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P.O. BOX 25010
TAMARAC. FLORIDA 33320
5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321
TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900
September 20, 1985
NOTICE OF BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
TAMARACr FLORIDA
iThere has been a City Council Workshop Meeting scheduled for
Monday, September 23, 1985, at 1:00 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, 5811 N.W. 88th Avenue, for continued
review of Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 1985/86.
to
The public is invited to attend.
Carol E. Barbuto
Assistant City Clerk
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
September 23, 1985
Tape 1 CALL TO 0 DER: Mayor Kravitz called the meeting to order at
1:00 P.M. on Monday, September 23, 1985, in the Council Chambers
of City Hall.
Mayor Kravitz read the Notice of the Budget Workshop meeting which
was called for continued review of Proposed Budgets for FY 85/86.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT:
_ Mayor Philip B. Kravitz
Vice Mayor Helen Massaro
Councilman Arthur H. Gottesman
ABSENT_AND EXCUSED:
Councilman Sydney M. Stein
Councilman Raymond J. Munitz
ALSO PRE ENT:
Larry Perretti, Acting City Manager
Patricia Marcurio, Secretary
MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEQIANCE - Mayor Kravitz called for a
Moment of Meditation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Kravitz announced that on Monday, September 30, 1985 at
6:00 P.M. there will be the final public hearing on the budget.
He said he is hopeful the millage rate will be reduced before this
budget is finalized without giving up any of the City's services
such as police, fire and building services.
Jack Stelzer, resident, had a list of budget considerations for
Council and, because of the time limitations, Mayor Kravitz
requested he give Council members a copy for their consideration.
City Clerk Department - Acting City Manager Perretti referred to
Pages 9, 10 and 11 of the Budget Report Sheets, noting the final
amounts for the Current Year Budget as $325,925.00, the Proposed
Budget is $344,155.00 and Recommended by the City Manager is
$334,200.00.
Mr. Perretti told Marilyn Bertholf, City Clerk, that this is the
opportunity to address any items which were cut by the City Man-
ager. Marilyn Bertholf, City Clerk, referred to Page 10, Office
Equipment Repairs, Account #463, where she had requested $2,700.00
and the City Manager recommended $2,500.00. She requested it be
brought back to $2,700.00 for maintenance contract of the sound
equipment which totals $2,300.00 per year and overhaul of one
typewriter costing $150.00. She said there is a small dictating
machine in the repair shop which is a minimum cost of $18.00 and
an electrical outlet was purchased for a series of equipment plug --
ins costing $12.50. She said using those figures, there would
only be a balance of $20.00 for the balance of the year for any
other repairs which would not come under a service agreement.
Mayor Kravitz said the Estimated Actual Total for last year was
$2,119.32 and he questioned why $2,500.00, which was the same
amount budgeted last year, would not be enough. Mrs. Bertholf
said the Sony equipment service agreement was $835.00, the
Gestetner Printing Equipment was $425.00, typewriter maintenance
agreement was $247.00, the sound equipment was over $600.00. She
said this totalled $2,140.00. Mayor Kravitz said if there is a
problem during the year it could be handled at that time and he
suggested accepting the City Manager's recommendation of
$2,500.00.
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Mrs. Bertholf referred to Page 11, Office Equipment, Account #641,
the City Manager recommended $1,000.00 and she requested $3,200.00
to cover the cost of two new transcribers. She said there are two
in the office that are in need of replacement since the equipment
is used approximately 30 hours per week each resulting in rapid
wearing out of parts. She said these two particular units are no
longer on the market and parts are no longer available; therefore,
they do need to be replaced.
Mayor Kravitz said the amount spent last year as of 8/31/85 was
$900.33 and, if they assume that ratio, there will be approximate-
ly $982.00. Mrs. Bertholf said the Office Equipment Account is
for whatever equipment is approved for that particular year. She
said this is for a new typewriter which cost $895.00.
Mayor Kravitz asked if, for the purpose of trying to keep the
budget down, there might not be certain equipment that is not
necessary. Mrs. Bertholf said one year has nothing to do with
what was expended during a previous year.
Mr. Perretti said the proposed budget shows that the City Clerk
requested $3,200.00 and Mrs. Bertholf said that was for Data
Processing Equipment.
Mrs. Bertholf said the last Account she is addressing is a new
account #001-112-519-310 for Professional Services. She said the
amount requested is $500.00 based on an estimate since Council's
policy is to charge each account for whatever services the
consulting professionals may use of that department. She said if
the City Clerk's Department needs the services of the City
Attorney, the department would be charged for those services;
therefore, an account for this would be necessary.
V/M Massaro said an account for professional services will be
discussed further with the City Manager at a later time since she
felt the City Manager should request the services of a pro-
fessional and not any Department Head.
V/M Massaro requested a further explanation on the salary portion
of this department, Page 9. Mr. Perretti said the majority of the
employees in this office are under the Federation of Public
Employees Union which has the second year of the contract begin-
ning 10/l/85. He said the second year of this contract provides
for a spread of a 5% rather than a 4% between grade steps, which
means on 10/1/85 there will be a 1% compound increase for these
employees and then, on 4/l/86, there will be a 5% increase. He
said Marilyn Bertholf and Carol Barbuto are covered under the
Managerial Resolution which had a salary figure incorporated into
the budget as well. He said that was budgeted at 5% for the
entire year with 3% on 10/1/85 and on their anniversary date there
would be another increase.
Mrs. Bertholf said the line item titled "Other Salaries and Wages"
was not requested by her and there is $1,000.00 budgeted for that.
She said she did request Overtime and Mr. Etheredge said he would
transfer that amount to Overtime.
Building Department - Bob Jahn, Chief Building Official, refer-
red to Pages 50, 51 and 52. Mr. Perretti said the Current Year
Budget for Building/Community Development is $613,415.00, Proposed
Budget $748,435.00 and Recommended by the City Manager is
$683,665.00. Mr. Perretti urged Mr. Jahn to make Council aware of
any disputes between his proposed figures and the City Manager's
recommended figures.
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Mr. Jahn said he sent a memo to Council dated 8/29/85 referring to
this budget recommendation in which he noted his was a revenue
department and, at the time the memo was written, they had already
turned in $134,000.00 to the General Revenue Fund with another
month to go. He said as of last Monday, they had already sur-
passed the normal projected month's income. He said next year
promises to be as great as this past year. He said he will do his
utmost to live within the constraints of his budget.
Mr. Perretti asked Mr. Jahn what his projection was for 1984/85
and Mr. Jahn said the revenue projection for 84/85 was $560,000.00
and the total actual brought in as of last month's report was
$694,000.00. He said there would probably be about $250,000.00
put into the General Fund as profit. He said that includes monies
not directly connected to the Building Department such as Code
Enforcement and Planning and Community Development. He said if
the City Planner remains as a Consultant, it will activate one set
of circumstances; however, if a full time employee is hired as a
City Planner, the salary figure will have to be adjusted.
Mr. Jahn said on Page 50, Professional Services, he asked for more
than the City Manager's figure of $50,000.00, which would cover
part-time Inspectors. V/M Massaro requested the figure of what
was actually spent last year on part-time Inspectors and Mr. Jahn
said he would give her that figure later.
Mayor Kravitz said concerning Data Processing, last year there was
an estimate of $9,390.00 and this year the recommendation by the
City Manager is for $16,720.00. He questioned why there was an
increase of over $7,000,00 and Mr. Etheredge said each year the
Data Processing Department keeps a record of how much each depart-
ment uses of the computer time which is pro rated based on that
arrountof time. He said that figure is the percentage he set based
on the average of what Mr. Jahn's new system is going to take.
Mr. Jahn said his department is not live with the computer yet
since they are still programming. He said when the department
goes live on the computer, they will print the building permits,
inspection records, etc.
(C/M Munitz entered the meeting at this point - 1:30 P.M.
Mr. Jahn said the predominant part of the work of the two Code
Enforcement Officers in his department is citing people for trash,
weeds, etc. He said they then write a Citation and Notice of
Violation, give one copy to Public Works and they then send out a
Notice of Violation to the owner of that property. He said if
they do not respond within 20 days, the Building Department can go
cut those weeds, clear the lots, send a bill and, when the money
is received, it belongs to the City. He said if the money is not
received, a lien is placed on the property of the owner. He said
during this past year and a half, the Public Works Department has
not had enough manpower to accomplish this. He said as of approx-
imately a month and a half ago, there were 55 violations issued
with no solution. He said he has 2 men and vehicles issuing
citations that nothing can be done about unless Public Works has
more manpower and equipment to do this work or an independent
contractor is used.
Mr. Jahn said most of the phone complaints are second, third and
fourth complaints about the same location.
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Mike Couzzo, Public Works Director, said last year was the first
year the City was heavily involved in lot clearing and issuing the
Citations in accordance with the Code. He said last year the
department generated $28,000.00 in revenues for the City and the
anticipated generation this year is between $28,000.00 and
$30,000.00. He said that money is put into the General Fund to
offset the cost of the City and not actually to offset the cost of
manpower within the department, equipment or postage used in
sending out the registered mail for the Citations. He said in the
past few years there has been no personnel or equipment added to
offset the lot clearing program.
V/M Massaro said if there is $28,000.00 for a complete year's
program, no one can be hired since there is no surplus. She said
that amount does not include all the costs mentioned previously
and she felt there was something wrong with that program. She
said it might be less expensive to bid it out to someone with the
City receiving a percentage for this. She asked if any of the 55
violations have had the lots cut and Mr. Couzzo said some have.
She asked when they were last cut and Mr. Couzzo said as recently
as last week there were some cut.
Mr. Perretti said there is also a time limit involved and
Mr. Couzzo said the time frame is not addressed in the Code but
merely states that the Public Works Department will proceed with
remedying the situation. V/M Massaro asked if it is stipulated in
the Code that this must be handled in-house and Mr. Couzzo said
no. V/M Massaro said the Acting City Manager should analyze this
situation and determine whether or not it would be proper to have
someone hired to do this.
V/M Massaro asked if the Notices have been checked to determine
that the City has the proper legal right to do this and Mr. Couzzo
said the Citations are sent out registered mail. V/M Massaro said
there is a possibility that 3 Code Enforcement Officers are too
many.
C/M Gottesman questioned what the amount of $28,000.00 represents
and Mr. Couzzo said that is the amount billed and currently
approximately $22,500.00 has been collected.
Vickie Beech, resident, said she feels there is something wrong in
this City concerning violations and problems not being solved.
Bruce Hoffman, resident, said he felt the budget proposed was
outrageous.
Tape 2 Fire Departmgnt - Mr. Perretti referred to Page 46 and said at the
last budget hearing there was some question pertaining to the
request made for additional manpower. Fire Chief Bernie Simon
said Ray Briant, Assistant Fire Chief, wrote this budget as it was
presently. He said Hyman Fox, a resident of the City, sent a
letter to the Mayor which stated that he was told there would be
no additional manpower required. He said at the time this was
stated was about 1983 and with that budget it was possible that
additional manpower was needed.
Chief Simon said presently they cannot use the people originally
being used for mandated inspections required in this City. He
said State Certification is needed and the City is in the process
of having 4 people receive State Certification now.
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Chief Simon said these people will be used as the second person on
a ladder truck while they are doing the inspections with the
obligation that they must respond to the station or the ladder
truck when in operation. He said this would eliminate only one
person on a ladder truck, which is a hazardous situation.
Chief Simon said it is now required to have 12 persons to function
with the ambulance; that is, 2 engines with 3 people on each, 2
rescue ambulances with 2 people and 2 on the aerial ladder. He
said he has always contended that the ambulance service would be
cost effective since there are dual positions.
Mayor Kravitz asked if the City did not get the ambulance service
there would be a difference in the manpower needed and Chief Simon
said yes, the manpower would go down. Mayor Kravitz asked if this
expense will be there starting 10/1/85 and Chief Simon said they
asked that this be held until they receive the Certificate of
Convenience and Necessity at which time they would then be added.
He said any Overtime would be reflected in the fee that would be
realized from this service.
V/M Massaro said it is her understanding that the expense amount
is offset within this budget by a similar revenue amount and
Mr. Etheredge said these 8 new positions are not budgeted and the
revenue is not there. V/M Massaro said they are not going to be
budgeted until or unless the ambulances are being operated, in
which case, the revenue would offset the cost. Mr. Etheredge said
if all the costs are figured in for vehicle costs, etc., it would
cost even more.
C/M Gottesman said 3 years ago the Council was told this would be
a big savings for the residents and last week they were told it
would cost $110.00 to run and he suggested an outside service
might be better. V/M Massaro said she is hoping that the ambu-
lance service would be giving the residents service and saving
lives. She said the City is not getting the response time now
that could be realized with a City -owned ambulance service. She
said this will be continued to be pursued.
Mr. Perretti asked if Chief Simon had any comment on the new
vehicle that has been requested for $134,000.00 and Chief Simon
said that was part of the Five Year Plan and this is not needed
this year.
Jack Stelzer, resident, said the people were told there would be a
tremendous saving of money by sending out a small vehicle rather
than a large fire engine and he asked if this has been taken into
consideration now since money is being saved using those ambu-
lances as response units. Chief Simon said the savings is in the
budget.
pp,gsonnel and I su nc De artments - Mr. Perretti referred to
Page 39 stating that the Current Year Budget was $137,925.00, the
Proposed Budget $286,695.00 and Recommended by the City Manager
was $326,590.00. He said the increase was because there was a
transfer of the Insurance Department from the Finance Department
into the Personnel Department with a line item amount of
$145,000.00. He said the Regular Salaries reflects the addition
of Sylvia Newman, who is taking care of the Insurance in Per-
sonnel.
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Judy Deutsch, Acting Personnel Director, said she is resigned to
the budget since there were no additional monies put into any of
the accounts that would help absorb the cost of the insurance
program, such as, Publications, Meetings and Seminars, and Pro-
fessional. Organizations. She said if insurance could be bought,
$145,000.00 will not cover the premium this year. She requested
Council keep the amount of $145,000.00 open until they have better
figures.
Finance__Deprtment - Mr. Perretti referred to Pages 12 and 13.
He said the Current Year Budget is $389,945.00, the Proposed
Budget is $246,790.00 and Recommended by the City Manager is
$330,690.00. Mayor Kravitz asked for the changes in this depart-
ment without the insurance in this department. Mr. Etheredge said
the personnel was the only thing in his department budgeted for
insurance.
Mayor Kravitz said nothing is estimated for the coming year for
insurance because it is now in the Personnel Department; however,
if $100,000.00 was budgeted, how was $128,814.00 reflected on the
books? Mr. Etheredge said that is the total of the insurance
policies that came in.
Mr. Perretti questioned the Regular Salaries increased amount and
Mr. Etheredge said his Proposed Budget was $155,300.00 and the
City Manager's recommendation was for $242,000.00. He said that
is because people were brought back into the Finance Department's
budget since they should have been there before. He said that
decreased the Utilities East and West budgets.
C/M Munitz suggested a one month test period to get the percentage
of the total expenses of the Utilities for the General Fund
contributions and apply that percentage annualized on the total
basis of the income, that would give a better view of the share of
expenses coming from the General Fund. He said this would give
some backup basis for the amount. He said the net effect is a
decrease in Ad Valorem and an increase in the rates to both of the
utilties because these are expenses of the utilties and they
should carry their own expenses.
Mr. Etheredge said on Page 177, Finance - Data Processing ser-
vices, there has been some surplus built up in these funds from
previous years and he used that money to try to lower and balance
expenses for all of the other departments.
Mayor Kravitz questioned what equipment is being proposed under
Office Equipment, in the amount of $2,800.00. Mr. Etheredge said
there is a communication device that must be used and is needed.
C/M Gottesman questioned the figure of $134,000.00 for Office
Equipment Repairs on Page 177 and Mr. Etheredge said that is
maintenance agreements on all of the computer equipment. He said
there are some things projected to be added such as a Printer for
the City Clerk's office and the Utilities Department is expected
to get more computer equipment. C/M Munitz asked if that amount
should not be charged to the department using the equipment and
Mr. Etheredge said it is.
V/M Massaro questioned Professional Services on Page 177 in the
amount of $14,000.00 and Mr. Etheredge said that is the amount of
money budgeted every year for programs that the City may want to
buy. Mayor Kravitz suggested this be discussed with the City
Manager for a possible reduction of $10,000.00.
V/M Massaro questioned why Computer Supplies has an Actual Expense
of $7,379.73 with a recommended figure of $15,000.00. V/M Massaro
said this should be reduced to $10,000.00.
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Mr. Etheredge said in the past the budget has been set by taking
the total budget expenditures, divided by 12 and then transfer in
the pro rated share from each department. He said this year he is
going to only transfer what is actually spent in these funds.
Legislative - Mr. Perretti referred to Page 2, Current Year Budget
is $114,945.00, Proposed $121,295.00 and Recommended by the City
Manager is $109,425.00.
Melanie Reynolds, Charter Board Aide, said the amount designated
for Travel -Other is $3,000.00 and she felt the Charter would have
to be changed if this amount was designated. Mayor Kravitz said
this only has to be allotted if that amount will be spent and
V/M Massaro said that amount should be budgeted to comply with the
Charter. She said the amount of Travel -Other should be changed
from $3,000.00 to $11,000.00.
City Attorney - Mr. Perretti referred to Page 3, Current Year
Budget is $222,755.00, Proposed Budget is $198,845.00 and Re-
commended by the City Manager is $165,430.00.
Mayor Kravitz questioned the Regular Salaries line item amount,
which was increased from last year's budget of $93,900.00 to
$98,100.00. Mr. Perretti said it includes an increase for the
secretaries, which was incorporated in the budget. He said they
are Confidential employees but should have an increase as the union
employees are scheduled to have to avoid their joining the union.
Mr. Etheredge said the City Attorney received a raise in July and
that would be included in this budget as well. V/M Massaro
requested a break -down of this department. C/M Gottesman asked if
this budget includes another increase for the City Attorney and
Mr. Etheredge said yes. V/M Massaro said that will not happen.
V/M Massaro asked where David Feldheim's salary comes from and
Mr. Perretti said from Professional Services, along with Alan Ruf's
services. V/M Massaro said she is recommending that Mr. Feldheim's
services be terminated. Mayor Kravitz said there are questions
concerning Accounts #120, Regular Salaries and #310, Professional
Services. Mr. Perretti said a break -down will be given on both.
V/M Massaro asked where there is provision for unexpected legal
expenses such as ESM and Mr. Etheredge said ESM is budgeted to come
from Revenue Sharing and they have given the City an estimate of
$250,000.00 for next year.
Tape 3 Mr. Etheredge said it is estimated for $250,000.00 for this year
and for the next few years. Mr. Perretti said he originally
allocated $100,000.00 and Mr. Henning said it would be $250,000.00.
C/M Gottesman asked if the amount of $250,000.00 includes the
pooling device that was approved to save money and Mr. Perretti
said yes.
V/M Massaro said Account #401, Meetings and Seminars, in the amount
of $1,000.00, should be eliminated. Mayor Kravitz suggested that
be questioned as well. V/M Massaro asked about Account #402,
Travel -Other, and Mr. Perretti said he charges mileage since his
Automobile Allowance has been taken away.
V/M Massaro questioned Dues and Memberships, Account #542r and
Mr. Etheredge said there are several organizations he belongs to.
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V/M Massaro suggested he reduce the amount of $1,000.00, along with
Account #660, Books, Publications, Library in the amount of
$2,000.00. She requested the Acting City Manager check into the
books and publications for the library since there seems to be a
surplus. She asked how many secretaries the City Attorney has and
Mr. Perretti said there are two. She questioned why he needs two
secretaries and Mr. Perretti said one secretary does the word
processing. She suggested this be checked further by the Acting
City Manager.
City Manager - Mr. Perretti referred to Page 8, Current Year Budget
is $155,825.00, Proposed is $170,129.00 and Recommended by the City
Manager is $141,770.00.
V/M Massaro questioned the amount of $1,000.00 for Dues and Member-
ships and Mr. Perretti said that is for the ICMA, the International
City Manager's Association for approximately $838.00. V/M Massaro
asked for verification of that amount and a determination of what
that covers. She questioned the amount of $15,000.00 for
Professional Services and Mr. Perretti said last year the
Efficiency Study and the Grants Planner were taken from this
amount. Mr. Etheredge said he would verify this for V/M Massaro to
determine who receives this $15,000.00.
Charter Board - Melanie Reynolds said the Charter Board, if
present, would question the $5,000.00 taken away from Professional
Services. Mr. Perretti referred to Page 30, Current Year is
$26,615.00, Proposed is $37,650.00 and Recommended by the City
Manager is $31,650.00.
Mrs. Reynolds questioned Account #310, the reduction from
$15,000.00 requested to $10,000.00. She said the Charter Board is
concerned this will not be a sufficient amount for an attorney.
Mayor Kravitz suggested Mr. Perretti review this further and
V/M Massaro said she is hopeful the Charter Board will hold with
the amount of $10,000.00.
ocial Services - Mr. Etheredge referred to Page 59. He said
originally they requested $15,000.00 for the Area Council on Aging
and this amount was in the budget. He said there were memos that
they wanted the amount of $15,000.00 to be used for a new van,
which he changed over and budgeted there. He said Social Services
has now requested $5,000.00 for the City's contribution to the Area
Council on Aging as well. V/M Massaro said no, that cannot be
done.
Mr. Etheredge said this might as well be carried out because two
years from now it will mean putting $20,000.00 in there.
V/M Massaro said that is what should happen with $5,000.00 being
contributed to the Area Council on Aging. C/M Munitz suggested the
Acting City Manager contact the Chairperson so that this can be
discussed at their next meeting.
Mr. Perretti referred to Page 65, which showed the Proposed and
Recommended Contingency for the year, both amounts being
$131,000.00. Mr. Perretti said this is a very low amount, just
above 1%. V/M Massaro said she feels Tamarac has the lowest budge
of any City in Broward County. She said Tamarac is the only City ti
with a 10 million dollar budget when compared to other cities of
comparable size. Mayor Kravitz noted that Tamarac is the only City
in the area that picks up the garbage charges and this is only
being charged at a rate of $2.50 per month.
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11
Police - V/M Massaro questioned Account #260, Education, and
Mr. Etheredge said that money comes from Parking Tickets.
V/M Massaro asked if that affects the money the City gets from
parking tickets and Mr. Etheredge said no, it is an additional
$2.00 charge per ticket. V/M Massaro asked if the City is requir-
ing the Police to withhold $4.00 from each violation to pay for
crossing guards and Mr. Etheredge said the Resolution has to be
prepared by the City Attorney's Department. V/M Massaro asked
Mr. Perretti to check this further.
Mr. Perretti referred to Page 44, Account #640, Vehicles, in the
amount of $140,000.00. V/M Massaro asked Mr. Perretti to check to
determine how many vehicles are actually needed and Mr. Etheredge
said he was told there are 22 cars now and 8 have just been re-
placed leaving 14 cars. He said this amount would replace about 11
cars. V/M Massaro said that should be cut in half or more.
Mayor Kravitz adjourned the meeting at 3:05 P.M.
1
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
This public document was promulgated at a cost of $130.30 or
$3.61 per copy, to inform the general public and public officers
and employees about recent opinions and considerations by the City
Council of the City of Tamarac.
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