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07-14-1992 Workshop MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 14, 1992 The Budget Workshop of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on July 14, 1992, at the Miami Shores Community Center commencing at 7:14 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Steven Johnson Henry T. Courtney Herb Spahn Stephen Loffredo Robert Cook Also present: Gail Macdonald William F. Fann Mayor Johnson convened the meeting at 7:13 and asked Ms. Macdonald to make a few opening remarks. Ms. Macdonald presented an overview of the budget. She began with revenues and how they are administered. She went on to discuss expenditures. Ms. Macdonald stated that charges for services are one of the cities only discretionary revenue sources available. She suggested a one half mill tax increase bringing the millage up to 8.12 mills. She stated that the garbage fee will remain the same. Mr. Spahn stated that the responsibility of the Council Is to protect the future of the Village. He reviewed the general aspects of the proposed budget and the things he had problems with. Mr. Loffredo spoke about revenues being flat In the last 3 years. He stated that the Council has to watch what they do. Ms. Macdonald discussed additional shortfalls not included in the budget totaling $84,000. Mayor Johnson discussed a Village Budget from 1950. ITEM *1 RECREATION DEPARTMENT Mr. Spahn stated personnel services are rising too fast and this Is a big problem. Mr. Loffredo asked about cuts In hours of full time employees and stated that the field looks very bad which could be due to the lack of manpower. He stated that the Council should Increase the hours of the groundskeeper position to full time to prevent future deterioration of appearance of the facility. Mr. Varney reviewed the part time positions In his department. Mr. Cook asked about the Increase In professional services and will there be additional offsetting revenues for the Increases. Mr. Varney responded yes for most of the Increases except for the fireworks. The consensus of Council was to limit the Increase In funds for fireworks to 25%. Mr. Courtney spoke about the travel soccer program and the cost. He suggested increasing the fee from $50 to $100. He also spoke about the travel baseball program. He recommended raising the fee from $50 to $75. Mr. Courtney also suggested eliminating the Assistant Athletic Supervisor position. Mr. Loffredo suggested increasing the hours of the maintenance position back to full time. Mr. Fann arrived at this time In the meeting. Mr. Loffredo stated he has a problem with spending $40,000 to seal the pool deck. He suggested putting the funds in the pool sinking fund. He also suggested cutting the hours of operation for the pool to save money on utilities. In response to a question from Mr. Spahn. Mr. Varney reviewed overtime Increases. He also reviewed uniform and other operating expenses increases. Mr. Varney spoke about the cost to register the Village teams in the Broward baseball league. Mr. Loffredo stated that it may not be worth the money to be in the Broward league. Mr. Varney stated that the local league is not up to the level of the Broward league. Public Comments: Mr. John LaCapra: Spoke about Miami Shores Booster Club and how they help the Recreation Department. Mr. Loffredo stated that the offer In the budget made by the Booster Club Is accepted. Mr. Drew Macintosh: Spoke about fee increases and the drop In participation. Ms. Margaret Burch: Spoke about Fun Club. Mayor Johnson stated that everyone In the Village gets benefits from the Recreation Department even If they don't personally use It. Mr. Brian Gart: Spoke about the pool repair and the pool sinking fund. He also spoke about family fees. Ms. Marsha Biesal: Stated that the Rec. Dept. attacts young families to the Shores. Ms. Sally Pumo: Spoke about the lack of cleanliness of the field house, fees and additional equipment for the sports teams. Mr. Prospero Herrera: Spoke about additional funding for the Fine Arts Commission. Mr. Jack Rengsti: Spoke about the condition of the fields and using volunteer coaches instead of paid coaches. Ms. Mary Jones: Commended the Rec. staff. Ms. Gail Rice: Spoke about the swim team coaches. Ms. Pam Michaels: Stated that the increase in fees will hurt the community. Mr. Larry Hull: Spoke about the swim team. Ms. Chris Bamman: Spoke about security guards and non-resident use of the facilities. Mr. Richard Fernandez: Spoke about the tot lot maintenance. Mr. Mark Stead: Stated that he was against an Increase In fees. He suggested raising non-resident fees. Mr. Cook spoke about the process of roof repair. He suggested holding off on waterproofing the pool deck; however, he suggested keeping the funds In the sinking fund. He also suggested lowering the line item "other salaries" to pay for the roof repair. Ms. Macdonald spoke about the budgeting of merit increases In the budget. Mr. Spahn suggested eliminating merit increases for this year. Mr. Loffredo stated that he agrees with Mr. Spahn to eliminate merit increases. Mr. Courtney stated that he also agrees with Mr. Spahn on merit. Ms. Macdonald stated that the Police Department should have the same pay Increase elimination. She stated that it should be across the board. Mr. Loffredo stated that the Police Department Is a different situation. Mr. Mike Boyle: Stated that not providing a merit Increase Is short sighted. Mr. Ed Harrigan: Spoke about services that are not provided any longer. Ms. Betty Lasch: Stated that not maintaining merit Increases Is a disservice. Mr. Loffredo spoke about maintaining the fields with less people. Mr. Spahn suggested that Mr. Varney return with a proposed solution to the maintenance problem. Mr. John Davies: Stated that the Council should not nickel and dime the Recreation Department. He suggested raising taxes to keep services. Mr. Cook reviewed the consensus of Council to eliminate merit raises for 1 year. Mayor Johnson stated that he was not In favor of raising fees to such a magnitude because there will be dropouts from the programs. He stated that he likes the Idea of doubling the fees for non-residents. Mr. Courtney stated that the travel soccer program Is losing $30,000 per year and the Village should raise the fees. Ms. Melinda Reese spoke about the effect of raising fees on participation In the travel soccer and baseball programs. Mr. Loffredo suggested raising the fees to $75 for soccer and $65 for baseball. Mr. Spahn suggested reducing non-resident participation In the program. He also suggested $100 for the first child and $60 for the second and third. Mr. Loffredo suggested $75 for the first child and $60 thereafter for soccer and $65 for the first child and $60 there after for baseball. Mr. Cook suggested that Mr. Varney come back with new fees for non-residents to see If more funds can be generated. He also stated that Mr. Loffredo's suggestion Is reasonable. Mr. Courtney stated that with regard to the Assistant Athletic Supervisor position that the athletic program operated with one person before and it can operate with one person again. Mr. Varney explained what the assistant does. He stated that it would be a very big mistake to eliminate the the position. Mr. Courtney stated that he will withdraw his proposal to eliminate the position. ITEM *2 MAYOR & COUNCIL It was the consensus of Council to make no changes. ITEM *3 LEGAL COUNSEL It was the consensus of Council to make no changes. ITEM *4 NON -DEPARTMENTAL Ms. Ginny Solberg: Represented the North Miami Foundation. Mr. Loffredo stated that the request from the N. Miami Foundation Is Justified and that he supports the funding of the request. He also Inquired about the revenues from the Country Club. Ms. Macdonald responded. He also asked about Insurance costs. Ms. Varney explained the Villagea's self insurance funding. Mr. Courtney stated that he hates the current phone system and that the Village needs to make a change. He stated that he would like keep the 758-8000 number. The consensus of Council was to spend $4,441.88 for additional telephone lines. ITEM *5 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Attest: Gall Macdonald Village Clerk By: Scott W. Davis Deputy Village Clerk Steven Jo (son, Mayor