HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-01 - City Commission Public Hearing Meeting Minutes5811 NC?R-1HVVEST 88TH AVENUE TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321
TEL.ENFiONE (305) 722-5900
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY COUNCIL
TAMARAC, FLORIDA
The following items will be considered for discussion and
action by the City Council on Wednesday, October 1, 1980 at
5:01 P.M. in Council Chambers of City Hall.
1. Ad Valorem Taxes - Temp. Reso. #1646
Discussion and possible Action to adopt the ad valorem tax
rate to fund the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 1980/81.
2. General Fund Budget - Temp. Ord. #817
Discussion and Possible Action to adopt the Budget not to
exceed $7,335,120 for Fiscal Year 1980/81. Second Reading.
The City Council may consider such other business as may come
before it.
The public is encouraged to attend.
W-4
•r'l
Mai
vilyn'Bertholf
City Clerk
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
PUBLIC HEARING
GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND TAX MILLAGE
OCTOBER 1. 1980
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Falck called the Public Hearing to order on
Wednesday, October 1, 1980 at 5:01 PM in the Council Chambers at
City Hall.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Walter W. Falck
Vice Mayor Helen Massaro
Councilwoman Marjorie Kelch
Councilman Irving Zemel
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Edward Gross
Ass't City Mgr. Laura Stuurmans
City Attorney Arthur Birken
Finance Director Steve Wood
City Clerk Marilyn Bertholf
ABSENT AND EXCUSED
Councilman Irving Disraelly
Mayor Falck read the official Notice of Public Hearing and included
the various items to be discussed.
1. Ad Valorem Taxes - Temporary_Resolution #1646. Discussion and
Possible Action to adopt the ad valorem tax rate to fund the
General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 1980/81.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R So.,2i3 PASSED.
Final Mil Rate - 6.4803 Mils.
City Attorney Arthur Birken explained that the Hearing is the final hearing
as required by the Trim Bill. He noted there was a quarter page advertise-
ment in the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun Sentinel on Sunday, September 28,
1980 which was three days before the Hearing held on October 1, 1980.
Mr. Birken said a quarter page ad and many other procedures being followed
at the 10/1/80 meeting are a result of the Trim Bill, which is short for
Truth in Millage, enacted at the 1980 Session of the Florida Legislature.
City Attorney Birken noted one of the things the Legislators did was to
require in the law that the City Council consider the millage rate and
have a public hearing on the millage rate, before considering or having
a public hearing on the Budget. The bill also requires the Resolution
adopting the final millage to be read in full. He stated he would read
the resolution in full and he would read two proposed rates - the rate
enacted when the matter was considered by the City Council on September
22, 1980 and the rate or percentage recommended by the City's Administration
at the present meeting.
Vice Mayor Helen Massaro questioned the final action being taken with
the final millage rate adopted before the Budget could be reviewed.
The City Attorney confirmed that was what the law set forth.
City Attorney Birken read the Trim Bill law. He explained it states
the millage must be discussed first, and then adopted before the Budget
can be adopted.
Mayor Falck stated that the law is as Mr. Birken reviewed it, and the
Council has no choice.
The Resolution Adopting the Final Millage Rate for the City of Tamarac
for Fiscal Year 1980/81 at 6.88 (suggested by City Manager it be reduced
to 6.6782 per $1,000. assessed valuation) and Announcing the Percentage
of Increase of Millage Rate, Exceeding Roll -back Rate of 19.706% (that
is recommended by City Manager to be a 16.195% roll -back) and Providing
an Effective Date, was read by City Attorney Birken.
Assistant City Manager Laura Stuurmans read the Administration Statement
announced at the Hearing of September 29, 1980, which is from Page 5
of the Budget Message dated June 2, 1980.
on
10/1/80
/lc/
VOTE
City Manager Gross brought up two items which he stated he wished to
reduce in the Budget, and thereby reduce the roll -back:
In the area of Capital Reserve, under Item 3 - Computer, he wished to
reduce that figure from $50,000 to $30,000. Under the Item Word Processor,
Mr. Gross said he wished to remove the item which is $9,960 from the
budget request. That is a reduction of $29,960 which will make the
millage rate 6.6152, or 15% over the roll -back figure, he stated.
Mayor Falck opened the Hearing to the Public. He inquired if anyone wished
to be heard on the subject of the proposed millage.
Melanie Reynolds questioned if the figure was reduced by $29,000, would
the total of the budget change. Mayor Falck replied that it would change.
Mrs. Reynolds then asked what the total of the budget would be with the
change, City Manager Gross replied it would be $29,960 less and the
figure would be $7,305,160. He further stated the new ad valorem figure
would be $3,147,160.
No one else wished to speak about the proposed millage and the Public
Hearing was closed by Mayor Falck.
Councilwoman Kelch asked Mr. Gross if any individuals from the Council had
made private consultations with him concerning their suggestions for re-
duction of the budget which would affect the millage rate. The question
was referred to Ass't City Manager Laura Stuurmans who replied in the
negative. Councilwoman Kelch said it would then be up to the members of
Council to suggest such items as they may have and then ask the admini-
stration to compute those items with regard to the budget.
Councilman Zemel MOVED to remove a Clerk Typist from the Purchasing Area
of Finance Department Budget, in the amount of $9000.00. Vice Mayor
Massaro SECONDED the Motion.
Mr. Gross stated he had looked the position over and at this point in
time he believed it could be removed from the Budget.
ALL VOTED AYE.
Mayor Falck requested the revised figure be calculated based on the action
taken by the Council. Mr. Gross said the new figure is 6.6102 and is still
a 15% roll -back.
Councilman Zemel stated he wished to bring to the attention of the public
that during a number of Workshops over a period of approximately one month
and a half, as well as the Budget Meeting of September 29, 1980, they
have been consistently cutting items out of the budget and at the present
time they are trying to pare the budget down on items that may not have
been uncovered up to that point.
Mayor Falck noted that Council has been working on the budget since May
and the present hearing is the third public hearing on the budget.
Vice Mayor Massaro inquired if the new vehicles included in the Public
Works budget are an absolute "must". Mr. Gross said he believed so
since the older vehicles are falling apart and off the road a great
deal of time. The Vice Mayor questioned the need for the vehicles.
At that point Mr. Gross stated they had already been removed from the
Public Works Budget, however he did wish to bring to Council's attention
the fact that they have substantial mileage on them and are not in the
best shape. He said they will try to get through another year with them
and see what happens after that.
Councilman Zemel questioned the item in the City Manager's budget with
reference to auto repair. Mr. Gross explained it was for vehicles in-
volved with work out of the City Manager's Office. Councilman Zemel
questioned what vehicles Mr. Gross referred to, Mr. Gross said it was
for vehicles used by certain employees in the City Manager's office. He
noted that the Code Enforcement Officer had been moved out of his office,
but possibly that was the item of $200. for auto repairs. Councilman
Zemel asked that the request for $200. for auto repairs be removed from
the City Manager's budget. There was no objection.
-2-
10/1/80
/lc
Vice Mayor Massaro inquired about the four mechanics in the Public Works
Division and requested clarification. Mr. Gross stated they work on
automobiles and also on small engines, the City is larger and the
Utility brings their vehicles to Public Works. The Vice Mayor said
they had three mechanics -- she wondered how the fourth one got in
there. Mr. Gross said there had always been four. Vice Mayor
Massaro inquired what the request for an extra man in building mainten-
ance was, a Foreman II. City Manager Gross replied the reason for the
addition of that position is the fact the City has now reached a point
where they have a tremendous number of buildings and the City needs
somebody with the expertise to take care of the building maintenance.
Vice Mayor Massaro said she would like to see that position disallowed,
Public Works has too many men at the present time. Councilwoman Kelch
said that needed to be checked, and inquired whether Mr. Thissen felt
it was really necessary. Mr. Gross said it was necessary for the
maintenance of the buildings. The Vice Mayor indicated she had a list
from Ralph Thissen with men who are supposed to be doing that work.
Vice Mayor Massaro MOVED that the Foreman II position be disallowed.
Mayor Falck asked if there was a second to the Motion - there was none
and the Motion died for want of a second.
Councilwoman Kelch asked Mr. Thissen for his opinion. Public Works
Director Ralph Thissen was asked by Councilwoman Kelch if the position
of Foreman II was one he could do without. Mr. Thissen stated, in his
opinion it was a man they definitely need.
Vice Mayor Massaro said she had no further questions and she would not
vote for this budget.
Councilwoman Kelch MOVED that Temporary #1646 be adopted with the
following figures inserted: a millage rate of 6.6102, percentage of
increase 15%.
Councilman Zemel SECONDED the Motion.
VOTE: Councilwoman Kelch AYE
Councilman Zemel AYE
Vice Mayor Massaro NAY
Mayor Falck AYE
T e Rotion died for lack of a 4 5ths_ Vote.
City Attorney Birken pointed out to Council that the Trim Bill requires
a four -fifths vote. Vice Mayor Massaro stated that they had better cut
the budget if they wished her to approve it, as she would not approve
something she did not agree with. Further, she told City Attorney
Birken that with all due respect to him, she did not believe the law
really reads that way. She said she thought they had the opportunity
to discuss anything they wanted, but they can not take action on the
budget. However, they can see what they can do to trim it down. The
City Attorney said the Trim Bill states the first thing they consider
is the millage and the second is the budget. He said Council has con-
sidered the millage and had the public hearing.
Councilman Zemel questioned how a millage can be passed before a budget
is discussed. City Attorney Birken said if Council wants to discuss the
budget he thought they were entitled to do so. Mayor Falck said the
millage had been voted down, and the budget could now be voted upon.
Councilwoman Ketch noted they had to discuss the budget, but they can
not adopt it, however when they finish discussing it they will have
done the things agreed to.
Mayor Falck read the second item from the Notice of Public Hearing.
2. General Fund Budget - Temp. Ord. #817. Discussion and Possible
Action to adopt the Budget not to exceed $7,335,120 for Fiscal
Year 1980/81. Second Reading.
The City Attorney read the Ordinance - An Ordinance Adopting Annual
General Fund Budget for the City of Tamarac in an Amount not to Exceed
$7,335,120. for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 1980. Providing
for Certain Authority for the City Manager to Make Interdepartment
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Ordinance Temporary #$17 ORDINANCE NO.OZg'n--ao PASSED.
Budget a opted for Fiscal Year 1980/81.
-3-
10/1/80 /lc
Transfers Within Expenditure Categories, Providing for Modification
by City Council, Providing for Repealer, Providing for Severability
of Invalid Provisions and Providing an Effective Date.
City Manager Gross went over the figures again, recommending a reduction
of $29,960. in the capital area and a figure of $9,000. out of the Finance
Department, $200. out of the City Manager's Department which will give
a total figure of $7,295,960. which is 6.5959 mils required.
Mayor Falck opened the Hearing to the Public.
Irving Graber, Greens of Tamarac spoke. He said he had noted a small
item, Code 349400 - Lot Clearing - Zero in the 1979/80 Budget. He
asked what Lot Clearing is. Mr. Gross explained it is a program the
City has where people have lots in the City they can not have cleared
themselves or where they refuse to clear them, the City clears them
and liensthe property to recover the expenditure. Mr. Graber questioned
the $10,000. recommended, and the people were paying all the time. Mr.
Gross explained the Ordinance is a new Ordinance that went into effect
the previous year.
Margaret Stillerman asked for clarification of the City Manager Recommended
and City Manager Revised figures - she said the total figure for each
is the same. City Manager Gross said the big change on the total figure
is the millage. Mrs. Stillerman said it appeared that one figure was
lowered and another raised.
Harold Goldstein, Section 12 said he had a question concerning the
City Engineer and City Attorney which the City has, and yet they have
to obtain at every meeting an approval for a consulting engineer and
a consulting city attorney. Mr. Goldstein questioned if it was necessary
to pay out those sums when the City has its own attorney and engineer.
Mr. Gross replied by explaining the City is a growth city and at the
present time if the city had its own engineering staff to take care of
all of the items involved there would be no room for anything but engineers
and it is very complex and a time-consuming area. Therefore, the City
uses consulting engineers. Eventually, that need will lessen. Mr. Gross
said the same situation applies to the City Attorney. There are many
areas where strong expertise is needed and the City Attorney must bring
these consultants with him to Court to protect the City by having as
good expertise behind him as the people who sue the City have.
Mr. Goldstein questioned the item on the September 24 Agenda - Williams,
Hatfield & Stoner, Consulti.,6 Eagi,.ieers - from 0/22 to 9/9 - y25,000.
Mr. Gross explained durinn July, Au-ust ane q--tr!-,Ar a. nrea,t 'lAa.1
of work was done with Williams, Hatfield & Stoner because of the Utility
acquisition. Most of those fees were paid from the proceeds of the Bond
Issue and not General Funds.
Arthur Hill inquired about a revision brought forth by Councilman Disraelly
at the beginning of the Public Hearings, based upon estimated revenues.
Mr. Hill said based upon Councilman Disraelly's figures there was a
millage estimate of 6.58 mils. Councilwoman Kelch informed Mr. Hill that
all of the suggestions made by Councilman Disraelly were considered and
also the suggestions by Mr. Zemel and the new figures taken into con-
sideration are in the reduced suggested millage and also in the reduced
budget amount, as read at the beginning of the public hearing. Council-
woman Kelch stated the figure they have arrived at is lower than the
figure proposed by Councilman Disraelly. Mr. Gross explained the area
of the police department has a substantial increase under the new wage
increase and that was done since the time Mr. Hill was talking about.
Mr. Nathan, Woodmont, spoke. He questioned the figure of $888,000. for
the Fire Department which the City Manager had asked for and which had
been reduced to $731,000. He asked if that wasn't cutting it close.
Mr. Gross said Council had gone through the figures and the the major
increase in the figure was personnel. Mr. Nathan questioned the item
on streets, drains and parks. He felt the budget should not be reduced
on that item. Mr. Gross explained a substantial amount had been budgeted
into drainage the previous year and that was still in the fund and would
be used.
'Z41
10/1/80
/lc
No one else appeared at the Public Hearing, and the Public Hearing was
closed.
Councilman Zemel questioned the General Fund Summary Estimated Expenditures.
He noted the City Clerk requested $205,150. and the City Manager recommended
$215,770. Councilman Zemel asked Mr. Gross why that figure had been in-
creased over the recommended figure. Mr. Gross replied that the Council
increased the area during budget hearings, partly for the tape system
and part for an employee who was transferred from the Legislative to
the City Clerk's department. Also, the November Election is another area
of increase.
Councilman Zemel questioned the area of general building maintenance in
Public Works. He said the Director of Public Works asked for $190,840.
and the City Manager recommended $200,460. Councilman Zemel asked Mr.
Gross how that happened. Mr. Gross said an employee had been eliminated
and an outside janitorial maintenance service had been added, which was
approximately a $1500. difference. The departmental request column is
incorrect, that was not reduced after the employee had been eliminated.
The total requested amount should be approximately $13,000. less than
shown. Councilman Zemel said it then should be $173,840. Councilwoman
Kelch said there will be compensating revenues corning from the utility
to compensate for part of the increase.. She said there is a necessity
for the department to do a certain amount of maintenance on the utility
building and the cost will be offset by an additional revenue item
allocated to the general fund budget from the utilities west budget.
Asst. City Manager, Laura Stuurmans, said she had calculated all of
the Divisions of Public Works and in all of the Divisions the depart-
mental request was for $1,026,520. Of those departments, the total
City Manager allowance was $951,360. which is down from the total
departmental request.
Vice Mayor Massaro said she thought Public Works is where something
should be cut, there is entirely too much help in that department.
Councilwoman Kelch disagreed. She said she would not vote for any
further reduction in the Public Works Department, they are hard-pressed
for sufficient personnel and if allowances are not made in the budget
the Council is not being fiscally responsible.
Councilman Zemel asked Finance Director Steve Wood to break down the
$414,000. G & A. Mr. Gross answered the question by saying the $414,000
is made up of salary in the amount of $20,600. which includes compen-
sation for a terminating employee of $10,000. and also unemployment
insurance compensation. $48,000. was telephones for the City and
$14,800. is postage for the City. $30,000. for electricity for the City
Hall, $3,000. for water. $271,000. for electricity for streets, $20,000.
for rental equipment and $5,000. for advertising and $1,000. for office
supplies. That totals $414,000, Mr. Gross stated.
During discussion on the possible reduction of the Capital Reserve account
Vice Mayor Massaro suggested taking $100,000. out of Capital Reserve.
Mr. Gross said that area had been added after his original budget and
was strictly up to Council. Councilwoman Kelch said Councilman Disraelly
had requested that amount and he felt something had been started a few
years ago and it was a healthy attitude to take because of the necessity
for a variety of projects that were coming into the City, therefore
the program should not be postponed. Councilwoman Kelch said she agreed
they would be remiss if a small amount each year is not established
to be added to an account in order to have it on hand. Councilwoman
Kelch said she would like to see the account remain as it is. The Vice
Mayor said some of it should be removed and during the course of the
year they should tighten their belts and make it up in other areas.
Councilwoman Kelch said she did object to a compromise situation, but
she would not like to see it not included at all.
Councilman Zemel questioned the Contingency Fund - he noted it was
originally recommended by the City Manager to be $240,000. as the total
amount for the coming fiscal year Contingency Fund, which is a difference
of $144,960. between what the City Manager recommended and the final
figure. Mr. Gross said that is correct. Councilman Zemel recommended
the reduction of the $384,960. by $84,960. leaving $300,000. in the
Contingency Fund. Vice Mayor Massaro said Councilman Zemel was mixing
-5-
10/1/80
/lc
` .7
L
L
VOTE
VOTE
the Capital Reserve and Contingency funds. Vice Mayor Massaro said
she would like to see something removed from the Contingency and
Capital Reserve funds. The Vice Mayor said she would like to see
the Contingency fund dropped by $25,000 and Capital Reserve dropped
$75,000. making it a decrease of $100,000.
City Manager Gross stated he can not see reducing anything off the
Contingency fund - he said the funds are needed. He said if the
Council has to reduce a figure the only place would be the reserve
future fund, the Capital Reserve.
Councilwoman Kelch indicated she would be willing to reduce the Capital
Reserve fund to $300,000. Vice Mayor Massaro said that would only be
a reduction of $55,000. Councilwoman Kelch stated that was as far as
she would go.
Vice Mayor Massaro inquired why they can't take the one man out of
Public Works which would save another $15,000. She said the Council
should start paring somewhere. Councilwoman Ketch stated she would
agree to the reduction of $55,000. out of Capital Reserve and she
stated unequivocally that she would not vote for any further reductions
in the Budget. Councilman Zemel agreed with Councilwoman Kelch with
regard to reducing the Capital Improvement fund $55,000.
City Manager Gross- said the figures were as follows: Ad Valorem tax
needed to balance the budget - $3,082,960. which will cause a millage
of 6.4803, which is a 12.75% over the roll -back fi ure. Mr. Gross
explained that figure was arrived at by deducting B5,000 from the
Capita.-1 Reserve, $29,960., also in Capital Reserve, $9,000. from
Finance and $200. from the City Manager's office.
City Manager Gross explained that the City of Tamarac's millage is not
the whole tax picture of the City nor is it the tax picture of all
city's. He said the City of Tamarac has one of the lowest total tax
rates of any city in Broward County since the City does not have a
garbage tax, the City does not have a utility tax. Mr. Gross said
the total taxes that the people pay as residents is one of the lowest
of all the cities in Broward County.
Mr. Gross stated the actual increase this year over last year, per
thousand dollar evaluation in the City of Tamarac will be 79 cents.
based on the figure of of 6.4803 mils.
Steve Wood stated the millage in the fiscal year now ended was 5.6903
per thousand of assessed value and it is now going to 6.4803 per
thousand of assessed value, or an increase of 79 cents per thousand
dollars of assessed value.
Councilwoman Kelch MOVED that Temporary Resolution 1646 establishing
final millage rate for the City of Tamarac in the amount of 6.4803
and showing an increase of millage rate exceeding roll -back rate
of 12.75 be approved. Councilman Zemel SECONDED.
ALL VOTED AYE.
Vice Mayor Massaro MOVED adoption of Temporary Ordinance 817 adopting
the Budget for fiscal year 1980/81 in the amount of $7,240,960. and
with the changes to the original budget as set forth by the City
Manager which are the Capital Reserve Fund - $84,960. deducted;
Finance Department - $9,000. deducted; City Manager's Department
$200. deducted. Councilwoman Kelch SECONDED the Motion.
ALL VOTED AYE.
The Meeting was duly adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
V \IX C6 -A j
-MAYOR
ATTEST:
APPROVE BY
CITY COUNCIL ON/9y�
CITY CLERK
This public document was promulgated at a cost of $ 6"6 "3 6 _ or-
$ a, oo per copy, to inform the general public and public ol7rcers
and employees about recent opinions and considerations by the City
Council of the City of Tamarac.
I Me
10/1/80 /lc