HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-21 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
1s' QUARTERLY FY 2018 FINANCIAL UPDATE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Workshop of the City Commission to
order at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in the Mango Room at the Tamarac
Recreation Center, 7501 N. University Drive, Tamarac, FL 33321.
ROLL CALL: Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Marion Bolton, Commissioner Julie
Fishman and Commissioner Debra Placko were in attendance. Mayor Harry Dressler joined the
meeting at 9:36 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Mayor Gomez led the pledge of allegiance
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael Cernech, City Attorney Samuel Goren, Assistant
City Manager Kathleen Gunn, City Clerk Patricia Teufel, Information Technology Director Levent
Sucuoglu, Public Services Director Jack Strain, Human Resources Director Lerenzo Calhoun,
Financial Services Director Mark Mason, Parks & Recreation Director Greg Warner, Fire Chief
Percy Sayles, Chief Building Official Claudio Grande, Community Development Director Maxine
Calloway, BSO Chief Neal Glassman, Management Analyst I Laura Karpaviciute and Public
Information & Media Specialist Elise Boston.
City Manager Cernech said last month we talked about how Tamarac is changing and how it will
continue to change. We also talked about things Tamarac needs to do. There are things planned
and things need to be addressed to meet the needs of the changing population. At that time, we
said we would hold a series of meetings relative to issues the Commission has raised and things
that staff needs to do relative to the situation with our schools, economic development and
redevelopment, safe neighborhoods and create things of value in Tamarac. City Manager
Cernech said today we have a broad agenda to talk about: Vacation Rentals, Tamarac Village,
Financial Update, schools, community appearance & Code Enforcement, Overnight Parking and
Closed Caption TV Commission meetings. Commissioner Fishman also wants to share
information about early childhood development. Finance Director Mason will talk about how the
next five or six years looks like and how we are paying for all the CIP's. City Manager Cernech
said it has been one week since the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School and there are a
lot of things happening related to that and there is a lot of grief, anguish and confusion which
changes the perspective on moving forward. One of the things that is important for Tamarac is
that we have people with questions and concerns and we need to be there for people and be
good listeners. People want action from this Commission and organization. It is important for this
organization to provide a safe community to live in, safe schools, parks, and places. People have
the expectation that schools are safe places to be and our children need to be safe in schools. As
local officials you have a burden to bear and be there for your residents and expect to hear some
anger and anguish. City Manager Cernech ended by saying that this meeting is designed to be
positive about the progress we are making, and we are looking forward to a discussion on
improving Tamarac.
Community Development Director Calloway gave a presentation on Vacation Rentals, a copy of
which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Community Development Director Calloway said a copy
_. of a proposed draft Ordinance is in the binders that were provided to the Commission members.
City Manager Cernech said staff's recommendation is to bring the Ordinance for first reading at
the April 11, 2018 Regular Commission Meeting. Commissioners Fishman and Bolton said they
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would read the draft ordinance and get back to staff with comments later. Community
Development Director Calloway responded to questions from Commissioner Placko and Mayor
Dressler.
Commissioner Bolton left the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and returned at 10.18 a.m.
Vice Mayor Gomez commented that Vacation Rentals are a business; the application fee should
be increased — including the renewal fee; there should be a fee per lease; likes that the permit is
not transferable and should include something about being subject to HOA approval.
Mayor Dressler called for a minute of silence at 10:17 a.m. in memory of the victims of the
Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.
Community Development Director Calloway, City Attorney Goren and City Manager Cernech
responded to questions and concerns from Vice Mayor Gomez and Commissioner Fishman.
Mayor Dressler talked about the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School and said people are
looking for action and to do something that makes people feel safe. Mayor Dressler said he has
received 5 or 6 proclamations from other cities and organizations. People do not want empty
suited politicians issuing proclamations a month after the incident and he personally is not
interested in issuing a proclamation. Instead, Mayor Dressler said he would like to invite people to
a community meeting and have them talk to us about how they feel, what they expect, what they
can do and what is realistic. We need to find a location and date to host a Town Hall meeting on
violence, gun violence and mental health. Vice Mayor Gomez and Commissioners Fishman,
Placko and Bolton all were in favor of a Town Hall Meeting. Commissioner Bolton said he
believes supporting other organizations is sending the message that we are a team player, thinks
proclamations are meaningful and we should do both. Vice Mayor Gomez asked City Attorney
Goren to look into a proclamation being deemed to be more than a support document. Mayor
Dressler said people that he has spoken with want an opportunity to tell us what they think; they
don't want to hear what we have to say. We should not be taking a political position as this
Commission is non -partisan. There was a consensus to hold a Town Hall Meeting and City
Manager Cernech said he would figure it out. City Attorney Goren talked about, and read portions
of Section 790.33 F.S. relative to Firearm Regulations — State Preemption.
Commissioner Placko left the meeting at 10:58 a.m. Mayor Dressler recessed the meeting at
10:59 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:25 a.m. with all present as before, except for
Commissioner Placko.
Finance Director Mason gave the Financial Update 1st Quarter FY 2018, a copy of which is on file
in the City Clerk's Office. Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr joined the meeting at 11:29 a.m. and
City Attorney Goren left the meeting at 11:33 a.m. Finance Director Mason responded to
questions from the Commission.
Information Technology Director Sucuoglu talked about Closed Captioned TV for Commission
Meetings. Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said our website needs to meet ADA
requirements and one of the areas is the accessibility of streaming of Commission Meetings both
live and on demand and providing closed captioning. Assistant City Attorney Klahr said
individuals are going on Government websites and if meetings are not closed captioned they are
filing suit. Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said we have been streaming for a few
years and the equipment needs to be replaced, the system needs to be updated and we are
planning additional cameras for the Commission Chambers. Vice Mayor Gomez asked how do
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we guarantee clarity and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said we are not aiming for
clarity what we are aiming for is closed captioning. Assistant City Attorney Klahr said the ADA
requires having things visible and audible. Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said it
would cost $58,410 for both the Chambers and Conference Room 105 for a complete upgrade
with an annual service charge of $28,000. Vice Mayor Gomez questioned the accuracy of closed
captioning script and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said it is 90% - 95% accurate
and within three to four days the on demand would be 100% accurate. Mayor Dressler said we
need to protect the City from being sued. Commissioner Fishman asked what we currently pay for
the annual service charge and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu responded $13,000.
Mayor Dressler said this is something we need to do. There was a consensus to move forward
with the upgrade.
Mayor Dressler recessed the meeting at 12:14 p.m. for lunch. Commissioner Placko returned to
the meeting at 12:20 p.m. Mayor Dressler reconvened the meeting at 1:03 p.m. with all present
as before.
Community Development Director Calloway appeared and gave the Tamarac Village Update
presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Both Vice Mayor Gomez and
Commissioner Fishman objected to the 2nd Rezoning Hearing, Site Plan and Plat being heard at
the March 14, 2018 meeting as they would not be there, and they felt it was too important for
them not to be there when a final vote is taken. City Manager Cernech said if the Commission
wants to move this two weeks until the March 28, 2018 meeting it can be moved. City Manager
Cernech said the issue is we have business to conduct sooner rather than later. The developer
has financing in place and the sooner this is approved the sooner they can start construction. City
Manager Cernech said he understands the Commission is busy; we only have two workshops
and two commission meetings a month. Vice Mayor Gomez said it is not easy to call in and this
matter is not simple and she wants to be able to be heard and participate. City Manager Cernech
said he understands and respects her position. City Manager Cernech said one of the things he
wanted to talk about and propose going forward, is scheduling another meeting each month
about items coming up and discuss timing and sequence. City Manager Cernech said scheduling
has become a challenge and we have proper noticing issues. Vice Mayor Gomez said it is an
important National League of Cities Conference and she is not comfortable doing this by phone
and wants this moved two weeks. City Manager Cernech said he understands the frustration but
we are struggling with planning things around your calendars and we are trying to establish
another way of planning things. Commissioner Placko said she certainly understands Vice Mayor
Gomez's position. Commissioner Placko said she was scheduled to go to that conference and
was asked to change plans so there would be a quorum for the March 14th meeting.
Commissioner Bolton said if we can change the date for Vice Mayor Gomez and Commissioner
Fishman we should be flexible. Mayor Dressler talked about the importance of this project and
economic development and said we do not want to jeopardize this project. A trip out of town is
not as important as a Quasi -Judicial item. Assistant City Attorney Klahr said it is not good to be
calling in on a Q-J item. Mayor Dressler asked if IT could provide Vice Mayor Gomez and
Commissioner Fishman with the proper technology with high quality visuals and audio, so they
can participate and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said there is never a perfect
connection. Mayor Dressler asked if an outside vendor would be able to provide the service and
Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said they would be challenged as well. There are other
aspects of this, they need to see the presenter and the presenters need to see Vice Mayor
Gomez and Commissioner Fishman. Mayor Dressler asked if there would be potential
r. consequences for delaying this item for two weeks and the risk to the developer. City Manager
Cernech said there are none to the City and the downside is that the feedback from the developer
will not be positive. City Manager Cernech said he is sorry this has turned into an issue and
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regrets having this conversation. When we talk about Tamarac being open for business and
economic development we need to be there; if you want to delay this it is not a problem for us,
but this is about doing business in a timely manner — John Markey will be frustrated by the delay. _
Vice Mayor Gomez said this is one of the items that is important enough and she wants to be part
of it. If there is something in the site plan that she does not like she might not be able to question
it because of technical issues and could be questioned by the other parties.
City Manager Cernech said he did not want to discuss scheduling today, but we need to have that
discussion to resolve some issues about scheduling and reach an understanding about
scheduling. Staff tries to schedule things when all the Commissioners are there to participate.
Over the course of the last year it is becoming more difficult because of the two new
Commissioners. We went from a Commission with little activity to a Commission that got very
active very quickly. We are not asking the Commission to step back from anything and we
understand that it is important to go to conferences and bring back ideas and network with other
elected officials. If the Commission wants to delay this for two weeks, you can — we scheduled it
because of our partners and the process in place. There are things we need to plan for if we need
to change the date of the meeting. Mayor Dressler said sometimes we need to decide what is
more important. Commissioner Fishman said they only found out it would be on the March 14th
agenda today and they were not given a choice earlier to change plans and now it will cost
Tamarac money if we change our plans. City Manager Cernech said since he made the decision
to schedule the items for March 14th he will make the decision to change it to the March 28th
meeting. The Mayor asked for a consensus and received a consensus to move the item to the
March 28th meeting.
Community Development Director Calloway continued with her presentation. Public Services
Director Strain talked about the proposed layout for the wet retention ponds along Southgate --
Blvd. and said staff has worked with FPL for a long time - almost two years, and went over the
timeline. Finance Director Mason said if we didn't put the retention ponds along Southgate we
would have lost 3 acres from the Tamarac Village site.
Mayor Dressler recessed the meeting at 2:02 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 2:14 p.m. with
all present as before. Mayor Dressler passed the gavel to the Vice Mayor at 2:14 p.m. and left the
meeting and returned to the meeting at 2.21 p.m.
City Manager Cernech gave a presentation on Tamarac schools, a copy of which is on file in the
City Clerk's Office. City Manager Cernech said last month we talked about the changing
demographics in Tamarac and that things really need to be done to address the changes in a
positive way so that when people move into Tamarac they get what they bargained for. One of
the things we talked about were the schools in Tamarac. We need to approach this with the
understanding that we don't control any of the schools that serve Tamarac residents. Most of the
schools that serve Tamarac are not in the Community and there are only three schools in
Tamarac. The current education options are average and more challenging geographically. Thirty
percent of Tamarac students leave Tamarac to go to school. City Manager Cernech said schools
drive the quality of life and economic development. Management Analyst I Karpaviciute talked
about the statistics of students and schools. City Manager Cernech said when you look at the
numbers they are not bad. Millennium and Taravella help but when you look at where the
schools are, it is not conducive to attracting families. City Manager Cernech said one other thing
to consider is the reason why it is important that the schools be good is because people moving .__.
into Tamarac have some options. They can relocate to another school in Broward County but
there are some people that do not have that option. City Manager Cernech said the best place for
your child to be is in a school close to their home. City Manager Cernech said Tamarac
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Elementary was always an "A" school but that has changed, and they have slipped to a "C" and
that is a problem. Millennium is a "B" school with the most Tamarac students and he expects that
grade will get better. The schools that are "C" that serve our students need to be better. Taravella
is a "B" school but when you look at the other three high schools that serve Tamarac, they are all
"C" schools. City Manager Cernech said we need to work with the School Board to get better
schools and grades. We are not getting what we need, want or deserve from the School Board. It
is possible to get better grades, but we need to get the School Board interested in Tamarac in
order to get the schools where they need to be. This is a serious issue as schools are the
cornerstone of a community. It is important for our schools to be great schools and provide the
value that they should to our students because when a school is a great school, everyone wants
to get into that school. Parks & Recreation Director Warner said Tamarac Elementary had in the
past 1,200 students and now their enrollment is 800 because the school is not offering what
students need.
City Manager Cernech said we are just getting started with this and we are at the mercy of others
and staff will work with the Commission in the future and put together a strategy for outreach,
organize people and establish advocacy to improve our schools, but first we need to get to the
parents into the equation and bring the School Board along as well. We need to play a role and
advocate for better public schools. The parents and the Commission had to bully the School
Board to create Millennium Collegiate Academy. City Manager Cernech said former
Commissioner Karen Roberts was a staunch advocate for public schools. She was in Tamarac
Elementary each week and she advocated for that school to make sure it was a great school. We
need to examine how we advocate for the schools and we have to do something different than we
are doing now. Tamarac can help by providing resources, but this will take some time to fix.
Commissioner Fishman said according to the demographic information we got last month 2,793
children in Tamarac are under the age of 5. Commissioner Fishman presented to the
Commission her "Whole Child Initiative Tamarac", a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office. Commissioner Fishman put forth her ideas for a School Readiness Advisory Board; City
run Voluntary Pre -Kindergarten Program; City Programs; Summer Camp with education
component; After Care Program with education component and Parental Involvement
Component.
Vice Mayor Gomez said she appreciated all the work that Commissioner Fishman put into her
Initiative. The Commission does believe we need to do what we can to help our kids with all
levels of education. Vice Mayor Gomez spoke about the importance of a good education. Vice
Mayor Gomez said she had the pleasure of visiting Junior Achievement. Vice Mayor Gomez said
that we can host a Town Hall meeting with the School Board to talk about their responsibilities
and what they can do to improve our schools.
Commissioner Bolton said he has had conversations with principals and School Board members
and was able to get some good insight. Some teachers think that a "C" school is okay.
Commissioner Bolton said it is not impossible to get to an "A", but it takes hard work.
Commissioner Bolton talked about the graduation rates from some of our schools. Commissioner
Bolton said he has some ideas that could really help schools improve their grades. Commissioner
Bolton noted that while walking in Manor Park he talked to people about what they thought of the
schools and they indicated that they don't plan to stay here. Commissioner Bolton said when he
was talking with School Board members they said the amount of politics that goes into changing
the grade of the school is very hard. We need to do something about our schools now and it will
take at least three years to change the grade of a school. It is our responsibility to help improve
the grades of our schools and make sure kids are graduating. Commissioner Bolton said each
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school should have a "Claim to Fame" element. Commissioner Bolton said Commissioner
Fishman's proposal is a good proposal and he needs to process some of the ideas.
Commissioner Placko said Commissioner Fishman did an excellent job on her Initiative and she
needs time to process the information and asked how the schools are graded in the State.
Human Resources Director Calhoun said it is determined by the State and explained how the
grading is done. Commissioner Placko talked about 5 ladies from Boyd Anderson that attended
Leadership Tamarac and how intelligent and well grounded they were. Human Resources
Director Calhoun said Boyd Anderson's Claim to Fame is its International Baccalaureate Diploma
Program. Commissioner Placko said we need to get the parents and School Board involved.
City Manager Cernech said perceptions based on the grade of school is not the full measure of a
school; the grade of a school is the largest indicator of people's perception. There are several
things we can do to change the perception of schools. We think it is important that we make sure
we are on the right path and this is something we will have to plan, and these things take years to
see any impact on these schools. We don't see a lot of bad kids in Tamarac. We see a lot of
good children and it is important they get the opportunity they deserve. Commissioner Placko
said we need to start now. Commissioner Placko suggested adopting a school and do some sort
of pilot program. Commissioner Bolton said we should not single out a school. City Manager
Cernech said we need 100% support from the Commission. We will identify other cities that have
gone through this process and we will bring recommendations back to the Commission. We don't
want to repeat any mistakes other cities have made.
Mayor Dressler said Tamarac Elementary being a "C" school is intolerable. We need people to
want to move to Tamarac because of their schools and we need to develop a five-year plan.
Mayor Dressler talked about the Massachusetts's school system. Mayor Dressler said staff needs
to come up with concrete strategies to make an impact on the School Board. We have to identify
our goals, who are key decision makers and look at what other cities do. Mayor Dressler said we
cannot target just one school in Tamarac, we need to target all of them. Mayor Dressler said we
need to brainstorm with other schools and let people know about Boyd Anderson's International
Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Vice Mayor Gomez said we should not lose children to other
cities because of our school grades and we need to do something sooner rather than later. Vice
Mayor Gomez said the Commission needs to be involved with the schools.
Commissioner Fishman said she has already started reaching out to our schools and Human
Resources Director Calhoun has been meeting with School Officials. We need to pay attention to
all the schools that serve Tamarac. Vice Mayor Gomez said her Principals Networking Group
should be revived. City Manager Cernech said staff will sit down with Commissioner Fishman to
figure out where to go with her Initiative and get back to the Commission with that information.
Mayor Dressler said we need a business plan and a budget.
Community Development Director Calloway appeared and gave a Code Enforcement update, a
copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. City Manager Cernech, Community
Development Director Calloway and Assistant City Attorney Klahr responded to questions
throughout the presentation. Community Development Director Calloway talked about
recommendations for Code Amendments and the objectives of the changes.
Captain Glassman appeared and gave a presentation relative to overnight parking, a copy of
which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Captain Glassman Went over parking restrictions and
enforcement in other cities in Broward County. Captain Glassman said there have been no
instances of emergency vehicles being impeded by overnight parking. Captain Glassman said he
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does not think it would be a good thing if law enforcement officers are writing overnight parking
citations as it would alienate residents. It would look like we were unfairly targeting the people
that are the most likely unable to pay. Captain Glassman said this is not an issue that is affecting
public safety. This will not be conducive to a good relationship with the community. HOA's want
to use BSO to get renters to move out. Captain Glassman said this ordinance is outdated.
Captain Glassman spoke with other BSO Chiefs and no one enforces it. Captain Glassman and
City Manager Cernech responded to questions and concerns from the Commission. Captain
Glassman said HOA rules are more effective than an ordinance violation. Mayor Dressler
commented that HOA's can call and have vehicles towed. City Manager Cernech said this
ordinance does not make any sense. City Manager Cernech said staff will bring this back to the
Commission at a workshop with a revised ordinance. Mayor Dressler said he had no objection for
staff bring this back to the Commission for a vote.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Dressler adjourned
the meeting at 4:47 p.m.
Patricia Teufel,
City Cler
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1st QUARTERLY FY2018 FINANCIAL UPDATE