901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Belleair, FL 33756

Town of Belleair

Meeting Minutes

Finance Board

Thursday, April 20, 2017

4:00 PM

Town Hall

Welcome. We are glad to have you join us. If you wish to speak, please wait to be recognized, then

step to the podium and state your name and address. We also ask that you please turn-off all cell

phones.

Meeting called to order at 4:00 PM with Chairman Olson presiding.

ROLL CALL

Present 1 - John Hail

Absent 2 - Ernest Whittle, and Chairman Kevin Piccarreto

17-0121

Finance Board Resolution Recognizing Micah Maxwell

Mr. Olson read into record; passed unanimously by those present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

17-0064 Approval of January 19, 2017 Meeting Minutes

Ms. Griffith moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Mr. Hartshorne.

Aye: 5 - Olson, Hartshorne, Prevas, Griffith, and Hail

Absent: 2 - Whittle, and Chairman Piccarreto

GENERAL AGENDA

17-0083

Capital Project Funding Priorities

Mr. Olson briefly discussed infrastructure priorities and park financing.

JP Murphy-Assistant Town Manager-Recapped the conversations of the Infrastructure

Board regarding their thoughts on plan two and park improvements; identified staff

concerns with Hallet Park timeline; not on schedule for next 5 years; funding for Hallett

Park could come from various sources. Mr. Murphy discussed staff priorities in park

design as "green" infrastructure; recommends completing alongside infrastructure

projects; grant funding for the environmental impact of Hallett Park's waterfront.

Mr. Hartshorne discussed the uses of Hallett Park and the need to repair the gulleys

before the amenities.

Mr. Hail stated the importance of looking both beneath the park and on top of it; safety

is a large concern for residents and pets; identified need for resident input; funding

sources is also a concern.

Mr. Murphy reinforced need to discuss both angles of beneath and on top of the park to

maintain Hallett's appeal; stressed that both pieces can be tackled at the same time;

staff is looking into grant money to mitigate deterioration.

Discussion ensued regarding the bluff's preservation; priority should be to address

erosion and protection; cutting of vegetation; cause of erosion.

Mr. Murphy stressed that reducing erosion was also a concern of the staff; mentioned

the Board's opinion seemed to be to move the park's construction into the next five

years, pending funding. Board consensus that priorities in Hallett Park are as follows:

(1) safety, (2) preservation, and (3) maintenance; aesthetics would be last.

Discussion regarding rip rap on the northwest side of bluff; clear-cutting in connection

to this; importance regarding the upkeep of nature.

Mr. Prevas made a motion that the Finance Board recognizes the unique properties of this park

and their relevance and importance to the Town of Belleair, and therefore is in accordance the

recommendations of the Infrastructure Board that the priorities when it comes to financing

must be safety first, preservation second and maintenance third; seconded by Mr. Hartshorne.

Aye: 5 - Olson, Hartshorne, Prevas, Griffith, and Hail

Absent: 2 - Whittle, and Chairman Piccarreto

Mr. Olson questioned addition of a dog park; Eric Wahlbeck-Parks and Recreation

Director-said there were no plans for one.

17-0089

2017 Budget Calendar

Mr. Murphy discussed scheduling meetings for Commission and Finance Board

regarding the upcoming budget season, and what discussions to expect at future

meetings. Mr. Murphy stated the need for a meeting on May 18th because the

preliminary millage must be set by June.

Mr. Hail brought up the sale of the golf course; Mr. Murphy discussed its potential

closing on June 15th and the resulting revenue change.

Mr. Murphy stated that the budget calendar is mandated by the schedule set forth by

the state; discussed voting and timeline for the maximum millage rate (voted by

Commission on July 18th).

Discussion ensued regarding Penny for Pinellas and its potential implications; speaking

with Senator Brandes's office regarding the Penny.

Mr. Murphy continued outlining the budget calendar; hopes to be finished with the

budget from the Finance perspective by August 17th, and go to the Commission after

that.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Olson congratulated Mr. Murphy on his appointment as Town Manager.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

Nancy Harshorne-Resident-Spoke against clear-cutting on the bluff until a plan is

developed.

Mr. Wahlbeck spoke about the plan to bring bluff edge discussion to the Commission on

May 16th, and to discuss the ordinance that surrounds this.

COMMISSION ADVISOR REPORT

Mayor Katica discussed the variance decided upon at Tuesday's Commission meeting

and the results of that meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

No further business; meeting adjourned in due form at 4:53 PM.

APPROVED:

________________________________

Chairman