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1987.09.15_TC_Minutes_Specialr TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission PUBLIC HEARING/SPECIAL MEETING Tuesday, September 15, 1987 5:01 P.M. A Public Hearing/Special Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Mary Louise G. Blosser at 5:01 P.M. in the Town Commission Chambers of Town Hall. Also present were Commissioners John J. Basso and David T. Robinson. Mayor Betty Jean Stewart and Commissioner Robert F. .Scholz were absent. Also present were Town Manager Hugh D. Williams, Town Clerk Mary Ann Mariano, and Chief Accounting Officer Stanley Novak. Vice Mayor Blosser noted that the purpose of the Public Hearing is to obtain citizen input into the 1987/88 fiscal year budget. Vice Mayor Blosser also noted that the Special Meeting was called for the purpose of considering the following three ordinances: 1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, TO EFFECT A TAX LEVY BASED UPON THE 1987 TAX ROLL OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH. • 2. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1987/88 BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1987 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1988. 3. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR UTILITY RATES, FEES AND/OR CHARGES SPECIFICALLY AMENDING HIGHLAND BEACH CODE SECTION 11-13 OF CHAPTER 11 RELATING TO GARBAGE AND TRASH CHARGES. Vice Mayor Blosser called for public comment from citizens at this time. There were no citizens desiring to be heard. Vice Mayor Blosser then opened the floor to comments by the Town Commis- sion. There were no comments to be given by either Commissioner Basso or Commissioner Robinson. Vice Mayor Blosser then asked whether it was necessary to take action at this meeting on the budget ordinances. The Town Manager noted that the required advertisement indicated that final action was to be taken at this Public Hearing. The following ordinance was then read in full by the Town Manager: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, TO EFFECT THE TAX LEVY BASED UPON THE 1987 TAX ROLL OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH. MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER BASSO/COMMISSIONER ROBINSON to adopt the ordinance as read. Under discussion, Vice Mayor Blosser asked if it was Town Commission Public Hearing/Special Meeting September 15, 1987 Page 2 of 4 necessary to adopt the appropriation ordinance if this ordinance was approved. The Town Clerk noted that this ordinance was for the purpose of effecting a tax levy wherein the following ordinance was for the purpose of appropriating funds. The vote was taken and this MOTION carried unanimously with favorable votes. The following ordinance was then read in its entirety by the Town Manager: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL REAR 1987/8.8 BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1988. C • MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER BASSO/COMMISSIONER ROBINSON to adopt the ordinance as read. Under discussion, Commissioner Robinson had a question regarding the funds included in the budget for any change in the retirement benefit offered by the Town. The Town Manager indicated that this budget included a 5~ factor for all employees. Mr. Williams indicated that if a retirement plan change was made, there was a possibility of less participation on the Town's behalf and therefore would amount to an underexpenditure of the funds allocated. Commissioner Robinson further requested information as to what funds were available should the Town Commission find a long term solution within the next budget year to solve its water problem. Mr. Williams noted that the budget presently contains approximately $238,04Jf6. in unappropriated funds, a portion of which represents the anticipated fund balance from the present year. There's also approximately $13f~,000. existing in the water depreciation fund. Mr. Williams noted that if the Town desired to interconnect with Boca Raton, such solution would entail the upgrading of the existing interconnects at a cost of approximately $25,~~0.Q10 on a short term basis. Mr. Williams continued to state his opinion that any long term solution would require the use of outside funding, i.e., bond issue, loans, etc. Vice Mayor Blosser noted her concern as to some of the funding provided for in the proposed budget and asked whether expenditures could be changed after the adoption of the budget. Mr. Williams noted that with regard to several matters which require a policy decision to be made by the Town Commission, certain expenditures could be amended. These matters would be regarding the retirement system, any implementation of the Long Report, or any amendments to the existing salary schedule. Mr. Williams further noted that there would be a mid--year budget review at which time revisions could be made. It was noted that with regard to certain capital items which had been previously authorized by the Town Commission during the budget workshops, these items would not be open to revision. Vice Mayor Blosser asked that excluding the funding for long range water plans and salary considerations would the budget stand as proposed. The Town Manager stated that with the foregoing exceptions, plus a possible difference in the solid waste collection revenue, the Town Commission Public Hearing/Special Meeting September 15, 1987 Page 3 of 4 budget would stand as proposed. Vice Mayor Blosser also asked if any of the $70,P1f~P1.00 appropriated in the legal department was earmarked for the Jap Rock litigation. Mr. Williams noted that any amounts set out in the legal department was an educated guess and not broken out into specific litigations. The vote on the MOTION to adopt this ordinance was then taken and carried unanimously with favorable votes. The Vice Mayor voted 'aye', noting the policy decisions which had been heretofore addressed. In regard to the third ordinance scheduled for consideration at this meeting regarding the provision of utility rates, specifically relating to garbage and trash charges, Mr. Williams requested this matter be deferred. The Town Manager noted that a special session of the State Legislature is being called for consideration of the 5o service tax which had been implemented by Governor Martinez. Should the service tax be eliminated from municipal governments, the numbers that are being used to charge residents for garbage charges may change. Mr. Williams • requested that we hold this matter until the end of the special session to determine the necessity of the increase. Mr. Williams further noted that the next utility billing would not be sent until November and requested that this item be re--addressed during October. Vice Mayor Blosser then requested that the Town Manager report on a letter received this date from Camp Dresser & McKee, the Town's Engineers. Mr. Williams indicated that the Town's contract with Camp Dresser & McKee provided for the opting out of same by either the Town or the Engineers with a 30 day written notice. Camp Dresser & McKee submitted notice to the Town that they would no longer be available for any new projects. They will be available to follow through on the pending projects, including the interim well, the THM project, and the long range water report; however, would not take on any new projects with the-Yawn. Mr. Williams indicated that it was his opinion this was a corporate decision. Copies of this letter will be distributed to the Town Commission. It was noted that Camp Dresser & McKee would still be meeting with South Florida Water Management District to pursue the Town's water solution and further that they have offered to assist the Town in the selection of any new firm. Mr. Williams indicated that he would solicit requests for proposals from engineers in order to begin an evaluation. This matter will be taken up by the October Workshop. It is also the understanding of the Town Manager that Camp Dresser & McKee will be available for any pending litigation. • There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this Public Hearing/Special Meeting, same was adjourned at 5:2f6 P.M. Town Commission Public Hearing/Special Meeting September 15, 1987 • Page 4 of 4 APPROVED: ~ Betty Jean Stewart, Mayor mac. ~~=~'~C. Mar L uis G Blosser, Vice Mayor ~~ J hn asso, Commissioner ~~av\id Robinson,` ommissioner 'C~' ; - ~~ Robert Fes' Scholz, Commissione ATT T: c,~c~/ OWN CLE K • DATE : ~~ - y_~ :7