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Minutes 07-16-03 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, 208 SOUTH SEACREST BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2003 AT 3:00 P.M. Present Gerald Broening, Mayor Mike Ferguson, Vice Mayor Mack McCray, Commissioner Carl McKoy, Commissioner Kurt Bressner, City Manager Lindsey Payne, Assistant City Attorney Janet Prainito, City Clerk Absent Ron Weiland, Commissioner 1. Call to Order Mayor Broening called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. and asked Kurt Bressner, City Manager to explain the purpose of the meeting. Mr. Bressner said that he would be providing additional information regarding the probable increase in salaries and expenses for the Mayor and City Commission. At last night's Commission Meeting, Legal was instructed to prepare an ordinance to adjust the salaries of the City Commission, the total cost of which is $15,769. This figure will have to be added to the budget. Mr. Bressner requested that after the Commissioners' questions, if any, have been addressed and after the public hearing, he would like to have a motion approving the tentative budget that will be presented at the public hearing, scheduled for September 4, 2003. The proposed millage rate must also be approved at that meeting and he had copies of the Resolution available. 2. Questions Vice Mayor Ferguson had a question pertaining to Organizational and Strategic Development, line 54-36 "Career Development." Ms. Reese reported that this line item covers all the in-house training for employees for all City Departments. Vice Mayor Ferguson had a question pertaining to Neighborhood Services, line 63-90 "Community Investments." Vice Mayor Ferguson recommended that this line item be moved to the City Commission, since this is the Commission's discretionary funds. Ms. Reese said that this could be done. Meeting Minutes Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach, FL July 16, 2003 Further, Vice Mayor Ferguson recommended that the amount be reduced from $62,500 to $50,000, so that each Commissioner would have $10,000 in this account instead of the current $12,500. Commissioner McCray felt that the figure should remain as stated. Mr. Bressner pointed out that he had reduced this item from $62,500 to $60,000. Commissioners agreed to accept the $60,000 figure. The line item will be moved to the City Commission budget. Vice Mayor Ferguson had a question pertaining to line item 15-20, "Car Allowance" for the Development Department. Mr. Bressner explained that the reason this cost is high is because the building inspectors, who use their personal automobiles to do their job, are required to carry commercial insurance for risk management purposes. Mr. Greene added that it is less expensive if these employees use their own automobiles. Vice Mayor Ferguson asked what the duties and responsibilities were for the Aquatics Manager and Aquatics Supervisor as listed on page 172 of the proposed budget for the Recreation Department. Mr. Majors explained that the Beach Captain is now called the Aquatics Manager and manages the Beach. The Aquatics Supervisor is second in command. Mr. Bressner noted that this also includes the Wilson Municipal Pool. 3. Public Audience Ms. Terry Iiams asked about the car allowance for the building inspectors. Ms. Reese responded that it was $450 per month. Mr. Bressner explained that this also covers the cost of the commercial insurance, plus the mileage allowance for maintenance and gas for the vehicle, which the employees are responsible for. 4. Summary Mr. Bressner thanked the Department Heads for doing a good job and acknowledged that this was a difficult budget to put together. He noted that Department Heads were required to make additional cuts after the budgets had been submitted because of increased contribution costs to the City's pension plans. Special thanks to the Finance Department, Ms. Reese and kudos to Ms. Munro for getting the package together in Ms. Reese's absence last week. Mr. Bressner asked for a motion approving the tentative budget, noting that the budget had to be approved by resolution after the public hearing and could be subject to change. This will allow staff to put the final draft together with the recommended changes. 2 Meeting Minutes Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach, FL July 16, 2003 Motion Commissioner McCray moved to accept the tentative budget that has been prepared by staff for the City of Boynton Beach to be presented at the September 4, 2003 Commission Meeting with the addition of the $15,769 for salaries for the executive body. Motion seconded by Commissioner McKoy and unanimously carried. 5. Adoption of Resolution Ms. Reese explained that the Commission today is setting a tentative tax rate and the rate established can always go down, but it cannot go higher. Staff is recommending the same rate as last year. Should the Commission decide to decrease this rate between today and the public hearing, this would be allowed. Mr. Bressner reported that the tentative rate must be sent to the County, so that the County could send out preliminary tax notices to all property owners. Vice Mayor Ferguson still favored a reduction of the proposed millage rate from 7.6 to 7.5 mils and he felt that the citizens were deserving of a reduction in their taxes. If the windfall from FP&L in the amount of $260,000 comes through, he would like to see this money used to reduce the millage rate. Also, Vice Mayor Ferguson requested that they be furnished with a short quarterly budget report so that the Commissioners can keep apprised of how the money is being spent. Mr. Bressner said that staff could furnish a Quarterly Sources and Uses Report. Commissioner McCray pointed out that even with the millage rate remaining at last year's level, the taxes would still decrease. Mayor Broening acknowledged that everyone wants to see the taxes decrease, but he felt at this time they should remain with the proposed rate and to see what happens over the next two months. Mr. Bressner pointed out that in order to bring the tax rate down, the City would need $323,000. If between now and the public hearing there are some additional funds, he will bring this to the attention of the Commission. Assistant City Attorney Payne read proposed Resolution R03-132 adopting a proposed municipal millage rate of 7.6000 for general operating budget purposes for fiscal year 2003-04, stating a rolled-back rate of 6.9800, and setting forth the date, time and place of the first public hearing; providing for severability, conflicts and an effective date. 3 Meeting Minutes Special City Commission Meeting Boynton Beach, FL July 16, 2003 Motion Commissioner McKoy moved to accept proposed Resolution R03-132, as stated. Motion seconded by Commissioner McCray and unanimously carried. 6. Adjournment Thero being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:30 p.m. CITY ~, BOYI~T(~ BE'ACH , Attest: Recording Secretary Commissioner (July 18, 2003) 4