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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-10 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Dressler called the Special Workshop of the City Commission to order at 9.02 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, in the Mango Room at the Tamarac Recreation Center, 7501 North University Drive, Tamarac, FL, 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Harry Dressler, Vice Mayor Debra Placko, Commissioner Marlon Bolton, Commissioner Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Julie Fishman were in attendance. Also in attendance were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Manager Diane Phillips, City Attorney Samuel Goren, City Clerk Patricia Teufel, Human Resources Director Maria Swanson, Information Technology Director Levent Sucuoglu, Financial Services Director Mark Mason, Public Services Director Jack Strain, BSO Captain Neal Glassman, Chief Building Official/Director Claudio Grande, Community Development Director Maxine Calloway, Parks & Recreation Director Greg Warner, Fire Chief Mike Burton, Assistant Human Resources Director Lerenzo Calhoun, Public Information & Media Specialist Elise Boston, Process Consultant Dave Harrawood and Management Analyst I Laura Karpaviciute. City Manager Cernech made brief opening remarks regarding today's meeting and indicated that Assistant City Manager Phillips will go over the Strategic Planning Process; Financial Services Director Mason would be giving a brief financial overview and how it works with our Strategic Planning process and then we will get into the Commission's priorities and what the Commission wants to accomplished. City Manager Cernech said at the end of the day staff will take that information back and flesh it out and bring it back to the Commission in two weeks. Assistant City Manager Phillips gave a presentation on the Strategic Planning process, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Assistant City Manager Phillips said the reason that we survey residents is to find out what their concerns are and talked about Tamarac's Vision, Mission, Values and Strategic Goals. Mr. Harrawood said Tamarac is on the cutting edge of best practices. Tamarac has a balanced set of goals as we deliver services to the Community which are aligned and contribute to each other. Financial Services Director Mason gave a presentation on Tamarac's financial climate, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. City Manager Cernech and Financial Services Director Mason responded to questions from the Commission throughout the presentation. City Manager Cernech said staff will schedule a workshop presentation wherein Public Services Director Strain will outline the striping program for Tamarac's roadways. Mayor Dressler recessed the meeting at 9:52 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:11 a.m. with all present as before. Mr. Harrawood said we are now going through each Commissioner's key initiatives. Everyone gets 15 minutes uninterrupted and reminded everyone to be succinct. Mr. Harrawood went over the discussion objectives, ground rules and discussion format. Vice Mayor Placko said her biggest concerns are the Woodmont Development; the signage program; buffer walls on Southgate Blvd.; development of the commercial property on the Page 1 of 3 SPECIAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING January 10, 2017 corner of Pine Island and Southgate Blvd.; the sculpture that will be placed on the southwest corner of Southgate; Fire Station on University Dr.; visibility of Tamarac; redevelopment in Tamarac; community safety issues; University Hospital expansion and development of a medical complex; community beautification program; upgrade of appearance of older communities; communication of City events; use of social media and better communication with the residents and businesses of Tamarac. Mr. Harrawood opened the floor for staff to respond to questions and comments addressed by the Commission. Mayor Dressler said after staff does a needs assessment on the proper amount of staffing needed to promote economic development he would like to have a short meeting to discuss this issue. Commissioner Bolton gave a presentation on his priorities, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Commissioner Bolton's priorities were an East Side Community Center and the benefits to the Community it could offer; the Ride Inclusion for Development & Education (R.I.D.E.) program; creation of Beautification and Diversity Committees; Initiative Budget; Community Clinic. Mr. Harrawood opened the floor for comments from the Commission. Staff responded to questions and concerns expressed by the Commission. Mayor Dressler recessed the meeting at 11:56 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 12:25 p.m. Commissioner Gomez said some of her concerns were buffer walls north and south of Rock Island; community safety; signage program; wrapping of boxes; longer/later hours for Code Enforcement to deal with overnight parking problems; more BSO deputies in Tamarac; more TFR staff and equipment; addressing banning of fishing in canals; funding for repair of canal walls; street striping; would like to see a theatre in Tamarac Village and the City should have some kind of program to recognize businesses that have been in Tamarac for a long time. Mr. Harrawood opened the floor for comments from the Commission. Commissioner Bolton said the R.I.D.E. Program individuals could receive some training from Code and they could assist in removing snipe signs and Commissioner Gomez said commented there could be safety issues and possible liability issues for volunteers picking up the signs. Commissioner Gomez expressed concerns about Tamarac Fire Rescue Resources. City Manager Cernech, Financial Services Director Mason, Fire Chief Burton and Public Services Director Strain responded to Commissioner Gomez's questions. Commissioner Fishman said some of her concerns were redevelopment being crucial at Pine Island & McNab and noted that the new Walmart did not rejuvenate that plaza as expected; Communication between the City and residents; better education opportunities for Tamarac children and the perception that Tamarac is a retirement community. Mayor Dressler asked staff for an update on Dr. Cendan's proposed high school collegiate and City Manager Cernech said staff would update the Commission when they get more information and then we can talk about a way to address the issue. City Manager Cernech said several Commission members questioned the branding of Tamarac and the use of its logo. City Manager Cernech said staff will be getting back to the Commission to talk about rebranding and refreshing the brand. Commissioner Bolton said he had another idea. Commissioner Bolton said staff has some benefits that the Commission members do not and asked the Commission if they would be Page 2 of 3 SPECIAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING January 10, 2017 1 1 interested in tuition reimbursement for the Commission Members. Human Resources Director Swanson and City Attorney Goren responded to Commissioner Bolton's request for tuition reimbursement. Mayor Dressler and Commissioner Gomez both said they felt it would raise a question on the ethics of such a reimbursement and the perception the residents of Tamarac would have on the Commission receiving tuition reimbursement as they are not full time employees. Mayor Dressler said he would like to see more meetings like this where the Commission can discuss a variety of issues and this could be done quarterly and the meetings could last for only 45 minutes to an hour. Mayor Dressler said he wants to see Tamarac continue to be a data driven organization with new measures; look at reinvigorating Tamarac's brand; accelerate economic development; have more interfacing with County Commissioners, especially Commissioners Udine and Rich and keep our focus on the residents of Tamarac. Vice Mayor Placko, Commissioner Gomez and Commissioner Fishman agreed that it was a good idea to forge relationships with Broward County Commissioners. City Manager Cernech said we have the opportunity to have a different relationship with our State Legislators, Senator Perry Thurston and Representative Jared Moskowitz among others. This will be a good time for Tamarac and it is important that the Commission is the focal point in that outreach. Commissioner Fishman said she has already reached out to School Board Members and requested appointments with Abbey Freedman and Robin Bartleman. Assistant City Manager Phillips talked about staff preparing what ideas they heard today from the Commission and bringing it back to the Commission for the second Strategic Planning meeting on January 23rd. City Manager Cernech said some things that were raised were not for the Strategic Plan and staff will bring back those in another format/forum. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Dressler adjourned the meeting 2:01 p.m. 0 IF TA 414 =� ESTABLISHED .. 1963 _ SEAL Patricia Teufel, CP C City Clerk Page 3 of 3 SPECIAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING January 10, 2017