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Minutes 09-08-20 1st Budget HearingMinutes of the Boynton Beach City Commission First Budget Hearing Held Online Held Online Via the GoToWebinar Platform Boynton Beach, Florida On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. Present: Steven B. Grant, Mayor Lori LaVerriere, City Manager Ty Penserga, Vice Mayor James Cherof, City Attorney Justin Katz, Commissioner Crystal Gibson, City Clerk Woodrow L. Hay, Commissioner Christina Romelus, Commissioner 1. Agenda Items A. Call to Order - Mayor Steven B. Grant Mayor Grant called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Invocation Mayor Grant gave the invocation. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mayor Steven B. Grant Mayor Grant led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call City Clerk Gibson called the roll. A quorum was present. John McNally, ITS Director, explained how the meeting would proceed and how the members of the public could participate. Agenda Approval: 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Mayor Grant received emails regarding the 5G wireless item that is up and coming. He hoped they could do a brief announcement about it after the Fire Assessment. 2. Adoption First Budget Hearing Boynton Beach City Commission Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2020 2 Motion Vice Mayor Penserga moved to allow for the 5G discussion. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. B. Conduct First Public Budget Hearing for FY 2020/2021 Proposed Millage and Tentative Mara Frederiksen, Director of Financial Services, and Anthony Davidson, Budget Manager, were present. Ms. Frederiksen explained the budget approval schedule starts tonight, as the First Public Budget hearing to adopt a tentative budget and a Fire Assessment rate Resolution. The second public hearing will be on September 22, to adopt the final budget and millage rate. The purpose of the hearing is to review and discuss the tentative 20/21 operating and capital budget, provide for public comments, adopt a proposed millage rate and tentative budget and to announce the preliminary rate resolutions for the Fire Assessment. Ms. Frederiksen noted revisions made since the July workshop was a $7,662 increase to the General Fund. The General Government CIP increased by $28,697 and the Golf fund increased by $87,776. There were significant changes since the July workshop. Ad valorem taxes got a slight increase of $120K, the City projected an increase from FPL for 150K , their municipal revenue sharing for state shared revenue had a decrease of $294,880, sales tax was down $861,383, there was an increase in as contained in property registrations by about $12, 91 and city facility rental $25K. The most significant change is the City proposing a use of fund balance of $931,263. The overall general fund budget was $99,218,382. The general government fund CIP had an increase of $28,697. The Commission approved Police CAD software for $2,846,527, and Golf funds reorganization for greenskeepers increased to $1,894,180. The overall funding sources were $226.3M, water and sewer accounts for 23.1% of the budget, property taxes are 18.2%, and capital sources are 13.3% Overall expenditure summary from last year’s general fund to this year’s proposed budget had an increase of $2.7 M in the general fund. A decrease of the Golf Course of $305K in the golf course fund, increase from water sewer of $1.2M and an increase of solid waste of $234K. The internal service fund balance increased from $16,228,000 to $16,455,000. Expenditures from the special revenue funds included: traffic safety, local option gas tax, public art, recreation, community improvements and the cemetery, decreased from $4.7M to $4.3M for last year. Capital improvement projects included Parks and Recreation, General Government CIP and General Government Surtax and Utilities Funds, went from a budget last year $60M to $30M, debt service for this fund went from $10,200,000 to 10,277,000. Overall the First Budget Hearing Boynton Beach City Commission Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2020 3 proposed budget went from $252M last year to $226M this year The difference in the proposed millage rate versus the rolled back rate was reviewed. The current millage rate is 7.9 mills. The State roll back is 7.4911 mills, a 5.46% increase. The budget deficit, if the Board opts to go back to the roll back rate would $2,115,049. Ms. Frederiksen explained the average home would see a 2.3% change even while maintaining the 7.9 mill rate. The average millage on a home assessed at $50K would have a $17 increase. Commercial properties have a 6.8% increase. A commercial property assessed at $50K would see a $35 a month increase. Mayor Grant opened the floor to the public. Susan Oyer, 140 SE 27th Way, noted the pensions were not broken down in the budget. Mayor Grant requested the costs be provided at the next meeting. Ms. Frederiksen agreed. Vernell Strachan, 208 NE 10th Avenue, asked why children ages 14 to 16 are not allowed to go to the Library without their parents. She thought they should be allowed because most families do not have Wi-fi or the internet for schoolwork and parents need to go to work. Mayor Grant explained no one under the age of 18 is allowed to be in the adult section by themselves. Youth 14, 15 and 16 are allowed in the youth section of the Library, the lobby and outdoor area as long as they behave themselves. He noted there are electrical outlets there. Commissioner Romelus asked if there needed to be a change in policy, and wanted to find out what the rules were for the next meeting. Ms. Oyer noted there was no discussion of the project at 115 N Federal Highway that is on the CRA agenda. Business owner Kim Kelly came up with a project for the location and she hoped to have the chance to speak. Ms. Oyer also noted there was no change in the condition of the cemetery; there were still a dozen head stones that were knocked over. She explained it has been a problem for two weeks and staff is usually outstanding. She advised she would send pictures and asked how long it would take to get them fixed, commenting she thought it was disrespectful. Tom Warnke, 2780 Wooster Road, said at the May 12th CRA meeting, the City made a detailed proposal about having the Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department to assume management of the Women’s Club. They sent a proposal to have an interlocal agreement with CRA including transfer of ownership of the building from the CRA to the city. It included additional staff positions from the City. Four months have passed and its listed as a future agenda item. He asked what is the city’s timeline to prepare the ILA for presentation to the CRA and if these items are included in the budget. First Budget Hearing Boynton Beach City Commission Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2020 4 Mayor Grant asked if it was included in the budget, and if so how much. Ms. LaVerriere explained, any additional costs to operate the facility would be included in the ILA. The City has not amended its budget, but she noted there would be costs outlined to fund additional positions and then they would amend the budget. Luanne Moore, 133 Buffet Key, thanked the Commission for adding the 5G to the agenda. About a year ago, she raised questions about the level of microwave radiation from telecommunication equipment. There is a lot of equipment deployed in the community. She got an EMS meter and some levels are excessive. She was able to mitigate exposure and there are health effects, such as confusion, depression, tiredness, memory and it affects how frequently she was getting sick from flus and viruses. She reviewed the matter further and the controversy over health effects, and she felt there are considerations they need to look at. She requested permits for facilities going in and comparing them to current regulations about radiation the facilities are emitting. She sent copies of the issue she forwarded to the FCC to the City Commission. She thought the matter was about the welfare for the community. Telecom companies are coming in and installing as much as possible for profit, and they create liabilities for the Cities about how residents are exposed when there are regulations about limiting them. They are loading up towers and some of the structural analysis telecoms conduct are questionable. She itemized the issues in the documents, and she wanted the City to review the ordinance to set proper limits of exposure to the community. There was a high-powered antenna installed a half a mile away, and she could not find permitting for it. She thought if it was not what was intended, for the antennas to be located so close to the public. Kim Kelly, 529 E. Ocean Avenue, owner of Hurricane Alley, started a petition on Change.org. They had a march down Ocean Avenue in protest of the 115 N. Federal Highway development. She thanked Mayor Grant for his support and support for the downtown. She emailed the Commissioners an alternative drawing from an architect and it shows what possibly could be done in the area. She proposed smaller buildings no more than three stories, with restaurants shops and entertainment to make it a destination. She asserted the buildings in the CRA District constructed as mixed-use were vacant for years, not built to capacity and they have failed She suggested offering entrepreneurs an affordable and vibrant area to build businesses. They have a chance to make Boynton shine. She requested the City Commission keep an open mind. The community needs something to do and things to do with walking trails, 20 restaurants, and a court yard with a signature sailfish fountain and stores. If the train stop comes, a module station could allow for car, bikes, obtain fishing tickets, book charters, and obtain information about what the downtown has to offer including future events. This could be possible if the Commission does not give away our most valued property. She hoped there would be a compromise. Attorney Jim Cherof suggested returning to the budget, then reopening public comment. No one else came forward. Public comment was closed. First Budget Hearing Boynton Beach City Commission Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2020 5 Mayor Grant inquired if Dog Days at the Beach was proposed in next year’s Recreation and Parks budget and learned they will carry them on. Annual Operating Budget. Proposed Resolution No. R20-094 - Adopt the proposed millage rate for the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Attorney Cherof read proposed Resolution No. R20-094 by title only. The resolution announced the percentage if any, the proposed millage rate exceeds the roll back rate, announcing the date, time and place of the second public hearing on the budget and the millage rate, providing for severability, conflicts and providing an effective date. The proposed millage rate is 5.46% above the computer roll back rate which is 7.4911. The second budget hearing will occur on September 22nd at 5:30 p.m. virtually, with the Mayor in the community room. Motion Commissioner Katz moved to approve. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. Proposed Resolution No. R20-095 - Adopt the Tentative Budget for the General Fund and all other funds for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Attorney Cherof read Proposed Resolution No. R20-095 by title only. Motion Commissioner Katz moved to approve. Vice Mayor Penserga seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. C. Conduct a Public Hearing to adopt the Final Assessment Resolution for the FY 2020-2021 Fire Assessment. Ms. LaVerriere explained there was no change in the rates. There was information in the agenda item viewed online. Mayor Grant opened public comment. Susan Oyer, 140 SE 27th Way, noted the assessment is $120 per household, but there was a huge discrepancy in rates for industrial versus commercial building. Ms. LaVerriere agreed to forward information from the consultant to Ms. Oyer. Attorney Cherof explained when the methodology to establish the rates was done, there was an evaluation of demand for services for those two categories of use, and issues regarding First Budget Hearing Boynton Beach City Commission Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2020 6 square footage and the caps for which fire service was available for those facilities, meaning there would be no more equipment to send to a certain square footage. The rates distinguished were based on those criteria. The study is available upon request. It is unchanged for many years. The City Commission carried over the same assessment rates. This information will be put on the website. Attorney Cherof read Resolution No. R20-096 by title only. Motion Commissioner Romelus moved to approve. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. Colin Groff explained the City has had complaints of the location. The State preempted the City from any regulations about 5G antennas. They are mostly being placed are on existing poles, and the City has no authority to regulated them they are regulated by the FCC. The City can regulate the locations of new towers. If someone comes in with a new tower, the tower would be located via ordinance. Since the antennas are on existing towers, the City does not have any say nor can they write regulations to address this. Mayor Grant asked does the City have a way to check if radiation exceeded allowable levels. Mr. Groff explained the City is not permitted to test for it. He noted it is an FCC issue and he believed as a federal agency, they would respond. The City does not have a way to check it or was unsure if staff was qualified to check. It is not a Community Standards issue. Mr. Groff said he could put contact information together. Mayor Grant suggested putting it in the email newsletter and on the records for people to speak with the appropriate regulatory agencies. Ms. Moore advised she had further comments as things have changed a lot. Mayor Grant explained now is not the time to speak. The City does not have authority in the matter. She could speak later with the City Commissioners or staff. They will get the information for the public to inform citizens how to move forward with complaints they may have. 2. Adjourn Motion Vice Mayor Penserga moved to adjourn. Commissioner Romelus seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. Mr. McNally closed the City Commission meeting and explained they would transition to the CRA meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m. First Budget Hearing Boynton Beach City Commission Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2020 CITY OF BOYNTON BEA H yor - Steven B. Gr.nt AraMII Vice Ma/: . Ty Pens- ga Commissioner— Justin Katz Commissioner WIC row L. Hay Commissio Christina Romelus ATTEST: C tal Gibson, MMC City Clerk (1,71( J.aiJJ U/ (4476--V Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 7