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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-14 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesSPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Talabisco called the Special City Commission meeting to order at 9:50 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, and Commissioner Diane Glasser. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. City Attorney Goren said this is day two of the interviews to replace the suspended Commissioner from District 2. The Mayor and City Commission have set a special meeting for July 21, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. to make the ultimate decision to fill the Seat, and the City Clerk will swear in the selected applicant at that time. At the end of the day today the Mayor and City Commission may deliberate and find a commonality of three applicants in a transparent setting. Lawrence Feingold, 8810 McNab Road #202, Tamarac, FL 33321. City Attorney Goren reviewed the rules of the road and explained the process. Mayor Talabisco asked Mr. Feingold why he decided to seek an appointment as the District 2 Commissioner. Mr. Feingold said he had been active in the City as President of the now defunct Presidents Council. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed Mr. Feingold would be able to commit the time necessary to the position. Commissioner Glasser spoke of flexibility and the ability to go out into the community and meet the residents. Vice Mayor Dressler asked Mr. Feingold what he thought the top two challenges to the City are now and in the future, and asked what he would do if his choice were to raise taxes or cut services. Vice Mayor Dressler also asked if Mr. Feingold had any relationships with other government officials or lobbyists. Mr. Feingold said one challenge is the budget and the other challenge is to go out to the associations and groups and listen to the residents' concerns. While it is a burden to tax residents he would consider raising the millage. He has no relationships with other government officials or lobbyists. Page 1 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting July 14, 2010 Mayor Talabisco asked Mr. Feingold if he is still involved in the Board at his condominium and he said he is not. Commissioner Glasser asked Mr. Feingold if he has any budgeting background and he said before he became president of his association he served as treasurer. Commissioner Bushnell asked if he is familiar with Tamarac University and Mr. Feingold said he is but he has not attended. Rita Gershberg, 8311 Sands Point Boulevard, Tamarac, FL 33321 City Attorney Goren reviewed the rules of the road and explained the process. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Gershberg why she decided to apply for the position and Ms. Gershberg said she would like to learn more about government in Tamarac and she would have input to the Commission. She has good insight and problem solving abilities. Ms. Gershberg said she also is interested in anything that serves children. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed Ms. Gershberg was flexible and able to attend the meetings and other commitments that go with the position. Commissioner Bushnell asked Ms. Gershberg if she is familiar with Tamarac University and she said she is not. Commissioner Glasser asked Ms. Gershberg what duties she was involved with on her Board of Directors and Ms. Gershberg said she was involved in neighborhood projects, neighborhood watch, and community groups in New York, but she has no budgeting experience. Vice Mayor Dressler said if the choice were between raising taxes or cutting services, which would Ms. Gershberg choose. Ms. Gershberg said she would rather raise taxes than fire people. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Gershberg how her family feels about her applying for this position, and she responded her family does not live close by so she has not spoken to them about it. Mayor Talabisco called for a recess at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:30 a.m. with all present as before. Due to the fact that Stewart Webster was late arriving, Mayor Talabisco called for a recess at 11:35 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:40 a.m. with all present as before (Vice Mayor Dressler arrived in the room at 11:41 a.m.) Stewart Jackson Webster, 7900 Colony Circle South, Apartment 208, Tamarac, FL 33321. City Attorney Garen reviewed the rules of the road and explained the process. Mayor Talabisco questioned Mr. Webster's interest in serving as the District 2 Commissioner. Mr. Webster said he has always had the City of Tamarac in the forefront of his mind and he previously ran for the position. Additionally, he served on Page 2 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting July 14, 2010 the Planning Board. In New York he received one of the first MLK awards because of his commitment to activities. In Broward County he served on a number of boards and he enjoys public service. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed Mr. Webster's ability to attend commission meetings, and questioned the boards he served on. Mr. Webster said he serves on the Board of Mental Health Association for Broward County and First Call For Help 211, Broward. Commissioner Glasser confirmed Mr. Webster is familiar with District 2's issues. Mayor Talabisco disclosed she met Mr. Webster seven years ago when they were both running for the District 2 seat. Mayor Talabisco asked if Mr. Webster had reviewed the budget and the strategic plan and was aware of Tamarac University. Mr. Webster said he had not reviewed the budget or the strategic plan and he is familiar with Tamarac University, but has just finished 18 months of schooling for his Masters Degree. Mayor Talabisco asked Mr. Webster if he is running for the School Board and if his family supports his decision to serve the City of Tamarac. Mr. Webster said he is not running for the School Board and his children are grown and live in other states. Mayor Talabisco called for a recess at 12:15 p.m. and reconvened the special meeting at 1:30 p.m. with all present as before. Michelle J. Gomez, 5729 Bayberry Lane, Tamarac, FL 33319. City Attorney Goren reviewed the rules of the road and explained the process. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Gomez why she is interested in serving in this position. Ms. Gomez said she loves this community and enjoyed what she learned in Tamarac University. She can bring a lot to the table and she is open minded. She can help with changes. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed Ms. Gomez's schedule is flexible enough to enable her to attend the meetings and other functions as required. Mayor Talabisco questioned Ms. Gomez's title at her law firm and asked how she manages scheduling. Ms. Gomez explained the title has to do with the setting up of the corporation and as far as scheduling she will make sure there are no conflicts and have colleagues cover hearings, as necessary. Commissioner Bushnell questioned what Ms. Gomez did for the task force and Ms. Gomez said it is a volunteer organization for several cities, called WOW; and they go to the public to discuss foreclosure issues and explain how to save one's home and prevent foreclosure. Commissioner Glasser spoke about representing District 2 and making decisions on behalf of the City as a whole, and asked Ms. Gomez if she is aware of the needs of District 2. Ms. Gomez said as she drives through the community she can see the works in progress, as well as the vacant commercial properties. New businesses need to be brought to Tamarac,as well as NSP's. Commissioner Glasser asked Ms. Gomez if she Page 3 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting July 14, 2010 ever participated in her HOA and if she has budgeting experience. Ms. Gomez said she has been involved in the WHOA but has not worked in the budgeting part of the HOA. Commissioner Bushnell questioned Ms. Gomez's participation in the restaurant at the Woodlands, and Ms. Gomez replied the Country Club had issues and she was asked to participate and help with the membership committee. Vice Mayor Dressler asked Ms. Gomez if she had reviewed the strategic plan of the city and what she felt was the number one issue facing Tamarac. Ms. Gomez said she read the strategic plan and she feels finances and revenue are major issues. Finances across the board are rough; citizens are not able to go out and spend money in the community and it becomes harder for businesses to survive. Homeowners are having trouble paying the lenders because they need their money to pay their debts. Vice Mayor Dressler asked Ms. Gomez her opinion of property rights v. open space and Ms. Gomez said she would have to look at the feasibility of the number of units, additional cars and how it is going to affect the roads, traffic congestion; however, 800 more residents will spend more money and keep the community vibrant and bring in business funds. Open green space provides a healthy living atmosphere, but we also want to bring in revenue for the community. Part of the problem is over building. There are a lot of vacancies. Ms. Gomez said she would need more information to make a choice of quantity over quality. Vice Mayor Dressler questioned Ms. Gomez's choice of raising the millage or cutting services. Ms. Gomez said while more information is needed to make an informed decision, she would like to see everything done to compromise without compromising the system. Ms. Gomez said she is a fair person and has the ability to help with emotional decisions and take the emotions out of the decision making process. Vice Mayor Dressler asked Ms. Gomez the hardest decision she ever had to make and Ms. Gomez said terminating an employee. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Gomez how her family feels about her applying for the position and she said they are very proud of her and supportive. Vice Mayor Dressler asked if Ms. Gomez has any relationships with other elected officials or lobbyists and she said no. Mayor Talabisco called for a recess at 2:20 p.m. and reconvened the special meeting at 2:35 p.m. with all present as before. Janet Negron, 4602 Norfolk Island Pine Drive, Tamarac, FL 33319. City Attorney Goren reviewed the rules of the road and explained the process. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Negron why she has an interest in serving as the Commissioner from District 2. Ms. Negron said she has a great love for the City of Tamarac. She has been vocal in her support of Parks and Recreation and it is important to get everyone involved in some aspect of serving the City. Page 4 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting July 14, 2010 Commissioner Bushnell spoke of the ability to go out into the community and be involved with the residents and commitment to the job and asked Ms. Negron about her outside commitments. Ms. Negron said she feels it is important to get to know the business community and let them know they have a voice. We need to educate the community of what Tamarac has to offer to bring in new businesses and capitalize on what we currently have and try to help them come up with new concepts to relocate to Tamarac. Ms. Negron said 4Kids of South Florida is a program that deals with foster care. The organization raises money to try to help find a forever family for the foster children. Commissioner Glasser confirmed Ms. Negron is a registered voter and asked how well she knows District 2 and what she feels needs to be improved in District 2. Ms. Negron said she knows the district well and some areas that need improvement are beyond the City's authority. Foreclosed homes in some neighborhoods are not as aesthetic as they once were; communities need to take more pride in their areas and if we all come together as a community and go out to meet our neighbors we can all help each other. Vice Mayor Dressler asked Ms. Negron if she had reviewed the budget and asked what her choice would be if faced with raising taxes or cutting services. Ms. Negron said she has looked at parts of the budget and faced with a choice she feels if properly explained to the residents that without raising taxes and user fees the residents would suffer because there would be a decline in essential services, they would understand. The rating the residents gave the City was far above the national average; five years down the road we are looking at a recovering economy, so the fees could then be lowered. Ms. Negron said she is inclined to raise taxes if needed. Vice Mayor Dressler said if Ms. Negron were chosen and needed to vote on an unpopular item, how would she vote? Ms. Negron said she would make the right decision in the best interest of the City. Vice Mayor Dressler questioned any relationships Ms. Negron may have with other elected officials or lobbyists and Ms. Negron said none. Vice Mayor Dressler questioned Ms. Negron on the greatest challenge this City faces in the long term, and Ms. Negron said the infrastructure must be in place in areas in the City that are diversifying and other areas that have the potential for growth except they are being held stagnant because of residential restrictions. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Negron what prompted her to apply for this position and Ms. Negron said several years ago she listened to candidates speak and it peaked her interest. She had been contemplating running for office. Mayor Talabisco asked Ms. Negron if her family is supportive of her decision and she said yes. Mayor Talabisco questioned Ms. Negron regarding her experience on her HOA board and Ms. Negron said it was challenging. Mayor Talabisco called for a recess at 3;30 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 3:50 p.m. with all present as before. Page 5 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting July 14, 2010 City Attorney Goren said the interviews have been concluded. The process has been established and the objective today is for each commissioner to select three names and at the end of this process after tabulating the results, we will have three applicants chosen by the commission. Then on July 21 at a public meeting the Commission can make its final decision. Mayor Talabisco said she would like to hold second interviews on July 21 prior to making a final decision and all were in agreement with doing that. City Attorney Goren read the scoring of the names as follows: Michael Jula — 1; Patti Lynn — 2; Michael Stamm — 4; Joel Davidson — 1; Michelle Gomez — 3; and Janet Negron —1. City Clerk Swenson will call the three finalists, Michael Stamm, Michelle Gomez, and Patti Lynn and let them know they have been selected as finalists; they are to go to Human Resources tomorrow and sign a release for a background check, and the final decision will be made at a Special Meeting on July 21 at 3:00 p.m. Additionally, the Clerk will send a confirming letter to the finalists as well as letters to the other applicants thanking them for their interest. Commissioner Bushnell seconded by Commissioner Glasser moved to accept the commonly rated names. On roll call Commissioner Bushnell voted "yes", Commissioner Glasser "yes", Vice Mayor Dressler "yes", and Mayor Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. City Manager Miller said the background checks would include credit and financial information, criminal background, verification of education, and a review of driving records. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Talabisco adjourned the Special Meeting of the City Commission at 4:15 p.m. Beth Talabisco, Mayor Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk Cl Page 6 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting July 14, 2010