HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-08-17 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes7525 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE 0 TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321-2401
TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900
August 16, 1989
NOTICE OF
CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
FOR FISCAL YEAR 1989/90
There will be a Budget Workshop Meeting of the City Council
held in Conference Room #1, City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue,
Tamarac, Florida, on Thursday, August 17, 1989 at 9:30 A.M.
All meetings are open to the public.
CAE/pm
Carol A. Evans
City Clerk
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
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CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
THURSD.AY, AUGUST 17, 1989
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called this meeting to Order on
Thursday, August 17, 1989 at 9:30 A.M. in Conference Room #1 (City
Clerk's Office).
PRESENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Norman Abramowitz
Vice Mayor Dr. H. Larry Bender
Councilman Bruce Hoffman
Councilman Henry Rohr
Councilman Jack Stelzer
John P. Kelly, City Manager
Ken Burroughs, Finance Director
Bob Hoyt, Deputy Finance Director
Dina McDermott, Assistant to the
City Manager
Pauline Walaszek, Special Services
Secretary
The purpose of this meeting was to review the budgets for the
following Departments for Fiscal Year 1989/90:
Capital Project Funds
Community Development
Debt Service Funds
Economic Development
General Services
Non -Departmental
Telecommunication Services
Mayor Abramowitz suggested that another Workshop meeting
be held on the Insurance Budget so that the Finance
Department could complete the Utilities Budget.
C/M Hoffman asked when the Insurance information would be
available and City Manager Kelly said this meeting would
be scheduled; however, everyone was aware that this was a
priority matter.
E-onomic Development T Pace 28
City Manager Kelly said this Budget was to promote the
Economic Development in the City. He said site plans,
parks and national publications were advertised. He said
this year the advertising was not done because of
Budgetary restrictions. He said a brochure was intended;
however, the quotes were very high. He said there was
approximately $4,000.00 remaining in this Account and he
wanted to combine this with next year's funds and solicit
other companies to join the City to co -produce a brochure
to promote the City.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City needed a brochure;
however, he did not feel that this type of project should
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be implemented when the funds were not available. He
suggested that this Budget be reduced and he asked how
much it could be reduced.
Dina McDermott, Assistant to the City Manager, said she
could not volunteer a reduction because the Budget was
prepared with very little funding. She said she was
trying to put some type of promotion article together if
a brochure could not be created. She said she would like
to submit something to the Plan Sites and Parks magazine,
which was an industry magazine that was distributed
throughout the United States. She said reader service
cards were submitted from various companies regarding
their interest.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how much the advertising cost and
City Manager Kelly said it depended on what the City was
interested in. City Manager Kelly said the resources to
respond to all of the existing calls was not available.
C/M Hoffman asked if the Chamber of Commerce would assist
the City on this matter and City Manager Kelly said the
City was trying to work with the Chamber of Commerce on
this matter.
C/M Hoffman said the Chamber of Commerce had a charge for
all of their services; therefore, some funding should be
available. He asked what the Chamber of Commerce was
doing for the City and City Manager Kelly said the
Chamber of Commerce had funds set aside for this project;
however, the Chamber of Commerce has had to proceed with
the project without the City.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if there was $4,000.00 remaining
from last year's Budget and Mrs. McDermott replied, yes.
Mayor Abramowitz recommended that $5,000.00 be reduced
from Item 490, Advertising.
Mayor Abramowitz said he felt that Mrs. McDermott was
capable of getting the project done with $6,000.00.
** There was a reduction of $5,000.00 from the Economic Development
Budget.
Non -Departmental - Page 64
Mayor Abramowitz said he would be asking the City Council
to discuss the Comark litigation matter at the August 23,
1989 City Council meeting. He said the City Council had
to make a determination on this matter.
C/M Hoffman asked what Item 489, Judgement, Claims,
Settlements, was for and City Manager Kelly said this
concerned the Comark litigation matter.
C/M Hoffman asked what Item 650, Capital Outlay --
Unallocated, was for and City Manager Kelly said this was
hopeful thinking if the old City Hall Building was sold.
Mr. Burroughs said Items 650 and 830, Grants --Matching
Funds, equalled $700,000.00. He said the Revenue Account
held $700,000.00 for sale of surplus property. He said
if the old City Hall was sold, the capital outlays could
be allocated.
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C/M Hoffman asked if the funds were included in the Ad
Valorem Rate and Mr. Burroughs replied, no.
Mayor Abramowitz said there have been several remarks
regarding the EMS matter. He said he signed a computer
printout every Friday and, last week, there was a check
for the EMS matter. He said the City was still paying
litigation fees.
C/M Rohr asked when this would end and Mayor Abramowitz
said this was not known.
City Manager Kelly said Counsel for the EMS litigation
was trying to collect more money for the City; however,
the City could end the litigation at any time.
C/M Hoffman said there were funds from interest lost
because of funds that were not received. He said if
income was figured, there were many funds lost.
Mayor Abramowitz said he recently reviewed documents
which indicated that the City lived off of the interest
of the surplus in the funds for several years. He said
when the EMS matter occurred, the surplus funds were not
available, which was a serious disaster to the tax
structure of the City.
Mayor Abramowitz said the problems have not gone away.
He said the Comark matter occurred in 1981, the Judge
recently made a ruling and the City had to act
immediately on the matter. He said he would be asking
the City Council to make a decision on the Comark matter
at the August 23, 1989 City Council meeting.
Referring to Page 65, Mayor Abramowitz asked what Item
545, Education Assessment, was for and Mr. Burroughs said
this was the requirement to fund the education of the
Building officials for certification.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what Item 919, Trfs. -Drainage
Improvement Fd., was for and Mr. Burroughs said Page 93,
indicated funds in the amount of $40,000.00, which were
requested for drainage retention areas. Mr. Burroughs
said Page 91, indicated income in the amount $34,140.00;
however, the shortfall was being transferred to the
General Fund to equal the $40,000.00 to complete the
project.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what project would cost $40,000.00
and City Manager Kelly said the City had to have
retention areas for drainage in order to build in the
City. City Manager Kelly said there were no retention
areas remaining and several years ago, the
Utilities/Engineering Department requested that funds be
reserved to provide for the retention areas. He said
this matter would be discussed during the review of the
Utilities Budget; however, retention areas had to be
designated or the building in the City would cease.
** There was no reduction from the Non -Departmental Budget.
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Telecommunication Services - Page 63
Mr. Burroughs said this Budget was the related expenses
of the Switchboard. He said the expenses serviced the
general telephone number of the City, which was 722-5900.
C/M Hoffman asked if there were several people expecting
to retire this year and Mr. Burroughs said there were
several employees covered under the FPE Contract.
C/M Hoffman asked if the City always had this contractual
obligation and Mr. Burroughs said the funds were placed
in the regular salaries; however, there were several
problems in the employees receiving the funds because the
funding may not be available in the Regular Salaries
Account.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the City was paying any more
money this year for this Item and Mr. Burroughs said it
would cost the City more money if the Finance Director or
Deputy Finance Director retired.
Mayor Abramowitz asked where the funds from last year
came from to pay the employees who retired last year
since this Account was new this year.
Mayor Abramowitz asked who would be receiving $3,200.00
for Paid Annual Leave and City Manager Kelly said the
Switchboard Operator.
C/M Rohr had concerns with the Pension Contribution being
10% and Mr. Burroughs said the Contributions were 8.32%;
however, it was based on salaries, overtime, longevity
and paid annual leave.
Mayor Abramowitz said he wanted to know who negotiated
the Pension Ordinance Contract; therefore, this matter
would be reviewed shortly.
Mr. Burroughs said it was very unusual for this type of
contribution and Mayor Abramowitz said C/M Rohr's concern
was valid.
Mr. Hoyt said the City Council approved the Pension Plan
Ordinance Amendments in January, 1988, which was payment
on all earnings of the employees as opposed to the base
salary.
Mr. Burroughs said most Pension Plans pay on the base
salary only and Mayor Abramowitz said there were several
things regarding the Pension Plan that he did not
understand; however, this matter would be discussed at
the appropriate time.
C/M Rohr said if he approved the Ordinance, he was not
given the appropriate information. He said Mr. Burroughs
stated that this type of payment was very unusual and Mr.
Burroughs said this was his opinion.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if Item 410, Telephone, was an
allocated cost and Mr. Burroughs said this Item was the
telephone bill for the Switchboard.
C/M Hoffman asked why the Budget asked for $66,000.00 and
only $25,000.00 was allocated and Mr. Burroughs said
$66,000.00 was prior to the Broward Sheriff's Office
merger. He said while calculating the costs when
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eliminating the Police Department, he found that the
personal lines were being charged to the Switchboard
Budget as opposed to their own.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if $25,000.00 was the actual
amount for the costs and Mr. Burroughs said there was a
question as to the number of long distance calls;
however, the average cost was $25,000.00.
C/M Rohr asked what Items 401, Meetings and Seminars and,
402, Travel -Other, was for and Dina McDermott, Assistant
to the City Manager, said the Meetings and Seminars were
for Secretarial/Telecommunication Workshops.
Mrs. McDermott said the Seminars were approximately
$99.00 to $150.00, which were local. She said the
Seminars were held to enhance the Operators telephone
skills.
C/M Rohr suggested that this Item be eliminated and Mayor
Abramowitz agreed. Mayor Abramowitz said just because an
Item was on the list did not mean that it had to be
allocated.
C/M Rohr said he could understand a new employee being
sent to the Seminars and Mrs. McDermott said the person
that handled the Switchboard was the first person that
everyone contacted. She said the Switchboard handled
complaints and problems, which was very stressful.
C/M Rohr said he did not disapprove of this Item
providing the employee would go to the Seminars. He said
the present employee has had several years experience on
the Switchboard and he was concerned with the employee
agreeing to the Seminars.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how long the present employee has
been with the City and C/M Rohr replied, 13 years. Mayor
Abramowitz said there was a problem if this employee did
not know the Switchboard and City Manager Kelly said the
employee was not always a Switchboard Operator. City
Manager Kelly said even if the employee was always a
Switchboard Operator, the employee needed something to
revitalize them to perform their work appropriately. He
said the opportunity to learn new skills was important.
Mayor Abramowitz said he resented it when there was a
line Item funded without necessity and City Manager Kelly
said there were several things in'the Budget that
reflected a zero amount on one side and not the other.
City Manager Kelly said he cut 1.7 million from the
Budget.
Mayor Abramowitz said there was a difference because he
was looking at what was necessary; however, the employee
was a Switchboard Operator long enough to know what the
position required. He said if the Item was necessary for
the benefit of the City, he would not object; however, he
resented funding an Item that was not necessary. He said
he did not want anyone to think that this was a normal
procedure in the City and it would continue.
C/M Rohr asked what Item 510, Office Supplies, was for
and City Manager Kelly said this Item included telephone
logs, out-of-town telephone books, scrap books, etc. He
said all of the records had to be retained for the
telephone calls.
Page 5
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V/M Bender asked if the City rented equipment from
Southern Bell and Mr. Burroughs said the incoming and
outgoing lines.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what Item 647, Special Equipment,
was for and City Manager Kelly said this was an AT&T
System to provide for a switching/voice system with
announcements for such things as Recreation Activities,
etc. City Manager Kelly said this would also assist the
Operator from losing calls when the switchboard was full.
City Manager Kelly said the system provided announcement
services, automated attendant services, call coverage,
message drop service and voice mail service. He said
voice mail service provided for messages to the various
Departments throughout the City Hall. He said the
original proposal for this system was $65,000.00;
however, AT&T would provide this system for a cost of
$13,920.00. He said this would allow the Switchboard
Operator to do other work for the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Abramowitz said he had the same system which was
good for someone on hold. He recommended that this Item
be eliminated.
C/M Rohr said if the City Manager felt that this system
would be more efficient and provide more productivity, he
would approve of it. He said the City Council should
have confidence in the City Manager's decisions.
Mayor Abramowitz said he resented C/M Rohr's remark. C/M
Rohr said the City Council has been reviewing the Budget
and it was not appropriate to eliminate this Item because
of the cost as opposed to the possible benefit.
C/M Rohr said if the City Manager felt that this system
would allow the employees to be more productive as
opposed to spending most of their time on the telephone,
the City Council should consider it.
Mayor Abramowitz said there was no productivity involved
if a resident called the City regarding a complaint about
a street and heard about a recreation activity.
City Manager Belly suggested that the City Council review
the proposal before they made their decision. He said he
felt the City Council would find the proposal to be a
benefit to the City.
V/M Bender asked if this Item would require a lease and
Mrs. McDermott said the Item would require purchase of a
program.
Mrs. McDermott said the program allowed for 5 different
main functions. She said the size of the City, which was
continually growing, did not always provide enough
adequate service to the residents. She said the program
would be purchased on a State Contract cost.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how this program would save time
for the Switchboard Operator and Mrs. McDermott said this
program would save time for every person that had to
answer the telephone during the day.
Mrs. McDermott said the program provided a menu for the
residents to chose from, such as Dial 1 for more
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information, Dial 2 for the City Manager's Office, etc.
She said there were sub --menus available for direct
dialing to the Departments.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the Switchboard Operator would
remain at the console and Mrs. McDermott said not at the
same capacity. Mrs. McDermott said the Switchboard
Operator would be able to handle more resident assistance
and typing tasks.
Mayor Abramowitz said the residents have
would to wait
for a long list of instructions before they would find
the Department they want to talk to. He said this
program was very good; however, he did not appreciate
having to wait to find the number that he needed.
Mrs. McDermott said the program allowed the residents
calling daily to dial direct as opposed to waiting for
the Switchboard Operator to connect them.
C/M Hoffman asked if the Switchboard Operator was over
worked and Mrs. McDermott replied, yes. C/M Hoffman
asked how many numbers would be assigned to the
Department and if the caller had to listen to every
TAPE 2 number before finding the Department they needed.
Mrs. McDermott said there were 10 major Departments in
the City and the menu would contain numbers to dial
directly to the Departments.
V/M Bender said the program also directed the caller to
wait for the Operator after all of the numbers were
indicated if they did not find the number they wanted.
Mrs. McDermott said the menu only ran for seconds as
opposed to minutes. She said the residents presently had
to wait and hear the telephone ring if they were the
ninth or tenth caller because only eight calls could
presently come into the City through the console.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how many calls this program would
allow and Mrs. McDermott said each call would drop
through and a message would be provided.
V/M Bender asked how many Cities had this system and City
Manager Kelly said most of the Cities were purchasing
this system this year.
V/M Bender suggested that the City wait until the other
Cities experienced the system before purchasing it and
Mrs. McDermott said Broward County has had the system in
place.
Mayor Abramowitz said Broward County had more finances
than the City of Tamarac. He said he would like to give
everyone what they wanted; however, he did not want to
purchase anything this year that was not necessary.
Mrs. McDermott said when staff's ability was limited this
type of program would increase efficiency and
productivity. She said the City Manager's Office had one
Secretary and Mayor Abramowitz disagreed. Mayor
Abramowitz said the City Attorney's Secretaries and the
Senior Aide were available to assist the City Manager's
Office.
Page 7
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C/M Hoffman suggested that this Item be eliminated and,
if there were contingent funds available after the
Budget, the system could be reconsidered.
C/M Rohr said he would like this Item reconsidered before
the Budget was approved and final.
** There was $13,920.00 eliminated from the Telecommunication Services
Budget; however, if there were contingency funds available after
the Budget review, the Item would be reconsidered before approving
and finalizing the Budget.
General Services - Page 62
Mr. Burroughs said this Budget was for the postage and
copy machine costs.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the Utility Bills were sent
first class and Mr. Burroughs replied, no, zip code
pre-sorted.
Mayor Abramowitz said he asked the City Clerk for the
cost of bulk mail and the answer was approximately $.17;
however, bulk mail was approximately $.13. He asked why
the City paid more for bulk mail.
Mrs. McDermott said she would ask the City Clerk to
submit information to the City Council on this matter.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what Item 440, Rentals and Leases,
was for and Mr. Burroughs said this Item included the
copy and mail machines and scales. 0
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the costs were based on past
history and Mr. Burroughs replied, yes.
** There were no reductions in the General Services Budget. The
City Council requested a Report from the City Clerk regarding
postage costs.
C/M Hoffman asked what happened if the Revenues were over
estimated and the funds were not available to compensate.
Mr. Burroughs said this occurred last year; therefore,
the Budgets were being suspended this year.
C/M Hoffman said the shortfall was known; therefore, the
Revenues were not estimated wrong and Mr. Burroughs said
there was a shortfall in addition to the known shortfall.
C/M Hoffman asked if the City could borrow money if there
was an emergency shortfall without going to Referendum
and City Manager Kelly said this would depend on the
amount. City Manager Kelly said the Charter restricted
any amount of money being borrowed.
At this time, City Manager Kelly read Charter Section
7.16, Bonds and Municipal Borrowing, into the record.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City could borrow funds to pay
the salaries if there was a shortfall because it was not
considered a capital improvement.
Page 8
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C/M Hoffman said he felt that the City was allowed to
borrow funds; however, it could not float Bonds without
Referendum.
City Manager Kelly said there was discussion regarding
the redesign of the Fire Station. He said Scharf &
Associates, Architects, volunteered to do the design and
the work could be done In --house by Public Works. He said
$1,000.00 was needed to do the design and the funds were
available under Other Contractual Services in the
existing Fire Department Account. He said because it
would not cost much, he felt that this project should be
started.
Mayor Abramowitz said the Public Works Department was
under staffed and he would not object to this project
providing the other things needed in the City were not
neglected.
City Manager Kelly said the City Council did not come to
a uniform decision regarding the water cooler service for
their office. He asked if he should sign the
requisition, which was due, for the service.
Mayor Abramowitz said he did not feel that this service
was needed and C/M Rohr agreed. C/M Hoffman, V/M Bender
and C/M Stelzer said they wanted to keep the service.
City Manager Kelly said the City Planner was revising the
Land Development Code and a Planning Counsel firm was
needed to assist her. He said the funds were available
and the Planning Counsel would be identifying sections of
the Code requiring amendments in order to implement the
Plan, determine the provisions necessary to implement the
Comprehensive Plan, review the amendments which the City
proposed for the Code and identify more creative ways to
handle Code changes. He said site plan provisions,
landscaping requirements, platting requirements,
subdivision improvements, a zoning Ordinance and a
traffic impact Ordinance would be included in the review.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how much money was needed and City
Manager Kelly replied, $8,000.00. He said the binding
and printing were required for the Comprehensive Plan in
the amount of approximately $5,000.00. He said this Item
could be placed on the next City Council. Agenda for
approval and the City Council agreed.
C/M Hoffman asked if the Land Use Plan was accepted and
City Manager Kelly replied, no. C/M Hoffman asked how
the Plan would be approved since there was no low-income
housing and beaches and Mayor Abramowitz said the City
Planner was confident that the Plan would be approved.
City Manager Kelly said the City Planner would meet with
the City Council at any time to discuss the Community
Development Budget; however, he would be asking that the
City Planner not be disturbed for a few days so the Plan
could be finalized.
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C/M Hoffman suggested that the City Council review the
Community Development Budget at this time, so that the
City Planner could work on the Land Use Plan. He said he
did not understand what the relationship was between the
Utilities and Community Development Budgets. He said the
City Council may find things to be eliminated from the
Community Development Budget.
Mayor Abramowitz said he did not have anything against
the Community Development Budget; however, he wanted to
give the City Planner enough time to finalize the Land
Use Plan.
City Manager Kelly said the City Planner was ready to
review the Budget as soon as the City Council wanted to.
Mayor Abramowitz said he would be calling a Workshop
meeting of the City Council to tour the surrounding
Cities with the City Planner, City Manager, Dina
McDermott and Steven Oxenhandler.
City Manager Kelly said the tour could be done; however,
the tour would have to be advertised, taped, open to the
public with no voting by the City Council. Mayor
Abramowitz said he would like this done.
At 11:00 A.M., Mayor Abramowitz RECESSED this meeting and
RECONVENED at 11:05 A.M. with ALL PRESENT including Kelly
Carpenter -Craft, City Planner.
Community Development - Page 22
Kelly Carpenter -Craft, City Planner, said as a Manager
she like to treat her staff as her most important
resource. She said the staff believed in a commitment to
quality in the Department which meant protecting the
Public interest combined with quality service to the
residents and developers. She said there was a balancing
act that had to take place in the Community Development
Department.
Mrs. Carpenter -Craft said the Department had a work
program which included the following:
1) Revision of the Codes implementing the Comprehensive Plan,
primarily, Sections 20, 28, 24, 6.7 and 21
2) Complete the Comprehensive Plan and have it adopted
3) Respond to the West Port DRI
4) Work with the landowners in north Land Section 7 to protect
the City tax base
5) Cross train the office personnel to compensate for the lack
in staff
6) Prepare a Xeri-Scape Ordinance
7) Update the Drainage, Transportation and Parking Impact Fees
8) Continue to process the applications which were submitted
daily for development plats, site plans, rezoning, special
exceptions, variances, etc.
Mrs. Carpenter -Craft said the programs were primarily
mandated and the Budget was prepared allowing the minimum
level of service to be provided. She said she was
pleased to be a part of the City's staff and she learned
a lot during her first six months. She said it has been
a pleasure working with the elected team and
professionals.
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Mayor Abramowitz said he was very pleased with the
operations of the Community Development Department. He
said a developer came to see him over one year ago and,
when asked if he would be building in the City, the
developer stated that Tamarac would be the last place he
would build because of its reputation. He said at the
Economic Development Seminar, the same developer
indicated that he was presently considering the City of
Tamarac for his future developments. He said he found
this to be a supreme compliment.
C/M Hoffman asked what Item 161, Longevity Pay, was for
and Mrs. Carpenter -Craft said this was for Irene Adams
and Ruth Russo and the funds had to be Budgeted.
Mayor Abramowitz asked why the Budget increased for Item
401, Meetings and Seminars, and if it could be reduced.
Mrs. Carpenter -Craft said when the previous City Planner
left, the funds were not spent until she attended a
Conflict Resolution Seminar in Orlando, Florida. She
said in April, 1989, the Department Heads were told not
to spend any more meetings funds; however, more money
would have been spent if allowed.
Mrs. Carpenter -Craft suggested that this Item not be
reduced.
C/M Rohr asked what Item 311, Architectural Services, was
for and Mrs. Carpenter -Craft said $8,500.00 was Budgeted
last year in Engineering and Planning Services which was
evident. She said the City Council would be reviewing
this matter for approval at the August 23, 1989 City
Council meeting. She said the money would be used to
assist in updating the Impact Fees. She said $5,000.00
would be used for further revisions to the Code and the
Architects would be hired to critique what the Community
Development Department has done to make sure that the
Codes could be implemented from the user's side.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the Community Development
Department has been contacting the surrounding Cities to
see if the fee structures being proposed were in line
with others.
Mrs. Carpenter -Craft said the Department never retained
project time sheets; however, this was being done now and
the data was being collected so that the appropriate time
would be applied to each project. She said she did not
know if the fees were appropriate; however, the time
sheets would assist her in this matter. She said all of
the fees were increased last year except for platting.
She said this information would be available at the end
of the year.
Mayor Abramowitz said he would like to make sure that the
costs covered the personnel time it took to do the
project. He said he did not want the City of Tamarac
charging more than the other Cities.
Mayor Abramowitz said he informed the City Council of the
tour to the other Cities that he would like them to take.
He said he was very impressed with what he saw and he
would like the City Council to see why.
C/M Rohr asked if Mrs. Carpenter -Craft was familiar with
the City of Plantation and Mrs. Carpenter -Craft replied,
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8/17/89
yes. C/M Rohr asked how the City of Plantation got the
developers to do the landscaping.
Mayor Abramowitz said the tour consisted of viewing the
landscaping and C/M Rohr said the Cities of Plantation
and Coral Springs had beautiful landscaping.
C/M Hoffman said the City of Coral Springs could not be
equated to anything else because they had a land
community.
Mayor Abramowitz said he saw several beautiful
neighborhoods; however, the developer indicated that he
could not build this type of development in the City. He
said the City Manager informed him why this could not be
done.
C/M Hoffman asked Mrs. Carpenter -Craft not to rewrite the
proposed Sign Ordinance to reflect the Planning
Commission's recommended changes. He suggested that a
separate sheet be given to the City Council with the
recommended changes.
C/M Hoffman said rewriting the Ordinance was very costly
and it would be feasible to wait until the Public
Hearings were held on the Ordinance before it was
rewritten.
** There were no reductions from the Community Development Budget.
G. 0. Bond Fund - Pages 75 - 86
Mr. Burroughs said Page 77 indicated the 1975 G. O. Bonds
which were used to buy the old City Hall Building. He
said the last payment would be made in July, 1990 in the
amount of $45,000.00 and the principal would be
$2,700.00.
Mr. Burroughs said Page 75 indicated the revenues to
support Page 77. He said this Bond would levee .0388
Mills.
Mr. Burroughs said Page 81 was the principal and interest
due on the 1986 Bond for the Municipal/City Hall Complex.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the money was borrowed'in a
series of Bonds and Mr. Burroughs replied, yes. Mayor
Abramowitz asked if some of the Bonds would be paid off
as time progressed and Mr. Burroughs replied, yes. Mr.
Burroughs said as the principal decreased, the interest
would increase. He said it would cost approximately
$550,000.00 per year until the Bond was paid back and
.4369 Mills would be levied to pay the Bonds.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the fluctuation in funds was
the difference between interest and principal and Mr.
Burroughs said the yearly payments were level.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if it would be years before the
first Bond matured and Mr. Burroughs said the Bonds were
being paid each year. Mayor Abramowitz asked if any of
the Bonds would retire in the near future.
Page 12
8/17/89
Mr. Hoyt said as the interest decreased because the Bonds
retired each year, the principal amount increased so that
there was a level of constant debt each year.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City Manager informed him that
the Debt Service on the Utility Bill would be reduced by
approximately $.20 per month each because some Bonds
would retire.
C/M Hoffman said the Utility Bill only contained the
Utility Debt Service Bonds. He said the Utility Debt
Service had nothing to do with the General Fund Debt
Service.
C/M Rohr asked when the Debt Service would expire and Mr.
Hoyt said the Debt Service was purchased for a 25 year
period. Mr. Burroughs said the last payment would be
made in the year, 2010.
Mr. Burroughs said Page 83 was the 1987 Bond for the
Police Facility. He said Page 85 indicated the Bond
interest to be $209,000.00 and the principal was
$55,000.00; therefore, the bottom line was $264,600.00.
He said this Bond was not proposing a Debt Service
because there would be a rental of $240,000.00. He said
the City Council instructed him to include the Debt
Service and certification to the property appraisers;
however, there were no changes made.
C/M Hoffman said the City Council agreed to reduce the
operating millage and increase the Debt Service.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City Manager indicated that the
rental costs would be deducted from the Debt Service. He
said the City Council agreed not to change the Debt
Service because the funds should be returned to the
people who paid the largest percentage of taxes in the
City. He said an in-depth study of the tax situation
was being done and there were shocking revelations
occurring.
Mayor Abramowitz said when this agreement was made, funds
would be returned to the residents by lowering the
millage.
C/M Stelzer said the City was reneging on the original
agreement made with the residents on how the Broward
Sheriff's Office Contract was being bought.
C/M Hoffman said the City Council informed the residents
that the monies would be used to offset the cost of the
Broward Sheriff's Office Contract.
Mayor Abramowitz said he informed the residents that the
cost of the maintenance of the Policy Facility would not
be charged to the residents. He said this was correct.
He said he did not favor returning funds to the residents
who did not pay taxes.
C/M Hoffman said when the Broward Sheriff's Office
Contract was proposed, the City Council informed the
residents that the cost of the Contract would be
approximately 5 million dollars because the cost of the
Facility would be offset against the Contract.
C/M Stelzer said when the Broward Sheriff's Office
Contract was proposed, the residents were concerned about
paying the Debt Service for a Facility that they would
Page 13
8/17/89
not use. He said the City arranged an Agreement with the
Broward Sheriff's Office to pay rental of $20,000.00 per
month, which would take care of the Debt Service on the
Facility. He said this was $240,000.00 per year to take
care of the Debt Service and $70,000.00 per year would be
paid by the Broward Sheriff's Office for the maintenance
of the Facility.
C/M Stelzer said the City was supposed to receive
separate checks for the rent and maintenance and the City
was supposed to pay a gross amount for Police Service.
He said the intention was for the Broward Sheriff's
Office to pay the Debt Service for the Police Facility
without charging the residents.
C/M Stelzer said now, $240,000.00 was being received from
the Broward Sheriff's Office and $.24 was placed in the
Debt. Service for Ad Valorem Tax.
Mayor Abramowitz said the Debt Service for the Ad Valorem
Tax was not increased and he asked how much the cost was
last year.
C/M Stelzer said it was reduced last year so that the
residents did not pay twice and C/M Hoffman said the
bottom line remained the same. C/M Hoffman said it was a
matter of where the funds were placed.
C/M Stelzer said he had an alternate plan for taxation;
however, last year the Millage rate was .8136, which was
added to the Ad Valorem. He said this year the Ad
Valorem was .49510; however, the City Manager recommended
the Debt Service Ad Valorem be .4757, which was the two
Bond issues open.
Mayor Abramowitz asked who informed the City Manager to
recommend this amount and City Manager Kelly said this
was his recommendation.
C/M Stelzer said the Broward Sheriff's Office was
supposed to pay the Debt Service for the Police Facility
and Mayor Abramowitz disagreed.
C/M Stelzer said the previous Minutes indicated that the
Broward Sheriff's Office would pay the Debt Service.
Mayor Abramowitz said if the City did not merge with the
Broward Sheriff's Office, the City would be responsible
for paying the Debt Service, maintenance and utilities of
the Police Facility. He said he stated that if the City
merged with the Broward Sheriff's Office, the Broward
Sheriff's Office would be responsible for paying these
expenses.
C/M Stelzer asked why an additional $.24 was being added
to the Millage rate and C/M Hoffman said the difference
was reduced from the Operating Millage. C/M Stelzer
disagreed and C/M Hoffman said the Operating Millage was
reduced to .495 from .5389. C/M Hoffman said the costs
were taken from one area and placed in another area.
Mayor Abramowitz said what was done was not political.
He asked if C/M Stelzer wanted to give the people who
were not paying taxes the same amount that was being
returned to the residents who were paying taxes.
Page 14
8/17/89
C/M Stelzer said he had an alternate method to collect
taxes and Mayor Abramowitz asked that this method be
explained to the City Council.
Mayor Abramowitz said he has been reviewing a survey of
the percentage of people paying taxes and C/M Stelzer
asked if the City Council wanted to hear his suggestions.
Mayor Abramowitz replied, yes, however, he did not want
to hear semantics.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City has been operating for too
long for political expediency and he was willing to give
a fair break to the people paying the taxes.
C/M Stelzer said $240,000.00 was not shown as income and
Mayor Abramowitz said $240,000.00 was placed into the
General Fund. C/M Stelzer said this did not control the
tentative Millage rate.
C/M Hoffman said the tentative Millage rate was 5.615;
however, it may be reduced and Mayor Abramowitz said the
City Manager recommended that $240,000.00 be taken from
the Debt Service.
Mayor Abramowitz said he felt that this would not be fair
because the people not paying taxes would receive the
same benefit as the people who were paying.
C/M Stelzer said one month ago he saw a Condominium for
sale in the amount of $29,900.00 and he discussed this
matter with the City Manager. He said there were.several
areas like this, such as Bermuda Club. He said he
reviewed the tax rolls with the Attorney's Secretary.
C/M Stelzer said there has been a myth for several years
that the residents east of State Road 7 paid very little,
if any taxes. He said this was not correct because there
were only 27 homes in the area that did not pay taxes.
He said there were approximately 600 homes that did not
pay taxes. He said these properties were from -0- to
$1,000.00; therefore, these residents would have paid a
maximum of $ 4.17.
C/M Stelzer said the next group of approximately 600
people paid from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. The next group
paid from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 and would have paid a
maximum of $42.00.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how many homes fell in the
$5,000.00 to $10,000.00 bracket and C/M Stelzer said
approximately 1,800.
C/M Stelzer said there was a gap from the homes ran much
higher. He said it would take too much time for the
Secretary to find these figures.
C/M Stelzer said the City could not receive money from
the people who did not pay taxes and these residents were
receiving the ambulance service at no cost. He said the
State and County did not receive taxes from these
residents as well.
C/M Stelzer suggested that a Utility Tax be implemented
to spread the tax base out so that the people who did not
Pay or paid very little taxes would pay a Utility Tax.
Page 15
8/17/89
He said last year the proposed telephone tax was based on
out -of --town taxes and C/M Hoffman said the taxes were
supposed to be for telephone calls in the State of
Florida.
C/M Stelzer said the newspapers and Minutes indicated
that the residents from Sunflower/Heathgate were
concerned because they called their children
out -of -State.
C/M Stelzer said an effective rate had to be considered
because the Utility Tax could not start for 90 days. He
said if there was a 3% effective rate, which would be a
4% rate for 9 months, for a Utility Tax, the City would
receive $1,036,000.00. He said these funds would be
spread on the people who paid nothing.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if this tax would be implemented
on everyone and C/M Stelzer said this tax would be
palatable by taking the .4757 Millage rate for the Debt
Service and placing it into the General Fund. He said if
$1,036,000.00 was added as income in the General Fund and
$966,000.00, which was the two Debt Services, was placed
into the General Fund expenses, it could be assumed as a
washout.
C/M Stelzer said the people who paid no taxes would pay
$36.00, the people paying in the first and second bracket
would pay $36.00, the people in the next bracket would be
paying $54.00 and receiving a credit for $24.00. He said
a home that was worth $150,000.00 would receive a credit
of $60.00 from the .4757 Millage Rate; however, the
Utility Tax would only be $54.00. He said all of the
people not paying taxes would be paying and the .4757
would be eliminated while a minimum tax would be received
by anyone in the City.
C/M Stelzer said he discussed this matter with several
members of staff and they felt it may be approved.
Mayor Abramowitz said this was an interesting concept and
he suggested that more information be submitted to the
City Council.
C/M Rohr said he would like a Workshop meeting called to
discuss this matter because it seemed to be reasonable.
C/M Stelzer said he was going to bring this matter up at
the City Council meeting; however, he felt the City
Council would like to be informed about it.
Mayor Abramowitz said a Workshop meeting could be called
and City Manager Kelly asked if the proposal was for a
reduction in the Millage rate.
C/M Stelzer said the Debt Service would be eliminated
from the Tax Bill and Mayor Abramowitz said the City
would be much ahead with this proposal.
Mayor Abramowitz said an Article in the newspaper
indicated Deerfield Beach was reducing their Millage
rate; however, their garbage costs would be approximately
$100.00 more per year.
C/M Stelzer said he was very annoyed to find that the
largest number of people who did not pay taxes lived in
the Bermuda Club. He said there were 207 apartments that
7
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rl
Page 16
8/17/89
paid no taxes. He said when the Utility Tax was proposed
last year one of the residents from the Bermuda Club was
TAPE 4 the biggest opponent.
C/M Stelzer said Lime Bay had 115 homes and paid no
taxes. He said Sands Point only had one person who paid
no taxes.
C/M Stelzer said the remaining areas of the City had 175
people who paid no taxes, 157 paying the next bracket and
891 in the next bracket.
C/M Hoffman said the concept was not new and, if the
Utility Tax was implemented last year, the City would not
be in the position it was in today.
C/M Stelzer said his proposal was different from last
year's proposal and C/M Hoffman said he did not object to
the concept providing it was approved by the residents.
C/M Hoffman said money had to be raised and he would not
object to how the residents would prefer it. He
suggested that C/M Stelzer present his proposal to the
residents to see how they would like it.
Mayor Abramowitz suggested that a Workshop be held and
C/M Stelzer said he would like a Public Workshop with
Public input. Mayor Abramowitz said he would be more
comfortable holding a Workshop with the City Council so
he could understand the information better.
C/M Hoffman asked how much a 1% tax would bring the City
and C/M Stelzer said approximately $345,000.00 per year.
C/M Hoffman said if 1% of the funds received from Florida
Power & Light was divided by 6, the amount would be
$260,000.00. He said Florida Law provided that
Intra-State calls only could be taxed.
C/M Stelzer said the residents understood that the
Telephone Utility Tax would be for out -of --State calls and
C/M Hoffman said this was illegal. C/M Hoffman said the
City was aware that this was illegal and C/M Stelzer said
this was how the residents perceived it.
C/M Hoffman said he did not know if the figures stated by
C/M Stelzer were correct and C/M Stelzer said a 1%
Utility Tax for electric would generate $294,000.00 per
year. C/M Stelzer said this figure multiplied by 8 would
be higher than last year's proposal.
C/M Stelzer said he has been a firm believer in having
the employees working for the City happy to be doing so.
He said because the City Council lost money last year,
the employees should not be penalized.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City Council did not cause the
development revenues to be down 1 million dollars and C/M
Stelzer said the City had $600,000.00 surplus plus
approximately $600,000.00 from the Drainage Account. C/M
Stelzer said there was approximately $1,250,000.00 which
could not be used this year.
C/M Stelzer said last year's Budget was setup on a
projected basis. He said the Budget was supposed to be
setup to cover future expenses.
Page 17
8/17/89
Mayor Abramowitz said the Budget was a figment of
imagination and C/M Stelzer said the income was too. C/M
Stelzer said last year's Budget was setup based on a
Utility Tax; however, the residents did not approve of
the tax and the City lost $1,250,000.00 of income.
Mayor Abramowitz said there was a loss of revenue last
year and C/M Stelzer said the loss of revenue in the
Building Department was approximately $400,000.00.
C/M Stelzer said the tapes of the City Council meeting
for the tentative Millage rate indicated that City
Manager Kelly proposed the Debt Service Rate to be .4757.
C/M Hoffman said this rate was set by removing the $.24
and C/M Stelzer said .4757 was proposed. C/M Stelzer
said C/M Hoffman stated that the rate should be .7240 and
Mr. Burroughs stated that the total Debt Service should
be .7187. He said the City would be receiving
$240,000.00 in rent from the Police Facility and
$240,000.00 more was being charged in the Millage rate.
Mayor Abramowitz said these funds were being returned to
the residents through the contract with the Broward
Sheriff's Department. C/M Stelzer said the original
agreement was to use $240,000.00 as a savings on the
Mortgage for the Police Facility and Mayor Abramowitz
disagreed.
C/M Stelzer asked if the City was collecting .7187 by
including the $240,000.00 from the Police Facility and
Mayor Abramowitz said the funds were taken in one hand
and returned with the other hand. Mayor Abramowitz said
it was not fair to give a refund to one resident and not
the other.
City Manager Kelly said he decided with the Finance
Department that the application of $240,000.00 would be
in the Debt Service. He said this was proposed to the
City Council; however, it was decided that $240,000.00
would be transferred to another Account. He said this
was not a double payment.
C/M Stelzer suggested that an additional 1% be collected
in Utility Taxes to give all of the employees a 5% across
the board increase. He said this would satisfy the
disgruntled employees.
Mayor Abramowitz asked why C/M Stelzer felt that the
employees were disgruntled and C/M Stelzer said he was
with the City for 17 years. C/M Stelzer said several of
the employees considered him as their Grandfather. He
said several employees were disgruntled and the City lost
several employees.
Mayor Abramowitz asked who the City lost and City Manager
Kelly said there were several people who left in the
Building Department; therefore, C/M Stelzer was not
incorrect.
Mayor Abramowitz said there was a difference between
unhappy and disgruntled.
Page 18
8/17/89
C/M Stelzer said there were several people disgruntled
and he did not want to see a revolution like the Police
Department. He suggested that a 1% Utility Tax be
implemented to allow a 5% across the Board increase for
the employees. He said there were two Union Contracts to
be negotiated.
C/M Hoffman said this would require a Utility Tax of 4%
and C/M Stelzer said 3% would not cost the residents;
however, 1% would.
C/M Stelzer said the City Council did not like to go year
to year without an increase when they were employees and
Mayor Abramowitz said this would have made him very
unhappy; therefore, he was not an employee but a boss.
Mayor Abramowitz suggested that this matter be discussed
at the Workshop meeting.
Fire Station Loan - Page 89
Mr. Burroughs said this was the principal and interest
due on the 1980 Fire Station Loan for Station #2.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the revenue from the telephones
was obligated and Mr. Burroughs replied, yes. Mayor
Abramowitz asked when this occurred and Mr. Burroughs
replied, 1980.
Mayor Abramowitz asked what the total expenditure was
during this time and Mr. Burroughs said approximately
$300,000.00.
Mr. Hoyt said the funds were borrowed from Sun Bank at a
5.85% interest and the revenues of the Franchise
Telephone Fees were pledged in an amount that would meet
the principal and interest each year. He said the access
amount was transferred to the General Fund.
Mayor Abramowitz asked when this Loan expired and Mr.
Hoyt said in approximately 5 years. Mr. Burroughs said
Page 87 indicated that $51,000.00 was being collected in
the telephone fees and $510.00 in interest. He said Page
89 indicated that there was $6,300.00 in principal,
$19,000.00 in interest and $26,000.00 was being placed.in
the General Fund.
C/M Hoffman said he thought that the Franchise Fees were
for rented equipment only and Mr. Burroughs said this was
considered as local service.
Mayor Abramowitz asked when an update was done on this
matter and Mr. Burroughs said there was a 30 year
Franchise Agreement.
C/M Hoffman asked if the new residents were being
accounted for and Mr. Hoyt replied, yes.
** There were no reductions from the Fire Station Loan Budget.
Page 19
8/17/89
Drainage Improvement Fund - Pages 91-93
Mr. Burroughs said there was a deficit in this Fund and
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the deficit was because of the
lack of fees. Mr. Burroughs replied, yes.
** There were no reductions in.the Drainage Improvement Fund Budget.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Parks and Recreation Fund - Pages 95-98
Mr. Burroughs said Page 95 indicated a projected
collection of $50,000.00 in Park Impact Fees and Page 98
indicated the allocation of where the fees would be
spent. He said the funds could be used during the course
of the year for Parks.
Mr. Burroughs said the Tamarac Sports Complex and the
Multi -Purpose Center were0 being built from the funds.
Mayor Abramowitz said there was a line Item in the Parks
Budget that was reduced and Mrs. McDermott said the
Renovations Item was reduced.
C/M Hoffman asked if the funds could be used for the
Restrooms at Veterans Park and Mrs. McDermott said the
funds could be used for future development and not
renovations.
Mayor Abramowitz said the Restrooms would be a new
facility. He said these funds were not available at this
time; however, he would like to know if these funds could
be used for needed projects.
Mayor Abramowitz said the Parks Facilities Budget, Item
643, Machinery and Equipment, was reduced by $21,900.00.
He asked if the funds could be used for this Item.
Mr. Burroughs said there were very strict guidelines for
using the Impact Fees and Mrs. McDermott said the funds
could only be used for future development.
Mayor Abramowitz said the funds would not be used for
renovations. He said the Tamarac Sports Complex was
being built and Mrs. McDermott said the funds could be
expended for that project.
** There were no reductions in the Parks and Recreation Fund Budget.
Trafficways Improvement Fund - Pages 99-102
Mr. Burroughs said the projected collection was
$54,000.00 plus interest with a carry-over. He said the
income would be $886,170.00.
C/M Hoffman asked if this fund could be used for sidewalk
development and Mr. Burroughs replied, no. C/M Stelzer
said these funds could not be used for repairing old
roads.
C/M Hoffman said the new developments were causing the
need for sidewalks because there was more traffic. He
asked if this was considered as new development.
Page 20
8/17/89
Mrs. McDermott said the criteria for the use of these
funds was specific and the City Planner would be
..addressing the Trafficways Impact Fees to see how the
City could apply the criteria to the City.
..V/M Bender said a Study was being done on this matter and
recommendations would be submitted to the City Council
regarding the use of the Impact Fees.
Mayor Abramowitz asked how staff intended to expend the
funds and C/M Hoffman said the funds could be used for
turning lanes on the existing Nob Hill Road; therefore,
the City should be able to use the funds for sidewalks.
Mayor Abramowitz said development was expected in Land
Section 7 and the fees were being collected and placed in
escrow. He asked if the funds were earmarked or used
legally for upgrading in the City.
C/M Stelzer said he did not believe that Trafficways
Impact Fees were ever earmarked for a specific project.
He said using the funds has been a problem for several
years.
V/M Bender said the City Planner was presently
investigating this matter; therefore, the City Council
should wait until that Study was available.
C/M Hoffman said the City Council should ask the
questions as opposed to waiting until staff made a
recommendation.
Mayor Abramowitz said he wanted to know the ability of
using the fund as opposed to depleting the fund. C/M
Stelzer had concerns with how long the Impact Fees could
be in the Fund before they had to be expended.
V/M Bender said he would ask the City Planner to inform
the City Council of when the information would be
available.
C/M Hoffman said he would Like to see if the funds could
be used for new lighting in the areas.
Mayor Abramowitz said he recently reviewed documents from
1985 where the City spent money to lower the illumines in
the City.
** There were no reductions from the Trafficways Improvement Fund
Budget.
Mayor Abramowitz thanked the City Manager, Finance
Director and Deputy Finance Director for answering the
City Council's questions.
City Manager Kelly said the Insurance Budget and Charter
Board Budget would have to be scheduled in the near
future.
Page 21
8/1�/89
ith no further business, Mayor Abramowitz ADJOURNED this
meting at 12:40 R.M.
CAROL AI. EVANS; CITY CLERK
"This public document was promulgated at cost of $177.60 or $22.2
copy to inform the general public, publi officers and employees of
recent opinions and considerations of thE City Council of the City
Ta arac."
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