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Minutes 09-06-89 MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 AT 6:00 P.M. PRESENT Gene Moore, Mayor Robert Olenik, Jr., Vice Mayor Ezell Hester, Jr., Commissioner Arline weiner, commissioner %ee Wische, Commissioner ~UBLIC AUDIENCE Comments by Former Mayor Cassandra Former Mayor Cassandra, 2554 S.W. George Hunt Interim City Manager Sue Kruse, Deputy Clerk Raymond Rea City Attorney 10th Court, Boynton Beach ~xplained his approach to the budget. Basically he had come with the same millage of 7.9471, which did not use the ~und balance revenue from the previous year. If he did use ~hat, giving it to the revenue section, not reducing the ~udget, the millage would be cut down to 7.7471. ~elative to the reduction of two custodians, Mr. Cassandra ~ecommended removing the two crew leaders also. He felt the ~urchasing Director position should remain in the budget as ~ell as the Detective position for the Police Dept. He felt ~he street sweeper could be eliminated this year and next ,ear as well. Mr. Cassandra recommended a reduction of the ~econd van for Facilities Management. Relative to data pro- :essing equipment, he recommended reducing the expense of ~154,136 by $100,000. This will still allow us to purchase :he emulsion boards and eleven AS 400 terminals. $22,000 ~ould remain for printers and software. As far as the ~ublicity fund, Mr. Cassandra felt this area is not cost ~ffective and should be cut to $16,500. ~r. Cassandra addressed policy changes such as the manage- lent package which he feels is unfair. He felt the manage- lent compensation should be removed completely and a merit ~ystem installed instead for all employees. The pay plan .tself was addressed. ~omments were made on the take home vehicle policy/leased :ars. Mr. Cassandra remarked that this policy should be ~eviewed and changed because of the liability factors '.nvolved. The monthly car allowance was addressed. ~elative to the Capital Improvement Program, the City went ~o a percentage concept. Mr. Cassandra felt the Commission ~hould consider fixed vs. the percentage concept and he ~xplained the savings this would produce. He felt the money ~or the Tradewinds fund should come from this fund, not the tilities Fund, as we are paying interest to the Utilities und. 1 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 ~ndesignated Funds were addressed and Mr. Cassandra felt this City is too big not to have a fund balance in reserve. At one point the Commission felt a reserve amount of 10% of the budget should be allowed for undetermined expenses. Tradewinds would have been an undetermined expense at that time and could have been paid out of the General Fund. He recommended trying to get that fund back into operation. ~omments were made on the bid for Congress Park and the ~adsen Center. Mr. Cassandra explained why the Madsen Center should be given high priority. ~r. Cassandra felt the advertising fund should be increased o about $40,000, specifically to help in recruiting more lack Policemen and Firemen for the City. If the changes recommended by Mr. Cassandra were imple- dented, he explained it would result in a decrease in the ~ill~ge from 7.7 or 7.9 to about 7.6, without any loss in ~r. Steve Fecso, 2845 S.W. 5th Street, Boynton Beach made ~omments regarding the Tradewinds situation and felt whoever Was responsible "should be fired." ~s. Veoletta Wright, 301 N.E. 26th Ave., Boynton Beach spoke n support of the Community Improvement Programs. She did ot feel their budget should be cut as the programs are ~esperately needed in this City. She requested the City iscontinue spending money in the Cherry Hill area and con- entrate more on the northeast section of the City, from 9th ve. to 13th Ave. She also spoke in support of the City's ewsletter which communicates with the residents. She felt ecruitment of more black Policemen is important. ~rs. Blanche Girtman, 912 N.W. 3rd Street, Boynton Beach iffered comments in support of the Community Development unds. Over the years, Mrs. Girtman has been heavily nvolved in obtaining funds for playgrounds, the swimming pool and road construction. Mrs. Girtman felt Ms. Broomfield should be provided the necessary financing for ~he Community Improvement programs. Comments were made ~elative to the assessed value and taxes on certain proper- ~ies and how they are computed. Interim City Manager Hunt ~ommented he would put Mrs. Girtman in touch with the proper ~erson at the County Tax Assessor's office. ~n view of the financial implications of Tradewinds, Mr. Craig Livingston, President of the Greater Boynton Beach ~hamber of Commerce read a prepared statement to the ~ommission proposing a hiring freeze within the City. The ~amber also recommended all programs and staff positions 2 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 not directly affecting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens should be evaluated and prudently pared where possible. He stated all efforts to increase the economic base of the City by retention and attraction of business and industry should be encouraged. Mr. Livingston noted the Chamber is presently arranging a workshop with the Commission to discuss possible marketing efforts. Commissioner Wische's observation was that in the last ten ~ears, the City's personnel has doubled. The population has ~isen about 40%. He thought under-utilization of personnel ~akes place. Mrs. Tereesa Padgett, 222 N.W. 1st Ave., Boynton Beach addressed the Commission relative to the Cemetery Fund. iscussion had taken place about taking considerable sums rom the Cemetery budget. She asked if the Commission had Considered her recent memo which explained there are addi- tional funds going into the General Fund from the Cemetery. ~r. Hunt believed the figures had been included in the package. Mrs. Padgett observed that it was not shown in the ~otal she received. She noted Mr. Frederick had figures in ~he proposed budget which the Cemetery Board felt were extre- mely high. Discussion had taken place regarding private ~aintenance of the Cemetery. She stated the board could not just stand by and see $75,000 reduced, plus $70,000 that ~hey put in there. Lots are sold with the understanding Ghat they will receive perpetual care. If this money goes, ~here will be no way to maintain it without additional expense to the City. Mrs. Padgett noted the charge for ~ nin and closing graves and the charge for setting pe g ~arkers goes directly into the General Fund. Mrs. Padgett 91aborated and comments were made about the capital outlay Charged. ~ayor Moore thought it would be wise to have an actuary exa- mine the Trust Fund to make sure it is sound so that when ~he last lot is sold there will be enough principal remaining ~o pay for maintenance in perpetuity. Mr. Hunt stated we ~re not "tapping" the Fund out. The Fund will continue to row, however, it will not continue to grow as fast. Vice Mayor Olenik made remarks about money in the Fund, ~nterest earned and the estimate to maintain the park ossibly being inflated. He was interested in finding out rom Mr. Sullivan how much it would cost if maintenance went Out to a private contractor. Mr. Hunt stated a request for Did proposal (RFP) on the maintenance could be done. ~ommissioner Hester was not in favor of taking money away from the Cemetery Fund. MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 ~trs. Padgett perceived a reduction of $50,000 was proposed in the budget and Mr. Hunt recommended an additional $25,000. This was in addition to what goes in the General Fund. Mr. Hunt responded on the justification. The Commission agreed the bid situation should be looked into. Discussion took place relative to the number of grave sites remaining and the number of projected years it will take to sell the lots. The consensus of the Commission was to try and obtain actuarial input to see where this is headed, so it doesn't get "dumped" on the taxpayers if the Fund is depleted. ~rs. Cynthia Greenhouse, 618 N.E. 20th Lane, Boynton Beach made comments relative to the proposed budget for the City Attorney's office. The total amount allocated for the Assistant city Attorney and Clerk is $67,000. Mrs. ~reenhouse calculated it was about $42 per hour for the attorney which is less than the going rate for attorneys in ~his area. Mrs. Greenhouse noted Delray Beach has three full-time City Attorneys and a proposed budget of $485,000. Boca Raton has two full-time attorneys and an annual budget ~f $331,000. Lake Worth has two full-time attorneys and an annual budget of $223,000. She felt the Commission should ~pprove the proposed budget which is very reasonable. There was no one else present in the audience that wished to address the Commission. ~ommission Discussion Rent-a-Cop Program layor Moore asked Mr. Hunt if the rent-a-cop program had een dovetailed in the budget to effect savings? Mr. Hunt esponded it cut $10,000 out of the budget and will appear n the final printed document. ~ireworks Program layor Moore referred to $19,000 allotted for the annual ireworks display. He reiterated that with sufficient otice, the barge could be obtained free. $4,000 for the arge is listed in the budget again. If the four cities pp oach it as a Joint venture, it might cost as little as 5,000. Mr. Hunt advised he did go back and reduce the llocation for the publicity budget to $14,200. The Mayor ~ecommended this be revisited. ~ode Enforcement ~ayor Moore wondered why we weren't investigating handing Code enforcement from a legal perspective the way Delray ~each does. The individual is contacted and sent a letter. ' 4 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 If they haven't rectified the violation within a period of ~ime an independent contractor goes in and does the work. Then he pays for the work or a lien is put on the property. The Mayor made reference to the amount of money spent on Code Enforcement. Discussion took place on current procedure, maintaining high ~tandards of code enforcement in the City and whether this ~ould reduce the number of Code Enforcement Officers in the hity. Vice Mayor Olenik was concerned that we not reduce e level of enforcement that we currently have in the City. lommissioner Weiner stated the reason all this work has been enerated is that the Code Enforcement people have been inding these problems. This helps to reduce the blight in ~he City. What we have to deal with is finding a way to ~educe the expenses generated after these properties have been dealt with. She didn't feel reducing the staff would ~elp the City. he Mayor asked Mr. Hunt to check what the estimated cost ould be handling it the way the Mayor's recent memorandum ~uggested as compared to how it is currently being handled. ~each Parking Decals Vice Mayor Olenik recommended increasing the Beach Parking Decals from $5 to $7, rather than $6. Library Fines 'he Vice Mayor was in favor of increasing Library fines for ~ooks and videos. Commissioner Wische was against raising .he fine on late books since books are an educational tool. [aising the fine on videos he could agree to. Reference was lade by Virginia Farace to what the late charges are in ~urrounding cities. She stated she would send another copy ~f her report on late charges to Mr. Hunt. Ms. Farace ~tated the object of the fine is to encourage prompt return ~f the books, not generate revenue. ~ire Rescue Service to Neighboring Coastal Communities oiCe Mayor Olenik thought we needed to do a study of total st to provide fire and rescue service to Ocean Ridge, riny Breezes and Gulfstream. When we are servicing these Calls in other cities we are down one unit for service 'ithin our own city limits. ir. Hunt noted the figure cited in the newspaper of $225 to 325 per call is based on figures put together by the Fire ~ept. and includes only direct cost such as salaries and gas. 5 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 The Mayor felt we have been subsidizing the citizens of Ocean Ridge gratis. He didn't think this should be allowed. Reference was made to use of a pumper truck. Mr. Hunt indi- Cated we would obviously agree to pay a reasonable charge for that. ~ice Mayor Olenik disagreed with Mr. Hunt's memorandum when e says we shouldn't anticipate any income from this in this ear's budget. He felt we should. We do need to charge iomething for this and it should happen on October 1. Mr. unt clarified that he hesitated putting this in the budget efore we have actually arrived at a signed Contract with ny of these agencies. He felt we would be able to success- ully negotiate Contracts with all three agencies. City Attorney's Office ~e Vice Mayor stated he was having trouble justifying at ~his point the need for the Assistant City Attorney and Clerk. He did, however, feel we should make some arrange- ~ents to add back some additional contract legal fees if we ~on't go that way. ommissioner Wische was in favor of the addition of the ssistant City Attorney and Clerk. dditional Recommendations by Vice Mayor Olenik ice Mayor Olenik made specific recommendations affecting acilities Management personnel, Risk Management com- unications radio, Police Dept. personnel, radios and tehicles In the Firehe made comments relative Dept. to limination of additional vans. Other recommendations would ffect Occupational Licenses personnel, Library books, and n the Parks Dept. eliminating one vehicle and riding lawn ~ower requested. The totals are about $448,000 in recommen- ations with the addition of about $160,000 worth of reve- ue. Total reduction in what we would have to get from tax ollars would be about $600,000. Some of these items verlap with recommendations of the Interim City Manager. ayor Moore agreed with Vice Mayor Olenik's recommendations ut stated he would not want to increase the Library late ees and would not want to tap the Cemetery Fund until we nderstand clearly where we stand. Discussion took place etween the Mayor and Commissioner Weiner regarding tapping ~he Cemetery Fund and money generated by the Cemetery. Mr. ~unt reemphasized we are not touching the Trust Fund. All re are doing is reducing the amount of interest income that ~he Trust Fund earns. The Fund will continue to grow each 'ear at a slower rate. Further technical discussion on this ~opic took place. This will be studied by the actuary. MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 Commissioner Wische asked Mr. Hunt about Personnel Services listed under the City Manager's Dept. On page 16 of the urrent budget $576,751 was budgeted. In the proposed udget it is to be increased to $1,193,574. Commissioner ische requested an explanation. Mr. Hunt explained each year at the start of the process they put in what is recom- mended for the general compensation adjustment for all I . employees in the general fund. As the year progresses, this ~s moved out into all the other departments to pay for the Compensation adjustment the Commission gives to the ~mployees each year. By the end of the year that account in ~he City Manager's budget is down to zero. It was agreed ~his is an awkward way to present these facts. ~ommunity Improvement Budget ~ommissioner Hester agreed with earlier comments that the ]anagement packages need to be reviewed. He was opposed to ~utting the Community Improvement budget at all, ~articularly since the programs are so new. He felt these ~rograms are working and more people will be applying for ~ssistance once knowledge of the programs becomes more Tidespread. interim City Manager Hunt remarked the Community Improvement )udget was originally proposed to be $350,000 which is what ~he Commission has put in in previous years. It's been · educed to $250,000. That was done simply on a cash flow ~asis on what they could spend next year with the full · ealization that in next year's budget it would have to go ~ack to $350,000 to continue the present level of funding. ~yor Moore asked if we had anticipated the possibility of ~ny more grants coming in within this budget year that would ~elp augment it? Mr. Hunt responded negatively. Discussion ~ook place on whether these funds were earmarked. ~ommissioner Hester noted the funds were for the target area !irst. If it doesn't work in that area, then he thought it ~ould be used in any area of the City. Remarks were made by he Mayor about not being able to spend certain sums, and he need for governmental agencies to consider cutting cor- ~ers. Commissioner Wische disagreed and felt when you cut ~ack on a new program it could result in your not being able o get the funds up to an appropriate level again later on. lommissioner Weiner stated we didn't know if the full funds ~ould be spent, but they probably could be. If they can't ,e spent in one area, they could be spent in other areas. It ook a long time to get the program started. It is now olling and staffed and she wants to see it fully funded for ext year at $350,000. 7 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 Library Budget Commissioner Weiner indicated she would like to see the Library fully funded at $110,000. Commissioner Wische and Commissioner weiner both agreed another Library Assistant is ~eeded. Newsletter ommissioner Weiner did not think the City's Newletter hould be moved to the Library. She felt it should be done Out of the City Manager's office by the Public Information Officer. It has proven to be a successful tool to keep the ~itizens aware of what is going on and she felt it should be ept exactly the way it is now. Mailing costs were iscussed with the Mayor. Commissioner Weiner felt some ~ity services cannot be measured in terms of money. She felt that trying to save money on postage on the Newsletter ~ould prove counterproductive to the welfare of the City. City Attorney's Budget Commissioner Weiner felt we could go another year with the City Attorney s staff the way it is now. ~roposed User Fees ~ayor Moore remarked that when we get hit with the heavy County Impact fees he felt it would be short-sighted to try ~nd add other user fees that will be another direct impact ihdevelopers. He felt development would come to a halt en the impact fees come into effect. He stated there is a imit under the law as to what you can charge for these user ees. You have to be able to justify the amount of the user lees, filing fees, etc. ~nterim City Manager Hunt stated in view of the P&Z Board · ecommendations on Chapter 19, he was trying to work through ~he recommendations and perhaps streamline the entire ~uilding/development/permitting process. He would recommend ~lso that we hold off on the user fees until after the lommission has had a chance to look at the proposal. It may :hange the whole structure of how our fees are computed. Ir. Hunt indicated the figures are based on what David M. ;riffith had suggested that it cost the City to provide ~hese fees. It translates into the numbers and they are all ustifiable. !ommissioner Wische said the reason he had brought the sub- ect of user fees up previously was because he felt if a ~ertain permit cost the City $50 to issue and yet they are ~nly charging $25, that is bad business. They should charge ~he full $50. He did not bring the issue up just to krbitrarily "milk" the developers. That wasn't the intent 6f it. 8 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 New Fire Station Commissioner Wische asked if consideration had been given to ~affing the new Fire Station with volunteer firefighters? Allen, Fire Chief commented on how difficult it is to get people to volunteer. He stated there are no large volunteer Fire Departments operating any more. Adoption of Tentative Millage interim City Manager Hunt remarked the Commission could not ~aise the millage from what is set tonight. They could Lower it. Discussion took place on changes made to the )udget. Mr. Hunt reviewed specific changes and how it would affect the bottom line. He noted beach fees would be %ncreased to $7. This would raise another $14,000. The ~ibrary fees would stay where he had them. He had gotten ~he feeling the Cemetery Fund idea was not popular so he could take that $25,000 out. Some figure needed to be ~udgeted in for the fire/rescue service. For lack of a )etter figure, he suggested using the $80,000 recommended by ~he Vice Mayor. This comes to an additional $69,000 in ~evenue. Community Improvement would be budgeted at ~350,000. The Mayor was uncomfortable with that figure. ~e additional Librarian would cost about $16,000. ~ditional Library books would total $15,000. There would )e $131,000 in additions there. After tonight's meeting, ir. Hunt thought the changes would probably result in a 'wash." Sr. Hunt stated he didn't believe the City could make it )ack to roll-back without adversely affecting services. If L person's assessment goes up more than 10%, you may ~xperience a tax increase which would be proportional. It ~as noted that anyone that was not reassessed will end up ~aying substantially less. )iscussion took place among the Commissioners. It was noted still had not received the final assessment roll from the ~roperty Appraiser. Mr. Hunt noted 7.9132 would be the ~entative millage rate. At the Public Hearing scheduled for ;eptember 26, 1989 the final millage and tax rate would be ;et. The budget would be approved at that point. ltilities Workshop Meeting Utilities Workshop meeting was set for Saturday, September 13, 1989 at 8:00 A.M. Vice Mayor Olenik asked if Mr. Hunt :ould provide the Commission documentation on what the 'esults of tonight's discussion will actually prove to be. ~at would give the Commission something to look at for ~heir final Public Hearing. Mr. Hunt agreed. 9 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 Ordinance Adoption Proposed Ordinance 89-31 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, STATING THE AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED AGAINST PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE 1989-1990 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. ~ity Attorney Rea read Proposed Ordinance No. 89-31 on first ~eading, in its entirety. rice Mayor Olenik moved for the adoption of Ordinance 89-31. ~ommissioner Weiner seconded the motion and a roll call vote las taken by Sue Kruse, Deputy Clerk as follows: Commissioner Wische - Aye Mayor Moore - Aye Vice Mayor Olenik - Aye Commissioner Hester - Aye Commissioner Weiner - Aye Iotion carried 5-0. proposed Ordinance 89-32 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1989, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1990; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. qity Attorney Rea read Proposed Ordinance No. 89-32 on first ~eading, in its entirety. ~ommissioner Hester moved for the adoption of Ordinance ~9-32. Commissioner Weiner seconded the motion and a roll Call vote was taken by Sue Kruse, Deputy Clerk as follows: Mayor Moore - Aye Vice Mayor Olenik - Aye Commissioner Hester - Aye Commissioner Weiner - Aye Commissioner Wische - Aye Motion carried 5-0. 10 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 6, 1989 ~roposed Ordinance 89-33 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 16 PARKS AND RECREATION, ARTICLE II CITY PARKS & BEACHES, SECTION 16-82 RAISING THE ANNUAL PARKING PERMIT FEES OF RESIDENTS FROM $5.00 TO $7.00, PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Attorney Rea read Proposed Ordinance No. 89-33 on first ~eading, by title only. Tice Mayor Olenik moved for the adoption of Ordinance 89-33 )n first reading. Commissioner Weiner seconded the motion ~nd a roll call vote was taken by Sue Kruse, Deputy Clerk as ~ollows: Vice Mayor Olenik - Aye Commissioner Hester - Aye Commissioner Weiner - Aye Commissioner Wische - Aye Mayor Moore Aye lotion carried 5-0. ~JOURNMENT ~here being no further business to come before the .~ommission, the meeting properly adjou~t 8:00 P.M. // // ~' Mayor ~/ ' ~e May~{ ATTEST. // Commi s s ioner~ ~ / ~lerk / ' C0m~is~ionef ~ (Three Tapes) 11