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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
JUNE 24, 1999
The June 24, 1999, workshop meeting of the City Council of the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:30
P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located at
10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and
opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials
were found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice
Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, Councilman David
Clark, and Councilman Carl Sabatello.
CITY MANAGER
PRESENTATION City Manager Herakovich reported two items which had impacted
the budget were a new fire station and tax cap legislation. The City
Manager announced that since the City would issue fewer dollars in
bonds than anticipated, debt service millage would increase from
.3394 to .4106, which was not as much as originally thought. The
proposed operating budget increase was from 3.7265 to 3.8767.
Procedures which had been followed by staff to lessen spending
were to consider part-time or contracted work, using volunteers,
etc.
Finance Director Kent Olson reviewed major budget items for
different departments, and stated that General Fund expenditures
had increased by .9 %. Mayor Russo expressed concern regarding
spending budget surplus funds. The Finance Director explained that
under the Save Our Homes legislation, property taxes could increase
3% or the rate of inflation, which last year was 1.6 %. A taxpayer
with a home valued at $100,000 would experience a tax increase of
approximately $23.00 per hundred. Mr. Olson explained it had been
six years since the City had raised taxes.
Police Department Budget Chief FitzGerald presented the Police Department budget, and
stated that operating costs had increased $4,910 over the current
year, and total personnel services had increased $724,000. Chief
FitzGerald reviewed personnel needs, efforts made to reduce
overtime, and training facilities. Contracting with Palm Beach
County for dispatch services was discussed. Chief FitzGerald
• CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 6/24/99
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reported no contract had been signed with the County to date, and
that for the City to operate dispatch properly, seven dispatchers
would need to be hired. Vice Mayor Furtado reported the Chief
was working on becoming a part of the gang task force. It was
requested that holiday pay be removed from the overtime amount to
get a true picture of overtime. Chief FitzGerald commented he was
comfortable that with the additional personnel requested, the level
of service to the residents could be maintained. Mayor Russo
requested the City's policy regarding Department Heads attending
conventions, so that discussion of this item could be held by the City
Council, and commented that Department Heads attending
conventions during the next year might need to be limited.
Fire Department The Fire Chief reviewed proposed programs, and stated it was
believed the current level of service could be maintained with the
additional goals and projects presented. The Administration budget
was reviewed, the high cost of bringing in a new Fire Station was
discussed, and impact fees were also discussed. The City Manager
reported the response time of over five minutes throughout the City
was being challenged Other costs, including the cost of additional
• EMS personnel, were discussed.
Human Resources Human Resources Director Waldron explained the proposed budget,
which included heavy emphasis on training. The 8% turnover rate
was considered good compared to other cities. Councilman Clark
requested research on turnover rates for prior years, and also that
the introduction to the budget be updated.
Parks & Recreation Parks & Recreation Director Sue Miller presented the goals
included in the proposed budget, including completion of the skate
park, concession/rest room facilities for the roller hockey facility,
a parks equipment storage facility, development of the church
property after relocation of the Fire Department, and Lake
Catherine lakeside property improvements. Requested lightning
detectors were discussed. Mayor Russo emphasized that use of
lightning detectors would necessitate a strict program whereby fields
must be cleared when the alarm went off. The Vice Mayor
requested a breakdown of demographics for each recreation
program, to which the City Manager responded that figures would
have to be based on the 1990 census. The District Park was
discussed. It was reported that an agreement was being worked-out
with the County, who planned to purchase the property and have the
• City develop the park. Consensus was that the City should hold title
• CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 6/24/99
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to the land. Vehicles for employee use and car allowances were
discussed. A list of personnel for whom cell phones were furnished
was requested. Obtaining sponsors for the City's birthday special
event was discussed. Possibile locations for fireworks were
discussed.
Golf Course Raising rates to play golf was proposed for next year. Maintenance
and advertising costs were reviewed.
Public Works Director of Public Works Bob Patty described proposed goals and
objectives: to identify a new site for a public works complex, to
reorganize divisions to accommodate a stormwater utility, to
improve quality of service in all divisions, to minimize flooding city
wide, and to privatize areas where appropriate for better levels of
service. Mr. Patty highlighted major costs, and explained that
elimination of two positions would allow funding to hire Total
Maintenance, a local company which would take care of
maintenance of Holly Drive, Military Trail, PGA Boulevard, and
interchanges at I -95 and Northlake and I -95 and PGA Boulevard.
The difficulty of keeping personnel because of salary limitations was
• discussed. Mr. Patty introduced Hal Beard, new Public Works
Assistant. The overall Public Works budget increase was
approximately 4 -1/2 1/o; however, grant funds were anticipated which
would actually reduce the budget by approximately 4 %. Space
requirements for storage of public works equipment were discussed.
Facilities maintenance, canal dredging, mosquito control,
certification of mechanics, and gas tax figures were reviewed. Mr.
Patty provided input regarding his car allowance and cell phone use.
Growth Management Growth Management Director Roxanne Manning expressed her
opinion that Planning & Zoning was properly staffed to continue to
provide the level of service achieved during the past two years, but
not to do special projects. Revenue and expenses for Planning &
Zoning and Building were discussed. Proposed changes in Code
Enforcement staffing were described, and concern was expressed
regarding the need for obtaining and keeping Building inspectors
and other Growth Management personnel at current salary levels.
Increasing the budget for this department and decreasing in other
areas was discussed as a possibility, and projection figures were
requested in order to make that decision. Finance Director Olson
explained that an extra $1 million in tax revenue would increase the
• millage rate by .7 %, or 4.5842% overall. During review of budget
figures, Director Olson explained that personnel services were
• CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 6/24/99
accelerating and capital outlays were decelerating, and that overall
expenses had not increased greatly in this year's budget. Mayor
Russo expressed concern that adding additional employees this year
would increase expenses too much the following year, and that an
8 % -9% tax increase would be needed to accommodate the budget
and increase reserves. Mayor Russo requested the total cost of
adding additional employees and the total budget for next year, and
commented that all proposed projects might not be able to be done
this year. The high cost of adding a new fire station and its impact
on the budget was discussed. Privatizing for vehicle maintenance
and in other areas was suggested. Postponing hiring personnel until
additional tax revenue and impact fees were received from
anticipated development was suggested. The possibility of adding
an additional fire truck at an existing location temporarily was
discussed. Councilman Sabatello pointed out that police
negotiations and adding a new fire station made up 75% of the
budget increase. Mayor Russo summarized that the Fire Chief
needed to come back to the meeting on July 8, that possibly Code
Enforcement could go another year without personnel changes, and
that some projects might need to be eliminated to get through the
next two years, since a double -digit tax increase next year could
scare off future corporate relocations to the City of Palm Beach
Gardens. The Mayor indicated that the highest tax increase he
could five with was 7% for this year and 7% for next year. The City
Manager commented the only proposed position which she could
think of that might be changed to a contractual position was a
proposed additional parks maintenance person. Staff was directed
to come back with similar suggestions for reducing the budget,
while providing a surplus of $500,000, and a projection of how
things would then stand next year. All Department Heads were
requested to attend the July 8 meeting with proposals to reduce
costs; Growth Management Director Manning was requested to
address the "bare bones" Planning & Zoning situation; and Finance
Director Olson was requested to project revenues which could be
realized from building permit fees, inspection fees, application fees,
etc., which could be passed on.
Budgets for Administration and Finance were to be reviewed before
July 8, 1999 so that the budget could be finalized at that meeting.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 6/24/99 5
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by
Councilman Jablin, seconded by Councilman Clark, the meeting
was adjounP p.
APPROVAL: '
M . RU SSO
VICE LA FURTADO
C - PR M RIC JABLIN
COUNCILMAN D CLARK
COUNCILMAN ARL SABATELLO
ATTEST:
� KO-SIER,"CM-C, w�V. CITY CLERK