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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 MAYS 3 So VICE MAYOR MONROE EXA AIEF, DEPUTY C TY CLERK J C LJ i�4�PY�A I COUN TLWOMAN FURTADO �y s COUNCILMAN CLARK