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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-24 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the workshop meeting to order on Monday, February 24, 2003, at 9:35 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88tn Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Vice Mayor Portner asked why the pledge of allegiance is not recited at workshop meetings and Mayor Schreiber said it has not been past practice to do so. FEBRUARY 26 2003 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(d). AGREEMENT — FY03 INFLOW AND INFILTRATION PROJECT: (TR10038) Executing an agreement for the FY03 Inflow and Infiltration Project with the Sanitary Sewer Line Rehabilitation Company, Insituform Technologies, Inc., for which the Director of Utilities will approve work tasks under the contract up to a total cost not to exceed $600,000.00; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. Utilities Director Raymond Gagnon gave a presentation and introduced Operations Manager London, who gave a presentation and explained I&I. Mayor Schreiber asked how long the program has been in force, the cost, and whether there has been a reduction. Operations Manager London replied the program has been in force since 1995 at a cost of $2 million and over the past eight years there has been a one-third reduction in the infiltration rate. Mayor Schreiber questioned compliance with EPA, and Operations Manager London said we would be asked to show sufficient ability to handle the flow. Commissioner Sultanof asked about the duration of the lining for the pipes and Operations Manager London said 25-50 years. Vice Mayor Partner questioned the relevance of 2018 in Operations Manager London's presentation, and Operation Manager London said this is the date expected for build -out of our population. There was discussion of the deep well Broward County anticipates building, and Vice Mayor Portner asked where it would be built. Utilities Director Gagnon said at the plant at Copans and Powerline. Commissioner Roberts asked if funding is already in place and Utilities Director Gagnon said it is. b. Item No. 7. AMENDING STATE OF FLORIDA'S STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP SHIP PROGRAM BUDGETS: (TR10039) Motion to approve Resolution authorizing the appropriate City Officials to amend the State of Florida's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program budgets of estimated revenues and expenditures by accepting the estimated amount of $27,992.00 for the current Fiscal Year 2002/2003 to reflect the amount based upon the redistribution of February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop funds for a total allocation of $559,857.00 as per the State of Florida, to be utilized according to the City of Tamarac's Local Housing Assistance Plan and Housing Delivery Goals Chart in Fiscal Year 2002/2003; appropriating said funds including any and all subsequent budgetary transfers (Case No. 3-MI-03). Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber spoke about condominiums and adding lifts for those people who are unable to maneuver the stairs. Mayor Schreiber said Coconut Creek, in particular the Wynmoor development, allocated SHIP funds for the project, and asked why Tamarac does not do the same. Community Development Director King said staff is looking into this and it will be put into our action plan for the upcoming year for any condominiums that qualify. There was discussion about Tamarac being an entitlement city and the role Tamarac would play. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about the fact that the governor may abolish SHIP funding. Commissioner Sultanof also spoke of the fact that each condominium in Kings Point is a separate corporation, and the people were not in favor of lifts, which would take away the use of one stairway. Commissioner Sultanof suggested pursuing the lifts through HUD. Commissioner Mishkin suggested making the lifts a city project instead of letting each independent area decide. Mayor Schreiber suggested looking at this during the budget process. Vice Mayor Portner said the governor wiped out community services money and put it into the general fund, and suggested asking the lobbyist in Tallahassee to work on a program to get more money for Tamarac. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest in looking for available funding and all were in favor. 2. DISCUSSION UPDATE RE: BSO CRIME STATISTICS: BSO Chief Ken Dugger gave a presentation and discussed the decrease in crime in Tamarac, Powertrac, and goals for the future. Mayor Schreiber asked for a definition of robbery, and BSO Chief Dugger said it is taking an item by use of force, power and fear. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the increase in robberies during the month of July, and BSO Chief Dugger said it is hard to say why the increase as there is no pattern. Mayor Schreiber asked about robberies that occur in parking areas or shopping centers, and BSO Chief Dugger said they are a small percentage as a lot of robberies occur in and around apartment complexes and small businesses. They are targets of opportunity. Commissioner Roberts asked where money from confiscated vehicles winds up, and BSO Chief Dugger said it goes back to the city. There was discussion about alarms and vehicle crashes. Vice Mayor Portner asked about specific crime areas, night bike patrol and walking patrols. BSO Chief Dugger said there is not one particular area that is higher in crime than another; and the bike patrol and walking patrols are very successful crime deterrents. Commissioner Roberts said she has seen BSO Chief Dugger on bike patrol in the evenings, and she has also seen BSO Deputies removing graffiti. Mayor Schreiber spoke in favor of speed traps. City Manager Miller said he is very pleased by the report and he is proud to say there is no serious crime in Tamarac compared to other similar communities. City Manager Miller said when BSO Chief Dugger became the Tamarac Chief one of the City Manager's concerns was auto theft, but the special task force association from downtown and the District 7 Personnel did a great job in curtailing this problem, and City Manager Miller commended BSO Chief Dugger. Commissioner Roberts said she would like to see some personnel moved around in BSO, as there were more people in the department several years ago, and February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop 2 she would like to see more people in the future. BSO Chief Dugger said he would look into that. 3. DISCUSSION — DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY FOR NAMING OF CITY PARKS: Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles gave a presentation and said the Parks and Recreation Board recommended naming the parcel at the corner of Pine Island Road and McNab Road, Columbia Memorial Park. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said while this is an excellent suggestion, criteria needs to be established by which names are chosen and a more general approach may be warranted. Mayor Schreiber said this calls for discussion and ideas. Commissioner Roberts recommended Freedom Park, as the park originally was to commemorate the World Trade Center event. Commissioner Sultanof suggested a committee to come up with names to bring to the Commission, and said there are consultants that do this. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles suggested coming back before the Commission with recommendations for guidelines for naming parks. Mayor Schreiber said this particular parcel was a long time coming, and City Manager Miller said since it was not in the budget to do anything this year, this year would be for planning, and it was up to the commission if they wanted to fund infrastructure for the park; it could be done during the midyear budget process. Vice Mayor Portner said there is already a committee — the Parks and Recreation Board, and it is their responsibility to come up with a process and criteria to name parks. Another committee is not necessary. 4. DISCUSSION — UPDATE RE: MONTEREY GOLF COURSE: Assistant City Manager Michael C. Cernech gave a presentation and said he met with the residents of Mainlands 3, and the residents want Tamarac to purchase the golf course and operate it as a golf course. They do not want a park, high school, additional housing, community center, and no amenities other than what is there today. Assistant City Manager Cernech said Plantation spent about $20,000 on a feasibility study, but he believed that a study for this golf course would be less. With regard to putting an option on the property, in discussion with Craig Eakin, Real Estate Counsel, Assistant City Manager Cernech was told that a price would have to be established, and Tamarac would have to put 10% down which would be non refundable if we chose not to pursue the purchase of the golf course. At this time we do not know what the acceptable price is and we do not have the down payment. We are not in a position to place an option on the property. Assistant City Manager Cernech spoke about grant funding for the property, and informed the Commission that he received a letter from the County last week in which he was told that golf course purchases are no longer an option under the County's open space grant program. Some other programs may have monies available but in order to get grant funding for the golf course, there must be a component of open space, which is in conflict with the neighborhood's wishes. Additionally, there is an environmental issue; we will be required to remove the first 24" of topsoil from areas that would be used for open space. Mayor Schreiber said based on Assistant City Manager Cernech's report, purchasing the golf course is possibly not a good idea for Tamarac, and the commission is not in a position at this time to make a final decision. Mayor Schreiber asked why the owner of the golf course could not sell it to someone else, and Assistant City Manager Cernech said he could, and it would continue to be operated as a golf course no matter who owns it because that is what the neighborhood February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop 3 wants. Commissioner Roberts said she is surprised that the people do not want a park or community center, and in that light she questions spending money on a feasibility study, since grant funding is not available. Mayor Schreiber said if Tamarac gets involved in the purchase of the golf course funding would have to come out of our own budget. It would cost several million dollars to purchase and there would be a large cost to put it into operation, which will directly affect the budget for the coming years. Commissioner Sultanof suggested Tamarac find a purchaser for the property. Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:10 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:20 a.m. with all present as before. Vice Mayor Portner said this has been under discussion for a long time, and since it appears unfeasible to get money from the County under the open space program, perhaps a developer should be called in to purchase the property and sit on it for several years before asking for rezoning. Vice Mayor Partner said Tamarac should have purchased the property two years ago. A golf course for the city is a convenience to the citizens and whoever else wants to come in to use it. Vice Mayor Portner said the commission needs to look to the future and he expressed an interest in moving forward with the feasibility study. Vice Mayor Partner said it is not necessarily taxpayers' money that will be used for the purchase; there is other money available. Commissioner Sultanof said other people could run the golf course. Vice Mayor Portner spoke about a covenant with the Mainlands that the golf course must remain a golf course for 99 years. Commissioner Sultanof said someone should be enticed to purchase the golf course. Commissioner Mishkin said she is not in favor of a 99-year covenant. Mayor Schreiber said he would like to see the property remain a golf course, and perhaps Tamarac can help secure a purchaser. Mayor Schreiber said it is not in the city's best interest to become involved in purchasing and running a golf course, as it is an improper use of public funds. Vice Mayor Portner said the people want the city to purchase the course and run it as a golf course. Mayor Schreiber asked for confirmation of this and City Manager Miller said the input of the residents was that they would be happy if Tamarac purchased and ran it as a golf course. Assistant City Manager Cernech said they were satisfied with the quality of city facilities and would like to see the golf course maintained at the same level. Vice Mayor Partner said he wants to move forward with this and listen to the residents who live on the east side. Many people in the west play this course; purchasing the golf course is good for Tamarac. Mayor Schreiber said it does not benefit the greater majority of the people. There was discussion about the swim center and its benefit to the residents, and comparison of the swim center to the golf course. Commissioner Roberts said she has no problem with a golf course if this is what the people on the east side want. She does have a problem with not being able to get the $2 million from the County, and because of this problem, she suggested someone else should look into purchasing the golf course. Commissioner Sultanof said the bottom line is dollars and cents, and asked where the money would come from. Vice Mayor Portner said he is of the understanding that there is other money available. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about the city's lack of park space, and the main concern is getting the purchase money. Mayor Schreiber said it appears the majority does not want to do anything as far as the golf course is concerned. City Manager Miller said regarding the $2 million, the best opportunity was the bond program from the County. February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop 4 He understands there are some trust funds through Tallahassee that will be dried up. Normal sources for parkland are not available. If that changes, he will come back to the commission, but in the meantime, he will not stop looking for a funding source. Commissioner Sultanof asked if federal monies are available because we must have a certain amount of park space, and City Manager Miller said no. Commissioner Roberts said she did not want to continue with the feasibility study, but would like the City Manager to keep looking for funding. 5. DISCUSSION — CALYPSO LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM NATURAL GAS PIPELINE AND AES LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: Mayor Joe Schreiber said he would like an expression from the commission whether they want to support Dania Beach's opposition to the pipelines. City Manager Miller said his office included a report as part of the backup for this item, which touched on environmental concerns. Dania Beach's resolutions are in opposition to the pipelines, and Tamarac can join in that opposition. Commissioner Roberts said she did not see why the commission would not want to support Dania Beach. All agreed to support Dania Beach's position regarding the pipelines. Vice Mayor Portner spoke in favor of supporting Dania Beach's opposition. 6. ENCOURAGING BROWARD COUNTY TO KEEP TAMARAC BRANCH AND POPULAR LIBRARIES OPEN: Mayor Joe Schreiber said he spoke to the County Commission about the possibility of keeping the two existing libraries once the new library is completed. He was told he needed to have petitions signed and a supporting resolution. Commissioner Sultanof said he contacted the Friends of the Library and also spoke with Mr. Morrison, who told him that the lease runs out in October, so we must begin efforts now. Commissioner Sultanof said he doubts that something can be done to save the small library on McNab, east of Pine Island, but perhaps the Popular Library can be kept. Commissioner Sultanof said he met with a gentleman from the Social Security office, and they are eager to move into the space that the library will eventually vacate on McNab east of Pine Island Road. Commissioner Roberts questioned the rent for the popular library, and City Manager Miller said it is about $18,000 per year. Commissioner Roberts said she is uneasy about paying $18,000 in public funds for rent when we have just spent $6.3 million for a new library to be built down the road. 7. DISCUSSION — SPEED HUMPS: Vice Mayor Portner spoke about an article he got off the internet which described speed humps as a traffic hazard, and asked that the commission not discuss speed humps any more. Commissioner Roberts said she does not have a copy of the Ft. Lauderdale report, but knows that several other cities have installed speed humps. This has been talked about for several months, and they are traffic calming devices. Mayor Schreiber said they are usually not placed on major roads, but in residential areas affected by speeders, e.g., 70t" Avenue. Assistant City Manager Cernech said there are speed humps in his neighborhood and he is unable to negotiate them at speeds of 25 mph without damaging his vehicle. Commissioner Sultanof said he is not in favor of speed humps as they damage vehicles; in Kings Point, Lennar said it would discontinue the bus system if speed bumps were put in the community. Commissioner Roberts said people in the Heathgate community would like February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop 5 to have speed humps installed. Commissioner Sultanof questioned the County`s stand on speed humps, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the County transit policy is they will not allow Broward County buses in areas where there are speed humps. Mayor Schreiber asked the commission if they wanted to try speed humps on an experimental basis. Vice Mayor Portner asked about the cost and Acting Public Works Director Linares said depending on the device it runs from $2,000-$5,000. Vice Mayor Portner asked how many would be needed for 70th Avenue and Commissioner Roberts said four. Vice Mayor Portner said this would be an expense of about $12,000- $20,000 in public funds. Commissioner Roberts said Lauderhill paid only $800 for theirs and we should get some information from them. There was an expression of interest to try speed humps on an experimental basis. 8. DISCUSSION — CREATION OF WOODLANDS INDEPENDENT DISTRICT: Vice Mayor Portner asked if the creation of an independent district would impact Tamarac's ability to tax, and City Attorney Kraft said there would be no impact to Tamarac's millage rates. City Attorney Kraft said the creation of an independent district is a special act of the legislature, which was presented to Tamarac by the legislative delegation, to create the Woodlands Independent District; providing for special power to do certain things within the community as granted by delegation of the legislature. This act will go to Tallahassee for a vote and carry the full force of state law. Under F.S. 189.404, the Mayor and Commission must put forth a resolution consistent with the government plan and indicate no objection; in sum, a resolution of support. There was discussion covering the following: the right to contract for special services, such as code enforcement services; the Woodlands contracting with BSO for special details; and public access to roads and the fact that if the access were restricted, Tamarac would still be liable to maintain the roads. Mayor Schreiber said this would open a Pandora's box. City Attorney Kraft explained that the legislation did not originate with the City. Jack Talabisco, Vice President of the Woodland Homeowners Association spoke about the fact that the deed restrictions needed to be renewed, and that was the main purpose of the bill. Mayor Schreiber said wording in the legislative act is such that if this were passed it would supercede and take away Tamarac's authority. Commissioner Sultanof said residents are not paying their dues and the Woodlands is trying to get them to contribute. Originally the City has asked if 75% of the people were in favor of the change. Mr. Talabisco said if the majority of the people knew they no longer had deed restrictions, they would support the change. Commissioner Roberts said she is not happy with this. Mayor Schreiber said a public hearing would be held on Thursday at the clubhouse. The commission's support is being sought, but support cannot be given because there are so many unanswered questions. Mayor Schreiber said the Woodlands assured they would prove a majority of the residents are supportive but this has not been shown. There is no evidence the people of the community want this and, as a result, if the commission supports this and there is opposition by the majority, the commission will then be doing a disservice to the community. Mayor Schreiber said matters need to be clarified. Commissioner Roberts said she does not like the way this is worded; also, the residents have not yet been contacted to find out if this is what they want. Commissioner Mishkin said she spoke to some people who live in the Woodlands and they are against this. Vice Mayor Portner asked if the commission could attend the public hearing and City Attorney Kraft said as long as February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop 6 1 there is no cross talk among the commission. Commissioner Sultanof asked for a revision to the code, adding the words chartered and acknowledged to the Veterans Affairs Committee, in describing the organizations make-up of membership of the committee. Commissioner Roberts suggested placing it on the next workshop. Vice Mayor Partner questioned the intent of the added language and there was discussion as to the need for adding the words Chartered and Acknowledged to the code. There was an expression of interest to place this on the next workshop agenda. Commissioner Roberts spoke about banning smoking in public parks. City Attorney Kraft reported that an Attorney General Opinion said regulations regarding smoking are preempted to the state, and City Attorney Kraft wanted to bring this to the commission's attention. Other cities have instituted this restriction, and if Tamarac wants to enter into a code revision regarding smoking, he wants the Mayor and Commission to know they may be open to a potential challenge based on the AGO. Commissioner Roberts asked if individual leagues can ban smoking, and City Attorney Kraft said private regulations in public areas are not addressed in the AGO. Commissioner Roberts said she would go back to the TAF and say that Tamarac cannot do this according to the AGO. Mayor Schreiber said this should be brought back before the Commission at another workshop for more discussion. Vice Mayor Portner said in light of the impending war he would like to have a resolution in opposition to war placed on Wednesday's meeting agenda. There was discussion of the time element in getting this to the commission for their review prior to Wednesday. City Manager Miller said it could be copied and disseminated to the commission. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest to place this on Wednesday's agenda or the next meeting. Vice Mayor Portner asked City Attorney Kraft to read the title of the draft resolution. Mayor Schreiber said this is a controversial item and it is not in the City's best interest to move forward with this, especially since three members of the commission are up for reelection. Mayor Schreiber suggested holding this item until after the election. Vice Mayor Partner spoke very strongly about his opposition to the war. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest in placing the item on Wednesday's commission agenda. Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Mishkin and Mayor Schreiber were in agreement not to place the item on Wednesday's agenda. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:55 p.m. r Marion Swerygon, CMC City Clerk February 24, 2003 City Commission Workshop 7