HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-26 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesREGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023
9:30 AM
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Wednesday, April 26, 2023, City Commission meeting, being
held in Commission Chambers, to order at 9:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present were Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Vice Mayor Marlon D. Bolton, Commissioner Kicia
Daniel, Commissioner Morey Wright Jr., and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos.
Also present were City Manager Levent Sucuoglu, Assistant City Manager Maxine Calloway, City
Attorney Hans Ottinot, and City Clerk Kimberly Dillon.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Kicia Daniel led the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence.
Mayor Gomez recognized Administrative Professionals Day and the thanked staff.
1. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Ottinot had no report.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Sucuoglu provided a presentation of his report, which is on file in
the City Clerk's Office.
2.a. Small Business Week Proclamation
Requested by Lori Funderwhite, Economic Development Manager
Mayor Gomez read the proclamation and presented it to Peter Mason.
2.b. Building Safety Month Proclamation
Requested by George Folles, Chief Building Official
Mayor Gomez read the proclamation and presented it to George Folles.
2.c. Employee Service Awards
5 Years of Service
Greg Rosenberg
Jamea Bush
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Richard Einhom
Lancelot Bonner
Antonio Williams
Vanessa Charry
10 Years of Service
Alberto Montanez
Zachariah Steiner
15 Years of Service
Moses Pineda
Ramlochan Williams
20 Years of Service
Keisha Lawson
Rose Terrelonge
Michael Cain
Todd Shoats
Vincent Dixon
25 Years of Service
Tederra Sims
Michael Annese
Melissa Grant
Dania Maldonado
Mayor Gomez called for a recess at 9:56 a.m.
Mayor Gomez called the meeting to order at 9:58 a.m.
Page 2
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mayor Gomez noted the rules for public comment were posted and opened the floor to
comments from the public.
1) Howard Strassler, Sonny's The Car Wash Factory, 5870 Hiatus Road, Tamarac,
commented on discussions regarding changing to Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) fire.
He stated the growth of his company would not have happened if they were not in a
City that supports growth, and asserted having a local fire department was part of that.
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page 3
He discussed the value of the team in place at Tamarac Fire Rescue and stated working
the County would not be the same.
2) Ed Radosh, Kings Point, Tamarac, stated Tamarac Fire Rescue is a Rolls Royce with
50 years of great service, and BSO should not be asked to take over their duties. He
discussed the standings of the Florida Cup Standings. He noted Tamarac Fire Rescue
was listed as number five (5), and BSO was at the bottom of the list. He stated he had
provided the Clerk with a copy of the standings to distribute to the Commission.
Mayor Gomez sought and received consensus to allow Mr. Radosh additional time.
Mr. Radosh continued briefly, asserting Tamarac Fire Rescue should remain as -is.
3) Ronald Barish, 7555 NW 99t' Avenue, Tamarac, thanked Mayor Gomez for her
assistance with the installation of chains in his community. He stated he was requesting
three (3) speed humps and three (3) stop signs with the words "strictly enforced" on
them. He discussed plans to construct a United States Postal Service (USPS) mega -
center which would cover Tamarac and asked that the Mayor send a letter asking that
it not be built, as it would impact workers.
4) Darcy Schiller, Kings Point, Tamarac, stated she was impressed by a change to the
location of yield sign in the roundabout by Amazon. She noted she was thrilled the
Commissioners were wearing Tamarac Fire Rescue shirts and asked that the City
address ethics issues related to Vice Mayor Bolton having a potential conflict of interest
as an employee of the County and a City Commissioner. She asserted the residents
would be fighting the change of the Fire Dept. She referenced item 1 Od and stated she
did not understand why Commissioner Villalobos and Vice Mayor Bolton needed so
many hours of part-time staff.
5) William Goffinet, 5106 Bayberry Lane, Tamarac, commented on the 13t' Floor project
and stated other land should be looked at, and the golf course amenity should not be
taken away from homeowners without proper compensation. He stated he wanted to
know about potential arsenic on the property.
6) Jeffrey Shapiro, 6104 Orchard Tree Lane, Tamarac, stated following a heavy rain two
(2) weeks ago, he had been upset to read comments from a Commissioner on NextDoor
asserting that adding more waterway to the community for the pending development
would add additional absorption. He argued this was incorrect and referenced his own
science lessons in high school. He discussed planned changes to the land under the
proposed development agreement, and stated the City needed to protect residents.
7) Dr. Kate Johnson, Mainlands, Tamarac, addressed proposed changes to overnight
parking and stated she wholeheartedly supports the plan, as the streets are dangerous at
night. She suggested the City's grant program for renovations be utilized for driveway
widening if needed. Continuing, Dr. Johnson addressed items 1 Oc and 1 Od, and thanked
Minutes
April 26, 2023 —Regular Commission Meeting
Page 4
Commissioner Villalobos for listening to the resident concerns. She suggested the
Commissioners opt out of the car allowance while the matter is being workshopped.
She commented on 1 Ob and asked that it be approved, and detailed backup information
be provided for all agenda items. She congratulated Vice Mayor Bolton on his new full-
time position with Broward County and reiterated previous comments that this
represents a conflict of interest. She discussed item 4h and stated it would result in
issues for Homeowners Associations (HOAs).
4. CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager Sucuoglu stated there were no changes to the agenda.
Moved by Mayor Gomez; seconded by Commissioner Villalobos to approve the
Consent Agenda.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel,
Commissioner Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
4.a. Approval of the March 20, 2023, Workshop Minutes
4.b. Approval of the March 22, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes
4.c. TR13898 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
awarding Bid 23-18B to Zones, LLC, and approving the purchase of a Pure
Storage, Storage Area Network (SAN), including five (5) years of maintenance
and support, to be purchased through Zones, LLC, for a total purchase cost of
$246,000.42; authorizing expenditures from the appropriate accounts;
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to approve renewal options; providing
for conflicts; providing for scrivener errors; providing for severability; and
providing for an effective date.
4.d. TR13924 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida
authorizing the appropriate City officials to select, approve and award the
acquisition of temporary staffing services on an as needed basis to temporarily fill
budgeted employee vacancies for all City Departments and provide for a method
to staff temporary positions as a result of unanticipated or temporary
departmental workload increases in an amount not to exceed an aggregate total
of $300,000.00 annually per fiscal year for fiscal years 2023, 2024 and 2025,
utilizing agreements awarded by the state of Florida department of management
services, or other formally competed agreements by other Florida governmental
units, or national purchasing cooperatives, and to establish a process for acquiring
specialized temporary staffing needs, as well as establishing quotation procedures
when there are no available firms with competitively bid agreements in the best
interest of the city; ratifying previous FY 23 expenditures made to Cochhbha
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page 5
(Computer Aid Inc.) in the amount of $63,200.00; providing for conflicts;
providing for scrivener errors, providing for severability; and providing for an
effective date.
4.e. TR13919 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
approving a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") regarding Broward
College provision of workforce development and skills training opportunities for
the benefit of Tamarac residents and City employees; approving in -kind support
and to waive fees for Broward College to hold classes for residents in City of
Tamarac facilities; authorizing the appropriate City officials to effectuate the
MOU; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an
effective date.
4.f. TR13918 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
approving Task Authorization Number 23-09D with Stantec Consulting Services,
Inc., attached hereto as Exhibit "1"; in the amount of $8,615, and authorizing a
cumulative expenditure for said purpose in an amount not to exceed $87,740.00;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date.
4.g. TR13897 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
approving an Agreement with 3-D Paving Company for the Emergency Road
Repair located at Bailey Road between Woodlands Blvd and nw 64th Ave in Canal
Zone 9, utilizing the three -bid system authorizing an expenditure of funds for an
amount not more than $72,305.00; providing for conflicts; providing for
severability; and providing for an effective date.
4.h. TR13935 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the city of Tamarac, Florida,
encouraging homeowners association in the city of Tamarac to revise its rules and
regulations to permit homeowners to install physical safety barrier in the rear
yard for public safety reasons, which include preventing crime and accidental
drowning of young children; direct the city manager or designee to initiate a
public awareness campaign to encourage the installation of safety barriers near
water bodies and water safety tips for adults and young children; providing for
providing for an effective date.
4.i. TR13933 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute an agreement with HRE,
LLC DB/A Tenzinga to provide assistance to the City with the development and
implementation of the first three steps of a 7-Step Plan for building a new vision,
higher level of quality, greater accountability, strong leadership, better
functioning organization, and increase process management and improvement;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date.
Minutes
April 26, 2023 —Regular Commission Meeting
5. REGULAR AGENDA
6. ORDINANCE(S) — FIRST READING
Page 6
6.a. T02525 - An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida
terminating the zoning in progress on new self -storage facilities by amending
Chapter 10, Article 3, of the City of Tamarac Land Development Code, entitled
"Use Regulations", amending Section 10-3.2, entitled "Table of Allowed Uses", by
specifically amending Table 10-3.1, entitled "Allowed Uses" to prohibit self -
storage facilities in all zoning districts by instituting a ban on new self -storage
facilities within the City of Tamarac; providing for codification; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Commissioner Wright to
approve Ordinance T02525 on first reading.
There were no presentations and no discussion on the item by the Commission.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel,
Commissioner Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
6.b. T02512 - An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida
to provide for easier enforcement of, and enhanced penalties for violations of the
city's regulations of activities defined as "Special Events" by amending Chapter
10, the Land Development Code of the City of Tamarac, Florida by amending
Article 3, "Use Regulations" by specifically amending Section 10-3.5 "Temporary
Uses and Structures"; by amending Section 10- 6.2 "Use Categories and Use Types
Defined"; providing for codification; providing for conflicts; providing for
severability; and providing for an effective date.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Vice Mayor Bolton to approve
Ordinance T02512 on first reading.
There were no presentations and no discussion on the item by the Commission.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel,
Commissioner Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
8. ORDINANCE(S) — SECOND READING
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
9. QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING(S)
Page 7
9.a. TB070 - Board Order approving Special Exception approval for Worthy
Moments Banquet Hall, to allow for the use of a modified one (1) story, one -
thousand six -hundred square feet (1,600 sq. ft.) leased space for a hall for hire
within an existing plaza in the MU-N (Mixed -Use Neighborhood) zoning district,
pursuant to the Tamarac Code of Ordinances.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record. He outlined the City's procedures
regarding Quasi -Judicial proceedings. He confirmed the public notice items were
met. City Clerk Kimberly Dillon swore in those wishing to provide testimony.
Mayor Gomez asked for any ex-parte disclosures and there were none to disclose.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Commissioner Wright to
approve the board order.
Mayor Gomez opened the public hearing, however seeing no one to speak, closed
the public hearing.
Attorney Ray Garcia provided a presentation on behalf of the applicant. The
presentation is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked staff for clarification on the previous tenants and their
parking requirements in the plaza. Assistant City Manager/Director of Community
Development Maxine Calloway provided a brief overview of the tenant history of
the site and stated parking was based on square footage and usage. Discussion
continued regarding the parking requirements.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked the applicant the hours of operation. Attorney Garcia
explained under the proposed conditions, the site would be open 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Vice Mayor Bolton asserted the hours would not fit the typical times of funerals,
weddings, or graduation parties, and stated it sounded like a club. Attorney Garcia
responded that was not the intent of the applicant, and conditions could be added to
address the concern.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked the hours of the other banquet halls in Tamarac. Assistant
City Manager Calloway stated there are three (3) existing banquet halls, and hours
are typically 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked questions regarding any BSO issues with the use, the
reason for the special exception, and ingress and egress to the site. Assistant City
Manager Calloway responded.
Vice Mayor Bolton inquired about fire access and any past issues with access at
other banquet halls. Fire Chief Mike Annese stated he did not recall any issues but
would research the matter and report back.
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page 8
Commissioner Daniel asked if the neighboring property could be used for overflow
parking. Assistant City Manager Calloway stated it would be possible for the
applicant to seek a shared parking agreement.
Discussion continued regarding potential conditions of approval. Attorney Garcia
suggested a clause could be added to the business' agreement with renters to limit
the number of cars on site, rather than limiting the hours of the business.
Commissioner Villalobos asked for additional detail regarding existing facilities
like the application. Assistant City Manager Calloway explained. Discussion
continued regarding parking concessions.
Mayor Gomez inquired as to whether there was potential for the business to be open
during the daytime on Saturday and Sunday. Attorney Garcia stated he would not
want to limit that at this time.
Mayor Gomez asserted parking restrictions were not enforceable, and stated she
disagreed that the plaza was overparked. She asked questions regarding emergency
access, alcohol, security, and lighting. Attorney Garcia responded.
Mayor Gomez stated she did not believe this was a use that fit well with this plaza
or added value to the community. She noted the restriction to the hours would be
cutting off business and impacting the applicant's chances of success.
Vice Mayor Gomez asked staff to describe the neighboring community. Assistant
City Manager Calloway reviewed the neighboring businesses, and stated there is
an existing wall buffering the business from the residential community. Discussion
continued regarding the hours of neighboring businesses.
Commissioner Daniel stated based on the amount of time that had passed without
a business in that space she wanted to say yes, even though Mayor Gomez had made
good points. She agreed that she would not want to place restrictions on the hours
of operation, but nights were the only time it appeared there was sufficient parking.
Attorney Garcia responded, and discussion continued.
Mayor Gomez expressed concern regarding noise for downstairs neighbors, use for
religious services, and ADA compliance. She stated she was not comfortable
approving a project that was not fully vetted.
Moved by Commissioner Daniel; seconded by Mayor Gomez to table TBO70 to
the June 28, 2023, 9:30 a.m. Commissioner meeting.
Motion Failed: 2-3.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez and Commissioner Daniel. Voting Against: Vice Mayor
Bolton, Commissioner Villalobos, and Commissioner Wright.
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page 9
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Commissioner Wright to
approve the board order without conditions.
Motion Approved: 3-2.
Voting For: Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, and Commissioner Wright.
Voting Against: Mayor Gomez and Commissioner Villalobos.
Mayor Gomez called for a recess at 11:32 a.m.
Mayor Gomez called the meeting to order at 11:45 a.m.
Mayor Gomez explained City Attorney Ottinot would share a memo regarding
procedures to rehear an item.
10. OTHER
10.a. Selection of the 2023/2024 Broward League of Cities Board of Directors.
Requested by City Clerk Kimberly Dillon
City Clerk Dillon explained Vice Mayor Bolton had been selected by the
Commission to serve as the Commission representative on the Broward League of
Cities Board of Directors for 2023/2024. She noted an alternate was also required.
Discussion ensued.
Consensus was to name Vice Mayor Bolton as the Commission's representative to
the Broward League of Cities Board of Directors, Commissioner Villalobos as first
alternate, and Commissioner Daniel as second alternate.
Vice Mayor Bolton sought to reverse the order of the alternates.
10.b. Backup Information for Items Under "Other" on Agendas.
Requested by Commissioner Elvin Villalobos
Commissioner Villalobos sought consensus to require backup for items listed under
"other" on future agendas.
Commissioner Daniel asserted that moving forward, the Commissioners should do
their due diligence to try to provide backup, but she did not support it being a
requirement.
Mayor Gomez stated she agreed backup should be provided so the public knows
what is being discussed and possibly voted on. She stated this had been the previous
procedure to place an item on the agenda.
Vice Mayor Bolton stated the form allowed for backup information to be optional,
and it should remain as such. He noted the section of the agenda should no longer
apply as workshops are again being held.
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page 10
Discussion continued. Consensus was that backup should not be required for items
brought forward under the "other" section of the agenda. Voting For: Mayor Gomez
and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner
Daniel, and Commissioner Wright.
10.c. Travel Budget Reduction from $50,000 to $25,000.
Requested by Commissioner Elvin Villalobos
Commissioner Villalobos explained that he would like to discuss the Commission
travel budget line item. He sought consensus to reduce the travel budget to $25,000.
Commissioner Daniel stated she had come to realize the travel funding was needed.
She noted the expense of a recent trip to Washington, D.C., and asserted while there
had been a high cost, they had engaged in networking and brought back potential
funding in excess of $7 million.
Vice Mayor Bolton stated the Commission needed to be prudent, but it came back
to return on investment. He shared stories of lobbying on behalf of the residents.
Commissioner Villalobos argued it was the responsibility of the lobbyists and staff
to lobby on behalf of the City, or Commissioners could visit the local offices of
their representatives.
Commissioner Wright shared his experience making a trip to Washington, D.C.,
and discussed the difference in visiting with members of Congress there versus in
their field offices. He stated he would support not allowing Commissioners to spend
beyond their allotted individual travel budgets.
Mayor Gomez stated she believed there were worthy trips, as well as those which
are not as worthy. She noted she agreed with Commissioner Wright regarding
spending individual budgets and asked that any discussion of changing the amount
be brought forward during budget workshops.
Mayor Gomez sought and received consensus that each Commissioner should
spend their own travel budget.
10.d. Discussion with a Decision to Reduce the Number of Community Engagement
Liaisons (CEL) per Commissioner.
Requested by Commissioner Elvin Villalobos
Commissioner Villalobos summarized the item. He stated the regulation was
written poorly and allowed for three (3) Community Engagement Liaisons (CEL)
per Commissioner, which was not needed, and sought consensus to move to one
(1) each.
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page it
Mayor Gomez stated she did not have an issue with reducing the number of CEL,
but she did have a CEL who was currently deployed, and the City was obligated to
place him in his role or similar upon his return.
Vice Mayor Bolton asserted that changing the number of CEL did not change the
fiscal impact, as the budget was per Commissioner. He discussed the flexibility in
skills afforded by having multiple people in the role and talked about the podcast
his CEL was producing.
Commissioner Villalobos asked whether there was something in the legislation that
would stop the CEL budget from increasing in the future. City Manager Sucuoglu
explained the line item was subject to Commission approval.
Commissioner Wright stated he had not hired a CEL, and had not had the impetus
to hire one, as he believed the members of the local government should be closest
to the people and interacting with the residents. He noted using innovation allowed
him to make this easier.
Commissioner Daniel discussed the difficulty in hiring a CEL at the salary. She
noted not everyone had the same talents and there are only 24 hours in a day, so
staff could help to make things better. Discussion continued.
ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
Minutes transcribed by Crysta Parkinson, Prototype, Inc. and submitted by Kimberly Dillon, City
Clerk.
Kimberly Dillon, CMC
Michelle J. Gomez, Mayor
Minutes
April 26, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 12
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 Regular City Commission Meeting held Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
Pursuant to Chapter 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision 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 includes the
testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.
The City of Tamarac complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you
are a disabled person requiring any accommodations or assistance, please notify the City Clerk's
Office at (954) 597-3505 of such need at least 48 hours (2 days) in advance. Additionally, if you
are hearing or speech impaired and need assistance, you may contact the Florida Relay Service
by dialing 7-1-1.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 26, 2023
Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor and Members of the Commission,
I am pleased to share with you that the City of Tamarac has once
again been recognized for how it cares for its employees. Cigna has
selected the City of Tamarac as a recipient of the 2022 Gold level
Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong
commitment to improving the health and well-being of its
employees.
The Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation, formerly known as the
Cigna Well -Being Award, evaluates organizations based on the core
components of their well-being program, including leadership and
culture, program foundations, program execution, whole person
health, and utilization of Cigna's capabilities. Organizations
recognized with this designation set the standard of excellence for
whole -organization health. Cigna is proud to honor our City with
the Gold level designation for having created a healthy work culture
through a well -established, progressive, and measurable employee
well-being and engagement program.
This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication put forth
by the Human Resources Department, our Executive Team, and
every employee who supports the City's efforts. We are truly
humbled and honored to be recognized by Cigna for our
commitment to creating a culture of continuous improvement to
meet the needs of our employees and their families. The City of
Tamarac could not have accomplished the goal without our valued
partnership with Cigna.
We look forward to continuing our shared success as we endeavor
to provide our employees with resources to choose a healthier
lifestyle that enhances our physical, emotional, and environmental
well-being. A special thank you to Arlene Walsh, Teresa Martin and
Sadhana Swaroop for all of the foundational work that went into
receiving this award. Congratulations!
also have one announcement from our Public Services
Department. On Saturday, May 6th, the City of Tamarac is hosting a
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Drop-off for the
recycling and safe disposal of hazardous materials. The event will
be held at the Public Services Complex from 9am - 2pm. Residents
of Tamarac are invited to bring hazardous materials such as paint,
fertilizer, oil, and gas along with old electronics such as
rechargeable batteries, TVs, and Computer Monitors to the drop-off
event.
That concludes my report. Thank you.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
SIGN-UP SHEET
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Date:
PLEASE PRINT FULL NAME * ADDRESS * PHONE NO.
PRINT NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
ITEM#
1 4 N1 Lo Bj �I SfI
S S j
WiLqw
u,
q!5 .
cv-764
G is orc Af-d -(i cc
s
s
5o