HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-13 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCity of Tamarac
Special City Commission Minutes
Monday, Sept. 13, 2021
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gomez called the Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, Special City Commission
meeting, being held in Commission Chamber to order at 5.05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Commissioner Marlon Bolton, Commissioner Mike Gelin, Commissioner Debra
Placko, Vice Mayor Villalobos and Mayor Michelle J. Gomez were in attendance.
Also in attendance were, Interim City Manager Kathleen Gunn, City Attorney John Herin, and
City Clerk Jennifer Johnson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Mayor Villalobos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Gomez stated this is a Special Meeting of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac to
hold Public Hearings on the Annual Fire Assessment, the Annual Stormwater Utility
Management Fee Assessment, the Annual Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment, the
Nuisance Abatement Assessment and the setting of the Tentative Millage Rate and the
Tentative City Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. These public hearings are the culmination of an
entire year's work by this City Commission, the City Manager and staff. For the benefit of the
public tonight, the City Commission held workshops throughout the year as well as a budget
workshop on July 7, 2021 to provide direction to the staff on this submittal. I would like to thank
my colleagues on the dais for their participation at the workshops and for their suggestions as
we deliberated on the staff recommendations
1. TR13657 — FY2022 Fire Rescue Assessment
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the
provision of Fire Rescue Services, facilities and programs in the City of Tamarac,
Florida, reimposing Fire Rescue Assessments against Assessed Property located with
the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021; approving the rate of
assessment; approving the Assessment Roll; providing for conflicts; providing for
severability; providing for an effective date.
Interim City Manager, Kathleen Gunn stated, the City of Tamarac has used the Fire
Rescue Assessment since 1997 to provide specific funding for the purpose of providing
fire rescue services in the City of Tamarac. As the City Commission is aware, the Fire
Rescue Assessment has been determined to be an equitable and efficient methodology
to use in apportioning the cost of Fire Rescue Services to improved properties thus
reducing the overall burden on the ad valorem tax rate. The residential rate for FY 2022
will remain at $350 per dwelling unit with no change from last year. The City conducted a
study on the Fire Rescue Assessment in 2016 and based upon calls for service and a
five- year budget forecast for the cost of providing Fire Rescue Services, Staff
recommends the City Commission approve the rates that have been proposed and
approved for publication at the July 14, 2021 Preliminary Fire Assessment Rate hearing
and subsequently advertised for public hearing on August 15, 2021.
City Attorney, John Herin, read the title for the record.
Director of Financial Services, Christine Cajuste, provided a presentation, which is on file
in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Gomez opened for comments from the public. There being none, Mayor Gomez
closed public comments.
Commissioner Placko made a motion to adopt Temporary Resolution Number 13657
establishing the Fire Service Assessment Rates for Fiscal Year 2022. Vice Mayor
Villalobos seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, and the motion carried unanimously 5-0.
2. TR13658 — FY2022 Stormwater Management Fee Assessment
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the levy
and collection of the City's Stormwater Management Utility Fee within the municipal
boundaries of the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021,
approving, confirming, and adopting the Stormwater Management Utility Fee and
Stormwater Management Utility Fee roll; providing for other matters relating to the levy
and collection of the Stomrwater Management Utility Fee on the annual property tax bills;
providing for conflict; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
Interim City Manager, Kathleen Gunn stated the City of Tamarac has been using a
special assessment for the collection of the Stormwater Utility Management Services
Fees since 2014. This assessment is an equitable and efficient method of allocating and
collecting the Stormwater Utility Management Services Fee Assessed Cost among all
the parcels in the City. The rate per equivalent residential unit (ERU) for FY 2022 is
$142.27 and is an increase of $6.74 or 5% over the previous year in accordance with our
Code of Ordinances. Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rate that has
been proposed and approved for publication at the July 14, 2021 Preliminary Stormwater
Utility Management Fee Assessment Rate hearing and subsequently advertised for
public hearing on August 15, 2021.
City Attorney, John Herin, read the title for the record.
Director of Financial Services, Christine Cajuste, provided a presentation, which is on file
in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Gomez opened for comments from the public. There being none, Mayor Gomez
closed public comments.
Commissioner Placko made a motion to adopt Temporary Resolution Number 13658
establishing the Stormwater Utility Management Services Fee Assessment Rates for
Fiscal Year 2022- Vice Mayor Villalobos seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, and the motion carried unanimously 5-0.
3. TR13659 — FY2022 Solid Waste Assessment
A Resolution of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of Residential Solid
Waste Collection Services in the City of Tamarac, Florida; approving the Assessment
Rate for Residential Solid Waste Collection Services for the fiscal year beginning on
October 1, 2021; imposing a Residential Solid Waste Collection Assessment against
Assessed Property located within the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning on
October 1, 2021; providing for severability; providing for conflicts; and providing for an
effective date.
Interim City Manager Kathleen Gunn stated, the City of Tamarac has been using a
special assessment for residential solid waste collection services since 2013. This
assessment is an equitable and efficient method of allocating and collecting the
Residential Solid Waste Collection Services Assessed Cost among single-family
residential type parcels. The residential rate for FY 2022 is $278.75 per residential
dwelling unit receiving curbside pickup, which is no change from Fiscal Year 2021 and
includes the cost of RecycleBank for recycling services approved by the City
Commission. Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rate that has been
proposed and approved for publication at the July 14, 2021 Preliminary Solid Waste
Collection Services Assessment Rate hearing and subsequently advertised for public
hearing on August 15, 2021.
City Attorney, John Herin, read the title for the record.
Director of Financial Services, Christine Cajuste, provided a presentation, which is on file
in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Gomez opened for comments from the public.
Darcy Schiller, of Kings Point, asked the members of the Commission to
check with the waste hauler about recycling. She stated she has heard they
are not recycling.
Mayor Gomez closed public comments.
Commissioner Placko made a motion to adopt Temporary Resolution Number 13659
establishing the Residential Solid Waste Services Assessment Rate for Fiscal Year
2022. Commissioner Gelin seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, and the motion carried unanimously
4. TR13660 — FY2022 Nuisance Abatement Assessment
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the
provision of Nuisance Abatement on certain real properties by the City in accordance
with Chapter 9, Article ll, Division V of the City's Code of Ordinances; approving the
collection of a Nuisance Abatement Special Assessment on real property that has been
specially benefitted by the City's abatement of nuisances thereon; approving a Nuisance
Abatement Assessment Roll; providing for conflict; providing for severability; and
providing for an effective date.
Interim City Manager, Kathleen Gunn stated in 2012, the City Commission adopted the
Public Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. As part of that ordinance, the City Commission
authorized the use of special assessments for amounts billed but unpaid as of June 1 of
the year following the abatement of the public nuisance. The City abated four (4) public
nuisances between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 on two (2) properties. The amounts
are delinquent as of this date. City Staff has prepared the special assessments against
each property with unsettled liens, the total of which is $3,582.89 to be collected on the
tax bills for Fiscal Year 2022. This is the ninth year using this type of assessment. Staff
recommends the City Commission approve the Public Nuisance Abatement Special
Assessment that was approved for publication at the July 14, 2021 Preliminary Public
Nuisance Abatement Assessments hearing and subsequently advertised for public
hearing on August 15, 2021.
City Attorney, John Herin, read the title for the record.
Director of Financial Services, Christine Cajuste, provided a presentation, which is on file
in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Gomez opened for comments from the public. Mayor Gomez closed public
comments.
Commissioner Bolton made a motion to adopt Temporary Resolution Number 13660
establishing the Public Nuisance Abatement Special Assessments for Fiscal Year 2022.
Commissioner Placko seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, and the motion carried unanimously.
5. TO2480 — FY2022 Millage Rate Ordinance
An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, to establish and
Levy Ad Valorem Taxes within the Corporate Limits of the City of Tamarac, Florida, for
the Tax Year 2021; providing for the Levy of Ad Valorem Taxes in the amount of 7.2899
Mills ($7.2899 per $1,000) based upon the taxable value on non-exempt real and
personal property located within the city limits of the City of Tamarac; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
Mayor Gomez stated this is the first public hearing for establishing the Operating Millage
Rate for Fiscal Year 2022. A second public hearing on Temporary Ordinance Number
2480 will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 5:05 pm.
Interim City Manager, Kathleen Gunn stated in accordance with the Truth in Millage
requirements of Florida Statutes, the City is required to announce the percentage
difference between the proposed millage rate and the rolled -back rate. As such, the
following is read into the record: The proposed operating millage rate of 7.2899 mills for
Fiscal Year 2022 is .4480 mills or 6.55% more than the rolled -back rate of 6.8419 mills.
City Attorney, John Herin, read the title for the record.
Director of Financial Services, Christine Cajuste, and Budget Manager, Jeff Streder,
provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Gomez opened for comments from the public.
1. Darcy Schiller, of Kings Point, stated she hoped the Commission would
accept the millage. The average increase would be $30, and Tamarac has a
lot of work that needs to be done. If we go back, while our services are good,
they will not be enough.
2. Kimberly Hayden, of Tamarac, asked if we were to receive $5 million, how
would that be factored into the budget. Cajuste stated the budget is a plan of
action with revenues we can expect. We have not factored the American
Rescue Funds into the budget, because we have not received a guarantee
that we are receiving, and there are limitations on what the money can be
used for.
Mayor Gomez closed comments from the public.
Commissioner Placko made a motion to set the tentative operating millage rate at
7.2899 mills which is .4480 mills or 6.55% more than the rolled -back rate of 6.8419 mills.
Vice Mayor Villalobos seconded.
Commissioner Gelin motioned to amend to adopt the majority rate of 7.1450 mills. The
motion failed for a lack of a second.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, and the motion failed 3-2. Commissioner
Bolton, Commissioner Gelin and Vice Mayor Villalobos voted no. Commissioner Placko
and Mayor Gomez voted yes.
Discussion by the Commission ensued.
Commissioner Bolton made a motion to set the tentative operating millage rate at 7.2000
mills which is .3581 mills or 5.23% more than the rolled -back rate of 6.8419 mills. Vice
Mayor Villalobos seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, and the motion carried unanimously 5-0
6. TO2481 — FY2022 Budget Ordinance
An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, adopting the
operating budget, revenues and expenditures, the capital budget, and the financial
policies for the Fiscal Year 2022; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and
providing for an effective date.
Mayor Gomez stated this is the first public hearing to establish the Fiscal Year 2022
Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Financial Policies. A second public hearing on
Temporary Ordinance Number 2481 will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at
5:05 p.m.
Interim City Manager, Kathleen Gunn stated the tentative operating and capital budget
for Fiscal Year 2022 is $221,385,010, which is $33,418,619 more than the Amended
Budget of $187,966,391 for Fiscal Year 2021. The tentative general fund budget, which
is the primary fund for providing governmental services such as, our contract with BSO,
general and administrative services, public services, and parks and recreation, is
$71,794,386, which is $276,965 less than the Amended Budget of $72,071,351 for
Fiscal Year 2021. In addition, the financial policies are included as part of the adoption
of the annual budget. These financial policies are an integral part of our !ong-term
financial planning for the City. These policies set parameters for operating
management, including establishing reserves for specific purposes, establishing
accounts management and financial planning policies and establishing policies on
economic resources.
City Attorney, John Herin, read the title for the record.
Director of Financial Services, Christine Cajuste, and Budget Manager, Jeff Streder,
provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Cajuste stated the
budget would be amended to reflect a new total that reduces the budget, due to the
millage that was adopted tonight at 7.200. The presentation before you tonight is
presented at the 7.2899.
Discussion by the Commission ensued.
Mayor Gomez opened for public comments.
1. Nicole Bushue, of Tamarac, expressed her concern with the termination of
the former City Manager Michael Cernech. She stated the citizens and
employees should not be punished for the Commission's bad decision.
2. Darcy Schiller, of Kings Point, provided comments about the Commission's
discretionary fund being increased. She also stated that the Commission
should lower their salaries, decrease their phone allowance and consolidate
events into the One Tamarac event.
Mayor Gomez closed public comments.
Discussion by the Commission ensued.
Cajuste stated the items in the budget, to reflect the 7.2000 mills, has not be adjusted
yet. Cajuste clarified the approval tonight, at the 7.2000 mills; the general fund budget will
be $71,388,801, which is $405,585 less, than the original proposed budget of
$71,794,386, which was at the 7.2899 mills. The operating budget will be reduced from
$221,385,010, to $220,979,425.
Vice Mayor Villalobos motioned to approve. Commissioner Placko seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, on the motion to approve the budget as
amended. The motion carried unanimously 5-0.
Mayor Gomez reminded residents that the final budget hearing will be held Tuesday,
Sept. 28, 2021 at 5:05 p.m.
There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Minutes transcribed and submitted by City C�cnrt'r4spn.
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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
Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.
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made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or
hearing, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which record
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
SIGN-UP SHEET
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021
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ITEM#
From:
To:
Bernie Burawski
Michelle J. Gomez; Debra Placko; Mike Gelin; Marlon Bolton; Elvin Villalobos; Kathleen Gunn; Jennifer Johnson;
iherin@ foxrothschild.org
Subject:
[EXTERNAL]
Date:
Sunday, September 12, 2021 9:39:53 PM
Good evening City Commissioners, Attorney and Clerk,
The following statement pertains to the special meeting commencing Monday evening on
September 13th, 2021. As I am unable to participate in this special meeting, I request that my
statement be considered on record, otherwise I would make my statement in person.
This special hearing involves the following items:
TR 13657 FY 2022 Fire Rescue Assessment
TR 13658 FY 2022 Stormwater Management Fee Assessment
TR 13659 FY 2022 Solid Waste Assessment
TR 13660 FY 2022 Nuisance Abatement Assessment
TO 2480 FY 2022 Millage Rate Ordinance
TO 2481 FY 2022 Budget Ordinance
The reason for my statement arises over my concern that Tamarac municipal government practice
fiscal responsibility by implementing a balance between government spending and tax. I doubt
(which I believe is justified) that sound fiscal responsibility is practiced by Tamarac City Government.
Based on my copy of the 2021 Notice of Proposed Property Taxes and Proposed or Adopted Non -Ad
Volorem Assessments from the Broward County Tax Collector, my taxes will raise from a total of
$4,199.19 for 2021 to a total of $4,277.83 for 2022.
This has been a tough year on taxpayers and it we are not back to normal yet. We are still in danger
of COVID due to the Delta Variant. Why not give us a break from raising taxes this year? We've all
been through a lot and it doesn't appear to be abating soon. You will probably say that these tax
increases are moderate. However, the economy is not helping taxpayers. Inflation is real and we see
it everyday in the supermarket with the surreptitious raising of prices by making the packaging
smaller and smaller yet the prices either remain the same or rise ever so slightly. Who are we trying
to kid? This is an example of the government always keeping one step ahead by not allowing
taxpayers to save their hard-earned money.
Hey, money really doesn't grow on trees! It is coming out of our pockets. It seems to me that the
least you could do is cut the taxpayers of Tamarac a break this year by not raising our taxes. We
deserve better.
Sincerely,
Bernard Michael Burawski
Chief Yeoman, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
5706 NW 84 Avenue
Tamarac, FL 33321-4542
Phone: work 786-792-3771
home 407-371-8525
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Medicare Hearing and Appeals
51 SW 1st Avenue, Ste. 1536
Miami, FL 33130