Minutes 07-14-14 MINUTES F THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TI
HELD IN THE CITY LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM A
208 S. SEACREST BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
ON MON JULY 14, 2014, AT 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Steven Grant, Chair Tim Howard, Finance Director
Fakhry "Ed" Boulos
Dolores Schlesselman
David Yankovich
ABSENT:
Jeffrey Grady, Vice Chair
Christine Stella
1. Call to Order
Chair Grant called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Roll call established a quorum was
present. It was noted Ms. Stella's term expired last month.
2. Other Business
➢ Updated list of Committee Members
Board Liaison, Tim Howard, distributed the list to the members.
➢ List of Original Assignment Areas for FY 2014 -15
A list of tasks was submitted to the members.
3. Review of Committee Member Recommendations
• Have Dolores and Ed's recommendations
Mr. Boulos submitted his recommendations regarding alternative energy. Ms.
Schlesselman had her information regarding conservation. As to Commissioner
Fitzpatrick's request to study creating a fundraising organization for the City, the
members determined using the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation was sufficient.
• Jeff Grady recommendations
Per Mr. Grady's email, the recommendations for his vacant lots were a good
maintenance program.
Meeting Minutes
Financial Advisory Committee
Boynton Beach, FL July 14, 2014
• Christine Stella
Ms. Stella's recommendations for vacant lots were completed, but not submitted.
• Steven Grant
Mr. Howard needed Ms. Stella's and Chair Grant's recommendation's in Word Format
by July 16 in order to place the item on the agenda.
4. Budget Workshop, Monday, July 21' in Library Program Room, Financial
Advisory Committee will probably present their recommendations
® Executive Summary if doing one
Chair Grant advised he would create an executive summary of the recommendations
and the evaluation of alternative energy sources.
• Summary of Survey
There were many good comments contained in the City Services Survey. Chair Grant
would summarize them, including what was complained about the most.
At the budget meetings, departmental presentations are made and the City Commission
determines the millage rate. The members were not required to attend the meeting, but
Chair Grant would attend. In the past, the Committee had been asked to review the
budget and determine how to cut costs. Since that did not occur this year, further
direction was needed. Chair Grant inquired if there were any comments he could
convey to the City Commission.
The Committee studied and had made recommendations regarding pensions, and that
issue was ongoing. They studied vacant lots which pertained to zoning, and alternative
energy/energy efficiency which was not really a finance item.
The members discussed business grants, but were unaware if there were any
residential grants. It was pointed out there were County, State and Federal grants that
are appropriated to the City and some that are applied for on a competitive basis.
Grants could be written for a specific item such as a senior helpline. The Committee
could screen and publicize them for the City Commission. Mr. Yankovich thought when
grant opportunities arose and non-profits requested funds, the Financial Advisory
Committee should review their proposals and make a recommendation to the City
Commission.
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Meeting Minutes
Financial Advisory Committee
Boynton Beach, FL July 14, 2014
Mr. Boulos commented the Planning and Zoning Division already does this for the City
Commission with development projects. Last year, he studied development fees and the
recommendation to increase fees was forwarded to the City Commission. He was
aware one woman applied and received a rent subsidy grant and another applied to the
CRA and received a grant without any analysis.
Mr. Yankovich also pointed out some municipalities hold landlord seminars regarding
Section 8 Housing best practices and landlords take a written test which resulted in a
dramatic reduction in evictions. This may be something in which the Financial Advisory
Committee could play a role.
Ms. Schlesselman pointed out the Committee was created by Ordinance and its tasks
are contained therein. It was also created under a prior City Commission and there are
new Commissioners. In 2010, there were 40 tasks to be studied which were down to
eight.
The survey conducted by the Economic Development Manager was different than the
City Services Survey the Financial Advisory Committee conducts. The Commission
could be approached for direction on other types of questions to ask or if they want the
response options narrowed. It was just one component the Commission could use to
make policy decisions based on public input and after brief discussion, the Committee
decided to meet one more time to review the results of the presentation, learn of any
new tasks and determine when to meet next.
5. Adjournment
Motion
There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Yankovich moved to adjourn. Mr.
Boulos seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at
6:52 p.m.
f
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
140731
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