HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-09 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Talabisco called the Special Workshop meeting of the City
Commission to order at 9:35 a.m. in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue,
Tamarac, FL 33321.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Talabisco, Vice -Mayor Harry Dressler, Commissioner Pamela
Bushnell, Commissioner Patricia Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Diane Glasser.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, Deputy
City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
City Manager Miller introduced Chris Tathum of ETC Institute, specializing in residential
surveys in order to improve local government performance. This is the third time these kinds
of surveys have been utilized in Tamarac and the Mayor and City Commission will find this
morning's session interesting and informative.
Mr. Tathum gave a presentation and discussed methodology, a summary of major findings,
results, vendor report findings, gave a summary of the presentation, and opened the
discussion for questions.
Mayor Talabisco left the room at 10:05 a.m. and returned at 10:07 a.m.
Vice -Mayor Dressier "discussed perception of data and said he finds it interesting if people
perceive cards; -as an girneni€y then appearance is a factor; while as a functionality, they are
delighted beRmuse it. I6§eps their -homes from being flooded. Mr. Tathum agreed and said how
a City manag-Gs.-.expectations i$ key. Commissioner Glasser requested the presentation in
paper form with. graphs..--0ty' Manager Miller said a full report would be available in a few
weeks. Commissioner:'Atkins-Grad said she would like to have the presentation available for
Commission District meetings. Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of median enhancements
and said while people would like them, they are not willing to pay for them, which she feels is
significant. Mayor Talabisco questioned traffic flow and Mr. Tathum said this is usually a top
concern in good communities. The overall direction for Tamarac on traffic flow has improved;
and this appears to be related to traffic signalization. City Manager Miller added the County is
putting in hurricane -proof arms, but as far as he can tell he is not seeing them putting in new
signals. Deputy City Manager Cernech said the areas in which people are less satisfied with
traffic flow are Commercial Boulevard/State Road 441, and the turnpike. The entrance to the
turnpike has been under construction for quite a while. The intersection at Commercial
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Boulevard and State Road 441 is one of the busiest in the County. There will always be a
lower level of satisfaction in that area; it is a function of volume at these intersections.
Commissioner Bushnell said there are a tremendous amount of snowbirds in this area, and at
some times of the year traffic can become unmanageable.
City Manager Miller said what the Mayor and City Commission saw today is almost
overwhelming and goes into great detail. It takes every issue we deal with day in and day out
and shows what our residents think of us. This is a phenomenal report done by outside
experts, to analyze our options to see where we can improve. No other City in Broward
County and very few nationally have achieved these kinds of numbers. We are doing a great
job keeping our citizens informed, and this is a credit to the Mayor and City Commission. The
City of Tamarac is definitely doing something right. Staff has also done a phenomenal job
running their departments and we all work together as a team. This is a report card for the
Mayor and City Commission's terms in office and what we all do each day. People like
working here; the employees are motivated. In a few weeks we will deal with levels of service
relative to our budget, and City Manager Miller asked the Mayor and City Commission to keep
this presentation in mind while working on the budget, as we will not have the same resources
we have had in the past. City Manager Miller said he appreciates the support the Mayor and
City Commission have provided over the years.
Vice -Mayor Dressler spoke of the differences between larger and smaller cities, and asked
whether adjustments were made in satisfaction ratings for the size of cities; Mr. Tathum said
adjustments were made.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Talabisco adjourned the Special Workshop at 10:45 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
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