HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 090793CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
SEPTEMBER 7, 1993
7:30 PM
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida was called to order by Mayor
Russo at 7:30 PM in the Assembly Room of the Municipal
Complex, 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida; and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag.
ROLL CALL The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and present were
Mayor Russo, Vice Mayor Monroe, Councilman Jablin,
Councilwoman Furtado and Councilman Clark.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE 16, 1993
City Manager Herakovich stated this was a public hearing
to discuss Ordinance 16, 1993, which would levy a tax on
real and personal property located within the City
limits. The public would then be invited to comment.
She stated the percentage increase in the millage over
the rolled back rate necessary to fund the 1993/1994
fiscal year budget was 23.98 %. The specific purposes for
which the increase in ad valorem taxes included:
1. additions to the Police Department in the amount of
$667,000, a large part of which covered salary
increases covered under the union contract signed
two years ago;
2. $357,000 for Emergency Medical Service to fund 12
paramedics, nine drivers and one division director;
3. Public Works replacement of equipment and 3
positions in parks and an irrigation technician.
City Manager Herakovich also listed several areas of
major reductions not be covered in this budget.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 2
MAYOR RUSSO Mayor Russo reviewed the proposed 24% tax increase - the
reason for the increase was not because of spending; the
budget for 1993/1994 would only be increasing by 7 %,
basically covering the EMS and Police Department items as
discussed by the City Manager. Combined with the golf
course expenses and declining reserves, the City is not
now growing at its previous pace and it is now necessary
to raise tax revenues to offset the expenses. Mayor
Russo stated the proposed tax increase does not come from
spending alone. If the City had no additional spending,
from last year, the City would still have a 17% tax
increase. And the only way to have no tax increase would
be to cut the City's services which he felt would not be
appropriate.
In response to Councilwoman Furtado, the City Manager
Herakovich stated the proposed budget includes delaying
the purchase of a communications tower and equipment
until October and was reduced by almost 50% from the
original request.
Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing open, which was
duly advertised by the Property Appraiser's Office via
Proposed Tax Bills, and held with the intent of levying
a tax on real and personal property located within the
corporate limits of the City of Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida, for year ending 12- 31 -93; affixing a total
valuation thereon and tax rate thereon for said year;
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 3
adopting a Fiscal Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning
10 -1 -93, and ending 9 -30 -94 inclusive; appropriating
funds for expenditures. The Public Hearing opened at
7:50 PM.
Bill Roach
Mr. Bill Roach of 1804 - 18th Lane was the first to
comment. He was concerned there was no supervision in
the morning hours from about 6:30 Am to 8:00 AM along the
bicycle trail to Timber Trace school, and again during
the afternoon hours when school gets out. In discussing
this with the City, one Police Officer is now there one
hour while kids are leaving the school but there is no
Police Officer there in the morning and he wanted to see
the increased supervision. Mr. Roach stated he was
empowered by the PTA to support the expansion of the Palm
Beach Gardens Police Department because the increase was
definitely needed.
Denise Krulis
Denise Krulis of 5806 Golden Eagle Circle said she was
Vice President of Westwood Gardens and also supported an
increase in police officers because of the rise in crime
and threat to the safety of the children in her
community.
Reuben Fox
Mr. Reuben Fox, 42 Admiral's Point, spoke on the need for
additional services. And, he felt it very much in order
for the Council to consider utilizing the expertise of
the senior citizens in the community.
Terry Poreba
Mr. Jerry Poreba, of 9130 Cypress Hollow Drive,
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 4
Dan Honiq
introduced himself and said he was also the Assistant
Police Chief in Riviera Beach. He spoke on the police
budget and what could happen if the budget does not meet
the needs. He was concerned that the City keep up the
police services. He also talked about Communications in
general. He stated he was a member of the Palm Beach
County Planning Council and the Council was planning a
new communications system for the entire county. In
Riviera Beach, he worked on a system for four years and
it is the most advanced system in this part of the
Country. It has been in operation for the past 3 years
and is currently shared with West Palm Beach. He was
concerned that the City of Palm Beach Gardens was
considering their own form of communications instead of
working with the system to be provided by the County.
Even the City of Riviera Beach will consider dropping
their system and connecting to the proposed County
system. Mayor Russo asked if Mr. Poreba would consider
serving on a committee and look into this as the City
Council needed additional input.
Dan Honig, of 13094 Redon Dr, wished to commend the City
Council for its change in direction and support of the
well -being of the community. He felt the public hearing
at the school helped to put the budget in proper
perspective, supported the budget and Police Department
increases, and he was pleased to be a resident of the
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 5
91: l J- .- - 04----
Cathy Rappaport
Tom Celentano
City. Mr. Honig asked if the substantial increase in the
budget would be eliminated if the City solved the Golf
Course problem. Mayor Russo responded that, if the City
did not have the Golf Course, it would not have had to
raise taxes at all and the City was working on that
problem. Mayor Russo asked that Mr. Honig attend the
Thursday evening meeting, as this would be discussed
further. The Mayor also advised that the City had
received a critique from the PGA on the Golf Course's
operation and would use that input to improve the image
of the Course.
Mr. Milton Stern, 24 Cayman Place, spoke on the tax
increase as an individual, not as a member of any of the
organizations to which he belonged. He said he felt
Police protection was very important and supported the
move on Police. However, at some point in time, he hoped
the City would examine the result and, if that result was
not appropriate, then cut back. Mr. Stern also supported
the EMS service.
Cathy Rappaport, 4010 Willow Run, requested a Police
patrol on the bike path near her home because of the
possible threat to the safety of the children.
Tom Celentano of Palm Beach Gardens stated he was present
on behalf of the Palm Beach Gardens Association. He was
President of that organization. He said the association
was very pleased with what the City Council had done, the
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 6
Mayor Russo
ORDINANCE 16, 1993
task forces, etc. His neighborhood had a perceived
increase in crime including robberies and car thefts and
they would like to see an increased police presence even
if it meant increased taxes. Mr. Celentano also
recommended the suggestion of phasing the tax increase in
over two years. With regards to the Golf Course, he was
anxiously waiting to see what the City does about that
problem and would like his name on that task force, if
possible.
Since there was no further discussion by the public,
Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing closed at 8:23
PM.
Mayor Russo stated he felt a motion was needed to
tentatively adopt Ordinance 16, 1993 with a 23.98%
increase, as it could be lowered at the next meeting, if
possible.
Councilwoman Furtado
Councilwoman Furtado expressed concern regarding several
budget items. Mayor Russo asked that Councilwoman
Furtado meet with City Manager Herakovich to discuss her
concerns.
Vice Mayor Monroe Vice Mayor Monroe also expressed concern with the
following line- items:
1. Jogging Trail lights could be repaired instead of
replacing at this time.
2. Park Signs at $25,000.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993
7
3. Resurfacing the parking lot at the Community Center
at $13,200 does not need to be done at this time.
Just repair.
4. Lighting at the Oaks - hold off another year.
5. Brick pavers behind the gym.
6. $6,000 for paint in the gym.
7. Diesel tanks at $12,000.
8. Hand -held radios for Planning & Zoning.
9. PC's - delete $7,500 worth.
10. Suggest just one PC for Parks & Recreations instead
of two.
11. $200 for a 35mm camera for Recreation Department.
12. Parks Department - is the $131,340 for equipment a
duplication of equipment now in use? Mayor Russo
stated this was to replace used /old equipment.
13. Nursery budget account #6320 showed $25,000 for
fences and landscaping, basically transplanting
trees. But Parks also had an account #6320 for
$20,000. Is $45,000 in transplant costs (not
counting labor, sprinkling, etc) correct? Vice
Mayor Monroe felt it needed to be determined how
many trees were transplanted this year and how many
will be done next year.
14. Preference for starting out new Police Officers:
A. Two new offices and aide in October;
B. Two new officers and 2 aides in January;
C. Two new officers in April.
This would save $111,500, probably a vehicle and
other miscellaneous items.
These reductions could save about $226,000.
Mayor Russo felt the City Manager had taken the direction
of the City Council and had cut $6- 700,000 from the
original budget.
City Manager Herakovich reported the following cuts had
been made:
1. City Council portion decreased 32% from last year.
2. General Government decreased 2 %.
3. City Manager's budget decreased 29 %. Except that,
add personnel in and it's up a little from there.
4. Recreation Department had a 6.6% decrease.
5. Public Works had a decrease.
6. Building had a decrease.
In response to the City Manager, Mayor Russo and
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993
8
Councilwoman Furtado both indicated opposition to
initiating a fire inspection fee.
Councilman Clark expressed concern with cutting too much
from the budget, and the City possibly coming up short.
Mayor Russo stated he felt comfortable having the City
Manager look at Vice Mayor Monroe and Councilwoman
Furtado's items, as they were not line items but capital
expenditures. The City Manager was also directed to look
at the diesel tanks and the communications tower. Also,
regarding phasing in the police increase, the Mayor
stated he was comfortable with that compromise and the
City Manager now had a clear directive.
Vice Mayor Monroe also expressed concern with the
budgeted pay raises. She felt they were too high and
needed fine tuning. City Manager Herakovich reported
that Police and Fire negotiations were being discussed
this week and they were trying to identify some of the
inequities in the system. The raises were not to be
percentage increases but to bring up some of those that
were low to make the system more equitable.
Councilman Clark made a motion to tentatively approve the
4.216 millage rate, based on the 23.98% tax increase;
seconded by Councilman Jablin. Discussion ensued. Vice
Mayor Monroe stated she wanted an increase of less than
20% and would not vote on a milliage rate exceeding 4.1.
The motion was approved by a vote of four ayes and 1 nay.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 9
Vice Mayor Monroe cast the nay vote because of reason
previously stated.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting
adjourned at 9:10 PM.
APPROVAL
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VICE MAYOR MONROE
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COUNCILMAN CLARK