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Minutes 07-24-91 MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT ~rline Weiner, Mayor Edward Harmening, Vice Mayor jose Aguila, Commissioner Lillian Artis, Commissioner 5ynne Matson, Commissioner J. Scott Miller, City Ma na ger Carrie Parker, Assistant City Manager Mary Munro, Budget Analyst Tammy Standifer, Accountant III Mayor Weiner called the City Commission Budget Workshop to order alt 7:05 p.m. This meeting is a continuation of the Commission's ~eview.of the proposed budget for fiscal year 1991/92. City Manager Miller explained to the Commission that all depart- ment heads had been working throughout the day entertaining posi- tion cuts to achieve the reduction goal of $900,000. He further 9xplained the majority of these cuts will entail lay offs. Data Processing -Page 51 One (1) position, Programmer/Analyst, will be eliminated effec- tive October 1st. This is one (1) lay off. Under Line Item 499.00, the efficiency study in the amount of 20,000 will be eliminated. ~ity Hall/General Administration - Page 99 Under Unemployment Compensation, $6,000 has been appropriated. if approximately nine (9) individuals are laid off, this figure Would increase an additional $26,000 bringing the total to ~32,000. Boynton Beach Day Care Center After discussions with Wilfred Hawkins and others, it was deter- mined that no funds could be cut from this budget. Mr. Miller explained that the County funding has been cut. If the City eli- minates any of the funding, the after-school program would have ~o be eliminated. Police - Page 132 i City Manager Miller explained that several changes will take place in the Police Department. Chief Hillery stated that the ~umber of sworn staff positions will be reduced from 127 to 125. 1 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BiOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 The category of Detective will be reduced .50 and Police Officer w!ill be reduced 1.5. Under Civilian Staff, one (1) Shift Clerk position will not be fiilled. Chief Hillery pointed out that there are positions which aire funded by grants; one position is a Detective position which iis half funded by the Childrens' Services Council,. one CPO is ~alf funded by the Childrens' Services Council and one position i!n the M.A.N. Unit is totally federally funded. The total number Of personnel will be reduced to 165. Under Line Item 117.00, this includes three Community Service Officers (cso) for nine (9) months. Ezell Hester Park is sche- duled for opening in January. Community Service Officers are needed at this park for control. An office has been established in the community center. Chief Hillery continued by explaining ~hat a Sergeant will also be assigned for supervision. This Program is tied in with the park program and it must be pro- ~ected. There are currently four (4) Community SerVice Officers a!nd an additional three (3) are being considered for the park alrea. The Sergeant position is also included in addition to the ~hree Community Service Officers. Vice Mayor Harmening questioned whether or not more Officers eould be placed under the supervision of one Sergeant. He Suggested the national standard be checked. Chief Hillery stated ~hat two Sergeants and one Lieutenant are provided on each shift. if this number is lowered, coverage can become too thin. Commissioner Aguila asked for an explanation of "outside Overtime". Mr. Miller explained this is special duty for any business wishing to contract the services of the Police Officers. This does not cost the City anything, but is on the books for accounting purposes only. Mr. Miller pointed out that no specific cutbacks have been made in the area of benefits; however, the City is currently in nego- tiation with the Union. Mayor Weiner asked if the figures on Page 134 reflect the reduc- tion of the three personnel. Mr. Miller stated that Line Item !11.00 has not as yet been changed to reflect the reductions. When this number is changed, it will affect all of the numbers by approximately 30-35%. New sheets will be provided. Line Item 470.10, Training, has been reduced. Money had been set aside in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund which can be used for ~raining a Police Officer. These courses must be certified. o ere is approximately $27,000 in this Fund which will be used r the next several years. 2 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Line Item 472.00, Printing and Binding, was cut $2,000 after some discussion. Regarding Capital Outlay, there have been substantial cutbacks. Under General Equipment, · Chief Hillery stated that the Video Cam Corder is not necessary since they now have one which was con- fiscated. This figure is now being reduced by $1,500 for a new total of $6,690. ire - Page 149 This Budget will be amended to provide for the elimination of two Fire Inspectors. This will reduce manpower from ninety-four (94) ~o ninety-two (92). These two reductions will be lay off posi- tions. There will be some reduction on the revenue side because ~he fire inspections will be somewhat reduced; however, this ~mount will not be substantial since fire inspections will still be conducted. Commissioner Matson was concerned with eliminating both Fire Inspector positions. Fire Prevention Officers will handle the workload of the Fire Inspector. Commissioner Aguila questioned the need for overtime. Deputy Chief Crockett explained that on-the-job injuries vacations, sick and improper manning constitute the need for overtime. Overtime is also used by the paramedics. Considering the number of personnel, the Overtime figure is not high. Questions were raised about the amount of funds budgeted for fire prevention films and supplies. Deputy Chief Crockett explained that these supplies are a necessary part of the job for educa- tional purposes. ~ reduction of $585 was made in Line Item 470.07, Memberships, ~or a new total of $1,202. The funds for a new pumper truck have been appropriated under a ~apital Improvement expenditure. The cost of this vehicle is aipproximately $175,000. Its life expectancy is between fifteen alnd twenty years. There is a balance of approximately $1 million in the Fund which will pay for this new equipment. ~uilding Department L Page 160 Mr. Miller pointed out that there are no changes in the areas of ~dministration and Plan Review & Permitting. Commissioner Aguila ~ondered how this department could change in staffing during the llast year given the slowdown of the economy. Mr. Jaeger aiddressed the issue of cutbacks by stating that one (1) Plans Check Inspector-Structural, and one (1) Plans Check Ilnspector-Plumbing had been cut out during this year. ~ommissioner Aguila asked if one additional Plans Check ~nspector-Structural (Corem) could be cut. Mr. Jaeger stated that 3 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 ait the present time, the workload is enough for both Inspectors. He feels there will be a greater workload because of the proposal tlo move Zoning and Site Development out of the Building Department. In the area o~ Field Inspection, the Building Compliance Administrator position will be eliminated. This would create a bumping action down the line. In this area, one (1) position will be reduced which will be a lay off position. I!n the area of Site Development, the Zoning and Site Development Administrator, the Plan Check Inspector-Site and Clerk II will be tlransferred to the Planning Department. The Plan Review Analyst Iii positions will remain in the Building Department. With the implementation of the above-stated changes, Mayor Weiner suggested the title of Planning Director be changed to Planning alnd Zoning Director. The Commissioners agreed this change should be implemented. The C.B.E. Clerk position will also be eliminated. The total personnel for the Building Department has been reduced to twenty-six (26). This transfer can be done before October 1. Occupational License - Page 169 Ail four positions in this area are currently filled. One (1) C~cupational License Field Inspector position will be eliminated. This will be a lay off position. qode Enforcement - Page 178 Mr. Miller pointed out that there is a proposal to transfer the Rode Enforcement Division to the Police Department. The Code 5nforcement Administrator would report directly to the Police Chief. Chief Hillery agreed this division could become another unit of the Police Department. Some of the functions of Code 5nforcement have already been taken over by the Police Eepartment. The Police Department would need more information to ~ake the transition. Chief Hillery stated that Scott Blasie would be in charge. All members of the Commission agreed to transfer Code Enforcement to the Police Department. Any costs- associated with this move will be covered by this year's budget. T~e (1) Code and License Inspector I position will be eliminated. is position is currently filled and constitutes a lay off. The Clode and Rehabilitation Inspector will remain in the Building D~pa rtment . 4 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Animal Control - Page 185 Staff recommended deletion of this entire unit. The City will Utilize the services of Palm Beach County Animal Control. A ~engthy discussion followed with regard to the Commissioner's Concerns about serving the citizens of Boynton Beach. Vice Mayor Harmening also expressed concern regarding one of the employees Who has been employed for nine years. His concern centered airound the fact that given one additional year of employment, the employee would have vested rights. Response time changes were discussed. The County will respond to ~on-emergency situations in 1.9 days. They try to respond imme- diately for emergencies. After a lengthy discussion, it was the eneral consensus to delay action on this subject until tomorrow. he Commission will look at the possibility of operating the ani- mal clinic with only one person. ~ublic Works - Page 192 ~here are currently five full-time positions which will be etained. In January, 1992, the Administrative Assistant I will ~e retiring. At that time, the Administrative Assistant I in a ~emporary position in Risk Management, will then fill that ~pening and the position left by that person will be deleted. ~.oads and Streets - Page 199 ~he Streets Supervisor will be retiring. The Foreman III will be ~romoted and his position will remain vacant. In the area of 9aintenance Worker II, two persons are filling those positions. ne position is vacant and will be eliminated. The total person- tel for this area will now be eight (8). Line Item 119.00, New ~ersonnel, will be eliminated. Iine Item 499.00, Other Contractual Services, was discussed at ength. This item deals with the street sweeper. The current weeper is hazardous and residents complain when it is used ecause it stirs up too much dust. The option of leasing a sweeper was discussed. After this lengthy discussion, it was decided to cut this area from $25,000 to $15,000 and contract out for these services for special events. Library - Page. 209 ~r. Miller stated that Ms. Farace has reduced some of the hours cf Relief Clerks and Pages in an effort to meet the charge. Ns. Farace pointed out that there has already been a 20% reduc- tion. In response to Vice Mayor Harmening's question, she explained that the late book fee amounted to $26,000 last year and was put in the General Fund. By reducing the hours of the Relief Clerks and the Pages, the Library must reduce its c~erating hours. The Library Board will meet to discuss this 5 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 rieduction in hours. The book budget of $90,000 is where it was back in 1986. These reductions will have a big impact on the Library. Mayor Weiner feels that the closing of a Library is the beginning of the death mill of the City. The Library is the biggest thing seeded in a city. Reducing hours of the operation of the Library iis devastating. Commissioner Matson agreed and would not want to see the morning hours reduced because of the story hour for small children. Evening hours are utilized by those citizens who can- not get to the Library in the daytime hours. Vice Mayor Harmening was in agreement. Commissioner Artis pointed out that high school students need the evening hours at the Library. Iit is Mr. Miller's feeling that if the community stands behind tihe Library, they will volunteer in order to avoid a reduction in tihe hours of operation. Also, the Library can do fund raising. Ms. Farace stated that "Friends of the Library" have donated 7,000 hours of time. Ms. Farace wanted the Commission to be aiware of the seriousness of this situation. Mayor Weiner stated that she met with the President of Friends of ~he Library and they have vowed to do everything possible to ~aise funds for the Library. However, she does not want the I$ibrary hours reduced. Mr. Miller feels the budget, as pre- Sented, will not reduce the Library hours. Vice Mayor Harmening ~eels the patronage of this Library must be considered. Commissioner Matson stated she would rather see a depletion in he amount allocated for books than cutting the hours. ~und raising can produce money to purchase books. Mr. Miller Stated that the cutting back of Relief Clerks and Pages would almount to $19,000. ~t was decided to reduce the book budget from $100,000 to 490,000. The Relief Clerks and Pages will remain. ecreation - Page 222 ~harles Frederick explained the cutbacks. Many of the cutbacks re part-time positions which amount to $50,000 including bene- !its. The Recreation Leader will be reduced from a full-time ~osition to a part-time position currently stationed at Wilson ~enter. This will save approximately $10,000 plus fringe bene- !its. The part-time Recreation Leader service in the park will ~e reduced approximately 50%. The C.B.E. Clerk will be elimi- nated at Freedom Hall. Deletion of two part-time Recreation ~ttendants at Madison Center will bring about a savings of :17,000. There will also be an additional deletion of two part- .ime Recreation Attendants at Boat Club Park. These cutbacks mount to approximately $50,000 including fringe benefits. ~..death knell .... 6 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 In response to a question from Commissioner Artis, Mr. Frederick stated that there exists a proposal for staffing of the Hester park facility when it opens. Mir. Frederick explained the purpose of the newletter is to deve- liop a master planning program for revenue development. When new r!evenue sources are identified, a marketing strategy will be d!eveloped. Hr. Frederick introduced Melody Green and Laura Widmer. Ms. Gireen distributed brochures as examples of magazine format. This i~s a marketing approach which is highly effective. People who rleceive this type of format hold onto it longer. The point is to aittract people to get into the newsletter and once they are iinterested, they can be convinced to register for the programs. This will be published three times a year. The cost will be $19,836 per issue for each of the three issues. This includes piostage, typesetting, printing and labels. Currently, between the Community Promotions money budgeted, Recreation Division Printing and binding, City Manager's printing and binding and piostage from the Recreation Division, $38,640 is available in the budget. By combining the two publications three times a'year, ilmproving the quality and improving the shelf life which iincreases the revenue, we will realize a cost savings of $9,132. I!n addition, plans are being made to solicit for advertisements. There is a very conservative estimate for the first year which is fiour pages of advertisements at $295 per page for three issues. This would generate an additional $3,540 which will reduce the ciost. This newsletter will be direct mailed and will go to all h!ouseholds in the City. Overruns will be printed so that they cian be distributed to the western area and the unincorporated alrea. These overruns will not be mailed. Mayor Weiner is very encouraged by this project. Commissioner ~guila asked for clarification regarding the funding of this pro- jiect. Ms. Green repeated: $17,133 - Printing & Binding, City Manager's 9,007 - Printing & Binding, Recreation Division 3,500 - Community Promotions 9,000 - Postage - Recreation Division $38,640 - Total They will actually spend approximately $29,508, but will generate $i3,540. It was agreed by the Commissioners that this program be elstablished. MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Parks - Page 238 One Maintenance Worker II position included an extra salary; hiowever, the number of positions is correct. Line Item 111.00 should be corrected to reflect a reduction of $16,744 plus bene- f~its. kt the present time, a Parks Supervisor position is open. Most probably, the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor will move into that Position which will leave the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor position open. This position will be cut from the budget at a siavings of approximately $35,000 plus fringe benefits. The Parks Division will be reduced from thirty-eight (38) to thirty-seven (137). Debt Service - Page 243 Mr. Miller stated that the debt service is based upon the prin- Cipal and interest on the bond issues. Mayor Weiner questioned how much money the City owes on the bond issues. Since he did ~ot have the information at hand, Mr. Miller promised to furnish Mayor weiner with a copy of the information she requested. evenue Mr. Miller continued his discussion on revenue. He mentioned the half-cent sales tax, and the Golf Course administrative fee. He ~eminded the Commission that at the lower millage rate, addi- tional dollars must be added for the tax increment financing. This would amount to approximately $48,000. ihn the savings side, with regard to expenditures, all departmen- al accounts provided for a 5% increase in Blue Cross/Blue ield. The increase has been abated. This increase will be ~emoved from all departmental accounts. This amounts to approxi- mately $54,000. Mr. Miller stated there are 80 employees on the HMO Plan. Blue Cross/Blue Shield has provided a proposal to the City whereby if the City goes exclusively with them, they will rovide an additional decrease in total premiums of approximately 80,000. The General Fund savings would be approximately 54,000 The City will begin to program this in. Employees will be notified. 5Ir. Sullivan explained the 80 employees are currently covered by igna. The Palm Beach Medical Group and the Boca Raton Medical ,roup are the two primary facilities utilized by HMO. Blue Iross/Blue Shield has now incorporated most of these physicians. Re employees need not be apprehensive to change now. Under HMO, lhere is a $5.00 co-pay. Under the Blue Cross/Blue Shield rogram, the deductible is $100 or $200 per family, out-of-pocket ~s $1,200 and it is a 90/10 plan. It has the mos~ comprehensive group of physicians in the area. They will also be picking up JFK Hospital as a participant. 8 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Mr. Miller also pointed out that when the actual lay offs of approximately eight or nine individuals take place, there will be a pay out to some of them relative to sick leave and vacation leave. Those figures are being calculated now. These people Would be laid off at the end of this fiscal year and they would receive the pay out from next year's budget. Commissioner Matson pointed out that many times when people ~etire from the City, they leave with very large sums of money from sick leave and vacations. She asked if it is possible to institute a policy for new employees joining the City, whereby ~hey "use it or lose it". Mr. Miller felt this would be a good idea. The Civil Service Rules will have to be changed. This will also have to be bargained with the Unions. This new policy Will apply to all employees hired after a set date. There was general consensus among the Commissioners that this policy should be researched further and considered for implementation. The total figures at this point equal approximately $800,000. The difference will be made up by increasing the transfer from ~he Water and Sewer from $1,350,000 to no more than $1,500,000. Publicity Fund - Page 426 There was discussion regarding each of the items in this Fund: ~oynton G.A.L.A. - The G.A.L.A. pays for itself. ~ommunity Promotion - This money pays for a variety of things Which arise but are unplanned. ~oard Dinner - Mayor Weiner feels that in a year such as this, ~here shoUld be no dinner, especially with invited spouses. She Suggested a breakfast for the members of the Boards only at a ~ost of $2,000. Vice Mayor Harmening felt that Board members devote a great deal of time and should be rewarded with a dinner. Commissioner Aguila agreed with Mayor Weiner that because of the ircumstances posed this year, it should be cancelled. Mayor einer does not want to forget it completely. Commissioner Artis pointed out that Board members used to be paid mileage. They are n° longer paid that mileage. Commissioner Aguila feels if there ~s a dinner or breakfast, then spouses should be invited. After much discussion, it was decided to go with breakfast for the member and spouse. Recreation & Library Newsletter - The figure of $3,500 was elimi- hated from this budget. Holiday Parade - This figure remains the same. It basically ~overs personnel costs. Chamber of Commerce - All of the Commissioners agreed this figure be reduce--~ by $10,000. 9 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Black Awareness Day - The Commission discussed this at length, and it was decided that the figure of $3,000 would remain; however, if anything can be saved, it will go into the con- tingency budget. Holiday Lights - This money was set aside for the purchase of banners in place of lights. Commissioner Aguila suggested this be put on hold until next year. The figure was reduced by $2,000. july 4th Festivities - The $14,000 budgeted will be completely ~liminated. Fundraisers will be conducted to raise the money for these festivities. A total of $30,500 was saved in this area. All of the Commissioners Were in agreement with these cuts. Community Improvement/CRA - Page 453 Carrie Parker explained that there are three tax increment districts to deal with in this coming fiscal year. There was a ~growth of just over $3 million in taxable value in the residen- ial area, a decrease in the commercial of just over $1 million aind a slight increase in the expanded commercial area which is .~ot very significant. The ad valorem taxes from the County and ~he City are $219,106. A bill to have the health care districts xemptedfrom paying the ad valorem taxes failed state wide but alto Beach County health care district managed to get a bil~ ~.assed. This results in our loss of this revenue for this year. q'he Childrens' Services Council is also exempt for this upcoming ~'ear. These two entities have been deleted. 5Is. Parker discussed the Fund Balance on Page 454. She explained that because this program is a multi-year program which had just ~,egun, and some of the projects took more than one year to qomplete, the funds were encumbered but not necessarily spent in each fiscal year. It was difficult to track the funds from a d.epartmental standpoint. Last year, a program was implemented to arry forward the unexpended fund balance which amounted to 770,131. More money has been spent on programming this year and any of the programs are coming to fruition. For this year, a figure of $375,885 is being projected which will deplete all of the Outstanding fund balance for the previous years. This is a ignificant issue. 91s. Parker explained the City's contribution to the program. The City's contribution, because of an increase in the assessed ~alue, is increasing approximately $40,000 this year. She also stated that the revenue picture assumes that the General Fund forgives the loan of $158,000. Vice Mayor Harmening feels this loan should be repaid. 10 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Commissioner Aguila mentioned the fact that he sees a great deal Of paperwork and photos coming out of this department. He questioned whether too much time is spent showing people what we are going to do, but not enough time doing what we say we are going to do. He is not comfortable with what is being accomplished in the Community Improvement Department. Commissioner Aguila admitted that he needs to get more familiar With these program. Ms. Broomfield explained that it takes a great deal of time, talking and showing to do anything regarding commercial or resi- dential development. It takes a lot of preparation and coor- dination with funding sources. Many times, after all of this time and effort is put forth, you still do not get the funding. She explained that in the Central Business District, projects are 9nderway such as landscaPing of the medians. She pointed out' ghat the mangrove project has not been funded. A project on a p.orti.on of Boynton Beach Boulevard is planned; however, prepara- tion is needed before contruction plans, contracting, and speci- cations can be done. Community Improvement does a great deal Of planning, but it cannot move until CRA approval is obtained.  ayor Weiner stated that what the Commission had in mind for s. Broomfield was actually two jobs. The first job was to stop ~.he spread of the blighted area. With this in mind, she also got 'nvolved with the Central Business District .~ . . The Commission felt ~f the Central Business District could be "fixed up", tax incre- ment funding could be obtained. We now have tax increment inancing. This funding is supposed to help the blighted ares. ayor Weiner has visited churches with Ms. Broomfield where she explained to the people what the City is willing to do. She ~pent an incredible amount of time in this process. Mayor Weiner ~rther stated that she has heard complaints that all that has ~een accomplished is to spend a lot of money in salary with very ~ittle to show for it. However, she feels that it took three years to get this program moving. Mayor Weiner does not want to See this program die because the situation will worsen. Vice ayor Harmening is in agreement with the "paint up, fix up" rograms; however, he does not agree with the programs for the owntown area. City Manager Miller explained . that Ms Broomfield has three Rousing construction programs going on now; the "paint up fix qp", the home improvement and the in-fill construction program. 11 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 This in-fill program is difficult to get started. It is so dif- ficult, in fact, that HCD in this County, is developing rules and regulations relative to in-fill housing. However, when it gets moving, it will sell itself. This program works and is worth it. Ms. Broomfield stated that the commercial area is worse than the residential area in getting property-owner participation. If the Property owners are not interested in working with the City to get things moving in the area, nothing will happen because the money we can contribute is not enough to turn this area around. The Central Business District property owners are not only con- cerned that the City might have a lien against their property, but they will have to repay that or make sure more customers come into their businesses in order for them to get a return on their investment. Other extenuating issues in the Central Business District are the location of the bridge and the marina project. Ms. Broomfield explained that the CRA area is basically in-fill area. It requires working with what is available. There is no guarantee that the public improvements will encourage commercial development in the area; however, it will not hurt the area. Ms. Broomfield further explained that low staffing has been a Problem in the department also. One staff person deals with 126 applications which are received yearly. One staff person does ~nspections for all of the rehabilitation which is necessary. For six months, there was no Construction Manager. A new person is now in place and progress is being made. Forty-one homes were done last year. This year, because of staffing problems, only twenty-two have been done. However, because of the new Construction Manager, he has picked up nine and they are moving. An additional nine are pending inspection and we are getting verifications on an additional nine. Housing rehabilitation is paper intensive and in this situation, it is even more paper intensive because of the availability of federal funds from Housing and Community Development . This paperwork is necessary for verification. Regarding the rehabilitation program, much of ~he work is done on the interior of buildings. This is work that Cannot be seen by driving by the area. Commissioner Aguila will attempt to spend some time with Ms. Broomfield in order to learn more about the programs. Commissioner Artis has seen the results of some of these programs aind has received many favorable comments. Ms. Broomfield has two budgets. The 136 budget is Community Redevelopment which deals with the downtown area and the 196 udget is Community Improvement which deals with the housing pro- iects. Ms. Broomfield explained the CRA land acquisitions and llmprovements to the Commission. ~n reviewing the Community Redevelopment Budget (136), ~ommissioner Matson questioned Line Item 470.05, Business 12 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 Meetings. Ms. Broomfield explained that this figure includes trips to Tallahassee for one person to discuss the mangrove area, the Florida Downtown Development Association and the National Council for Urban Economic Development. At this point, Mayor Weiner suggested that if the Central Business District can be improved, it will help divert funds into ~he blighted area. The City does not have any funds. The most intractable problems take the longest time and the most patience and the most money. The blighted area, along with an attempt to revitalize downtown, cannot be abandoned. Vice Mayor Harmening disagrees. Mayor Weiner questioned whether there is enough money in the program for this fiscal year. Ms. Parker stated that $170,000 is available in program dollars for street improvements, Some dollars for land purchases and $50,000 for the Mainstreet Program. Vice Mayor Harmening suggested not purchasing any pro- Perty at all. Commissioner Aguila feels that what is being done in the blighted ~rea is worth every penny. He has no faith in the downtown area a!nd feels the efforts are totally wasted. He feels if we are ~elying on the downtown effort in order to help the blighted a!rea, we are doomed to failure. He is Uncomfortable with the Mainstreet Program and the whole new approach. Vice Mayor Harmening feels it is a waste of time. Returning to the matter of business meetings, it was decided to reduce this figure to $1 500. i ' Regarding Line #610.01, New Personnel, this figure was reduced by $757. iscussion resumed again about land acquisitions. Ms. Broomfield xplained that the CRA budget contains dollars for land acquisi- ions and street improvements. The Community Improvement dollars re for the housing program. Vice Mayor Harmening is against ~urchasing any land. Ms. Broomfield explained there is land on [artin Luther King Boulevard they are interested in. It is ~ecessary to have a stock of land, or the ability to acquire and, or consider the program useless. Ir. Miller said that it is necessary to acquire specific vacant ots when the opportunity arises. When the program begins to ~ove, the lot is signed stating that it is available. In his ~ast experience, many times lots were given to people with the tipulation that a house be built on it. The money in this ,udget will buy only from eight to eleven lots. The City now has eventeen lots north of the Canal which are not in the CRA area, nd approximately seven lots in the CRA area. ~ayor Weiner explained that there are no additional funds ~v~ilable. Mr. Miller suggested the only option available would 13 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1991 be to take funds from the General Fund. However, he pointed out that assessments are not going up and he does not anticipate improvements. Mayor Weiner suggested that Ms. Broomfield work With the funds that are currently available and hopefully next year there will be more to work with. Vice Mayor Harmening hoped that at least part of the $158,000 Would be returned. Mayor Weiner questioned whether a vote is necessary to forgive that loan. Mr, Miller advised that a reso- lution will need to be adopted. Ms. Parker will add a resolution to the agenda. Vice Mayor Harmening is against forgiving this loan. Mayor Weiner feels this situation must be resolved. Mr. Miller pointed out that the money was lent to the Community improvement Fund by the General Fund. If the Commission wants to forgive that loan, it must be done by resolution. He also Pointed out that a future Commission can undo that resolution and return the money. Mayor Weiner suggested that this item be discussed further at tomorrow's meeting. AD J OU RNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 12:00 midnight. ATTEST: Cit~ clerk ~cording Secretary (Five Tapes) CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ~' ~~~Ma yor ~~~~/ommi s s i one~- Commissioner 14