HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012-09-13 Second Budget HearingBAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SECOND BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
The Second Budget Hearing of Bal Harbour Village was held on Thursday, September 13,
2012, 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
6:02 p.m. by Mayor Rosenfield. The following were present:
Mayor Jean Rosenfield
Assistant Mayor Joni D. Blachar
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen
Councilman Martin Packer
Councilman Jaime M. Sanz1
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa Horvath, MMC, Village Clerk
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
Christopher Wallace, Finance Director
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Jay Smith, Village
Director of Human Resources and Community Outreach.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT: Mayor Rosenfield announced the following:
THE BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ROLLED -BACK MILLAGE RATE IS 2.2678
MILLS. THE NEW PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE IS 2.2678 MILLS, WHICH IS
EQUAL TO THE ROLLED -BACK RATE.
4. DISCUSSION OF FINAL TAX MILEAGE RATE AND FINAL
BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013:
Councilwoman Cohen questioned if the millage rate was the same as the prior year. Mayor
Rosenfield advised that it was. Councilwoman Cohen questioned why the millage rate
wasn't decreased, since the tax base had increased. Mr. Wallace explained that the
millage rate decreased from 2.4468 to 2.2, due to an increased tax base. He explained the
rolled -back rate used to generate the same amount of tax revenue, not including new
construction.
Mayor Rosenfield opened the public hearing.
Raj Singh, 53 Camden Drive, requested clarification that the rolled back rate would
generate the same revenue. Mr. Wallace agreed. Mr. Singh clarified that the total revenue
1 Councilman Sanz arrived during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bal Harbour Village Council Meeting Minutes — Second Budget Hearing 09/13/2012
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would be the same, in ad valorem taxes. Mr. Wallace agreed, but noted that new
construction would be in addition to that. Mr. Singh questioned what additional services
would be provided for the additional collected funds. Mr. Wallace reported that the current
budget was balanced using reserves, so the services would be the same, but the Village
wouldn't have to use reserves, since the St. Regis was now on the tax rolls.
Councilwoman Cohen questioned if the St. Regis would pay $900,000.00 in taxes. Mr.
Wallace advised that it would, in property taxes. He explained the property tax year
(calendar year) versus the Village's tax year (fiscal year). He noted that the extra money
had been calculated in the proposed budget and was being counted on to balance the
budget.
Raj Singh, 53 Camden Drive, noted that the St. Regis had opened in January, so the
Village had a full calendar year, so he felt that the amount used from fund balance should
be decreased.
Councilman Sanz requested that the budget process be started earlier, with additional
meetings. Mayor Rosenfield reported that this meeting was the third discussion on the
budget and the process had started in June. Councilman Packer pointed out that a
workshop meeting had been held. Mayor Rosenfield noted that the Village had done due
diligence for budget workshops, etc. Councilman Sanz requested that the process be more
transparent next year, so questions weren't asked at the last minute. Mayor Rosenfield
agreed that all of the questions needed to be answered, but clarified that the Village
Manager was always available, as well as the Council members individually, to answer
questions regarding the budget. She thought that the Village was very transparent and
available. Councilman Packer agreed that everything was very transparent. Mayor
Rosenfield also pointed out that the budget was available online. Assistant Mayor Blachar
pointed out that the current meeting had been advertised and only two residents were in
attendance. She also explained that the RAC (Gated Residential Section Advisory
Committee) meetings were also advertised, via the police sign in the neighborhood, on the
Information Channel, online, etc. so the process was very transparent. Councilwoman
Cohen suggested that people may not attend the meetings, because of the way that the
meetings were run. Councilman Packer explained the informality at workshop meetings.
Mayor Rosenfield disagreed with Councilwoman Cohen's comments and explained that
there were rules and regulations that needed to be followed at the meetings.
5. RESOLUTION/PUBLIC HEARING: The following Resolution was read
by title, by Mrs. Horvath:
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE,
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE
OF AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Assistant Mayor Blachar to
approve the Resolution.
Mayor Rosenfield opened the public hearing.
Bal Harbour Village Council Meeting Minutes — Second Budget Hearing 09/13/2012 2
Raj Singh, 53 Camden Drive, questioned the way the numbers were presented in the
entire budget. He requested documentation to support the variances in the figures from the
previous years. He questioned if the Tourism fund was part of the budget presented.
Mr. Wallace explained that the millage rate didn't affect the tourism budget.
Mayor Rosenfield explained that those questions were answered during earlier
discussions.
Raj Singh, 53 Camden Drive, thought that the budget should explain variances, etc. He
discussed serving on a budget committee for the Village in the past. He didn't think that
any tolerance was provided, for someone who had a different view.
Mayor Rosenfield noted that the Council listened to its residents. She questioned Mr.
Weiss if there was anything wrong with the manner that the budget was presented. Mr.
Weiss advised that there was not. Councilman Packer suggested that Mr. Singh ask his
specific question for Mr. Treppeda to address.
Mr. Singh did not want to take up any more time.
There being no additional comments, Mayor Rosenfield closed the public hearing.
The motion carried (5-0) with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Blachar yes; Councilwoman
Cohen yes; Councilman Packer yes; Councilman Sanz yes; Mayor Rosenfield yes; thus becoming
Resolution No. 2012-761.
6. ORDINANCE SECOND 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, 2012,
AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; APPROPRIATING REVENUES AND
OTHER FUNDS; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Blachar and seconded by Councilman Packer to
approve the Ordinance,
Mr. Treppeda presented a new tourism budget, which included changes made by the
Resort Tax Committee. He reviewed the changes in Telephone, Production/Collateral/Gifts,
Entertainment/Travel, and Internet/Web Page for a total increase of $1,499.00. He
explained that amount was taken from fund balance.
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Assistant Mayor Blachar to
approve the amendment, for the tourism budget, to the Ordinance.
Mayor Rosenfield opened the public hearing.
Marco Selva, St. Regis Hotel, apologized for not attending the Resort Tax Committee
Ba1 Harbour Village Council Meeting Minutes — Second Budget Hearing 09/13/2012 3
meeting. He clarified that the hotel managers met with Mr. Treppeda and Ms. Travis and
would like to have more input on how decisions were made and the funds were spent.
Mayor Rosenfield explained that the Resort Tax Committee was appointed by the Council
and all questions concerning tourism and that budget would be discussed at their meeting.
She added that the hotels were welcome to attend and give input. Mr. Selva advised that
he had attended some of the meetings and planned to attend additional ones. Assistant
Mayor Blachar spoke in favor of him doing so and also speaking with Carolyn Travis,
Director of Tourism Marketing. Mr. Treppeda explained that there could be a possible
sunshine issue, if all the hotel managers were meeting together with Ms. Travis, on a
regular basis. Mr. Selva spoke in favor of pulling all the resources together and aligning
them.
Councilman Packer thought that the St. Regis had a representative at almost all of the
Committee meetings. Councilwoman Cohen requested clarification from Mr. Selva. Mr.
Selva clarified that the hotels would like some of the funds in the budget spent differently.
He added that they would like to have more influence of how the money was spent. Mayor
Rosenfield explained that if Mr. Selva or his representative had presented that at the
meeting, then the Committee would have considered it. She clarified that Ms. Travis was
not the right person to present that. She noted that Mr. Selva had been appointed to the
Committee, but didn't accept the appointment. Mr. Selva clarified that he would prefer for
the St. Regis Sales & Marketing Director to be on the Committee. Councilman Sanz spoke
in favor of Mr. Selva's input at the. Committee meetings.
Raj Singh, representing the Sea View 9909 Collins Avenue, discussed variances in the
tourism spreadsheet figures, without any notations. Mayor Rosenfield reported that the
budget was reviewed at the Committee meeting. Mr. Singh discussed the variance in what
was adopted and what was spent. He spoke against continuing to appropriate funds that
weren't being spent. He didn't think that the budget was accurate and requested that
supporting documentation be provided.
Mr. Wallace explained that the reporting process had been discussed at prior Committee
meetings. He added that the wide variances were due to the period of time (one year) that
the Village didn't have a Tourism Director. He explained that there was increased activity to
catch up for that time, when Ms. Travis was employed. He offered to provide any detail
requested. He added that the Committee was very open to discussions with the public and
encouraged them to attend the meetings. Mayor Rosenfield pointed out that Mr. Wallace
was available to discuss the budget anytime and everything was provided online.
Rikki Boparai, General Manager - ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, explained that the
meeting with the hotel managers was about a strategic understanding of what Ms. Travis
was going to work on cohesively. He added that they just wanted to be more involved.
Mayor Rosenfield encouraged Mr. Boparai to attend the Committee meetings. Mr. Boparai
agreed to do so.
Councilman Sanz looked forward to working with the ONE Bal Harbour and all of the
hotels.
Raj Singh, representing the Sea View 9909 Collins Avenue, will ask his questions in
writing and copy Mayor Rosenfield.
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There being no additional comments, Mayor Rosenfield closed the public hearing.
The motion approving the amendment to the Ordinance, for the tourism budget, carried (5-0) with
the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Blachar yes; Councilwoman Cohen yes; Councilman Packer
yes; Councilman Sanz yes; Mavor Rosenfield yes.
The motion approving the Ordinance, as amended, carried (5-0) with the vote as follows:
Assistant Mayor Blachar yes; Councilwoman Cohen yes; Councilman Packer yes; Councilman
Sanz yes; Mayor Rosenfield yes; thus becoming Ordinance No. 2012-563.
7. RESOLUTIONS/PUBLIC HEARING: The following Resolution was
read by title, by Mrs. Horvath:
A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE
COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLABLE
MATERIALS IN BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; ESTABLISHING THE
RATE OF ASSESSMENT; IMPOSING SOLID WASTE SERVICE ASSESSMENTS
AGAINST ASSESSED PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN BAL HARBOUR
VILLAGE, FLORIDA; APPROVING THE ASSESSMENT ROLL; CONFIRMING
THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Mayor Rosenfield opened the public hearing. There being no comments, Mayor Rosenfield
closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Blachar and seconded by Councilman Packer to
approve the Resolution. The motion carried (5-0) with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor
Blachar yes; Councilwoman Cohen yes; Councilman Packer yes; Councilman Sanz yes; Mavor
Rosenfield yes; thus becoming Resolution No. 2012-762.
The following Resolution was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath:
A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE
PROVISION OF SECURITY AND LANDSCAPE SERVICES, FACILITIES AND
PROGRAMS IN THE GATED RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF BAL HARBOUR
VILLAGE, FLORIDA; ESTABLISHING THE RATE OF ASSESSMENT; IMPOSING
SECURITY AND LANDSCAPE SERVICE ASSESSMENTS AGAINST ASSESSED
PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE GATED RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF BAL
HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA; APPROVING THE ASSESSMENT ROLL;
CONFIRMING THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A motion was offered by Councilman Packer and seconded by Assistant Mayor Blachar to
approve the Resolution.
Mayor Rosenfield opened the public hearing.
Councilman Packer reported that some residents didn't think that the formula for the
assessment was fair or equitable, but pointed out that it had been discussed numerous
times at the RAC (Gated Residential Section Advisory Committee) meetings and nobody
could come up with a better solution. He suggested that the formula be reviewed again
Ba1 Harbour Village Council Meeting Minutes — Second Budget Hearing 09/13/2012 5
next year. Mayor Rosenfield discussed the importance of more residents providing their
input. She commended Assistant Mayor Blachar on the discussions at her meetings.
Assistant Mayor Blachar agreed that the formula had been discussed numerous times and
the RAC believed that it was fair and equitable, based on input, etc. She was open to
suggestions and encouraged everyone to attend future RAC meetings.
Mr. Wallace noted that the current meeting was the time for residents to tell the Council
why the assessment was not fair. He added that if the Council agreed, then it could be
changed.
There being no additional comments, Mayor Rosenfield closed the public hearing.
The motion carried (5-0) with the vote as follows: Assistant Mayor Blachar ves; Councilwoman
Cohen yes; Councilman Packer ves; Councilman Sanz ves; Mayor Rosenfield yes; thus becoming
Resolution No. 2012-763.
8. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, a
motion was offered bvAssistant Mayor Blachar and seconded by Councilman Packer to adjourn.
The motion carried (5-0) and the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Attest:
Ellisa L. Horvath, M lage Clerk
Ba1 Harbour Village Council Meeting Minutes — Second Budget Hearing 09/13/2012 6