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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-22 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes CITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Workshop of the City Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2019 in Conference Room 105, City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. ROLL CALL: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Vice Mayor Debra Placko, Commissioner Mike Gelin and Commissioner Julie Fishman were in attendance. Commissioner Marlon Bolton joined the meeting at 9:36 a.m. Also in attendance were City Manager Michael Cernech, Assistant City Manager Kathleen Gunn, City Attorney Samuel Goren and City Clerk Patricia Teufel. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Gomez led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Gomez announced the addition of the following item to the Agenda prior to discussion of items on the agenda: BSO Update on incident that occurred at 8375 N. Pine Island Road in Tamarac — BSO Captain Neal Glassman and BSO Major Arnie Russo appeared and talked about Internal Affairs responsibilities and process, employee training camera footage and final written report sent to the State Attorney for review as the agency is committed to transparency. Captain Glassman and Major Russo responded to questions from the City Commission about performance written guidelines, Hispanic and African American women assigned to Tamarac, cultural diversity training and video footage of the incident. Mayor Gomez and City Commissioners talked about how to work as a community and scheduled meetings with school officials, meeting with Representative TJ Redick and the attendance of BSO Sheriff Gregory Tony to Wednesday, April 24, 2019 Regular City Commission meeting. Vice Mayor Placko talked about what can be done as a collective body. Commissioner Bolton talked about sound visible leadership. City Attorney Goren recognized Chris Anderson and talked about student safety. Commissioner Gelin made a formal request to remove the three officers from City of Tamarac and for the Commission to explore having its own Police Department. With no further discussion, Mayor Gomez moved to the next item on the agenda. 1. Discussion on the State of Affordable Housing in Florida and Request of Support for Full Appropriation of the Sadowski Trust Funds Solely for Florida's Housing Programs. Barbara E. Witte, Director of Development & Marketing, Habitat for Humanity Broward appeared and gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Ms. Witte provided an overview and talked about Congressman Chip La Marca's Local Economic Impact Report. She continued to say the money will be lost if the House Budget passes. She talked about the Sadowski Trust Fund Foundation and said for the City of Tamarac it signifies $777,000 vs Zero dollars. Mayor Gomez said she represented Habitat for Humanity of Broward and asked for possibly reaching out to Sister for Humanity Chapters Statewide. Commissioner Fishman said looking at income of $600 per week against expenses, funds should be used for what it was created. Vice Mayor Placko inquired about how dollars are allocated, and Ms. Witte responded it is statutory using the Document Stamp. Commissioner Gelin asked if e-mails should be sent to all House representatives Page 1 of 5 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING April 22, 2019 Revised 05/06/19 and Ms. Witte responded to make sure the voice carries not only in Broward County. Mayor Gomez asked to reach out to all legislators and not just local as it is to try to receive support throughout the State. With no further discussion, Mayor Gomez thanked Ms. Witte and moved to the next item on the agenda. 2. Human Trafficking Discussion. BSO Captain Neal Glassman and BSO Detective appeared. Camera system was turned off to protect the officer's identity. Discussion ensued regarding massage parlors, hotels, different ways of human trafficking, smuggling and hiring marketing tactics of making more money to attract females and the lack of trust of law enforcement by the victims that do not come forward to place a complaint. BSO Detective said it is impossible to track money through wire transfers once it hits a country like China. Vice Mayor requested the number of massage parlors in the City. BSO Detective talked about licensing for massage parlors, and must have licensed personnel and other business regulatory requirements. Commissioner Fishman asked what can the City do to combat human trafficking. BSO Detective talked about Romeo Pimp operations, Gorilla Pimps and other types of structure within human trafficking operations. Commissioner Fishman inquired about body wrappers in deregulation and City Attorney Goren said he is looking into the issue. Commissioner Gelin left the meeting at 10:36 a.m. returning at 10:38 a.m. Additional discussion ensued regarding Massage Parlors Ordinance, escort services and adult bookstores. Mayor Gomez inquired about the use of vacation rentals for human trafficking and BSO Detective responded that it does happen, have not seen it in the City of Tamarac but in other cities. Mayor Gomez asked for a consensus with all in agreement and Attorney Goren clarifying the consensus will authorize him, his office and professional staff to bring back recommendations which may include a proposed ordinance that may relate to the subject, topic or matter discussed by the BSO spokesperson and professional staff. Commissioner Fishman noted that the State Attorney's Office through the Broward County Attorney's Office created the Human Trafficking Taskforce. She also noted spending the last two weeks in conversation with representatives and legislators in Tallahassee regarding Human Trafficking and was turned away and requested training for Building Inspectors, Code Enforcement Officers and Fire Inspectors to spot human trafficking situations. With no further discussion, Mayor Gomez thanked speakers and recessed the meeting at 10:54 a.m. returning at 11:04 a.m. 3. TR 13247 - Awarding Bid No. 19-14B for the Pine Island Pedestrian Crossing: Item No. 6 (b) on the Consent Agenda. (TR13247) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida awarding Bid No 19-14B to and approving an Agreement with Horsepower Electric, Inc. ("Horsepower Electric"), for the Tamarac Pine Island Road Pedestrian Crosswalks Project — located on Pine Island Road near intersections of NW 57th Street and NW 67th Court ,in accordance with Bid No 19-14B for a contract amount of $311,850.66; a contingency in the amount of $31,185.06 will be added to the project account, for a total project budget of $343,035.73; authorizing an expenditure from the appropriate accounts; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Assistant Public Services Director and Capital Project Manager John Doherty and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Keith Glatz appeared. Assistant Public Services Director John Doherty gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Page 2 of 5 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING April 22, 2019 Revised 05/06/19 Clerk's Office. He provided an overview of the bid award No, 19-14B process and showed conceptual plans for the Pine Island Road Pedestrian Crossing on Pine Island Road and NW 57th Street Intersection and of the Pedestrian /Golf Cart Crossing located on Pine Island Road and NW 67th Court Intersection. Assistant Director Doherty presented the bid tabulations and said Horsepower Electric, Inc. was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with the skills, experience and capacity to complete the project in accordance with the plans and specifications. He also provided the project schedule, project cost and funding and responded to questions from the City Commission regarding type of lights to be used at the crossings, built-in sirens, sounds and concerns of children with hearing disabilities. With no further discussion, Mayor Gomez thanked the presenters and moved to the next item on the agenda. 4. Local Preference Ordinance Discussion: City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, Assistant City Attorney Quentin Morgan and Purchasing Contracts Manager Keith Glatz appeared. City Attorney Goren talked about recommendation made by Commissioner Gelin regarding vendor preference and direction for us to look at a vendor preference option. At the last meeting, Mr. Jackson suggested there are several benchmark cities in the County which have local vendor preferences. Attorney Goren noted that the work was based on Commissioner Gelin's request. Before the City Commission there is a draft ordinance that benchmarks with several cities in Broward County with regards to vendor preferences for both local City vendors and local County vendors and provides additional percentage points for evaluation during the bidding process. Attorney Goren said that based on the Commission consensus, direction and guidance to him, he has taken the documentation and drafted the ordinance for the City Commission review and consideration. Purchasing and Contracts Manager Glatz talked about competitive sealed bids and the process for consideration of award, meeting the requirement to be a Tamarac Vendor, a Broward County Vendor, or a non-Broward County Vendor. He talked about his concerns regarding different firms responding to the bid. Recommended the lowest bidder be given the first opportunity and avoid changing the results of the entire solicitation. Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz talked about the exemptions and made reference of 2CFR — Section 200 — Prohibitions under Federal Government — bids exceeding budget and emergency purchasing. Mayor Gomez opened the floor for City Commission questions and concerns related to giving small business opportunities, opening a bid and then re-bid process, public policy, current policy and RFP's price or oral presentations. Assistant City Attorney Morgan assured that the policy behind the ordinance is legally sound. Mayor Gomez recommended to divide it up between local preference for Tamarac versus the Broward County Small Business preference and all were in agreement. Mayor Gomez held discussion on clarifying Commissioner Gelin's request. Mayor Gomez requested ordinance to be sent back for revisions, with measurable steps to keep the procurement with proper alignment, in line with consensus taken, to revise ordinance and bring back with verbiage to incorporate partnering with local vendors. With no further discussion, Mayor Gomez thanked presenters and moved to the next agenda item. 5. Legislative Aide Discussion - Human Resources Director Lerenzo Calhoun and City Attorney Samuel S. Goren appeared. Director Calhoun gave a presentation, a copy which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Director Calhoun provided an overview of what is a Legislative Aide that included salary, hours per week, recruitment process, minimum requirements, Commissioner input on the second interview and it would be assigned to an elected official. He presented Administrative Support Options for Commission consideration. Option #1 - Maintain up to three volunteers per Commissioner, create five Page 3 of 5 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING April 22, 2019 Revised 05/06/19 temporary part-time positions named Community Engagement Liaisons. Option #2 that would revise the code taking a longer process to be implemented. He recommended to keep Option #1. City Attorney Goren noted the ordinance for consideration repeals entire Section 2-32 based on Option #2. He also noted Option #1 is an option the administration proposed to get things moving more quickly and under this option there would not be an ordinance change at all. Mayor Gomez opened the floor for Commission questions and discussions. Director Calhoun responded to questions from Commissioner Gelin related to the difference in time between the two options, hourly wages, job description input and differences between full-time and part-time employees. Vice Mayor Placko noted that job descriptions should not be short sided, leave administrative aides and volunteers in the ordinance and supported option #1. Commissioner Fishman supported option #1 as it is cleaner and has the ability to have legislative aides, young students or retirees that would like to be involved. Commissioner Gelin supported raising maximum hours per week to 25 hours. Commissioner Bolton asked if either option is selected, if there is a way to hire someone later, and to hire someone for special projects. Attorney Goren said the ordinance specifically provides for that flexibility. Director Calhoun noted it is advantageous to hire the best candidate. Commissioner Bolton inquired about pre-empted issues with paid or unpaid legislative aides. Attorney Goren said as long as it is not in conflict with the Labor Department. Commissioner Bolton supported option #2 that gives Legislative Aides to be paid or unpaid. Vice Mayor Placko left the meeting at 12:17 p.m. returning at 12:19 p.m. City Manager Cernech had discussion to clarify if Commissioner Bolton wants the ability to utilize a person on a project but may give project to more than one person. Additional discussion ensued regarding job description uniformity, no residency requirements, aide's responsibilities and office space usage. Commissioner Fishman noted to keep titles clean, Community Engagement Liaisons paid and Legislative Aides unpaid. Commissioner Bolton supported Option #2 but also Option #1 without the first bullet. Commissioner Gelin supported Option #2 with revised changes. City Manager Cernech said that Legislative Aides addressed on the Code are unpaid and paid positions are approved on the Budget, noting the Code is not the right place for this item. Mayor Gomez asked for a consensus and all were in agreement on Option #1 repealing Section 2-32 of the Code. Attorney Goren will return with a draft reflecting the changes. Commissioner Fishman, Commissioner Gelin and Commissioner Bolton supported work hours up to 25 hours per week. Vice Mayor Placko supported 20 hours per week. Commissioner Fishman noted the need for another Administrative person, one to work for the Mayor and one for the other Commissioners. Vice Mayor Placko clarified that her intentions are to enhance her performance and not to do her job. She talked about the use of part-time staff and the benefits of having an office worker that knows the City. Director Calhoun noted the Commission consensus to have a full Administrative staff at the office for the Mayor and Vice Mayor and up to 5 part-time Community Engagement Liaisons working up to 25 hours, and the repealing of Section 2-32 in its entirety. Commissioner Bolton was not in support. With no further discussion, Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 1:10 p.m. reconvening at 1:19 p.m. 6. Other Page 4 of 5 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING April 22, 2019 Revised 05/06/19 Mayor Gomez added an item requested by Commissioner Gelin. Commissioner Gelin held discussion regarding the Boards and Committees appointment and the need to appoint members representing his district as there are four applicants without proper representation. He will provide the names to the City Clerk with his selection and requested the appointment is made at the next Regular City Commission meeting. Attorney Goren spoke about Sections 2-56, 2-58 and 2-61 of the Code related to making appointments. He noted that per Section 2-58, there are no barriers preventing the Commissioner from making the appointments. Discussion ensued regarding the selection of members from the list of applicants provided by the City Clerk. Additionally, there was discussion on Boards and Committees structure. Commissioner Bolton requested his appointments to be presented at Wednesday's meeting. Attorney Goren talked about Commissioners rights to make the appointments and clarified there is no moratorium on the appointments. Mayor Gomez directed City Clerk Teufel to draft a Resolution for consideration at Wednesday's Regular Commission meeting. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at 1:55 p.m. Lillian Pabon, CMC Assistant City Clerk Page 5 of 5 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING April 22, 2019 Revised 05/06/19