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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-09 - City Commission Public Hearing Meeting Minutes5811 f10RTHWESI- 88TH AVENUE TAMAF3AC, FL-ORIDA 33321 TEL_EP14ONE (305) 722-5900 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL TAMARAC, FLORIDA Please be advised that the City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Friday, October 9, 1981 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers of City Hall, 5811 N.W. 88th Avenue. The following items will be considered for discussion and action: Item #1: Ad Valorem Taxes - Temporary Resolution No-2058 - Discussion and possible action to adopt the Ad Valorem tax rate to fund the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 1981/82. Item #2: General Fund Budget - Temporary Ordinance No.924 - Discussion and possible action to adopt the Budget not to exceed $8,103,444 for Fiscal Year 1981/82. Second Reading. Item #3: Special funds -- Temporary Ordinance #917- Discussion and possible action to adopt the Capital Reserve, Debt Service, Parks and Recreation; Police Education; Self Insurance; and Drainage Improvement Fund Budgets for Fiscal Year 1981/82 on Second Reading. Item #4: Federal Revenue Sharing - Temporary Ordinance #918 - Discussion and possible action to adopt the annual Federal Revenue Sharing Budget for the 13th Entitlement Period - Fiscal Year 1981/82 on Second Reading. The legislation and budgets are available for review and purchase by the public in the Office of the City Clerk weekdays - 8:30 to 5:00. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting. The City Council may consider such other matters as may come before it. Mar lyn Be of , City Clerk 10/2/81 r CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING SPECIAL FUNDS/FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING OCTOBER 9, 1981 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Falck called the Special Meeting to order on Friday, October 9, 1981 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Walter W. Falck Vice --Mayor Irving M. Disraelly Councilman Irving Zemel Councilman Philip B. Kravitz Councilwoman Helen Massaro ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Arthur Birken Finance Director Steve Wood City Manager Laura Stuurmans Mayor Falck read the Notice of Public Hearing. The following items will be considered for discussion and action: Mayor Falck stated that the discussion would be on City Budget not County Budget. Item #5: Deposits and Withdrawals of City Funds - Temp. Reso.1f2059 SYNOPSIS: Agendized by consent (see Page 5 ) Vice -Mayor Disraelly MOVED that they agendize by consent a resolution pertaining to deposits and withdrawals of City Funds. SECONDED by C/W Massaro. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. Item #1: Ad Valorem Taxes_- Tem . Reso. #2058. Discussion and possible action to adopt the Ad Valorem tax rate to fund the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 1981/82. SYNOPSIS: Public hearing continued to Monday, October 12, 1981 at 5:05 p.m. The City Attorney said that in 1980 the State Legislature set up what they considered to be a response to Proposition 13. That response was called the "Trim Bill". That state law sets forth the very detailed procedures to be followed in the enactment of municipal budgets and municipal tax rates. The City, in an effort to comply with the "Trim Hill", which has a very detailed and stringent time requirement for notice, inadvertantly had a typographical error in the notice that was sent to the Fort Lauderdale Dews for the second hearing. Accordingly, Council should conduct the public hearings which were announced for tonight and should continue those public hearings until Monday at 5:05 p.m. at which time the public hearings should continue. A notice of Monday's hearing was placed in the newspaper. On the question of the millage rate itself, if the City Council desires to proceed in accord- ance with the action that was taken on first reading (on October 1) and set the millage rate at the roll -back rate (the amount of dollars needed from ad valorem tax revenue sources to equal the amount of dollars received last year). There has been some question on the part of all the cities as to what assessment role from the Property Appraiser is, in fact, to be followed. As Council recalls, in August the City received certification from the Property Appraiser's office under which our roll -back rate would have been 4.9594 mils. We subsequently received a letter dated September 24, 1981 from the Property Appraiser's office and under the term of that letter, the roll -back rate should have been 4.644 mils. The resolution that was - 1 - 10/9/81 /pm enacted on October 1 was conveyed to the Property Appraiser's office. They have been in touch with us and, while they have reservations whether the second roll will be accepted, it is their opinion officially that the City should use the figure setforth in the September 24th letter and go with 4.644 mil figure as being the rolled -back rate. They advised us today that the interim roll, if there is an interim roll, will be the second assessment. Accordingly, it would be staff recommendation that on Monday (if the information does not change), that the Council proceed and go with the 4.644 mil figure if in fact Council desires to adopt the roll --back rate. That would be a lower millage figure for the people than the figure that is in the Resolution. To further comply with the "Trim Bill", Attorney Birken continued to read in full the Tax Millage Resolution as proposed. Under that "Trim Bill" the tax amount is to be discussed prior to discussion of the budget. Subsequent to the enactment of the millage resolution then Council may conduct a public hearing on the budget. The Mayor addressed the public stating that the discussion will concern the city budget and city millage; not assessments, county taxes, or school taxes and opened the public hearing. Mr. Don Pearlman addressed the Council saying that he has spoken to several people and they have affirmed that the second assessment is the right one. The first figure (4.9594) was prior to the 6% when Mr. Markham was requested to raise the roll. He said one of the faults he actually finds is what actually happened and why various agencies say they are only going up 5% or 10% and yet the citizens are receiving huge bills. Fie congratulated Virginia Taylor for being present at a meeting concerning the school board commending her interest. Fie stated that in the eastern part of the county, where most of the county is being assessed at about 20% of what their resale values; whereas, in the western portion we were at a 40% rate. With the new assessments, a 50% rate is now being realized throughout the county. He pointed out that the people living in the western portion were not hurt as much as those in the eastern portion of the county because of the difference in their percentage. Under normal circumstances these bills should roll back the millage rates as long as elected officials do not take advantage of these higher assessments. As the assessments in the county increase, the state's obligation back to the county is lessened. On August 10 the school board (with a millage set by the state at 4.51) generated $93,000,000. They also had another $31,000,000 generated in a Discretionary Fund. After they passed that the County had to go up 6%. On the new hearing of Friday, October 2, the school board (with the same 4.51 set by state law) is going to generate $100,000,000. The Discretionary Funds should have gone down $7,000,000 but it did not, it stayed stationary. The state obligation on August 10 was going to contribute $143,000,000 to the county. Now, with the new taxes they are only going to contribute $136,000,000. The point is, if Mr. Markham is going to be asked to raise the millage assessments again, the taxation of the people in the county is going to increase considerably because it will not be rolled back because it is set by the state. Also, in 1980 Mr. Markham was supposed to raise all assessments county -wide but he did not and now the state is requesting $30,000,000 from the county (and the county is being sued because of this). If the state wins this then approximately 3 mils from every citizen in this county will have to be collected against the 1980 tax roll. If it goes any higher the burden will be very great on the citizens. Mr. Pearlman asked that the County should not take advantage of higher assessments and should try to live within the inflationary 10% (approximate) over last years operating dollars, trying to live within our means. The Mayor closed the public hearing as no one else wanted to speak on the subject of millage. - 2 - 10/9/81 /pm Vice -Mayor Disraelly 140VED that Temp. #2058 establishing the millage be continued for public hearing until Monday at 5:05 p.m. on ad valorem taxes. C/W Massaro SECONDED. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. Item #2: General Fund Budget - Temp. Ord. #924 - Discussion and Possible action to adopt the Budget not to exceed $8,103,444 for Fiscal Year 1981/82. Second Reading. SYNOPSIS: Public hearing continued to Monday, October 12, 1981, at 5:05 p.m. Attorney Birken read Temp. Ord. #924 by title. Mayor Falck opened the discussion to the public. Melanie Reynolds questioned the Council concerning rumors she heard stating that, if the budget is passed, four people would be hired for the Police Department. The Mayor said if, at that time, the Council sees fit to hire four people, then this would be done. Mr. Hyman Fox spoke next. He said he noticed an item "Polygraph Machine", his question concerned whether there is anyone being hired to run this machine or will it be of no value to the city. Laura Stuurmans said it is a $3,000 expenditure and there is provision in the budget for training of existing personnel.. Mr. Morris Landman said the amount the city expects to receive from property taxes is $3,300,000; Is that part of an overall plan -- agricultural, industrial, commercial, business, residential? Mr. Wood, Finance Director, said as a municipal government in Broward County, the only information that is provided is the gross valuation of all properties within the city limits. The Property Appraiser does not break them down or index them in any way. TAPE Mr. Landman next asked about the franchise taxes. He said he noticed 2 one in particular --the cable TV ---saying there is a $2,000 increase from last year. Considering the number of people who have moved into this city, along with the number who have increased their cable TV service, it is a small amount that the city could be collecting from them. Mr. Wood said they get a certified figure from cable TV stating their volume and the estimated figure from two years ago was only $18,000. They received $20,000 and upgraded that to $22,000. He said they would rather underestimate the income than overestimate the income and find the city short if it doesn't come in. Mr. Landman next referred to expenditures. Fie mentioned that he noticed an increase in the amount for Finance Dept. elimination entirely of "independent audit". He asked if the city was going to an in-house auditor by bid? Mr. Wood explained that there used to be a line item called "in -- dependent audit"; that line item has been incorporated under "G and A" General and Administrative, expenditures because, basically that is what it is. The auditing firm is Alexander Grant & Co. and is under the competitive negotiations act. Mr. Landman asked if the purchase of computers for the city would reduce the labor force at all. C/W Massaro said that it merely permits better service and more facts at the city's disposal at all times. Mayor Falck stated that with the steady growth of the City, were it not for the computers, there would be a greater need for more personnel. 10/9/81 /pm r � � Mr. Manny Bergman, from Westwood 24, said he noticed on the budget the allocations for police vehicles, polygraph equipment, etc. but not the addition of more patrolmen. His concerns lie with several burglaries in his neighborhood. He questioned whether more police could be obtained especially at night. C/M Zemel answered by saying the average rate approved by police associations around the country for the number of police,•officers versus the number of residents is less than 2 to 1. Tamarac has more than 2 for each thousand residents in the city. There are 50 police officers plus 10 others who are supervisory and there are between 25 and 30 vehicles. There will be 2 police officers added to the force this year with 2 police officers involved in code enforcement. There are double shifts most of the week, there are certain days where crime increases and the shift would double as needed; in order to put one police officer on the street, five must be hired. C/M Zemel mentioned that most of the burglaries that are taking place occur in homes that are shut down for the summer. Mr. Hyman Fox spoke next, and addressed the Mayor's question as to whether Mr. Bergman and his neighbors had a crime watch program in their area. He said the crime watch program would be more effective if there was more publicity about crimes that occur in Tamarac. Ile feels the City is neglectful in the crime reports that appear in the newspapers and because of this, people are lulled into a false sense of security. He said Sunrise Phase III is setting up a program which his neighborhood is going to follow also. It requires the use of CB and volunteers from the community; however, crime watch will not be effective unless people know there are crimes in the neighborhood. C/M Zemel said the accusations by reporters or anyone concerning the alleged police cover-up of crimes in Tamarac is complete nonsense. Anyone can ask for the Public Relations Officer of the Police Dept. and get individual sheets for the crimes committed for the last 30 to 60 days. Mr. Wolberg of Section 23 suggested more surveillance by the Council of the Police. Fie asked the Council what they are doing concerning purchasing equipment from the Government at no cost to the City. C/M Zemel said that he can suggest to administration that they look into this. The Mayor asked for more discussion from the public; after no response he closed this portion of the public hearing. Vice -Mayor Disraelly MOVED to continue the public hearing on Temp. Ord. #924, SECONDED by C/W Massaro. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. Item #3Special Funds: Temp. Ord. #917 - Discussion and possible action to adopt the Capital Reserve, Debt Service, Parks & Recreation; Police Education; Self Insurance; and Drainage Improvement Fund Budgets for Fiscal Year 1981/82 on Second Reading. SYNOPSIS: Temp. #917 approved on Second Reading. Ordinance No.17-1/- PASSED. Attorney Birken read the Ordinance by title. Mayor Falck opened the discussion to the public. No response was received so this portion as closed. C/W Massaro MOVED for the adoption of Temp. Ord. #917. SECONDED by Vice -Mayor Disraelly. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. -- 4 - 10/9/81 /pm Item #4: Federal Revenue Shaiing: Temp. Ord. #918 Discussion and Possible action to adopt the annual Federal Revenue Sharing Budget for the 13th Entitlement Period - Fiscal Year 1981/82 on Second Reading. SYNOPSIS: Temp. Ord. #918 Approved on Second Reading. Ordinance No. 0 -- & V PASSED Attorney Birken read the Ordinance by title. Mayor Falck opened the discussion to the public. Melanie Reynolds addressed the Council asking what the amount of $2,000 for Public Works is for? Laura Stuurmans answered that the amount is for an ashphalt roller and for a utility bldg. and appurtenances up at the complex; large subsidiary buildings where paint and chemicals could be stored away from the workers. In response to a question by Ms. Reynolds regarding communications equipment, Ms. Stuurmans said the City hopes to create a communica- tions network between the police, fire, public works and the utility services --radio linkage on one frequency. The public hearing was closed after no further response. C/W Plassaro MOVED for the adoption of Temp. Ord. #918. SECONDED by Vice -Mayor Disraell.y. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. Item #5: Deposits and Withdrawals of City Funds - Tem . Reso. #2059. SYNOPSIS: Temp. #2059 Approved. Agendized by Consent. Resolution 110.AO—Kl- 9/6 PASSED Attorney Birken read the Resolution by title. C/W Massaro MOVED for the adoption of Temp. Res. #2059. SECONDED by Vice -Mayor Disraelly. C/M Kravitz had two questions on the Resolution: (1) Should it be Summit Bank since they were taken over by Gulf Stream? (2) Seeing the signatures on that account it would seem, that as liaison to Finance, that somewhere along the line the liaison should be a signature on withdrawals on checks. Mr. Birken answered that concerning the first question: the bank had given a model resolution showing how the bank was modified; they have not indicated that they were interested in the name being Gulf Stream. They did provide the form resolution which we modified. On the second question, the members of the Council would be decided among themselves. The Mayor suggested adopting the Resolution and take it under advisement. VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by PZayor Falck. ATTEST: ASS'. CITY CLERK -- 5 - C4� & 4La /*9tMAYOR 10/9/81 /pm M M This public document was promulgated at a cost of $ or $ � 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. APPROti� Oy C! COUNCIL Oil 56� 10/9/81 /pm