Councilman deLong replied to just let them submit an amount. City Manager Cheney commented that the Community Relations Board made some suggestions about buying some more air conditioners, etc. He said the City is going to take a look at that building in some detail, even though he knew they want to expand that building that is still there. City Manager Cheney said the City is going to look not just .to buy new air conditioners but to try and find somewhere energy conservation up there in general because their electric bills are high. He reiterated that the City is going to look at the whole building and come back with a recommendation to the Council for total costs. In answer to the Mayor's question as to what Councilman deLong thought for the amount of money, Councilman deLong advised that the Child Care Center has to get the amount together~ and then it will go to the Community Relations Board to either recommend or disapprove their request, Then it will come to the Councill Mayor Trauger said they would leave the extra amount as now stated in there for future funding. City Manager Cheney pointed out that the City is going to help them with that. With the additional monies the City has received for revenue sharing, will they take a total of 10% to go to the Community Relations Board, Councilman Wright asked. Mayor Trauger and City Manager Cheney assured him it will. City Manager Cheney advised that the City does not do that until after the public hearings, but they will do that because the City Ordinance says they will. Mayor Trauger asked if there were any other comments on Federal Revenue Sharing. Henrietta Solomon, 230 N. E. 26th Avenue, Boynton Beach, believed the last time they had a hearing there 'was a discussion about a bike path or some path making it possible for people to be able to walk on 22nd Avenue. She pointed out that it is a very dangerous street that is used by many elderly people. Mrs. Solomon thought some consideration should be taken to do that now and have the bike path or whatever is necessary to make it walkable. - 3 - MINUTES - PUBLIC F~EARING';' 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11~ 1982 Mayor Trauger informed Mrs. Solomon that was given top priority in a letter to the County Commission about three or four weeks ago. City Manager Cheney said it was a month ago. Norman Gregory, County Commissioner, responded to that, stating that in the County funding they were pursuing that specifically as a 91 priority for bike paths that will continue across 22nd from Seacrest to U. S, 1. Just as recently as four days ago, Mayor ~Trauger said he was talking to the planners, and they practically assured the City that the City will receive the money with matching money if the City will do this. As no one else wished to speak on Federal Revenue Sharing, Mayor Trauger turned the gavel over to Vice Mayor Warn!ke. He wanted to speak about Federal Revenue Sharing. Mayor Trauger felt that the City should put approximately $3,000 into heating the Aqua-Crest pool at Atlantic High School in .Delray Beach because the City uses that pool, Other people in the~County use the pool, and the City does not heat the Wilson Pool, as it is very little used in the cold winter months. Mayor Trauger said it takes around $9,000 On the basic estimate to heat that pool for the winter, and the County sofar has not been able to appropri- ate the $9,000. Out of the new revenue sharing funds, Mayor Trauger requested the people to consider $3,000. for the heating of the pool providing it is matched by $3,000 from the City of Delray Beach and $3,000 from Palm Beach County~ Then all the users and the interest will share equally in the heating of the pool, and Mayor Trauger believed the City would get a far greater use in the winter months when most native Floridians .stop swimming in pools that are not heated. Councilman deLong asked if they did not request some aid from the City in the~past. ~He~q~estioned what.happened to that. Mayor Trauger answered that they did ask for heating of the pool a year ago, and it died in the process. He was trying to make it contingent upon the support of those people. COuncilman deLong stated he would Support that wholeheartedly. Mayor Trauger asked if there were any commehts from the audience on that particular item or from Members of the Council. Councilman Wright thought the children need it, seeing that school is full time, and he Wa~ sure they would be taking swimming. He thought it would be a worthwhile expense. Vice Mayor Warnke agreed. City Manager Cheney pointed out that it is just an asset that the City has, wasting now, because it is not used. Mayor Trauger said the Council would consider $3,000 for the alloca- tion to heat the Aqua-Crest pool providing the City of Delray Beach and the County Commissioners allocate an equal $3,000 to it. Other- wise the money will remain in the budget untouched. Councilman deLong thought the Council should be polled so they would not have any problems with it later on. Councilmember Woolley had - 4 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BF~CH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 no problems. She thought there were some organizations that have already started it.~-- Heat the Pool campaigns. She said they had a large rally several weeks ago right at the site. If the three communities do this, City Manager Cheney said it will get over that. Vice Mayor Warnke recalled'there was a committee of businessmen in Delray that originally got the pool started, but he thought it had been dissolved. Mayor Trauger said it was when they got the pool. Vice Mayor Warnke was also in favor of allocating $3,000. Mayor Trauger noted that was the concensus of opinion. MAYOR TRAUGER CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED USE OF FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS - 1982-1983 BUDGET. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND THE 1982-1983 PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE~CITY OF BOYNTON BE~CH' Mayor Trauger opened the hearing on property tax relief for the 1982-1983 proposed budget for the City of Boynton Beach. He announced that many of the people in the audience filled out little forms with their questions, and the Council would take those up in the order in which they have been received, Prior to taking those up, Mayor Trauger adwised that anyone who has not filled out a form may come forward to speak, He asked that they try to limit their comments to three minutes as there were several people there, and it would take a long time. Mayor Trauger asked if anyone wished to speak on any item of the budget who did not fill out a little form. Mary Mauro, 2106 Campanelli Boulevard, Boynton Beach, did not plan on speaking. She lives at the above address with her husband, Germano. Mrs. Mauro expressed her interest in the library budget. She found out yesterday-that the Council was going to meet today. Mrs. Mauro said her remarks would be the same as the first time she heard the library budget reviewed. Mrs. Mauro thought the library, in the years she has been in Boynton Beach, has been one of the joys of their lives. She stated they use the library constantly, and they have noticed that it is a very much used and very busy library. The budget Mrs. Mauro saw for the library is a "no nonsense" budget. It was put together by ~-~no nonsense" director, and there may be one item that Mrs. Mauro said they do not agree upon. She thought it was an item that is moti- vated by the future, and if they do not get it this year, they will try again next year. Mrs. Mauro's concern is that the book budget, which is $54,000, she believed, should not be cut at all. Her plea was that the budget remain, if possible, just as it is. As Mayor Trauger recalled, the only ~tem recommended for reduction was a small computer. In the meantime, he provided the library with a Place where the~ small computers are available to be placed in -5t MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 libraries, and the user pays a slight fee for it and it pays for the use of the computer. Mayor Trauger had not heard the feasibility of that back from the library yet, but that was his personal view on that item. City Manager Cheney informed Mayor Trauger that three or four people asked him, before the hearing started, what they should do if they are not happy with their assessments. In case anyone does not know that, City Manager Cheney wanted to say that on the forms they got from the Property Appraiser's office which says if they are not happy with their property assessmen~t, they can go to the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach, talk to the staff there and fill out a form requesting that their appraisal be reconsidered. City Manager Cheney was not sure, but he thought they could also do that at the South. County Courthouse. He said it says that on the form they received but he wanted~to make sure everybody here knew how to handle that situation. City Manager Cheney reiterated that if they were concerned about the value placed on their property, that was where they should go and take care of it and they will help them fill out forms. Councilman deLong added that the Board of Equalization meets in the County to take care of these. Mayor Trauger a~vised that they can apply at the South County Courthouse. I~ other words, Councilman deLong pointed out, the peopl'e should understand that the City governments have nothing to do with the assessed valu~ ations of property. That is a County function. Viola Thompkins, 3844 Angler Drive, Delray Beach, asked what happens if you are not happy after you file a grievance at the South County Courthouse. .City Manager Cheney advised Ms. Thompkins to go down there and talk to their staff about it. If she is not happy with that, theY will help her fill out a for~for an appeal. That form-will be heard by a Board of Appeals (three Members from the County Commission and two from the School Board, he believed). City Manager 'Cheney advised that they will have a hearing, and she will have a chance to go and be heard by that Board. If that Board and Ms. Thompkins do not agree, City Manager that is the end of the road unless she wants to go Thompkins asked how it was possible to get a $13,00 one year. City Manager Cheney said that questiOn c answered by that office. He said it was not approp City to answer the question for her because the inf. from the County Assessor's office. ~heney stated to Court. Ms. 9 increase in Duld only be ~iate for the )rmation comes Mayor Trauger announced he would take up the forms that were presented. Steve Fecso, 2845 S. W. 5th Street, Boynton Beach, wanted to know who started giving presents for the City Employees. He thought they were getting paid for what they do. Mayor Trauger believed Mr. Fecso was referring to the Christmas bonus. That was what Mr. Fecso meant. - 6 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 Until he came south, City Manager Cheney never heard of Christmas bonuses but said that is a practice that has been going on in most of the local governments. In Boynton Beach, it is $25 per employee. In some cities, it is a percentage of their pay. City Manager Cheney stated it is not much money and has been here for many, many years, and in most of the cities in South Florida it is a part of the compensation package to employees. Mr. Fesco worked for a company 38 years and never got one "louzy penny" for what he didn't wOrk for. He said suppose he gets a bill for $10 and he only has $9.99, which is one penny short. His bill is not paid. Therefore, a penny means a lot to Mr. Fesco. There- fore, Mr. Fesco felt that people working for the City of Boynton Beach do not have the right to give his money away to somebody else. He told the Council if they want to give their money away, that is fine and dandy, but "don't give my money away." City Manager Cheney explained that it is basically that employees get paid and employees get health insurance and all of t.hose kinds of things that are traditional. That $25 is really a part of the pay package. It is not giving away anything. It is just an additional part of the pay package. City Manager Cheney said. it could be put in the salaries if they want to, and it would come out the same way. Mr. Fesco compared the budget with a Christmas tree, and said, "What you people want to put on the tree, you go ahead and put it on, and we have to live by it, all because you vote upon itl" City Manager Cheney stated that the purpose of the hearing today was for the people to suggest the things they did not think should be on the Christmas tree. What Mr. Fesco~said was one idea. Mr. Fesco referred to President Reagan and said he cuts the poor that is helpless and cannot help themselves but he does not cut the rich that could pay. He stated that is the same thing that is going on here. Those that can least afford it have to pay the highest things for everything. The rich can get bonuses for nothing. Councilman deLong thought the bonuses were an incentive for long and faithful employment and performance of their work. He said there are many employees who go beyond the call of duty and spend many hours for the City that they are not compensated for. He ~elt this was little enough that the City can do. Leonard W. Kanonik, 1330 S. W. 28th Avenue, Boynton Beach, wrote that what he is getting from the City of Boynton Beach from 1971 to 1982 is a raise in taxes - 120%. In regard to taxes, Mr. Kanonik pointed out that chances are, everyone came from a big city. He has lived in a big city and two suburbs. Mr. Kanonik voted for his mistakes. The great State of Michigan is broke and two cities are broke. The reason he said this is that our taxes are going out of sight. - 7 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 Mr. Kanonik reiterated that he voted for his mistakes because he voted for the schools, the Police Department, more police and competent policeme~~. When he left, Mr. Kanonik said his taxes were $1300 a year; they had 45 policement for 45,000 people. Now the City is going into receivership in November. because of what they voted for. Mr. Kanonik could see the same thing-happening here. Mayor Trauger asked him how much his taxes are. Mr. Kanonik replied that last year they were $458.63. Mayor Trauger told him it was a lot better than it was in Michigan. Mr. Kanonik said they have gotten nothing from the City of Boynton Beach since City'Manager.~Cheney has been-here. His~bu~eSS container used to cost him $8..00 a month, It costs him $32.00 a month now. Mr. Kanonik said the peQple who work for the City don't even have shovels or brooms. They use plastic rakes. Mr. Kanonik told the Council they bought a bunch of equipment that the City needs. When the City had the old equipment, they .had one person in the truck. Now that they have the new equipment, they have two people in the truck. If you go to the lumber yard, Mr. Kanonik said three people that work for ~he City go to buy one item, and they come in a new truck. Mr. Kanonik lives in Golfview Harbor, and his assessment is $87,000. He has 16 wheelers parked on the side streets there. .Nobody gives them a ticket because there is an Ordinance against that. The next block down, City Manager Cheney's street, has another one that is parked there over the holidays and Sundays. Nobody sees that. Mr. Kanonik was informed that the police are supposed to enforce that when Dorothy Moore, Codes Enforcement Officer does not. He talked to Dorothy Moore about it. Mr. Kanonik emphasized that he has gotten nothing from the City in the last 11 years, and his taxes have gone up that much. Councilman Wright asked Mr. Kanonik where his business is. He replied, "301 S. E. 10th Avenue. My son's a contractor. 9~% Of our business is in Boynton Beach. I drive, and he drives 7,~0~00-miles a year in Boynton Beach. I see what is happening with Boynton. I see the City employees." The Other day, Mr. Kanonik reported, six people were cutting lawns on U. S. 1. They had their rakes and put all the grass on a curb on the street side by the fast lane. Then they left, waiting for the truck. In five minutes, when the traffic went by, all the gr~ss was all over the "--- streets. That's smart, Mr. KanOnik commented. That was his pet peeve because he gets nothing for his money as a taxpayer, Mr. Kanonik told the Council. Mr. Kanonik continued by saying City Manager Cheney hires police- men who are agents for %he~insuraRce companies and do nothing for him. He said ~hey should take people off U. S. 1 and put them around his neighborhood. He aske~ City Manager Cheney if it did - 8 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 not bother him when he goes to work on Monday mornings and the mail boxes are all torn down. He also asked City Manager Cheney if it did not bother him going.out 23rd (all the rubbish, and the streets are dirty). Mr. Kanonik stated it bothers him. He repeated that he gets nothing for his money. Councilman deLong agreed with Mr. Kanonik in that respect. He emphasized that there is a definite lack of in the field super- vision. Mr. Fesco verified what Mr. Kanonik said. He referred to the City employees and said there are always exceptions. Not all of them are that way, but a lot of them are not worth a nickle a day for the amount of work they put in. He again asked, "Do those people deserve their $25 Christmas bonus?" Mr. Fesco questioned, "Now it's a fact, isn't it?" City Manager Cheney replied that it is not a fact that the City employees do not work well. He told Mr. Fesco that in any organiza- tion with 400 employees, you are going to find something that you do not think is appropriate. City Manager Cheney pointed out that you don't see 400 employees sitting down.on the street, or employees working hard and putting it ou~. He told Mr. Fesco there would be times when he would see something he did not agree with. City Manager Cheney reminded everyone that he has said over and over again that if people see something they do' not think is right, to let the City know. City Manager Cheney advised that the City has improved its super- vision, but everytime you hire more supervisors, people say, "Hey: You're hiring too many super~visors and not enough workers," City Manager Cheney said the problem is you see it with the City and with Florida Power and Light Company. He told Mr. Fesco FP&L gets the same kind of criticism. City Manager Cheney said people see a crew that looks like it is not functioning efficiently. The problem is, with FP&L, we don't know how their total system operates, City Manager Cheney pointed out. He told Mr. Fesco we see that crew but we do not see the hundreds of other Florida Power-and Light crews around. City Manager Cheney said it is the same thing with the City. The department heads and supervisors continue to work to see that this does not happen, but there are going to be time~ . ~ ~ when something happens that people would not think is sufficient. He said if it is brought to the City's attention, the City.will look at it. City Manager Cheney advised that he is not subjecting every employee. He stated that he would not let the suggestion be that because they see a crew here or there, that the employees of this City are not producing and functioning in an efficienH way. Like he said, Mr. Fesco admitted that there are always exceptions. He said we do need policemen, but a lot of times he sees a couple of squad cars parked in the shade, out of the way so the people cannot see them. "They are wasting time," Mr. Fesco assumed. City Manager Cheney commented that there are a number of things - 9 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 that happen when you see that police car. He advised that the police- man may be there observing; he may be there writing reports. A part of what the City has tried to do too in the last year or two is to suggest to the policemen not to just drive all the time, partly as a gasoline conversation program, but to just sit, stop, and watch. He told Mr. Fesco you will see sometimes two police cars get together (and that's a bug that gets into people's craw). City Manager Cheney explained that the reason they are sitting together is to discuss some issue in general that~they do not want to discuss over. the radio for a very important function. He also said they may be socializing, but ~to assume every time you see a police car stopping and watching that they are apparently doing nothing is jumping to conclusions that they are wasting time, and you should not do this. City Manager Cheney said a part of it is observing what is going on and observing traffic. He told Mr. Fesco if he would check the mileage of-the police cars, he would see that they move a lot. City Manager Cheney informed Mr. Fesco the City al'so likes for the police cars to sit and observe areas and not just drive around-. City Manager Cheney informed everyone that some people think there is too much ticketing on Federal Highway. Others ask why they just try to catch speeders on Federal Highway; why aren't they someplace else. City Manager Cheney said it is a continual balance of how you assign a police car. Mr. Fesco said he does a lot of walking on Seacrest, and the. Police give tickets to some people that barely make a complete stop. City Manager Cheney said if Mr. Fesco was going through the light at that time and the guy barely stopped' and came through and almost got to Mr. Fesco, Mr. Fesco would say, "Where is the policeman?" When Councilman deLong was talking about out in the field super- vision, he was talking about pot holes, lot clearing, and stuff that the City can pick up themselves instead of having to wait for some residents to call. City Manager Cheney advised that the City picks up a lot of lot clearing and a lot of pot holes all of the time that no one ever knows about because it is handled routinely and automatically. Mr. Fesco brought up another point. Two years ago the City raised the garbage collection from $3.00 to $4.50. Mr. Fesco thought that was a little bit too big a jump. What Mr. Fesco was concerned about is it costs $6.00 or $7.00 to buy a garbage can, and the first time you put it out, they come to pick up the garbage, and smash the "doggone thing" to pieces in no time at all. He asked why the people collecting the garbage have to damage the garbage cans. City Manager Cheney replied that if Mr. Fesco has a garbage can that he thinks has been mishandled, to let the City know and they will take a look at it. City Manager Cheney informed Mr. Fesco that the City tells its men to not put their hands inside the garbage cans. Therefore, the - 10 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 City expects the garbage cans to not be so overly stacked that when they dump it upside down, the stuff will come out. If it does not come out, they do tap the garbage cans to get the stuff out. City Manager Cheney reiterated that the City does not let them put their hands into the garbage cans because of the danger of what is in the garbage. He stated that the City had a guy this week who picked up a plastic bag, and the' glass in the bag cut his arm. City Manager Cheney emphasized that the City does not expect them to put their hands in the garbage cans for workmen'S compensation reasons. He told Mr. Fesco. to follow behind~ the trucks and see them load someday and try to do it. City Manager said they take the cans, tip them up, and the stuff falls automatically. Mro Kanonik remarked that Mr.~ Cheney has an answer for everything. He stated that City Manager Cheney does not have an open door policy. If you call, you are a "crackpot"; if you get involved, then you are a concerned citizen, Mr. Kanonik stated. In his experience, Mayor Trauger did not believe that was right. Reduction of BUdget EXpen~ditures~ Nicholas Cassand'r~ Nick Cassandra, 2554 S. W. 10th Court, Boynton Beach, Florida, stated he likes Mayor Trauger, the Council, and the City Manager. Mr. Cassandra asked the Council to be aware of all the programs the City is involved with. He was not saying the programs should not be initiated. Mr. Cassandra was just saying the Council should be aware because they do cost money. In the very near future, Mr. Cassandra said the City would be involved in'~he Boynton Beach Ramp Park Area, and they have monies for that. Mr. Cassandra believed they will need more by the time they get to that park. Regarding the beach restoration, Mr. Cassandra pointed out that the City has a referendum that passed (1.8 Million Dollars). By the time the City initiates that, and the City hopes to get approval from Ocean Ridge, that will be higher, The Boynton Beach Congress Comunity Park Phase I has a $100,000 override.~, already, and that came out of the City's budget (which was notrbudgeted), Mr. Cassandra pointed out. Although the golf course finally has been passed, Mr. Cassandra advised the Council to keep in the back of their minds the escrow money'that they might need for that because it does come out of general funds. M~. Cassandra referred to a tentatively proposed increase of 54% for water and sewer and a tentatively, proposed increase of 13% for sanitation. He believed the City had the first hearing on Wednesday '(September 8, 1982). Last but not least, Mr. Cassandra mentioned the normal City services we are involved with. Mr. Cassandra advised that most of these services come from two - 11 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER, 11, 1982 funds, other than the Beach Restoration and the Golf Course, which have funds of their own. He asked the Council not to forget that the 1.8 Million Dollars would be ad valorem taxes, so the taxpayers would have to pay in the near future on their properties. Mr. Cassandra stated that the City has the General Fund and the Utility Fund, which are the two biggest funds that pay for most of the City's expenditures. He Said he submitted to the Councilmembers during the Workshop sessions the five year progress of the City and also his recommended cut. City Manager Cheney responded to that, and Mr. Cassandra believed the Councilmembers had it on their desks. In their final decision (if the Council goes with the City Manager's recommendations or their own or what he recommends), Mr, Cassandra requested the Council to be aware of why he does what he does. When Mr. Cassandra looks at a department, he says, "He bought a car last year. Why does he buy a car this year?" Mr. Cassandra stated that he looks .at the total fleet, and so does City Manager Cheney. He asked, "If we have a fleet that has some new cars, can't we do with- out this year?" Those were his recommendations. With reference to the sanitation increase of 13%, Mr. Cassandra said if you look at .page 182 of the budget, you will find that the Sanitation Department has asked for an increase~of $65,000 over last year, yet the City.iS asking for a $250,000 increase in revenue. Mr. Cassandra was curious as to how the numbers balance oUt.and CityAgain'Managerhe didcheney.nOt doubt the integrity of the department heads In 1980, Mr. Cassandra said the Ci ~' ~00 to $~.50, of which $1'.50 iwas%~s~c~ed its sanitation from ~ venue anQ part of as the Sa~-~ _ ~.~ of (he assumed) as · ~u~on Rep±acement Fund Mr ~assandra stated that the City.has ~ equipment. He believed in th~ ~_~b?u~ht and now have n~ce new approximatel · . i~u ~wo years, the · " ~ ..... Y $800,000 ~n the C'~v, .... . ._ .City spent ~ ban~ation Fund =~ ~ _ ~-~ ~ ~u~pmen~, which came excellent rec~_=~_?~ u~.p~ople di~ not feel it ~ ._?ut of ~,~ ~ ~ua~lon made-up, ~ ~,__ ~ - ~ was an ~'~- ~assandra ~ol~ ~ ~__ .~-.~u3 ~.~nager Chenev at ~h~, ~ ~ ~ ~= ~ouncl±, but the City cannot~just-~;;p~' co±~ecting. He said City Manager Cheney 'commented s~ch ~n r to Mr. Cassandra,s memo (that ~1~ nna : .... ' esponse · ~ ~,uuu ~s going into a fund). What Mr. Cassandra was saying was that instead of increasing the Sanitation Fund this year, why not take part of that $1.50, which was for the Replacement Fund, and use it for revenue. He said that was a recommendation, Which is a:ldecision the Council will have to make. Therefore, Mr. Cassandra said it would not hurt the City this year as a part of all of the increases proposed as far as water and sewer are concerned. Mr.. Cassandra agreed that an increase is probably needed in the Utility Fund but found it hard to see why the City needs $2,157 000 · ncrease in revenue. He found this hard because: ' (1) Mr. Cassandra read a quote in the newspaper that said, "The - 12 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 City's water and sewer system last year showed a net profit of $807,237 and not a deficit." Mr. Cassandra said i--~-was explained what the numerical mistake was there. (2.) .The second quote said, "The City auditors recently determined that the Utility Fund shows an $807,.237 profit last year in earn- ings, and $869,733 in interest. The City is in good shape, Swann and Cheney say." Mr. Cassandra asked if the City was in good shape last year, how come all of a sudden we need 54%. Mr. Cassandra told the Council these are questions they must evaluate and consider. He agreed that the City does need an increase, but he did not agree that the City needs a 54% increase. In the General Fund, Mr. Cassandra said the City normally has appropriated funds that are carried over from years, if not spent. If not, in the process, kept in the budget-the following year ~by request during a Council Meeting. Mr. Cassandra wondered why the City does not have such an appropriate fund in Utility. In 1982, $210,000 was allocated for water meterS expenditures, of which only $100,000 was spent of the budget to date. Mr. Cassandra asked where the other $110,000 is. He asked if it should not be shown as an appropriate fund - a carry over. 'The depreciation and amortization of some of the equipment the City has in capital outlay or some of those monies could be used for capital replacement, Mr. Cassandra believed, since it was put in that fund to replace this equipment. With all this type of questions, Mr. Cassandra felt the City could probably reduce the Utility Fund by $300,000 in the following manner: (Me thought there was an oversight on page 267 on "Hydrants Charge", line 35. Mr. Cassandra told City Manager Cheney that his total sum of $7,700,000 does not carry $78,560 for fire hydrants. He said if City Manager Cheney would look at his column on "City Manager Recommended", it is not i~ that total. Mr. Cassandra said it is an oversight that gives the City that much more money.) Mr. Cassandra advised that it is not an oversight. Under Department 331, Mr. Cassandra noted the Council has tentatively approved a new pump as a surplus pump, which is $5,000. Department 332 has a 1/2 ton pickup truck, He asked if we need it. Mr. Cassandra further asked if the City can put off painting the tower for one more year. The cost is $20,000. Mr. Cassandra questioned whether the City can reduce the new water meters $110,000. He reminded the Council that in 1980 and 1981, the Council had a budget of $210,000, and this year they had a budget of $210,000 for water meters. Mr. Cassandra asked if the City had the work force to replace all of these water meters regardless, so why shelf stock them if the City needs the monies for its budget. Department 333 also has a 3/4 ton truck for $8,000. Department 334 - 13 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 has trucks; Department 351 - a truck; 352 ~ sedans, hatch back, and a 1/2 ton truck, and Mr. Cassandra said this comes out to approxi- matelY $300,000. Mr. Cassandra only brought this up because of the large increase. If the City is going to hit the citizens with an increase is needed, Mr. Cassandra told the Council to "let it be in small pills instead of one big mouthful that might choke us." In conclusion, Mr. Cassandra told the Council that if they are going to reduce expenditures, then reduce expenditures. He said, "Let's not buy $300,000 like last year, out of the air. Let's use that new revenue, if there is any, to reduce the ad valorem tax that the people may pay. If we do all of this, I feel that the utility tax will be lower. If you do what I recommended in the General Fund, the millage will be around 4.8. That is another reduction. If all of this is d'one,-I believe the citizens of Boynton Beach will be satisfied with ~the functions of this City Council. There was applause. City Manager Cheney said there were comments that he could go into with Mr. Cassandra. He replied to Mr. Cassandra's question as to why there is no surplus at the end in regard to.the water meters. City Manager Cheney explained that accounting principles and procedures for utility funds (enterprise funds, as they are called) are different than general funds. The City cannot, under accounting principles, carry over reserve funds in the utility system. They get reappropriated, City Manager Cheney advised. That is why you do not see the reappropriated balance. It just does not work that way, Anything not spent that is budgeted in the Utility Fund goes into the retained earnings for that fund, City Manager Cheney informed Mr. Cassandra, which is really a business accounting principle, and that is how business is function- ing. That retained earnings in the fund is very good, City Manager Cheney ~told Mr. Cassandra. City Manager Cheney further said that the newspaper article of he believed a year ago that Mr. Cassandra referred to was a little out of date, City Manager Cheney said he said it then and he said it two weeks ago, that not the annual operating fund in the utility system is getting income to pay for annual operations. The fund into which all of the payments go, which is the fund the City uses for capital expansion, is where the depreciation money goes, and that is where the City currently has an obligation of over $2,000,000 to come out of retained earnings for projects that are on line (not projects for new development because those are pretty much self-supporting), City Manager Cheney continued. He said that comes out of retained earnings. For example, City Manager Cheney said, "Take your water meter. We budgeted 'X' dollars of water meters last year. Most of that is for new water meters for development, and we have a revenue. If you look on that same page under 'Revenue', you will see 'Water Meter Sales, Water Connection Fees' or whatever it is called. So we put in a new water meter, we get payment for that. If we didn't put in those water meters, we don't get payment for it, and we didn't but all those water meters. We only buy enough water - 14 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 meters for the development taking place, plus some replacement pro- gram. Therefore, we didn't spend that money last year because development didn't take place that demanded that we spend that money. We didn't spend that money, but we didn't get the revenue to offset it. If we spend that money budgeted this-year for water meters, there will be a revenue that offSets it, so that balances itself out." City Manager Cheney continued by saying, "And if we didn't budget for those new water meters this year, and you'still have develop- ment, you are still going to have to amend the budget to get it." He advised that is a washout item, except for replacement. City Manager Cheney said they could sit down and talk about the trucks that should be replaced, but each department head could now tell, and he could at another time, what the trucks are used for. City Manager Cheney stated that the City does have a lot of trucks but they have a lot of people in the City working, and the City does not have surplus vehicles. City Manager Cheney said the 54% increase woUld really make the Operating Fund self supporting. If you take out that $200,000 for meters, City Manager Cheney said you are going to take out $200,000 of income for meter sales, so you come right down to the same point. If they do not raise the rates 54%, City Manager Cheney said the Council has aked him to rethink what the City can do about that. He gave the Council a sheet to suggest that maybe this year they raise it 35%. City Manager Cheney informed every- one that the difference will come out of the~retained earnings, and the City will be able to carry on the Utility Fund but they will be operating the Operating Fund for another year at. a deficit position. It does not mean that the City's whole system is in trouble, City Manager Cheney advised. He emphasized that it is not, but he added that he cannot let it continue without rasing these questions. Hopefully, City Manager Cheney said they can raise it 35% this year. Then the City will see where it stands next year, but City Manager Cheney said they cannot rely on taking it out of the retained earnings because then'they would not have that kind of backup for the capital expansion of the system. Most of the money that comes in from the City's capital facility charges goes into that retainer account, and that is used for construction. For example, City Manager Cheney referred to the new million gallon water tank Ghat is being built on Woolbright. He said it comes out of that source. He said the City wants to keep that retainer fUnd in good shape so that when the 'City goes for a bond issue, which they will have to do for the new water plant very soon, the City will have a solid foundation for that bond issue. The six new wells the City is about to drill to complete the development for the existing water plant will come out of that retained earnings fund. That is about $900,000, City Manager Cheney told the Council. He continued by saying, that is because - 15 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 the fund, on an operating basis over the years, has been self supporting, and the City has been able to build .up that retained earnings operation. City Manager Cheney mentioned the fire hydrants. He advised that the City used to make a charge in the General Fund for fire hydrants and then put that money in the Utility Fund. It had always been done that way. City Manager Cheney said the City realized that that becomes an inequity for Boynton Beach citizens compared to users of the City's utility system outside of the City. He informed everyone that the City'is merely charging the cost of up- keep of fire hydrants in the Utility Fund because mostly, they are there as a part of the water syst'em, instead of that transfer up into the General Fund. What that means, City Manager Cheney explained, is that amount of money that used to be the General Fund for which they pay taxes is no longer there. The General Fund ad valorem taxes are not supporting it. He explained that the reason the City did that is they have a problem collecting that meter charge from users of the water system outside the City because there is nobody to charge. There is no organization, and the surrounding fire departments will not pay that charge. City Manager Cheney advised that has been a Court issue. Some of the condominiums have an agreement that they pay it, City Manager Cheney stated, but there are a lot of fire hydrants out there where there is no condominium association and there is no- body to collect that $75 per fire hydrant from. He said you can try to get it from all the neighboring property owners, but by the time you sPread that out (.$75 among five or six property owners), you have spent a lot of money trying to collect it. City Manager Cheney reiterated that the City puts it into the Utility Fund. That way everybody, whether they are in the City or not in the City on the utility system, pays their share of the fire hydrant charge. If you don't live in the City, you pay 125% of your share, so City Manager Cheney called attention to the fact that seemed like the reasonable, sensible way to solve the problem for that fire hydrant charge. That is why it is not an oversight at all, he told Mr. Cassandra, although he realized it was an area where he did not explain that. When the proposal was made for the 54% increase, Councilman deLong said he did object and he thought it should be in the neighborhood, and so stated, of about.30%. Councilman deLong felt that a 35% increase was a good compromise. Mayor Trauger too read the comments and concurred with Mr. Cassandra that the City.try to raise it gradually all in one stump. He knows the City needs the money for that, both to keep the fund solvent and the bond protection. From the analysis that he read through yesterday of the 30-35%, it seemed absolutely feasible to Mayor Trauger at a point, but he granted that it is putting the City a little behind. Mayor Trauger believed that was part of the risk that the City will have to take with this without impacting too heavily on the taxes of the citizens. - 16 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 City Manager Cheney wished to comment on the Sanitation Fund because that was another one that Mr. Cassandra rasied questions about. When the City made that change a year ago, theH attempted to move the sanitation collection program into a self supporting position, and that is when they went to $4.50. The City did not automatically set the $1.50 aside for the vehiCle replacement, but they set money aside which had never been done before. City Manager Cheney advised that the City has imprOved its equiPment, which has saved a lot of time and cut down the City's maintenance expenses. This year, the City has taken a look at that again. It was not quite self supporting two years ago, but this year you can't charge that to the sanitation page, which is the total of those costs charged directly to Sanitation, City Manager Cheney~ advised. He also included a cost for vehicle maintenance, which is in the Vehicle Maintenance Budget, and utility building, which is in the Utility Building Budget. City Manager Cheney made a list of where all the funds came from. He did not know whether Mr. Cassandra had them or not. With this adjustment and, as Councilman deLong said the other night, Boynton Beach is still lower than most of them., City Manager admitted it was not the rationale to do it but said it is a comparison. He thought the Sanitation Fund is truly self-supporting and ~s not a burden on the ad valorem taxes. That is what City Manager Cheney hoped to see has happened. City-Manager Cheney stated that because the City has caught up on the vehicles, they are putting less money into vehicle replacement. It will continue to be that way. City Manager Cheney told Mr. Cassandra his suggestion of.$100,000 is exactly what the City had not put in this year under the vehicle rePlacement fund. Mr. Cassandra said he used City Manager Cheney's -iuStifications. The material that the Council got last week with the ordinance had that chart on it, City Manager Cheney explained. He told Mr. Cassandra he would get him a copy of it. Councilman Wright asked what posture the City would be in next year with the increases on water and sewer rates of 35% that City Manager Cheney is now recommending. Mayor Trauger questioned whether Councilman Wright meant'the position the fund would be in then. Councilman Wright meant the entire Utility Department. As Mayor Trauger saw it, they will just about break even, but not quite. City Manager Cheney said there will be a transfer of funds from the retained earnings of about $800,000 for one year. Vice Mayor Warnke complimented Mr. Cassandra on the tremendous amount of work he put on this. He said the City has lost some control over the sewers because the City is working jointly with the City of Delray Beach on the sewer treatment plant, and their costs have gone up tremendously to keep down the odors. Vice Mayor Warnke pointed out that the new and larger garbage trucks that the Council approved las~ week are going to eliminate trash collections, so it will cut down on time. The utility rates in the retaining funds the City has now keep the City from being in the same position that Delray is in this week, having to drill new wells and not having any money to do it with, Vice Mayor Warnke - 17 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 pointed out. He said Delray Beach is in serious trouble, and their bond rates are going to be in trouble. By keeping the rates high enough, Boynton Beach can prevent that Vice Mayor Warnke told everyone. ' As far as replacement of police cars, where after two years the City has to replace them, Vice Mayor Warnke thouqht that was very well justified On an emergency baSis to have goo~ equipment. If you have two or thr:ee year old cars and they blow a .gasket or transmission in hot pursuit, it would be a pretty limited dis- advantage, Vice Mayor Warnke pointed out. Mayor Trauger asked City Manager Cheney to answer Councilman W ° ! ' r~ght s question' C~ty Manager Cheney anticipated that the f~r {r?~.the retaine~ e~nin~S..!~tO the ~at±nH ~ .... ~ ~. trans- aDout $440,000. He said th~ CiG ..... 3 ~ ~uu ~ransIer t~a~ except month to month as they need to. It was hard for City Manager Cheney to be much more precise than that because it is hard to predict Precisely.what the water consumption~will~be next year and how much the City will be producing. He also pointed out that the City has not had any experience yet on the sewer charge change, but that is what he thought it would be based on the estimates the City has now. When the City gets into next year!s budget, City Manager Cheney Said they will look at it again. If costs stay down and the consumption continues to go up and the chemical prices stay as they should, City Manager Cheney advised the City may not need to go to, the total in two years of 54. He said the City will see where that stands. Mayor Trauger asked Councilman Wright if that answered his ques- tion - that from the Council's viewpoint and the recommendation that City Manager Cheney made on that comment sheet that the City have 30-35%, they.would assure the people that the City is not going to sabotage them on the taxes. He asked the Councilmembers if they felt the Council should reasonably state that. Councilman deLong stated that he spoke his feelings. He opposed the 54%. Councilman deLong said other people who have more wisdom and experience than he said 35%. He commented that it was a compromise and fair. Mayor Trauger said they would try to live with that proposition and try to settle that as far as the hearing was concerned. Cele Engel, 506 S. E. 1st Avenue, BOynton'~Beach, referred to her furnitUre being taxed at $241.00. Mayor Trauger presumed that was personal property taxes. He told her that was not done by the City but was a personal property assessment levied by Palm Beach County. Under taxes proposed for budget changes made, Ms. Engel noted it - 18 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 said "City $1.46." City Manager advised that the level of what it is based on is set by the County. He advised Ms. Engle if she maintains the assessed valUe of $241.00 is too high, she should go to the County. If they reduce it, what she will pay the City in taxes will be reduced. Mayor Trauger informed her it is based on the valuation she put on the personal property, and she has to do that every year. Ms. Engle hoped City Manager Cheney will have them in mind when he makes up his budget. She referred to the swale they talked about at 425 West Ocean.Avenue. _Ms. Engle reminded City Manager Cheney he said he would include that in his budget, which is supposed to be in October. Mildred L. Cooner, 429 West Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, feels she is over taxed. The City tax last year was $76.7'6. This year it is $110.52. Ms. Cooner stated this is a 1950 vintage home, and she is the second owner. Ms. Cooner said there was a change in the assessed valuation of over $14,000. City Manager Cheney noted she had a $25,000 exemption this year. He noted that she had a major reassessment of about 48%, which is a large percentage. On the average, City Manager Cheney said taxpayers should pay less taxes this year because of what happened in the rollback rate. He told her she should go and sit down with the County Property Assessor's office and ask them why her taxes went up. Louis Ghigna, 1302 S. W. 16th Street, Boynton Beach, Florida accepts the realities of inflation.- He .asked why the City of Boynton Beach proposes to use zero dollars for further property tax deductions. Mr-. Ghigna referred'to an ad in the paper. City Manager Cheney exPlained that the language in the paper was prescribed by the legislature when they passed the law this last year on sales tax. He reminded Mr. Ghigna that the sales tax went up this year from 4% to 5%. Of that increase, City Manager Cheney told Mr. Ghigna half of that is being kept by the State and 1/2 is going to local govern- ment. Of that 1/2 that is going to local government~ it is shared by the County and the cities on a formula basis. In return for getting that sales tax as a source of income, which was done for the purpose of giving property tax relief, City Manager Cheney said that the legislature required that 40% of the money Boynton Beach was to get in sales tax had to be used to reduce the rollback rate below what it would have been. City Manager Chen~y said the Council does not have any choice. The Council cannot go above that aggregage rollback rate because there is no choice in property taxes. In fact, the amount of income the City is getting this year from property tax and sales tax is about the same'.amount the City got in increased property taxes in the two previous years. City Manager Cheney said the Council is required to say what they are doing with the sales tax that they get. The Legislature has - 19 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, t982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 required the City to make that statement. City Manager Cheney said the ad says that, as required, $400,000 of that Million Dollar sales tax is being uSed to ~reduce property taxes. City Manager Cheney reiterated that the legislature told the City to tell the people that, and that is what the City is doing. The legislature also said if the City is using any more of that to reduce property taxes, to say that. If the City is not using any more than that, say that. What the notice says is that the City is using $400,000 to reduce property taxes, so City Manager explained, the City is not using any more of that money to reduce property taxes. That is the reason it is there and that is the fact. , Mr. Ghigha asked, "Why not?" He believed the City was required a minimum of that 40% and the City is not prevented from using it all if need be. City Manager Cheney said this is the issue before the Council. When he prepares the budget, he makes a recommendation to the Council. When he did that, City Manager Cheney felt in looking at the needs of'the City and where the City is going that the City needed that money (taking a look at the library, Police, Fire, and.all of these other-things) and that they ought to be spending that money for City programs. If the City does not spend those dollars, City Manager Cheney said the City will have to do some reductions in programs that he did not think reflected what he thought the people in the City want. He told Mr. Ghigha he could tell the Council how he would like to reduce some of those programs and, therefore, they will use some of that money to reduce property taxes. The main reason Mr. Ghigha felt it was incumbent to come to the hearing was because it said to use the $603,000 and some odd dollars for enhancing public services. Mr. Ghigha did not want to be curt but he thought that was about as ambiguous a way to put it as he could imagine. City Manager Cheney responded that the phrase "e - , nnance public services" is a phrase that is in the State Statute, and the State Statute says that the City has to use that language. City Manager Cheney agreed with Mr..Ghigha. He said the City was ready to discuss with Mr. Ghigha what the services are but the- phrase is not the City's language. It is the legislature's language. Mr. Ghigha stated that we are all susceptible to pressure from different groups. He said he loses faith in the way the Council puts it when they put it that.way. Again, City Manager Cheney repeated that it is not the City's language. It left Mr. Ghigha with the impression that, "We have some money here that we have to get rid of or when the time comes~ we will decide what to do with it." He thought it was a very poor approach. City Manager Cheney pointed out that the legislature that passed the sales tax told the City to use that language, so they used it. From City Manager Cheney's point of view, Mr. Ghigha's statement, - 20 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 "We've got that money. Let's see how we can use it," was not how he approached making the budget. City Manager Cheney said there are 300 pages in the budget book of what the programs are that the City is proposing to do. When you add up the programs and then cut them back and adjust them, it is not a matter of, "We've got the money. Let's see what we can do with it." City Manager Cheney said it is a matter of what services they are providing for the City. City Manager Cheney told the people if they do not want programs, they should tell the City what programs they do not want. It is not a grab bag. Mr. Ghigha commented that there are a million things various people and various groups would like to have, but the question remains, "Where do you draw the line?" He asked if the Council was going by those who draw the biggest pressure and if it was a logical question. As a County employee, 'Councilman Wright said it becomes the responsibility of all the division department heads to make a request (for example in the County Government) to their Adminis- trator in terms of what they need to operate what programs they feel are crucial to sat~fy some of their needs. He said this is just what has been done with the department heads in the City. They made a request of the City Manager. Some City Manager Cheney did not grant approval for them to even bring them to the Council. There were others that City Manager Cheney felt were legitimate and he wanted the Council to consider them. This is what the Council hears, Councilman Wright explained. When they are working on a daily basis, people are telling them continually that they need this, that and the other. When they decide to recommed a budget, they have taken into consideration the needs of the community, Councilman Wright continued. Now it is up to the CoUncil, as City Manager Cheney said, to determine waht they would like to do in terms of the budget. Councilman'Wright told the people the Council needs to know from them whether there are some things they would like to do but do not need to, ~then they could just-cut them back. Mr. Ghigha thought that Monday morning the City would have a line at the door wanting to share the money. City Manager Cheney advised that the money is all appropriated. He said there is 12 Million Dollars of expenditures proposed in this budget and 12 Million DOllars of income. That $600,000 is all a part of this, City Manager Cheney told Mr. Ghigha. That $400,000 is used to reduce the property taxes next year. Mayor Trauger pointed out that departments operate and need things much as the people do in their homes. He used buying clothes and car expenses as an example and added, "All of these cost money from a limited budget, so it becomes a matter of trying to see where is the greatest need to satisfy that and prioritize that in line with other departments. That is what the City Manager has done in the proposed budget." He said they have heard from M~. - 21 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 Cassandra and other people as to how the money should be spent. Taking the input from the people today, Mayor Trauger said the City Council will then have to deliberate and say, "Are our priorities correct and in the amount with which we can. allocate funds without placing an undue burden upon the taxpayer?" He said the people have relief from the extra sales tax, but on the other hand, who paid that extra sales tax to put that money there in the first place? The people did. Mayor Trauger had no other forms filled out but noted other people wished to speak. He said they could come forward and address the Council. Harold G. Werger, 719 N. W. 7th Court, Boynton Beach, said some years ago they arbitrarily raised the valuation percentage (he forgot what percentage~ of the property all over the County. When they did that, Mr. Werger said the millage rate was reduced but not in proportion, and the people absorbed the additional taxes. Mr. Werger felt that now the County is getting shrewd. They take one group of property and raise it. Mr. Werger said lots were raised 100% this year, and he has a lot that was raised 200% in valuation. He told the Council they do not set the millage down in proportion to those few lots. They are going to set the millage in proportion to all of the property valuation. Mr. Werger stated that some of the lots in Laurel Hills were raised 100%. He said there was no way the Council was going to reduce the millage by 1/3rd. Mayor Trauger informed Mr. Werger that the County is required to reassess all property every two years. They hit part of it one year and part of it the next. In two years, Mayor Trauger said all Should be equated, and then they start the cycle all over again. Vice Mayor Warnke said his assessment went up 68% this year but he could not complain to the County because it still is not up to the total valuation, which the law requires, of 100%. If he goes to the County and says he wants it reduced, ViCe Mayor Warnke said the County will ask what it is worth, and they may raise it again. By law, Vice Mayor Warnke pointed out they have to assess it 100%. ' Tom Plummer, 1314 S. W. 25th Place, Boynton Beach, could not under- stand why in~1979'the City had so much taX dOllarsbased upon the appraised value of property throughout the City. When Dave Reid was Property Appraiser, he did not have it 100%. The City got so many millions of dollars then. In 1981, the City a tremendous increase in money. The City spent that money. Mr. Werger asked what that money was spent for which was not spent before because the City did not have so much. This year, Mr. Werger pointed out, the City is getting another increase. The City is also putting a 54% increase in~ utility rates. Mr. Werger thought it was grossly unfair to the people because the City does not give the people 54% more of service but is trying to build up something for the future. Mr. Wergerthough~the Council already hit onlthe~th~jng. He thought~_m~bethe - 22 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 Council should consider reducing that amd gradually increase it. to provide the essentials that the City needs now. If the City needs two more wells, Mr. Plumme~ advised the Council to get money for that, but to not try and do it'all at one time. Mr. Pt .u~me.r knew for a fact that the water tower tank storage facility at 15th Avenue (~Woolbright) and Congress was donated to the City at no cost to the City. He said considerable time and effort was spent on building the tank, and "Lord ~knows" when it is going to be completed. Just like the expansion of Seacrest, it takes years and years to get anything done around 'here Mr. Plummet commented. · Mr. ~1~ stated that his taxes have gone up $400, maybe $500 in the last two years, and he is not getting anything else from the County or the City. He asked what they are doing with that money. About a year or so ago, when they started talking .about building up the recreation center on South Congress, they were proposing to put in a foot bridge, as they'call it, across the canal and back of 28th Avenue. Mr. Ptun~er thought somewhere around $20,000 or $25,000 was going to be spent for that.. He said the bridge was not needed and is not needed today, but.they are working on it. Mr. Plummet stays away from it, because it is a sore subject with him. Mr. Plun~ner suggested to City Manager Cheney that he work with the City or County (or whoever is involved~ and take the money from that and put a foot bridge or bike path bridge across the canal at 25th Avenue. He thought the word was that, "Well, we can't do that. We have to use it where the people want it." Mr. Plun~ner stated that that bridge is only going to serve the people of Golfview Harbor. People from the other part of town are not going to go through Golfview Harbor to go· across that little foot bridge. Mr. Pl%mm~_r asked where they are going to park their cars. To him, that was a waste of money. Mr. Plun~er said the things that should be looked at are the essential things, and the way the City spends its money. Do we really need it? .Is it going to benefit the population as a whole? Can we use that money better some place else? Mr. Plummet thought that money could be used some place else. Mr. Plummet thought that in the past, the Mayor was one of the strong advocates for bike paths throughout the City. Right now he thought most of the bike paths in the southend of the town are in a shambles. Mr. Plu~ner~ asked who is going to pay to clean those things up and maintain them. The City fathers, police, and whoever is involved allow construction, people, utility people, and others 'to damage and deface those bike paths so the people on bicycles cannot even ride through them safely. - 23 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 To Mr. P'lu~m~r,~the Codes Enforcement Board is another waste. He asked the Council to recall that about two or three years ago, he was hammering at the Council to get the City cleaned up through the Codes Enforcement Board. Mr. Werger stated, "That person has an office. She gets a salary." Mrl Plun~er did not think the City needs that. He told the Council they have people who are directors and department heads within the City government; they have the City Manager, Councilmen, and other people. Mr. Plunmer said they can see where these things are needed, and they can refer it to some central point, and let them pick it up from there. Mr. Plu~aner pointed out that the City has a City Attorneyl They should put him to work and let him file liens against these people that don't clean up their properties. Mr. Plun~er advised that he lives in a neighborhood that is relatively new, and they like to keep it clean, but the people there are like the people everywhere else. They are going to do anything they can get away with, and they are doing it. Mr. Pl~m~r said he has three lots on S. W. 12th Street he is trying to maintain, and he has one heck of a job doing it. Mr. Plun~ner thought if the City was going to spend the tax dollars, they should.give the people something for them. He told the CoUncil to look at the ordinances, for instance. If those ordinances are going to be in effect, Mr. Plurm~r.? said they should find some way to enforce them. If you cannot enforce them 100%, you should take them off the books~ he continued. It is a waste of time to have those ordinances on the books. People do not know what they are anyway. People do not know how to interpret the thing. It is Only the City's interpretation that they have to go by anyway. Mr. P.lum~_r urged the Council to look at these things that are going to cost money and find out if they can do away with them. Councilman deLong was under the impression that no position was created for anyone under the Codes Enforcement Board. He said it was an extra assignment that was given to the Chief Building Inspector, but there was no increase in wages for anybody. What Mr. Plummer is referring to,~ City Manager Cheney explained, is that Dorothy Moore works for the City and primarily dOes the enforcement and notification work. Councilman deLong pointed out that Mrs. Moore wor.ked for the City before the Board. City Manager confirmed that and said the Board came afterwards. Councilman deLong thought the bridge was the County. City Manager Cheney affirmed that was a County expenditure. He said the issue of where that bridge should go in was specifically discussed at the Golfview Harbor Homeowners Association on two occasions° Obviously, not everybody was there, but there were many there, and some people were opposed to it and some people were in favor of it. City Manager Cheney said the County made a presentation about that bridge, discussed it, and had plans. The vote of those people who participated in the Golfview Harbor Homeowners Association, of - 24 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 which Mr. Plummer is the former President, voted in favor of the bridge, City Manager Cheney informed the Council. That did not mean everybody wanted it, but they voted in favor of it, City Manager. Cheney said. He said it will be used by bicyclists from Leisureville, who will be bicycling across that bridge into the park. City Manager Cheney advised that the problem with bike paths on Congress Avenue is that there are some bridges out over the canal, and to put them in is Very expensive. It makes sense not to put them in until Congress Avenue and that area are widened, and they can go in as a part of widening Congress Avenue. City Manager Cheney said that many of the citizens in Golfview Harbor with children have hHpes that their children can go from that family residential neighborhood to the park without going onto Congress Avenue, even if there is a bike path on Congress Avenue. He told everyone that bridge is really a joint planning project between the City and the County and'was supported by a majority of the neighborhood who wanted it. Leonard W. Kanonik appeared before the Council again to say he is five houses away from that bridge. He told the Councilmembers to take a ride out there and see the "For Sale" signs coming up as the bridge is being built. Mr. Kanonik remarked, ~ ,That,s what the people think of the bridge in their neighborhood." City Manager Cheney called attention to the fact that a lot of people did not come out to the hearing either. Dee Zibelli, 440 Ocean Parkway, Boynton Beach, was not disagree- ing with the former person who was talking in reference to Code Enforcement Officers because Dorothy Moore, for one person, does a fantastic job in this large city. Mrs. Zibelli stated that Mrs. Moore has been doing a good job in the northend. Mrs. Zibelli hoped the City would get other people deputized for Code Enforcement Officers, because she believed that the City needs more. Mrs. Zibelli said it was not a question of somebody call- ing in every day because they see something piled up. She pointed out that can get very overbearing also. City Manager Cheney replied that~what, the City hoped, since they introduced the ordinance, is to change the sanitatiOn collection program to pick up trash and garbage together~. He said the City 'hopes 'that will eliminate the question of Piles around the City. Mrs. Zibelli said it is very rough on Mrs. Moore, with the buses and trucks and everything. If the City can eliminate the trash piles, Mr. Cheney felt they would have leSs of that kind of problem and Mrs. Moore can spend more time on the other kind of CHdes Enforcement things. Mrs. Zibelli asked, "So you don't have an extra Codes Enforcement Officer in the budget?" City Manager Cheney answered that we have one in the budget, but the one we have in the budget is a Codes Enforcement and Rehabilitation Inspector. He is replacing an employee who has been here through~Coun%y funding up until October 1 (Charles Carey). City Manager Cheney said the County is taking - 25 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 that position back because of their Million Dollar funding problem. The City is going to pick that position up in their budget because the City needs it, City Manager Cheney. He said-.the City needed Charles Carey, and they need a replacement. City Manager Cheney said the City will still have him working and maybe we can have more production. Mrs. Zibelli reiterated that it is needed. City Manager Cheney advised that the City is not going behind, but it is costing money to stay where the City was. Lottie Pierce, 203 N. E. llth Avenue, Boynton Beach, wanted to know if Dorothy Moore is enforcing the Codes, what about N. E. llth. She asked if that was Mrs. MoOre's territory. City Manager Cheney answered that the whole City is Mrs. Moore's territory. Mrs. Pierce wanted to know why the City could not get the junk cleaned up betweenlOth and ltth. City Manager Che~ey believed that was pending before the Codes Enforcement Board and is in the hearing process. He said it has been cited and is before the Board for hearing. City Manager Cheney believed it went to hearing, and the Board ordered it to be cleaned up, He said if it is not cleaned up, the City. will ultimately puti'a lien on that piece of property. Mrs. Pierce asked how lon'~ it takes. She stated that it has been about six months. Mayor Trauger informed Mrs. Pierce that this was not a part of the budget proceeding. He said the City would reply to her directly. Mrs. Pierce asked who would take care of it. Mayor Trauger informed her that City Manager Cheney will reply, and Councilman Wright will follow up to make sure they get a reply. Mrs. Pierce talked about her taxes and said on property at 137 N. E. llth Avenue, her taxes went from $517,43 to $662.47, and the property is 35 years old. With the 1% sales tax, Mrs. Pierce asked the Council to remember that they have some more projects coming up in 1982 and 1983. Mayor Trauger asked if anyone else wished to comment on the budget. Councilman deLong moved~ to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilmenlber Woolley. The motion carried 5-0. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 10:50 A. M. AND MAYOR TRAUGER ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE A 10 MINUTE RECESS. The meeting reconvened at 11:05 A. M. Before getting to the point of "LEGAL" on the Agenda, Mayor Trauger said there are two recommendations that come to the Publicity Fund as an increase. Under the Publicity Fund, under the Council's deliberations, Mayor Trauger said there were two requests for increases in the - 26 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 Publicity Fund. One was for $1,000 increase for music background at the next 4th of July celebration. The other was an increase of $1,500 for the Chamber of Commerce as increased costs of publicity for the City for maps, etc. That makes the total to the Chamber of Commerce $13,500.00, Mayor Trauger informed the Council. He talked to several members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce will furnish to the City Council summary information from their Board actions so that the City Council is fully~cognizant of the work of the Chamber of Commerce and that they are in concert with each other. As already mentioned in the stipulation but not into the agree- ment of contract with the"Chamber of Commerce is that the City Council feels no portion of this money shall be used for political action committees of any type, Mayor Trauger advised. Councilman deLong moved that $1,000 increase for music background and $1,500 increase for the Chamber of Commerce be approved with the stipulation Mayor Trauger mentioned above. Councilmember Woolley seconded the motion. Councilman Wright understood Mayor Trauger's stipulation but he thought there were quite a few professional people in the Chamber who are highly respected community citizens who would not use the City's funds for any reason. A ~ote was taken on ~the motion, and the motion carried 5~0, LEGAL Resolutions Mayor Trauger announced that this-~is the legal~ResolutiOh that must be passed by law. Proposed Resolution No. 82-LLL Re: Adopting a Tentative Budget for the Fiscal Year 1982-1983; Adopting a Proposed Aggregate Millage Rate for the Fiscal Year 1982-1983; Instructing Publication of a Notice of Final Hearing for Adoption of Budget and Setting a Hearing Date for the Final Adoption of Budget (September 20, 1982 - 7:30 P. M.) City Attorney Vance read proposed Resolution No. 82-LLL by title only: "RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING ~A Tf~V~AT~ BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1982-1983; ADOPTING A PROPOSED AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE FISCAL WEAR 1982-1983; INSTRUCTING PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING FOR ADOPTION OF B~ AND SAmlTING A HEARING DATE FOR THE FINAL ADOPTION OF City Attorney Vance asked the Council to note that on page 2 of this Resolution in Section 2, there is a blank. He stated the - 27 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 number to fill in is 5.1822. (Proposed Tentative Aggregate Millage. Rate) Councilman deLong moved the adoption of proposed Resolution No. 82-LLL, seconded by Councilmember Woolley. City Manager CheneY advised that this is a proposed aggregate millage rate. It will be advertised again in the paper on Monday, September 13, 1982, and there will be a public hearing on the 20th again on this whole issue. He stated that the City has to have two public hearings, so there would be another hearing on Monday night, September 20, 1982 at 7:30 P. M. At the request of Mayor Trauger, Betty Boroni, Deputy Clerk, took a roll call vote on the motion: Councilman deLong Mayor Trauger Vice Mayor Warnke Councilmember Woolley Councilman Wright Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Motion carried 5-0. Ordinances - First Reading Proposed Ordinance No. 82-30 Re: Stating the Aggregate Millage Rate to be Levied Against Property Owners Within the City for the 1982-1983 Fiscal Year; Providing that the City. Manager Shall Have the Authority to Adjust the Aggregate Millage Rate Upon Receipt of the Final Tax Roll; Providing for an Effective Date and for Other Purposes° City Attorney Vance read proposed Ordinance No. 82~30 by title only: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOYNTCN ~EACH, FLORIDA, STATING THE AGGRDGATE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEV/ED AGAINST PROPER~Y OWNERS WITH/N THE CITY FOR THE 1982-1983 FISCAL YEAR; P~0VIDING T~AT THE CITY MANAGER SHALL HAVE THE A33THORITY TO ADJUST THE AGGREGATE M/7.IAGE RATE UPON RECEIi:~. OF THE FINAL TAX ROLL; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." City Attorney Vance. said there was a blank on page 1, Section 1 of the Ordinance which would be identical to the above Resolution. He said it. was 5.1822 (aggregate millage rate). Councilman deLong moved to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 82-30 on first reading, seconded by Councilmember Woolley. City Manager Cheney commented that the Resolution the Council just adopted is required by State Statute~of the'~rimLaw,-He said the. two Ordinances they are now discussing are required by the City Code for budget adoption. City Manager Cheney said the City had two MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 regulations they have to go by - the State Statute and our local ordinances. He informed everyone that these ordinances will have their second reading at the next Council meeting, which is September 21st, although the next public hearing on the budget is September 20th. Mayor Trauger requested Mrs. Boroni, Deputy Clerk, to take a roll call vote on the motion: Mayor Trauger Vice Mayor Warnke Councilmember Woolley Councilman Wright Councilman deLong Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Motion carried 5-0. Proposed Ordinance No. 82-31 Re: Adopting a Final Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 1982 and Ending September 30, 1983; P~o~iding fo'r an E'ffectiVe D~ate and For Other Purposes City Attorney Vance filled in the blanks of the Ordinance as follows: Page 1, Section 2: The appropriated sum should be $12,'32.2,~50.'00. In Section 3, on page 2, the appropriation to the Water and Sewer Utility Fund should be '$5,'288,'5'9'9~.~0~0, In Section 4, the figure should be $9'0'2,6~61.00 in the first blank. In the second blank under Section 4, the figure should be $1~,518,740.00. In the'third blank in Section 4, the number should be $2,~421,401~.00. In Section 5, the number should be $49,0'50~.00. In Section 6, the number should be $234',~73'5.00. In Section 7, the number should be $70,000.00. The blank in Section 8 should be $552,984.'00 City Attorney Vance read proposed Ordinance No. 82-31 by title only, on first reading: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BOYNTCN BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1982, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1983; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." Councilman deLong moved to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 82-31 on first reading only, seconded by Councilmember Woolley. - 29 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1982-1983 BUDGET BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1982 A roll call vote was taken on the motion by Mrs. Boroni, at the request of Ma~or Trauger: Vice Mayor Warnke Councilmember Woolley Councilman Wright Councilman deLong Mayor Trauger Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Motion carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was properly adjourned at 11:15 A. M. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH 7 Mayo~ --Q_~ ATTEST: .~~~~ Clerk Recording SeCtary (Two Tap~/ nci lmem~e~ - 30 -