05-06-2008 Workshop Meeting•
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council held a "Town Hall" Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, May 6,
2008 at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center. All Council Members, as well as Tom
Benton, Village Manager, Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney, and Barbara Estep, the Village
Clerk, were present. The purpose of the meeting was to hear comments from residents regarding
the possibility of increasing the millage rate due to decreasing revenues and falling property
values. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Mayor Holly advised those in attendance of the protocol for the meeting, indicating that each
speaker would be allowed three minutes in which to express their views or thoughts. Mayor
Holly further advised that neither the Council, nor staff would be responding to the speakers, as
they were there to listen. Mayor Holly then introduced the Village Manager, Tom Benton, who
conducted a power point presentation.
At the conclusion of the presentation, residents were given the opportunity to speak. The
following individuals addressed the Council.
Brenda Westhorp Ms. Westhorp offered the suggestions to raise revenues including raising
the pool admission fee to $5, privatize the sanitation department, raise local business taxes. In
addition, she suggested that the Village plant more drought tolerant plantings.
Ron Augenstein Mr. Augenstein questioned how the Village operated prior to the sharp
• increase in property values and suggested that an audit be performed.
Michael Suman Mr. Suman indicated that perhaps once a week garbage pick-up would
suffice, agreed that the Newsletter should be provided on-line, questioned the shuttle bus
operation, and suggested that annexation of surrounding areas be explored.
Carol King Ms. King quoted revenue figures she received from the State.
Alan Nichols Mr. Nichols doesn't want to see any cuts in service, indicating that the
services are why he moved to the Shores. He relayed his belief that the State over -stepped their
bounds and has no right to tell the Village how to spend local tax dollars.
Gwen Burzycki Ms. Burzycki understands that costs have gone up and indicated that
people don't have a good handle on where the tax money goes. She further indicated that the
recreation programs are important and supports raising fees and the taxes to a certain level.
Alicia Lipman Ms. Lipman is against annexation of surrounding areas and questioned
why there were more cuts in Public Works than in Recreation. She suggested better use of
landscaping materials.
Juan Pena Mr. Pena stated there is a need to increase user fees and to charge more
for non-residents to utilize the Village's programs. He suggested that monies be set-aside for
capital expenses and that the Library should not be considered a sacred cow.
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Bob Swan Mr. Swan stated he doesn't really care about an increase but doesn't
want to support non-residents. Mr. Swan objected to the way in which the Police Department's
budget was represented. Suggested that we raise non-resident programming fees. He agreed with
the need to build-up reserve funding.
Joan Mueller Ms. Mueller suggested the need to make sacrifices and that cuts should
be made across the board (except for the Police Department).
Angela Young Ms. Young indicated that she moved here in order to pay the higher
taxes and is willing to pay higher taxes in order to get the services the Village offers. She
suggested that possibly the residents can start an Adopt a Corner program. Ms. Young stated that
she does not want any cuts.
Manual Hada Mr. Hada urged the Village to think about long term as well as short term
issues. Suggested increasing densities for zoning, amnesty for code violations, and to renegotiate
construction projects. Stated that he is in favor of an audit, more law enforcement and less
sanitation services.
Mike Taylor Mr. Taylor questioned the budget increases, the Manager's salary, and
spoke of the need for greater transparency in budgeting.
Eddie Lewis Mr. Lewis indicated that the voters are saying no more taxes and is in
favor of an audit.
Michael Henson Thanked Mr. Benton and the staff for putting together the meeting.
. Suggested that the rules and regulations for downtown be reviewed.
Wally Rodriguez Mr. Rodriguez is in support of N.E. 2nd Avenue development, evening
hours at the pool and that the Recreation Department increase fees rather than cut as much
programming.
Sally Bogert Ms. Bogert believes in investing in the children who need'to be involved
and engaged, not getting into trouble. Willing to pay for the services that the Village provides.
Susan Ackley Ms. Ackley moved into the Village for the atmosphere and wants the
service level and quality of life to be preserved. Urged continued funding for the Fine Arts
Commission through the Recreation Department.
Jay Weaver Mr. Weaver indicated that Miami Shores Village is a wonderful
community and asked a number of questions relating to Village fmances.
Dion Sena Mr. Sena spoke of itemizing the service costs and budget transparency.
Suggested using guards in golf carts in certain neighborhoods to assist Police Department.
Chantal Collier Ms. Collier suggested that the Village look at ways to increase revenue
rather than taxes and increase fees for non-residents to participate in Village programs. Also
suggested decreasing garbage pick-up and the use of bicycles for Police Officers.
Alice Burch Ms. Burch stated that she is a 35 year resident and did a survey of 67
• homes in her neighborhood. From the responses, 65% of the residents indicated that they would
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rather see an increase in the millage rate rather than a cut in services. Correspondingly, 35% of
the residents stated that they did not want to see an increase in the millage rate.
Colleen Fix Huff Ms. Huff spoke of the fact that the residents should look at why the
Village is so desirable — because of the services and programs it offers. She stated that if the
residents don't support the Recreation Department, the children won't have the opportunity to
take part in the excellent programming.
John Oliver Mr. Oliver said that the excellent services are why people live here.
Suggested that the Village look at ways to save the services, perhaps a pay cut across the board.
Also the Village should look at artificial grass, solar lights, increasing fees for non-residents and
evening hours for recreation. Questioned whether an increase is how the Village should be
thinking.
Cheryl Markin Ms. Markin spoke of Shores Pride and suggested that more information
be put on the website. She asked about the next step in the budget process.
Averil Dorsett Ms. Dorsett stated that she'd heard a lot of "buts" during the evening, i.e.
cut costs but increase police protection, don't cut programs but don't increase the taxes. She
indicated that if the residents want these programs and services, they need to pay for them. Ms.
Dorsett spoke of the past budget cut which eliminated the vacant positions, including the mid -
management jobs.
Betty Lasch Ms. Lasch stated that she is a realtor and that the Recreation
programming is one of the best, she shows the Village with pride. She pointed out that residents
never come to the budget workshops or hearings and that people should be more involved.
Marci Worth Ms. Worth suggested increasing the late fees for book returns, is in favor
of non-resident pool passes and centralized recycling.
TF Chambers Mr. Chambers expressed his appreciation for the services and programs.
Suggested that people come to the Council Meetings and sees what goes on.
Bekky Leonard Ms. Leonard agreed that the newsletter should be provided on-line.
Suggested that sponsorships should be solicited to defray the costs of special events and that
native plants should be planted in order to conserve water. Suggested that pool fees should be
raised and wrist bands for more events would be helpful. Ms. Leonard advised people to get
involved.
Bob Butler Mr. Butler stated that the Village is special and he sees it as the "last
bloom on the bush". Indicated that the government's structure is such that corruption and mis-
management is virtually impossible. Suggested that the Village make changes to deal with the
economic downturn. Urged residents not to micromanage what they have elected the Council to
decide. Voiced his confidence in the Village Council and Administration.
Mida Perez Ms. Perez indicated that the Village should think of ways to increase
revenue, i.e. fund raising and to apply for grants to "go green".
Wendy Salsburg Ms. Salsburg thanked the Council and Staff for their work and spoke of
the shuttle bus and the number of charter school students that use the bus.
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Jerry Lance Mr. Lance stated he has been a resident for 38 years, indicating that the
taxes are a little high but that the services are exemplary. He stated that there is a large segment
of the population that is aging and the Village should keep that in mind. He indicated that the
Recreation Department services should be preserved and that the Village should increase the fees
for the pool. He further suggested that the Village increase the costs of health insurance to the
employees.
Angela Marinas Ms. Marinas indicated that she is against cutting employee positions or
the pool hours. Suggested increased non-resident fees for programming and reducing the costs to
Village purchasers and vendors. Also suggested leasing out the concession area at the pool.
Mayor Holly, seeing that there were no more people waiting to speak, thanked the residents for
their comments and adjourned the meeting at 9:20 PM.
The Village will post responses to the questions posed when completed.
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk