HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-27 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesREGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
9:30 AM
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Wednesday, September 27, 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 joined at 9:38 a.m.,
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 Assistant City Clerk Monica Barros.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Morey Wright Jr. led the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence.
1. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Ottinot had no report.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT
2.a. Presentation of the Municipal Innovation Award
Scott Dudley, Executive Director, Florida League of Mayors and Florida League
of Cities, recognized Tamarac with the Municipal Innovation Award for the Pet
Pantry project.
2.b. Presentation of Water Smart Community Certificate of Recognition to Fire
Department and Parks and Recreation Department
Morgan M. Flynn, Senior Program Manager, SES-Drowning Prevention, Florida
Department of Health, presented the City of Tamarac with the Bronze Water Smart
Communities designation.
2.c. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation
Mayor Gomez read the proclamation and presented it to James Twigger, Director
of Information Technology.
2.d. Customer Service Week Proclamation
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September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
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Mayor Gomez read the proclamation and presented it to Lorenzo Calhoun, Human
Resources Director.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a presentation of the City Manager's Report which is on file
in the City Clerk's Office.
Commissioner Wright left the dais at 9:49 am and returned at 9:51 am.
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mayor Gomez noted the rules for public comment were posted and opened the floor to
comments from the public.
1) Dr. Kate Johnson, Mainlands 4, Tamarac, thanked Commissioner Wright and Mayor
Gomez for attending the Family Fun Day at Mainlands Park. She advised it made no
sense to have a family event in a retirement community and near the homes of the
burrowing owls in a park with 17 parking spaces. She stated the same issues would
come up at the Community Center in Shaker Village. She commented on fines on the
Shaker Village property and sunshine on the process. She noted the City Attorney
frequently has no report, and she would like to hear updates on Shaker Village title
issues and associated legal fees.
2) Dr. Darcy Schiller, Kings Point, Tamarac, congratulated the City on the SES-Drowning
Prevention recognition and shared that Broward County had joined the Aiden Perry
Life Ring Initiative, placing life rings in the County parks. She asked why Tamarac has
not followed suit. She requested information about an award given under the former
Commission to a child to name a dalmatian. She commended the Commission for
getting through the second budget hearing in 30 minutes and asked that the gas
allowance be readdressed.
City Manager Sucuoglu clarified that the City had moved away from programs that
required counting miles for City business years ago due to IRS regulations.
Mayor Gomez stated the Life Rings have been approved and are in process, and the
dalmatian, Speckles McFreckles, would be installed once the art work was ready.
3) Monica Beckford, Shaker Village, Tamarac, shared her opposition to the Shaker
Village project. She stated she had joined the Board in 2019 to try to get something
done about the clubhouse, and following several meetings, she had suggested a special
assessment, but it had failed due to the efforts of Vice Mayor Bolton. She asserted she
had purchased in Shaker Village with a clubhouse, and she was expecting to have the
clubhouse she had bought into, not a public facility.
Commissioner Villalobos requested an extension of the speaker's time. Mayor Gomez
gave Ms. Beckford an additional minute and stated the remaining speakers would be
granted the same courtesy.
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September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
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Ms. Beckford discussed concerns related to the agreement with the City and asserted
there should have been a vote of the unit owners before it was considered. She stated
the Commissioner who lives in the community involves himself in everything the
Board does, but she would continue to stand up for her community.
4) Armondo Grundy-Gomes, Gainesville, shared that in watching the meeting about
Shaker Village, he had concerns with bad policy. He stated when giving public dollars
to create a community center, the City Attorney should have addressed public access.
He noted the rhetoric of one Tamarac is great, but people should not be left behind. He
stated he hopes that Commissioners are returning calls and noted Mayor Gomez had
called him back. He discussed the importance of making policy together, whether you
like others on the dais or not.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager Sucuoglu stated there were no changes to the consent 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 Villalobos, and Commissioner Wright. Voting Against: None.
4.a. TR14008 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to apply for Complete Streets and other
Localized Initiative Program (CSLIP) Cycle 8 Grant awards via two applications
through the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and
the Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT) for the 108th terrace/80th
Street Traffic Calming & Roadway Improvements project and the Woodlands
Roundabout & Ada Sidewalk Gap Connectivity project; providing for acceptance
of one or both of the awards and execution of documents upon legal review and
approval; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an
effective date.
4.b. TR14010 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
approving an amendment to the list of charitable entities with whom the City of
Tamarac recognizes a formally approved relationship, attached hereto as exhibit
"A", by adding "Tamarac Firefighters Benevolent Association Inc.", in
compliance with Section 1- 19(c)(5)(a)(4) of the Broward County Code of
Ordinances; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for
an effective date.
5. REGULAR AGENDA
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September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
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5.a. TR14003 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
approving a Broward Sheriffs office permit application for Special Details and
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute the permit application for
police services to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department in an amount
not to exceed $107,000 in FY24, October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024; approving
funding from the appropriate parks and recreation accounts; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public, however there being
no one to speak, closed public participation.
There were no presentations and no discussion on the item by the Commission.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Commissioner Wright to
approve the resolution as presented.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel,
Commissioner Villalobos, and Commissioner Wright. Voting Against: None.
5.b. TR14006 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida
accepting the recommendation of the City of Tamarac Auditor Selection
Committee recommending the award of request for Proposal #23-30R for
Financial Auditing Services to the proposer ranked as the most highly qualified
firm of all ranked firms by the Auditor Selection Committee, RSM US, LLP;
authoring the appropriate city officials to execute a letter of engagement between
the City of Tamarac and RSM US, LLP, for financial auditing services for a
period of five (5) years for fiscal years ending on September 30, 2023, September
30, 2024, September 30, 2025, September 30, 2026 and September 30, 2027
respectively, for an annual amount not to exceed $118,000 for the first two (2)
years, $124,000 for years three (3) and four (4) and $130,500 for year 5 for an
aggregate fee of $614,500; with the option to renew for one (1) additional five (5)
year period subject to satisfactory performance; providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Moved by Vice Mayor Bolton; seconded by Commissioner Villalobos to approve
the resolution as presented.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public, however there being
no one to speak, closed public participation.
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September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
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Commissioner Wright made a presentation as the Commission representative to and
Chair of the Audit Committee, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. City
Manager Sucuoglu and Neil Harris, Director of Local Audit, RSM, provided
additional detail.
Mayor Gomez asked for clarification on the role of the Commissioners in the audit
contract. Mr. Harris responded briefly.
Commissioner Wright outlined the diversity in the selection committee and
discussed the process briefly. He stated it was a fair and transparent process with
opportunities for smaller fans and noted that RSM stood out in part because of their
ability to audit pensions.
Commissioner Villalobos noted that he had reviewed the notes and the process had
been stringent.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked counsel to comment on State Law and best practices
related to auditors changing firms. City Attorney Ottinot stated he would defer the
question to the Finance Director. Financial Services Director Christine Cajuste
stated the Statute is silent as to the length of time that an auditor can stay, though
the Auditor General has issued best practices stating five (5) years is a reasonable
time for an initial audit contract.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked how long the recommended firm had been auditing the
City. Financial Services Director Cajuste stated RMS had been the auditor for five
(5) years, then it was extended for an additional two (2) years.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked whether it was best practice to change the auditor after
five (5) years. Financial Services Director Cajuste provided additional clarification.
She noted there was a minimum length outlined, not a maximum.
Vice Mayor Bolton inquired as to the number of firms that had applied, scoring of
applicants, and costs. Financial Services Director Cajuste reviewed the ranking of
the six (6) firms briefly.
Vice Mayor Bolton asserted the City should not be in contract with a firm that has
been doing the audit for more than five (5) years. He stated they were the audit firm
when the previous City Manager Michael Cernech was arrested, and argued there
was a potential for personal and professional ties of the auditor to impede the
process.
Commissioner Daniel asked that RMS respond to Vice Mayor Bolton's concerns.
Mr. Harris shared that the best process is to go through a competitive solicitation
process in selecting an auditor, and discussed the factors considered, including
qualifications and expertise. He noted RMS is a national firm with a constant
rotation of new auditors to have fresh eyes, as well as maintaining skepticism and
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September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
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professional standards. He stated the FCC recommends staying with the same
auditors, as the greatest risk of failure occurs when switching.
Mayor Gomez stated a professional process had been followed, using the smartest
and best to make the best choice for the City. She noted RMS is also audited
annually and commented on the excellent financial standing of the City.
Commissioner Daniel asked Commissioner Wright if Vice Mayor Bolton's
comments had been considered in the recommendations of the Committee.
Commissioner Wright stated he had done his best to keep politics out of the choice
and reiterated the diverse and professional makeup of the selection committee. He
added that he is a fan of innovation and change, but in this situation a transparent
process had selected a firm. He stated he would have liked to have a smaller firm,
but that was not the result.
Vice Mayor Bolton asserted his argument had nothing to do with politics. He stated
his biggest contention was with having the same auditing firm for years, and with
the cost of the contract.
Motion Approved: 4-1.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner Villalobos, and
Commissioner Wright. Voting Against: Vice Mayor Bolton.
6. ORDINANCE(S) — FIRST READING
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS)
8. ORDINANCE(S) — SECOND READING
9. QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING(S)
10. OTHER
10.a. Discussion about yearly commemorating and honoring September 11
Requested by Mayor Michelle I Gomez
Mayor Gomez highlighted that 22 years had passed since September 11, 2001, and
stated she would like to discuss the annual commemoration of the attack and
subsequent loss. She stated time should be taken to honor, respect, and remember.
Commissioner Daniel shared her personal connections with September 11 and stated
as a school leader, they like to have the day as an opportunity to share what happened
with the students. She noted she supported honoring the day.
Commissioner Villalobos stated he would support an event and give staff the leeway
to determine how to give time off to those wishing to attend services.
Commissioner Wright advised that he was in support.
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September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
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Vice Mayor Bolton asked Human Resources Director Lorenzo Calhoun to address the
fiscal impact of the request, and how it would change the organization's holiday list.
Human Resources Director Calhoun stated he would have to research the question and
negotiate the change with the Federation of Public Employees and International
Association of Fire Fighters, but he believed allowing them to honor their fallen
brothers and sisters would be an easy negotiation.
Vice Mayor Bolton suggested the decision wait until the fiscal impact had been
researched. Human Resources Director Calhoun stated that would be appropriate.
Vice Mayor Bolton stated he was in support of an event and of giving the employees a
day off but wanted to proceed on the day off with caution.
Consensus was to move forward with workshopping the options.
ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at 10:53 a.m.
Minutes transcribed by Crysta Parkinson, Prototype, Inc. and submitted by Kimberly Dillon, City
Clerk.
Kimberly Dil on, City Clerk
Michelle J. Gomez, Mayor
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, September 27, 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.
Minutes
September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting
Page 8
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