09-27-95 v CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
September 27, 1995, 6:00 P.M.
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
AGENDA
Call to order
1. Public Hearing and adoption of Resolution No. 95-29 setting the millage rate to be levied
on all real and personal property for FY 1995/96
2. Public Hearing and adoption of Resolution No. 95-30 adopting an operating budget for
FY 1995/96
3. Any other business
Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS AT 6:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 27, 1995
Present: Lyman T. Fletcher, Mayor
Steven M. Rosenbloom, Commissioner
Suzanne Shaughnessy, Commissioner
J. Dezmond Waters, III, Commissioner
Robert G. Weiss, Commissioner
And: Kim D. Leinbach, City Manager
James R. Jarboe, Deputy City Manager
Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney
Maureen King, City Clerk
1. Public hearing and adoption of Resolution No. 95-29 setting the millage rate to be
levied on all real and personal property for FY 1995/96
The Mayor called the meeting to order and announced that the first item of business was to adopt
Resolution No. 95-29 to set the millage rate. He presented in full, in writing, Resolution No. 95-
29 and opened the floor for a public hearing and invited comments from the audience.
Alan Potter, Second Street, objected to the proposed reduction in ad valorem taxes, which he felt
was inadvisable at this time since the city was proposing to borrow money for the planned capital
improvements.
Since no one else wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Waters moved to adopt Resolution No. 95-29. The motion was seconded by
Mayor Fletcher.
Commissioner Weiss offered a substitute motion, that Resolution No. 95-29 be amended to
reflect a millage rate of 3.1721 and the dollar value of the difference between the millage
rate of 3.1721 and the proposed 2.9221 mills, be applied to the storm water drainage fund.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rosenbloom.
Commissioner Weiss referred to the drainage problems which the city had experienced this
summer and felt corrective measures needed to be taken as quickly as possible. Discussion
ensued and the other commissioners agreed with the need for drainage improvements.
Mayor Fletcher pointed out that the resolution under consideration was only for the purpose of
setting the millage rate and felt that a commitment had been made to pass on to the citizens the
benefits of the money received from Jacksonville. Commissioner Shaughnessy indicated she had
been involved with the interlocal agreement issue before she was elected to the City Commission
Page Two
Minutes - September 27, 1995
and she felt since Duval County was reducing their millage rate, the City of Atlantic Beach should
also reduce taxes for its citizens.
Following further discussion, the question was called on the substitute motion which failed
on a vote of 1 - 4 with Commissioner Weiss casting the lone vote in favor of the motion.
The question was then called on the original motion to adopt Resolution No. 95-29 and set
the millage at 2.9221 for FY 1995/96, and the motion carried on a vote of 4 - 1 with
Commissioner Weiss casting the opposing vote.
2. Public hearing and adoption of Resolution No. 95-30 adopting an operating budget
for FY 1995/96
Mayor Fletcher presented in full, in writing, Resolution No. 95-30. He opened the floor for a
public hearing and invited comments from the audience.
Steven Kute, Linkside Drive, felt the lawsuit with Jacksonville had been funded by the citizens of
Atlantic Beach and they should enjoy the benefits of any monies received.
Alan Potter, Second Street, expressed concern relative to funding for the 3% across-the-board
cost of living increases for employees.
Since no one else wished to speak the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
Following the public comments, Finance Director Ann Meuse responded to the questions raised
and presented the budget. She explained the amendments which had been made as a result of the
previous budget workshops and a copy of Ms. Meuse's memorandum dated September 27, 1995,
explaining the amendments is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Commissioner Rosenbloom moved for adoption of Resolution No. 95-30. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Shaughnessy.
Commissioner Weiss indicated that while he supported the proposed "First Night" activities he
felt there was a more immediate need for handicapped access to the beach. Commissioner
Weiss moved to remove the $5,000.00 budgeted for special events such as First Night. The
motion was seconded by Mayor Fletcher.
Commissioner Shaughnessy referred to the $200,000.00 budgeted for parks projects. She felt the
beach was part of the parks system and suggested that some of these funds be used for beach
access improvements, such as a foot shower, beautification, etc. She felt that the $5,000.00
which had been budgeted would be adequate to fund the First Night activities for the first year but
felt that business partners would be found to underwrite the cost of future First Night activities.
Page Three
Minutes - September 27, 1995
Mayor Fletcher offered a substitute motion, that $10,000.00 of the parks budget be
allocated for two handicapped accesses. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Shaughnessy.
Discussion ensued regarding handicapped beach accesses and it was suggested that some type of
material such as plywood be used which would provide access onto the hard sand. It was felt this
material would be inexpensive and could be replaced on an annual basis. Commissioner Waters
suggested that a letter be sent to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requesting
approval for handicapped citizens to drive on the beach.
Following further discussion the question was called on the substitute motion to allocate
$10,000.00 of the parks and recreation budget for handicapped beach accesses, and the
motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Rosenbloom requested that consideration be given to increasing the Commission
Contingency budget from $5,000.00 to $12,500.00 and allocating it at the rate of$2,500.00 to
each commissioner to spend on projects they wish to see funded, and cited as examples such
projects as First Night, the camp out under the stars, or beach accesses. He inquired into the
legality of allocating funds to each commissioner and the City Attorney advised that funds could
be allocated in this manner but since no individual commissioner could authorize the expenditure
of any funds, the affirmative vote of three commissioners would be required to expend any
discretionary funds. Mayor Fletcher inquired where the additional funds would be found to
increase the Commission Contingency budget. Following further discussion Commissioner
Rosenbloom moved to segregate the existing $5,000.00 Commission contingency fund and
allocate these funds at the rate of$1,000.00 per commissioner with the understanding that
expenditure of such funds would require three affirmative commission votes. The motion
was seconded by Mayor Fletcher.
Commissioner Waters felt this type of action could be misinterpreted by the citizens and he did
not feel this was the right thing to do at this time. Commissioner Weiss inquired whether the
funds are usually all expended each year and Ann Meuse reported the funds were seldom all
expended.
Commissioner Shaughnessy indicated she was opposed to this motion since she felt if
Commissioners had an idea that was acceptable to the other commissioners it would be
supported regardless of whether funds were allocated to each commissioner as suggested by
Commissioner Rosenbloom.
Commissioner Rosenbloom expressed concern that the commission had not worked together as a
cohesive unit and felt his suggestion was a way for commissioners to accomplish things which
were important to them. He indicated he had supported other commissioners in matters which
were important to them and expected similar support for his ideas.
Page Four
Minutes - September 27, 1995
Following further discussion, the question was called on the motion to allocate $1,000.00 of
commission contingency funds to each commissioner and the motion failed on a vote of 2 -
3 with Commissioner Rosenbloom and the Mayor voting in favor of the motion.
The question was then called on the motion to pass resolution No. 95-31 and adopt the
proposed operating budget for FY 1995/96, as amended, and the motion carried
unanimously.
3. Any other business
Alan Potter suggested the city commission consider having a comprehensive topographical survey
made of Sherry Drive from Ahern Drive to Plaza and the surrounding vicinity before authorizing
the City of Jacksonville to resurface Sherry Drive. The city commission concurred that such a
survey would be beneficial.
There being no further discussion, the Mayor declared the meeting ado •-d at 7:55 PM.
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Lyman T. Fletcher
Mayor/Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
Mau n King, CM 5
City Clerk
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CITY OF
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VT!,ANTIC BEACH.FLORIDA 32233-5445
TELEPHONE,(904)247-5800
'.d FAX(904)247-5805
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 27, 1995
To: Kim Leinbach, City Manager
Jim Jarboe, Deputy City Manager
City Commission
Department Heads
From: Ann Meuse, Finance Director
Subject: Proposed Changes to 1995/1996 Budget
As you requested the following changes have been incorporated in the 1995/1996 Budget.
o Reduced Millage .25 from 3.1721 to 2.9221
o Provided an additional $ 35,000 for cleaning and maintenance of
drainage ditches.
o Established $25,000 street end beautification program.
o Established a $5,000 tree planting program.
o Set $5,000 in funds aside for special events such as "First Night".
o Increased revenues in the General Fund due to interlocal settlement
and eliminated the purchase and finance of a fire truck which will be
provide by City of Jacksonville and eliminated cost to repave Sherry
Drive which will also be provided by City of Jacksonville.
o Rebudgeted $8,000 for dive rescue equipment which was in the
1994/95 budget but was unable to be purchased by fiscal year end.