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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-20 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Harry Dressler called the Workshop of the City Commission to order at 9:41 a.m. on Monday, August 20, 2018 in Conference Room 105, City Hall, 7525 NW 88tn Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. ROLL CALL: Mayor Harry Dressler, Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Marlon Bolton, Commissioner Julie Fishman and Commissioner Debra Placko were in attendance. Also in attendance were City Manager Michael Cernech, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren and City Clerk Patricia Teufel. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Bolton led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. SRO Discussion - Broward Sheriffs Office Captain Neal Glassman and Lt. Steve Feeley appeared. Captain Glassman gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Captain Glassman said we have to staff all 3 Public Schools and 4 Charter Schools that are in Tamarac and went over the BSO School Safety Plan's Key Steps. Captain Glassman noted that Elementary Schools can have Guardians; however, the Commission agreed to go with SRO's instead. The issue they are having is with the Charter Schools that have decided to go with Guardians, who will be employees of those schools. Renaissance has decided to hire an off -duty BSO Deputy. Captain Glassman said coverage is not complete and BSO will have to staff with Deputies; which will cause overtime and they will have to rotate people in from other areas in BSO. Captain Glassman noted that Tamarac will be paying for the staffing of the Charter Schools. We cannot leave any of these schools unstaffed and this creates an issue about police visibility in the Community as this will take away from police presence from the streets in order to staff the schools. Captain Glassman explained what a Guardian is and the training that is required and added that the next training sessions are scheduled for September and October. Lt. Feeley gave an overview of the status of the 4 Charter Schools in Tamarac and the status of Guardians. Captain Glassman said Sheriff Israel decided to take deputies out of other units to help staff the schools. Tamarac received an additional 3 Deputies that will be at those schools until they get Guardians. Initially the School Board did not want Guardians but later changed their mind. Captain Glassman went over the City Attorney's Synopsis of the MSD High School Safety Act. Vice Mayor Gomez said this is an unfunded mandate and we only get $52,000 for the additional officers. Captain Glassman said each SRO costs between $150,000 and $155,000. Vice Mayor Gomez asked what the penalty would be for not having an SRO and Captain Glassman said we don't have an option and Tamarac will have some services diverted to SRO's which will have an impact on Tamarac. Captain Glassman said Tamarac has gone from having 2 SRO's to 7, but we are still short 2. City Manager Cernech said our budget reflects 1 SRO. The Sheriff has made some decisions on how BSO will handle Charter Schools and this is something we will have to talk about in the future. Some of this will be addressed in the budget amendments later this year as BSO is doing what is necessary. City Manager Cernech said no two cities are doing this the same way and no one is coordinating this on a County -wide basis. All Schools should be treated equally and there needs to be an equitable funding source in the future. City Manager Cernech talked about what he learned at the Broward League of Cities meeting that he attended on Saturday. Vice Mayor Gomez asked if we need to meet to discuss how to pay for this prior Page 1 of 6 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING August 20, 2018 to our September budget hearings. Vice Mayor Gomez asked if there was a way to add additional "Stop the Bleed Kits" to the backpacks that the SRO's carry. Captain Glassman said all deputies are required to carry tourniquets and quick clot items and this is something the School Board needs to consider. Commissioner Bolton said safety in schools is a high priority and remembers when Excelsior School was approved that one of the issues he had was security and was glad to hear that they have hired someone for security at the school. Commissioner Bolton asked what would happen if a Charter School could not afford to hire security for their school and Captain Glassman responded that they are required by law to have security. Commissioner Bolton said some charter schools close down because of financial difficulties and Captain Glassman said then we will have to provide someone. City Manager Cernech said this is new for everyone and we will have to make some decisions on how Tamarac will deal with this. The City Manager's group discussed this and there is no consensus on how to proceed. There needs to be an equitable funding formula to pay for this. The School Board has left it to cities on how to deal with law enforcement in schools and he has spoken with other cities to find out what they are doing about staffing schools with security. The number 1 issue is police visibility and we will now have to take resources away from that and put them in schools. Children need to be given the same level of safety in all our schools. City Manager Cernech said there is a shortage of certified law enforcement applicants and everyone is competing against each other in this competitive market. Commissioner Placko asked what duties SRO's provide and Captain Glassman said they patrol the interior and exterior areas of the school, teach classes and now heightened security, but the SRO's in charter schools will be providing security only. Captain Glassman said we are looking at changes made by legislation and cities are competing against each other. Lt. Feeley said LAPD is down 25% and this trend is happening around the country. Commissioner Fishman said Broward County is the 5th largest school district in the country and the competitiveness for officers is causing friction between cities which will only get worse. Commissioner Fishman said she hopes City Manager Cernech comes back with equitable funding soon. Commissioner Fishman said Tamarac can take care of their schools but is concerned that other cities will not be able to financially afford the extra security. Commissioner Fishman said this legislation needs to be tweaked in the upcoming legislative session. Mayor Dressler said we now find ourselves in an intolerable position where more contracted officers are in schools than on the street. This is a public safety crisis. Mayor Dressler said he would like to know where the County Commission and the Governor stands on the fact that cities now have to pay to protect children in schools. Mayor Dressler talked about teachers not having enough funds to get items for their classrooms and paying for it out of their own pockets. Now cities are being asked to fund something that will affect cities dramatically. Mayor Dressler asked for an opinion from City Attorney Goren as to whether this amounted to malfeasance. This is a failure of government and it concerns him to have more cops in schools than on the street. Captain Glassman said Tamarac has more cops on the streets than in the schools. Mayor Dressler asked what the next step would be and what the cost would be for best case and worse case scenarios for the next two years. 2. TR13149 - Golf Cart Lease: Item No. 6 (p) on the Consent Agenda: (TR13149) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, Authorizing the Appropriate City Officials to Execute a Forty -Two (42) Month Lease Agreement with Page 2 of 6 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING August 20, 2018 Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, U.S.A. for the Lease of One -Hundred (100) Yamaha Golf Carts and One (1) Beverage Cart at a Monthly Rate of $3,215.05; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing for an Effective Date. Financial Services Director and Purchasing/Senior Procurement Specialist Andrew Rozwadowski appeared. Finance Director Mason gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. 3. TR13138 - Purchase of Fitness Equipment: Item No. 6 0) on the Consent Agenda. (TR13138) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to approve the purchase of fitness equipment from Gym Source USA, LLC, at a cost not to exceed $175,974.13, utilizing Broward County School Board Contract #16-097N; authorizing an appropriation of $113,887; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Parks & Recreation Director Greg Warner, Parks & Recreation Superintendent Rance Gaede and Purchasing/Senior Procurement Specialist Andrew Rozwadowski appeared. Parks & Recreation Director Warner gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Parks & Recreation Superintendent Gaede talked about trends of functional fitness, high intensity strength training, the type of equipment being leased and their functions and the layout of the new equipment in the gym. Parks & Recreation Director Warner talked about other cities that partner with Gym Source, warranty information, financial information and how the new equipment will be marketed to the public. Parks & Recreation Director Warner responded to a few questions from the Commission. 4. TR13157 - Award Bid for Commercial Boulevard Median Landscaping Project: Item No. 6 (f) on the Consent Agenda. (TR13157) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, awarding Bid No. 18-22B to and approving an Agreement with Green Construction Technologies, Inc. For the Commercial Boulevard Landscaping Beautification Project, located on Commercial Boulevard (SR-870) between University Drive (SR-817) and Prospect Road, in accordance with Bid No. 18-22B for a contract amount of $391,602.25; a contingency in the amount of $19,580.11 (5%) will be added to the project account for a total project construction/installation budget of $411,182.36; authorizing an expenditure from the appropriate accounts; authorizing an appropriation in an amount not to exceed $183,310.36; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public Services Director Jack Strain and Purchasing/Senior Procurement Specialist Andrew Rozwadowski appeared. Public Services Director Strain gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Public Services Director Strain talked about the history of the project, Project Scope and General Description and Project Budget and Timeline. Public Services Director Strain responded to a few questions from the Commission. 5. TR13140 - First Amendment to the Solid Waste Disposal ILA (Renewal): Item No. 6 (m) on the Consent Agenda. (TR13140) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, approving the First Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Broward County and Participating Communities Providing for Solid Waste Disposal Support Services nunc pro tunc to July 3, 2018; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute said First Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement and take all steps necessary to effectuate the intent of the Resolution; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public Services Director Jack Strain, Budget/Contracts Manager Troy Gies and Purchasing/Senior Procurement Specialist Andrew Rozwadowski appeared. Budget/Contracts Manager Gies gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Public Services Director Strain and Budget/Contracts Manager Gies responded to a few questions from the Commission. Page 3 of 6 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING August 20, 2018 6. TR13141 - Lift Station 16A, 34, 37 and 2E Generator Additions: (Item No. 6 (e) on the Consent Agenda. (TR13141) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, approving Task Authorization No. 18-19D and authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute Task Authorization No. 18-19D with Eckler Engineering, Inc., to provide professional services for the design of the Lift Stations 16A, 34, 37 and 2E Generator Addition Project in the amount not to exceed $102,823.00; including preparation of detailed plans and specifications followed by bidding assistance and engineering services during construction, in accordance with the City's Consulting Engineering Agreement as authorized by Resolution No. R-2016-80, for an amount not to exceed $102,823.00; authorizing an appropriation up to the total amount of $102,823; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the Contract; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public Services Director Jack Strain and Purchasing/Senior Procurement Specialist Andrew Rozwadowski appeared. Public Services Director Strain gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Vice Mayor Gomez asked for a larger map of the lift station locations. Public Services Director Strain responded to questions and concerns from the Commission throughout his presentation. 7. TR13161 - Broward County Public Safety Radio Tower: Item No. 7 (a) on the Regular Agenda. (TR13161) A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, approving a ground lease and joint use agreement with Broward County and authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute the said documents for the construction of a 300 feet public safety radio tower and ground equipment facility in the City Hall property located at 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida 33321 at an annual rent of $10 for a maximum term of fifty (50) years, providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. City Manager Michael C. Cernech said we have talked about this many times over the last year and what we have before the Commission today is a lease for a 325ft. radio tower which will replace the 180ft. pole that Broward County has behind City Hall. The new tower will be built to the South of the existing tower and the monopole will be to the north. Once the new tower is up and the new equipment is installed, the old tower will come down. This is a 50-year lease with 10-year renewals after the initial 50-year term and can be terminated by either party. City Manager Cernech said this is being built for the future for Public Safety communication. This is one of 17 towers being utilized throughout Broward County and currently 29 of the 31 cities in Broward County are part of the Regional System. City Manager Cernech said the lease that is in the Commission's books is the latest iteration and there will be some changes on Wednesday which will be operational in nature. City Manager Cernech said several people have asked about the Exhibits that are referenced in the lease but are absent and explained that they are typically generated through the DRC process before going to the Planning Board and Commission for approval and you will see the Exhibits thru the Site Planning process. Broward County will also need a variance because of the height of the tower and will be going through that process as well. City Manager Cernech said Broward County does not have a piece of property and they are asking to lease the property to be developed for the new tower. City Manager Cernech said that he and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu are here to answer questions from the Commission. Commissioner Fishman questioned the need of a generator and City Manager Cernech said all the towers require power when FPL has a power outage and this tower will have an emergency generator and fuel tank; and this will also go through the site planning process. Commissioner Fishman asked if changes/alterations to the tower would need to go through the approval process and City Manager Cernech said we don't know what will be contemplated in the future. Broward County is trying to create a secure self-contained site Page 4 of 6 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING August 20, 2018 for this tower. We had asked Broward County to co -locate our Commercial Carriers to the new tower and they will not allow that; they are also removing them from other towers as well. Commissioner Fishman asked if any other governmental authority would be involved with this and City Manager Cernech said other than the FAA weighing in, he did not think there would be any others. Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said that Broward County would be doing an ecological survey of the site to look for any environmental issues. Commissioner Fishman asked what defined gross negligence and willful misconduct and City Attorney Goren responded it would be the top end of stupidity like a sub -contractor smoking near the fuel tank. Vice Mayor Gomez said this has been a hot bed of discussion and appreciates everyone working on this to answer a lot of questions. Vice Mayor Gomez said residents are not happy with this 325ft. tower and are concerned that if this goes up what will happen if it comes down and will the County work with the residents. City Manager Cernech said the County has procedures in place for any damage done by their equipment; however, he does not know if anyone can guarantee how things will get handled. City Attorney Goren said he will address this question with the County's attorneys before the meeting on Wednesday and make sure it gets articulated in the document. Vice Mayor Gomez said she wants a guarantee that if we sign this paper, we will receive the benefits contemplated and assurances that there will not be disruption of communications. Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said what we are dealing with is the lease portion of the property and not the operational aspects of the tower which will be handled by the County. Vice Mayor Gomez asked who will be maintaining the tower and upgrading equipment and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said Tamarac will be responsible for making sure our equipment is up to date and compatible with Broward County's system and Broward County will be responsible for the infrastructure. Vice Mayor Gomez expressed her concerns about the affect this would have on property values and wants more answers on Wednesday and still has issues relative to the property incurring liens and City Attorney Goren said Broward County will not let the property get riddled with liens. Vice Mayor Gomez said this lease needs more protection for Tamarac and spoke about the contamination clause in paragraphs 18.1 and 18.2. Vice Mayor Gomez said after speaking with Tamarac Fire Rescue she agrees to this lease even though it is not in the best interest of Tamarac residents. Commissioner Placko asked where will the commercial carriers be re -locating and City Manager Cernech said they will stay on the monopole and Tamarac's equipment will go on the new tower. Commissioner Placko asked if there was any talk from the carriers regarding new towers and sites in Tamarac and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said we are always talking to carriers about new locations in Tamarac and we have one site next to the Community Center at the east end of the building and one inside the Public Services complex by the IT building and Fire Station 15. Commissioner Placko asked what those towers would look like and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said they would be stealth sites — 95ft. to 100ft. palm trees. Commissioner Placko asked if all cities using the regional system will be using the same equipment and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said the equipment will be compatible with the County's system. Mayor Dressler asked Captain Glassman and Fire Chief Sayles to come forward to answer some questions. Mayor Dressler asked if for security purposes the equipment would be less intrusive and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu said the ground equipment would be less intrusive and less of a target. Mayor Dressler asked if anyone involved in the planning of the system would require a federal government security clearance and Captain Glassman, Fire Chief Sayles and Information Technology Director Sucuoglu all said no. Page 5 of 6 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING August 20, 2018 Captain Glassman said he was not involved in discussions about the tower and Fire Chief Sayles said he was involved in the operational discussions. Mayor Dressler asked if there was anything in the lease that involves surveillance and City Manager Cernech said surveillance will be for the security and control of the tower itself. They will not be streamed, and Broward County will view the site itself and nothing beyond that. Mayor Dressler asked if the information will be shared with Fusion Centers and City Manager Cernech said there is no intent to stream to Federal Government Fusion Centers. There was a brief discussion about the different levels of security clearance. Mayor Dressler discussed coverage criteria for a 200ft. tower vs. a 300ft. tower. Mayor Dressler said on Wednesday he will ask Broward County staff about standard deviation. Mayor Dressler said the Governor established a Safety Commission and they sent him a letter last week which indicated that were unhappy with the fact that it was taking Tamarac so long to approve this tower. Mayor Dressler said the letter indicated Tamarac was an obstruction and wants the Governor's Commission to understand that this was a done deal three years ago and Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry decided to do these towers and put a 300ft. tower in Tamarac. There were no negotiations about this tower and we have been trying to negotiate with Broward County, but they have been inflexible, and we were told it was going in no matter what. Mayor Dressler said Tamarac has no choice as Broward County can do eminent domain and just take the land. Mayor Dressler ended by saying that Home Rule does not apply here, and we will have further conversation about this issue. 8. Other There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Dressler adjourned the meeting at 1:22 p.m. Patricia Teufel, CM City Clerk OF,TAMq A ... . :'ESTABLISHED., � 1963 ' SEAL p\ Page 6 of 6 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING August 20, 2018