HomeMy Public PortalAbout1998-09-15 Budget HearingCOUNCIL MINUTES
SECOND BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 15. 1998
The Second Budget Hearing of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday,
September 15, 1998, in the Council Chambers at Bal Harbour Village Hall. The meeting
was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by Mayor Spiegel. Those present were:
Also present:
Mayor Estelle Spiegel
Assistant Mayor Andrew R. Hirsch!
Councilman Peg E. Gorson
Councilman Daniel Tantleff
Councilman James Boggess
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Jeanette Horton, Village Clerk
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was not repeated since
it was previously done at the beginning of the Regular Council Meeting.
3. Announcement: Mayor Spiegel announced that the Bal Harbour Village
Rolled -Back Millage Rate is 3.29 Mills; The Proposed Millage Rate is 3.39 Mills, which is
3.04% greater than the Rolled -Back Rate.
4. Discussion of Proposed Tax Millage Rate and Discussion of
Tentative Budgets: Mr. Treppeda stated Bal Harbour has the fourth lowest millage
rate in Dade County with the proposed number of 3.39. Mr. Treppeda explained the main
difference between last year and this year in the General Fund is the proposed park
($315,000), to be placed where the water tank currently is, and additional litigation funds
($100,000). Councilman Boggess thinks the park needs some more study before money
is approved for it. It needs to be brought to the attention of all the citizens and feedback
should be received because the feedback he gets is negative. Mayor Spiegel thinks a
letter should be sent to all Bal Harbour residents. Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated it's good
to appropriate these funds as it was discussed and a plan of this nature would first engage
the right individuals who would talk to citizens to ascertain their wants and desires. He
stated the Council needs to be pro -active in that particular piece of land because there are
individuals in private enterprise who are eager to utilize that land for their own gain. The
water tank is a system that has become obsolete in the sense that $20,000-$30,000 a year
is paid to maintain it. With the increase in the size of the pipes and pumps that are part
of the project, there's no need for the water tower. Bay Harbor, Surfside and all the other
municipalities have removed their water towers. It's a prime piece of land to utilize for the
citizens and he thinks it would be money well spent on the citizens of Bal Harbour. Mayor
Spiegel stated the primary thing is to allocate funds and then educate the Village as to the
needs and have them voice their opinions. Mayor Spiegel stated it's the Village's property
and if the residents would like to have it the money is there to work with. Mr. Treppeda
stated there was an article in the Neighbors Section (The Miami Herald) about the
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proposed park and he didn't hear much from the residents. Councilman Boggess stated
the negative comments he received were from the article.
Charles Venturi, 159 Bal Bay Drive, stated he is at the meeting to speak against the
park. He doesn't think there's adequate space there and would rather see something
inside that can be controlled because a park there would be nothing but a nuisance. He
sees the parking congestion that's created across the street (Surfside) and there's no way
it could be controlled and it would be there for everybody if it's a municipal park. He would
rather see something inside for the children that can be controlled.
Assistant Mayor Hirschl explained whether it be shuffle board courts, etc. it would be a park
for Bal Harbour residents funded for by Bal Harbour dollars meaning it would be a private
park, not a public park. The Village hasn't ascertained how it will be controlled, whether
it's a police officer, an off -duty police officer, a municipal employee, or an attendant that
is hired. It's another attraction and perk for the residents of the Village and the Village
doesn't have a park. The site has been looked at by the Village's Landscape Architect and
there's more than adequate space for a large facility there that would not interfere with the
Public Works Department. Mr. Venturi questioned about the traffic. He sees the traffic
generated by the park across the street (Surfside). Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated they
have a baseball field and a baseball program there and that will not be contemplated for
this site. There will be parking spaces available for residents to park their cars who may
want to drive. No grant money is being looked at for the park because if there's grant
money involved, the park has to be open to everyone. If the Village funds it, it can be
restricted and closed to Village residents only.
5. Resolution - Adoption of Final Millage Rate: The resolution was
read, by title, by the Village Clerk, adopting a final millage rate for fiscal year 1998/99.
Mayor Spiegel opened the public hearing for comments.
There being no comments, Mayor Spiegel closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered by Assistant May s r Hirsch! and seconded by Councilman Tantleff
to approve the resolution adopting aftnal millage rate for ftscalyear 1998/99. The motion
carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Spiegel aye: Assistant Mayor Hirschl aye:
Councilman Boggess aye: Councilman Peg E. Gorson aye: Councilman Tantleff aye.
Thus becoming:
RESOLUTION NO. 582
RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL
MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998/99; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
6. Ordinances Second Reading/Public Hearing:
General Fund: The ordinance was read, by title, by the Village Clerk,
adopting a budget for the General Fund for the fiscal year 1998/99.
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Mayor Spiegel opened the public hearing for comments.
There being no comments, Mayor Spiegel closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Hirsch! and seconded by Councilman Boggess
to approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the General Fund for the fiscal year
1998/99. The motion carried with t/he vole a_sfollows:_ Mayor Spiegel aye: Assistant Mayor
Hirsch! iye: Councilman Peg E. Gorson aye: Councilman Tantleff aye: Councilman
Boggess aye. Thus becoming:
ORDINANCE NO. 432
ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE
GENERAL FUND FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1998 TO SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,070,507; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES;
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Water Department: The ordinance was read, by title, by the Village
Clerk, adopting a budget for the Water Department for the fiscal year 1998/99.
Mayor Spiegel opened the public hearing.
Mr. Treppeda informed the residents there is no increase in their rates for water or sewer.
There being no additional comments, Mayor Spiegel closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered 0 Councilman Boggess and seconded by Assistant Mayor Hirsch!
to approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the Water Department for the fiscal year
1998/99. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Spiegel aye: Assistant Mayor
Hirsch! aye: Councilman Gorson aye: Councilman Tantleff aye: Councilman Boggess
aye. Thus becoming:
ORDINANCE NO.433
ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE
WATER DEPARTMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1998 TO
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 IN THE AMOUNT OF 81,345,597; AUTHORIZING
EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Sanitary Sewer Department: The ordinance was read, by title, by the
Village Clerk, adopting a budget for the Sanitary Sewer Department for the fiscal year
1998/99.
Mayor Spiegel opened the public hearing.
There being no comments, Mayor Spiegel closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Hirsch( and seconded by Councilman Gorson
to approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the Sanitary Sewer Department for the
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fiscal year 1998/99. The motion carried with the vote as follows; Mayor Spiegel ayes
Assistant Mayor Hirsch! aye: Councilman Corson aye: Councilman Tantleff ayes
Councilman Boggess. Thus becoming:
ORDINANCE NO. 434
ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE
SANITARY SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1998 TO
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,265,952; AUTHORIZING
EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Department of Tourism: The ordinance was read, by title, by the
Village Clerk, adopting a budget for the Department of Tourism for the fiscal year 1998/99.
Mayor Spiegel opened the public hearing.
Councilman Tantleff questioned if the permits for the jogging path are included in the
Tourism Budget. Mr. Treppeda responded yes. Councilman Tantleff questioned now that
there's a second firm on board, if the Village should get other prices for permit costs. Mr.
Treppeda stated they can't change whatever is charged to the Village for permits from the
agency that they are from. Mr. Weiss stated the checks are written directly to the
permitting company (State of Florida). Councilman Tantleff questioned the amount for
environmental permitting for the entire project. Mr. Weiss stated that amount is for
professional fees. Councilman Tantleff questioned how the Village knows that another firm
won't charge less. Mr. Treppeda stated the amount is just an estimate that is usually
based on an hourly amount and was judged by what was done in Miami Beach. Mr.
Treppeda doesn't think the Village will require as many meetings. Councilman Boggess
thinks the figure seems high. Mayor Spiegel stated the company recommended getting
all of the permitting at one time. Mr. Treppeda stated the project would be put out to bid
and it's just a budgetary number.
Councilman Tantleff asked Mr. Treppeda to use some of the money left to temporarily fix
the jogging path. Mr. Treppeda stated Jerry Oren is not able to do it. Mr. Treppeda asked
the Council if they would like to do some sort of temporary repair. Mayor Spiegel stated
$25,000 was set aside to do that. Mr. Treppeda will get someone to temporarily repair the
jogging path.
Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated last week he and Councilman Boggess were concerned
about the large line item in Tourism. Mr. Treppeda stated it has been taken out and shows
zero. Councilman Boggess questioned if $400,000+ is still being taken from Fund
Balance. Mrs. Horton stated $415,843.00 is being taken from Fund Balance instead of $1
million and nothing is being taken from the Beach Restoration by removing the $750,000
for street furniture, etc. Assistant Mayor Hirschl stated if $415,843.00 is being taken from
Fund Balance then one of two things has to happen in the future: either the Village has to
spend less, or resort tax has to be raised. Councilman Boggess stated what concerns him
is that right now tourism is at an all time high and the Village is spending money as though
it has no business and is trying to generate business. He thinks the Council needs to
consider cutting back for the time when the revenue starts falling. Assistant Mayor Hirschl
stated the professionals would argue and say the time to keep the pressure on is when
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business is good because when it starts to go down then you're way behind the curve to
pick yourself back up and a lot of money will be spent to pick speed back up. He thinks
the money is spent prudently within resort tax, but he thinks a lot of projects are funded out
side of that department and if the upgrades of Village facilities are going to continue to be
funded, then the Village needs more revenue. More revenue occurs by raising resort tax
further and that's food for thought and this fiscal year will be an important year to watch it.
Mayor Spiegel reminded residents that none of the projects come from the real estate tax,
all of the improvements are funded through the resort tax: trees, landscaping, bus
benches, jogging path, beach renourishment, advertising, holiday decorations, etc.
There being no additional comments, Mayor Spiegel closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered by Councilman Bogge. s and econded ouncilman Gorson to
approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the Department of Tourism for the fiscalyear
1998/99. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Spiegel aye: Assistant Mayor
Kirschl aye: Councilman Gorson aye: Councilman Tantleff aye: Councilman Boggess
aye. Thus becoming:
ORDINANCE NO. 435
ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1998 TO
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,445,341; AUTHORIZING
EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
7. Adjourn: There being no further business to come before the Council, a
motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and seconded by Assistant Mayor Hirschl to
adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), and the meeting ar(journed at 5:25 p.m.
Attest:
J,: anette Horton, MC/AAE
illage Clerk
/elw
Mayor Estelle Spiegel
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