HomeMy Public PortalAbout2008-09-08 First Budget Hearing199
BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
FIRST BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
The First Budget Hearing of Bal Harbour Village was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2008,
in the Council Chambers at Bal Harbour Village Hall (655 — 96th Street, Bal Harbour,
Florida).
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at
5:01 p.m. by Assistant Mayor Rosenfield. The following were present:
Assistant Mayor Jean Rosenfield
Councilman Joel S. Jacobi
Councilman Martin Packer
Councilman Jaime M. Sanz
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa Horvath, CMC, Village Clerk
Andrea Greenblatt, Admin..Assistant
Anthony C. Soroka, Village Attorney
Absent: Mayor Howard J. Berlin
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Police Chief Tom
Hunker.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT: Assistant Mayor Rosenfield announced that the Bal
Harbour Village rolled -back millage rate is 2.3085 mills and that the proposed millage rate
for the upcoming fiscal year is 2.3085 mills, which equals the rolled -back rate of 2.3085
mills.
4. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED TAX MILLAGE RATE AND
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED BUDGET: Mr. Treppeda reported no tax increase for
the upcoming year from Bal Harbour. Finance Director Christopher Wallace distributed and
reviewed a Powerpoint presentation.
Assistant Mayor Rosenfield opened the item for public discussion.
Dina Cellini, 211 Sal Cross Drive, questioned if a code enforcement officer was budgeted
for. Mr. Treppeda reported that it was not and explained that no expansion of employees
was done, due to possible legislative cuts in the future. He explained that the Police Service
Aid is dedicated 90% to code enforcement and that all of the police officers also handle
code enforcement. He noted that any problems with code enforcement should be brought
to his attention. Ms. Cellini suggested that the former Park Director's salary be used to
cover a code enforcement officer salary. Mr. Treppeda explained that an existing employee
was promoted to that position and that the number of park employees remained the same.
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Ms. Cellini questioned the Beautification and Maintenance Department. Mr. Treppeda
reported that money received from the St. Regis Development Agreement, to cover lost
resort tax revenue, was divided 50% between the General Fund (in the newly created
Beautification and Maintenance Department) and the Tourism Fund (promotions and
marketing). He explained that the Council directed that the maintenance, landscaping, etc.
portion of the Resort Tax (Tourism) Fund be placed into a separate fund (the Beautification
and Maintenance Department). He added that the landscaping that is now covered under
the Beautification and Maintenance Department is the same landscaping that was
previously covered under the Tourism Fund.
Ms. Cellini discussed the proposed police station relocation to the Bal Harbour Shops and
questioned where $160,000 will come from if forfeiture funds cannot be used to supplement
the $140,000 budgeted in the General Fund. Mr. Treppeda reported that it would have to
come from general contingency funds.
Ms. Cellini questioned three cars that are not assigned to specific employees. Mr. Treppeda
explained that public works and police use them during the day, share them, or use them
When cars are being worked on. He clarified that they are always used by someone.
Ms. Cellini suggested the Police Department consider using cars that are more fuel
efficient. Chief Hunker reported that the leases for hybrid vehicles are three times the
amount of regular vehicles and that the cost savings is not beneficial. Ms. Cellini
questioned the use of SUV/pickups versus regular cars. Chief Hunker reported that SUVs
are cheaper and are more desirable for the Village's environment (beach, potential flooding,
etc.). He noted that the police also use standard vehicles. Ms. Cellini questioned the
progress of the gas additive program. Mr. Treppeda reported that the Village is in the
testing process.
Ms. Cellini discussed the replacement of bus benches and trash receptacles. Mr. Treppeda
explained that once the St. Regis project is completed, they will buy the first set as a
prototype for the Village. He clarified that the amount budgeted is for the remaining
benches/receptacles to paid by the Village.
Ms. Cellini questioned the amount budgeted (Garbage and Solid Waste) for a trash transfer
station relocation area, which may not be relocated. Mr. Treppeda explained that it must be
budgeted, in preparation of a possible relocation.
Ms. Cellini reviewed Roads and Streets item 535 (Maintenance of. Streets and Parking
Lots) and questioned' if the Village has a lease with FDOT for the west parking lot. Mr.
Treppeda reported that -the lease is for the north lots under the bridge and clarified that the
Village owns the west parking lot,,located across from Village Hall.
Ms. Cellini reviewed the Security District and questioned the budget of $5,000 for security
enhancements and costs associated with the .5% permit fee. Mr. Treppeda explained that
is reserved for any enhancement for security purposes, but will be placed in a separate
fund if it's not used, pursuant to a Village Ordinance. Ms. Cellini questioned if the Security
District is entitled to the entire use of those funds. Mr. Treppeda responded that it is. Ms.
Cellini questioned the total amount in that fund. Mr. Wallace estimated it to be $40,000. Ms.
Cellini questioned the Management Fee of $30,000 to the General Fund. Mr. Treppeda
reported that it has been that amount for a couple of years and reported that the Village
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acts as a management company (invoices, checks, etc.) for the District. Assistant Mayor
Rosenfield thinks that's a good deal.
Ms. Cellini questioned the amount budgeted for Legal Expenses, the amount budgeted last
year and the amount spent. Mr. Treppeda reported that in the General Fund $143,000 was
budgeted and $88,000 was spent; in the Water Fund $39,000 was budgeted and $16,000
was spent, and in the Sewer Department $39,000 was budgeted and $16,000 was spent,
as of May 15, 2008. Ms. Cellini questioned if the legal expenses were increased for
2008/2009. Mr. Treppeda reported that the same amount was budgeted. Ms. Cellini
requested the hourly rate for the Village Attorney. Mr. Treppeda will provide that information
to Ms. Cellini.
Assistant Mayor Rosenfield closed the item for public discussion.
Councilman Packer suggested that when the Police are paid for an off -duty job that the gas
and usage of the police car be included in the cost. Chief Hunker noted that could be a
possibility, but explained that 50% of the police departments do not charge for that. Mr.
Treppeda suggested that be discussed during police negotiations in 2009.
5. RESOLUTION - ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE NIULIAGE
RATE: The following resolution was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath:
A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008/2009; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Assistant Mayor Rosenfield opened the meeting for public discussion. There being no
comments, Assistant Mayor Rosenfield closed the meeting for public discussion.
A motion was offered by Councilman Sanz and seconded by Councilman Jacobi to approve the
Resolution. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mavor Rosenfield ave;
Councilman Jacobi aye; Councilman Packer ave; Councilman Sanz ave; Mavor Berlin absent;
thus becoming Resolution No. 704.
6. ORDINANCE FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING: The following
ordinance was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath:
AN ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR
ALL VILLAGE FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008,
AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; APPROPRIATING REVENUES AND
OTHER FUNDS; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; AND ESTABLISHING AN
Et'F'ECTIVE DATE.
Assistant Mayor Rosenfield opened the meeting for public discussion. There being no
comments, Assistant Mayor Rosenfield closed the meeting for public discussion.
A motion was offered by Councilman Jacobi and seconded by Councilman Packer to approve the
Ordinance. The motion carried with the vote as follows: Assistant Mavor Rosenfield ave;
Councilman Jacobi ave; Councilman Packer ave; Councilman Sanz aye; Mavor Berlin absent.
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Assistant Mayor Rosenfield read the approved Ordinance.
7. ANNOUNCEMENT: Assistant Mayor Rosenfield announced that the next
budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at 5:01 p.m.
Mr. Soroka requested an Executive Session for Case Number 07-12570 Lynne Bloch -
Mullen versus Joel Jacobi, to be scheduled by the Clerk's office.
8. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, a
motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Councilman Jacobi to adjourn. The
motion carried unanimously (4-0), and the meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
Attest:
Ellisa L. Horvath, �, Village Clerk
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