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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08/05/2003 * Special MeetingJuly 25, 2003 AGFNDA I. Call to Order. II. Pledge of Allegiance. III. Roll Call. IV. Budget Discussion 1. Fire Substation 2. Annexation 3. Fund Balance 4. Other Budget Related V. Adjournment. SHOULD ANY INTERESTED PARTY SEEK TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE TOWN COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING, SAID PARTY WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MAY NEED TO INSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. F.S.S. 286.0105 MAYOR: William F. Koch, Jr. VICE MAYOR: Joan K. Orthwein COMMISSIONER: Fred B. Devitt III Robert W. Hopkins II William A. Lynch C) SPECIAL MEETING BEING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2003 AT 9:00 A.M., IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA. AGFNDA I. Call to Order. II. Pledge of Allegiance. III. Roll Call. IV. Budget Discussion 1. Fire Substation 2. Annexation 3. Fund Balance 4. Other Budget Related V. Adjournment. SHOULD ANY INTERESTED PARTY SEEK TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE TOWN COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING, SAID PARTY WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MAY NEED TO INSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. F.S.S. 286.0105 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2003 AT 9:00 A.M., IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA. I. Call to Order. Mayor Koch called the meeting to order at 9 A.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Koch. CIII. Roll Call. Present and William F. Koch, Jr. Mayor Participating: Joan K. Orthwein Vice Mayor Fred B. Devitt III Commissioner Robert W. Hopkins II Commissioner Via Telephone William A. Lynch Commissioner Also Present and William Thrasher Town Manager Participating: Rita Taylor Town Clerk Garrett Ward Police Chief IV. Budaet Discussion 1. Fire Substation Town Manager Thrasher advised that Chief Kohen from Delray Beach Fire Department could not be present to discuss building a fire substation. The Town Manager referred to an email he received from the City Manager of Boynton Beach Kurt Bressner, regarding a recent LOS (Level of Service) meeting concerning countywide minimum level of service for fire rescue. Mr. Thrasher advised that there is a movement to have a countywide referendum that would mandate Fire Rescue LOS binding on all areas of the County including incorporated areas, which would lower the response time to below eight minutes. The Town Manager stated that the Town's EMS contract with the City of Delray expires September 30, 2009. He is concerned about the fire rescue response time and believes the Town should be proactive in looking toward future improvement which would include providing a substation within Gulf Stream. Commissioner Hopkins stated that he has not been shown that the difference in the response time makes a great difference, and feels the proposal is political and self - serving. JThe Town Commission directed the Town Manager to invite Chief Kohen to a future meeting for more discussion. 2. Annexation Mr. Thrasher reported that he had been contacted by the State Department of Community of Affairs regarding updating the Town's Comprehensive Plan. The Town Manager stated that he was asked about annexation of the County Pocket for future growth and development. Mr. Thrasher referred to a study that was prepared by a previous Town Manager, and his recommendation was that Gulf Stream take control of that area. Town Commission Special Meeting & Public Hearing. Page 2 August 5, 2003 Mayor Koch stated that there are number of older multifamily residences in Gulf Stream and in the event of a disaster, redevelopment might be necessary. He suggested a study be made of the multifamily area to determine if development regulations are in need of upgrading. Mayor Koch and Commissioner Orthwein believe it is the desire of the �1 residents of Gulf Stream to not include the County Pocket in the Town. Commissioner Hopkins moved and Commissioner Orthwein seconded that the subject of annexation of adjacent property by the Town of Gulf Stream be dropped this year. Roll Call: Comm. Devitt; NAY, Comm. Lynch;�NAY, Comm. Hopkins; AYE, Comm. Orthwein; AYE, and Mayor Koch; AYE. 3. Fund Balance Commissioner Hopkins stated that he is not in favor of having excess funds to cover over three months operating expenses. He believes if there are large projects, the Town could apply for loans. Town Manager Thrasher believes that the fund balance should not be an arbitrary number, but the fund balance that the Town uses was established by the Commission in previous years. He added that because of the uniqueness of Gulf Stream, it should never be in debt. Mr. Thrasher believes the fund balance should be driven and controlled by future capital projections. Commissioner Lynch moved and Commissioner Orthwein seconded that the Fund Balance remain as is. Roll Call: Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; NAY, Comm. Orthwein; AYE, and Mayor Koch; NAY. 4. Other Budget Related Town Manager Thrasher and Chief Ward presented justifications for adding the 11th police officer. The Commission agreed that if a suitable applicant were to be found prior to October 1, 2003, the position could be filled in this fiscal year. Mr. Thrasher added that he had contacted Mrs. Crocker from the Gulf Stream School regarding increasing the contribution to the Town by ten thousand dollars to help offset some of the costs for the additional officer. To date he does not have a firm commitment. Chief Ward reported that there are grant monies available for hiring police officers but Gulf Stream might not qualify because of demographics and status. Chief Ward added that he would be receiving help from a professional grant writer at the City of Delray in applying for funding. The Town Manager stated that he proposing a 3 percent CPI. The Commission discussed the CPI and decided to utilize the U.S. City Average Wage Earners & Clerical Workers CPI for September. For June this percentage was 2.1. Town Commission Special Meeting & Public Hearing Page 3 August 5, 2003 V. Adjournment. Mayor Koch adjourned the meeting at 10:30 A.M. on a motion to do so made by Commissioner Lynch and seconded by Commissioner Orthwein with all voting in the affirmative. O cq�O-V� A,�J Y nne Manboard, CMC De ty Town Clerk N PROPOSED RESOLUTION — TOWN OF GULF STREAM JULY 10, 2003 Whereas, the Town Council has expressed an interest in furthering tax relief to their constituent taxpayers, and Whereas, the Town of Gulf Stream has significant Reserves from which to fund almost any possible contingency, and Whereas, the Town of Gulf Stream has significant additional taxing authority under the Florida Constitution, to tax the constituents for contingency expenditures beyond the Reserves accumulated, and Whereas, a Reserve equal to three months of operating expenses is considered sufficient in light of the above commentary, and Whereas, the Town Council is charged with the extraordinary responsibility of managing the Town in a fiscally responsible fashion for the benefit of it's constituents, Be it further resolved that the Council hereby adopts a fiscal strategy of targeting our Reserves at the level of three months normal operating expenses. To accomplish this strategy the Council adopts the policy of $100,000 annual reductions in the Budget Reserves until such time as the aforementioned three month operating expenses Reserve balance is met, beginning with the fiscal year 2003 -2004.