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2023-09-05 Final Budget Hearing Minutes1 FIRST BUDGET HEARING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 6:00 PM 9900 BUILDING 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Sandra Harris Councilmember Daniel Marinberg Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky Mayor George Burch ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Sarah Johnston Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez Village Manager Esmond Scott 4) RESOLUTION(S) - PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.8 MILLS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024, THE CALCULATED “ROLLED-BACK” RATE IS 6.8232 MILLS, OR 14.32% HIGHER THAN THE “ROLLED-BACK” RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024; ESTABLISHING THE DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE RATE AT 0.1601 MILLS, REAFFIRMING THE SECOND PUBLIC BUDGET TO SET THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M.; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Village Clerk Rodriguez read the entire resolution into the record. 2 Mayor Burch opened the public hearing, but as no one spoke on the tentative millage rate, Mayor Burch closed public comments. Vice Mayor Valinsky moved to reduce the millage rate from 7.8 mills to 7.7 mills. The motion failed due to the absence of a second. Vice Mayor Valinsky moved to approve the Resolution, adopting the tentative levying of ad valorem taxes for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Councilmember Harris seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Burch called the question, which carried a 5-0 roll call vote. Councilmember Charles - AYE Councilmember Harris - AYE Councilmember Marinberg- AYE Vice Mayor Valinsky- AYE Mayor Burch - AYE 5.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE OPERATING AND CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2023, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES CONSISTENT THEREWITH AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN BUDGET AMENDMENTS WITHIN A DEPARTMENT PROVIDED THAT THE TOTAL OF THE APPROPRIATIONS IS NOT CHANGED; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Village Clerk Rodriguez read the caption of the resolution into the record. Mayor Burch opened the public hearing, but as no one present spoke on the tentative budget, Mayor Burch closed the Public Hearing. Village Manager Scott provided an overview of the FY24 budget and answered questions posed by the Village Council. Village Manager Scott asked for consensus from Village Council regarding the allocation of funding for septic to sewer matching grants. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of said project. Councilmember Harris moved to direct the Village Manager to allocate $1 million out of the $2 million in contingency funds for septic to sewer conversion. Councilmember Marinberg seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. Village Manager Scott sought consensus regarding the surplus of CITT funds, particularly relative to transit. Vice Mayor Marinberg proposed allocating said funds to assist residents with commuting to the Brightline station. Mr. Scott indicated he is awaiting a response from Freebie regarding connectivity to the Brightline Station. Discussion ensued regarding various alternatives, including bus shelters, new Village Van for Parks & Recreation purposes, senior citizen ridership, or striping roads. Village Manager Scott accepted the suggestions proffered by the Village Council. Village Manager Scott sought consensus regarding the FY2024 cost of living adjustment (COLA) percentage. Councilmember Marinberg moved to direct the Village Manager to set the COLA percentage at four (4) percent for FY2024. Vice Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. Village Manager Scott sought consensus regarding the allocation of $25,000 for the economic development initiative to enhance business engagement. Councilmember Marinberg moved to allocate 3 $25,000 for the economic development initiative to enhance business engagement. Vice Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. Village Manager Scott spoke about the 9900 Building, indicating Mr. Kevin Crowder will be providing a presentation, guiding the Village on possible uses for such building. Village Manager Scott touched upon the Miami Shores Country Club & Golf Course contract. Discussion ensued regarding the need for revenue generating opportunities, increased accountability, and exploration of capital improvements. There was consensus to invite the Country Club Advisory Board members to the next Council Meeting for discussion purposes. Councilmember Charles moved to direct the Village Manager to engage a professional to conduct a condition assessment of the Country Club and report capital improvement findings to the Village Council. Vice Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 voice vote. Village Manager Scott sought consensus regarding the sponsorship of community events and the need for a Village policy. Village Manager Scott indicated the Community Alliance will be added to the list of events circulated by Village Manager Scott. Village Manager Scott noted the deletion of the Downtown arts overlay. Discussion ensued regarding parameters and conditions that determine which events/organization receive sponsorship funding. Councilmember Marinberg advocated for a Village policy on community event sponsorship. Further discussion ensued regarding special events/public forums. Village Attorney Johnston suggested drafting a policy on public forums. Ms. Johnston further indicated she will provide a summary on best practices encompassing community sponsorship related events. Mayor Burch moved to forgo the funding of future community events and organizations and Councilmember Harris seconded the motion which failed with a 2-3 voice vote. Councilmembers Charles, Councilmember Marinberg, and Vice Mayor Valinsky voted in opposition. Councilmember Harris raised questions regarding the $1,000 discretionary funding allocated per Councilmember. Village Attorney Johnston indicated there is an opportunity to draft a new resolution, amend the existing resolution to suit the current needs of the municipality. However, all spending shall have a public purpose. Village Manager Scott noted the goals and objectives for the Mayor and Council were extracted from the previous budget. Councilmember Marinberg suggested revisions. Mr. Scott asked Council to consider the goals and objectives and provide individual feedback. Councilmember Marinberg moved to approve the Resolution, adopting the tentative budget for the 2023- 2024 fiscal year. Councilmember Harris seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Burch called the question, which carried a 4-1 roll call vote. Mayor Burch voted in opposition. Councilmember Charles - AYE Councilmember Harris - AYE Councilmember Marinberg- AYE Vice Mayor Valinsky- AYE Mayor Burch - NAY Responding to Councilmember Harris, Mayor Burch stated his premise for voting in opposition to the proposed budget, citing unessential spending and minimal funding of capital improvements to aging Village-owned facilities. 6) ADJOURNMENT 4 There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.