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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-12 - City Commission Special Budget Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Dressler called the Special Commission Meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2014 in City Commission Chambers, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL, 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Harry Dressler, Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser and Commissioner Debra Placko. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr and City Clerk Patricia Teufel. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Dressler led the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Dressler welcomed everyone and said this is a Special Meeting of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac to hold Public Hearings on the Annual Fire Assessment, the Annual Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment, the Stormwater Utility Management Fee Assessment, the Nuisance Abatement Assessment and the setting of the Tentative Millage Rates and the Tentative City Budget for Fiscal Year 2015. I'm pleased you could join us this evening. These public hearings are literally the culmination of an entire year's work by this City Commission, the City Manager and staff. For the benefit of the public tonight, the City Commission held workshops throughout the year as well as a budget workshop on June 30, 2014 to provide direction to the staff on this submittal. I would like to thank my colleagues on the dais for their participation at the workshops and for their suggestions as we deliberated on the staff recommendations. City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The City of Tamarac began using a special assessment for residential solid waste collection services two years ago. This method continues to be very successful in terms of collections with no delinquencies as opposed to the previous method of using the water bill. This assessment is an equitable and efficient method of allocating and collecting the Residential Solid Waste Collection Services Assessed Cost among single family residential type parcels. The residential rate for FY 2015 is $273.75 per residential dwelling unit receiving curbside pickup and is the same rate as the previous two years. Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rate that has been proposed and approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment Rate hearing. 1. TR12528 Solid Waste Assessment: A Resolution of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of Residential Solid Waste Collection services in the City of Tamarac, Florida; approving the assessment rate for residential solid waste collection services for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2014; imposing a Residential Solid Waste Collection Assessment against assessed property located within the City of Tamarac for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2014; providing for severability; providing for conflicts; and providing an effective date. Page 1 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014 CITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12528 by title into the record and Financial Services Director Mason made a presentation. Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the public hearing. Commissioner Glasser seconded by Vice Mayor Gomez moved approval of TR12528. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). RESOLUTION R-2014-91 City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The City of Tamarac began using a special assessment for the collection of the Stormwater Utility Management Services Fees last year. This has been a very successful move in terms of collections with no delinquencies as opposed to the previous method of using the water bill. This assessment is an equitable and efficient method of allocating and collecting the Stormwater Utility Management Services Fee Assessed Cost among all the parcels in the City. The rate per equivalent residential unit (ERU) for FY 2015 is $113.62 and is an increase of $3.29 or 3% over the previous year in accordance with our Code of Ordinances. Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rate that has been proposed and approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Stormwater Utility Management Fee Assessment Rate hearing. 2. TR12529 Stormwater Assessment: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the levy and collection of the city's Stormwater Management Utility fee within the municipal boundaries of the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014; approving, confirming, and adopting the Stormwater Management Utility fee and Stormwater Management Utility Fee roll; providing for other matters relating to the levy and collection of the Stormwater Management Utility Fee on the annual property tax bills; providing for conflict; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12529 by title into the record and Financial Services Director Mason made a presentation. Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and the following individual spoke: Kenneth Hoffman, 8297 NW 70th St., expressed his opinion that Tamarac's rate was too high compared to cities such as Dania Beach and Miramar. Financial Services Director Mason addressed Mr. Hoffman's concern to his satisfaction. Vice Mayor Gomez seconded by Commissioner Bushnell moved approval of TR12529. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). RESOLUTION R-2014-92 Page 2 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014 CITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The City of Tamarac has used the Fire Rescue Assessment since 1997 to provide specific funding for the purpose of providing fire services in the City of Tamarac. As the City Commission is aware, the Fire Rescue Assessment has been determined to be an equitable and efficient methodology to use in apportioning the cost of Fire Rescue Services to improved properties thus reducing the overall burden on the ad valorem tax rate. The residential rate for FY 2015 is $265 per dwelling unit which is same rate as FY 2014, FY 2013, and FY 2012. The City conducted a study on the Fire Rescue Assessment in 2011 and based upon calls for service and a five year budget forecast for the cost of providing Fire Rescue Services, Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rates that have been proposed and approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Fire Assessment Rate hearing. 3. TR12530 Fire Rescue Assessment: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of Fire Rescue Services, facilities and programs in the City of Tamarac, Florida; re -imposing fire rescue assessments against assessed property located within the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014; approving the rate of assessment; approving the assessment roll, providing for conflicts; providing for severability; providing an effective date. Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12530 by Title into the record and Financial Services Director Mason gave a presentation. Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Placko seconded by Vice Mayor Gomez moved approval of TR12530. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). RESOLUTION R-2014-93 City Manager Cernech made the following statement: In 2012, the City Commission adopted the Public Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. As part of that ordinance, the City Commission authorized the use of special assessments for amounts billed but unpaid as of June 1 of the year following the abatement of the public nuisance. The City abated 28 public nuisances between June 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014 on 22 properties, two of which have partially paid and one property removed. The remainder of the amounts due are delinquent as of this date. City Staff has prepared the special assessments against each property, the total of which is $13,406.85 to be collected on the tax bills for Fiscal Year 2015. This would be the second year using this type of assessment. Staff recommends the City Commission approve the Public Nuisance Abatement Special Assessments that was approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Public Nuisance Abatement Assessments hearing. Page 3 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014 CITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 4. TR12531 Nuisance Abatement Assessment: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of Nuisance Abatement on certain real properties by the City in accordance with Chapter 9, Division V of the City's Code of Ordinances; approving the collection of a Nuisance Abatement Special Assessment on real property that has been specially benefited by the City's Abatement of Nuisances thereon; approving a Nuisance Abatement Assessment roll; providing for conflict; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12531 by title into the record and Financial Services Director Mason gave a presentation. Commissioner Bushnell asked if most of the properties being assessed were vacant and Financial Services Director Mason responded that he did not know. Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Bushnell seconded by Commissioner Placko moved approval of TR125321. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). RESOLUTION R-2014-94 Mayor Dressler made the following statement: This is the first public hearing for establishing the Operating Millage Rate and Debt Service Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2015. A second public hearing on Temporary Ordinance Number 2303 will be held on September 22, 2014 at 5:05 pm. City Manager Cernech made the following statement: In accordance with the Truth in Millage requirements of Florida Statutes, the City is required to announce the percentage difference between the proposed millage rate and the rolled -back rate. As such, the following is read into the record: The proposed operating millage rate of 7.2899 mills for Fiscal Year 2015 is .5538 mills or 8.22% more than the rolled -back rate of 6.7361 mills. In addition, the tentative Debt Service Millage Rate is proposed to be .1010 mills which is .0076 mills or 7% less than last years millage rate of .1086 mills. 5. T02303 - FY15 Millage Rate Ordinance: An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida to establish and levy Ad Valorem taxes within the corporate limits of the City of Tamarac, Florida, for the tax year 2014; providing for the levy of Ad Valorem taxes in the amount of 7.2899 mills ($7.2899 per $1,000) based upon the assessed value on non-exempt real and personal property located within the city limits of the City of Tamarac; providing for the levy of ad valorem taxes in the amount of .1010 mills ($.1010 per $1,000) based upon the assessed value of the non-exempt real and personal property located within the city limits of the City of Tamarac, for funds for annual debt service for the City of Tamarac, Florida general obligation refunding bonds, series 1998; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Page 4 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014 CITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TO2303 by title into the record and Financial Services Director Mason gave a presentation. Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Placko seconded by Commissioner Bushnell moved approval of TO2303 on first reading. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). PASSED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 Mayor Dressler made the following statement: This is the first public hearing to establish the Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Financial Policies. A second public hearing on Temporary Ordinance Number 2304 will be held on September 22, 2014 at 5:05 p.m. City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The proposed operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year 2015 is $140,585,741 which is $13,331,124 less than the Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2014. The proposed general fund budget, which is the primary fund for providing governmental services such as, our contract with BSO, general and administrative services, public works, and parks and recreation, is $52,218,644 which is $740,869 more than the Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2014. In addition, the financial policies are included as part of the adoption of the annual budget. These financial policies are an integral part of our long-term financial planning for the City. These policies set parameters for operating management, including establishing reserves for specific purposes, establishing accounts management and financial planning policies and establishing policies on economic resources. 6. TO2304 - FY15 Budget Ordinance: An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, adopting the Operating Budget, Revenues and Expenditures, the Capital Budget, and the Financial Policies for the Fiscal Year 2015, repealing all ordinances in conflict with this ordinance; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TO2304 by title into the record and Financial Services Director Mason gave a presentation. Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and the following individuals spoke: Stewart Webster, 7900 S. Colony Circle, Apt. 208, inquired how he could obtain a copy of the proposed budget and who could answer questions regarding line items. Financial Services Director Mason said he would provide Mr. Webster with a copy of the proposed budget and said Mr. Webster could do a public records request regarding line item questions. Linda Marks, 840 SW 81st Ave., Family Central, thanked the Commission for their continued support and asked them to consider their request for Page 5 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014 CITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 $3,360 this year and added that 100% of the funds go to child care. With no one else wishing to speak Mayor Dressler closed the Public Hearing. Vice Mayor Gomez seconded by Commissioner Placko moved approval of T02304 on first reading. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). PASSED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 Mayor Dressler said that these items have been addressed at quarterly meetings during the course of the year and an enormous amount of work goes into preparing the budget. Mayor Dressler talked about Tamarac being highlighted in a Moody's report for its financial management system. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Dressler adjourned the meeting at 6:31 p.m. Harry Dressler, Mayor Patricia Teufel, C C City Clerk Page 6 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014