HomeMy Public PortalAbout1991-08-26 Budget Workshop16
COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 26, 1991 - BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
A Budget Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council
was held on Monday, August 26, 1991, in the Council Chamber at Bal
Harbour Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m.
by Mayor Stern. The roll was called and those present were:
Mayor Estelle Stern
Assistant Mayor Andrew R. Hirschl
Councilman Matthew B. Blank
Councilman James E. Boggess
Councilman Sol M. Taplin
Also present: Carole S. Morris, Village Manager
Jeanette Horton, Village Clerk
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
The purpose of the workshop meeting was to continue to review
the proposed budget document for fiscal year 1991-92.
A review of the payroll plan was continued, with new
calculations having been provided to Council by the Village
Manager. Council expressed concern as to the increase in the
salary for the position of Administrative Assistant. Mrs. Morris
explained that many employees are at the top of the pay range in
their present position and receive only cost of living increases.
This year, the Administrative Assistant, under the current payroll
system, is eligible to receive a five-year longevity increase of
5%, a merit increase of 5% and a cost of living increase. At Mayor
Stern's request, the duties of the Administrative Assistant will
henceforth include, in addition to her current duties, assisting
the Village Clerk, as necessary, in cooperation with the Mayor and
Village Manager.
Merit and longevity increases were discussed. Council did not
feel that merit increases should be automatically provided to
employees and had concerns relative to longevity increases. It was
Council's decision, after much discussion, to abolish the
merit/longevity pay plan, as is currently in effect. It was agreed
that a new merit/bonus system should be established which would
include longevity and be in the form of a lump -sum payment at the
end of the year, to be given at the discretion of the Department
Head and not automatically.
Council requested the Manager, in cooperation with the Finance
Office, to provide them with a new lump -sum merit system and a
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budget therefore. Merit and longevity increases given in the
current fiscal year will not be deducted from the employees pay,
but the base figure to use for calculation of cost of living
increases is October 1, 1990. COLA will be figured on that base
figure and that percentage would be added to the current salary
figure. Council also agreed that all employees eligible for
longevity from the period 10/1/90 - 9/30/91 will receive same,
inasmuch as same had previously been approved in the current
budget.
Councilman Boggess suggested that a sub -committee be formed
including, but not limited to the Village Manager and Finance
Officer, to prepare a new detailed pay plan in accordance with
Council's requests herein, which would include a merit/bonus
system.
Council also requested that all requests for bonuses be
brought to the Council after the Department Head has performed a
written performance review.
Public Works employee Jack Mason will be advised that he can
continue his employment with Bal Harbour Village, at a much lower
hourly rate.
Councilman Taplin stated that he was not in favor of spending
$3 million for the Collins Avenue/96th Street landscaping project
and that if any landscaping project was to be performed, it should
be concentrated on Collins Avenue only, including the entrance
signs presently in violation, at a much lower cost. A motion was
offered by Councilman Taplin and seconded by Assistant Mayor
Hirschl that bids for the landscaping of Collins Avenue be
requested at a cost not to exceed $750,000. A vote was taken and
the motion carried unanimously, (5-0).
Assistant Mayor Hirschl, in noting that the sum of $52,000 is
budgeted to contribute to the Surf-Bal-Bay Library, advised Council
that he did not feel that this Library was of good quality to merit
this contribution and suggested we join the Metro -Dade County
Library system. Mrs. Morris calculated the contribution necessary
to Dade County to join their library system to be approximately
$228,000 and Council decided to remain in the present library
system. Council also requested the Village Manager to contact the
Librarian and obtain, if possible, the percentage of Bal Harbour
residents who utilize the Surf-Bal-Bay library.
Councilman Blank questioned the amount of $6,000 budgeted for
keys to the city. Mrs. Morris explained that the current stock is
low and we will need to re -order. Council requested Mrs. Morris to
provide samples of different types of keys for their approval
before ordering.
Assistant Mayor Hirschl expressed his displeasure with the
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Beautification Dinner and suggested that if this event was to
continue, that it be only a dinner/dance, with no awards being
given. It was Council's decision that the amount budgeted for this
event remain and a decision be rendered at a later date as to the
Beautification Committee/Awards Dinner.
Mr. Raj Singh had several questions/concerns relative to the
budget which were addressed.
Council directed the Village Manager to request proposals for
health insurance.
In consideration of the Jewish holidays this month, the
regular monthly Council meeting was rescheduled for Monday,
September 16th at 4 p.m., prior to the Budget Hearing at 5:15 p.m.
A motion to adjourn was offered by Councilman Boggess and
seconded by Assistant Mayor Hirschl. The motion carried
unanimously (5-0) and the meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
MAYOR ESTELLE STERN
JEANETTE HOP.TON
VILLAGE CLERK
/tms
Budget Workshop Meeting - August 26, 1991 3