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Minutes 01-13-14 MINUTES OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014, AT 6 :00 P.M., IN THE CITY LIBRARY, ROOM A 208 S. SEACREST BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steven Grant, Chair (Arrived 6 :29 p.m.) Tim Howard, Finance Director Jeffrey Grady, Vice Chair Gary Dunmyer Dolores Schlesselman Fakhry "Ed" Boulos 1. Call to Order • Should any members not be able to make the meeting; contact Tim Howard ( Howard T(a-)bbfl.us or (561) 742 -6311 by 1 pm Monday as the meeting may be cancelled for lack of a quorum. Vice Chair Grady called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. Roll call followed. A quorum was present. 2. Approval of December 9, 2013 Minutes Motion Mr. Dunmyer moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Schlesselman seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 3. Other Business a. Update from Chair on City Commission Meeting of January 7, 2014 In the absence of the Chair, Mr. Howard explained the agenda item containing various ideas for the Committee to research went before the City Commission and Chair Grant made a presentation. Commissioner Fitzpatrick suggested establishing a 501 (C) entity to assist other organizations in raising funds. b. List of Study Topics, including Commissioner suggested topic (Attached) Mr. Howard explained the City Commission was fine with the City Services Survey, review of vacant buildings /land and their potential uses and alternative energy sources. MEETING MINUTES FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 13, 2014 They did not discuss the analysis of the residential versus commercial tax base item so Mr. Howard left it on the matrix and the suggestion from Commissioner Fitzpatrick. The other suggestions were not discussed and were removed from the list. Ms. Schlesselman explained Chair Grant, in his presentation, was very clear about what the Committee had accomplished and what it is doing. It appeared some Commissioners did not understand the role of the Committee, but were open to the Committee taking suggestions and pursuing them. The City Services Survey was approved: The City Manager suggested the Committee work with the Communications Manager to market the survey since she also handles social media. The Mayor was interested in information about unused buildings. Carisse LeJeune, the Assistant City Manager, explained the _ _ - _ _ . - -• - - • _ • - ' Climate Action Plan (CAP) was approved but there were several projects in the Plan staff wanted to work. It was thought the Committee could assist staff with determining any of their financial projects. The Climate Action Plan was a general Plan, but there were sections pertaining to water, different energy sources and more, each having actions needing to be done. Some items were specific such as HVAC retrofitting and educational programming. The City Manager had suggested the Committee contact Carisse LeJeune, who oversees the Climate Action Plan. She would be familiar with the issues and goals. The Plan was created in 2008 and adopted by the City Commission. It is also on the City's website. It is a long -range plan to lower greenhouse gases. Ms. Schlesselman had reviewed the enabling Ordinance for the Committee and inquired if the non - profit was something they would work on from beginning to end. Mr. Howard thought the Committee could work on it and report back to the City Commission as it had not been reviewed by staff. Ms. Schlesselman asked what the City Commission would vote on when the Committee reviewed the initiative and if they would form a new committee. Mr. Howard understood the City Commission would task someone or group with establishing a 501 (C) 3 entity. They would have to put together the guidelines how it would be run. Mr. Howard noted funding was a concern for many cities because employees have restrictions as far as fundraising. Some cities have different solutions. SunFest was originally under the City of West Palm Beach when it started 25 years ago and it got to the point they could no longer expand the event because they could not obtain sponsorships, so they established an entity that administered SunFest. Pursuing this option was not uncommon, even in the military. Mr. Howard was uncertain whether an entity could be created that was broad enough to encompass the intent of the issue, or if it would be an umbrella over parks or events. (Chair Grant arrived 6:29 p.m.) 2 MEETING MINUTES FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 13, 2014 Chair Grant briefly conveyed to the City Commission the Committee needed guidance Y Y Y g from them. Commissioner Fitzpatrick had discussed a non - profit organization; however, Chair Grant learned the City has the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation as their non- profit umbrella. There was discussion about alternative energy and Carisse LeJeune was-reviewing-told Chair Grant the City has solar panels on Fire Station No. 5 and wind turbines in two retention ponds. - - - . . _ . _ _ _ . _ . _ •. _ --- - - Golf Course for alternative energy. The Financial Advisory Committee's main goal was to make recommendations to the City Commission. They can research alternative energy and talk to employees at the Golf Course. Vice Mayor Hay agreed vacant land and properties could be reviewed. A list would need to be drafted and parcels identified. He did not know if each member had their own topic, or one topic that would be split. Mr. Howard explained the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation was formed to help subsidize the Barrier Free Park on Congress Avenue. He did not know what the By- Laws indicated. It was intended to accept donations for future purchases of additional playground equipment at the Park. The first task would be to review how the Foundation was established. He suggested having one of the Board of Directors attend a meeting. Discussion followed the Foundation had one goal, which was the Barrier Free Park, but there could be others. Mr. Howard noted an Advisory Committee can approach the City Commission about other issues, while the City Services Survey was ongoing He recognized not all topics and ideas were associated the survey. As for the non - profit agency, if the Financial Advisory Committee thought it did not work well, they would report their findings to the Commission. If the Foundation was reviewed and it could accommodate other City needs, the Financial Advisory Committee could report that the City Commission may be able to use them. Chair Grant noted non - profits have tax codes and there were no accountants on the Financial Advisory Committee to evaluate their impacts He thought the Financial Advisory Committee should evaluate what is in place and consider making adjustments to it to make it work. It may be a simple charter adjustment. Chair Grant would approach the City with the items the Committee has and contact Carisse LeJeune, Eleanor Krusell, Scott Kline and go from there. At the next meeting, they will discuss their projects and if they can help them. Following that, the Financial Advisory Committee can determine who will handle which tasks and see what recommendations they can receive. Staff would be invited to the next meeting. Jeff Livergood would be contacted to discuss or provide information on vacant land and /or buildings and the City Manager would be contacted as she serves on the Foundation Board. 3 MEETING MINUTES FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 13, 2014 4. Adjournment Currently scheduled future meeting dates - Targeted for 2 nd and 4 Monday of each month: • Monday, January 27, 2014 — 6:00 PM • Monday, February 10, 2014 — 6:00 PM • Monday, February 24, 2014 — 6:00 PM Vice Chair Grady would be out of town on February 10 and the Chair would be out some time in March. Motion Vice Chair Grady moved to adjourn. Mr. Dunmyer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 140130 4