HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-07-19 Workshop MeetingBAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - JULY 19, 2011
A Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday, July 19, 2011,
at the Bal Harbour Village Hall Council Chamber (655 — 96th Street, Bal Harbour, Florida).
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 5:45
p.m. by Mayor Rosenfield. The following were present:
Mayor Jean Rosenfield
Assistant Mayor Joni D. Blachari
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
Councilman Martin Packer
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa Horvath, MMC, Village Clerk
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
Absent: Councilman Jaime M. Sanz
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The pledge was led by Village resident Neil
Alter.
3. DISCUSSION OF 2011 /2012 BUDGET: Mr. Wallace reviewed a
Powerpoint presentation.
Neil Alter, 9801 Collins Avenue, questioned .the bond issue, workforce reduction and
20% increase for health insurance. Mr. Wallace explained.
Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, questioned if the separate solid waste assessment
would earn the Village $630,000.00. Mr. Wallace explained that it would be received as an
assessment. Ms. Cellini questioned the necessity to look into outsourcing, if the Solid
Waste Department was already paid for by doing a separate assessment. She discussed
concern with relieving employees of their jobs. Mr. Treppeda explained that he was
directed to find out the cost savings through outsourcing. Ms. Cellini questioned doing that
at this time, if the garbage was budget neutral. She thought that outsourcing solid waste
would change the makeup of the community and pointed out the special services the
residents received from the Public Works Department. Mr. Treppeda explained that the
Council was just looking into the possibility of outsourcing and no decision had been made
regarding it. Ms. Cellini spoke against spending money on an assessment that may not be
necessary this fiscal year. Mayor Rosenfield explained that the Village was looking at future
impacts not just the current year. She discussed the costs incurred by solid waste,
equipment etc. and explained that the Council would like to know if it would be more cost
effective to look into the possibility of outsourcing. Ms. Cellini spoke against taking action in
1 Assistant Mayor Blachar arrived after the Pledge.
Bat Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Mimrtes 07/19/2011 1
the summer.
Assistant Mayor Blachar discussed the homeowners paying for the maintenance inside the
gated area now and that it was cost prohibitive to pay for the Village employees to do the
landscaping. She reported that there was a crossover and some employees would have to
be let go, since the assessment inside the gates would be paid by those homeowners. She
noted that if Village employees continued to provide those services then the gated area
assessment would increase drastically. She added that the Council wanted to explore its
options.
Ms. Cellini questioned if the Village could insist that an outside company hire an employee.
Mr. Weiss clarified that would be a contractual matter between the vendor and the Village.
Ms. Cellini questioned if the contract could require it. Mr. Weiss advised that it could if
certain criteria were met and it would have to be included in the RFP (Request for
Proposals).
Ms. Cellini questioned if the solid waste bid would include picking up from the side of the
homes three days a week, etc. Mr. Wallace explained that the proposal was evaluating a
level that mirrored the existing. He explained that Council approval would be requested
before the item was put out to bid.
Mr. Wallace explained that the four employee positions that would be eliminated were
solely due to the change in maintenance in the Security District and had nothing to do with
solid waste.
Ms. Cellini questioned where the reduction in salaries for those four positions would be
reduced. Mr. Wallace didn't know who the employees were yet, so he estimated on the
salaries, etc. He didn't know the ultimate impact on solid waste yet.
Ms. Cellini noted the salary reduction in the Solid Waste Department and questioned if
employees would also be terminated in that department and, if so, how many. Mr. Wallace
explained that the number of employees in Solid Waste would remain until the Village
decided whether or not to outsource. Ms. Cellini questioned why the amount was reduced
in Solid Waste. Mr. Wallace explained that all of the Public Works employees were
charged to different areas and that four positions were cut in their overall budget, due to
the Security District maintenance issue and not the garbage. He clarified that additional
personnel may be let go, if the garbage was outsourced. Mayor Rosenfield clarified that the
Village also paid for other benefits including pension, health insurance, etc. Ms. Cellini will
meet with Mr. Wallace regarding additional items.
Ms. Cellini discussed the fees associated with The Brickman contract. She suggested
reducing The Brickman contract, to allow the four Village employees to continue working.
She thought that the Village had more control when Village employees were doing the job.
Mayor Rosenfield disagreed and noted that there was a totally different degree of
landscaping that was done under the new Brickman contract. She discussed the Council
looking at all areas of the budget and making constructive decisions.
Ms. Cellini requested that also be done for the Police Department.
Bat Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Minutes 07/19/2011
Assistant Mayor Blachar added that the Council wanted to make educated decisions.
Ms. Cellini requested that the Brickman contract be reduced, . to allow for some of the
Village employees to stay employed.
Ms. Cellini noted that salaries in the Building and Park/Recreation Department increased
nine percent. Mr. Wallace discussed step raises that some employees were eligible for.
Mr.. Treppeda discussed the five, ten, and fifteen year longevity increase. Ms. Cellini
suggested that those increases be suspended for the year if people were being terminated.
She also suggested that Village employees accept a salary reduction or not takean
increase, to keep their fellow employees employed. •
Ms. Cellini questioned if the budget for the Park/Recreation Department wouldremain in
the Tourism fund. Mr. Wallace explained that Park/Recreation Department was moved out
of the Tourism fund and the Beautification & Maintenance Department was moved back to
the Tourism fund.
Assistant Mayor Blachar explained that the employees were not just being let go because
of the money, but because there wasn't a job for them. Ms. Cellini spoke in favor of
creating work for them. Assistant Mayor Blachar urged Ms. Cellini to meet with Mr. O'Leary
and view how the landscaping had been maintained.
Ms. Cellini urged the Council to save four jobs by moving the $160,000.00
(Park/Recreation Department) back to the Tourism fund, if nothing other than to help with
the value adjustment figures in the future.
Assistant Mayor Blachar questioned the electric franchise. Mr. Wallace explained the
franchise fees that the Village received.
Neil Alter, 9801 Collins Avenue, questioned if solid waste consumers would receive a
rebate on a monthly basis or at one time. Mr. Wallace didn't know, but noted that it was
historically done over a period of time.
4. ADJOURN: There being no further business, a motion was offered by
Councilwoman Cohen and seconded by Assistant Mayor Blachar to adjourn. The m n carried
(4-0). and the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Attest:
ayor J
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, ' ge Clerk
Bat Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Minutes 07/19/2011 3