Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-21 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024 PUROCLEAN 6001 HIATUS ROAD, STE. 13 TAMARAC, FL 33321 9:30 AM CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Strategic Planning Workshop, being held at PuroClean, to order at 9:34 a.m. She noted Commissioner Villalobos would be late, as he was representing the City on the Broward County Solid Waste Authority meeting. ROLL CALL Present were Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Marlon D. Bolton, Vice Mayor Morey Wright Jr Commissioner Kicia Daniel, and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos (at 9:40 a.m.). Also present were City Manager Levent Sucuoglu, Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Maxine Calloway, Human Resources Director Lerenzo Calhoun, Parks and Recreation Director Rudolph Galindo, Financial Services Director Christine Cajuste, Economic Development Manager Lori Funderwhite, Fire Chief Mike Annese, BSO Captain Jemeriah Cooper, Acting Building Official Tony Palacios, Public Services John Doherty, Assistant Director of Utilities Earl Henry, , , Assistant to the City Manager Neysa Herrera, Chief Information Officer James Twigger, City Attorney Hans Ottinot, and City Clerk Kimberly Dillon. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Michelle J. Gomez led the moment of silence in recognition of Public Services employee Ron Klein. PART ONE 1. Opening Remarks by the City Manager City Manager Levent Sucuoglu opened the meeting by introducing Steve White, PuroClean, who welcomed everyone to the facility. City Manager Sucuoglu provided a brief introduction to the Strategic Planning session, advising that the City had chosen to forego hiring a consultant for the 2024 session, so he would be acting as Moderator. 2. Expectations of the 2024 Strategic Planning Retreat City Manager Sucuoglu discussed principles of engagement, working to get the Commission and staff aligned, and the goal of having a unified vision. Discussion ensued regarding a willingness to change, communication, representation of the desires and needs of the residents, collective vision, and politics. City Manager Sucuoglu called for a recess at 10: 40 a.m. City Manager Sucuoglu called the meeting to order at 10: 46 a.m. 3. 2024 Strategic Planning Presentation a. 2023 Commission Priorities Recap City Manager Sucuoglu provided a presentation reviewing the 2023 Commission priorities and initiatives and updating on progress which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. b. Environmental Scan City Manager Sucuoglu provided a presentation of the environmental scan conducted by staff which is on file in the City Clerk's office. He discussed the feedback received during the five (5) public strategic planning sessions the City had hosted. c. Visioning Exercise Mayor Gomez commented on the following, and related discussion ensued: • Fishing enforcement and the need for expansion of Code Enforcement • Solicitation of ring cameras should include documents on paper, not just electronic • Supportive of license plate reader programs • Have received compliments on the wrapped BSO cars (would like to see a Veteran- themed car) • Nice to see progress with SeeClickFix • Compliments to the landscaping crews, residents are happy with what they see • Continue to pursue zip code for Tamarac • Businesses promoting themselves as being in Tamarac • Questioned data on median income • Suggested marketing Tamarac in and out of the State • Likes idea of passports and bringing back real time traffic center • No door hangers for communication from the City • Like digital signs, but prioritize way finding signage as previously approved Commissioner Bolton commented on the following, and related discussion ensued: • City needs to define "who we are" more, invest or partner in building a destination • Created directory or website of restaurants/shop local • Small business incubator • Discussed the need to pool resources to afford high end apartments • Seeking execution strategy versus continued talk Discussion continued regarding the issues highlighted, including incentive programs for businesses, timelines for various initiatives, and opportunities for development. Vice Mayor Wright commented on the following, and related discussion ensued: • Businesses in Tamarac need more support, marketing Minutes February 21, 2024 — Strategic Planning Workshop Page 2 • Think outside the box on Tamarac Village • Create a destination that highlights what makes Tamarac unique • Sell them where we are going, not where we are Commissioner Daniel commented on the following, and related discussion ensued: • Have a vision for where Tamarac is going • Promote Colony West better/differently • Choices on where to eat if high -end dining is not an option due to incomes • Update and modernize medical facilities Discussion continued regarding telling Tamarac's story, concentrating growth, building places, and changing demographics. Commissioner Villalobos commented on the following, and related discussion ensued: • Parking concerns at Tamarac Village require height • Lack of control over businesses and plazas that are privately owned City Manager Sucuoglu called for a recess at 12:32 p.m. City Manager Sucuoglu called the meeting to order at 1: 30 p. m. Commissioner Bolton returned to the dais at 1: 37 p. m. PART TWO d. Department Priorities City Manager Sucuoglu continued his presentation. Discussion ensued regarding a proposed update of development and redevelopment districts in the Comprehensive Plan. Assistant City Manager Calloway provided clarification and answered questions as needed. Consensus was to add Nob Hill Overlay District to the proposed map. e. Commissioner Priorities City Manager Sucuoglu led a visioning exercise, asking the Commission to assist in identifying five (5) priorities or action items for each identified goal. Each Commissioner reviewed the list of priorities they had provided prior to the meeting. Staff provided additional details on items identified, and discussion ensued on each item as to whether there was consensus, as follows: Commissioner Daniel: • Wall on 81' Street (Consensus) • More police presence (Consensus) o Commissioner Bolton: BSO substation on the City property on US 44.1 (Consensus) Discussion continued regarding public safety concerns. Minutes February 21, 2024 — Strategic Planning Workshop Page 3 Commissioner Villalobos commented that in his opinion, the City is doing a phenomenal job and he has no goals to identify. He suggested the addition of nine (9) BSO deputies and asked for improved communication from staff. Commissioner Villalobos left at 2: 50 p.m. Commissioner Daniel continued: • Wall on 81 st Street (Consensus) • Street lights on 70th Street • More business in District 4 Discussion continued regarding the City's plazas, attracting businesses, the potential to attend expos to market the City's industrial parks, economic development, and options for a business incubator. • Beautification of District 4, including plaza improvements o Additional Code Enforcement (Consensus) Discussion continued regarding maintenance in various areas, beautification of medians, Code Enforcement concerns, problem properties, and whether to hire additional Code Enforcement officers or a Code Enforcement company. Staff will bring ordinance forward related to new businesses in plazas Commissioner Villalobos returned at 3:10 p.m. • Parks and Recreation o More good, diverse entertainment and increased programming (Consensus) o Build track and create track and field program o Additional youth programs o Mayor Gomez: Partnership with HOAs to reactivate o Mayor Gomez: American Sign Language (ASL) class o Mayor Gomez: Additional Park Rangers o Mayor Gomez: Occupy Caporella Annex Park in response to security o Commissioner Bolton: Caribbean Heritage Event in June Discussion continued regarding expansion of placemaking events, Parks and Recreation budget, initiative funds, the food pantry at the Community Center, and better communication. Commissioner Bolton: • Replace and modernize signs throughout City • Prioritize the City signage sign at entryways • Sound barrier wall at Bailey Road o Bailey Road at Lakes of Carriage Hills and separate Banyan Lakes from Bermuda Club (Consensus for discussion) City Manager Sucuoglu advised that staff planned to bring the list of proposed walls to the Commission at its March 21, 2024, meeting for discussion. Commissioner Villalobos asked whether the City was deviating from the plan to place walls in main corridors. Discussion Minutes February 21, 2024 —Strategic Planning Workshop Page 4 continued, and consensus was to add the Bailey Road wall to the discussion list, along with the previously discussed 81 st Street wall. Commissioner Villalobos asked that walls at Pine Island, 81 st Street, and Nob Hill be added to this list. Commissioner Villalobos left at 4:21 p.m. Commissioner Bolton continued: • Reestablish a district office in east Tamarac • Evaluation of salary increases and/or hour increases for Community Engagement Liaisons during the budget process (No consensus) Discussion ensued regarding the Community Engagement Liaison positions, including hours, salary, benefits, skills, and other considerations. Human Resources Director Lorenzo Calhoun provided direction regarding labor standards. He agreed to research options and bring forward cost estimates for discussion at the March meeting. City Manager Sucuoglu asked whether the Commission wanted to continue the discussion at the March 11 or March 21 Workshop. Discussion continued. Consensus was to continue the topic on March 21, following the financial update. Commissioner Bolton sought and did not receive consensus to increase to 32 hours per Commissioner for Community Engagement Liaisons, divided among three (3) people. Mayor Gomez and Vice Mayor Wright were opposed, and Commissioner Villalobos was not present. Commissioner Bolton asked for a status update on the project to move the east side water distribution system. City Manager Sucuoglu explained getting an easement from the church had not worked out. Assistant Director of Utilities Earl Henry provided an update on the distribution line and the four (4) phases. He advised that the estimated completion date would be the end of 2026. Commissioner Bolton asserted residents on the Fort Lauderdale water system are paying 25 percent more, and asked how the City could subsidize the cost through 2026. He asked for a signed memo from counsel to advise on the legality of the request. City Attorney Ottinot responded briefly regarding the potential for a grant. Discussion continued regarding affordable housing funds, rent assistance, Adopt -a -Street, Commissioner Bolton continued: • Increase charitable contribution allowance for each Commissioner from $3,000 to an amount to be agreed upon (No consensus) 4. Closing Comments Vice Mayor Wright shared brief closing comments, noting he was optimistic about the support for small businesses and expansion of events in the community. Minutes February 21, 2024 — Strategic Planning Workshop Page 5 Commissioner Bolton stated he had been through seven (7) strategic planning sessions, and nothing had really happened, despite strong asks. He commented on the One Tamarac event and expressed appreciation for staff and all they do. Commissioner Daniel commented on wins and positives, such as bringing back millions from a trip to Washington D.C., changes with Parks and Recreation to include more academic activities and the Commission getting along better. She stated staff is doing a good job and noted she likes what staff is doing to improve its presentations, the work on Woodmont, and beautification in parts of the City. Mayor Gomez stated she thought the Commission had not done well on strategic planning year over year but had improved in its ability to communicate with one another. She advised that she would like to see the Commission fund its priorities during budget season and continue to build on the strength of staff. City Manager Sucuoglu provided brief closing remarks, expressing appreciation for the candid conversation, as it helps staff help the Commission. He stated he looks forward to continuing the conversation on March 21. ADJOURNMENT There being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Minutes transcribed by Crysta Parkinson, Prototype, Inc. and submitted by Kimberly Dillon, City Clerk. Kimberly Dillon, City Clerk Michelle J. Gomez, Mayor Minutes February 21, 2024 — Strategic Planning Workshop Page 6 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 City Commission Strategic Planning Workshop held Monday, February 21, 2024. 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. Minutes February 21, 2024 — Strategic Planning Workshop Page 7