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07-24-1991 Budget Workshop MeetingMIAMI SHORES BUDGET WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991 The Budget Workshop of the Miami Shores Council was held on Wednesday, July 24, 1991, at 7:13 p.m. at the Miami Shores Community Center. The following members were present: Mayor Johnson Bob Cook Herb Spahn Stephen Loffredo Also Present: Absent: MOBILE CRIME WATCH: Mr. Leon Newman: Gall Macdonald Henry T. Courtney Spoke about the work of Mobile Crime Watch and coordinator of Mobile Crime Watch, Lela Jacobson. RECREATION: Ms. Macdonald reviewed the budget and outlined Mr. Varney's budget cuts and requests. Mr. Loffredo asked about maintenance of the recreation facilities. Mr. Varney responded. In response to questions Mr. Varney spoke about not making the Assistant Athletic Supervisor position a part-time position. Mr. Spahn stated that Mr. Varney has done what the Council has requested regarding finding the money to fund the protects that the Council desires. Mr. Varney spoke about funding the swlm team coach position by user fees. He stated that the salary would be too low to attract a quality coach. Mr. Cook suggested $360 per child per year to fund the program. Mr. Varney stated that If the Village raises the fees to that level it will affect participation. Mr. Loffredo suggested closing the tennis courts when not staffed to reduce vandalism. He also asked how Important Is the maintenance worker position. Mr. Varney responded that all requests are Important. Mr. Loffredo suggested adding back the maintenance worker. Mr. Spahn stated that If Mr. Varney feels that he can get along with a part-time maintenance worker then the Council should let him. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Council should get off the 7.79 figure for the millage rate and add back some programs. Mr. Brian Gart: Mr. Chris Antonopoulos: Ms. Sally Pumo: In favor of night time hours at the pool. Recreation Department has eroded slowly over the years. Council should Improve the Recreation Department to attract new families. Some programs are going to cost more; however, will offer less In many areas. Award program Is very Important. Spoke about the tennis Ms. Linda Conclish: Ms. Marsha Beisei: Mr. Ed Harrigan: Mr. Dave Schoff: Ms. Francine Holland: Mr. Roger Infante: Ms. Victoria Smith: courts and suggested a summer tennis camp. Spoke about taking away from programs and the Council should be adding to the programs. OK to raise taxes. Must maintain programs if the Council raises fees. Inquired about memberships for the Recreation Director. Recreation Center Is the place where kids meet with their friends and the Village needs to keep a high standard. Recreation Department used to be top notch and it must be preserved. There has been a change in the last 10 years and he suggested continuing the same level of funding. Spoke about the history of the Recreation Department. Mayor Johnson stated that the Council Is proposing to Increase the fees and he can't justify Increasing the fees If the Council is cutting services. Mr. Spahn stated that there was nothing more Important than the Recreation Center; however, the Council must look at the future of the Department and must be careful. Mr. Loffredo stated that deferred maintenance Is causing problems. FINE ARTS COMMISSION: Ms. Macdonald defined what the Fine Arts Commission does. She stated that when the Fine Arts Commission was created It was ment to be self sufficient. She suggested that each event be monitored and If the Commission does not raise enough funds for the event then it will not be held. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Fine Arts Commission serves a purpose and that they should be funded. Mr. Spahn stated that some of their programs must be deleted If there Isn't community support for the programs. Mr. Tom Beck: Mr. Brian Gart: Spoke about young people enjoying the events of the Fine Arts Commission. Impressed with past events of Fine Arts Commission. Spoke about the Inconsistency of cutting for the future. Mr. Loffredo spoke about past events of the Fine Arts Commission and the benefits of the events. Mayor Johnson stated that the Fine Arts Commission was directed to get more community support and that he was In favor of funding the Commission. Mr. Cook suggested a matching fund of up to $1500. Mayor Johnson stated that he prefers not to condition the funding that way and that he concurs with the Council to fund the Commission at $1500. Recreation Department Fees: Ms. Macdonald outlined the fee Increases. Discussion was held regarding the cost of room rental at the Community Center and the cost of a 2nd and 3rd child in the Fun Club. Mr. Cook stated that the Council should proceed with the recommendations of the Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Owen Henderson: Spoke about the cost of camp In Miami Beach. Mr. Brian Gart: Suggested increasing the cost of swimming at night in order to keep the pool open at night. Mr. Varney stated that classes now pay for themselves at the pool. Mr. Loffredo suggested letting residents organize an evening swim club to pay the cost of keeping the pool open at night. Mr. Owen Henderson: Suggested that community groups could rent the pool for night swims. Mr. Larry Hull: Spoke about community support In the Village. Mayor Johnson stated that the Council has accepted the Recreation Advisory Board's recommendations on fees. LIBRARY: Mr. Spahn spoke about book funds and supported adding $5000 to the book budget. Mr. Cook stated that he supported adding more funding with matching funds. Ms. Elizabeth Esper stated that $405 was donated last year for books. Mr. Jim Stuart: Spoke about the age groups that use the Library and how expensive it Is to operate. He stated that it may be necessary to cut evening hours In the future due to cuts In personnel. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Library does an admirable Job. BUILDING AND ZONING: Ms. Macdonald reviewed the budget for the Department and asked for funds for a bulk code enforcement Informational mailing. Ms. Varney reviewed the cost of the new proposed phone system for the Department. Mr. Spahn spoke in opposition to placing code enforcement under the Police Department. Mr. Loffredo stated that he concurs with Mr. Spahn. VILLAGE MANAGER: Ms. Macdonald reviewed the budget. Ms. Virginia Smith: Spoke about Village Manager's salary. Discussion regarding conferences ensued amoung the Council members. Ms. Karan Avril: Spoke about resources available other than National Conferences. Mr. Ed Harrigan: Asked about the Increase In the Village Manager's salary and the divestiture of the Country Club and the amount of work that the Village Manager has to do. Ms. Macdonald responded that it was Increased 8 percent. Mr. Spahn spoke about the fund for merit increases. Mr. Spahn stated that the Village should not be giving 8 percent raises while eliminating positions. Ms. Macdonald spoke about Increases In salaries with regard to the unions and department heads. Mr. Spahn recommended that the fund pool for the merit Increases be reduced to 2.5%. Mr. Roger Infante: Suggested Increasing car allowances Instead of conferences and spoke about the state of the economy and Village Jobs. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS: Mr. Spahn spoke about the paver protect downtown. Mr. Loffredo stated that resurfacing the streets Is not appropriate this year. He suggested setting the millage to accommodate new funds and If Mr. Courtney, upon his return, does not wish to continue the paver protect the millage rate can be reduced. Mr. Spahn stated that the paver money Is totally wasted. Mr. Loffredo stated that he Is not willing to cut the paver protect to fund the pool protect. Mayor Johnson called •For a recess at 9:41 pm. The meeting was reconvened at 9:47 pm. Mr. Spahn outlined the programs proposed to be put back Into the budget. He suggested an Increase of 2/10 mil In the millage rate. Mr. Loffredo stated that the pool should not be open every night of the week. He stated that he was willing to fund additional athletic programs suggested by the residents. Mr. Cook stated that the new proposed millage rate of 7.99 Included 2/10 of a mill for a capital Improvement fund for the pool. Ms. Becky Witherington: Inquired about new pool hours. Mr. Jim Condit: Spoke about pavers downtown. There was a consensus of Council to add back recreation programs deleated from the proposed budget and requested by the residents and to Increase the proposed millage rate to 7.99. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 pm. Attest: By: Gall Macdonald Village Clerk Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk Steven Jo r'son Mayor