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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-28 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY MAY 28, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the regular meeting of the City Commission to order at 9:05 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, in Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ABSENT: Commissioner Edward C. Portner. ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Commissioner Dressler led the pledge of allegiance. INTRODUCTION PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the agenda to take up Item 1(b). b. Presentation of a proclamation to the Mayor and City Commission by Broward County Vice Mayor Stacy Ritter in recognition of the City of Tamarac receiving the Emerald Award. Mayor and City Commission, Director of Utilities Gagnon, Lab Manager Oney, and Water Plant Superintendent Harvey accepted. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said Tamarac is the first City in South Florida to receive this award and we have also achieved the Silver Certificate for Greening. e. Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco commending and congratulating Tamarac Fire Rescue's ALS Competition Team first place honor. (Requested by Fire Chief Jim Budzinski). Lts. Rex Van Mehren, Alex Arias, Derek Cerney, and Firefighter/Paramedic Jorge Perez accepted. Commissioner Dressler made a presentation of the trophy and said the entire community is proud of our firefighters. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the firefighters are our backbone and we are in good hands. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the firefighters are special to her and she is proud to be a Commissioner in the City of Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said for the past two years she and her husband have not had to make use of fire rescue services, but she is grateful for those times when they have showed up. f. Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco recognizing Hector Roman as Broward General Medical Center's and North Broward Medical May 28, 2008 Page 1 of 8 Center's "Paramedic of the Year." (Requested by Fire Chief Jim Budzinski). Firefighter Roman accepted and thanked the City and the fire department for their support. d. Presentation from the Tamarac Chamber of Commerce to the Mayor and City Commission of a $5,000 check representing the final payment to the City of a $30,000 loan received by the Chamber in 2002. Vicki Reid and Chamber staff presented the check to the City and thanked the City of Tamarac for partnering with the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she was on the Commission with Vice Mayor Sultanof and Commissioner Portner when the Chamber came forward for a continuance of the loan. A partnership developed between the City and the Chamber, and she is proud to see the Chamber's participation in helping Tamarac grow. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the Chamber has been run very well under Ms. Reid's guidance. Commissioner Dressler said he is pleased to see the work the board has done; they are all unpaid positions and the Chamber is concerned about their community and have supported us and other organizations in the city. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she is very proud of the Tamarac Chamber of Commerce. a. Representative Porth spoke of two Bills he sponsored that were passed this session, the Jack Davis Florida Restaurant Limited Liability Act and the Window of Opportunity Act, for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Representative Porth also spoke of several Bills that did not pass the legislature this session, the Bill to either boot or impound cars of those who drive with revoked or suspended licenses, and the Bill to require convenience stores to put up surveillance systems in parking lots. Representative Porth said he will continue to fight for these Bills. Representative Porth spoke of a Bill Contest, which is a democracy in action initiative, for high school students. If a good Bill idea is presented to him, he will contact the student, review the Bill and submit it in upcoming legislative sessions. Representative Porth said his address and phone number are 1300 Coral Springs Drive, 954-346-2810. His e-mail address is ari.porth@mAoridahouse.gov He is happy to help with any of the City's needs. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested announcing the Bill Contest in the Tam - A -Gram and filtering the students' ideas through the Mayor and City Commission's offices to Representative Porth's office. Commissioner Dressler said Representative Porth is a bright spot in the legislature; he always tries to bring Bills to the House that help people and others in Tallahassee should follow Representative Porth's example. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked Representative Porth to include DUI's along with revoked and suspended licenses. Vice Mayor Sultanof commended Representative Porth on the work he does for Tamarac. Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of Mothers Against Predators, of which she is Vice Chair, and said Representative Porth is a bonus to the board. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she considers Representative Porth to be a friend, and commended him on the Autism Bill. Commissioner Atkins -Grad agreed with Vice Mayor Sultanof to include DUI's in the Bill Representative Porth is sponsoring. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she remembers when she and Representative Porth first ran for office and they have both grown into their jobs together. During this legislative session, Representative Porth has hit his stride. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned taxes and Representative Porth said there will be a change in leadership, a new Speaker of the House in November, and he is hopeful that there will be more May 28, 2008 Page 2 of 8 balance in numbers with the upcoming election. Hopefully, resentment of local government should diminish with the change in leadership. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco spoke of unintended consequences as a result of these sessions. Commissioner Dressler said he is pleased to hear there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. City Attorney Goren said he has a good relationship with the delegation, and Representative Porth, as well as his assistant Ms. Plotnick, have called upon City Attorney Goren many times with regard to local government issues, to seek guidance. They have helped Tamarac to prosper. Commissioner Dressler spoke of a Bill filed by Senator Ring with regard to allowing State pension funds to invest up to 2% in State Biotech stocks and asked when it would be implemented. Representative Porth said it has been signed on Wall Street but he does not know the affective date. Commissioner Dressler commended Senator Ring for getting the Bill passed that allows for private equity investment in our state. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said there is an open invitation to Senator Ring to speak before the Mayor and City Commission. C. Presentation of new voting equipment to the Mayor and City Commission by the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office. The Broward County Supervisor of Elections' office was unable to attend the meeting. REPORTS 2. City Commission: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of the Broward County Cultural Division event held at the Tamarac Community Center on May 15th, attended by several different cities and headed by the City of Tamarac Parks and Recreation Board, the Public Art Committee, Community Development Director Bramley and George Gadson. Fifty people were in attendance and an excellent packet of information was handed out. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked Director of Parks and Recreation Warner and Executive Assistant to the Mayor and City Commission Debbie DeCrane for helping to put the event together. Additionally the City received a letter from the Broward County Cultural Division for hosting the event. Challenger Elementary and Millennium Middle School hosted the second Annual Multi -Cultural Festival on May 16th, with over 1,200 parents in attendance; the theme was May Peace Prevail Around the World. On Saturday Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended a fund raiser for Gilda's Club, which was held at Parker Playhouse. City Attorney Goren's wife, Shelley, is President and CEO of Gilda's Club in Broward County, and $150,000 was raised. On Sunday, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended Buddha's Birthday at the Buddhist Temple on 57th Street. Additionally, a celebration was held for the lives of those who survived the earthquake. After that, she attended the Challenger Picnic at the Multi - Purpose Center, of which the City of Tamarac was the main sponsor. On Friday, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended the 19th annual ArtServe Award Ceremony at the 17th Street Causeway Hilton; this is the second year in a row the City of Tamarac was awarded the Government Leadership Award. The award was designed by George Gadson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco is proud to claim that the City of Tamarac has brought arts and culture to areas west of 1-95. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the City of Tamarac does not have a rubber stamp commission. Vice Mayor Sultanof thanked staff who attended yesterday's workshop, May 28, 2008 Page 3 of 8 commended Fire Chief Budzinski for obtaining grants for the fire department, Public Works Director Strain for making sure prices on oil and gas are watched, Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz for making sure we piggy -back on contracts and save the City money, and Financial Services Director Chapman for making sure the City's investments are kept in line. The new dog park will be named today after a magnificent man, Gary B. Jones. This commission has made great strides, and Vice Mayor Sultanof complemented Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco, who makes sure the commission functions well. Tamarac is the finest City in Broward County. Through the MPO we have obtained $8.5 million in funding for the years 2006 — 2009. Vice Mayor Sultanof commended staff for their efforts on behalf of the City. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she echoes everything Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco reported and agrees with Vice Mayor Sultanof with regard to staff. It is wonderful to see our firefighters win these awards, and Commissioner Atkins -Grad is very proud of them. Our BSO Chief is doing a fine job. Commissioner Atkins -Grad acknowledged Ada Jones, who was in the audience, and said Gary Jones can never be replaced and he will be in our hearts forever. Commissioner Dressler said he has attended two meetings of the MPO and the MPO is projecting out to 2035. The MPO vote was 18-1 to support tri-rail mass transit with a $2.00 fee on rental cars, but the Bill died in Tallahassee. Commissioner Dressler said he is hopeful changes in the legislature will have a better affect on mass transit; we do not need more roads, we need mass transit. Commissioner Dressler spoke of foreclosures and depreciation of property values. Many homeowner associations do not have enforcement capabilities for parking, lawns, and fences, and Commissioner Dressler is hopeful staff will bring forth an ordinance that will made the City a safety net for the homeowner associations in order to keep properties maintained. Commissioner Dressler spoke about banks not taking responsibility for properties once they are foreclosed upon. Commissioner Dressler spoke of older homes with one -car garages now housing families with three and four cars; a solution also needs to be found for this issue. Commissioner Dressler said he is looking forward to webcasting workshop meetings so citizens can see the amount of work that goes into each item that comes before the Mayor and City Commission. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said at the Commission retreat Community Development Director Bramley described a community outreach effort, and Commissioner Atkins - Grad and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco started this with Community Development Director Bramley at Mainlands 8 and were very well received. A number of issues brought up today were addressed. We all now have an opportunity to go with Community Development Director Bramley and staff into the communities and look at specific neighborhood issues and help bring them up to code. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the Memorial Day Service was a wonderful celebration and thanked staff for the event. May 28, 2008 Page 4 of 8 3. City Attorne. City Attorney Goren reported this Friday there will be an Oversight Committee meeting for a review of the analysis and recommendation regarding the University Drive extension into Palm Beach County. A trial is scheduled for August 18th; the objective is to try to resolve the matter between the DOT and DCA. The data derived by outside consultants is compelling and there is a need to continue University Drive through to Palm Beach County. The BSO Budget is at the County Commission level and there have been suggestions of double taxation. City Attorney Goren is monitoring the allegations and the Broward League of Cities is looking into the matter. Commissioner Dressler said it was his understanding that the contract with BSO is a collective bargaining type contract. City Attorney Goren said an audit has been provided by the County Commission Auditor, but City Attorney Goren has not seen it yet. Commissioner Dressler asked if there are any impacts on our upcoming budget because of issues like this. City Attorney Goren said the new guard in the legislature may have less of an interest in this issue than the current powers. Commissioner Dressler also expressed a concern about the County's lack of interest in subsidizing buses that service Tamarac. 4. City Manager: Deputy City Manager Cernech reported we received notice from the Florida Department of Health regarding a system for fire vehicles has been approved in the amount of $62,750. Parks and Recreation reports the hurricane wellness check discharge stations and condominium lists are being updated, as well as the Broward County vulnerable population list. We partnered with Challenger Elementary and Millennium Middle School in their Multi -Cultural Festival. There were 600 participants in the 2008 Health Fair held on May 17th. The Three on Three Basketball Tour hosted 175 youths and 75 adult participants. Over 250 people joined the Memorial Day celebration Monday at Veterans Park. Upcoming events: Dive -In Movie at the Caporella Aquatic Center on June 6 at 8:30 p.m., and the Father's Day Fishing Event at Caporella Park on June 14th from 9:00 a.m. — Noon. Deputy City Manager Cernech said several issues raised by Commissioner Dressler regarding neighborhood outreach will be addressed through the budget process in June. 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Odiel Fiers, 7421 NW 70th Avenue, spoke of the need for speed humps on 70th Avenue. Barbara McNeil, 6961 NW 82 Court, addressed speeding on 70th Avenue, and said something needs to be added to the name Tam -A -Bark to indicate it is a sub -part of the dog park. Pam Bushnell, 4706 NW 43 Terrace, spoke in favor of Tamarac University and said the Department Directors are very proficient. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said Tamarac University was an initiative of the Mayor and City Commission. Commissioner Atkins - Grad said it is nice to hear positive comments, and we are doing the right thing for our residents. May 28, 2008 Page 5 of 8 CONSENT AGENDA 6. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked to have Item 6(b) pulled from the consent agenda for discussion. Commissioner Atkins -Grad seconded by Vice Mayor Sultanof moved approval of all items on the consent agenda with the exception of Item 6(b), which was pulled for discussion. On roll call Vice Mayor Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. a. APPROVE the minutes of the May 14, 2008 Regular City Commission meeting. APPROVED b. NAMING THE TAMARAC DOG PARK PROJECT: (TR11406) Naming the Tamarac Dog Park Project located on Southgate Boulevard, west of Tamarac Veterans' Park, in Tamarac. PULLED FOR DISCUSSION C. RENEWAL OF CAPRI ENGINEERING AGREEMENT: (TR11402) Exercising the first one (1) year renewal option of the agreement between the City of Tamarac and Capri Engineering, LLC providing back-up building inspector services utilizing the City of Ft. Lauderdale contract #362-9442. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-70 d. VACATING TWO EASEMENTS TO ALLOW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RIGHT TURN LANE — COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH: (TR11405) Granting a vacation of easement to vacate two (2) easements to allow construction of a right turn lane on Commercial Boulevard into the Community Christian Church property lying in the "Westpoint Section 7 Plat" (Plat Book 162, Page 23), located at the northwest corner of Nob Hill Road and Commercial Boulevard; (Case No. 1-P-08). RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-71 e. PURCHASE OF DIESEL FUEL: (TR11407) Purchasing diesel fuel from BV Oil Company, Inc. and MacMillan Oil Company utilizing Coral Springs Co -Op Contract #06- A-098; authorizing purchase of diesel fuel in the quantities needed based on the oil price information service price index cost at the time of delivery; authorizing budget amendments for proper accounting purposes. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-72 f. AMENDING ANNUAL AUDITING SERVICES AGREEMENT: (TR11409) Amending the original agreement between the City of Tamarac and GLSC & Company, PLLC (formerly BKR Garcia & Company, PLLC), for annual auditing services to extend the agreement for a three year period beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008; for a not to exceed cost of $99,500, $104,475, and $110,000 for fiscal years ending on September 30th 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-73 g. EXTENDING THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TAMARAC AND DAVIDSON FIXED INCOME MANAGEMENT: (TR11410) Extending the existing agreement between the City of Tamarac and Davidson Fixed Income Management, (formerly Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management), for investment advisory services for a one-year period effective April 14, 2008, through April 14, 2009; Nunc Pro Tunc. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-74 May 28, 2008 Page 6 of 8 h. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRACKING AND REPORTING SYSTEM GRANT AWARD AND SUBGRANT AGREEMENT: (TR11412) Accepting a subgrant in the amount of $62,750 from the Florida Department of Transportation through the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services for Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) funding; authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute a Project Agreement and subsequent Agreements if necessary pending legal review and approval between the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Tamarac for subgrant funding in the amount of $62,750 to provide for Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System information technology equipment. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-75 i. GRANTING A TIME EXTENSION FOR FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL — MURAL PLAZA PROJECT: (TR11391) Granting a time extension of one (1) year for final site plan approval for Mural Plaza, requested by South East Architect Services, Inc. (Lawrence Kramer), applicant (Case No. 4-SP-08); providing for conditions of approval. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-76 END OF CONSENT AGENDA b. NAMING THE TAMARAC DOG PARK PROJECT: (TR11406) Naming the Tamarac Dog Park Project located on Southgate Boulevard, west of Tamarac Veterans' Park, in Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco recognized Ada Jones, who was in the audience, and said we will miss Gary Jones very much, and his memory will live on in the City always. City Attorney Goren read Temporary Resolution 11406, Revision #2, by title. Commissioner Atkins -Grad seconded by Commissioner Dressler moved approval. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved to change the suggested name of Gary B. Jones Dog Park for People and Pups to Gary B. Jones Park for People and Pups, and the naming of a subsection of the park Tam -A - Bark Run. Wiggley Field remains the same. On roll call Commissioner Atkins -Grad voted "yes", Vice Mayor Sultanof "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Vice Mayor Sultanof moved the approval of TR11406, Revision #2, as amended. On roll call Vice Mayor Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Atkins - Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-77 REGULAR AGENDA ORDINANCES — FIRST READINGS \There were no ordinances for first reading scheduled for this meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9:00 A.M. OR THEREAFTER ORDINANCES — SECOND READINGS There were no ordinances for second reading scheduled for this meeting. May 28, 2008 Page 7 of 8 QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS There were no quasi-judicial hearings scheduled for this meeting. END OF QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the regular meeting of the City Commission at 10:55 a.m. Marion Swenson, CIVIC City Clerk May 28, 2008 Page 8of8 Beth •. .• • Mayor