HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012-07-10 Workshop MeetingBAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - JULY 10, 2012
A Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on Tuesday, July 10, 2012,
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 5:04
p.m. by Mayor Rosenfield. The following were present:
Mayor Jean Rosenfield
Assistant Mayor Joni D. Blachar
Councilman Martin Packer
Councilman Jaime M. Sanz
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa Horvath, MMC, Village Clerk
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
Absent: Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The pledge was previously done at the
General Employees Retirement Board Meeting.
3. DISCUSSION OF BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013:
Mr. Wallace reviewed a Powerpoint presentation (Bal Harbour Village FY2013 Budget
Workshop dated July 10, 2012).
Assistant Mayor Blachar requested the anticipated amount of tax relief. Mr. Wallace
reviewed the figures later in the presentation.
Mr. Wallace noted that he used the July 1st County official estimates for the budget figures.
He explained that, by law, the Village couldn't budget for less than 95% of the expected
revenue. He reported that starting in Fiscal Year 2013, the assessments for the Security
District would be on the property tax bills. As such, he encouraged residents to ensure that
their mailing addresses were updated through the County Property Appraiser. He explained
that if the taxes weren't paid, then a tax certificate would be sold on the property and all of
the taxing authorities would get their money. Mr. Wallace reported that the Village would
need to notify the Property Appraiser in August, regarding the proposed millage rate, solid
waste assessment, and security assessments. He reviewed a scenario for a $500,000.00
property with homestead exemption ($50,000.00), based on a three percent value
increase, which showed a savings of $72.00 for a single family home and $58.00 for a
multi -family home. He reviewed a scenario for a $1.5 million property, with homestead
exemption ($50,000.00), based on a three percent value increase, which showed a savings
of $183.00 for a single family home and a $169.00 savings for a multi -family home. He
explained that the savings were based on a reduced millage rate and reduced solid waste
assessment. He noted that the vast majority of people, unless the property value increased
Bal Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Minutes 07/10/2012 1
drastically, would expect a savings from the Bal Harbour portion of the taxes.
Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, questioned the increased amount of the property
assessed value from the prior year. Mr. Wallace explained that everyone would be
different, but that it was based on the three percent maximum amount a property could
increase, based on Florida homestead law. Ms. Cellini thought that the property values had
fallen. Mr. Wallace reported that they had dropped in prior years, but had increased this
year. Ms. Cellini discussed tax certificates that would be sold for those not paying their
assessment or property taxes. She questioned how they would ensure that the Security
District fund would receive the expected revenue, if the assessment wasn't received on a
property. Mr. Wallace explained that those not paying for FY 2012 would have to pay
interest and penalties, which would be added to the assessment the following year. He
added that residents would have until March to pay the tax bills and then tax certificates
would be sold in June/July, which is when the money would be received. He clarified that
money wouldn't be received at that time for those in bankruptcy. He explained the tax
certificate process.
Assistant Mayor Blachar explained that the assessments for the Security District were now
on the tax bill, along with the County taxes. She noted that if an escrow company paid the
taxes, then they would pay the Village taxes. Mr. Wallace agreed, but explained that he
didn't know if someone was getting their TRIM or bill, if their mailing address wasn't correct.
Brian Mulheren, 10245 Collins Avenue, discussed the number of delinquent ad valorem
taxes in 2011 and suggested that the Village look into getting the correct mailing
addresses. He spoke against reducing taxes, due to the economy, as well as increasing
health insurance and pension costs. He spoke in favor of building a reserve, instead of
giving residents a small tax break.
Mr. Wallace reviewed the budget, which was based on lowering the millage rate to 2.4468
mills to 2.2278 mills, as well as a five percent reduced solid waste assessment.
Mr. Treppeda explained that the Village was going to the rolled -back rate, so taxes were
being kept the same. Mr. Wallace agreed. He explained that the Village could afford to
lower the millage rate and has a substantial reserve. He added that the tax base and
property value should increase next year. He continued that the Bal Harbour Club property
would be developed and he anticipated that should be on the tax rolls in a couple of years.
Assistant Mayor Blachar questioned why no revenue was shown for Lobbying Fees for
FY2013. Mr. Wallace explained that he wasn't sure of the revenue amount for that, but
didn't expect it to be more than $5,000.00.
Assistant Mayor Blachar questioned if the Towing Franchise Fees could be increased. Mr.
Treppeda explained that was an agreed fee per contract, which could be renegotiated
when the contract was renewed. He reported that the Village received $40 per tow.
Assistant Mayor Blachar thought that was fair.
Neil Alter, 9801 Collins Avenue, noted that the Police budget was approximately fifty
percent of the total budget and questioned how that compared to the adjacent
municipalities. Mayor Rosenfield thought that Bay Harbor was more than fifty percent of the
budget, but would look into it. Mr. Alter noted that he didn't see the Police that often other
Bal Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Minutes 07/10/2012 2
than the motorcycle officers writing tickets, since they were stationed in the Shops, and
questioned if they were in the Security District, since he didn't think that they were
supposed to be in there at all. Mr. Treppeda clarified that they weren't allowed to write
traffic tickets in the Security District, but were allowed to patrol in there. Assistant Mayor
Blachar questioned if Mr. Alter saw the Police less than he used to. Mr. Alter advised that
he always used to see them more at the St. Regis and at the Haulover Cut. Assistant
Mayor Blachar would like for Mr. Alter to feel that there was a Police presence. Mr. Alter
noted that he saw them at the Shops. Mr. Treppeda reported that the Police patrolled the
building driveways. Mayor Rosenfield suggested that Mr. Alter check with his building
manager, etc. to see the Police are patrolling his building's driveway. She reported that she
had heard that the Police do an excellent job on the beach. She noted that the Village
would look into his concerns.
Mr. Alter suggested that an Officer be placed to stop people from turning south on Collins
Avenue, when they exited the Shops.
Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, questioned if the Police force had increased over the
past years. Mr. Treppeda reported that the force had been decreased by one position.
Captain Quinn reported that there were 28 sworn Officers.
Ms. Cellini noted that the number of residents had decreased to 2800, so there was one
officer to every 100 residents. She questioned if the new hires were hired under the same
Police pension plan, since the PBA contract hadn't been renegotiated. Mr. Treppeda
advised that they were hired under the same pension plan, until it was changed. Ms. Cellini
suggested a moratorium on new hires, to cap the pension costs. Mayor Rosenfield
explained that there weren't any plans to expand the force. Ms. Cellini requested
clarification. that the number would remain at 28 Officers, for a period of time.
Assistant Mayor Blachar didn't think that the number should be changed for awhile. Mr.
Treppeda confirmed that the plan was to keep the current number.
Mayor Rosenfield assured the public that the Council was on top of the pensions and
salaries.
Mr. Treppeda reported that the Village was looking at a date for negotiations, since the
Actuary reports were finally done.
Brian Mulheren, 10245 Collins Avenue, questioned the total cost to the Village, to make
up for the deficits in the employee and police pension plans. Mr. Treppeda reported that
this year the Village contributed over $1 million to the Police plan. Mr. Wallace reported
that the Village contributed $500,000.00 to the General Employees plan.
Mr. Mulheren questioned the interest rate for the DROP program. Mr. Treppeda reported it
to be four percent. Mr. Mulheren noted that the bank didn't even offer four percent.
Mr. Mulheren questioned the total number of Police Department employees, including
civilians. Captain Quinn reported there were approximately 38 total. Mr. Mulheren
requested the actual number and a break down by rank and title.
Bal Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Minutes 07/10/2012 3
Dina Cellini, 211 Bal Cross Drive, questioned if the red light camera program was still
lucrative for the Village. Mr. Wallace reported that the program more than paid for itself. He
explained that the Village didn't receive as much net revenue, since the State now received
part of the revenue. Ms. Cellini questioned if the anticipated revenue was $405,000.00 for
the Village. Mr. Wallace reported that was the expected revenue, with an expense of
$310,000.00 (for American Traffic Solutions), which would result in an approximate profit of
$100,000.00. He noted that the amount given to the State was not shown as revenue.
Neil Alter, 9801 Collins Avenue #11 U, requested clarification that the Village wasn't
sharing revenue in 2011, with the State. Mr. Wallace agreed and explained that was when
the law was changed and that was when the Village (as a defendant) was part of a lawsuit
on the legality of the cameras. He explained that the State changed the law from a code
enforcement action, to a traffic citation. Mr. Alter noted that if the Village started losing
money, then it would have to cancel the program.
Mr. Treppeda reported that there was a large General Contingency, under 01-19 General
Government, in the amount of $800,000.00. He explained that could be used to fund
general employee cost of living increases, based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index). He
will provide an actual amount during the budget hearing process. He added that the Police
amount would have to be negotiated.
It was the consensus of the Council that a second budget workshop meeting was not necessary
4. ADJOURN: There being no further business, the meetin - was ad'ourned b
consensus of the Council at 6:06 p.m.
Ma
Attest:
Ellisa L. Horvath, M Village Clerk
Rosenfi
Bal Harbour Village Council (Budget) Workshop Meeting Minutes 07/10/2012 4