2018.08.06_TC_Minutes_Workshop TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
Town Hall/Commission Chambers Date: August 6, 2018
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 11:00 AM
Highland Beach, Florida
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Carl Feldman called the Special Meeting to order at 11:00 AM.
PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL:
Mayor Carl Feldman
Vice Mayor Alysen A. Nila
Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker
Commissioner Elyse Riesa
Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman
Town Attorney Pamala Ryan
Interim Town Manager William Thrasher
Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins
Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commission, followed by a moment of silence.
Civility Pledge:
Town Clerk Gaskins recited the Civility Pledge.
1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
There were no public comments.
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Date: August 6, 2018
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3. PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2018-2019:
Finance Director Cale Curtis presented this item.
Finance Director Curtis referred to the "Updates to Proposed Budget as of July 27, 2018". He
reviewed the changes made to the proposed budget at the July 26, 2018 meeting. The tentative
maximum millage rate was set at 3.1204.
Vice Mayor Nil a requested the reduction in the legal fees budget be brought back to the original
amount set forth in the budget.
Commissioner Zelniker questioned "Protective Inspection-Personnel Services" increase for
salary and benefits for the Building Department and the funds for the Public Information
Coordinator. Finance Director Curtis explained.
Discussion ensued with regard to the hiring of an Assistant to the Town Manager/Public
Information Coordinator qualifications needed and the money allotted for this position.
4. COMMISSION REVIEW, QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS:
Page 8 — Town Manager — Discussion ensued with regard to the hiring of an Assistant to the
Town Manager/Public Information Coordinator, qualifications need and the money allotted for
this position.
Page 8— Finance — Discussion ensued with regard to the need for a part-time accounting clerk.
This item was to be removed from the budget.
Page 8 — Town Commission — Mayor Feldman questioned the $140,000 for an environmental
consultant contractual firm. Finance Director Curtis explained. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner Zelniker questioned "Police" — dispatch services on Page 9. Chief Hartmann
explained. Discussion ensued with regard to this item.
Page 8 — Public Works (Chart) — Mayor Feldman questioned this item. Finance Director
explained that this was due to the referendum not being passed.
Commissioner Riesa read an article from the Coastal Star with regard to rising seas into the
record. She asked Public Works Director Soper what was being done for maintenance to cover
this issue. Public Works Director Soper explained that there are things being done with regard to
the storm water outfalls and there will be a list of prioritizes repairs that are needed in the
upcoming budget. Discussion ensued with regard to the seawalls that are private, raising lift
stations and building codes. He explained the reason for the money added to the budget. There
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Date: August 6, 2018
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was further discussion regarding the climate study for raising the lift stations. It was the
consensus of the Commission to leave the $35,000 in the budget.
Discussion ensued with regard to the part-time person in the Water Department going full-time.
It was the consensus of the Commission to keep this item in the budget.
Page 5 — Building Permit Revenues (Chart) — Mayor Feldman questioned this amount. Finance
Director Curtis explained. Discussion ensued with regard to the Impact Fees Study, the increase
in permit fees and the Construction Management Plan relating to parking fines.
Commissioner Riesa asked the Town Attorney to look at the SafeBuilt contract since they have
not been abiding by that contract.
Page 5—Fund 335.150—Alcoholic Beverages— Commissioner Gossett-Seidman questioned this
item. Finance Director Curtis explained. Commissioner Gossett-Seidman asked Finance
Director Curtis to look into the beverage license tax revenues and other taxes that the Town may
be missing.
Discussion on the Line items as follows:
Page 21 — Town Commission Budget — Vice Mayor Nila requested the following be put into the
budget for the Commissioners: expense account or charge card; additional money for any
Commissioner who wishes to have more than two shirts and the Commissioners have input in the
budget as to what they would like.
Discussion ensued with regard to Vice Mayor's request. It was the consensus of the
Commission to add $1,500.00 per Commissioner into the budget and add as a credit card holder.
Page 26 — Highlander Newsletter — Discussion ensued with regard to the mailings for the
Highlander and mailings for any projects or events for the Town including email blasts. It was
the consensus of the Commission to add $2,000 to the budget and publish the Highlander once a
year(Winter/Fall edition).
Page 23 — Cell Phone Service for Commissioners — Mayor Feldman does not have a cell phone.
The amount is reduced by $500.00. Discussion ensued with regard to the billing and the
employee stipend for their personal cell phone use. Commissioner Riesa suggested the
employees who require using a cell phone be given a town cell phone and not have to use their
personal cell phone. It was the consensus of the Commission to have the Finance Director look
at eliminating the cell phone stipend and provide a town cell phone.
Page 28—Light up the Holidays— Discussion ensued with regard to the lighting and decorations
for the Town Hall complex. The amount budgeted would increase to an amount of up to
$35,000.
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Date: August 6, 2018
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Page 33 — Town Manager Professional Fees — It was the consensus of the Commission to
remove this item from the budget.
Page 98 OGG Professional Fees/ IT Services — Finance Director Curtis explained the IT
contractual services fees. Discussion ensued with regard to the Town having their own IT
person.
Page 105 — OGG/Bank fees—Finance Director Curtis explained the reason for the cost reduction
in this item.
Page 64 — Legal Other/Collective Bargaining Negotiations — This item was removed from the
budget.
Page 56—Finance —Xerox Copy Machine — Discussion ensued with regard to a copy machine in
the Finance Department.
Page 109— OGG/Cell phone repeater system— Finance Director Curtis explained that the reason
for purchasing this system is due to the fact that reception in the Town Hall area is very poor.
Public Works Director Soper described the device and its function. It was the consensus of the
Commission to remove this item from the budget.
Page 132 — Building and Zoning/Continuing Education Classes — Carol Holland, Office
Manager explained the necessary classes needed for training.
Town Clerk Gaskins requested the Commission increase the Building Department budget by
$27,000 for scanning purposes. She provided an explanation for the increase. Discussion
ensued with regard to the use of this system and public records requests.
It was the consensus of the Commission to move forward with this scanning project. Town
Clerk Gaskins will provide Finance Director Curtis with an annual fee going forward.
Page 125 — Police/Replacement of Patrol Vehicle — Commissioner Zelniker inquired about the
cost of an electric car. Police Chief Craig Hartmann explained that the police car uses the battery
system differently than an overland vehicle. Most of the cars are in a stationery position running
full service most of the time. There are no charging stations here at Town Hall. Chief Hartmann
will look into electric police cars for the future.
Page 83 — Replacement of Street signs — Discussion ensued with regard to replacing the street
signs at this time or wait for the Ocean Walk and More project for consistency. It was the
consensus of the Commission to move forward with replacing the signs at this time.
Page 87 — Public Works/Replace 2005F-350 Boom Truck — Finance Director Curtis explained
the cost for this item and how the funds are covered.
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Date: August 6, 2018
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Page 156 — Penny Infrastructure Surtax — Finance Director Curtis explained this cost for the
walk path overlay and the Landscape Architect fees for"Ocean Walk and More"
Page 104 — OGG/Commission Office — Vice Mayor Nila questioned if there was money in the
budget to redecorate this room. Finance Director Curtis explained that it is in this year's budget.
Vice Mayor Nil a requested the Commissioners have input with the decorating of their office.
Discussion ensued with regard to the cost for the LED lighting. Finance Director Curtis will
look into this.
Page 129 Fire-Rescue/Fire Alarm System — Public Works Director Soper explained the cost and
the reason for the replacement.
Commissioner Riesa asked if the Police Department was providing security for St. Lucy Church.
Police Chief Hartmann replied that they were not doing that at this time.
5. COMMISSION BUDGET MEETINGS:
August 14, 2018 at 10:00 AM— Budget Workshop Meeting
August 29, 2018 at 1:30 PM—Budget Workshop Meeting
September 6, 2018 at 5:01 PM—First Budget Public Hearing
September 18, 2018 at 5:01 PM — Second Budget Public Hearing (subject to change due to a
religious holiday).
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSED AT MEETING ONLY:
There were no public comments.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Feldman called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION: Commissioner Zelniker moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:23 PM. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Gossett-Seidman, which passed unanimously.
Town Commission Special Minutes
Date: August 6, 2018
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APPROVED:
C'krl Feldman, o
Commissioner
, Commissioner
ATTEST: Transcribed by: Rosalie DeMartino
4elda Gaskins, MC Date
Town Clerk