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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-22 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, October 22, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 881h 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, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance and wished Assistant City Manager Phillips a happy birthday. 1. OCTOBER 24. 2007 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 7 on the regular agenda. ADOPTING THE EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED AMENDMENTS: (T02151) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading adopting the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) based amendments for the City of Tamarac 1998 Comprehensive Plan; stating the intent of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Tamarac to amend the City's 1998 Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the recommendations contained in the EAR Report to the Department of Community Affairs in accordance with Florida Statutes (Case No. 17-MI-07). Community Development Director Bramley, Michelle Mellgren, Mellgren and Associates, and Peter Dokutchitz, Associate Planner appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and spoke of the comprehensive plan and the elements. Vice Mayor Sultanof said he is satisfied with the transportation element, questioned the amount of land for open space, and spoke of financing and cutbacks dictated by Tallahassee. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of the mention of December 2009 in the document, further amendments to the Tamarac Code, open space — both private and public, and intergovernmental agreements. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the comprehensive plan, build out, development and redevelopment. Commissioner Dressler also spoke of open space as it relates to golf courses, and discussed the fact that land owners and developers' interests may not be aligned. Commissioner Portner confirmed the development code can be changed by the Mayor and City Commission at any time; and spoke of traffic, affordable housing, open space, and said he would like to have no more bashing of those in Tallahassee, as what is done is done and we must do what we can with the dollars we have available. City Manager Miller congratulated Community Development Director Bramley, staff and the consultants on a good job. October 22, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 5 b. Item No. 6(J) on the consent agenda. AWARDING BID NO. 07-22B - REHABILITATION WORK SPECIFICATIONS UNDER THE DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE PROGRAM: (TR11295) Awarding Bid No. 07-22B entitled "Specification Preparation for Single & Multi -Unit Dwelling Rehab, under the Disaster Recovery Initiative Program" and accepting and executing an agreement with Robert M. Heron, Specialty Builders, Inc. for a period commencing the date of execution through December 31, 2009. Community Development Director Bramley and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed this is FEMA money and Commissioner Dressler asked if this service could have been offered to the Southgate Gardens residents. Community Development Director Bramley said they would not be eligible under this program. C. Item No. 6(m) on the consent agenda. FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE WEST POINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT: (TR11308) Granting a First Amendment to the West Point Development Agreement to allow for an increase in building height from fifty feet to sixty three feet for office, industrial/warehouse, and commercial structures located in the West Point Centre located south of McNab Road, west of Nob Hill Road, and north of Commercial Boulevard; (Case No. 13-MI-07). Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the height of surrounding buildings and Community Development Director Bramley said not over 50'. Commissioner Dressler added it is not atypical in urban design to have a point property at a higher elevation than surrounding buildings. d. Item No. 6(n) on the consent agenda. FEE WAIVER, EXTENSION OF HOURS OF OPERATION, AND SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — SAINT MALACHY CATHOLIC CHURCH CARNIVAL: (TR11309) Granting a waiver of fees in the amount of $1,485.25 and extending the hours of operation to 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2007, and to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9, 2007, and Saturday, November 10, 2007, and approving the sale of alcoholic beverages for the Saint Malachy Catholic Church carnival, located at the northeast corner of NW 61 st Street and University Drive, during the operation of the Saint Malachy Catholic Church annual carnival beginning Thursday, November 8, 2007 and ending Sunday, November 11, 2007 (Case No. 18-MI-07); providing for conditions of approval. Community Development Director Bramley appeared and gave a presentation and said St. Malachy has reached out to the neighborhood and this year the event will be located in the field at the rear of the building. e. Item No. 6(d) on the consent agenda. AGREEMENT AMENDMENT #1 — SWIMMING POOL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR CAPORELLA AQUATIC CENTER: (TR11299) Executing Agreement Amendment #1 between the City of Tamarac and Jeff Ellis Management, LLC, exercising the option to renew the agreement to provide swimming pool management services for the Caporella Aquatic Center, at a cost of $567,339.72, for a two-year period; approving funding from the appropriate account. Parks and Recreation Director Warner, Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz, October 22, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 5 and Bethany Gilley, Jeff Ellis Management appeared. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner gave a presentation. Commissioner Atkins -Grad left the room at 10:27 a.m. and returned at 10:28 a.m. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed this is budgeted and said Jeff Ellis Management is a competent company and responsive to the City. Commissioner Atkins -Grad questioned the difference from the original budgeted amount, asked if many adults use the pool, and said the staff does a great job. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner addressed the budget question and explained the monthly amount is the same but there will be a decrease due to the three months the pool will be closed, and said many families are coming to the pool. Commissioner Portner asked what are the most common complaints and how are they addressed. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said mostly there are facility complaints from the gym, e.g., the location of the drinking fountain and the fact that on occasion the machines are down. All complaints are promptly addressed. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of the occasion she brought family to the pool and said she observed some things that she was not happy with. After speaking with Jeff Ellis, all were resolved. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she is happy to hear the pool will be open for special events during the three month hiatus and confirmed the facility could not be rented during those three months. Commissioner Dressler said this is a two-year renewal and asked if accommodations are made for further cuts imposed by legislative constraints. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said they are. Commissioner Portner asked about the reserve fund and confirmed this money could be used if needed for the pool. Commissioner Portner left the room at 10:40 a.m. and returned at 10:41 a.m. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the addition of special events for next year, such as the dive in movie and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said activities are planned for the coming year. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of legal obligations to keep a certain amount in reserves. f. Item No. 6(i) on the consent agenda. AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTHEAST UNDERGROUND UTILITIES CORP. AND BROWARD COUNTY FOR 94T" AVENUE TURN LANE PROJECT: (TR11261) Executing an Agreement with Southeast Underground Utilities Corp., for the relocation of the traffic signal system and school zone signalization system located at the north east corner of Commercial Boulevard and N.W. 94th Avenue, utilizing the agreement between Broward County and Southeast Underground Utilities Corp., for an amount not to exceed $84,752.00; authorizing budget amendments as needed for proper accounting purposes. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned synchronization of the lights with regard to the Sabal Palm/Monterey Project and Public Works Director Strain said none of that money will be obligated until building permits are pulled. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if this signalization will help with the school traffic and questioned the time frame. Public Works Director Strain said the problem with the October 22, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 5 traffic at the schools is that there are two schools side by side; once the notice to proceed goes out it should take about 90 days for the project. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco suggested notifying the school parents by sending flyers home and Commissioner Atkins -Grad suggested putting some information in the School Gazette. Commissioner Portner spoke of lack of signalization synchronization from 1-95 to University Drive on Commercial Boulevard, in particular from 7:00 a.m. — 9:00 a.m. Public Works Director Strain said this is purely a function of the level of use during the peak hours. g. Item No. 6(e) on the consent agenda. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS TO CONVEY FEE SIMPLE INTEREST OF SUBJECT PROPERTIES TO THE PREVIOUS OWNERS: (TR11302) Finding properties received by the City as a result of County Quit -Claim Deeds pursuant to Section 197.592(3), Florida Statutes, to be of nominal value; finding that the risk of liability as a result of owning certain properties far outweighs the nominal value of same; authorizing the City Attorney's Office to prepare Quit Claim Deeds and convey fee simple interest of subject properties to the previous owners; authorizing the appropriate city officials to take all steps necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution; providing for an effective date. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. h. Item No. 6(f) on the consent agenda. RENEWAL OF BASIC LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT COVERAGE: (TR11304) Renewing the Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2008; providing for premium rate changes; providing for the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance premium between the City and employees. i. Item No. 6(h) on the consent agenda. RENEWAL OF THE CITY'S DENTAL INSURANCE: (TR11305) Renewing the City's Dental Insurance program with Aetna Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2008 at the present rate the City pays; providing for the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the Dental Insurance premium between the City and employees. j. Item No. 6(o) on the consent agenda. RENEWAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM: (TR11307) Renewing the coverage for the City's Health Insurance Program with Aetna, Inc. for the plan year effective January 1, 2008; providing for premium rates changes; providing for the continuation of the current cost allocation of the health insurance premium between the city and employees; providing for a waiver reimbursement maximum. Human Resources Director Swanson and Benefits Specialist Carles appeared. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested discussing TR 11304, TR 11305 and TR 11307 at one time. Human Resources Director Swanson gave a presentation on the three Resolutions and said premiums have been reduced for Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage; there is no increase in Dental Coverage; we have had difficult claims experience during 2006-2007, and the City and AETNA have introduced several programs in order to attempt to October 22, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 5 E reduce insurance costs. Employees will still have their choice of HMO, POS, and PPO but there will be slight increases in co -payments. Overall there is an 8.4% increase for 2008. Changes will take effect January 1, 2008. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said money can be saved by using the mail -in prescription service and suggested this information be included in the Employee Sundial. Commissioner Dressler congratulated Human Resources Director Swanson on a job well done and spoke of discounted prescription items available through Walmart and Costco. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said an excellent job was done on this negotiation and said AETNA has added facilities to its list. Human Resources Director Swanson said the Health Fair will take place on Thursday, and she would like to send the insurance information to the employees this afternoon, even though the Mayor and City Commission will not take action on these items until Wednesday. Assistant City Attorney Klahr asked for an expression of interest from the Mayor and City Commission to add an item to Wednesday's agenda — said item being an extension of the due diligence period to November 16t' for the purchase of the Tamarac Jewish Center property. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to add the item to Wednesday's agenda and 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 11:15 a.m. Marion Swenson, CIVIC City Clerk October 22, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 5 of 5