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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. Bal Harbour Village Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2008 1 2O 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 Bal Harbour Village Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2008 2 201 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. Bal Harbour Village Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2008 3 202 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 Bal Harbour Village Council Meeting — First Budget Hearing 09/08/2008 4