Welcome ::: Town of Golden Beach - Town Council Meeting Minutes 09/13/2005

Mayor Glenn Singer, Vice Mayor Judy Lusskin, Councilman Ben Einstein, Councilman Joe Iglesias, Councilman Al Paruas, Town Manager Bonilyn Wilbanks-Free, Town Attorney Stephen Helfman and Peter Lichtman, Finance Director Maria Camacho, Police Chief James Skinner, Assistant to the Town Manager Zoraya Roncallo, and Town Clerk Cathy Szabo.

1. Approval Of The Tentative Millage Rate. A Resolution of the Town of Golden Beach, Florida, adopting a Tentative Millage Rate for the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year commencing October 1, 2005 and ending September 30, 2006; providing for implementation; and providing an effective date.

That the tentative millage rate for the 2005/2006 fiscal year shall be and is hereby fixed at the rate of 8.59 mills which is $8.59 per $1,000.00 of assessed value within the Town of Golden Beach.

That the rolled-back rate for the Town of Golden Beach is 7.76 mills and that the tentative millage rate of 8.59 mills is 10.63% above the rolled-back rate.

The Motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was offered by Mayor Singer, seconded by Vice Mayor Lusskin and on roll call the following vote ensued:

2. Approval of Tentative Budget A Resolution of the Town of Golden Beach, Florida, adopting a Tentative Budget for the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year commencing October 1, 2005 and ending September 30, 2006; providing for implementation; and providing an effective date.

Councilman Iglesias objected to not implementing a Merit System that was promised by Town Manager Wilbanks-Free at last years Budget Hearings.

Mayor Singer agreed and met with the town attorney, labor attorney and the town manager to create an evaluation form. But there wasn’t enough time to implement before budget time.

Town Manager Wilbanks-Free reminded the Council at the July workshop was asked if she could evaluate department heads, which was distributed at the August meeting and will be training department heads to do evaluations for their employees.

Mayor Singer reminded council that also included job descriptions that are being prepared.

Councilman Iglesias asked for clarification as to why the old evaluation forms were not used. Town Manager Wilbanks-Free explained that the town did have one but was not used for years and the labor attorney recommended a different form. Councilman Iglesias strongly objected to a 4% across the board increase and recommended 2½%.

Vice Mayor Lusskin clarified that she had no problems with reimbursements. Mayor Singer requested a mock expense report. Town Manager Wilbanks-Free explained it will be distributed at the next Council meeting during this Ordinance discussion.

A final decision on the millage rate property tax levy and the budget will be held Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.

The Motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was offered by Mayor Singer, seconded by Councilman Einstein and on roll call the following vote ensued:

3. Appointment of Police Pension Board Member A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Golden Beach Florida, appointing Richard Newberg to the Town of Golden Beach Police Officer Retirement Fund’s Board of Trustees: providing for duties and responsibilities of appointee; authorizing the Mayor and Town Manager to take all action necessary to implement; providing for an effective date.

The Motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was offered by Mayor Singer, seconded by Councilman Einstein and on roll call the following vote ensued:

Councilman Einstein requested a gross payroll figure excluding the police department. Finance Director Camacho will report back to the council with that figure.

Council consensus is 4% increase will not be implemented unless employed for one year, on the anniversary date.

The total budget for the town is $9,568,032 and the eighth year that the millage has remained the same at 8.59.

4. Award of Bid-Health Care Insurance for Employees A Resolution of the town of Golden Beach, Florida, accepting a proposal for the provision of a comprehensive Health Insurance Plan for the benefit of the Town of Golden Beach Employees and eligible dependants; providing for condition of award; providing for implementation; and providing for an effective date.

Councilman Iglesias requested an explanation as to why the Life, Health & Dental is actually less than last year.

Mayor Singer explained that we just received the new rate for Health Insurance and it was pulled off the agenda tonight because although we were saving money, they weren’t satisfied with the company.

Finance Director Camacho reported 7.5% increase was plugged into the budget this year. Last year there was a 20% increase.

Mayor Singer is evaluating three policies and is doing additional research to ensure the employees are happy with the insurance benefits. The town manager will distribute a survey requesting employee input.

Town Attorney Helfman requested an Executive Session regarding Cuenca/Chikovsky litigation. The Executive Session will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 7:00 pm prior to the next Regular Town Council Meeting.

Councilman Iglesias moved to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. second by Vice Mayor Lusskin, 5/0 all ayes.