09-19-1994 VC PH-MMINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1994
Present: Gail H. Vastola, Mayor
Jeffrey H. Atwater, Vice Mayor
V. A. Marks, M. D. , President Pro Tem
Tom Valente, Councilman
Larry Kelley, Councilman
Bruce Sekeres, Acting Village Manager
Kathleen F. Kelly, Village Clerk
Absent: Dennis W. Kelly, Village Manager
George Baldwin, Village Attorney
ROLL CALL
Mayor Vastola called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. All
members of Council were present. All members of staff were present
except Village Manager Dennis Kelly and Village Attorney George
Baldwin. Bruce Sekeres was present as Acting Village Manager.
' PURPOSE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear comments from the-'
Public concerning the proposed 1994-95 Operating Budget, including
the North Palm Beach Country Club, and to make a final decision on
the proposed tax increase and the budget.
STATEMENT OF PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN MILEAGE OVER THE ROLLED-BACK
RATE
Mayor Vastola announced that the proposed millage rate is 5.25,
with a 9.9% increase over the current rolled-back rate.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Jim Ciccarello, 313 Lake Circle, told the Council that erroneous
information had been given regarding the time of day at which
walkers could walk for no charge. Mr. Ciccarello referred to this
as the "prime time" concept, and stated that the MGA had published
the time to be 1:30 p.m., when in fact, it was really 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Ciccarello said that people cannot play golf at 1:30 p.m. and
finish 18 holes in the winter. Mr. Ciccarello also stated that he
felt the concept of "prime time" was to get the walkers. Mr.
Ciccarello suggested that the Council lock in the 1:30 p.m. time.
' Arnie Hess, 878 Fathom Court, member of the Country Club
Administrative Board, reiterated his position that the walkers'
dues do not at this time cover their fair share of maintenance
costs, and supports the Board's decision to charge the walkers a
' Minutes of Public Hearing
Held Monday, September 19, 1994
fee, since there is already a fee for those who use carts. Mr.
Hess further stated that it was the Council's decision to not
charge a walking fee after 3 p.m. This was done to help those for
whom the walkers' fee would cause a hardship. Mr. Hess explained
that 3 p.m. is not "prime time." "Prime time" is another matter,
and gives the privilege of reserving tee times three times a week.
Manny Grinn, 536 Greenway Drive, addressed the Council regarding
various budget items, including $153,000 for Bethesda Ambulance
services at the north substation; a subsidy of $1,000 for wood
sculptures at Lakeside Park, new tax of 3% on telecommunications;
difference between $42,000 collected for Fines and Forfeitures and
the $90,000 estimated in the 1994 budget; street resurfacing; and
reimbursements for gas tank. Further, Mr. Grinn suggested that the
Country Club go out to bid for Administration, since the Village
General Fund charges $73,600. He also questioned the $2,000 for a
monument sign; $60.00 for a detective to go to the PBC Juvenile
Association; $375 for Police Leadership; replacement of 3 patrol
cars; solid waste disposal costs; and rental for restaurant
facility.
Joe Banaszak, 44 Yacht Club Drive, President of the MGA, spoke
before the Council regarding the letter he had circulated to the
MGA membership, and the misunderstanding concerning "prime time".
Mr. Banaszak also told the Council that the $2.00 walkers' fee is
exorbitant, and that 18 holes of golf cannot be accomplished after
1:30 p.m.
Lucia Traugott, 372 Golfview Road, told the Council that it was
never the intention of the Country Club Administrative Board to
discriminate against walkers. She stated that the golf cart fees
have been raised, and she feels that a $2.00 walkers' fee for 18
holes and $1.00 for 9 holes is not unfair. Regarding "prime time",
she explained that it exists for tee times. To walk after 3 p.m.
is free, and that was a joint decision made by the Board and the
Council during budget sessions. Mrs. Traugott said that added
revenue is necessary because work is needed for building, which is
falling apart. She added that the roof alone will cost $90,000,
and at one time an estimate for the air-conditioning was $25,.000.
Locker rooms, pool decks, kitchen and bathrooms also need
attention.
Norv Roggen, 724 Tradewind Drive, stated to the Council that the
residents of Tradewind Drive, Westwind Drive, and Dogwood Road,
' north of Lighthouse Drive, feel that the condition of their streets
has fallen below the minimum standards of the Village. He
requested assurance that those streets be placed at the top of the
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Minutes of Public Hearing
' Held Monday, September 19, 1994
resurfacing priority list for the next budget year, and that
perhaps the Council would consider accelerating the resurfacing
program. The Council told Mr. Roggen that there are plans in the
budget for those streets.
Frank Shone, 833 Cinnamon Road, member of the Country Club
Administrative Board, told the Council that he has always opposed
the $2.00 walkers' fee, and feels that there is a jealousy between
those golfers who pay more and those who walk and pay less. Mr.
Shone feels that those who pay for carts get value received. Mr.
Shone said that many of the repairs and maintenance costs are a
direct result of the carts, not walkers. Mr. Shone suggested that
the fee for walkers, as well as the additional cart increase, be
done away with. He said that a bond payoff next year would give
the Club an additional $70,000 for repairs.
The meeting recessed at 7:30 p.m., and reconvened at 7:31 p.m.
The Council, by consensus, agreed to change the time for walkers to
walk without charge from 3 p.m. to 2 p.m.
' RESOLUTION 38-94 ADOPTED - MILEAGE
Councilman Kelley moved that Resolution 38-94 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, LEVYING A TAX ON REAL AND
PERSONAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF
THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH ON JANUARY 1, 1994,
FIRING THE TOTAL VALUATION THEREON AND THE TAX MILEAGE
RATE THEREON FOR SAID TAX YEAR; AND REPEALING ALL
RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT WITH THIS RESOLUTION
be adopted. Vice Mayor Atwater seconded the motion. The motion
passed 4-1, with Councilman Kelley, Vice Mayor Atwater, President
Pro Tem Marks and Mayor Vastola voting aye, and Councilman Valente
voting nay.
ON SECOND. READING AND ENACTED A5 ORDINANCE 17-9.4 -
BUDGET FOR r'1 SC:HL YEHR lyy4-77
' President Pro Tem Marks moved that Bill 754 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA,
' ADOPTING BUDGETS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 1994, TO
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, BOTH INCLUSIVE, FOR THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH GENERAL FUND, INCLUDING DEBT RETIREMENT,
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Minutes of Public Hearing
Held Monday, September 19, 1994
AND FOR THE NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTRY CLUB REVENUE FUND;
AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS
ORDINANCE
be placed on second reading and read by title alone. Councilman
Kelley seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1, with President
Pro Tem Marks, Councilman Kelley, Vice Mayor Atwater and Mayor
Vastola voting aye, and Councilman Valente voting nay.
President Pro Tem Marks moved that Bill 754 be enacted as Ordinance
17-94. Vice Mayor Atwater seconded the motion. The motion passed
4-1, with President Pro Tem Marks, Vice Mayor Atwater, Councilman
Kelley and Mayor Vastola voting aye, and Councilman Valente voting
nay.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the
meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
thleen F. Kelly, CMC, Vi age Clerk
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