HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-21 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Placko called the Workshop of the City Commission to
order at 9:32 a.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017 in Conference Room 105, City Hall,
7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
ROLL CALL: Vice Mayor Debra Placko, Commissioner Marlon Bolton, Commissioner
Michelle J. Gomez and Commissioner Julie Fishman were in attendance.
ABSENT: Mayor Harry Dressler
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie
Klahr and City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Bolton led the Pledge of Allegiance
1. Presentation and Discussion of Proposed E-911 Tower Sites: Assistant County
Administrator Alphonso Jefferson, Acting Director Broward County Office of Regional
Communication & Technology Brett Bayag and Nick Falgiatore of Mission Critical
Partners appeared. Messrs. Jefferson, Bayag and Falgiatore gave a presentation, a
copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Mr. Bayag talked about Emergency
Call Flow and Tower Requirements. Mr. Falgiatore, talked about the life cycle of the
system; proposed tower site and typical tower; signal coverage, the pros of a 300 ft.
tower and the cons of a 200 ft. tower and the findings of Tamarac's consultant which
agreed with the County's consultant. Mr. Jefferson noted that the County is working with
other cities to build a better 911 system for Broward County and they are in the process
of finalizing the remaining sites. Vice Mayor Placko expressed her concern regarding
public out -reach to the affected communities to give them the opportunity to be heard.
Commissioner Fishman asked if any consideration was given to putting smaller towers
throughout Broward County. Mr. Jefferson talked about the requirements that would
work for our first responders and added they need the 7 additional towers to cover gaps
in service. Mr. Jefferson said we have some gaps in Tamarac and they are trying to
limit those gaps. Commissioner Fishman asked where the other towers are and Mr.
Jefferson said, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Parkland. Mr. Jefferson said he will
provide the Commission with maps showing the locations and heights of the towers.
There was a discussion relative to the height of the towers and surrounding buildings.
Commissioner Gomez asked if any other companies can place anything on the tower
and Mr. Jefferson said it is strictly for public safety. Mr. Jefferson said everything on the
tower site will be the County's responsibility including the removal of the monopole.
There was a discussion of emerging technology and its impact on the tower. There was
a discussion regarding the emissions radiating from the tower to the surrounding
communities and Mr. Falgiatore said the emissions are safer than what is emitted from
cell phones. Commissioner Bolton asked how the site behind City Hall was determined
to be the best place for the tower and Mr. Falgiatore said this location is based on the
other locations throughout Broward County and Tamarac is right in the middle of the
other towers. Mr. Falgiatore said they have worked with Tamarac to evaluate other
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areas in Tamarac and this site would give the needed coverage and treating this as a
tower replacement would have a lesser impact on the surrounding communities.
2. TR12982 - Grant Award - EMS Communications Devices: Item No. 6 (b) on the
Consent Agenda. (TR12982) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of
Tamarac, Florida accepting an Emergency Medical Services grant in the amount of
$48,096 from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical
Services; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute an agreement between
the Florida Department of Health and the City of Tamarac for grant funding in the
amount of $48,096 plus a 25% match in local funds for the purchase and installation of
mobile data terminals and electronic tablets for Tamarac Fire Rescue; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Grants
Administrator Michael Gresek and Assistant Chief Percy Sayles appeared. Grants
Administrator Gresek and Chief Sayles gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in
the City Clerk's Office. Grants Administrator Gresek went over the purpose of the Grant
and the funding cycle. Chief Sayles talked about the importance of obtaining new MDT's
as the ones that Tamarac has now are 8 years old. Chief Sayles also talked about the
information the new MDT's will provide in assisting first responders. Chief Sayles talked
about the need for new report writing tablets and its functions. Grants Administrator
Gresek and Chief Sayles responded to a few questions and comments from the
Commission.
3. BSO Crime Update - BSO Captain Neal Glassman appeared and gave a
presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Captain Glassman
talked about the Crime Suppression Team and the positive effect it has had on the
number of car break ins. Captain Glassman said that to date Tamarac had a total of
393 arrestees, 30 of which were repeat offenders, having been arrested more than two
times for different cases. Captain Glassman noted that out of the 393 arrestees 2/3 of
those were not residents of Tamarac. Captain Glassman said that only 126 arrestees
were Tamarac residents. Captain Glassman and City Manager Cernech responded to
questions and comments from the Commission throughout the presentation. Captain
Glassman stated that Tamarac has one of the lowest crime rates in Broward County
and that crime has increased the most in Weston and Cooper City.
4. Stormwater Update - Public Services Director Jack Strain appeared and gave a
presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Public Services
Director Strain gave an overview of the stormwater system; went over the map of the
system; talked about the canal and waterways maintenance program; debris removal,
vegetation control and showed a comparison of Tamarac's canals to canals in other
cities. There was a discussion about the headwall rehabilitation program and the
purpose of the aerators in the canals. Public Services Director Strain provided the
Commissioners with brochures on the stormwater system in Tamarac for distribution to
their constituents.
5. Discussion Regarding Safe Space Resolution: Commissioner Marlon Bolton
appeared. Commissioner Bolton said in light of what happened in Charlottesville he
would like Tamarac to issue a Safe Space resolution as he wants Tamarac to be a safe
place for anybody who lives or visits Tamarac. Commissioner Bolton said he wants to
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make sure that something like what happened in Charlottesville does not happen in
Tamarac. Commissioner Bolton noted that this resolution would not be anti -Trump and
does not have anything to do with how Trump addressed the incident in Charlottesville.
Commissioner Bolton said he feels it is necessary that we step up to the plate and let
the community know that any form of violence or racism or bigotry, etc. will not be
tolerated in Tamarac. Commissioner Bolton asked for the Commission to put this
resolution forward at Wednesday's meeting for adoption. Commissioner Gomez said
she wants to know more and wants to see what is being proposed and what purpose
this resolution would serve. Vice Mayor Placko asked when a resolution would be ready
and Assistant City Attorney Klahr said this can be ready for Wednesday's meeting or
anytime thereafter. Vice Mayor Placko said she would like to review the resolution prior
to adopting it at the meeting. Commissioner Fishman said she understands the
ramifications of Charlottesville and we should do a resolution stating our position
against racism, etc. We would be better served doing a resolution like the one from the
National League of Cities or the City of Sunrise. Commissioner Bolton said he is asking
the Commission to direct the City Attorney to draft a resolution so that it can come back
to the City Commission for review and see what language can be used. There is a
resolution from Sunrise that would be a good starting point and gives everyone a good
idea of what can be in the resolution. Commissioner Bolton said the time is now for
Tamarac to stand up against this type of hate. Vice Mayor Placko asked for a
consensus to move forward with a resolution and all were in agreement.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Commissioner Gomez said September 11tn is a special day and we should take stock
and remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. And, as such,
she feels we should not be having a workshop that day as BSO is having a
remembrance ceremony that she and Commissioner Fishman would like to attend. She
asked the Commission to think about the workshop being moved to September 12tn
however, Commissioner Bolton said he is not available on Tuesday's because he is in
class. City Manager Cernech he will look at the agenda and ask staff what they have
coming before the Commission.
Vice Mayor Placko said she wants to discuss the charitable entities item that is on the
Consent Agenda on Wednesday. She noted that in looking at the backup material there
is a school on the list and noted that schools are not 501 (c)(3) organizations. Assistant
City Attorney Klahr explained that the list addresses the Broward County Ethics
Ordinance and that the Commission is not required to add Boyd Anderson H.S. as it is
not a charitable organization; however, there is no prohibition in adding it to the list. Vice
Mayor Placko said she wants to play fair and if we add one school we should add all
schools that Tamarac children attend. There was a lengthy discussion on adding
schools to the charitable entities list.
Commissioner Bolton reported he added Boyd Anderson H.S. to the list. Commissioner
Bolton said Tamarac is changing out east and we have new families coming into
Tamarac and those kids report to Boyd which is a "C" rated school which is not getting
any better. Commissioner Bolton said his intention is to do something good for Boyd but
not run afoul of the Broward County Ethics Code and he indicated that he had no
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problem adding other schools. Commissioner Gomez expressed her concern about
fund raising for the schools and not knowing exactly where the money is going.
Assistant City Attorney Klahr said if a Commissioner is fund raising you are required to
know exactly where the money is going and it is incumbent upon you to inquire.
Commissioner Bolton noted that people try not to go to Boyd as it is a "C" rated school.
Vice Mayor Placko said everyone on the Commission thinks Commissioner Bolton's
intentions are good about Boyd, but what is up for discussion is do we need to put all
the schools on the list. Assistant City Attorney Klahr said that instead of putting the
schools on the list all you need to do is fill out the Charitable Contribution Fund Raising
Disclosure Fund. Commissioner Bolton said he just wants to spend time at Boyd
Anderson H.S., mentor the students and raise money for the school. Commissioner
Gomez agreed that the schools do not have to be on the list. There was a discussion on
the perception of raising funds for schools.
City Manager Cernech said Commissioner Bolton raised a very good point about
Tamarac changing and the number of schools that serve Tamarac. Tamarac is
changing and the number one issue is schools. The option of sending children to other
schools is not an option for everyone. City Manager Cernech said he would like to
spend some time with the Commission talking about schools with some specific
information about the quality of education available to Tamarac residents. City Manager
Cernech said he agrees with Commissioner Bolton that the quality of the schools is not
as good as it should be. We need to take a different approach on how we can improve
that element as children need to be served by good schools which is not necessarily the
case with some of our schools. City Manager Cernech said staff wants to put together a
Special Workshop on that as we prepare for a review of our Strategic Plan.
Vice Mayor Placko and Commissioners Gomez and Fishman indicated they did not
want to set a precedent by adding schools to the list. Vice Mayor Placko asked
Assistant City Attorney Klahr to draft an opinion on adding schools to the list for
Commissioner Bolton and Assistant City Attorney Klahr said she would coordinate with
Commissioner Bolton on requesting an opinion in writing. Commissioner Bolton said the
Commission does not support Boyd Anderson H.S. because it is predominantly
attended by black students. Vice Mayor Placko said this is definitely not the intention of
the Commission and Commissioner Gomez agreed. Commissioner Fishman said that it
was highly inappropriate for Commissioner Bolton to make that statement. Vice Mayor
Placko said they are just trying to ensure that we don't start a precedent that does not
need to be done. We are trying to accomplish what you need accomplished in a
different way without creating a problem; however, it may not be exactly the way you
want it done.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission for consideration,
Vice Mayor Placko adjourned the meeting at 11:58 a.m.
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