HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-14 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCity of Tamarac
Virtual Special City Commission Meeting - Minutes
Monday, December 14, 2020
Call to Order: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Wednesday, December 14, 2020, Virtual
Special City Commission Meeting, to order at 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Gomez recessed meeting at 9:01 a.m., for technical issues, and reconvened at 9:02 a.m.
Roll Call: Commissioner Marlon Bolton, Commissioner Mike Gelin, Commissioner Debra
Placko, Vice Mayor Elvin Villalobos, and Mayor Michelle J. Gomez were in attendance.
Also, in attendance were, City Manager Michael Cernech, City Attorney Samuel Goren and City
Clerk Jennifer Johnson
Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner Mike Gelin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Discussion and possible direction related to hiring an in-house attorney or
outside firm for City Attorney Services.
Discussion by the City Commission, City Manager Cernech and City Attorney Goren
ensued, regarding the hiring of a city attorney. Both the City Attorney and City Manager
stated that the city's charter allow for either an in-house or an outside firm for City Attorney
services.
Due to technical difficulties, Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 9:05 a.m. and
reconvened at 9:10 a.m.
Further discussion ensued regarding the hiring of a city attorney.
Vice Mayor Villalobos motioned to have the Commission move forward with hiring an
outside firm for attorney services. Commissioner Gelin seconded the motion.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote on the motion to hire an outside firm for City
Attorney Services. Motion carried (4-0), with Commissioner Placko being away.
2. Discussion and possible direction related to the procurement process of City
Attorney Services.
Discussion by the City Commission, City Manager Cernech, City Attorney Goren and
Purchasing and Contracts Manager, Keith Glatz ensued regarding the process of hiring an
outside agency for city attorney services.
Commissioner Placko motioned to hire an Interim City Attorney who would not be eligible to
be hired as the full time City Attorney. Commissioner Bolton seconded the motion.
Mayor Gomez confirmed with the City Clerk there were no comments from the public
regarding this item.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, on the motion to hire an Interim City Attorney who
would not be eligible to be hired as the full time City Attorney. Motion carried unanimously
(5-0).
3. Discussion and possible direction related to retaining City Attorney Services on
an interim basis
Discussion ensued regarding the process of retaining City Attorney Services on an interim
basis. At the end of discussion, the consensus of the Commission is to:
• Hire an Interim City Attorney
• Have Letters of Interest submitted to City Procurement by 3:00 p.m. Thursday,
December 17, 2020.
• Have city staff review the Letters of Interest submitted and provide them to the City
Commission, no later than close of business Friday, December 18, 2020.
• The top 3 submissions would be submitted back to city staff by the Commission on
December 21, 2020.
• Have city staff compile and submit the top 3 back to the Commission on December
22, 2020.
• Have the Commission conduct individual meetings with top 3 applicants on
December 28, 2020.
• Have a group meeting for interviews on December 29,2020.
• Have an emergency meeting on December 21, 2020, at 9 a.m., in the event no
applications were received for the Interim City Attorney position.
Mayor Gomez opened public comments.
1) Natasha NB Britton, from Facebook, - How long would the interim attorney remain
the interim until a full time City Attorney is agreed upon? As long as the language
is transparent and follows city/county/state statute for the RFP, it should minimize
some biases. with a grading scale template, etc. RFPs should be open and closed
for 72 hours. Staff reviews after it's closed, then interviews, the last week of the year.
I don't like a top 3 submission UNLESS they are chosen by a consistent criteria
rubric that each Commissioner has.
2) 2) Michelle Jones - How do we know! as residents that this is going to be a not bias'.
decision when it comes to hiring a firm, I think it should not be, manipulated buy half
of the commission board. And hopefully they're not trying to hire a firm that they can
control. And use for their own Vendetta's. Scott Ob - After what amounted to
solicitation of a bribe by Mr. Bolton on the 9th, I'm surprised he is still here.
3) Cathy Bivens - Here we go! I was wondering when the personal attacks would start!
4) Patte Atkins -Grad - Loosing Sam Goren is a horrific loss to the city.
Mayor Gomez closed public comments.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, on the motion by Commissioner Gelin and seconded
by Commissioner Bolton for the process and timeline as outlined by the Commission to hire
Interim City Attorney for City Attorney Services. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting Monday,
December 14, 2020, at 11 02 a.m.
Minutes transcribed and submitted by Assistant City Clerk Kimberly Dillon.
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Note to the reader. The above signature is the City Clerk, of the City of Tamarac,
Florida. If the minutes you have received are not signed, or completed as
indicated above, they are not the official minutes of the Tamarac Special City
Commission Meeting held Wednesday, December 14, 2020.
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decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at such
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