Minutes 07-13-00 MINUTES OF THE AGENDA PREVIEW CONFERENCE
HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOH,AT THE EAST WATER TREATMENT PLANT
ON THURSDAYf .1ULY 13f 2000 AT 5:00 P.M.
PRESENT
Gerald Broening, Mayor
Ronald Weiland, Vice Mayor
William Sherman, Mayor Pro Tem
Bruce Black, Commissioner
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
James Cherof, City Attorney
Sue Kruse, City Clerk
Call to Order
Following a tour of the new East Water Treatment Plant, the agenda review began at 5:20 p.m.
IV-CONSENT AGENDA- Item C. :L. Proposed Resolution No. R00-92 Re:
Amendment of lease agreement with Bell South Mobility, Inc.
20009
Mr. Hawkins explained that BellSouth has agreed to increase their contribution to the City from
$:[2,000 to $:[5,000. Mr. Hawkins pointed out that this is the best the City can do because the
agreement was drafted in :[995 and did not contain a provision that allows the City to ask for
more money. BellSouth has been gracious in offering the City additional money.
Mike Rumpf, Planning & Zoning Director, pointed out that two companies (Sprint and Verizon
Wireless) would require additional land. Since new equipment would be installed in the ground,
new leases would be developed and we would include language that addresses concerns we
have had with existing contracts.
IV-CONSENT AGENDA- Item C. 2. Proposed Resolution No. R00- Re:
Approving the proposed contract with Shalloway, Foy, Rayman & Newell, Inc. in the amount
of $48,595 for design, permitting, bidding services and construction services in the Costa
Bella Subdivision
IV-CONSENT AGENDA- Item C.3, Proposed Resolution No. R00- Re:
Approving the proposed contract with Kimley Horn and Associates in the amount oF
$390,390 for design, permitting, bidding services and construction management for
Tndustdal Avenue stormwater improvements
Mr. Bressner advised that he included a notation on each of these agenda memos e,xpressing
concern about the time schedule for the completion of the engineering and a view on
commencement of construction. Mr. Bressner said it is anticipated that we would go out for
bids on the Costa Bella project in December or January. However, it appears that
commencement of construction on the Industrial Avenue project would be in June of 200:[. He
would like to move that date up to February.
MEE1/NG MZNUTES
AGENDA PREVIEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLOP~DA
3uly 13, 2000
Mr. Sugerman reported that the time schedules would be negotiable with both of the firms and
he recommended not delaying the award.
The scheduled completion date for Costa Bella would be mid-July or August. Mr. Bressner is
hopeful this project could be completed by June.
Mr. Bressner referred to the back-up material and expressed confusion regarding the
completion date for the Industrial Avenue project. Mr. Sugerman explained that we would have
a much better schedule once we receive bids on the project.
IV-CONSENT AGENDA- Ttem D. 1. Airman/Bay Vista (Wall~fence~shrub
height) - Request to amend LDR, Chapter 2-Zoning, Section 4.J.1. requiring a maximum
wall, fence or shrub height within the front setback of four feet, to increase the maximum
height to six feet applicable to multi-family zoning districts.
and
IV-CONSENT AGENDA- Item D.2. Altman/Bay Vista (Parking for private
recreation areas) - Request to amend LDR, Chapter 2-Zoning, Section 11, H. -16e, (12)
requiring parking spaces for private recreation areas as a factor of distance to units, to
require a fiat rate requirement plus spaces for office/administrative uses.
Mr. Bressner advised that Items IV-D.1 and IV-D.2 would be moved to the Legal portion of the
agenda and be considered as Ordinances on first reading.
> IV-CONSENTAGENDA-Item G. Approve Change Orders #10, #11, #13 and
#:L4 for the construction of Gateway Boulevard Improvement project
Mr. Bressner said he included a note on this agenda item to approve the Change Orders without
granting the contractor any additional construction time since the contractor is already behind
schedule.
Larry Roberts, Engineer, reported that the last schedule indicates the project should be
completed in September.
V. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Item A.
Avenue Promenade Project
Follow-up Report - Bids for Ocean
Quintus Greene, Director of Development/CRA, distributed to the Commissioners copies of the
bid documents and plans for this project. He directed the Commissioners to Page C-4 in the
contract section of the document and pointed out that Section 4.0 specifies the amount of time
the contractor has to complete the contract (275 calendar days) and the penalties involved if he
fails to complete the project on time. The penalty is $500 per day.
In response to Commissioner Black, Mr. Roberts explained that the specifications refer back to
FDOT specifications and if the contractor is rained out more than one-half day on any one day,
MEETt'NG MTNUTES
AGENDA PREVTEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLOI~DA
3uly 1.3, 2000
he is entitled to a contract extension. Mr. Roberts said staff is on the project and keeps diaries
and logs and will verify these dates.
Mr. Greene directed the Commissioners to Sheet L-4 of the drawings that listed the landscape
details and locations of the landscaping throughout the project.
Vice Mayor Weiland noted that Ficus trees were included on the plan. Mr. Roberts advised that
at the request of the Parks Division, those Ficus trees were replaced with another species. In
addition, the Ficus hedges for the urban walls were also changed to another species.
Mr. Greene reported that the total available funding would be $2,386,000. The total project
cost including the roadway promenade construction is $2,892,830. That results in a deficit of
approximately $506,527. By removing the first block, the project should come in within the
budget.
Vice Mayor Weiland asked for clarification with respect to the railroad tracks. Mr. Greene
referred to the budget and explained that the railroad crossings and crossing gates are
reimbursable expenses to FEC. However, they are part of the overall project budget.
Dale Sugerman, Assistant City Manager, explained that the budget that was distributed included
the $600,000 EconomiC Development Incentive money that is not available for this project.
When that money is eliminated from the budget, the deficit will be $1.1 million. Mr. Sugerman
explained that the $600,000 is money that was set aside for job creation and for attracting
business.
Vice Mayor Weiland questioned how much of the $600,000 had been used to attract business.
Mr. Sugerman said this fund was used for the Fa(;ade Grant Program. Mr. Sugerman did not
have the figures available to report to the Commission. Vice Mayor Weiland remarked that if
the City had not used 90% of it, that money could be redirected.
Mayor Broening requested that the Commission be provided with a clarification regarding the
sources of funding. Mr. Bressner said this information would be provided on Monday.
PUBL]:C HEARING - Item A. - Wood Partners Text Amendment - Amend Policy 1.16.1
of the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Element to increase the maximum density in
the High Density Residential land use category from 10.8 dwelling units per acre to 16
dwelling units per acre. (7'AB~-£D OAf..ll,/Z
Vice Mayor Weiland said he would like legal advice on this issue before the Commission moves
too fast. It is his opinion that Boynton Beach has enough rentals at the present time and he
would prefer to have more ownership units. He inquired whether or not the Commission has
any leverage in this regard.
Attorney Cherof advised that there is nothing in the Code that would permit the Commission to
control that decision by the property owner.
MEE'I~NG Mt'NUTES
AGENDA PREVTEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLOR2DA
3uly :L3, 2000
The Commissioners requested that they be provided with the minutes of the Planning &
Development Board meeting.
VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- Item A. Status of Enforcement of Non-
conforming Freestanding Signs with Update on Wall Sign Inventory Work (August 1, 2000)
At Mr. Bressner's request, Mr. Rumpf explained that in May, staff forwarded a report to the
Commission regarding nonconforming signs. That report indicated the origin of the regulations
and the City's position at that point. Staff was directed to follow up on the inventory and notify
the property owners of the regulations. A meeting was conducted with the representatives of
the signs and the results of that meeting were reported to the Commission in a May 24, 2000
memorandum.
Staff now requires direction from the Commission with respect to whether or not to proceed to
attack the signs. The two reasons why staff would reconsider attacking those signs are:
The way the regulations are written, they are convenient. The maximum
height of a sign anywhere in the City is 20'. Nonconforming signs are 25'
or 26'. If the City cites them, they could drop the sign to 20; but that
might not have the impact we want.
The City could back off, modify the regulations to come up with a higher
standard at some point in time.
With respect to wall signs, staff did an inventory and it is estimated that 5% of the wall signs
would be nonconforming. Staff is ready to proceed with a formal inventory and begin the citing
process.
Mr. Rumpf said staff is looking at a maximum of 8' to 10' monument signs. He explained that
we would have the options of sunsetting all signs or treating them as legal nonconforming
signs. The way the regulations are currently written, the owners would have the ability to make
minimal visual changes to get to a legal nonconforming status.
When Mr. Bressner questioned whether the Commission would want to address this issue at a
special workshop meeting, Vice Mayor Weiland felt that in fairness to the people that are
conforming, the Commission needs to move forward and get everyone into conformance.
VIII. FUTURE AGENDAITEMS-Item B. Review policy for cemetery late
arrival fee and space requirements
Mr. Bressner recommended conducting a joint meeting with the Cemetery Board to discuss the
issues of the late arrival fee and the space requirements.
Commissioner Black would like to meet with the Cemetery Board, but he recommends that the
Commission make a decision on the late arrival fee issue and then meet with the Board to
discuss space requirements.
MEETING Mt'NUTES
AGENDA PREVIEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH~ FLOI~DA
3uly 13~ 2000
Mr. Bressner said he intends to meet with representatives of the Community Forum, clergy and
the funeral home business to try to reframe the late arrival fee. Mr. Bressner will provide the
Commission with a packet of all of the documents concerning the cemetery fee. The meeting
would probably take place during the next month.
City Clerk Sue Kruse reported that the Cemetery Board met on Tuesday night and learned that
there have been no late arrivals since the Resolution was adopted. The board members
suggest that the Resolution remain in place to address this issue if the need arises in the future.
With respect to expanding the cemetery, there was brief discussion until one member
mentioned that someone in the Ag Reserve area would like to donate 40 acres for someone to
open a cemetery. Ms. Kruse will provide copies of the Cemetery Board meeting minutes.
Mr. Bressner said his understanding of the Ordinance relative to the Cemetery Board is that the
board has the authority to promulgate and enforce standards of operation at the cemetery and
the Commission's role is to appoint the members of the board and approve their budget.
Attorney Cherof explained that this situation came about when the City attempted to recoup
expenses associated with overtime and keeping employees on duty when funerals ran late. The
City Commission has the power to implement fees on any type of event or business to recoup
those kinds of expenses. This is not a case of exclusive jurisdiction. Attorney Cherof agreed
with Mr. Bressner's suggestion of a joint meeting.
Commissioner Black requested that the City Manager move forward with the meeting so that
the City Commission could address this issue by the second meeting in September. Mr.
Bressner said there have been suggestions with respect to staff scheduling that may help to
alleviate some of the overtime expenses. These suggestions have to be evaluated.
VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- Item C. Future Annexation Areas
Mr. Sugerman reported that he would provide the City Manager will all research within the next
30 days.
> VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- Item D. Minimum
Ordinance
Landscape Standards
Mr. Rumpf inquired whether the Commission would like to review the draft revisions prior to
this Ordinance going before the Planning & Development Board for review at their first meeting
in August. The Commissioners were content to receive the Ordinance at the second City
Commission meeting in August.
VIII- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- Item G. Proposed Resolution No. R00-99
Re: Interlocal Agreement establishing water and wastewater service area boundaries
(TAB£EO ON]U£ YS~ 2000)
MEETING MINUTES
AGE?DA PREVZEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORIDA
3uly 1.3~ 2000
Mr. Sugerman reported that this item was included on a previous agenda in error. This issue
relates to the Biltmore Terrace sale and purchase and whether or not the Commission is willing
to sell that area to Palm Beach County utilities. Attached to the Biltmore Terrace sale will be a
new legal description that describes our service territory and their service territory. This would
be an interlocal agreement for the purchase and sale of a specific area. The second part of this
would be that it redefines the service territories.
City Manager Bressner said this item appears on the agenda as a tracking mechanism. When
this reaches the Commission, it will be two separate items. Mr. Sugerman said this issue should
be ready for the August :1~ agenda.
VZZZ-FUTURE AGENDA :ITEMS - Ztem
regarding CRA Membership (October 4, 2000)
Report on Proposed Criteria
Mr. Greene inquired whether it was the Commission's desire to include all previous applicants
who were not considered when the first two civilian members were appointed to the CRA. The
Commission responded affirmatively.
Vice Mayor Weiland expressed concern about moving too quickly in turning the CRA over
because of the dollar amount that is available. Approximately $1 million is available. He said
he does not want to see a $90,000 CRA Director or a $150,000 office on Ocean Avenue or
Federal Highway. The Commission has worked very hard to gain the $:1 million and he doesn't
want that money squandered. He wants the in-house office and CRA Director used.
Mayor Broening said the budget is set up in that way and there is no money involved. Mr.
Bressner agreed that if the CRA wants to go outside for external services, they would have to
come back to the Commission for approval.
Mr. Greene said the way it has been envisioned to be handled is that there would be a staff
services contract between the CRA and the City so that the City would provide staff to the CRA.
Functionally, there would be no change from the current situation.
Mr. Bressner said the specifics of the agreement would be provided to the Commission. Vice
Mayor Weiland also requested copies of the minutes of the Joint City Commission/Chamber of
Commerce Workshop meeting.
Commissioner Black requested that the Commission be provided with clarification of the CRA
members' duties and responsibilities and whether or not their actions are subject to Commission
approval.
Mr. Greene requested that the following item be added to the
agenda under VIII-Future Agenda Items:
Recommendations for CDBG Funding for 2000/2001 Fiscal Year
(August 1, 2000)
MEETING MI'NUTES
AGENDA PREV?EW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLOP~DA
3uly 13, 2000
When Mr. Bressner requested that Mr. Greene provide the Commissioners with advance copies
of the budget, Octavia Sherrod distributed recommendations.
Ms. Sherrod explained that the Commission must review staff's recommendation so that a
notice could be published. The budget would be approved by Resolution.
At Vice Mayor Weiland's request, Ms. Sherrod explained that the Palm Beach County Resource
Center is an entity that is currently receiving money from the City. The City refers small
businesses to them to help them start up their businesses.
Mr. Bressner requested that Ms. Sherrod provide the Commissioners with a worksheet synopsis
of the application for each of the groups as well as a description of what is proposed. The
Resolution would then cover the staff report. Mr. Bressner also requested that a copy of the
staff report be placed on file in the City Clerk's Office so that any interested party could review
the information before the August 1~t meeting.
Ms. Sherrod urged the Commissioners to contact her with comments or concerns. Vice Mayor
Weiland requested that the Commission be informed of the location of each of the organizations
and whether or not they are able to obtain funding from other municipalities. Vice Mayor
Weiland would like to know how much money the organizations are receiving from other
municipalities.
Mr. Bressner requested that Ms. Sherrod include a summary of how the organizations have
spent the money.
For the edification of the Commissioners, Mr. Sugerman explained that the $600,000 Economic
Development money is an allocation in the budget from the Utilities Department that is not cash
and does not exist for any given project. Tt is available as a budgeted line item. We must
create jobs, new business and new industry that will need water and sewer. Tn the end, the
City will get that money back. City Commission approval for expending the funds is done by
Resolution.
Vice Mayor Weiland reminded the Commissioners that Santaluces High
School Band requested a donation. :[t is his opinion that the City should
donate $2,000 each to Santaluces High School and Atlantic High School.
He requested that this item be placed on the agenda for consideration at
the next meeting.
Commissioner Black agreed with Vice Mayor Weiland's recommendation since Boynton Beach
students attend both schools.
Mayor Broening felt a line item should be created in the budget to cover such requests. He said
he was not certain the Commissioners are the best people to evaluate these requests. He is in
favor of putting a process in place. He is not in favor of ad hoc requests coming before the
Commission.
7
MEETZNG M~[NUTES
AGENDA PREVTEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
3uly 1.3, 2000
Vice Mayor Weiland said this Commission previously discussed putting a process in place, but
that discussion did not move forward.
Commissioner Black suggested giving each Commissioner a set amount of money ($20,000)
each year to cover requests such as the one from Santaluces High School.
City Manager Bressner recommended establishing a funding window so that everyone meets a
time line for grants or awards to be given. He explained that he has a problem using public
dollars in this manner. The City could help civic organizations by assisting them with publicity
through the newsletter, water bills or allocation of space on our web page. Tn that way, we
would not be using public dollars to provide direct support for their activities.
Mayor Broening remarked that he liked the process used by Octavia Sherrod in distributing the
CDBG funds because there are written criteria and there is a group of people who evaluate and
make a recommendation to the Commission for approval.
Mr. Hawkins said there had been discussion about putting a process in place to address these
requests. He feels there would be opportunities for the City to give dollars as we did in the
past. However, the City Commission did not make a decision to move forward with the process.
Vice Mayor Weiland suggested putting these two issues on hold temporarily to allow the City to
come up with a process. He requested that the minutes of those meetings be provided to the
Commission so that they can decipher what was discussed in the past.
City Manager Bressner recommended putting the following item on a future agenda:
"Proposed Policy for Community Activity Grants"
Term Limits
Vice Mayor Weiland said he realizes that the citizens have been loud and clear about abolishing
term limits. However, it is his opinion that the City has been negatively affected by restrictive
term limits. Vice Mayor Weiland suggested that the Commission consider the issue of the
length of term limits.
Vice Mayor Weiland said that at his request, the City Attorney's Office researched this issue to
determine the term limits in other municipalities. He distributed this information to everyone
present. There were only two cities of the 35 that were polled that have two-year terms but
are allowed three terms (for a total of six years). There are other cities that have two four-year
term limits (for a total of eight years) and still others that permit three three-year term limits
(for a total of nine years). Boynton's terms limits are the most restrictive of all of the cities.
These restrictive term limits do not allow the Commission to move forward.
Vice Mayor Weiland feels the ideal term limits would be two four-year terms or two three-year
terms at the least. He does not believe this would be a self-serving tactic for the current
Commission. An Ordinance would have two readings before the Commission and if approved, it
MEE'D~NG Mt'NUTES
AGENDA PREVt'EW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH~ FLOI~DA
3uly 13~ 2000
would be forwarded to the Supervisor of Elections 60 days prior to the November election. It
would be on the ballot at a time when the voter turnout would be the heaviest. Whoever would
be elected in March would then serve a three-year term. The two seats that are not up for
election in March would continue to serve the two-year term they were elected to. When those
two remaining terms expire, the newly elected Commissioners would serve the new term.
Mayor Broening pointed out that this was one of Lance deHaven-Smith's great concerns
because he felt it was a fundamental flaw in the business of the City. He is appalled by term
limits and their affect on this City. Mayor Broening said he was the head of a committee that
worked to overturn term limits a couple of years ago. As a result of that effort, he believes that
a Commission generated effort is almost doomed to failure. He would like to see this as a
citizens charter review. Mr. deHaven-Smith felt that term limits was only one of the issues in
the charter that did not fit the Year 2000 and beyond. A charter review would be a credible
way to address the problems.
Vice Mayor Weiland said that in the past, the efforts were self-serving. Vice Mayor Weiland
feels this effort is to save the City's future and allow the City to be progressive. He believes
that if a committee of stakeholders was put together, this issue would not move forward.
Vice Mayor Weiland requested that this item be added to
the agenda.
Mayor/Commission Salary Increase
Vice Mayor Weiland reported that Lance deHaven-Smith felt the Mayor/Commission salaries
were below par compared to other cities in Florida. He provided supporting documentation.
(Copies of the documentation are attached to the original set of these minutes on file in the City
Clerk's Office.) Vice Mayor Weiland said this issue is not as important to him as extending the
term limits; however, it is his opinion that both of the issues need to be included on the ballot
in November.
Vice Mayor Weiland said none of the current Commissioners would benefit by this change
unless they are reelected in March. The incumbents that would remain in office for another
year would benefit in April. However, the Ordinance could be structured so that the incumbents
would not receive the benefit until they were reelected. Therefore, he does not feel this is a
self-serving act.
· Vice Mayor Weiland requested that this item be added
to the agenda for discussion.
Vice Mayor Weiland requested that the Commission be provided with an
update on the marquee sign at the Senior Center.
When Vice Mayor Weiland questioned the length of time it has taken to put this sign in place,
Mr. Hawkins advised that Facilities Management and Recreation are handling this issue.
MEE'I-~NG M?NUTES
AGENDA PREV?EW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLOI~DA
3uly 1.3, 2000
1. Commissioner Black advised that he was contacted by representatives of
the project at the corner of Congress Avenue and SW 23rd Avenue for an
opportunity to review the proposed project with the City Commission.
Vice Mayor Weiland said this is a legal matter and if it were reversed in Court, that would be the
proper time for the issue to come back before the Commission.
Mayor Broening said he does not want to review any project unless staff has reviewed it and
provided recommendations. Tf the representatives wish to discuss it, the project should go
back through the process. The representatives are permitted to talk on this issue during Public
Audience or they could contact each Commissioner individually, but Mayor Broening is not
willing to set up a special program for anyone who wishes to develop a piece of property. This
project has been denied several times.
Attorney Cherof explained that the City's obligation is to follow the Court Order. There was a
court proceeding, a settlement and a Court Order that implements the zoning on the property.
The City's responsibility is to accept applications that are consistent with the Court Order and
reject applications that are not consistent. The only way to change that is to go back to court.
Attorney Cherof said he had advised staff that the acceptance of an application that is
inconsistent with that Court Order is a potential violation of the Court Order. A judge could
hold the City in contempt simply for processing such an application. Tf the petitioners want the
project addressed, they could go back to the court or they could come before the Commission
at Public Audience and try to persuade the Commission to enter into a stipulation to amend the
Order.
:If the Commission decided to amend the Court Order, the City Attorney would be directed to
prepare an agreement to change the zoning and land use classification for the property in the
form of a petition to the court. Any member of the public or adjacent communities could
intervene and oppose that amendment.
Commissioner Black is concerned about fire response time (seven
minutes) and the need for additional fire stations. Commissioner Black
said that in discussions with residents of the City, he feels it is obvious
that they are willing to pay additional dollars for new fire stations and to
develop park areas.
Commissioner Black would like a discussion among the Commission about ways to collect
dollars from each resident for a specific period of time to cover items such as new parks and
fire stations.
City Manager Bressner distributed a list of projects that resulted from the CIP meetings. Those
projects were sorted by rank. The list was also divided into two groups: 1) Utility projects;
and 2) non-Utility projects. There is approximately $1 million a year in recurring revenue
streams for capital projects. The estimated cost of the projects (expense only) would be $66
million. Therefore, there are revenue issues that the community will have to take care of.
lO
MEETTNG MTNUTES
AGENDA PREVTEW CONFERENCE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLOR.~DA
3uly :1.3, 2000
Mr. Bressner advised that in approximately two weeks, the Commission would be provided with
the back-up sheets that describe the projects in detail including the expenses and the possible
revenue streams. Mr. Bressner was pleased that this is the first time that the City of Boynton
Beach has a five-year capital improvement plan. During the upcoming budget review, the
Commission will tackle the evaluation of the projects and possible revenue sources.
Commissioner Black requested that during the budget review staff provide the Commission with
information on whether or not it would be possible to do these projects through special
assessments or an add-on to the water bill.
Mr. Bressner offered to hold capital improvements financing alternatives workshop meeting to
deal with the projects.
Attorney Cherof advised that the City could raise money in the following ways:
1. Ad Valorem Taxes
2. Assessments
3. Fees
Attorney Cherof suggested that the Commission be provided with a 10-15 minute primer at the
beginning of the budget process outlining revenue sources.
AD3OURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting properly
adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
CI-I'Y OF BOYNTON BEACH
Vice Mayor "'"
Mayor Pro Tem
Co ' ioner )
~z~g~oner
Lance deHaven-Snflth, Ph.D.
deHaven-Sm~th & Associates
342!) Welwyn Way
Tailahassee, FL 32~08
lune 27, 2000
Vice Mayor Ron Weihnd
Ci~ Boynton Beach
Office of the City Manager
I001~. Boynton Beach Boulevard
Boynton Beach, Fl, 33425
via FAX to (5611 74~-6011
Dear Vice Mayor Weiland;
This loiter is a response to your request that I offer specific recommendations re/~rding
term limits and salaries for elected officials in Boynton Beack Let m~ preface my
recommendations with a statement of principle. In my view, municipal offices should be
structured to meet the needs of the situation. If; for ex.ample, ~ city's elected officials
were to become entrenched and unresponsive, short terms and tight term limits would
probably be a good idea. On the other hand, when a cu' faces ch~i!enges and Js in need
of strong and stable leadership, term limits and _dmilar rules designed to promote
turnover will do more hann than good. In myjudgment, Boynton Beach is in the latter
situatio~
To provide stabIe leadership for the city, at least'two of the followin~ thr~ characteristics
of the city's elected offices should be adjusted: (1) The leith of terms; (2) the number
of consecutive terms that can be served; and (3) the s~hries of the Ma}or and
Commissioners. In Boynton Beach, all three of these factors promote turnover. Terms
are two years, only two consecutive terms can be served, and salaries are ve~ [ow.
My recommendations are to (1) increase terms to three years; (2) either eliminate term
limits or allow at least three co~secutiYe terms; and (3) increase s~_l_nrics to $9,500 per
year t'or Commissioners and $12,000 per year For ~ Mayor. I suggest increasing the
terms ortho Mayor and City Commissioners to three },cars because this will assure that
even those officials who remain in office only one term will have a good bit et'
experience during most of their service. I recommend eliminating term limits because
this will allow citizens to keep good officials in office. As it stands, citizens are denied
the right to vote on whether to retain a Commissioner or Mayor be},ond 4 years. The
salary I am recomm-.nding is a little higher than Boca Raton's, but lower than Coral
Sprinl~s, which are east-coast cities comparable in size to Boynton. This level of
12:54
~l. IN ST OF GOVT
858 48? 884I
P. 0~
compensation should be sufficient to cover the Mayor's and Commissioners' om-of-
pocket expenses rela~ed to their public service and perhaps replace some ofth~ income
from other employment they mu~t forego because of the hours ~hey commit to The City.
I hope these Sll~e.~iolos are helpful.
assistance.
Pleasc let me know [fl ca~ be of any further
Sincerely,
Cc: City Manager Brcssner
TOTAL
zo.l,.~ /"L LI:.HI..~ Ul- CITIES e 561 742 6054 N0.289 1~/00B
0
0
0
lb:12
FL LEAUE OF CITIES ~ 561 ?42 6~4 ~.28~
POO~x00~
COMMISSION SALARY/COMPENSATION
(N~ City Manager Form of Government)
c['rY/POPULA'r[ON
Boynton Beach
Population: 53,635
Titusville
Population: 41,376
MONTHLY SALARY
Mayor- $350.00 monthly
Comm - $350.00 monthly
Mayor
Comm
Deerfield Beach Mayor
Population: .50f123 Comm
Palm Beach Gardens Mayor
Population: 33f200 Comm
Delray Beach Mayor
Population: 52,920 Comm
Boca Raton
Population: 67,754
Riviera Beach
PopulaUon: 27,579
30~424
Lake Worth
Population:
Sebring
Population:
- $538.16 monthly
- $391.40 monthly
- $650.00 monthly
- $550.00 monthly
- $900.00 monthly
- $800.00 monthly
- $500.00 monthly
- $400.00 monthly
Mayor- $750.00 monthly
Comm - $600.00 monthly
Mayor- $800.00 monthly
Comm - $700.00monthly
Mayor - $433.33 monthly
Comm - $350.00 monthly
Mayor- $250.00 monthly
10~000 Comm - $200.00 monthly
Wellington Mayor and Comm - $300.00 monthly
Population: 25~870
Aitamonte Springs
Population: 35f348
Port Orange
Population: 44~738
Mayor- $400.00 monthly
Comm - $300.00 monthly
Mayor- $708.33 monthly
Corem - $416.67 monthly
s:ca\dep~\dtyatty~CommCompRev.062200
MONTHLY EXPENSES
Mayor- $450.00 monthly
Vice Mayor- $390.00
monthly
Comm - $375.00 monthly
No expenses
$425.00 monthly for
Mayor and Commission
No expenses
Mayor- $425.23 monthly
Comm - $354.36 monthly
Mayor and Commission
receive $350.00 monthly
car allowance
No expenses
Mayor- $600.00 monthly
Comm - $600.00 monthly
No expenses
Reimbursement for travel
3er FI. Statutes
No expenses
$75.00wee~ycar
allowance for each
City
Boca Raton
Delray Beach
Ma~a~
North Lauderdale
Lake Worth
Hollywood
Palm Beach Gardens
Wellington
Titusville
Palm Springs
Ocala
Oakland Park
Bradenton
Altamonte Springs
Fort Pierce
Cape Coral
Clearwater
Cooper City
Length of Term
2 years - Mayor &
Commission
2 years - Mayor &
Commission
1 year- Mayor Appointed
by Commission
2 - 3 year staggered
terms for Commission
:1. year- Mayor
- Commission
2 years - Mayor &
Commission
4 years - Mayor &
Commission
3 years - Mayor &
Commission
:!. year- Mayor
2-4 years - Commission
4 years- Mayor &
Commission
2 years - Mayor &
Commission
2 years - Mayor
- Commission
4 years - Mayor &
Commission
4 years - Mayor &
Commission
3 years - Mayor &
Commission
4 years - Mayor &
Commission
2 years - Mayor &
Counsel
3 years - Mayor &
Commission
3 years - Mayor &
Commission
Term Limits
3 term limit
3 term limit
3 term limit
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
2 term limit
No term limits
No term limits
No term limits
2 term limit
2 term limit
2 term limit
Coral Gables 4 years - Mayor & 2 term limit
Commission
Coconut Creek 3 years - Mayor & No term limit
Commission
Winter Haven No term limit
4 years - Mayor &
Commission
Tamarac
Sunrise
Sebastian
Sarasota
Sanford
Riviera Beach
Port Orange
Port St. Lucie
Hollywood
Gainesville
Melbourne
Miramar
Royal Palm Beach
Ft, Lauderdale
3 years- Mayor &
Commission
4 years Mayor &
Commission
2 years Mayor &
Commission
I year Mayor
4 years Commission
4 years Mayor &
Commission
2 years Mayor &
Commission
4 years Mayor &
Commission
2 years Mayor &
Commission
4 years Mayor &
Commission
3 years Mayor &
Commission
4 years Mayor &
Commission
4 year Mayor &
Commission
2 year Mayor &
Commission
3 years Mayor &
Commission
3 term limit
No term limit
No term limit
No term limit
No term limit
No term limit
2 term limit
8 term limit, referendum
to 4 term limit
No term limit
2 term limit
2 term limit
No term limit
No term limit
3 term limit