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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 Second Budget Hearing 9/15/98 1 3() 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. Second Budget Hearing 9/15/98 2 31 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 Second Budget Hearing 9/15/98 3 32 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 Second Budget Hearing 9/15/98 4 Z33 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 Second Budget Hearing 9/15/98 5