The key item on the agenda was the adoption of the draft Settlement Agreement between the Municipality, the Public Institution "Grad Teatar" and "Lovćen Film". President of the Municipality of Budva Nikola Jovanovic he explained that this was the only way to put the city's property back into service.
"The cinema has been closed for three years and we have to resolve this. Lovćen film has initiated several proceedings since 2017, millions of lawsuits for the Municipality of Budva, we are coming to potential damages of around 12 million euros for the Municipality of Budva... The nominal value of all disputes ranges from 12 to 25 million damages for the Municipality of Budva, we cannot escape responsibility, the frozen relationship has been going on for ten years. At the end of the summer, the cinema in Budva will open. This is a business and we must act responsibly. The contractual relationship is terminated, the municipality enters its premises, takes over the equipment, adds it to the Public Institution City of Theatre and gives it over to management."
Budva Municipal Council President Petar Odžić supported the solution, but with a reference to the harmfulness of the previous contract:
"I think it's a harmful contract with the Municipality of Budva, which pumped money out of the budget of the Municipality of Budva. It's good that we tackled this issue. If we prevent the damage that would follow, if we get the cinema and if we reduce the risks to the budget..."
The problem of burial sites and parking policies
The discussion on communal services raised the issue of Budva's infrastructure overcrowding.
"Our municipality has a strikingly small number of burial sites, I appeal to the competent authorities to find a new location for the cemetery as soon as possible. We currently have eleven free burial sites, there are none in Petrovac," said councilor Đorđe Zenović (Movement for the City).
Regarding the "Parking Service" plan, the opposition criticized the prices and zoning, while Jovanović defended the decision with the need to introduce order.
"Locals pay the most expensive tickets not only in Budva but also in Europe. Zoned parking is necessary, but the prices are too high. We are looking for where every euro from zoned parking will end up, how you will invest that money instead of treating citizens like ATMs," said councilor Željko Franeta (Democrats).
"Free parking is not a realistic option in a tourist destination like Budva. No municipal company should be profitable, but rather work in the public interest. The purpose is to free up parking for those who will actually come, for example at the Health Center and the Clinical Center. You noticed that suddenly there are free parking spaces, and we had rental cars, taxis parked illegally, broken-down vehicles taking up parking space that we need to use, and that's the point. In Dubrovnik, the first hour of parking in the exclusive zone is 20 euros, and ten euros for each subsequent hour. Parking prices are satisfactory compared to the standards in our city. We need to think about reducing vehicle use and create space for tourists, for whom we do business. A responsible attitude towards parking is when you remove all those who parked there illegally," said Jovanović.
The session was also marked by harsh words about religious and national identity during the discussion on the work of the Public Institution "City of Theatre".
"The announced co-production with Zetski dom makes me happy... the directorship was given to Ana Vukotić, a regime figure, a signatory of the May 21st Movement who insulted the believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church. I would ask my colleagues in front of me (the councilors of Budva Our City) to consider this plan and I ask them not to vote because they are fake Serbs with an ATM," said Jovana Todorović (DNP).
"When we mention fake Serbs, patriots, believers, they disparage others, and they didn't have the guts to come and vote on the decision to build the church of St. Mark. None of them came, even though they present themselves as Serbs and believers. I will not allow hypocrisy to be present in this parliament, I have politically separated myself from those whom I consider to be dishonest Serbs and fighters for law and the state... They are followed by corruption, crime, nepotism, and scandals."
Investments and state responsibility
To criticism from Dragana Kažanegra Stanišić from the Democrats that "not a shovel has been used" in the city for large projects such as a hospital and a promenade, Jovanović responded by shifting responsibility to the Government.
"There is no mention of the hospital, the central city park, the relocation of the municipality, the Budva Promenade, everything has stopped there, nothing has happened, not a shovel has been used," said Kažanegra Stanišić.
"I will remind you that in less than a year we have resolved financial doubts, the WTE debt, free kindergartens, increased fees for newborns, bought a plot for a kindergarten, bought the JRB building, conducted a tender for the Grđevica road, garages... Many are complaining about the opening of a cinema, this city cannot afford for its children to go to the neighboring municipality to watch a movie or celebrate a birthday. They have shown up capable people and that bothers many. When it comes to hospitals, kindergartens, we turn to the Government, and nothing happens, we wait. What have our colleagues who hold state positions done, at least one school or kindergarten that they built in this city. You have done nothing for this city. When you mention a hospital, go to the Ministry of Health, when you mention a school, go to the Ministry of Education, and to the Prime Minister. We cannot do someone else's job, we were not elected for that and we do not have state money. We will build the hospital, equip it and the ministry and the Government will manage it. The municipality is ready to determine the location, build, "We need to equip it and find a private partner, then let the Fund pay for health services for the citizens of Budva. This is an appeal to you, the Ministry of Health and the Government of Montenegro, we can do it but we have no one to do it with. You test me politically if you can. Donate us the technical project documentation, give us the passability and we will let them sprout," said Jovanović.
At the very end, President Jovanović concluded that the new vice presidents, Dejan Božović and Vlado Ivanović, are people in whose qualities he has full confidence, and that they will work together in the interests of all citizens of Budva.
The councilors adopted all agenda items, of which there were a total of 26 for the 12th session.
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