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09-14-1988 Public HearingPUBLIC HEARING FISCAL YEAR 1989 OPERATING BUDGET MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE MIAMI SHORES COUNTRY CLUB MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 14, 1988 The public hearing on the 1989 operating budgets was held on Wednesday, September 14, 1988 at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center commencing at 7:32 with the following members present: Also present: Mayor Spero Canton Stephen Loffredo Robert S. Butler, Jr. Marty Stofik EIIy F. Johnson William F. Fann Gail Macdonald 1. PRESENTATION OF TENTATIVE GENERAL FUND BUDGET Mr. Johnson presented the budget In the aggregate amount of $6,426,240 2. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED MILLAGE Mayor Canton told the Council the new millage would be 7.38. 3. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET Mr. Loffredo stated that the executive salaries In the Village Managers budget needs to be revisited. Mr. Loffredo asked Tony West of Downtown Revitalization for a clarification of the commitment to technical assistance. Mr. Loffredo asked how long was the commitment. Mr. West replied that the commitment was for aproximately 1 3/4 years more. Mr. Loffredo inquired of the Council about the budget of Public Works. He stated that he thought it should have been as it was originally presented. Now it was reduced by $1400. It was discussed that a position that was not budgeted for was cut. Ms. Stofik stated that she had a broad concern that since 1984 personnel services have had a 45% Increase and that there has been a 50% Increase In personnel services In the Village Managers budget. Ms. Stofik also stated that there has been no report from Dade Partners on Horrace Mann Elementary. Ms. Stofik asked how Mr. Tom Benton of Public Works Is handling vacancies Mr. Benton responded that he Is using labor pool people. Ms. Stofik asked how the cost compares to Village employees. Mr. Benton said that it was cheeper because he doesn't have to pay benefits to the labor pool people. Ms. Stofik stated that there has been a 28% Increase in 2 years in the Recreation personnel costs. She stated that It was because of Increased coaching staff and the Assistant Athletic Director position. Ms. Stoflk asked Mr. Varney of the Recreation Department If the facilities are being used by non-residents. Mr. Varney stated that the problem has been reduced by the use of security guards which patrol 5 nights a week and 9-5 on Sunday. Ms. Stoflk inquired If ID cards could be issued and be self funded. Mr. Varney stated that with 9000 people it would be an unbelievable challenge to administer, and he could not at that time state what the cost would be. Dr. Butler stated that If it doesn't have any thing to do with the budget it shouldn't be discussed tonight. Mr. Loffredo suggested that ID's should not be discussed at that meeting but that an additional guard be used to better patrol the recreational facilities. Ms. Stoflk stated that the Village Manager's personnel costs are going up. Mr. Loffredo suggested a Village wide salary freeze next year. Mayor Canton stated that Mr. Forney requested that the Village Managers salary should be raised to better compete In the Job market. Mr. Johnson stated that if you remove from the Village Managers budget the cost of the Clerk Typist It would lower his budget. Ms. Stofik asked If the Clerk Typist could be put on 1/2 time. Mr. Johnson replied he didn't know how it could be done but he would look at it. Ms. Stofik stated that the Council has to be hard and cut back. Mr. Johnson stated that that is why large Items were cut before the budget was presented to the Council, to keep costs down. Ms. Stoflk replied the department heads did a tremendous Job bringing In a tight budget. Dr. Butler stated that Miami Shores has the same problem as every community in the area. The residents in Miami Shores demand the status quo In services. He went on to say that there are many large items the Council could remove from the budget if all the Council wants to do Is save money. He stated that it was not necessary to nit pick the budget to death. Mr. Loffredo responded that the Council Is not nit picking. He went on to say that the Council should remove $2000 from the Village Managers budget this year and look at his budget again next year. Ms. Stoflk stated that she was still concerned with executive salaries. Mayor Canton stated that the budget Is linked to the quality of life In Miami Shores. People live In Miami Shores because we have top notch people in Village Hall. He went on to say the Council needs to look at a way to raise the tax base next year. Mr. Johnson stated that there Is $3,500 for elections In the budget this year that will not be In next year. Dr. Butler stated that Miami Shores has good Department Heads and a wage freeze should not be targeted at Department Heads. He went on to say it would be a mistake. Ms. Stoflk stated there should be a limit to the amount of raise employees get next year not a freeze. Mr. Loffredo made a motion to approve the Village Managers budget with a reduction of $2,000 to be cut at the Village Managers discretion Dr. Butler Seconded the motion. Ms. Stoflk again stated that the Clerk Typist should be shared between Downtown Revitalization and the Village Managers office. Mr. Johnson stated the Clerk Typist Is used more than 25% In code enforcement office. Dr. Butler stated that It would hinder code enforcement If the Council removed the Clerk Typist. Mayor Canton stated that the Council is emphasizing code enforcement. The only way the Council can have a pro active way in which Miami Shores looks is to emphasize code enforcement. He went on to say that the property values In Miami Shores shows it. Ms. Stoflk stated that the Clerk Typist should be taken away from Village Manager and be put 50% in code enforcement and 50% In Downtown Revitalization. Mr. Johnson stated the Clerk Typist Is used by all departments In Village Hall. A vote was taken for the motion on the floor,and It passed with the vote being: Mr. Loffredo, Dr. Butler and Mayor Canton voting for the motion while Ms. Stoflk voted against. Mr. Loffredo made a motion to adopt the general fund budget in the amount of $6,421,575. Dr. Butler seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. Mr. Loffredo made a motion to adopt the millage rate of 7.38 mills. He went on to say that it will appear In the paper as a tax Increase of 5%, but It is only 31% of the total budget. Ms. Stoflk seconded the motion. Aurther Leades a Miami Shores resident stated that it doesn't matter to him where the other money comes from his taxes are still going up 5%. Mayor Canton stated that our only source of ad-valorm tax Increase Is from residential dwellings because we have a very limited commercial area. Mr. Leeds asked why Is the City developing downtown. Mayor Canton replied that the revitalization program was Implemented to Increase the revenue from a commercial area. Mr. Harrington a Miami Shores resident mentioned that the race track and the utility franchise tax Is a source of revenue. He stated that the downtown area Is going backward not forward, with companies moving out. Mr. Harrington mentioned that $2,500 was struck from the Library contingency fund and $2,000 was given to the Friends of Brockway. He stated that this Is a private group that does not submit minutes to the council and Is not controlled by the council. Mr. Harrington stated that the Council should not fund private organizations. He stated that the Council should "knock them out". He said It Is the only way to cut the budget. Mr. Loffredo stated that in regards to the Library contingency fund, he fought to keep the fund. He went on to say the the $2,000 Is used for the Library book fair. Ms. Stofik stated that the Friends of Brockway have benefited the Village many fold. She went on to say that this is not new or precedent setting, that the Council has funded the Community Band and Keep Dade Beautiful and other organizations. Mayor Canton stated that the Council applauds the Job the chairman of the Library Board of Trustees Is doing. A vote was taken for the motion on the floor and the motion passed unanimously. 5. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE GENERAL FUND BUDGET Ms. Ginny Solberg the Executive Director of the North Miami Foundation For Senior Citizens' Services, Inc. explained what her group does and how it effects Miami Shores residents. She stated that her group transports the elderly to various places, provides meals in people's homes and provides visits to elderly residents that don't have family. Ms. Solberg stated that the average age of the people she provides her service for Is 84 years old. She went on to say that since January 1, 100 Miami Shores elderly residents have been served. Ms. Solberg requested that the Council donate $4,000 which will qualify for "Cash Match" which Is a federal program that matches locally raised money by a factor of 9 to 1. Ms. Solberg stated that our neighbors are contributing because they care about the quality of life of their elderly residents. She continued saying that 1635 of Miami Shores residents are over 65 years old. Mr. Loffredo asked Ms. Solberg how long N. Miami and Biscayne Park have been contributing. Ms. Solberg stated 1975 and 1983 respectively. Ms. Stofik asked Ms. Solberg If her organization needs the entire amount (not given by the state)$13,000 or If matching Is available for less amount of money. Ms. Solberg stated that any amount will be matched. Mr. Loffredo made a motion to accept the budget with $4.000 additional added for the North Miami Foundation For Senior Citizens' Services, Inc. Ms. Stofik seconded the motion. Dr. Butler stated that he supports the organization but, Miami Shores should not donate money for it, because the organization was not only In Miami Shores. He stated that it was not appropriate for the Council to budget money for it at this time. Mayor Canton stated that it was a very good service, and that independence Is very dear to the elderly. He went on to say that funding should not come from Miami Shores. Ms. Stofik stated that she would support the motion If the amount was not $4,000. She asked If Mr. Loffredo would consider a reduction of the amount of his motion by $2,000. Mr. Loffredo withdrew his motion. Mr. Loffredo made a new motion to adopt the budget with a $2,000 addition for Ms. Solberg's organization. Ms. Stofik seconded the motion and the vote was 3 to 1 for the motion. Mr. Loffredo, Ms. Stofik and Mayor Canton for, Dr. Butler opposed. Mayor Canton called a recess at 9:18 and reconvened at 9:28. 6. PRESENTATION OF TENTATIVE COUNTRY CLUB BUDGET Mr. Johnson stated that the budget was down from last year coming In at $2,971,060. Mr. Jim Meyer from the Country Club Advisory Board stated that he saw no reason to require lockers of the members. He saw it as a way of subsidizing the locker room. Mayor Canton stated that the Country Club Advisory Board approved the mandatory lockers. Dr. Butler asked Mr. Klug, the Manager of the Club what comments he has received. Mr. Klug replied that in the past 14 days he has received 41 comments against the lockers. He stated that he was for the mandatory lockers. Mr. Klug said that it might be a way to get people to play golf, shower then eat dinner In the Club. Dr. Butler stated that he agrees with the principle of mandatory lockers but he made a motion to delete the funds that would be generated from mandatory lockers. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion. Ms. Stofik stated that the members didn't know about the mandatory lockers, even the Country Club bills weren't clear. She asked for better communication. Ms. Stofik went on to say that a workshop on the direction of the Club was needed. Mayor Canton stated that a workshop on the course of the Village and the Country Club is a good Idea. Mr. Klug stated that the men's and women's golf association supported the Idea of mandatory lockers. A vote was taken on the motion on the floor. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Loffredo asked Mr. Klug to report back to the Council more often In regards to memberships. Mr. Klug stated that he would report back every two weeks. Ms. Stofik asked what does the Council do with the people who have already paid for the lockers. Mr. Johnson replled that the money would be refunded If asked for, and the fact that lockers are now not mandatory would be advertised In the newsletter. Mayor Canton stated that the Council applauded Mr. Klug for all he has done at the Country Club and that they appreciated the wonderful Job he has done. Mr. Loffredo asked how much the difference would be with out mandatory lockers. Ms. Galt Macdonald the VIllage Finance Manager stated that It would be $16,000 or $17,000. Mr. Loffredo stated that the new budget shows an additional $22,000 added to golf course maintenance, but it was never approved. Mr. Johnson stated that he and Mr. Benton of Public Works have been meeting with a contractor for Improvement of the cart paths. Mayor Canton asked Mr. Klug for membership projections for next year. Mr. Klug replied that there will be no downside at all In membership. He Is expecting an Increase in membership. Ms. Macdonald stated that the new Country Club budget Is $2,952,951. Dr. Butler made a motion to approve the Country Club budget and Ms. Stoflk seconded the motion. The vote was 3 to 1 for the motion. Dr. Butler, Ms. Stoflk and Mayor Canton for, Mr. Loffredo against. Mr. Johnson asked the gathering If anyone had plans to attend the dinner for Chlef Fletcher to please let him know as soon as possible. The meeting was adjourned at ATTEST: Elly F. Johnson BY: Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk .i'1'2 • ro Can -�-i Ma or