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Home My WebLink About2003-09-24 Special Budget Meeting City Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to order Mayor Anton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mayor: Bob Anton Vice-Mayor: C.K. McElyea Commissioners: Robert Chunn Pat Flury Bob Mikes City Attorney: Tom Ansbro City Manager: Ivan Pato City Clerk: Charlene Johnson 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Patricia Varney, Finance Director, explained that this was the final hearing on the Fiscal Year 2003-04 budget. She advised that there were no changes made as a result of the September 11, 2003, Proposed Budget Hearing, however, staff was asked to review the beach parking permit discount for senior citizens. She advised that a $5 discount would decrease revenues by approximately $2,600.00, however, because the amount was minimal, the 2003-04 budget was not amended to reflect the decrease. Director Varney also advised that $50,000 for debt service was budgeted in the General Fund, however, it actually belongs in the Capital Project Fund. The General Fund bottom line will remain the same, however, the Capital Project Fund will be increased by $50,000. The $50,000 will not result in any increase in fees nor will it result in an increase in the millage rate. The millage rate will remain at 6.39 mils. Vice-Mayor McElyea felt that the City would loose revenue if the beach parking permit fee for senior citizens were increased from $15 to $30. Commissioner Mikes suggested that the beach parking permit fee for senior citizens be increased to $20 this year and to $25 next year. In response to Mayor Anton, Director Varney advised that revenues would MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING decrease by approximately $7,800 if the beach parking permit fee for senior citizens were reduced to $20. In response to Commissioner Flury, Director Varney advised that the City would save approximately $18,000 the first year, by hiring an in-house attorney, excluding office space. Commissioner Flury was of the opinion that an in-house attorney should be included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2003-04. Director Varney advised that the amount set aside in the contingency fund for Fiscal Year 2003-04 was $508,634. She also advised that $500,000 was being held in reserve for airport related matters. Commissioner Mikes asked Director Varney to provide a report indicating what debt service the City has carried for the past five years as well as the anticipated debt service for the next five years. He also asked that the report include various amounts of credit available to the City at various interest rates. 3.1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AS REQUIRED BY THE CITY CHARTER AND SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES, APPROVING THE MILLAGE RATE NECESSARY . TO BE LEVIED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2003-04 AND REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS OR PARTS OF RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor Anton stated the following: "In accordance with Florida Statute 200.065, (2)(e)1, the first substantive issue discussed shall be the percentage increase in millage over the rolled-back rate necessary to fund the FY 2003-04 budget. For fiscal year 2003-04, the City of Dania Beach has tentatively adopted a millage rate of 6.39 which is a 9.04% increase over the rolled-back rate of 5.86 on September 11, 2003, in order to provide the level of service to our citizens. The Commission will first discuss the millage only and then open to the public for comments." There were no comments from the Commission. Mayor Anton opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, the public hearing was closed. City Attorney Ansbro read the resolution title. Mayor Anton entertained a motion to set the final millage rate. A motion was made by Commissioner Chunn, seconded by Commissioner • Mikes, to adopt the resolution approving the final millage rate at 6.39 for FY 2003-04. MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING • The motion passed on the following 5/0 roll call vote: Commissioner Chunn - yes Vice-Mayor McElyea - yes Commissioner Flury — yes Mayor Anton — yes Commissioner Mikes - yes 3.2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AS REQUIRED BY THE CITY CHARTER AND SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES, APPROVING ITS ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2003-04; PROVIDING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING WHEN OBJECTIONS THERETO WILL BE HEARD AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING SAME WILL BE ANSWERED; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor Anton stated the following: "In accordance with Florida Statutes and the City Charter, the City Manager has submitted to the Commission a proposed General Fund Budget of$28,191,260; a Grant Fund Budget of $380,472; a Capital Projects Fund Budget of$2,138,624; a Stormwater Enterprise Fund Budget of$1,378,136; a Water Enterprise Fund Budget of $4,974,663 and a Sewer Enterprise Fund Budget of$2,931,970. The budget is now open to the Commission for discussion first and then to the public." There were no comments by the Commission. Mayor Anton opened the public hearing. Joe Van Aren, Triangle Village Association, questioned whether the request for $35,000 to fund a comprehensive neighborhood redevelopment plan for the Triangle Village section of Dania Beach Heights was included in the 2003-2004 budget. Director Varney advised that no funds were dedicated for neighborhood redevelopment in the Dania Beach Heights section. Commissioner Mikes clarified that discussions were held that indicated that the City would probably dedicate monies toward neighborhood redevelopment after the lawsuit with Reuters was settled, which would produce a substantial amount of funds to the City. Mr. Van Aren thought it was a shame that $500,000 was allocated for airport related issues and nothing for neighborhood redevelopment in this year's budget. • Mayor Anton clarified that funds were not included in the 2003-04 budget, but he was hopeful that funds would become available for neighborhood MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING • redevelopment in the near future. He advised that promises were made to citizens in the western portion of the City that need to be met also. Commissioner Chunn advised Mr. Van Aren that there may be other funding options available for neighborhood redevelopment from other outside agencies. Mr. Van Aren asked the Commission to consider designating Dania Beach Heights as an historic neighborhood district. Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed. City Attorney Ansbro read the title of the resolution. Mayor Anton entertained a motion to adopt the final budget resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Chunn, seconded by Commissioner Flury, to adopt the resolution approving the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2003-04. The motion passed on the following 5/0 roll call vote: Commissioner Chunn - yes Vice-Mayor McElyea - yes Commissioner Flury— yes Mayor Anton —yes • Commissioner Mikes - yes 3.3 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, "BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION", OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 6-33, "SCHEDULE OF CHARGES", TO INCREASE THE PARKING FEES FOR PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SECOND READING) City Attorney Ansbro read the ordinance title. He explained that the proposed ordinance would increase beach parking fees from $1.00 per hour to $1.25 per hour and would increase the fee for beach parking permits from $20 per year to $35 per year. Mayor Anton opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments in favor or opposition, the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by Commissioner Flury, seconded by Commissioner Chunn, to adopt the ordinance amending the Code on second and final reading. The motion passed on the following 5/0 roll call vote: Commissioner Chunn - yes Vice-Mayor McElyea - yes • Commissioner Flury—yes Mayor Anton — yes Commissioner Mikes - yes MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING .' 3.4 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, "BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION", OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 6-33, "SCHEDULE OF CHARGES", TO PROVIDE FOR A SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT OF FIVE DOLLARS ($5.00) FROM THE STANDARD RATE OF THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($35.00) FOR PARKING PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (FIRST READING) City Attorney Ansbro read the ordinance title. He explained that if the discount amount is changed, the ordinance would have to be rewritten and re-advertised. Mayor Anton opened the public hearing. George Jason, 4549 SW 37 Avenue, spoke in opposition of the ordinance. Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Director Varney advised that the expired beach stickers for senior citizens would need to be extended until the ordinance is adopted on final reading. • A motion was made by Commissioner Flury, seconded by Commissioner Chunn, to deny the adoption of the ordinance. The motion passed on the following 5/0 roll call vote: Commissioner Chunn - yes Vice-Mayor McElyea - yes Commissioner Flury— yes Mayor Anton — yes Commissioner Mikes - yes Vice-Mayor McElyea and Commissioner Chunn agreed that the fee for a beach parking permit for senior citizens should remain at $15 per year. Mayor Anton, Commissioner Flury and Commissioner Mikes agreed that the fee should be set at $20 per year. City Attorney Ansbro was directed to amend the ordinance to reflect a senior citizen discount of$15.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Flury, seconded by Vice-Mayor McElyea, to direct the City Manager to negotiate a contract with the existing City Attorney as an employee of the City. City Attorney Ansbro advised that the City Attorney is not entitled to a contract under the present City Charter. • Commissioner Mikes was of the opinion that action should not be taken on important issues unless the issue is published on the agenda. He felt that MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING • a public hearing should be held on the issue. Commissioner Chunn and Vice-Mayor McElyea concurred with Commissioner Mikes. In response to Mayor Anton's concern over legality, City Attorney Ansbro stated that the issue was a budgetary concern and could be addressed at this time. Commissioner Flury advised that she raised the issue because it was a budgetary concern and was of the opinion that any line item included in the proposed budget could and should be discussed during the public hearing. The motion was withdrawn, however, the City Manager was directed to negotiate an employment agreement with City Attorney Ansbro to bring back to the Commission for action. 4. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. ATTEST: ob nton CMayor— Cog., sioner Charlene Jok on, City Clerk Respectfully submitted by Nanci Denny Approved: November 12, 2003 MINUTES 6 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING