City Commission - Regular Meeting

We're going to call our meeting to order. Can we do roll?

Heavenly Father, we want to thank you for life, health, and insurance. We thank you for the ability to assemble ourselves here together in your presence. Now we ask that you would help us to guide and govern this meeting according to your direct will and purpose for this city. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good evening residents. We are here tonight to settle some business of the city, specifically our budget. So I call upon anyone to please, let's go through this process so that we can get this matter done and taken care of for the residents of the city of West Park. At this time, we have opportunity for the public to address the Commission. Can we have the decorum statement read, please?

Thank you. Wanda Green-Selassie. Please give us your name and your address.

Thank you. Um, for the record, can you read your, um, your address again in the record? I just want to verify. Just want to just for your.

Okay. The opportunity for the public to address the committee is now closed. We will move on to item number six, our budget presentation. While we understand that this is a hot topic, we have to finish with this topic and get through this tonight. So I would ask that the commission be mindful that we have to do the business of the city and we have to get this work done tonight. So we'll move on to item six. I'm sorry, to 7-1. We will, and this is a public hearing for item number 7-1. Can you read it into record, please?

This then is a public hearing. Any residents wish to speak on it? Please come forward with your name and your address.

We'll let all the public do their comment first. Mr. Sparks and then Pastor Jones will be next. Okay, and then you'll go after him. You have to state your name and address.

Mayor, we will allow him to finish. No, because he's not keeping it to remain the millage rate.

Mr. Sparks, can you finish? Go ahead and finish.

Allow him to finish. Mayor, it has to, no. It needs to remain to the millage rights.

Next. Please state your name and address again.

YES, MA'AM. Again, please give us your name and your address.

Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak on this item? Yes, sir. If you can come to podium and give us your name and your address, please.

Yes, that's the subject right now. Okay. All right. Anyone else before we move on? So Commission, resolution number one is before us.

Mayor. Go ahead. Most of the residents are saying that the property taxes are too high. We just heard from Ms. Reynolds say what the amount of her property taxes is, yet the residents who are complaining about the high property taxes do not want the commission to take any action to reduce the property taxes. One of the ways that we control the property taxes is through a reduction in the millage rate. That's how we control the cost to you all. Ms. Hardy has indicated that the reason why most residents aren't seeing a reduction in that parallel to the reduction in the military is because the pr

Commissioner Smith, go ahead. Yes, let me briefly poll in that theory right there. Number one, Buzz, yes, while although the roll break insinuates that we can't generate the same amount of revenue that we did last year, the caveat to that is Just like we all heard the saying, yesterday's price is today's price. So even though we may bring in the same amount, the cost of services are not going to stay. And there's no guarantee. Just like you just mentioned, BSO... costs and their cost of services rises on a basis due to a number of different factors. You have statutory things instituted by the

I'm sorry. Anyone else want to speak from the commission?

Yes. Go ahead. Yes, I want to address... some statement that was made in reference to the millage rate that the commissioners on the majority side are making false promises in reference to when they're campaigning that they're going to lower the millage rate. First of all, when I'm campaigning, I cannot tell anyone that I solely can lower the millage rate. When we were campaigning, we said that we will advocate, meaning that we're proposing. We're advocating that when we get here, we're going to propose and we're going to advocate to see how we can lower the military rate. Yes, we were success

And that may or do not ignore the water. You have to do the same for everyone. You have to do the same for everyone. Please advise the audience to reduce the noise. Yes, because she knows that she was doing something that she was not supposed to be doing.

I want to make it clear to the residents that we're here to advocate for the residents and everything possible to help alleviate the tax burden. But that 0.3% wasn't a whole lot. So we can say yes, we advocated for the 0.3%. Yes, we lowered the millage rate, but it wasn't a huge difference. And for the residents that came up and talking about the commissioners like myself and Vice Mayor Drew Smith and Dr. Thurston that we are saying that we lowered the property taxes, not one commissioner can do that. They can advocate and we can propose for it. That's exactly what we do when we run our campai

Vice Mayor, did you have something to say?

I share the sentiment of my colleagues, each and every one that spoke. And I do believe that we can compare if we have gotten what we requested. We requested comparisons. We have not gotten it. Also, I've watched other meetings. I've been to other cities' meetings. Even the budget for the county. Everyone is pining on BSO's budget. BSO's budget. Especially for this budget season. I'VE SEEN IN NEIGHBORING CITY WHERE THEY'RE ALL DEPARTMENTS CUTTING 5% OF THE BUDGET, ALL DEPARTMENTS. 5% NEIGHBORING CITY IN THEIR BUDGET PASSING TOMORROW TO CUT BACK 5%. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND RE

So I want to speak. Mayor. Can I speak for a second? I believe everyone up here on the days has had an opportunity to say something. Sure. I want to have something to say. So I hear what everyone is saying, but I want everyone also to understand as well as the residents to understand that we are in a peculiar place in the state of Florida and what is happening. And we don't know where things are going to end or how things are going to end up. I believe that my colleagues from across the interstate are being very cautious about how they proceed with their budgets. Their millage rates specifical

So I also want to address the comment about economic And what I want to say is that we've had an economic and development personnel on staff since 2018 with very little economic and development. Contrary to what one of the residents said, we are not disapproving projects come forth for development. We have not received an analysis of the projects that we have completed thus far. as far as any addition to the tax roll. Our research of looking at the property that we have blatantly basically weighed on Pembert Road, there's little to no revenue generation from the tax base of those development p

Go ahead. Give us your name and your address, please.

We have one more comment. You have to come up and give your name again and your address.

The first two years? No, we didn't. Just keep going, please.

Are we talking on the millage rate or is the former mayor going on a personal? No, I'm not on a personal. I'm talking about. Are you talking about the millage rate, mayor? See what you're doing? See what you're doing?

Mayor, can you. Is he speaking of the millage rate? Tell her to shut up too. Mayor. I need everyone to please be quiet so that we can get this finished. She is so disrespectful. Mayor, point of order. Can you allow him the opportunity to finish?

The point of order is that it's not germane to the public hearing of the millage rate.

Pastor Jones, go ahead, please, and finish.

Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment before I come back to commission? Anybody else? All right, I'm good. Okay, I believe it was Commissioner Smith, then Commissioner Aguilar.

Commissioner Smith, please go. Thank you.

Thank you. Once again, this is exactly why we keep coming to this same place. You have to have... leaders and leadership that is able to look at things not just from a one-sided perspective. You know, everyone always says, you know, and like I said, you could tell who have been in leadership positions in different areas and in different entities before because a lot of times as a leader, and I tell people this all the time, one of the first things you have to be comfortable with As a leader in any right, in any capacity, in any organization or entity, you have to be comfortable and be involved

Yes. Well, I have a few things to say. First, you know, in reference to this, THE COMMISSIONER IS NOT MAKING A SMART DECISION OR MAKING AN OBSERVED DECISION AS FAR AS EMPLOYEES. Do you prefer to cut salary or you prefer to lay off the employee?

No, you can't respond, but I'm just talking in a piece. So my thing is this. To save the city, everybody has to give up something for us to save the city. It cannot be just raising taxes on the residents to bring in revenue. On the other side, what I'm saying, too, is that if the staff wants to still save the city and get their jobs, they, too, on the other side, would have to be able to understand that they have to be somewhere or the other. So everybody has to be able to come to a point where you have to meet each other in the middle. And with that, I said again, I think that option two can

Mayor, you cannot cut off commissioner Everlar. Can you let me run the meeting?

I am, but do it decent and in order. You know that the mayor point of order, you cannot cut off Commissioner Everlar until she has relinquished the floor.

We will get you as soon as we finish. Can you finish up your comments so we can get to Ms. Greta? Can you finish, please? Can you go ahead and finish so we can get to Ms. Greta?

Yeah, so as I was saying earlier, To operate within our means, it means that we have to understand that we have to work with each other and we have to, you know, be able to balance the budget without having to touch the reserve. That is operating, you know, within... with another means and leadership.

I understand, but you can't risk. Okay, if you want to respond, you have to get back in line and do public comment. Are you finished?

No, I'm not. I keep getting interrupted.

Point of order, Mayor. Please control the audience. Please. There should be no feedback from the audience at this time.

Can you finish, please? Commissioner Ebelert.

Yes. So, um, We as a community, community, you know, we hear as a community, as a whole, we hear bickering at each other while we're decimating our residents. And you're not looking at the big picture. When our residents, when our seniors, who are the true community leaders, who are the true representation of West Park, especially in the subdivision of our ranches, the way how we're acting, we are moving them out. And guess what? There will be people that's coming in that's gonna fill up these seats that's not gonna look like you nor me. So if we don't get together and learn to come together,

So back to item, you had another comment. You just got to state again for the record your name and address, please.

So much of the problem that's going on here. I don't mean to interrupt you, but is there a question or comment regarding the millage rate?

Thank you. Thank you. Last comment, and then we're going to call for a vote.

Where is the same sentiment that you just told to Ms. Greta?

Okay, so we're going to close out. I just wanted to make one quick clarification. So I know that there are some things that were stated about the improvement of the city and things like that. I just want you all to know that when West Park did form, because there was some questions or comments about what happened when we formed. I just want to make this statement to clear up something on the record. When West Park did form as a city, there was a lot of advocacy that took place and a lot of our improvements that did get was because of that advocacy through briar county and through the state of

We're still awaiting a report from the city manager to see what would it look like 7.6 because I didn't receive any email or text. So do you have a presentation or a slide to show us. Mayor, you want me to?

What do you mean, Mayor? Excuse me. Your comments are not warranted. Your comments are not warranted. Yes, it is, Mayor.

That's the part five that we did not discuss? This one?

Can you all please just allow him the opportunity to answer you before you interject? I understand, but if you all are speaking at the same time, you cannot get an answer.

The back wasn't on yet. Oh, it's coming on now.

There we go. Just got to get the presentation up now.

Yes. So the total amount that we would need to cut to get to 7.6, is $361,000 from our budget. I think that's a price point that we can definitely get to, to get to the 7.6 mils if that's the commission desire. I would like to amend the motion that's on the table if no one else has any comments. I'm talking. Something wrong with my mic? Can you hear me?

I don't know if any of my colleagues have any other questions, comments, and concerns, but I would like to amend the motion that's on the floor for the millage rate. I would like to amend it to 7.6 mills. I believe that we have the capability of cutting my budget to be able to give back to our residents. So again, my motion is for us to amend the motion for the millage rate to be 7.6. Second. So I

I will caution the Commission. I know you've made a motion and you did a second. Every city around this state is being very cautious, yet West Park is being very careless. And I think that we need to really reconsider and keep the millage rate the same. We do not know what is ahead, but we know what we have with this, with the seven point. I just think that we're making a harsh decision when we really do not know what this is going to look like. So I caution, I know you're going to do whatever you want to do, but I just want it to be on the record that with everything that is going on, With al

Um, City manager. Speak into the mic, please. Speak into the mic, please. Yeah, Mr. Balagon, did you make any adjournment to the salary as what was requested or at least come up with something that we can look at? I mean, if not, at least give a recommendation as far as how much you can cut.

Okay. But just for a determination of the military, can you just go back and highlight, like, how much you were able to reduce the salary and what was the amount that you compute?

Okay. Under the reconsideration of Amendment 3, and since we don't know if it's going to pass or not, and since you're discussing about how we can probably make some adjustment to the salary or some other parts in the budgets, so that way we can be able to still cut back regardless of whether we go for 7.9 or 7.6 millage rate. Then I'm going to ask my colleagues to reconsider and then keep the millage rate at 7.9.

Well, I believe that's the initial motion that was on the floor from the beginning, correct?

So that's the initial motion that was on the floor, and it was second.

And now we have to call the vote on the amendment.

So if that's the pleasure of the commission, we call the roll.

We'll have to withdraw the amendment motion.

The amendment motion and come back to the initial motion. Yeah.

Well, Madam Mayor, you don't necessarily have to withdraw. You can call the roll on it. And then if that... FAILS, THEN GO BACK TO THE INITIAL MOTION OF PASSING IT 7.9, ADMINISTRATOR.

I'LL BE IMMOCABLE TO WITHDRAW THE AMENDED MOTION ON THE TABLE.

All right, so then we go back to the original motion. So the original motion that Commissioner Smith?

You want to just state it again for the record?

Oh, the original motion is just to approve the proposal.

Madam Mayor, that's the clerk's position.

I'm asking him a question. So your original motion was?

Oh, jeez. Okay. You have who? Okay. Yes. So can you call the roll?

Item number eight. It also is the public hearing. Mr Clark, can you read it into record please?

Commission, what's your pleasure? It was a public hearing. Anyone from the public want to speak on this item? If you do, please step forward and give your name and address. Anyone going twice, three times? There's no public to speak on this item. Commission, what's your pleasure?

Is there not a presentation on this? We don't even know what we're approving as far as what changes was made to the budget.

This is second reading on item. There is a motion on the floor. Do we want to have a second and then do the presentation and then come back like we did?

No. I would like for the presentation to go first before we entertain a motion on something that won't clearly understand what is in the budget.

Can we let him finish and then up to your question.

He's rude. Just go right ahead. Thank you.

I have a question concerning this. The in the Miranda. Does the I indicate that we can host any form of activities are recreational activities. Or is it specifically talk about DEI as far as hiring or anything of that nature? Because I don't see how this would prohibit us from doing celebrations such as Juneteenth, which is federally recognized holiday, LK. All of these things can be as conscrued to be DEI. So I would like this explained because I don't see other cities that are limiting their cultural festivities because of this particular mandate.

Then how are other cities, particularly ones that you represent, are able to have the same festival?

They just had a Goombay festival and plan on doing it next year. Hold on, and it's budgeted for next year as well in the city of Miramar. So that is also a client that you all represent, and they have provided and provisioned for that to happen on an annual basis in light of the DI. So it's not that one law is applicable to one municipality. In addition to that, multicultural festivals and so forth are being held. Hispanic Heritage Festivals, Cinco de Mayo, all those type of festivities are still being actively planned throughout the state of Florida still. So how is it that this can only impa

Yes, it is. I spoke to Commissioner Averill Sherzard.

According to my knowledge, there's actually no repercussion for for this unless someone goes to a court of law to, like, what is the specific repercussions for any potential DEI violation because this is a broad term. So I'm curious because from what I read, it says that someone would have to bring a lawsuit. against the city.

Okay. So it's only specifically for the bay festival.

I brought up the legislature. You brought up Goombay. I never brought up any festivities specifically.

It says in the memo about cultural festivals and Goombay festival activities. But it's more than that that is recommended in the budget. So the only two items that is listed in the memo are the only two items that are impacted.

And for clarification, Mr. Balgon, is it not a criminal violation also? I mean, because I'm reading the bill, and is it not a criminal? Could be?

Okay, if the Umbi Festival is an issue now for it to be in the budget, Explain to me how come in the past the Goombay festival was celebrated by the city a few years ago. And I didn't hear anybody talk about this law and this violation and so forth. Like the prior years that we celebrated Goombay, how come we were able to do it back then?

Yeah, but that still doesn't really explain why we didn't have it this year as budgeted in our fiscal year as well. There's no accountability here as far as why was the items that we budgeted for the figure that we're still currently and occur. Still no accountability towards that. So with this being and then we still didn't have the multi-cultural festival here either. Which was budgeted for as well. So there is no explanation as to that this doesn't affect to the January. Um 2027 is still doesn't explain why those items that was located in the budget never came to fruition by our city admini

Mayor? With all due respect, the city manager's explanation is lackluster in the sense because he wants to purport that this item was on the agenda when he controls the order of the agenda. When the city manager wanted to hastily present an update on the lawsuit that was put underneath presentations on the agenda item, So there was the imminent that we needed to have been brought a breath to it could have been moved up as a presentation just like other items that have been recently moved up on to presentations. So the fact that we have not been able to get to the city manager's report, he coul

This item is also a public hearing if there are any questions.

Mayor, I would like to make some recommendations to the budget. I think that it's important. There's a line item here that is talking about the charter, the charter, this and the charter that we haven't followed the charter in the last two years. It probably even more, but specifically very pointed in the last two years. each meeting, there's violations to the charter. When you are not recognizing the commission, when you are not allowing us to change order of the agenda, all of that is in the charter. So I think that it's a crock of bull trying to indicate and relegate information that's in t

We can absolutely, we can absolutely, this is a budgetary item and we could absolutely not fund those specific Madam Mayor, Commissioner Smith, you're next. She's not speaking to the fact that I'm not saying to fire anyone. I'm saying to defund these specific departments.

And again, the attorney has given you her opinion.

Well, I wanted to be stated that I said to fire or terminate any employee, and that's what she's alluding to. I said that we... would not fund those various departments. That's what I said.

And that would be for a court to decide.

Yes, and absolutely. That was the point I want to make and reiterate because, you know, while... Commissioner touched on this, trying to be creative in wording how she's saying it. As the attorney just stated, it's ultimately having the same effect because the positions that she highlighted were actual positions held by people in those positions. SAYING YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT CUTTING OVERALL DEPARTMENT EXPENSES, YOU'RE SAYING CUTTING POSITIONS, WHICH ULTIMATELY LEADS TO CUTTING PEOPLE OR THE FIRING OR LAYING OFF OF PEOPLE, WHICH IS NOT UNDER OUR PURVIEW AS A COMMISSION. SO BY TARGETING SPECIFIC

Mayor, the fact of the matter, when you're making business decisions, it happens all the time. I've been sitting at tables on boards and various things where you do cut department funding, especially when those departments are not performing at the level or the standard that is needed to be performed. It happens every day in corporate America, and if you said it yourself that this is a business, and sometimes we have to make tough decisions, right? And sometimes we have to make uncomfortable decisions, right? And this is one of those uncomfortable decisions. I don't see where us having an econ

MADAM MAYOR. COMMISSIONER SMITH, GO AHEAD. THIS IS LIKE, YOU SAID A WHOLE LOT, YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL, BUT you fail to understand a point that both I've made and also the city attorney made and what was all drafted in the backup on here, the memorandum regarding improper motion during our continuing first budget hearing is the fact that I didn't disagree that difficult decisions have to be made in leadership. What we're disagreeing on and what clearly stated legally, that is not our decision to make. That's what you're failing to understand. We know difficult decisions have been made, but you're

It is our decision, Commissioner Smith, and I disagree with you because right now this is a budgetary consideration in which the commission has the authority to approve budgetary items. What I am saying, but this is my rebuttal, what I am saying to you is that These individuals, maybe perhaps the city manager could find other areas within the city to utilize these individuals. What I'm saying is these budgetary considerations should be eliminated. It's not cost-effective for us to maintain ineffective roles and responsibilities. It's not producing the results that are needed. This is what I'm

Yes, home. If the the bill was but it was discussed back on April 5th June 3rd June 17 a 15. Why was it not presented to us. They're white white just discussing it now. that we mentioned about these activities, the Gumbe and the multicultural festival. And also keep in mind that since it's not going to be effective until January 27, we still have month of December where the multicultural festival can be celebrated. And I know back in last year of December, we had initiated to start doing it because there's even a flyer that was put out. But then all of a sudden, it was just canceled and we nev

And then this is, yeah, he can answer after I finish. And also to the next thing in reference to the assistant, the assistant to the city manager. To be honest, I just believe that the city manager have a lot of assistants. Because I know Arcland, whenever I want to speak to you, it's like the whole comes up at the same time. You know, Arcland, Lavelle. and whoever else that's going to be dealing with certain items. So to me, they are your assistants. And for Lovell specifically, I don't understand, or you can explain to me, what is it he does in place if you're not here? Because 99% of the ti

Mayor. Can we allow him to respond? Because I believe everybody up here has given a statement. So if we could just give him an opportunity to respond.

It was documented, but it wasn't explained specifically what festival was not. You know, it was in there, but I don't think we ever got to it. Plus, it was never stated to say was the game festival or it was cultural festival, because if that was the case, then...

We're going to go back to the same. Are you are you you have some more for him because we have public speaker next.

Yes, I'm. I noticed that you did not address the senior funds to show us where how the funds were distributed and who distributed for. In the package, I don't see that you said that what a senior's senior funds 400,000 to show on the breakdown as to who got paid for that, what organization got paid for it, and what amount. I had a request for that, too, but I don't see that.

It just was in general, but you didn't specify the name.

The amount. That's what I was specifying.

This is the last day for budget consideration.

No, but if you go back to the... No, we didn't... This is verbatim. This is verbatim. If you go back to the recording, you will see what I specified. I specified it twice.

I need that now so that we can... You can do whatever you want.

Why would I want their name and not the amount? We're talking about a budget. We're talking about a budget.

IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE BUDGET. WE HAVE THE BUDGETARY OVERSIGHT OF HOW THE GRANT MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

MS. GRETA, CAN YOU ASK YOUR QUESTION? JUST GIVE US YOUR NAME ADDRESS AGAIN, PLEASE.

Can we allow staff to answer the question? No, she's not just asking staff. Well, how can you answer it? It's a question for staff to answer. I can answer. Ms. Balagon?

This is a staff question. No, it's not. You want to know how they're managing with 30 instead of the 100 or 70, whatever it was.

Okay, well, staff, Mr. Balagam, do you want to respond to that?

OKAY, THANK YOU, MR. PRETA. AND HE'LL FINISH ANSWERING.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. It's in the pocket.

So we're going to take Commissioner Touchstone and then we'll come to a conclusion here. Well, no. Commissioner Touchstone, what's your question?

No, I wanted to make a statement that two years ago I sat on this dais and explicitly asked for a cost-saving analysis. Two years to date, we have not gotten a cost-savings analysis to be able to see where it is that we can cut costs. I think that the recommendations that I have made to fund these specific departments will yield a savings of $417,687.14, not including eliminating having to provide benefits and so forth for those different areas. I also want to make a comment about the Goon Bay Festival. I think that it will be prudent to recommend that we have some form of event in place of th

Thank you, madam mayor City manager Has anything changed in the in the budget or are you presented the budget as what it was because I look online and TO ME, EVERYTHING WAS MUCH THE SAME. BECAUSE, YEAH, HAS ANYTHING CHANGED? BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THAT YOU WANT US TO APPROVE A BUDGET, BUT YET WE'RE NOT, I'M NOT GETTING CLEAR EXPLANATION OR RECEIPTS AS TO WHY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY INDUSTRIAL From 501,217, we are proposing 632,413. So where is the reasons for the increase? So we're not getting any details for the reason for those increase. The same as for, for example, th

I think public works also, too, is an increase.

It's going from $3,949,000 to $4 million, but yet our streets were... Medians are not being upkept. Ever since I became to a position as a commissioner, that was my main item that I've been asking you to upkeep the maintenance of the median, upkeep the main street on 56th Avenue on Hallandale. And up until right now, it's still the same. When I talk, it gets ignored. So why are we paying all this amount of money, but yet we cannot keep our streets clean and nice, beautification with some nice flowers. The palm trees are, some of them are dying, and they're still there. It's like, I just feel l

Mayor, what the commissioner is asking for is receipts, not numbers generated by staff, but actual receipt for payment. That's what she keeps saying.

Can you let him do the presentation first? He's stalled right now, and I should have the opportunity to talk. It's her question, not yours, so allow him.

Mayor, don't be rude and disrespectful. Let us have a discussion for all of us. It's a discussion for all of us. Yes, for all of us.

Mayor what the city manager is saying is crystal clear. If the commissioner is asking a different question then it's not clear.

The page 22 does not break down the personnel allotment. It only gives a general funding, and that's what she's saying. It gives a conglomerate of regular salaries. Commissioner Everlar asked for a breakdown in personnel.

It was emailed. How many personals they have?

It's just a pie chart. It doesn't have any salaries there. It just says chief, one chief. Okay, how much did the chief make with benefits? So the chief administrative specialist to how much do they make executive none of that is broken down. You're giving us a hierarchy chart with the number of respective individuals in which I understand that all of these roles aren't even feel we have a balance that we're given to Broward County because All these positions are not being able to be filled. So this is supposed to be the structure of how it's relegated, but we don't have all these departments f

You give us what you want to give us. You're not giving us what we ask for you to give us. And then you want to cry foul when we're not able to come with the decision because you're not giving us what we're asking you for. You give us what you want to give us. Like I said, I've asked for a cost saving analysis. I still haven't gotten it. Two years waiting for a cost savings analysis. Where's all savings analysis that would delineate where we can save money at?

Mr provided because if it's true that some of these positions are being paid to take out the salary for those positions that are being filled, that should reduce the cost of the bus.

Then overtime. How long have we been utilizing overtime? How long have we been? Because the chief had made a report that they've been utilizing a significant number of overtime because of such a large amount of vacancies that they have. And it's something that's also echoed at the BSO administrative office as well. So how many vacancies we have? Are you saying that we're fully staffed with BSO?

I have one more question on the chart. So, the Alpha Green Surgeon, the Alpha Gold Surgeon, each one have five deputies. So, these different surgeons with different names, different categories, like Alpha Gold, Alpha Green. So, is that saying that we have four surgeons?

No, I'm looking at the chart on the book on page 75.

And then it goes down to alpha green, alpha blue, briber green, and briber gold. Right. So these are different surgeons. These are officers that are in the surgeon. And each one has five deputies assigned to them.

See, like, um, Again, as my recommendation, I don't see the need for having so many surgeons for five days. I think there should be just one surgeon and then the deputies, they report to the surgeon.

BUT I MEAN FOR A SMALL CITY, BUT I MEAN FOR A SMALL CITY, BUT I MEAN FOR A SMALL CITY, THE 2.2 SCREEN MILES, YOU KNOW? THE 2.2 SCREEN MILES, YOU KNOW? MADAM MAYOR. MADAM MAYOR. MADAM MAYOR. THIS IS TRYING TO SEE HOW WE THIS IS TRYING TO SEE HOW WE reduce the cost. And that's the reason, again, I am just making suggestion proposition.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. And just to enlighten the rest of the commission, um, on structures such as these. Anytime in law enforcement we're referring to Alpha and Bravo, you're talking about shifts. Splitting the day, 24-hour day and 12-hour shifts. And so if you're... Listen to what I'm saying. Listen to what I'm saying. You can't have a team of deputies or or in another municipality team of officers or whatever you call them and have no supervisor on duty. You have to have a supervisor. So that number one, that's why that's in play. And in your attempt to try to reduce costs, you're increasi

I didn't say that we're not going to have a surgeon, but I don't...

What I'm saying is you have to adequately account. Listen to what I'm saying.

Absolutely. You have to understand the structure of things.

I have a motion. I would like to motion to defund the assistant to the city manager as well as the program and services manager in the budget, the community economic development director, and the social services manager. We need to get some action going as far as the amendments to the budget, and I would like to start there to insert a motion to eliminate those four items from the budget.

There's no such thing as an improper motion.

Anyway, the charter states... Can you state the statute of an improper motion? Where is the Florida law of improper motion?

I'm not hiring to fire anyone. I'm defunding certain departments. No. under categories. Regardless of what you say, I'm not hiring or firing anyone. That is the legal effect of what you're suggesting. It doesn't matter what you think it's suggestive of. It's a budgetary item that is under our purview to apply and make decisions on. As I stated, I'm not hiring or firing anyone. I'm making budgetary considerations that we make a motion and vote on.

Yes, I've heard you several times. Madam Attorney, you may speak. Madam Attorney, you may speak.

We are going under the advisement of the attorney.

No, it is the advisement of the commission. No, Robert, rules of order. The charter says that the will and the pledge of the commission is the authority.

You are not a court of law. You are not a court of law. You're not one that can only mayor.

We will not be moving forward with that. Yes, we will be moving forward.

You guys don't don't want to abide the charter. Yeah. The charter says the will and the pleasure of the commission is the authority of this city. We would not be passing any budget without budgetary consideration on the table.

I indicated the dollar amount, which is the total amount. of 417-687-14. Madam Mayor. Yes.

And once again, you fail to realize, Commissioner Touchstone, that you are not making departmental Oh, because that's personnel cuts. You, you, I'm going to let you want to be in this. No, I have the floor now. I have the floor. You don't want to be, you know, you don't want to be interrupted, but you interrupting. I have the floor. I've been roused by the mayor.

Like I said, you named specifically the assistant to the administrator. You specifically named the program services manager. That is a person, not a department. It's a department. Oh my goodness.

So either way, it's an illegal motion. It will not be honored.

As indicated, we have specific budgetary items that's under consideration under each department. That's why we have the breakdown of what, that's why we asked for the breakdown of the budgetary considerations of each department. And under the budgetary consideration, it was indicated that under the city manager's department, which is as the city manager's department, he had underneath there to the city manager in that department, as well as his other assistants delineated in that department, within that department. So I'm not understanding why I can't specifically say that we can defund depart

I believe the attorney has advised us that we cannot do this.

She has the right to advise. It doesn't mean that we have to accept the advice.

Exactly. What the city attorney opinion is, is not law. This is what you guys have to understand. If it was law, when the city attorney directed you that the mission has the power to change the order of the agenda... Why are you going against the advisement attorney every meeting? When it's written in our charter, we have the authority to change the order of the agenda. But every time you want to turn things into a dictatorship.

And this is where and why this is being stalled. You are not a dictator here. Everything is predicated on emotion and seconds. And the attorney says no. So I don't care what the attorney says with her ill advice.

Following what the attorneys know. No, it's the will and the pleasure of the committee and what we do. Not what you say, Mayor. What the will and the pleasure of the commission.

The commission overrules the majority of the commission.

So we're not moving forward on that item because according to the attorney, we are not.

I have the gavel in my hand. And you don't run DAIS either.

It's a commission. The majority is authority.

You can sit and do whatever, but we're not moving forward on that item.

Mayor, let's hear from the residents, but we are moving forward on a motion and a second. That's Robert Rules of Order. We're not that's parliamentary and procedure. You cannot tell a day is that they did not it was make a motion in that Smith knows that she has to recognize the most every time he sits there and he's like, oh no, we're not doing it like everyone didn't go through the ethics training, you know that Robert rules of order take precedence and And the fact of the matter is once there is a motion and a second, you cannot belabor and withhold the vote. The attorney didn't tell me any

We're not we're not going to go back and forth we don't agree that we we are in on this item mission. WE ARE ON THIS ITEM AGAIN.

Yes. Did you have a question? She doesn't have to have a question. Why do you have to intervene? Because you're out of order. You don't need to ask her if she has a question. Recognize her or not. Vice Mayor, you have a question. That's what I was thinking. He has to be recognized.

Can you be quiet, please? No. Point of order. The Vice Mayor has to be recognized.

Please, thank you. Go ahead and speak. This is ridiculous. Again, residents...

This is not what we should be doing in front of you.

And I apologize for this foolishness. But there will be order in here. There will be order. Vice Mayor, you can speak.

She has a question for all of you. I don't have a question. I asked a question, not you. Okay. My question is, a commissioner voted to defund a departmental position. The answer is yes. A commissioner can vote to defund a departmental position provided they are acting as part of a legislative or governing board, such as a board of county commissioners, city commissioners, or town commissioners during the official budget approval process. However, Whether that vote successfully eliminates the position depends on several administrative and legal constraints. Number one, board majority versus ind

OK. So we have a motion on the floor. The motion not moving forward. Yes, it will move forward. It will not move forward based upon what you have been advised by our attorney. I am not dictating anything. Yes, you are.

Because if there's a motion on the floor and it's been seconded, it needs to be called to a vote.

According to our attorney, again, according to our attorney, we cannot move forward.

No, no, no, no. City manager? Is it can be done. And the budget. To bring a cost saving of the written 1720,000 is it one of the 1720 it was 417 687 14. And that's just based on these base allocations is not even including

what it would be for benefits and so forth. So it may be a little bit higher than that. It might be a cost savings of $500,000.

What can be done in terms of looking at the departments, the staff and city administrator, public works parts? What can be done? What do you propose that can be done for us to...

What about the ones that are not in contractual service?

But now it's proposed to be four million.

What about the employee salary for that department? Who is that?

Can we hear from the residents concerns?

Commissioner, um, Evola, are you got all your questions out of the way?

Not really, but let the resident, um, at their question.

So these are the last two residents for this evening.

Can you give your name and address, please?

Well, that's the thing that I was saying, too, that we don't have any active RFPs to be able to competitively negotiate anything. So what would need to be placed out there is a request for a vote so that we can see what other states services will come with the level of services that we need and what the price will be so that we can effectively negotiate. As I was indicating, if we do that, then we will have a competitive edge and say, hey, this entity is saying that they would charge us for the same level of service. Let's just throw out a number of $7.8 million a year, whereas your price poin

Mr. Balagon, can you respond since this is your area of expertise?

Thank you. Mr. Sparks, can you please give your name and address, please?

In other words, Mr. Sparks, do not continue.

Tell the mayor to follow the rules. Here we go again. There's a motion on the floor for you to please be quiet.

Mr. Sparks, thank you very much. Thank you. So commission, once again, um, we are on item number eight. Um, are there any more questions with regard to, uh, you had a question?

And it's, PERTAINING TO PAGE 22 REGARDING THE BSO LIST HERE.

22 ON WHAT? THE BUDGET BOOK OR THE PRESENTATION?

ON THE HANDOUT. PART TWO. Page 25. I'm looking here.

Page 25 on part two of this handout that we got. 25. I'm looking at, it's between, I'm trying to figure out where, based on this list we have here for the budget, this is almost like, 10.9%. My question is, what is the percentage increase on this BSO budget? Because in the contract, it states on page 25, it refers to an annual 5% increase. So can you tell me, Mr. Manager, how much percent increase is this? Is this 5% takes it to $10 million? From $10.9 million. So from $8 million, $8.8 million, How is it? Is that 5% increase here on this BS budget? Because it's contractual that 5% increase. A

So what is the total overall percentage cost based on all of what you just said?

Okay. Okay. My question, again, is based on your factors and all that you have said, what on this actual budget that we're signing tonight or we are approving tonight, what is the total percentage cost increase on this we have here tonight? Based on the 509%, the total overall percentage on the increase, what is that? I just need that number.

No, manager, you can't give me a total number of what I said.

Thank you. Thank you. 10.25 or 10. what? Don't go around the corner giving me 9.5. We don't go around the corner. There's no around the corner. The number is right there. It's right there.

So basically, residents, we have a 10 point add increase on our BSO budget. That's all the residents need to know. That's it.

Mayor, there's still a motion on the floor. Are there any other questions?

Yes. Go ahead. Instead of having five deputies, right? what would the cost look like if we reduce it to four deputies for each surgeon? Because each surgeon is assigned four deputies. So instead of five, what if we reduce it to four for each one? You can have a cost saving.

Yes, I understand that. But that is the issue is that we're supposed to have the right to, because since you're going through the budget, just in the same token, how they increase their costs, it's the same way we do have to look to see how can we reduce the costs. So that's a conversation that we're supposed to have the opportunity to discuss, to say, okay, this is $10 million. Hey, let's look at it and see if it's just four for each surgeon as opposed to five. what it's going to look like. And then again, it is us, the commission, that's going to be the one to be responsible for taking that

Yeah, I don't know, plans or work. Well, when it's not supposed to be like that, because it's supposed to be where we're supposed to give you a suggestion and then you're supposed to come back and let us know, okay, this is possible, this is not possible, but with numbers, not just with... percentage and figures and numbers. But I do believe if we had discussed this, especially with the BSO contract, there's a likely chance that maybe we could have saved $500,000. I'm just giving hypothetical figures. If we were able to have meaningful conversation regardless of how we feel about each other an

I will second it for discussion, but I would just like to put on record that no one's telling you that what you're doing right now is improper. There's already a main motion on the floor that has not been disposed of, so that one has to go first. Madam Attorney. Nobody wants to correct that situation. She cannot make a motion when the main motion that's on the floor has not been disposed of.

So once again, the motion is improper as the first one was.

And the first one was not improper. And the second one was not improper. The attorney does not determine what's proper and what's not proper. The authority lies with the city commission. Why don't you guys follow the charter? You want to follow the charter when it's convenient for you, but in other areas of the charter, you guys do not want to follow it. You cannot delay the call of a vote once a motion in the second has been made. That's what the charter says. You cannot delay the call of a vote once a motion in the second has been made.

The attorney has advised that both motions made are improper.

As indicated, she does not have that authority to decide what's proper and what's not.

A court of law does. Therefore, those recommendations will not be accepted according to the attorney.

It is not about who accepts it. We have the right to vote on the motion that the second is on the floor.

It does not state that in the charter that the city attorney has the authority to tell us what.

No, in fact, in this charter, it states that the majority of the commission can overrule the attorney decision and the mayor decision. That's what it states. If you guys look, if you go back and look at the charter. And that, you'll see where it says that. So Madam Attorney.

We are governed by Robert rules of order. This is why things are in relation.

You can't go back and reference the charter where it says that the power lies. in the majority of the commission and the commission can overrule the decision of the attorney and also the mayor.

The attorney is not the authority of the city.

That's why it says a commission meeting. Again, I said what I said.

The attorney has advised us the items that are inappropriate and not appropriate.

We understand that she had advised, but the body of the commission decides that they're not taking her advice, and we're going to move forward with the motion. That's what the body of the commission has decided because it has been second.

That's what you tell the residents that it wasn't voted upon.

No, that's what you are making that decision. You try to be slick. And you're trying to reword things to make it in favor. But you're the devil that's causing the issue here in the city. Okay. Yes, you are the devil.

That's causing the issue. And then you want to manipulate the situation to make it seem like it's us. There is a motion. It's second. She must recognize it. You don't have the option to decide whether they get recognized or not. It's supposed to be the body of the commission that makes that decision. That's why they said this is a what? It's a commission administrative run city. It didn't say it was a mayor's strong city. And that's what you're trying to do. And then you go out there and make the public seems like you're so innocent. But in the background, You are the devil that's causing the

No, Mayor, you know that you're wrong. You've been sneaky, vindictive, and wicked, and you want to manipulate the situation. When you're not doing your part by following the charter and Robert's rules. When it's in your favor, you're ready to point out on the charter. But when it's the other way around, oh, the charter doesn't work. The charter gets disregarded.

The charter is the Bible of the city. It works in all cases.

Yeah, if we get sued, then who the blame going to be on? You. Exactly. So let me take the consequence. As the commissioner, let me take the consequence, not the mayor. So if we get sued, yes, I am going to be the one up front because I make that decision. But that is what the mayor, the city manager, and the residents that are not in agreement with our decision. That's what you have to understand, and that's what you have to respect regardless of whether you like it or not. If I make that decision, that means I am standing up to take the blame and to take the responsibility. but allow us to go

It's only when the mayor say yes, then it's correct. So it's like the majority has to go along with the mayor, even though she's in the minority because she's the mayor. No, you guys, the residents that don't support our decisions, they need to go back and reference the charter. That's what you have to do. Go back and reference the charter. And that's how the business is run. Regardless of the outcome, you must rely on the charter to guide you. And regardless of whether you like it or not, if the majority is saying one thing, that's where it needs to go. And if there's a lawsuit, then so it be

That's all it is. It's a big host. And they're all in colludes on it. Yeah. The attorney knows that the will and the pleasure of the commission is the authority. She knows that the city mayor cannot belabor the calling of a vote, but does she say anything about it? No. Doesn't say not one iota of a thing about what the violations of the charter is happening right before us every meeting.

So, Chris, we're at an impasse right now. There is no proper motion or second to be provided.

There is no such thing as a proper motion.

A motion is a motion. There's nothing about a proper or improper motion. Where are you guys getting this from? Chris, can you respond, please?

Can you, Chris, please respond and you only... Preventing us from voting. So there is no motion. There is no motion that has been made that has been... Based upon our attorney... So we are at an impasse at this point.

We're not at an impasse. There's a motion on the floor and it has been second. The motion, the attorney does not have the authority to decide what is proper or improper in a motion. That's unheard of. The city attorney does not dictate to us.

It seemed like everybody wants to dictate to the commissioners. Hmm. is that everybody that come into this city and hold a position, they want to dictate to us what we must do in our own city. What were you saying, Chris?

We're trying to resolve it now and you have the mayor abusing her power according to our charter. There's a motion and there's a second on the floor. She's refusing to call the vote. That's a violation of our charter.

It's not about any feelings with the city attorney. It's the fact that she is not the authority of the city. The commission is the authority of the city. Her opinion is her opinion. Her recommendation is her recommendation. That cannot thwart the authority of this commission to do his job. And there's a motion on the floor. There's been a second.

We're not going to adopt this budget as is. And that's why we're making the calls for the amendments to the budget. And it's, and we can only make decision pursuant to a motion in a second. So when you have an individual trying to up sort the authority of the commission unilaterally by acting as though there's not a motion in a second on the floor, that's a violation of our charter and the violation of Florida statute in itself. Nobody wants to point out that fact. She is violating Florida statute, her oath of office and the, and the charter of the city.

For the record, I'm going under the advisement of our attorney and following proper procedures. Therefore we will not be moving forward.

According to, we are appealing your parliamentary decision not to call the vote.

And the attorney does not work for just the mayor.

So if you're taking a parliamentary judgment on the advisement of the attorney, I motion to appeal that, which requires a second and a vote. Second.

Mayor, that's your only one decision. And you know you're not supposed to be making that one statement.

The attorney has given us advice. Mayor. And so we are not moving forward.

According to the charter, the body of the commission can override the city attorney.

Any authoritarian ruling of the providing officer.

By the majority. That is stated clearly. So I would like for you to look up that part to see if you see in the charter. Can anyone state that? Yes, it's in 2-24 Section H. This is over city? Regardless of how the outcome is?

So the only thing that you all can do is if you want to make a motion to give the manager... an idea of an amount range to go back and look at the budget to see if there's some way that he can move stuff around. But as, as it relates to mayor moving, can I finish?

Yeah. But with all due respect, last time that we were considering, no, with all due respect, the last time we were considering me to Listen, the last time we was considering budgetary constraints, you all said that we needed to give him specific things to cut. Now you're saying that we should give a generalization of the amount of money. But when we were trying to do that last year to accomplish the 7.9, you said, oh, you have to give him specific things in the budget to cut. Now that we're being more specific... specific things. And that's what we did this time and now you're saying that tha

The residents are frustrated with us right now.

No, you. You're the presiding officer. The onus is on you. You're not moving the city forward. You're not moving the agenda forward because you're having a personal vendetta.

That's exactly what I was recommending for us to do.

Um, madam attorney, At the last budget hearing that we had, when there was an amount that we were trying to eliminate from the budget and we gave him the amount of approximately $200,000, it was the mayor and Commissioner Smith and the attorney at the time that said we had to identify specific line items to provide him the direction of what we wanted to cut out the budget. Now that we're given specific guidance as to what we would like specifically cut from the budget, now you're flip-flopping and saying that we can only give a generalization. When last year we went through this budget, our ci

Thank you. And I'll tell you the key difference. See, like I said, you spewing out a whole bunch of content, but the context is all out of whack. The difference between last year and this year, you're trying to cut people and positions. No, no, you specifically said you specifically see, see here, here it is. When I, when I go to, when I go to, when I go to state the truth, I didn't interrupt you. I didn't interrupt you. And I will ask for the same courtesy, please. The stark difference. No, the stark difference between last year, a proposal to cut you guys were referencing just generalities i

Listen to what I'm saying. You're not listening. You're not following along. And that's where we always get hung up. Because this year, you specifically said things that relate to employee or employer decisions in terms of cutting an actual person. You said assistant to the city manager. You said program services director. You said parks and recs director. That is employee positions. That is a total difference from what we discussed last year. So you can't compare the two. They're apples and oranges. You're taking what was said last year out of context and putting it into this year's phrasing

It's not. It's the same, because when we were trying to reduce the cost of the BSO increases, right, you guys were like, oh, well, what specifically we're going to eliminate from the budget? You wanted a specific line item of how we was going to come at the millage rate that we were opining on last year. You guys said, well, what specifically we're going to cut at the budget? We had to sit there and find line items in the budget to come to that total. you're misconstruing it it wasn't about having no programs and initiatives we were trying to reduce the millage rate and in order to get to that

I said nothing about any contract. I said about specific... BSO is what I'm talking about.

I never spoke specifically about a BSO contract. That was my fellow commissioner that spoke of that. I spoke specifically of defunding certain departments. That's what I spoke about. Specifically, that's what my motion was stated upon.

Thank you. So, uh, can you also advise if there's a motion on the floor in the second, what is the city, um, um, mayor's responsibility according to our charter?

Is that in our charter? Are you stating something specifically from our charter? If so, can you provide me what section that is in?

No, provide to me the section in the charter because I'm proving the fact that you're saying things that's not in our charter. You're saying things that are not in our charter, and you're trying to be smart and laugh and cute over there, and it's not cute. It's not cute.

No, uh-uh. Specifically indicate where in the charter does it say that? What you just said on record. Where does it say that in the charter? It doesn't say that in the charter. That's why you can't speak to it. You should not say liable things on the microphone at the meeting when you know that it's false. Nowhere in our charter does it says that, right? Point it out in the charter for the whole audience where it says what you just said. Please look it up in the charter. Where is that? I would like for you to enlighten us on your ill advisement and what's in the charter. We're going to wait fo

And I can speak. I am the mayor. So what I was saying is it is 10th of 23. We have to pass this budget by 11 o'clock.

It's not going to pass if you don't recognize the motion that's on the floor.

Can you please be quiet while I'm speaking?

I'm speaking because it's an urgent matter that we need to consider what's already on the floor.

We have to be done with this budget tonight, and it has to be done by 11 o'clock.

and recognize the motion so we can move on.

It is not a proper motion. Yes, it is, Mayor.

Well, Chris, unfortunately, I guess we're going to get sanctioned, and the city attorney will have to fight as to why the charter wasn't being followed. She thinks that it's a game over here to indicate that something that's in the charter is not in the charter. So since everyone thinks that it's a game, I'm just going to really excuse myself because if there's not going to be any motions recognized, then there's no sense of me to waste my time. Time is a commodity that we cannot get back. And I have other important things that I could be dealing with with my own family at home than sitting up

Can you speak a little bit louder, Chris?

Chris, can you say that one more time a little bit louder?

Selfish. So, Mayor, you have time to call the motion. Selfish.

So, again, I want to say that three commissioners are walking out of the meeting. They're walking out the room.

That's what they're stating, but it doesn't mean that it's true.

Sometimes they are, but it's not illegal.

You wouldn't know until you go to court. You wouldn't know. It's only a good thing to decide if it breaks and violates the law.

Madam Attorney, you don't have to read anything.

Read it. Where are we violating? By the motion that was made, how are we violating? Read it.

And what about my motion was saying to hire or fire anybody? What about my motion was to hire or fire anybody?

talking about the effects of defunding the department, will come with the city manager to make decisions on how he does his staffing. We have the authority to budget or to un-budget something in our budget. What you read in the charter just now does not state that I cannot make a motion to defund any portion or line item of our budget. That's within the constraints and authority of this commission. I never stated to fire anyone. I never stated to hire anyone. I have explained exactly why and I've also explained exactly how you can pass a budget by recommending a specific amount.

Because she's trying to renegotiate contracts. That's what those recommendations did. Right.

What is the part that says about when a motion is made in the chart, it says that it needs to be recognized. Can you read that part?

It cannot be unduly delayed to call the vote on a motion in

I have the Robert's rules report with me right now. There's nothing about an illegal motion. The only motion that is not a proper motion according to Robert's rules is when you have a negative motion When you say I do not want to approve or I don't approve, it has to always be in the affirmative.

Don't engage. Mr. Sparks, don't engage. You don't have to wait for the mayor to tell you. That's what Charlie said.

So, residents, we are at an impasse right now because we do not have a quorum. I want to, first of all, apologize for this display of foolery and this display of just not how we are supposed to be, nor how we are supposed to act. Act, especially in our official capacity. Our only desire tonight was to approve a budget, but I want the residents to know that because three commissioners have walked out of this building, that the city of West Park does not have a budget to send to Tallahassee, which means that there will be, as stated by the attorney, repercussions. because this was not done tonig