HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-22 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Harry Dressler called the Workshop of the City Commission
to order at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2018 in Conference Room 105, City Hall,
7525 NW 881h 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 C. Cernech, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen Dunn, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren and City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Debra Placko led the Pledge of Allegiance
1. Ferguson Group, LLC Legislative Update — Ms. Valerie Gelnovatch, Senior Advisor of
the Ferguson Group, appeared and presented a Legislative Update to the City
Commission and a City of Tamarac Draft Federal Agenda, copies are on file in the City
Clerk's Office. Mrs. Gelnovatch provided background about the utilization of an effective
combination of advocacy tools that identifies relevant funding opportunities, creates
strategies, facilitates relationships to successfully advance the City's goals in
Washington.
Ms. Gelnovatch said extensive analysis was conducted evaluating Tamarac Capital
Improvement Projects sorting by items with more funding, then narrowed items by best
projects with the use of year -at -a -glance calendar tailored to City of Tamarac, that
enables The Ferguson Group to know relevant funding opportunities that are coming.
Ms. Gelnovatch said strategies for projects were developed to achieve the goals, which
varies from project to project, by creating a baseline with a clear and concise Federal
Agenda for the City of Tamarac each year. Ms. Gelnovatch said as an example of
changing strategies, worked with City of Tamarac to coordinate state and federal
agencies with members of Congress to enable funding for what was originally
envisioned as the pedestrian overpass of Pine Island Road to be re -purposed toward at -
grade pedestrian crossings. She also said another example of a changed strategy was
the Fire Safety funding individual application for the City changed the strategy to a
partnering strategy, finally receiving the funding. Ms. Gelnovatch said as projects
funded through agencies are different, relationships become more important. Ms.
Gelnovatch said as new legislation develops, priorities shift and The Ferguson Group
keeps the City informed on all key issues.
Ms. Gelnovatch presented an overview of 2017 Results and Regulatory Issues as
follows: Oppose Federal Funding Cuts to Local Government Programs (funding
restored); Support Congressionally Directed Spending on Local Government Projects;
Support passage of an Infrastructure Funding Bill that Funds Small, Medium and Large
Local Government Projects (expected as a top White House priority for 2018); Support
Efforts to Withdraw or Mitigate Waters of the U.S. Rule Impacts (Administration moved
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forward on undoing this regulation); Support Affordable Flood Insurance and
Stabilization of NFIP; Oppose Efforts to Replace of Repeal Tax Exempt Municipal
Bonds (Congress passed major tax reform bill late last year, without repealing municipal --
bonds).
Ms. Gelnovatch presented a draft of the City of Tamarac 2018 Federal Legislative
Agenda reflecting a combination of initiatives designed to further improve the quality of
life for City residents and to guide the Ferguson Group advocacy during the coming
year. The agenda Ms. Gelnovatch presented listed Federal Legislation and Regulations
of Importance to Tamarac as follows: Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) — Support the
efforts to withdraw or mitigate rule impacts; Online Sales Tax — Support passage of the
Marketplace Fairness Act; Infrastructure Funding — Support passage of an infrastructure
Funding Bill that funds local government projects; Local Governmental Oversight of
Wireless Infrastructure — Support retention of local control; EMS Reimbursement
Reform — Support improved Medicare and Medicaid payment rates for EMS care;
Federal Budget and Appropriations — Oppose cuts to any of these City -related
programs; National Flood Insurance Reform (NFIP) — Support affordable flood
insurance and stabilization of NFIP; Employee Benefits — Oppose changes/reductions
to employer -sponsored benefits.
Mayor Harry Dressler opened the floor for questions. Vice Mayor Gomez recognized
how hard Ms. Gelnovatch works for the City and thanked her for the presentation.
Commissioner Fishman asked if there is legislation related to the PACE program
working like a mortgage. Ms. Gelnovatch responded she will look into that item and
follow up with the Commissioner. Commissioner Placko asked about infrastructure
items and Ms. Gelnovatch responded there is a lot of activity on the congressional side
as Water Projects and Transportation Projects are a priority. Commissioner Placko
agreed transportation and infrastructure are very important issues for the City of
Tamarac. Mayor Dressler asked about Employee Benefits and Social Security benefits
Ms. Gelnovatch said Medicaid and Medicare items will come back this year. Mayor
Dressler asked questions regarding debris removal related to the reimbursement
percentage to the City and Ms. Gelnovatch responded that first 90 days after the storm
is 90% reimbursement set for City of Tamarac then CDBG monies can be applied.
Commissioner Bolton said he appreciates what Ms. Gelnovatch does in Washington for
the City of Tamarac and thanked her.
2. First -Time Homebuyer Program — Affordable Housing Funds presentation was made
by Community Development Director Maxine Calloway and Neighborhood Program
Manager Coleen Christie, a copy which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Ms. Calloway
and Ms. Christie introduced a proposal that covered Development Impact Fees for
Affordable Housing and explained eligibility requirements for the First-time Homebuyer
Purchase Assistance Program, funding sources, maximum sale price, enrollment
period, application process, ranking based on household income and the loan terms.
Mayor Dressler opened the floor for discussion. Vice Mayor Gomez thanked the
presenters for the work done for the City, said she was approached by residents with
questions regarding the program, and asked a question regarding Impact Fees. Ms. _
Calloway reported there is an Impact Fees Study in process to be brought back to the
Commission when completed. Commissioner Bolton asked if the program opened to
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Tamarac residents only and Ms. Calloway responded that the only requirement is that
the property to be purchased must be within the City of Tamarac. Commissioner Placko
asked questions regarding home occupancy requirements and the timeframe to notify
applicants that were not selected, stating the sooner applicants are notified the better.
Mayor Dressler discussed the FICO impact and thanked Ms. Calloway and Ms. Christie
for the work they do for the City.
3. TR13056 — LAP Agreement Bikeways Phases V and VI. Item No. 6(d) on the
Consent Agenda. (TR13056) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of
Tamarac, Florida accepting a Grant Award in the amount of $400,000 from the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT); authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute a Local Agency Program
(LAP) Agreement and necessary documents between FDOT and the City of Tamarac
pending legal review for grant funding in the amount of $400,000; and providing for a
match in local funds in the amount of $327,480 for the Bikeway Project Phases 5 and 6;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
Public Services Director Jack Strain, Public Services Assistant Director/Capital Projects
Manager John Doherty and Grants Administrator Michael Gresek gave a presentation to
the City Commission, a copy which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Mayor Dressler
thanked the presenters and opened the floor for discussion and/or questions by the City
Commission. Commissioner Bolton thanked the presenters for the good job done for the
City.
4. TR13058 — Authorize Execution of Agreement Renewal Amendment Number 1 with
Prestige Property Management — Item No. 6(e) on the Consent Agenda. (TR13058) A
Resolution of the City Commission of the City Tamarac, Florida, to approve Agreement
renewal Amendment Number 1 to the Agreement with Prestige Property Management
an Maintenance, Inc. for landscape maintenance services of certain public rights -of -way
and City parks; authorizing annual expenditure not to exceed $1,331,078.39;
authorizing a Budget Amendment in the amount not to exceed $129,726.39 which will
be included in a Budget Amendment pursuant to F.S. 166.241(2); providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Introductions were made
by Public Services Director Jack Strain, Budget/Contracts Manager Troy Gies and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Keith Glatz. Mr. Gies made a presentation to the City
Commission, a copy which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Mr. Gies covered current
Landscape Services contract that included service locations, variable and fixed cost and
the proposed Amendment 1 to the contract explaining the difference and the benefits to
the City amending the contract to (3) one-year renewals versus a Bid. Mayor Dressler
opened the floor for discussion. Public Services Director Strain and Budget/Contracts
Manager Troy Gies entertained questions by the City Commissioners regarding current
vendor buy -in on the amendment and the cost to the City to maintain.
5. Multi -Cultural Festival Update — Parks and Recreation Director Greg Warner and
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Linda Probert gave a presentation to the City
Commission regarding the Multi -Cultural Festival Update, which is on file at the City
Clerk's Office. Director Warner and Assistant Director Probert responded to questions
from the City Commission. Vice Mayor Gomez apologized for not being able to attend
the event as she will be in Washington, D.C. but will encourage people to attend.
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Commissioner Fishman will not be able to attend. Commissioner Bolton thanked them
for their hard work bringing the event together. Director Warner said he is open to any
ideas the City Commission may have and Commissioner Fishman suggested reaching out to the Lion dancers that participate at the Tamarac Chamber of Commerce events.
6. OTHER — City Manager Michael Cernech introduced an item regarding the City's
Pool Renovation currently in progress as a walk-on item at the City Commission
Regular Meeting on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Parks and Recreation
Director Greg Warner provided a brief history of last year's renovation project approved
in November 2016, approving the renovation of the existing pool site, which happened
in coordination with the water filtration system that was coordinated with the resurfacing
of the pool and renovation of the water playground. Director Warner said there are a few
different items that will increase the cost of the project in the amount of $43,883.61,
requiring a change order. Director Warner said the Contractor needs to coordinate the
work, bring equipment and material at a cost of $6,000; a pool inspection reflected two
(2) cracks about 15 feet apart at the bottom of the pool slide that goes down to the
concrete part that must be corrected, must replace rebars and put in new concrete at a
cost of $27,000 (highest cost within the change order), also found grouting of the pool
tiles need to be re -grouted as the holes may result in the loss of pool water; replacing
seven (7) pool lights which are having a problem of water inside the lights and re -seal
for a total cost of $43,883.61 that includes $35,000 actual work and $8,000 contingency.
Director Warner said per the Contractor, work will take approximately two (2) weeks and
if approved may be completed by the middle of February 2018. City Manager Cernech
explained the item was presented at today's meeting in case the City Commission has
questions when the item is walked on at the Regular meeting on Wednesday, January
24, 2018. City Attorney Sam Goren reminded the City Commission a vote is not taking
place at today's meeting.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission for consideration,
Mayor Dressler adjourned the meeting at 11:17 a.m.
Lillian Pabon, CIVIC
Assistant City Clerk
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