HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013-08-20 Workshop MeetingBAL HARBOUR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING - AUGUST 20, 2013
A Workshop Meeting of the Bal Harbour Village Council was held on August 20, 2013, at the
Bal Harbour Village Hall Council Chambers (655 — 96th Street, Bal Harbour, Florida).
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at
7:01 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. Sanz
Jay R. Smith, Interim Village Manager
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, Village Clerk
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attomeyl
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Assistant Mayor
Blachar.
Ms. Travis reported that the Barefoot Mailman art piece would be moved to the Bass
Museum and shown through Art Basel, as a result of the Village's efforts to support the
arts.
3. DISCUSSION OF VILLAGE MANAGER SEARCH: Sean
Baenziger — Village Consultant (Colin Baenziger & Associates), reported that the Council
had been provided with the top six candidates to expedite the process, but an additional six
candidates could be provided for consideration. He requested that a meet/greet and
interviews with the candidates be scheduled. The Councilmembers discussed dates for
interviews with the candidates, as well as a public meet/greet.
It was the consensus of the Council to proceed, with the top six candidates.
Mr. Baenziger discussed the meet/greet and Council interviews, which they traditionally
recommended. The Council discussed a schedule for the meet/greet, interviews with
individual Councilmembers, and a special Council meeting.
Councilman Packer offered to vote over the phone, if the meeting to select the new
manager was held when he was out of town. Mr. Weiss noted that Councilman Packer
could do that, provided there was a physical quorum in the room.
The following members of the public provided comments:
l Mr. Weiss left the meeting after Discussion of Village Manager Search.
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Agenda. Item C6B
Neil Alter - 9801 Collins Avenue
Lynne Mullen -10150 Collins Avenue
The Council discussed dates for a meet/greet, individual interviews with Councilmembers,
and a special Council meeting to select a Village Manager.
It was again the consensus of the Council to proceed, with the top six candidates that had been
submitted.
A motion was offered by Assistant Mayor Blachar and seconded by Councilwoman Cohen, to
schedule a meet/greet for the public/Council on August 29, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. (to
be determined) and for all Councilmembers to interview the perspective candidates
individually by September 3, 2013, either in person or on the phone. In addition, candidates
will be scheduled for interviews on August 29th and August 30th, with available
Councilmembers. The motion carried (5-0), with the roll call vote as follows: Assistant Mayor
Blachar yes; Councilwoman Cohen yes; Councilman Packer yes; Councilman Sanz yes; Mayor
Rosenfield ves.
A motion was offered by Councilman Sanz and seconded by Councilman Packer, to schedule a
Special Council Meeting for September 10, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., to select the new Village
Manager. The motion carried (5-0).
Mr. Smith was directed to provide the candidate and meeting information on the web site,
information channel, electric sign, and to the building managers. Mr. Weiss offered to
provide refreshments at the meet/greet.
Mr. Baenziger will communicate the Council's direction to the candidates.
Mr. Weiss left the meeting.
4. DISCUSSION OF BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2013/2014: Councilman Packer - Budget Committee Chair, thanked the members of
the Budget Committee and staff for their work on the budget. He reported that spending
was reduced from the prior year and the proposed millage rate was 1.9192. He suggested
that the Committee continue to meet up to four times, during the year. Mayor Rosenfield
suggested that be discussed, in the future.
The Council and residents thanked Councilman Packer and the Committee, for their work
on the budget.
Christopher Wallace — Finance Director, reviewed a Powerpoint presentation, dated August
20, 2013. He recommended that the millage rate be rolled back to 1.9192, which was a
reduction of .3486 mills (the lowest property tax rate in the Village which was mostly due to
increased property values).
The following members of the public provided comments:
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Agenda Item C6B
Anamarie Stoppa - 77 Camden Drive
Beth Berkowitz -10160 Collins Avenue
Raj Singh - 53 Camden Drive
Neil Alter - 9801 Collins Avenue #11 U
Mr. Smith reported that the police budget was based on population and other criteria, but
not on the number of streets.
Councilman Packer clarified that the Police were patrolling the Gated Area, in response to
the Village Attorney opinion that they could do so. Mayor Rosenfield noted that the Police
provided extra services above and beyond, which the residents wanted. Assistant Mayor
Blachar reported that no residents had complained about too much police presence and
that was a reason that people chose to live in the Village and the property values were
high.
It was clarified that Engineering and Architecture - 503103 (page 25) was for bathrooms,
etc. at the Village Park. Councilman Packer further clarified the hope for the Park to be
expanded and the public works building to be demolished, for a waterfront park.
Councilwoman Cohen agreed with Ms. Berkowitz that she didn't feel comfortable with the
language of Engineering for New Waterfront Park Concept at Public Works Area being
listed. She spoke in favor of allocating the money for a specific item, in lieu of a general
item.
It was the consensus of the Council to provide more specific language, by changing the
language to Engineering for Restroom Improvements at the Park.
Mayor Rosenfield spoke in favor of an in-house Records Liaison and not outsourcing that
position (page 9). Councilman Packer spoke in favor of part-time help, but suggested first
looking at a company, to digitize the records. Councilwoman Cohen spoke in favor of the
new Village Manager evaluating it and making that decision. Assistant Mayor Blachar
agreed with Councilwoman Cohen, but also suggested that the position be considered as
an Assistant Clerk/Records person and not be outsourced.
Mrs. Horvath noted that the First Budget Hearing was scheduled for September 12, 2013,
at 5:01 p.m. and the Second Budget Hearing was scheduled for September 23, 2013, at
5:01 p.m.
5. ADJOURN: There being no further business, a motion was offered by
Assistant Mayor Blachar and seconded by Councilman Packer to adiourn. The moon carried
(5-0) and the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Attest:
Ellisa L. Horvath, M ; , Village Clerk
Bat Harbour Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 08/20/2013
or Jean - os
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Agenda Item C6B