08-03-1989 Budget Workshop MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
BUDGET WORKSHOP
AUGUST 3, 1989
The Budget Workshop of the Mlaml Shores VI1lage Council
was held on Thursday, August 3, 1989 at the C. Lawton McCall
Community Center commencing at 6:36 with the following
members present:
Mayor Courtney
Herb Spahn
Spero Canton
Stephen Loffredo
Marty Stofik
Also present:
Gall Macdonald
William Fann
Patti Varney
BUILDING AND ZONING
Mr. LuBIen stated that the only other place that his department
can make cuts Is In operating expense. Mr. Spahn asked about
professional services. Mr. LuBien replied that Item Is for
Inspectors. Mr. Canton asked how often does the Village
Inspect. Mr. LuBien replied that It varies but that the cost
of inspection Is Included In the permit. Mr. Canton asked about
workers comp costs. Ms. Macdonald stated that comp costs have
gone up 28%.
RECREATION
Mr. Seller from Seller Keller and Assoc. provided figures for
the pool alternative where everything Is built at pool level. He
said the cost would be $325,000. He also said a new pool at a
new site would be $600,000. Mr. Seller said the new pool would
be 50'x 75'. He said It would cost between $50,000 and $75,000
to enlarge the new pool for a diving area. Mr. Canton asked
about a grant for a new pool. Mr. Varney replled that If the
State gives grant money then Miami Shores would not be able to
restrict the use of the pool just to residents. Ms. Stofik
asked about the cost to shore up safety problems. Mr. Seiler
replied approximately $10,000. Mr. Loffredo asked about the
life of the pool If It were to get repaired. Mr. Seller replied
approximately 25-35 years. Mr. Loffredo asked If pools get
financed through bonds. Mr. Seller replled sometimes and that
the Florida League of Cities has a group bond program for 10
years. Mr. Canton stated that the Council has a year before It
needs to make a decision. He suggested that Mr. Varney look In
to what grants are available. He said he would like to see a
brand new pool. Mr. Canton asked about the life of a new pool
vs the old pool. Mr. Seller replied that a new pool would last
a little longer but the construction on the existing pool will
make It like a new pool. Ms. Macdonald asked If there was a
consensus of the Council to seek grant money and to clarify that
the resident requirement would have to be waived. Mayor
Courtney replied that there Is not a consensus of the Council.
Ms. Stofik asked about specific reductions and Mr. Varney
explained how the budget would be effected. Ms. Stofik asked If
basketball was Included In the budget how much would it cost.
Mr. Varney replied $2,200. Mr. Loffredo asked If the Assistant
Athletic Supervisor position was eliminated how much would It
save. Mr. Varney replied approximately $16,000. Mayor Courtney
read a letter from Ann Mennes who Is against staffing the
position of Assistant Athletic Supervisor. Mr. Varney replied
that years ago, without the Assistant Athletic Supervisor the
athletic program was run very poorly. He also said that the
Intermural program has grown very fast with the guidance of the
Assistant Athletic Supervisor. Mr. Canton stated that he is not
In favor of eliminating the position. He said the Council has
already taken 10% from the Recreation budget. He also said If
Mr. Varney Is willing to fight for the position it must be
Important. Ms. Stofik stated that she supports leaving the
position In the budget because of the growth of the programs.
Ms. Macdonald stated that she totally endorses Mr. Varney In
keeping the position staffed. Mr. Spahn stated that Mr. Varney
Is the best person to make the Judgement and he supports keeping
the position staffed. Ms. Stofik suggested putting basketball
back In the budget and reduce security. Mr. Canton stated that
the Village can have both the the Assistant Athletic Supervisor
and the basketball program. Mayor Courtney stated that it Is
the consensus of Council to keep the Assistant Athletic
Supervisor. He said that Mr. Varney should be aware that there
Is community criticism of the Assistant Athletic Supervisor
position.
Ms. Stofik spoke about the cost of maintenance at the Community
Center and asked If there was any way to cut down on maintenance
costs. Mr. Varney replied that the only way to cut back would
be to cut back on hours and he said he doesn't see alot of waste
at the center. Mr. Spahn spoke about the most effective use of
light bulbs to reduce electric costs. Mr. Varney stated that he
spoke to Mr. Benton about energy savings across the Village.
Mayor Courtney asked about security In recreation. Mr. Varney
replied that the Recreation Advisory Board endorses ID cards and
he will expand the hours of staffing for the guards. Mr. Spahn
stated that the Council has the funds to expand security and the
Council should do It If the Village Manager agrees. Ms.
Macdonald replied that she agrees. Mayor Courtney asked about
non-resident use of recreation facilities. Mr. Varney reviewed
the areas and times non-residents can use the facilities.
POLICE
Ms. Stofik asked why there Is more overtime If there Is more
officers. Chief Zoovas replied, with more officers there will
be more arrests, more court time and more overtime. Ms. Stofik
asked about the trust fund for training. She asked If the
Council can use the funds to reduce the budget. Chief Zoovas
replied that It has been used In the travel and per diem line
Item. Mr. Canton asked Chief Zoovas about adding 2 officers
this year and 2 next year. Chief Zoovas replied that he doesn't
know how long It will take to fill the positions. Mr. Loffredo
stated he would like to see 4 additional officers this year and
staffed soon. Ms. Stofik asked If the Sergeant position would
be filled before the 4 officers are hired. Chief Zoovas replied
after the 4 officers are hired. Ms. Macdonald stated that only
2 full time positions are budgeted, or 4 positions for 1/2 year.
LIBRARY
There were no question for the Library. Mr. Loffredo stated
that next year he will try for expanded hours for the Library.
PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Benton stated that In order to reach budget cut requirements
he had to cut positions. Mr. Spahn asked if there was enough
latitude In the budget to hire day laborers. Mr. Benton replied
no, especially In the Streets Department. Mayor Courtney and
Mr. Spahn stated funds should be added to hire staff In
emergencies. Mr. Benton stated that $4000 to $5000 Is needed to
hire day laborers for emergencies. Mr. Loffredo stated that he
agrees and that funds should be added, but he stated that the
personnel should be labor pool personnel. Mr. Benton stated
that he has vacancies because he will not staff with sub
standard employees. Mr. Loffredo agreed with Mr. Benton on the
policy not to hire sub standard employees.
RECYCLING
Mayor Courtney asked Mr. Benton when he will purchase the
recycling equipment. Mr. Benton replied that the funds will be
available October 1st and he will go out to bid and the program
will be running by December 1st. Mr. Benton stated that until
the Village goes out to bid the Council has the latitude to
change the program. Ms. Macdonald stated that at the next
meeting the Council will be voting on waste fees and that Is
part of the recycling program. Discussion ensued about alley
pickup vs curbside pickup. Mr. Benton stated that efforts to
have alley pick up will be made. Ms. Stoflk stated that if the
Village has a single trailer and It breaks down then the Village
Is out of luck. Mayor Courtney stated that the consensus is to
find a vehicle that will fit in the alleys.
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Ms. Barbara Witte spoke about Irrigation for downtown. She said
a street-scape should precede irrigation. Ms. Witte also spoke
about the protects that the Board Is doing downtown. Mr.
Loffredo stated that he disagrees and that the irrigation still
needs to be done. He said that It Is not wise to divert the
irrigation money at this time. Mr. Canton stated that he would
like to fund the street-scape for $4000. Mr. Loffredo stated
that the Council should view other areas to see what works and
what doesn't. Ms. Stoflk stated that she Is In favor of funding
$10,000 with $4000 going to a street-scape. Mr. Spahn stated
that he would like some kind of Idea of what total amount Is
Downtown Revitalization talking about for redoing the streets
downtown. Mayor Courtney stated that there Is a consensus that
Ms. Macdonald look for $10,000 for Downtown revitalization
between now and September.
FINANCE
Ms. Macdonald explained that funding for 1/2 of a person would
be deleted from the budget and the Clerk Typist would fill In as
receptionist.
NON -DEPARTMENTAL
Ms. Macdonald stated that the newsletter has gone up $4,000.
Mr. Spahn stated that that Is absolutely not acceptable. Ms.
Stoflk suggested combining months in the summer and only having
10 Issues. Mr. Canton stated that he agrees with Mr. Spahn and
Ms. Stofik and the cost must be reduced. He said that the
Village has over upgraded the paper. Mr. Loffredo stated that
the look of the newsletter Is very Important and he Is willing
to cut 2 Issues out. Mayor Courtney stated that it is the
consensus of the Council to Increase the budget $9000 from last
year up to $15,000 and adjust postage down by $1000.
Ms. Macdonald spoke about a protected self Insurance program
that she Is Investigating. She said that If the VIllage goes
with the program then the VIllage will not need the Insurance
study. She also said that If the Village doesn't go with the
program then the Village needs the study to see If the Village
Is at risk In an area that the VIllage is not adequately
Insured.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m..
Attest: Gall Macdonald
By:
Scott W. Davis
Deputy VIllage Clerk