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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 Budget Workshop Meeting - August 26, 1991 1 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 Budget Workshop Meeting - August 26, 1991 2 18 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