HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-22 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bushnell called the workshop meeting to order at 9:37 a.m.
on Monday, August 22, 2011 in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue,
Tamarac, FL.
PRESENT: Mayor Pamela Bushnell, Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner
Marion Swenson, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michael Cernech, Assistant City Manager Diane
Phillips, Assistant City Attorney Jacob Horowitz and City Clerk Peter M. J. Richardson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Harry Dressler led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
1. Item No. 6(b) on the Consent Agenda. AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF
BROWARD COUNTY TREE PRESERVATION TRUST FUND: (TR12061)
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
accepting the Broward County Tree Preservation Trust Fund Grant in an
amount up to $22,465.00; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute
an Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Broward County for the tree
preservation grant funds; authorizing budget amendments as needed for
proper accounting purposes; providing for conflicts; providing for severability;
and providing for an effective date. Director of Public Works Jack Strain
and Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Warner.
Mr. Warner presented City staffs proposal to utilize a Broward County Tree
Preservation Trust Fund grant of up to $22,465.00 to cover the cost of planting trees
including Sabal Palms, Live Oaks and other trees and landscaping materials at the
Tamarac Sports Complex. He noted that the majority of the proposed tree plantings
would be around the perimeter of the park, with some additional plantings proposed for
a parking area within the Sports Complex. Commissioner Swenson inquired whether or
not mature trees would be planted at the Sports Complex. Mr. Strain said that mature
trees had to be secured for a period of approximately one year and was quite
expensive. Mr. Strain stated that the majority of tree plantings would be in the range of
twelve to fourteen foot trees. He noted that such trees generally flourished within a
short period of time. Commissioner Swenson suggested the possibility of having bus
shelters which mirrored the character of the park. Commissioner Glasser inquired
whether or not funding for the trees included installation costs. Mr. Strain stated that
installation costs were included in the cost estimate. Both Vice Mayor Gomez and
Mayor Bushnell said they liked the concept suggested by Commissioner Swenson
relative to the character of future bus shelters adjoining the sports complex.
Page 1 of 5 City Commission Workshop August 22, 2011
2. Item No. 6(h) on the Consent Agenda. LIEN AMNESTY PROGRAM
EXTENSION (BUILDING) (TR12070): A Resolution of the City Commission
of the City of Tamarac, Florida, approving and authorizing the extension of
the Lien Amnesty Program for Building Department Liens only until December
31, 2011; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for
an effective date. Chief Building Official Claudio Grande and Director of
Community Development Jennifer Bramley.
Chief Building Official Claudio Grande provided a brief update on the status of the
Building Division's lien amnesty program. He noted that to date a total of twenty
property owners had completed the program. Director of Community Development
Jennifer Bramley stated that a total of 76 code -related cases were resolved through the
Code Enforcement Division of Community Development, with a total of approximately
$228,000 in liens collected. She stated that although the code compliance element of
the lien amnesty program had been sun-setted, it could perhaps be reintroduced again
sometime during the next twelve to eighteen months. Commissioner Swenson noted
that the lien amnesty program placed a greater emphasis on safety, rather than liens
collected. Commissioner Dressler suggested the possibility of opening up shorter -term
windows for lien amnesty in order to create a greater sense of urgency for program
participants.
Vice Mayor Gomez also stressed the vital importance of safety considerations over the
actual amount of liens collected by the City of Tamarac. Commissioner Glasser
inquired about the process for addressing Building Code related violations during the
home sales process. Mr. Grande noted that realtors were responsible for ensuring that
properties they were selling did not have any Building related issues prior to the closing
of a transaction. He also stated that dissatisfied home buyers could potentially file a title
claim with the applicable title company. Mr. Grande noted that staff was proposing that
the lien amnesty program for Building related matters be extended through December
31, 2011 for liens prior to October 1, 2010.
3. Item No. 6 (1) on the Consent Agenda. FILTER MEDIA REPLACEMENT -
PACKAGE FILTERS 3 AND 4 AND GREENLEAF FILTER INTERNAL
COATINGS REHAB - BID NO. 11-12B (TR12071): A Resolution of the City
Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida authorizing that the City
Commission awards Bid No. 11-12B to R.J. Sullivan Corporation and
authorizes the appropriate City Officials to execute the agreement between
the City of Tamarac and R.J. Sullivan Corporation, for an amount of
$298,000.00 for the Filter Media Replacement — Package Filters 3 and 4 and
Greenleaf Filter Internal Coatings Rehabilitation Project located at the
Tamarac Utilities Water Treatment Plant site; a contingency in the amount of
$60,000.00 will be added to the project account for a total amount of
$358,000.00; approving funding for this project from the appropriate Utilities
Operational accounts; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer
the contract; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing
Page 2 of 5 City Commission Workshop August 22, 2011
for an effective date. — Director of Utilities Ray Gagnon, Assistant Director
of Utilities Jim Moore, Purchasing and Contracts Manager Keith Glatz.
Mr. Moore presented a detailed overview of the proposed media replacement and
Greenleaf filter coatings project at the City of Tamarac's Utilities Water Treatment Plant
facility. Mr. Gagnon stated that the proposed bid represented a fair price with an
applicable amount of safety focused on this safety -sensitive matter. He stated that the
project would commence during late November 2011, with an anticipated completion
date of late January 2012. Commissioner Dressler inquired about the nature of $60,000
contingency for this project. Mr. Moore said this amount was a worst case estimate, to
allow for potential replacement of corroded metal. Mr. Gagnon said sand blasting of
forty -year old pieces of metal could potentially result in the complete deterioration of
some materials. Commissioner Dressler inquired where the status of unspent
contingency funds. Mr. Gagnon said these funds would go back to the Utilities Division
operating funds/bottom line. Commissioner Glasser said that she had a great deal of
confidence in Utilities staff and commended the team members for their efforts. Mr.
Gagnon noted that the public's health was the number one concern of Utility
Department staff.
There was a break in the workshop meeting between 10:36 a.m. and 10:52 a.m. The
workshop meeting reconvened at 10:52 a.m., with all previously referenced elected
officials and City staff in attendance.
4. Item No. 8(a) on Ordinances for First Reading. Minimum Housing Code
T02224 : Motion to adopt an Ordinance of the City Commission of the City
of Tamarac, Florida on first reading amending Chapter 5 of the City's Code
of Ordinances, entitled "Building and Building regulations"; establishing "The
Minimum Housing Code for the City of Tamarac"; providing for definitions;
providing for minimum standards for living units, rental units, and unoccupied
or abandoned structures within the City of Tamarac; providing for
enforcement and inspections; providing for penalties; providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. — Director of
Community Development Jennifer Bramley and Code Enforcement
Manager Mark Woods.
Director of Community Development Jennifer Bramley stated that the intent of the
Minimum Housing Code was to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of
the City of Tamarac. Ms. Bramley said that the use of the proposed code would be
reactive and might necessitate calling upon state, county or other entities to provide
applicable assistance. Ms. Bramley also noted that adoption of the proposed minimum
housing code would not necessitate any additions to City staff beyond existing levels.
Finally, Ms. Bramley noted that all adjacent municipalities in Broward County, with the
exception of Margate, presently had minimum housing codes. Code Enforcement
Manager Mark Woods reviewed the proposed minimum housing code standards,
including minimum standards for occupancy, standards for lighting and ventilation,
sanitary sewer and potable water. Assistant City Attorney Jacob Horowitz noted that
Page 3 of 5 City Commission Workshop August 22, 2011
additional licensing requirements would potentially pertain to group home related
situations. Ms. Bramley also said that group homes were reviewed by the Zoning
Division of the City's Community Development Department.
Mr. Woods noted that application of the proposed minimum housing code would be
handled on a complaint -type basis. He presented an overview of the notices and
hearings process, stating that the Special Magistrate could order immediate abatement
relative to certain emergency situations, such as unsafe or unfit living conditions. Ms.
Bramley said that City staff was recommending that the City Commission consider
second reading of the proposed Minimum Housing Code at their September 14, 2011
meeting. Mr. Woods and Ms. Bramley responded to questions from the Mayor and City
Commissioners regarding the proposed Minimum Housing Code.
S. UPDATE ON MAINLANDS PARK PROJECT - Director of Financial
Services Mark Mason, Director of Public Works Jack Strain, Director of
Parks and Recreation Greg Warner and Director of Community
Development Jennifer Bramley.
Director of Financial Services Mark Mason noted that the City of Tamarac had recently
received a grant in the amount of $248,000 for recreational trails. He said that City staff
was proposing that these funds be matched by City capital improvement funds for the
development of trails, water fountains, shaded benches with trash receptacles and
related facilities. Mr. Mason stated that the City was also awaiting notification from
National Park Service staff about the potential receipt of a Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant in the amount of $200,000, for potential development of a
multi -purpose trail, four covered picnic facilities, landscaping and an energy fitness
station. Mr. Warner and Mr. Mason presented an overview of the Mainlands Park
conceptual plan, contingent upon various grant and City funding scenarios. Mr. Mason
said City staff anticipated receiving final notification about the Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant within six to eight weeks.
Director of Public Works Jack Strain stated that City staff had originally anticipated
handling this project in house, but was recommending that an external engineering firm
coordinate design, grading and drainage related matters for the proposed Mainlands
Park project. Mr. Mason, Mr. Warner and Mr. Strain responded to questions from the
Mayor and City Commissioners. Commissioner Dressler suggested that the Mayor and
City Commission possibly consider adding an element to the City's Strategic Plan to
encourage natural preserve areas whenever possible. Mayor Bushnell suggested the
possibility of providing applicable signage along the nature trail to denote various types
of plantings.
6. UPDATE REGARDING SKATE PARK OPERATIONS - Director of Parks
and Recreation Greg Warner, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Linda Probert and Purchasing and Contracts Manager Keith Glatz.
Page 4 of 5 City Commission Workshop August 22, 2011
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Mr. Warner noted that the Tamarac Skate Park facility opened in October 2010, with a
crowd of approximately 300 persons in attendance. He stated that the facility was
unsupervised and did not charge any fees for use. Mr. Warner also said that adequate
signs were in place to satisfy Florida Statute 316.0085, pertaining to risk being assumed
by participants at the skate park facility. He also noted that due to the significant level
of usage, it would beneficial to have a management company for the skate park. Mr.
Warner said an agreement for management of the Tamarac Skate Park facility was
executed with Sugars Drop Shop on March 1, 2011. He noted that the City's
Purchasing Division was subsequently contacted by Sugars Drop Shop representatives
to advise that they concurred with the City that Sugars Drop Shop would not be
managing the Tamarac Skate Park facility. Mr. Warner noted that he and Ms. Probert
met with about one hundred interested persons on April 26, 2011 relative to a potential
management company for the skate park facility. He said that skaters and parents alike
stated that they preferred "self -policing" of the facility instead of having a management
company. Mr. Warner said "self -monitoring" would ultimately involve skaters, adults,
local businesses and related partnerships. Mr. Warner also noted that the near -term
emphases would be focused on continuing to develop positive partnerships, maintaining
the consistency of a Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) detail presence, and re-evaluating
the Skate Park's facility operations in six months, in February 2012.
7. Other Business
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Bushnell
adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:36 p.m.
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Page 5 of 5 City Commission Workshop
August 22, 2011