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Home My Public Portal About1999-09-15 Budget Hearing146 COUNCIL MINUTES FIRST BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 15. 1999 The First Budget Hearing of Bal Harbour Village was held on Wednesday, September 15, 1999, in the Council Chamber at Bay Harbor Town Hall (9665 Bay Harbor Terrace). The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by Mayor Hirsch!. The roll was called and those present were: Also present: Mayor Andrew Hirsch! Assistant Mayor Daniel Tantleff Councilman James Boggess Councilman Peg E. Gorson Councilman Seymour Roth 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 led by the members of the Village Council. 3. Announcement: Mayor Hirschl announced that Bal Harbour Village's rolled -back millage rate is 3.27 mills. The proposed millage rate is 3.27 mills, which is 0% greater than the rolled -back millage rate. 4. Discussion of Proposed Tax Millage Rate and Discussion of Tentative Budgets: Councilman Boggess doesn't think there's a demand or desire for a park that is proposed for the land where the water tank is located. Mayor Hirsch! stated there has never been a municipal park in Bal Harbour and there are more children and families in the Village now. By funding the park privately through ad valorem taxes, the Village can protect and preserve it, as well as discern the Village residents as the users of the facility. Mayor Hirschl thinks it's important to preserve the land to provide another amenity for Bal Harbour residents. Mayor Hirschl has received good feedback from residents that are thrilled about the proposed park. s. Resolution - Adoption of Tentative MiRage Rate: A resolution was read by title, by the Village Clerk, adopting the tentative millage rate for fiscal year 1999/2000. A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Tantleff and seconded by Councilman Roth to approve the resolution adopting a tentative millage rate for fiscal year 1999/2000. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Hirschl aye; Assistant Mayor Tantleff aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Roth aye. Thus becoming: RESOLUTION NO. 596 RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999/2000; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/15/99 1 147 DATE. 6. First Reading Ordinance/Public Hearin[: Tentative Budgets: Mayor Hirschl opened the public hearing for the following ordinances: An ordinance was read by title, by the Village Clerk, adopting a General Fund Budget for fiscal year 1999/2000. A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Tantleff and seconded by Councilman Roth to approve the ordinance adopting a General Fund Budget for fiscal year 1999/2000. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Hirschl aye; Assistant Mayor Tantleff aye: Councilman Boggess ave; Councilman Gorson aye: Councilman Roth ave. Thus becoming: ORDINANCE NO. 441 ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1,1999, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,288,433; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An ordinance was read by title, by the Village Clerk, adopting a budget for the Water Department for fiscal year 1999/2000. Mayor Hirschl noticed that "Professional Services" are rising dramatically (60% - 90%) throughout the entire budget. Mr. Treppeda stated professional services for the water department include lead/copper analysis and reporting, and bacteriological testing, which are all requirements. Funding for the maintenance of the Village water billing computer software package ($7,500) was added this year. Mr. Treppeda stated it was previously charged mainly to the general fund, but is now being divided. If it's specifically for water, that part of the software package will now be billed to the water department. Mrs. Horton stated it was previously billed to Finance (Department 513). Mayor Hirschl stated that line item under 513 has increased 23%. Mrs. Horton stated it went up $3,590 and part of that is for the consultant for the fund balance, software, and the C.P.A. consultant that the auditor requires the Village to have. Mr. Treppeda stated the Finance went up because an inventory of the infrastructure had to be done, which is $3,000. Mrs. Horton stated that's required to be completed by the year 2001 and it hasn't been started. Mayor Hirschl questioned where the savings are if the charge (software maintenance) is now being divided among the departments. Mr. Treppeda stated the Village didn't have the person last year that is now doing the software. He was with the software company and now he's on his own. Mrs. Horton stated that Tresun was bought out by Pentamation, which is the software. The Village previously purchased a maintenance contract for $7,000 a year and now the company doesn't do that and it's $100 per hour for maintenance. The consultant is charging $75 per hour. Councilman Boggess questioned the need for a C.P.A. Mrs. Horton stated the auditors recommended a C.P.A. and the Council authorized it. The C.P.A. doesn't come in every month, but now that the Village is getting ready to close for the year, he has been in more to ensure everything is ready for the auditors. Councilman Gorson questioned if the C.P.A. was on an hourly basis. Mrs. Horton responded yes. Councilman Boggess questioned if the C.P.A. has been helpful. Mrs. Horton responded Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/15/99 2 148 yes. A motion was offered by Councilman Roth and seconded by Councilman Boggess to approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the Water Department for fiscal year 1999/2000. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Manor Hirschl ave; Assistant Manor Tantleff ave: Councilman Boggess aye: Councilman Gorson aye: Councilman Roth ave. Thus becoming: ORDINANCE NO. 442 ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1999, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,051,697; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An ordinance was read by title, by the Village Clerk, adopting a Sanitary Sewer Department Budget for fiscal year 1999/2000. Mr. Treppeda stated the rates will remain the same for customers. Mayor Hirschl questioned the Bay Harbor/Bal Harbour Sewer Interconnect that is being funded. Mr. Treppeda stated that will be done with the FDOT project. Mayor Hirsch) requested that it be explained why Surfside is not in that and suggested they be part of it to defray some of the costs. Mr. Treppeda stated that Bay Harbor contacted the Village and it was worked out through Robert Wheldon, Director of Public Works, who is not present to explain it. Mayor Hirsch) stated that Surfside may also want to have this alternate route and then the costs could be divided by three. Mr. Treppeda will investigate and see if it's possible. Mayor Hirschl suggested Mr. Treppeda speak with Linda Karlsson, Bay Harbor Manager, before going to Surfside to ascertain if there's a reason they were not included. Councilman Boggess questioned what the altemate route is. Mr. Treppeda stated if there's a problem, Byron Avenue is now used and that sewer line goes to Miami Beach. The alternate would go through Bay Harbor instead. Councilman Boggess stated if the one on Byron Avenue ever collapses the Village would have to replace it per the agreement. Councilman Boggess questioned if the Village could ignore that and just go through Bay Harbor. Mr. Treppeda will check that but doesn't think the Village could. Mayor Hirschl thinks the Council should have a discussion about the entire arrangement sometime because it does expire and then Surfside would have to participate where they haven't had to previously. Mayor Hirschl requested that be an agenda item for discussion sometime. Mayor Hirschl stated that in the 70's Surfside made the agreement so that they would not have to pay anything financially and thinks this time around the Village should rewrite that agreement to be more equitable. A motion was offered by Councilman Boggess and seconded by Councilman Roth to approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the Sanitary Sewer Department for fiscal year 1999/2000. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Hirschl aye; Assistant Mayor Tantleff aye; Councilman Boggess aye: Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Roth aye. Thus becoming: ORDINANCE NO. 443 ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE SANITARY SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1999, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,362,419: AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/15/99 3 149 An ordinance was read by title, by the Village Clerk, adopting a budget for the Department of Tourism for fiscal year 1999/2000. Mayor Hirsch) questioned Councilman Boggess, Resort Tax Committee Chairman, if the Committee reviewed the budget. Councilman Boggess responded yes and it was approved. Mayor Hirschl noticed the Village was considering to take the entire $1.4 million now out of fund balance to put into the budget for the beach project and questioned if the entire project would be done in the 1999/2000 fiscal year. Mr. Treppeda responded it probably would not be fully completed. Councilman Boggess stated if the permits are received by April, the Village might finish by the end of September, but chances are it will run into the year 2001. However, the money needs to be planned for. Mayor Hirsch) stated it's in fund balance. Mrs. Horton stated if a project is started and a contract is signed, the Village has to encumber those funds or it can be reserved at the end of the budget. Mayor Hirsch) questioned if the money is earning interest until it is needed. Mrs. Horton responded yes. Mayor Hirsch) questioned if the $12,000 for the jogging path is just to keep it functioning until the new project is finished. Mr. Treppeda responded yes. Mayor Hirsch) stated Mr. Treppeda sent the Council a memo regarding the analysis of the resort tax fund balance and questioned if after the Village has funded this beach project if there will be a fund balance for the resort tax fund of $143,000. Mr. Treppeda responded yes, if all the money is spent in the 1999/2000 fiscal year. However, it is anticipated that some money will be left over from this year (1998/1999). Councilman Boggess stated they anticipated $200,000 or more left over from this fiscal year, which will put the figure at about $350,000 - $400,000. Mayor Hirschl stated during his years on the Council it has never been that low and feels it is approaching a very low level. Councilman Boggess stated that resort tax is using alot of money for the bus shelters and the beach project. Mayor Hirsch) is very concerned about the resort tax fund balance being so low. Mayor Hirschl thinks the way the money is spend in this department should be assessed very carefully and that it demonstrates the real need to make sure that Ron Book is successful in Tallahassee. Councilman Boggess stated the usage of funds was discussed with the Committee. Some restrictions have been put on the Committee at this point requiring reports to be submitted in advance, everything to be approved in advance, etc. Mr. Treppeda stated an analysis was done that shows to just fund the landscaping alone is $836,000. Mayor Hirsch) thinks the landscaping is very important to Bal Harbour and wants to make sure as much is spent as possible in that area. A motion was offered by Councilman Roth and seconded by Councilman Boggess to approve the ordinance adopting a budget for the Department of Tourism for fiscal year 1999/2000. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Hirschl aye; Assistant Mayor Tantleff aye; Councilman Boggess aye; Councilman Gorson aye; Councilman Roth aye. Thus becoming: ORDINANCE NO. 444 ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1999, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,912,950; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. There being no further comments, Mayor Hirsch) closed the public hearing. 7. Announcement: Mayor Hirsch) announced that the next budget Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/15/99 4 150 hearing date is September 21, 1999, at 5:15 p.m., to be held at The Church by the Sea, 501-96h Street, in Bal Harbour. 8. Adiourn: There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was offered by Councilman Roth and seconded by Councilman Corson to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), and the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Mayor Andrew R. Mirschl Attest: le Janette Horton, CFTC/AAE/CLO illage Clerk /elw Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/15/99 5