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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 Minutes September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 2 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. Minutes September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 3 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 Minutes September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 4 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. Minutes September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 5 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 Minutes September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 6 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. Minutes September 27, 2023 — Regular Commission Meeting Page 7 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 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.