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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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