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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-07 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, April 7, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Harry Dressler ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. 1. PRESENTATION OF THE 2007 CAFR: Finance Director Chapman, Pablo Llerena, BKR Garcia, and Acting Controller Cajuste appeared. Financial Services Director Chapman and Mr. Llerena gave presentations; Mr. Llerena explained alternative treatment and addressed questions regarding restricted and unrestricted assets. Financial Services Director Chapman spoke of compliance with the Charter requirement of 10% of the current undesignated fund balance. 2. APRIL 9, 2008 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(b) on the consent agenda. REVISED PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE: (TR11231) Increasing the City's Building Fees pursuant to Exhibit "C" attached hereto and incorporated herein; authorizing the appropriate City officials to take any and all steps necessary to increase and restructure the Building Department Permit Fees. Deputy City Manager Cernech, Financial Services Director Chapman, Lee Evett, Vice President/Division Manager, Southeast Operations Munifinancial, Interim Building Official Pat Richardson and Acting Building Department Director McIntyre appeared. Financial Services Director Chapman gave a presentation on projections for the next five years and discussed revenue options. Mr. Evett discussed the definition of a user fee and components of a user fee study, and said the valuation method is not legally defensible. Acting Building Department Director McIntyre discussed the process flow for single family permits as well as minimum fee permits. Vice Mayor Sultanof said as a result of the Tabor Amendment we may not be able to institute new fees in the future. Mr. Evett agreed over the last year the state has been trying to take away home rule authority from municipalities and the unintended consequences are drastic. Mr. Evett recommended the City do everything it is doing now to adopt a new set of fees in order to put itself in good financial order. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if other cities are also evaluating their fees and Financial Services Director Chapman said it would be foolish for other cities not to evaluate their fees. Deputy City Manager Cernech spoke to the necessity of adjusting the permit fee schedule at this time, diminishing general April 7, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 5 fund revenues and the cap on ad valorem taxes. The general fund is becoming stressed, and our new business model will serve to relieve this stress. Commissioner Dressler questioned an adjustment feature and Financial Services Director Chapman said there are two pieces to the legislation; the first is the resolution to change permit fees upon adoption and the second is the ordinance changing the code to provide for a 3% increase on an annual basis or CPI, whichever is greater. Commissioner Dressler asked if this accommodates increases for labor and material and Mr. Evett said he recommends putting a mechanism into effect that will adjust the fees on an annual basis. Commissioner Dressler said he spoke with officials of other cities who had a cost recovery methodology and several said it should be evaluated every two years with automatic adjustments by staff. Then every five years, a consultant should be brought in to review the fee structure. Commissioner Dressler spoke of his reasoning behind his decision to vote for the item at Wednesday's meeting and spoke in opposition to Chairman Bense. Commissioner Portner said years ago he introduced the idea of a utility tax, and added this resolution is the right thing to do. Financial Services Director Chapman explained if the Mayor and City Commission do not do anything about fees, by 2013 the City will not have any money left. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the new methodology is smart; instead of worrying about politics we must be concerned that Tamarac does not go bankrupt. Vice Mayor Sultanof said nothing is free and we have to do what it takes to make sure Tamarac stays viable. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed if there are questions from residents the Building Department will be able to walk them through the process and let people know we must conform to the statutes. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed this is a user fee. Financial Services Director Chapman added this item will not be subsidized through the general fund. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the impact on Tamarac regarding a potential utility tax, in terms of what is going on in Tallahassee. City Manager Miller said after this legislative session and Tax and Budget Reform Commission complete their work, it may require a vote or referendum any time we want to render a fee. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco asked that the Mayor and City Commission be kept informed of decisions made in Tallahassee. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco commended Ken McIntyre on the job he has been doing since the passing of Mr. Jones. Commissioner Dressler asked that an incentive be put in place for anyone applying for a permit who uses environmentally friendly methods and equipment. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she would like to explore this further at a future meeting. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called for a recess at 11:25 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:35 a.m., with all present as before, with the exception of Vice Mayor Sultanof who arrived at 11:38 a.m. b. Item No. 6(d) on the consent agenda. TRAFFICWAY BEAUTIFICATION AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY: (TR11355) Executing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Broward County for Trafficway Beautification for Bailey Road from Northwest 64th Avenue to Northwest 46th Avenue. Public Works Director Strain appeared and asked to discuss items 2(b) and 2(c) on the workshop agenda at one time. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation and said the City of Tamarac will enter into an agreement with North Lauderdale for April 7, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 5 maintenance of the medians. Construction will begin in September 2008. Commissioner Atkins -Grad questioned the number of lanes and Public Works Director Strain said there will be four lanes. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned disruption to residents and how they will be notified. Public Works Director Strain said public hearings have been held and signs will be posted. When we get verification of the date we will disseminate the information. Disruption to residents should be minimal. C. Item No. 6(e) on the consent agenda. TRAFFICWAY ILLUMINATION AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY: (TR11356) Executing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Broward Counts for Trafficway Illumination for Bailey Road from Northwest 64t" Avenue to Northwest 46t Avenue. d. Item No. 6(g) on the consent agenda. AQUATIC CENTER HVAC INSTALLATION: (TR11378) Awarding Bid No. 08-11 B and executing an Agreement with HYVAC, Inc. for the installation of an additional HVAC Unit at the Caporella Aquatic Center 9300 NW 58 Street, in an amount not to exceed $31,650.00 from the appropriate accounts; authorizing budget amendments as needed for proper accounting purposes. Public Works Director Strain, Director of Parks and Recreation Warner and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner gave a presentation. Public Works Director Strain added the money for this installation was obtained as a result of liquidated damages against the original contractor. Commissioner Dressler asked if this is actionable and Assistant City Attorney Klahr said since the contract is closed out, there is no bond any more and the cost to litigate is too expensive for a project of this size. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when this will be done and if there will be any inconvenience to the residents. Public Works Director Strain said he hoped it would be completed before summer camp; we are currently waiting for the equipment. Signs will be posted for those using the locker room. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if a large percentage of people use the showers and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said they do, especially during the lunch hour. e. Item No. 7 on the regular agenda. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CITATION ORDINANCE: (TO2159) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 14 entitled, "Motor Vehicle and Traffic", by specifically amending Section 14-84 entitled, "Maximum Weights"; providing for width, length and height regulations in accordance with Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, for commercial motor vehicles; providing for codification. BSO Chief Duguay and Assistant City Attorney Klahr appeared. BSO Chief Duguay gave a presentation and explained the current code only deals with weight. If we issue citations under the Statutes, the money goes to the Broward County Court and the City gets a percentage. If we cite under a city ordinance the entire amount of the fine will come to Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if a truck is cited while in the process of making a delivery, would the customer still get their product delivered; BSO Chief Duguay said the fine is paid on site and the delivery can continue. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said having been a sales manager for a trucking company, she knows there are weigh stations which include determination of the width of the vehicle. Commissioner Dressler questioned exemption of emergency debris April 7, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 5 removal and Assistant City Attorney Klahr said for safety reasons the legal limits are put in place. General landscape/construction debris trucks have coverings to prevent things from flying out of the trucks. 3. PRESENTATION RE: E-GOVERNMENT: I.T. Director Sucuoglu and Systems and Network Manager Twigger appeared. I.T. Director Sucuoglu gave a presentation on the new features of the 24/7 government services on our website. Systems and Network Manager Twigger spoke of the internal intranet for internal customers. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the availability of people being able to do their own data entry for permitting through the website and I.T. Director Sucuoglu said we are looking into a web based permit application program. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said we will be able to cut back on the hours it takes to process permits if information can be made available on line. Commissioner Atkins -Grad suggested collecting as many e- mail addresses of people in the City as possible, providing residents want to divulge their e-mail addresses. Vice Mayor Sultanof said we are heading in the right direction. Commissioner Portner said he is opposed to collecting e-mail addresses. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the agenda to take up Item 5. 5. DISCUSSION OF SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS: Commissioner Portner spoke in favor of single member districts (report attached hereto and incorporated as part of these minutes.) Vice Mayor Sultanof said while commissioners run from specific districts, they represent the City as a whole and vote on items for the betterment of the entire city, not just one district. Vice Mayor Sultanof said single member districts are the best for Tamarac. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she discussed this with other cities, and she would find it difficult to have a relationship with all the HOA's in the City. Additionally the cost to campaign would be prohibitive. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she respects Commissioner Portner's opinion but she does not think it is appropriate for Tamarac. Commissioner Dressler said while the Mayor commits 150% of her time to going out to the various areas of the City, he is not able to, and he is happy to have Commissioner Portner, Vice Mayor Sultanof and Commissioner Atkins -Grad plugged into their individual parts of the City. Additionally, the expense to run citywide would be too great; the issue of campaign financing needs to be reformed. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said she served as Commissioner from District 2 and then ran citywide. Both are big jobs, and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she believes our form of government works well. The Mayor and City Commission are welcomed with open arms and we get wonderful comments about this Commission. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she respects Commissioner Portner's point of view on this matter, but does not agree with him. Commissioner Portner spoke about benefits to campaigning citywide, and said he would prefer having a strong mayor government. Vice Mayor Sultanof associated running citywide to congressmen, representatives and senators running statewide, rather than in respective districts. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said this Commission is called 'Team Tamarac' and we need to work together as a team. Vice Mayor Sultanof left the 12:47 meeting at p.m. April 7, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 5 1 4. DISCUSSION RE: BRANDING: Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns and Public Information Specialist Quinn appeared. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns gave a presentation on the Phase I Roll Out and said money is budgeted for this effort. Implementation would take between six — eight weeks from approval. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned replacing business cards and asked where the City seal would be used. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns explained the use of the City seal would be used on official documents. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned whether the Mayor and City Commission would continue to use their current stationary. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns recommended changing over to the new logo. Commissioner Atkins -Grad also expressed concern with discarding stationary she currently uses. City Manager Miller reminded the Mayor and City Commission that the business community had come forward and said Tamarac needs to upgrade its image. There was discussion regarding using supplies currently on hand and phasing in supplies with the new brand. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns to check with the Mayor and City Commission's offices to see what supplies currently exist and what is really needed. Commissioner Dressler asked that the website be placed on T-Shirts, etc. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the prices and Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns said he will work closely with purchasing to get the best prices possible. There was an expression of interest to check the pricing, check the stationary needs of the Mayor and City Commission and other departments who order stationary, and to move forward with the project. All were in agreement. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 1:05 p.m. Marion Swenson, CIVIC City Clerk April 7, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 5 of 5 I ASKED THE CITY MANAGER TO PLACE THE ISSUE OF SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS ON THE WORKSHOP AGENDA BECAUSE 1 HAVE HEARD MORE ABOUT THEM LATELY AND, FRANKLY, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS. FIRST, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THE CITY OF TAMARAC CHARTER DESCRIBES THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAVE. IT IS A CITY COMMISSION -CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT WITH THE MAYOR ELECTED CITYWIDE AND FOUR COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE ELECTED FROM INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS. COMMISSIONERS MUST LIVE IN THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEY RUN. THAT IS THE SITUATION TODAY. THIS IS MY CONCERN. LATELY I HAVE HEARD COMMISSIONERS SAY 'THIS IS MY DISTRICT ... I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR OPINION IS - STAY OUT OF IT', OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT. I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE LIKE THAT. WE NEVER WERE BEFORE. PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT FELT THAT GREAT POLITICIANS WERE THOSE WHO TOOK NOBLE RISKS AND THE POLITICIAN WHO CARED 'ONLY FOR HIS OWN SUCCESS WAS A CURSE.' I BELIEVE EACH OF US SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENTIRE CITY WHEN WE DISCUSS AN ISSUE AND WE SHOULD CERTAINLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENIRE CITY WHEN WE VOTE. 1 THINK WE HAVE BEEN TOO CONCERNED ABOUT OUR INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS LATELY AND WE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE CITY AS A WHOLE. PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN SAID THAT THE ULTIMATE TEST OF A DECISION WAS NOT WHETHER IT WAS POPULAR AT THE TIME BUT WHETHER IT IS RIGHT. IF IT IS RIGHT, MAKE IT AND LET THE POPULAR PART TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. SO - - I HAVE A PROPOSAL, OR AN IDEA, THAT I'D LIKE YOU ALL TO THINK ABOUT. 1 THINK COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE ELECTED AT LARGE IN TAMARAC SO THAT ALL OF US WOULD REPRESENT THE ENTIRE CITY -- NOT INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS. LET'S CONSIDER THE IDEA AND YES, I KNOW, WE WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE THE CITY CHARTER. I HAVE CONSULTED THE CITY ATTORNEY AND HE HAS ADVISED ME THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO FIRST PASS AN ORDINANCE AND THEN HOLD A REFERENDUM ON THE QUESTION. 1 BELIEVE IF WE PASSED AN ORDINANCE BYJUNE, IT COULD BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. THEN WE COULD LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE. JFK SAID IN HIS BOOK THAT'POLITICS IS A JUNGLE TORN BETWEEN DOING THE RIGHT THING AND STAYING IN OFFICE. BETWEEN THE PRIVATE GOOD OF THE POLITICIAN AND THE GENERAL GOOD.' WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET'S DISCUSS IT. MY OWN TERM IS NEARLY RUN AND I WANT TO THANK ALL TAMARACIANS FOR GRANTING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THIS CITY IN THE VERY BEST WAY THAT 1 COULD. THANK YOU MAYOR.