HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-08-08 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesOF Tq y
9� 7525 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321-2401
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I TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900
August 5, 1988
NOTICE OF
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETINGS
There will be City Council Budget Workshop Meetings with
the following Department Heads in Conference Room #1 at City
Hall, 7525 N.W. 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida on the
following days:
Date
Time
Department
Monday
August
8
10:30
a.m.
City Manager
"
10:45
a.m.
City Attorney
"
11:00
a.m.
City Clerk
•
1:30
p.m.
Engineering
"
------------------------------------------------------------
2:00
p.m.
Fire Department
Tuesday
August
9
1:00
P.M.
Finance
"
------------------------------------------------------------
"
1:30
p.m.
Police Department
Thursday
August
11
9:00
a.m.
Public Works
"
it
11:00
a.m.
Community Development
"
------------------------------------------------------------
if
1.:30
p.m.
Building Department
Carol E. Barbuto
City Clerk
CEB/nr
cc: Mayor & Council
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 1988
TAPE 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called this Budget Workshop meeting to
Order on Monday, August 8, 1988, at 10:30 A.M. in Conference Room #1
(City Clerk's Office).
PRESENT:
Mayor Norman Abramowitz
Vice Mayor Jack Stelzer
Councilman Bruce Hoffman
Councilman Hen Rohr
Councilman Dr. I3. Larry Bender
ALSO PRESENT:
John P. Kelly, City Manager
Ken Burroughs, Finance Director
Pauline Walaszek, Special services
Secretary
City manager's Department
City Manager Kelly said the Personnel Department, Boards
and Committees and Revenues Budget would be discussed at
a later date.
V/M Stelzer said a list of the personnel in each
department have been submitted to the City Council in the
past and he asked if a list could be submitted. City
Manager Kelly said he would see that a list is submitted.
City Manager Kelly said he had proposed that his
department obtain an Assistant to the City Manager and a
receptionist. He said during the review of the budget,
the receptionist position was eliminated. He said the
Budget was increased to approximately $30,000.00 which
included the Assistant to the City Manager and salary
increases. He said his salary would be increased
$7,500.00.
City Manager Kelly said there would be no change in the
Deferred Compensation Plan; however, he suggested that
another program regarding the Deferred Compensation Plan
be established because he could not contribute to the
Deferred Compensation Plan for tax purposes while the
City was contributing to it.
City Manager Kelly said there was minimal change except
for the change in salaries. He said Meetings and
Seminars have been decreased by approximately $800.00,
Travel and Other will only maintain a balance of
$1,000.00 and Rentals and Leases would be increased.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what Rentals and Leases budget was
for and City Manager Kelly said this budget would include
a more advanced copy machine the cost of which would be
split by the City Manager and City Attorney Departments.
City Manager Kelly said the Office Supplies and Books and
Subscriptions have decreased. He said Dues and
Memberships has increased to approximately $400.00 and
Data Processing has been pro -rated.
Page 1 j
Mayor Abramowitz asked where the Health and Self
Insurance Budget was located and Ken Burroughs, Finance
Director, said the Health and Life Insurance had been
combined in one Account in the past; however, this year,
the Life Insurance was separated from the Health
Insurance.
Mr. Burroughs said the Health Insurance involved an HMO
program and a Self -Insured program. He said the City
Manager's Department did not have any HMO participants;
therefore the costs for the Self -Insured Insurance was
located under 59-R.
V/M Stelzer suggested that the Health Insurance and Life
Insurance be located in the first portion of each Budget
and Mr. Burroughs said the Self Insurance Fund was
supported by charges from the other funds.
V/M Stelzer said the earnings of all employees should be
located together at the first section so the total
increase could be determined.
Mr. Burroughs said these figures could be located at the
top of each budget if the City Council preferred it.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how the Self -Insurance was figured
and Mr. Burroughs said the City's portion with a 20%
increase was multiplied by the number of employees per
department by the single or family plan. He said total
annual cost was 7% for HMO and 20% for Self -Insured.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the figures were determined by
what the employees would be offered or what was presently
being offered and Mr. Burroughs said the figures were
determined by what the employees were being offered at
this time.
At 10.50 A.M., C/M Bender ENTERED the meeting.
C/M Hoffman said last year, the monies for the Assistant
to the City Manager were used to purchase a Computer
System for the City Clerk's Office which would eliminate
some of the workload for the City Manager. He asked if
this matter was completed.
City Manager Kelly said the Computer System would not be
completed for 3 months and he has gone too long without
having an Assistant to the City Manager which would
provide some back up to the Department.
C/M Hoffman asked the salary for the Assistant to the
City Manager and City Manager Kelly said the salary for
the position would be $35,000.00 per year.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the position would create a
morale problem within the City and City Manager Kelly
replied, no.
Mayor Abramowitz suggested that the position be offered
to the existing employees before a new employee is hired.
City Manager Kelly said the salary level would not
threaten any of the Department Heads because the salary
would be lower than what the Department Heads are
presently receiving.
Page 2 �_
V/M Stelzer said the position of Assistant City Manager
could be changed to Deputy City Manager to avoid
confusion with the Assistant to the City Manager.
C/M Hoffman asked what the Assistant to the City Manager
would do and City Manager Kelly said the position would
coordinate and follow through on projects.
Mayor Abramowitz,asked if the City Manager had anyone in
mind for the position and City Manager Kelly replied, no.
C/M Bender suggested that the City Manager survey within
the City for an employee before offering the position to
the public.
C/M Rohr had concerns with the difference in the increase
for the new salary being listed in the budget and Mr.
Burroughs said the increase was listed in the Salaries
Account. He said the total Budget for the City -Manager
indicated an increase of $44,000.00.
C/M Rohr asked if the Assistant to the City Manager could
be detained and City Manager Kelly said his Department
has been overdue for this type of position and he was
asking for an Assistant to rather than an Assistant
position.
Mayor Abramowitz said he would like to digest this matter
further and C/M Rohr asked if the salary for the position
at $35,000.00 included the costs for benefits. City
Manager Kelly re plied, no.
Mayor Abramowitz said he would like to see the position
reviewed to see if the Budget and Personnel could be
satisfied.
City Manager.Kelly said there was no employee in the City
that was not assigned to a specific job and C/M Rohr said
there may be an employee in the City that would want the
position. He said it may be easier to replace the
existing position rather than the Assistant to the City
Manager position.
V/M Stelzer said there was no one available within the
City at the present time to replace City Manager Kelly if
he were to leave because of the salary. He said the
employees qualified would not take the position at a
lesser pay than they are presently receiving.
C/M Bender asked City Manager Kelly if he looked into the
possibility of taxing cable services with the Utilities
Tax and City Manager Kelly said no Cable Company in
Florida is taxed.
Mayor Abramowitz said he was not objecting to the
Utilities Tax; however, the only tax that would be
confusing to the residents is the garbage tax. He said
if the matter could be negotiated with Waste Management,
Inc., regarding the increased cost and billing monthly
rather than quarterly, the change may be welcomed by the
residents.
City Manager Kelly said this matter would be discussed
during the Revenue Budget review.
Page 3
City Clerk's Department
City Manager Kelly said the City Clerk's Department had a
decrease of $15,000.00.
Ken Burroughs, Finance Director, said the
Switchboard/Receptionist position was being transferred
into an Account named Telecommunications. He said in the
coming years, each Department would be charged for this
service; however, this would not occur during this year's
budget.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the City Manager was positive
that this department could not be decreased.
V/M Stelzer asked what the Extra Election Account was for
and Carol E. Barbuto, City Clerk, said this was budgeted
for the Charter Board Amendments and the Account was for
the November and March elections.
V/M Stelzer asked what the $18,000.00 was for the
Equipment Account and Ms. Barbuto said the money was for
a new micro -filming camera. She said the existing camera
was ten years old and Kodak was not serving that type of
camera.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what the Data Processing Services
and Leasing Account was for and Mr. Burroughs said this
was a pro -rated charge and each department would have
this Account.
C/M Rohr asked if there would be any additional personnel
and Ms. Barbuto said the budget proposed one additional
person.
C/M Rohr had concerns with the additional equipment being
purchased to provide less work but maintaining the
existing personnel. He asked where the benefit of the
new equipment was and Ms. Barbuto said the benefit would
be felt within the departments.
Mayor Abramowitz said the equipment would be providing
more accuracy and efficiency within the Departments and
C/M Bender said the equipment allowed the Departments to
obtain and maintain information more efficiently.
C/M Rohr said he was concerned with the new equipment
needing new employees to operate and Ms. Barbuto said her
department eliminated a Secretarial position and the work
for that position is presently being done through
privatization.
TAPE 2
City Attorney's Department
City Attorney Doody said the overall budget for the City
Attorney's Office would be $203,000.00. He said
Self -Insurance, Data Processing, Office Equipment and
Rentals and Leases would be increasing. He said he
budgeted $2,000.00 for Prosecution Fees and $5,000.00 for
Legal Services.
City Attorney Doody said there would be an increase in
salaries for his personnel of 4% automatically; however,
he would like an additional 3% for his personnel.
Page 4,
City Attorney Doody said there would be a decrease in
Meetings, Seminars and travel and a $4,000.00 decrease in
Publications. He said he would be reviewing the Library
to see if there are additional Publications that could be
eliminated.
City Attorney Doody said the Code Enforcement Board was
becoming more active and 2 more Code Enforcement Officers
were being budgeted. He said the increase in the
activity would increase the legal services. He said at
this time, there was one large lawsuit pending within the
City and several smaller law suits. He said it was hard
to determine the fees for the lawsuits until the cases
began.
City Attorney Doody said he has been handling several
matters In --house which had not been done in the past,
such as Utility matters. He said this has decreased the
legal fees and he would continue doing as much In-house
as possible; however, the City has had a very good year
regarding litigation.
City Attorney Doody said he surveyed the surrounding
cities to see what their In --house Attorney salaries were
and Tamarac was paying the lowest salary in Broward
County.
V/M Stelzer had concerns with the Legal Services Account
and City Attorney Doody said last year was not a typical
year for the City; however, there are several personal
suits pending.
C/M Bender had concerns with the ESM matter and City
Attorney Doody said Morgan, Lewis and Bockius are
presently monitoring the proceedings for the City. He
said he would recommend this money be left in the Legal
Services Account in case he had to act quickly on a
matter. He said this money may not be used; however, to
avoid delays on matters in the future, this money should
be available when needed.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the money could be deducted
from the Budget and placed into the Contingency Account
until it was needed and City Attorney Doody said this may
be a problem because if the money was needed immediately,
he would have to go before the City Council for approval
of this money.
C/M Hoffman asked if the Professional and Legal Accounts
could be placed together and Ken Burroughs, Finance
Director, said the reason these Accounts were separated
was to avoid difficulty in Accounting procedures.
Mayor Abramowitz had concerns with the residents being
confused with the Budget and the residents would not be
reviewing all of the rows in the proposed budget. He
said they would only be reviewing last year's Budget to
this year's Budget.
City Attorney Doody said he would like to have the
increase of 3% for his personnel and Mayor Abramowitz
said the City Council had to look for cuts in the Budget;
therefore, he could not promise the increase.
City Attorney Doody said he was responsible for his
personnel's best interest and he could not tell them that
an increase was not going to be permitted. He said he
Page 5 �J
would be willing to have his increase decreased to
provide his personnel with the 3% increase.
At 11:45 A.M., Mayor Abramowitz RECESSED the meeting and
RECONVENED at 1:45 P.M. with ALL PRESENT.
Engineering Department
TAPE 3
City Manager Kelly said the Engineering Department's
Budget was down $25,000.00 from last year.
C/M Hoffman asked if the salary decrease of William
Greenwood was reflected and Bob Foy, Director of
Utilities/Engineering said Mr. Greenwood's salary was
accounted for in the Utilities Department.
Mr. Foy said 20% of his salary would be charged to
Engineering and 80% would be charged to Utilities. He
said this would be done to reflect the time he spent at
each department.
C/M Rohr asked if there would be.any positions eliminated
and Mr. Foy replied, no. He.said 1/2 of a position was
eliminated; however 2/10 of a position was added after
Mr. Greenwood resigned.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what the Legal Services Account
was for and Mr. 'Foy said there were times when outside
Attorneys were needed.
C/M Hoffman asked if there was anything that could be cut
from -the Budget and Mr. Foy said the City Manager cut a
lot out of the Budget and, if any more was cut, the
Engineering Department would be hurting.
C/M Rohr asked if the money allocated for Capital
Improvements was enough and City Manager replied, yes.
V/M Stelzer said the City Council should keep in mind
that approximately $500,000.00 from the sale of the old
City Hall and Public Works Buildings is being applied
against the ad valorem tax. He said this matter should
be discussed during the Revenue Workshop.
Fire Department
Mayor Abramowitz asked if Page 58 could be adjusted and
City Manager Kelly said there will be three additional
Fire Fighters beginning April 1, 1989.
V/M Stelzer asked what the Special Services Account was
for and Ray Briant, Fire Chief, said this Account was for
the Hazardous Material Response Team. He said the League
of Cities has agreed to purchase a computer for all the
Cities in Broward County for Hazard Material Teams. He
said the Cities agreed to budget monies for this team and
the monies would be used for damage to the equipment. He
said he hopes that this Account would not be used.
V/M Stelzer asked what the Contractual Fee Account was
for and Chief Briant said the Fire Academy was used for
training and there were fees required for the use. He
said there is a Wellness Program being considered and
would be part of negotiations.
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Page 6
Mayor Abramowitz asked how many men were in the
Department and Chief Briant said there was a total of 42
employees.
C/M Rohr had concerns with the cut in travel expenses and
City Manager Kelly said all Departments requesting
out -of -State travel were denied.
V/M Stelzer said last year, a list regarding each
departments request was submitted to the City Council and
City Manager Kelly said he would submit a list to the
City Council.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what the Account for Rentals and
Leases was for and Chief Briant said this account was for
emergency generator rentals and the rental of two
trailers for extra space at Fire Station #1. He said the
trailers were used by the Building Department at the old
City Hall.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if both trailers were needed and
Chief Briant replied, yes. He said the trailers came
together and Mayor Abramowitz suggested there be
discussion regarding the trailers being bought.
V/M Stelzer suggested that the monies obtained from the
Utilities Tax be used for Capital Improvements.
Chief Briant said there were several pieces of equipment
that needed to be replaced such as, a pumper and a truck.
He said the truck needed a new aluminum body.
V/M Stelzer said he would like to come back to the Fire
Department's needs if there are extra monies available in
the Budget.
Chief Briant said Broward County was going to replace
their communication system to a 470 range which meant
that the Fire Department would need new radios. He said
the Communication System provided for by Broward County
was free of charge; therefore, it would be worth
purchasing the radios.
V/M Stelzer asked what the Special Fund was for and Chief
Briant said this fund was for special equipment. He said
the following items were denied, deluge gun, safety nets,
Peaduct gauges, camera, video recorder, foam reductors,
cascade system, washer and dryer, portable hose racks,
skill saw, high pressure cleaner, glass replacement,
copier, black top resurfacing and a satellite dish.
V/M Stelzer asked if there was anything considered
emergency that was denied and Chief Briant replied, no.
V/M Stelzer said he would like to see the Fire Department
receive the equipment they need if there are any extra
monies available. City Manager Kelly said he would like
to hire an architect for Fire Station #2. He said that
station needed to be refurbished to blend with the
Municipal Complex and Police Department.
V/M Stelzer asked if the ambulance service was budgeted
and City Manager Kelly replied, yes.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the Ambulance Company improved
and Chief Briant said the service has improved because
Page 7 J
8/8/88
the response time has been raised to 18 minutes and there
are bonuses and penalties involved.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the cost for the service was
recorded and Chief Briant said the Ambulance Service kept
records of the services; however, all the Cities were
listed and it was hard to determine which address was for
what City.
C/M Bender suggested that the contract contain a clause
stating that a report is to be submitted each month
regarding the responses for Tamarac only.
With no further business, Mayor Abramowitz ADJOURNED this
meeting at 2:45 P.M.
CAROL E. BARBUTO, CITY CLERK
"This public document was promulgated at a cost of $141.30 or $3.91 per
copy to inform the general public, public officers and employees of
recent opinions and considerations of the City Council of the City of
Tamarac."
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