No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-06 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING PROPOSED 2006 BOND REFERENDUM MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2005 TAMARAC CITY HALL, ROOM 105 7525 NW 88T" AVENUE TAMARAC, FL 33321 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Special Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, June 6, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL. PRESENT; Mayor Joe Schreiber, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts. ABSENT: Vice Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Interim Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Schreiber led the pledge of allegiance. City Manager Miller said the proposed bond referendum to be placed on the March 2006 ballot was brought to the commission at the last workshop; however, due to the fact that two members of the commission were unable to be present for the discussion it was decided to revisit the issue during today's special workshop meeting. It was clear from the discussion held in workshop on May 23, 2006 that several commissioners were of the opinion that now is not the time for a referendum. Other alternatives were listed and presented in the memorandum provided for the Mayor and City Commission for today's meeting. Additionally, Commissioner Roberts had requested more information regarding all the projects. Staff will review the projects and entertain questions from the Mayor and City Commission. After review of the projects the Mayor and City Commission can then determine their priorities; staff's priorities may not be the same as the Mayor and City Commission's. We can then review the financial options. Public Works Director Strain and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner appeared. Interim Director Parks and Recreation Director Warner gave an overview of projects beginning with the sports complex. Mayor Schreiber questioned the cost of the baseball fields and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner explained the amount of work involved in creating the fields. Commissioner Roberts asked if the current playground and restrooms would remain and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said in addition to the existing playground a new playground would be constructed by the picnic June 6, 2005 City Commission Special Workshop Page 1 of 6 shelters. The existing field would be converted to a soccer field, with a restroom, concession stand and press box. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the City of Tamarac makes money on the concession stand and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said TAF does. Commissioner Sultanof questioned the passive park and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it would be near the entry area with a fishing pier. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner spoke about the aquatic center expansion, skate board area, and parking. Commissioner Roberts asked how much parking would be available and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said 50-60 parking spaces. Commissioner Portner questioned the size of the skateboard area and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it would be the size of the roller hockey rink. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner discussed the Southgate Linear Park project. Commissioner Portner questioned the location of the dog park and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it would be just west of Veterans Park. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner discussed the Waters Edge Park. Commissioner Sultanof questioned whether the trees would be uprooted and Public Works Director Strain explained the natural area would remain untouched. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the city received funding for the park and City Manager Miller said the city received $1.2 million for the park. Commissioner Portner questioned the cost of the restroom and if there would be barbeque pits at the park. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner replied the cost of this restroom is based on the cost of the new restroom for Caporella Park, including delivery and installation, and barbeque pits are included in the plans. Mayor Schreiber questioned wildlife in the nature trail and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner responded there is natural landscaping that can be used for educational purposes, and signage would be put up to keep people from disturbing the wildlife. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner continued with the bikeway system feasibility study. Commissioner Roberts questioned the use of University Drive and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner agreed the back roads are safer. Commissioner Sultanof suggested contacting either Mr. Horowitz or Mayor Jacobs and tapping into Broward County's Greenway fund. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said that can be considered, and Greenway funds are already set aside for the Linear Park project. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner stated that a portion of Veterans Park to the Everglades is slated to receive funds for landscaping from the county's Greenway budget. Public Works Director Strain discussed the dog park and said the conceptual plan is based on designs of other dog parks in surrounding communities; this design is a bare bones dog park. Commissioner Sultanof said he believed there was a committee formed to solicit public contributions for the park, and Commissioner Roberts said a committee was not selected. Additionally, Commissioner Roberts said she had asked Deputy City Manager Cernech to June 6, 2005 City Commission Special Workshop Page 2 of 6 look into grants for a dog park, and perhaps companies such as Purina could provide assistance. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Warner said the projects discussed so far total $7,784,100. Other projects that were brought forth in the past were the expansion of the Tamarac Community Center, demolition and construction of the Tamarac Recreation Center, relocation of the maintenance compound and fire station renovations. Commissioner Portner questioned the advisability of expanding the Tamarac Community Center if the aquatic center is being built and Interim Parks and Recreation Director Warner responded space is very restricted in the fitness room as well as other meeting rooms. Additionally, staff would like to move the transportation division back to the Tamarac Community Center; the Mayor and Commission had previously agreed they did not want to locate the transportation division at the aquatic center. Mayor Schreiber said the commission needs to decide where they want the cultural arts center to be located and what they want to have at the center. If the recreation center were to be redesigned, there would be enough room for a theater. Public Works Director Strain spoke of the Tamarac Community Center expansion and said it would be an 11,000 sq, ft. expansion, comprised of a two-story addition, reconfiguring the entrance to the north side of the building, and converting the existing entrance lobby. Mayor Schreiber asked about parking and Public Works Director Strain said the expansion will not affect existing parking, but we may need to create additional parking. Commissioner Sultanof suggested purchasing the mall on the east side of the building. Commissioner Partner asked about putting a second floor onto the existing building and Public Works Director Strain said the cost would be prohibitive. Mayor Schreiber suggested a second community center on the east side of Tamarac. Public Works Director Strain explained operating costs would be higher and the city does not have property on which to build. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Warner added the fitness room is too small, there are not enough rooms for groups to meet in, and this is an existing need of the community. Mayor Schreiber suggested making the recreation center into another community center and Interim Parks and Recreation Director Warner explained there is not enough space, as we must maintain the existing baseball fields and there would be limited parking. Public Works Director Strain spoke about the maintenance compound slated for Parcel R. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Warner explained that currently there is no place to store bulk materials. Commissioner Roberts asked for the location on Parcel R and Public Works Director Strain responded 77th Street in the corner of the lot. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Warner said the cost for the Tamarac Community Center expansion, Recreation Center demolition and reconstruction and park component comes to $4,725,000. Public Works Director Strain spoke about the fire station facades and renovations for Stations 78 and 41, at a cost of $550,000. Mayor Schreiber questioned the necessity of the renovations and Public Works Director Strain June 6, 2005 City Commission Special Workshop Page 3 of 6 explained renovations to the facades were considered in the initial project; however, the fire chief felt interior renovations were also needed for both stations, to upgrade sleeping facilities and for various operational situations. Commissioner Roberts asked if the interior renovations could be paid out of the fire fund and Finance Director Chapman explained that fire assessment fees only cover fire suppression; $5.8 million would come from the general fund. Public Works Director Strain explained the renovations to Station 78 were for sleeping quarters and other rooms in the station, and for Station 41's sleeping area. Commissioner Partner asked if this is important to personnel and Division Chief Sheridan explained it is for morale as well as a safety. Additionally, there is no sprinkler system in the buildings, and there are issues with regard to the restrooms, as well as biohazard issues regarding carpeting and tile. Mayor Schreiber asked how much land area Station 78 encompasses and Public Works Director Strain responded 1 + acres. Mayor Schreiber said he feels the station is poorly located as it is on a major and heavily traveled road. Mayor Schreiber suggested selling the station and building a new one further east. City Manager Miller said it is difficult to get in and out, but the station deploys very well. We are working on mutual aid agreements with surrounding areas for the Turnpike, and for traveling eastward, the station is well located and the area is well served. Staff would have to investigate the feasibility of moving or relocating the station. Commissioner Roberts questioned whether the $75,000 for the bikeway feasibility study was included in the total figure and Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it was. Deputy City Manager Cernech explained that the project priorities will drive the funding. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Warner ranked the projects in order of staff's priority as follows: 1. Sports complex expansion -grant driven -time restrictions on development 2. Tamarac Community Center expansion -not enough facilities in the center. - community driven 3. Recreation center demolition/reconstruction-community needs -service to public 4. Parks and recreation maintenance compound relocation -tied into Tamarac Parks and Recreation Center demolition/reconstruction-would like to have done in conjunction with each other for parking purposes 5. Aquatic Center 6. Southgate Linear Park Phase 1 B and 2 7. Dog Park -extension of Southgate Linear Park and unique to the city 8. Water's Edge Park -passive park 9. Bikeway system -feasibility study is important 10. Fire Station renovations Deputy City Manager Cernech asked the Mayor and City Commission to decide on their priorities. June 6, 2005 City Commission Special Workshop Page 4 of 6 1 Mayor Schreiber chose Items 1, 5, 6, and 8. Commissioner Portner chose Items 1, 5, 6, and 8. Commissioner Sultanof chose Items 1, 5, 6, and 10. Commissioner Roberts chose Items 1, 5, 4, 6 (Phase 1 B), 7, and 10 (inside renovations only). After discussion, Commissioner Roberts decided to eliminate Item 10 from her choices. Deputy City Manager Cernech confirmed the consensus of the commission was that the land acquisition and cultural arts center would be left out of their priorities for now; the cultural arts center plan will take flushing out and over the course of time it will be decided whether Main Street will stand alone or become part of the Tamarac Community Center. Finance Director Chapman stated that projects #1, 5, and 6 would cost $7,120,500. Finance Director Chapman discussed several options for funding such as taking the projects to the taxpayers in the form of a referendum for General Obligation Bonds as part of the March 14, 2006 ballot, or raising the millage. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the Mayor and City Commission has the ability to pass this without going to referendum and Finance Director Chapman said if the Mayor and City Commission chooses to raise taxes they could without going to referendum. Finance Director Chapman added Tamarac is in an envious position as we have a lot of debt capacity, and discussed debt service and anticipated increase in property values. Commissioner Sultanof said the commission looked at these projects over a year ago and agreed on all projects presented. Commissioner Sultanof asked how the city would be able to phase in the balance of the $15 million to get the projects accomplished. Finance Director Chapman said if the millage is increased by .25 we will have more than the $7 million needed; we can borrow $7.5 million on October 1st and get the top three projects done. We will collect more than that and can take that money and fund the CIP and do the other projects as the money comes in; in essence you have a pay as you go program. It might take seven years to do the top 8 projects, but it is one option. Commissioner Roberts confirmed the top 8 projects would cost $9 million; and questioned raising the millage a little more than the .25 to accrue the $9 million needed for the projects. Finance Director Chapman responded that we will have enough debt capacity to do $9 million worth of projects; the level annual debt service payment would be $782,000 @ .25 mils. Commissioner Roberts said she would like to see the other projects on the list funded through the CIP fund. Commissioner Portner said there are a percentage of people in Tamarac who pay no taxes, and he suggested putting a utility tax into place. Commissioner Portner added that Tamarac is only one of two cities in the county with no utility tax, and he feels 2.5% is a fair amount. Additionally, a utility tax will provide a continuous stream of revenue to the city. June 6, 2005 City Commission Special Workshop Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Sultanof said a large majority of the people can not afford a utility tax. The increasing property rates will give us a shelter after the first year, and we will begin to show returns in a different manner. Commissioner Sultanof said he is not against a utility tax, but is against it at this time because we can manage without it. Commissioner Roberts said she is against a utility tax; it was first discussed three-four years ago, and for her home a utility tax would be higher per year than a millage increase which is tax deductible. Commissioner Roberts questioned the option for $9 million with a .25 mil and 14% increase in property as noted by the property appraiser. Finance Director Chapman explained each budget year, depending on what debt service schedule is in place, we start out making sure the debt service payment is covered; then we forecast revenues and expenses for the year. Extra monies can be set aside in reserve or a separate fund. Commissioner Roberts confirmed the money could be set aside for other projects and Finance Director Chapman said the CIP fund is set up now and is the recommended fund to fund priorities and meet the needs of the commission. Mayor Schreiber said this can not be resolved today as the fifth member of the commission is not present; however, he prefers to accomplish the projects without going to referendum. Finance Director Chapman said he would like to contact the city's financial advisors to get the figures for $7.5 million and $9 million. He will run both scenarios with escalating and stable debt service payments. If the Mayor and City Commission want to increase the millage, the TRIM needs to be set in July and it would need to come before the commission by the first meeting in July. Commissioner Roberts asked if a second reading is needed for the TRIM notice and Finance Director Chapman said no. Commissioner Portner asked how much we would need to raise the millage to cover the debt service if we go on the theory of the whole $14 million, and Finance Director Chapman said it is an escalating program at .25 mils. Mayor Schreiber said a .25 mil increase will cover $9 million in succeeding years and the excess revenue will enable us to do more without raising taxes again. Finance Director Chapman agreed, and added the lesser amount with a level debt service will stretch out the time to do projects. Commissioner Partner questioned the advantage of a utility tax and Finance Director Chapman said we will realize automatic growth in revenue every year, and utility tax increases city debt service capacity; millage will provide the same thing because of the increase in property values. Commissioner Portner said in light of that, at this point there is no advantage to a utility tax. Mayor Schreiber suggested keeping the utility tax at bay in the event at some future point Tamarac finds it does not have enough revenue to pay for services. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the Special Workshop meeting at 3:45 p.m. Marion Swenson, CIVIC City Clerk June 6, 2005 City Commission Special Workshop Page 6 of 6 FY 06 REFERENDUM PROJECTS LIST Priority Project I Desi n Construction I Total 1 Sports Complex Expansion $313,200 $2,296,800 $2,610,000 2 Community Center Expansion $240,000 $1,760,000 $2,000,000 3 Recreation Center Demolition/Reconstruction $240,000 $1,760,000 $2,000,000 4 Parks Maintenance Compound Relocation $87,000 $638,000 $725,000 5 Aquatic Center Annex $48,624 $356,576 $405,200 6 Southgate Linear Park Phase 1 B and 2 $492,636 $3,612,664 $4,105,300 7 Dog Park $18,600 $136,400 $155,000 8 Waters Edge Park $61,032 $447,568 $508,600 9 Bikeway System $120,000 $880,000 $1,000,000 10 Fire Station Renovations (#41 & #78) $25,000 $525,000 $550,000 $1,646,092 $12,413,008 $14,059,100