08-23-05 FY 2005-2006 Budget WS - Item 1b11 a
City of South Miami
FY 2005/06 Budget Workshop
Summary Minutes
August 23, 2005
CALL TO ORDER:
The City Commission of the City of South Miami, Florida
convened on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, beginning at 7:12 p.m., in
the City Commission Chambers, 6130 Sunset Drive, for the
presentation of the proposed FY 2005 /06 budget.
The following members of the City Commission were present:
Mayor Mary Scott Russell, Vice Mayor Palmer and Commissioners
Marie Birts- Cooper and Craig Z. Sherar. Commissioner Randy G.
Wiscombe was absent.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Maria V. Davis,
Finance Director Hakeem Oshikoya, City Attorney Luis Figueredo
and City Clerk Maria M. Menendez.
1. Comments by the Administration
At this time Ms. Davis introduced the Budget and Finance
Committee members present: Lew Sellers, Henry Farfan, Manuel
Paucar and Suzanne Gilmore.
2. Presentation by the Budget and Finance Committee
Chairperson Sellers conducted the presentation of the
Committee's Report with the following points of suggestions and
recommendations:
Fees:
• To review the fees we charge in comparison to other cities
Revenues:
• The bricks on Down Avenue — announce it by placing article in
the City's newsletter
• Occupational license fees -3% increase
• Long -term leases — locate /analyze City -owned properties and
determine whether we are charging proper rent
• Increase fees and charge cancellation fee for parks and
pavilions
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• Parks —check into providing pavilion(s) for the YMCA property
with appropriate rental fees to better utilize assets
General Expenses
• Shot the lights off at large fields of parks after events.
• ( *)Pension Board administration —to look at expenses and
quality of services.
• Records management —to consider implementation of electronic
document management.
• Arborist —to consider a contractual worker rather than a
full -time permanent position.
• Training —to develop a plan to hold employees responsible for
utilizing the training they have received.
( *) Since the above recommendation relating to the Pension Board
prompted various questions from the Commission, Mayor Russell
asked Hakeem to provide the Commission with actuary reports for
their information on that issue.
Mr. Sellers based the Committee's recommendation for the
reduction in the millage rate from 7.213 to 6.9 mills on the
following possible cuts:
• Arborist $ 61,799
• P. Planner 37,477
• Receptionist 17,359
• Design Sunset II Charrette 75,000
• Debt svc for the Dison ppty 135,000
• Part -time maintenance ( Dison) 10,238
• 50% from Contingency Fund 50,000
Suggested total savings: $386,873
Mr. Sellers concluded the presentation of the Committee and
said that they would welcome any questions from the Commission.
At this junction Ms. Davis advised that it would be
dangerous to cut the Contingency Fund by 50% since that money is
there for the purpose of not tapping into the reserves in case of
an emergency, such as with a hurricane hit.
3. City Commission Discussion
Vice Mayor Palmer referred to the proposed new positions
saying that she does not think that we should spend the money we
have been able to save so far by hiring new employees. Instead,
she said that we should try to reduce the millage rate. Vice
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AUGUST 23, 2005
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Mayor Palmer also said that we need to separate the CRA from the
Planning and Zoning Department, and that the CRA should have its
separate director. She also said that another planner may not be
needed.
Ms. Davis said that we have been highly complimented by the
County on how well our CRA is running. She also explained that
the new position for a planner that she is recommending is
because of the volume that has fallen over the Planning and
Zoning Department recently with all the huge projects coming to
our City, such as the Red Road Commons, the Bank, Winn Dixie and
others. She said that she would not ask for something that we do
not need.
Mayor Russell said that she would not want to see a cut on
the Dison property. She then suggested that for saving purposes
we may pursue the idea of "adopt -a- park" volunteer program. She
said that there are many residents that have expertise in the
landscaping field who might be willing to help.
Vice Mayor Palmer inquired about the grant relating to the
Dison property.
Ms. Davis said that if we get the grant money for the Dison
property, the budgeted money for that purpose will go back into
the reserves.
Commissioner Sherar referred to the CRA and discussed some
of the costs versus the contribution that the agency represents
in terms of the services provided by the City.
4. Adjournment
With no further comments or discussion, the Workshop was
adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
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AUGUST 23, 2005