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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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