The Oakland Park City Commission voted 5-0 at the September 21st, 2022 City Commission Meeting, to approve the final FY 2023 Oakland Park City Budget, 2023 Millage Rate and 2023 Special Assessments.
As reported here previously, the three-step process to review, amend and approve the FY 2023 Budget, Millage Rate and Special Assessments has now wrapped up and this concludes the budget process for this fiscal year.
Year-Round Irrigation Ordinance First Reading
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is the governing body that establishes irrigation restrictions for properties within South Florida pursuant to Florida Administrative Code.
The City of Oakland Park enforces these restrictions. This item creates Section 22-21 “Year-Round Irrigation Ordinance” to comply with SFWMD requirements to codify the requirements by the State.
This proposed amendment creates consistent rules to improve compliance with irrigation requirements. It provides definitions and permanent year-round irrigation restrictions for water conservation. Sets hours when no watering is permitted and adds additional language and provisions for new landscaping to ensure it is properly irrigated.
Permitted Watering Days
No change to current schedule.
Addresses ending in an even number, 0,2,4,6,8. Your watering days are Thursdays 10-4 and Sunday 10-4.
Addresses ending in an odd number, 1,3,5,7,9. Your watering days are Wednesdays 10-4 and Saturdays 10-4.
City Staff will be conducting a citizen’s education outreach campaign to remind citizens about these schedules. These schedules were originally put in place in 2014 by the (SFWMD).
The Commission voted 5-0 to pass the ordinance on first reading.
City Redevelopment Agency Meeting
The FY 2023 proposed CRA budget is $674,175.00.
A Public Hearing was held during the CRA Meeting concerning the CRA proposed budget for FY 2023. No one from the public spoke on the item.
The Commission approved the CRA Budget 5-0.
Oktoberfest Catering Agreement with Funky Buddha Brewery
Funky Buddha has been partnering with the City for several years to host Oktoberfest. The previous contract expired when the event was suspended during the pandemic. This will be the first Oktoberfest since 2019.
The City is pleased with this relationship and wishes to enter into a new contract for the upcoming event scheduled for October 7th, 8th and 9th.
The contract provides for Funky Buddha to supply all the food, drink, and entertainment. For this service, the City pays a fixed fee and Funky Buddha retains a fixed fee per each item of food and beverage sold.
The City is then remitted the proceeds of sale above the fixed amount. The total estimate for the catering services is $114,465.00. The cost of the catering is to be offset by the event revenue received.
The anticipated City costs will be $46,465.00 for food, $3,750.00 for water and soda and $44,250.00 for beer. In addition to these items there is a fixed $20,000.00 service fee that covers staffing and other costs.
The catering cost for the last Oktoberfest in 2019 was $95,073.00.
The estimated catering cost increase for Oktoberfest 2022 is $19,393.00 or 20%. This increase is predicated on an increased service fee (from $12,500 to $20,000.00) attributed to higher labor costs and increased food and beer costs.
The cost of this catering is included in the FY2023 Parks and Leisure Services special events budget.
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the agreement.
Firefighters Union
During the FY 2022 Collective Bargaining between the City and City and Metro Broward Professional Firefighters (MBFFF) Local 3080 agreed to review the current departmental staffing structure.
City Staff presented the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and MBPFF Local 3080.
The Proposed New Structure:
Phases out the Fire Rescue Supervisor position.
Qualified Fire Rescue Supervisors become Fire Lieutenants/Paramedics.
Qualified Fire Lieutenants/Paramedics become Fire Rescue Captains.
Reclassified employees move to the closet pay steps in their new ranks- no reductions.
The Benefits of This Reclassification:
- Helps reduce mandatory overtime
- Increases the number of trained supervisors
- Increases the level of functional knowledge in the fire department
- Aligns structures with most South Florida fire departments.
Approximate Cost: $ 70,000.00
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the MOU.
The next City Commission will be on October 6, 2022 at 6pm.
Elections will be held in early November to fill two City Commission seats. Stay tuned for candidate interviews right here on LivingInOaklandPark.com.
