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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-12 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bushnell called the workshop meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL. PRESENT: Mayor Pamela Bushnell, Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. Commissioner Marion Swenson was absent. 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: Mayor Bushnell led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. Informational Presentation on Tamarac Farmers Market: Informational presentation regarding proposed Tamarac Farmers Market — Gary Kareff, Farmers Market Co-op, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Warner, and Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Linda Probert. Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Warner made a presentation regarding a proposal to initiate a Tamarac Farmers Market, partially in support of the City's green initiatives. Mr. Warner stated that the Plantation Farmers Market Co-op currently operated a Farmers Market in that community with about 20-25 consistent vendors and approximately 400-500 customers per week. Mr. Warner also said that an emphasis was on having products which were locally grown and produced. He noted that the proposed Farmers Market in Tamarac would be held at Tamarac Park on the first and third Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and second and fourth Wednesdays between 4:30 and 9:00 p.m. Mr. Warner said that the proposal was for the Plantation Farmers Co-op to pay $1000 per month to the City of Tamarac to hold farmers market events, partially covering a number of in -kind services such as promotional expenses, staff assistance, utilities and maintenance. He noted that Parks and Recreation staff had coordinated with Risk Management staff to address insurance related matters for the market's operations. Finally, Mr. Warner said that the proposed Farmers Market would require a special exception which was fully supported by Community Development staff. Gary Kareff of the Farmers Market Co-op said the existing Farmers Market in Plantation operated by his Co-op was a well -run operation, managed by a professional board of directors. Mr. Kareff stated that the proposed Tamarac. Farmers Market would offer local residents with an opportunity to attend a family -friendly event with good quality products being provided at reasonable prices. Mr. Kareff and Mr. Warner responded to questions from the Mayor and City Commissioners. Mr. Kareff stated that the Farmers Market was planning to work in concert with local organizations such as local schools, Page 1 of 5 City Commission Workshop September 12, 2011 the blood bank, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs and other civic organizations. Vice Mayor Gomez inquired about the possibility of including some local artists or hand -made jewelry vendors during holiday times. Mr. Kareff said that this sounded like a good idea which could be evaluated by the Farmers Market Co-op board in the future. Commissioner Glasser inquired about the possibility of providing a City bus to the Farmers Market in the future. Mr. Warner said that City staff could investigate this possibility, based on future demand for such a service. Commissioner Dressler said that he welcomed the idea of having a Farmers Market in Tamarac, offering local produce and locally produced foods and products. He suggested that the focus of the market be kept as narrow as possible for the first few years of operations. Mayor Bushnell inquired whether the Park's Department building at Tamarac Park would be open during the Farmers Market. Mr. Warner said the building would be open on Wednesdays during classes, but only restrooms on the outside of the building would be open on Sundays for the Farmers Market events. Mayor Bushnell inquired whether pumpkins, christmas trees and other items could possibly be accommodated on a seasonal basis. Mr. Kareff said the Farmers Market Co-op would be pleased to make such accommodations. Mayor Bushnell inquired about the anticipated start-up date for the Farmers Market. Mr. Warner said City staff anticipated that the Tamarac Farmers Market would commence in October of this year. 2. Item No. 6(c) on the Consent Agenda. FMIT INSURANCE RENEWAL FY 2012 (TR120i5). A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing the renewal of General Liability, Automobile Liability, Automobile Physical Damage, Worker's Compensation, and Property Lines of Coverage with the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT) for a one (1) year period beginning October 1, 2011 at a cost of $989,100 and payment of any increase resulting from the annual premium audit; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. — Human Resources Director Maria Swanson and Risk/Safety Manager Patty Tomaszewski Human Resources Director Maria Swanson introduced Risk and Safety Manager Patty Tomaszewski to provide an overview of the status of the City's general and professional liability insurance coverages. Ms. Tomaszewski said that although a slight premium increase was necessary, the City's overall loss experience had improved slightly in recent years. She also noted that worker's compensation rates had increased somewhat while property insurance rates were down slightly. Ms. Tomaszewski stated that City staff was recommending maintaining the City's general and professional liability coverages with the Florida League of Cities. Commissioner Dressler commended Ms. Swanson, Ms. Tomaszewski, Fire Chief Burton and all applicable parties for their due diligence and professionalism in monitoring and maintaining reasonable premium levels and levels of loss exposure. Commissioner Dressler requested the possibility of including a trend analysis in future agenda items regarding this subject matter. Ms. Swanson and Ms. Tomaszewski said that staff would be pleased to include this information in future reports to the Mayor and City Commission. Page 2 of 5 City Commission Workshop September 12, 2011 3. Item No. 6(d) on the Consent Agenda. MARC Unit Annual Maintenance Agreement_(TR 12084): A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida approving a sub -recipient agreement for 2009-2010 State Homeland Grant Program (SHSGP), expenditure of local government unit funding for sustainment funds for annual maintenance contract for Mutual Aid Radio Communications (MARC) unit, with the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services Division of State Fire Marshal; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. — Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Moral 4. Item No. 6(e) on the Consent Agenda. MARC Unit Sub -Recipient Agreement (TR12085): A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida approving a sub -recipient agreement for 2010-2011 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), expenditure of local government unit funding for sustainment funds for annual maintenance contract for Mutual Aid Radio Communications (MARC) unit, with the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services Division of State Fire Marshal; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. — Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Moral Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Moral made a brief presentation regarding the applicable agreements for the mutual aid radio communications units, noting that the unit carried over one hundred radios for catastrophic events. S. Item No. 8(d) on Ordinances for First Reading. Solid Waste Franchise Agreements T02227 : Motion to adopt an Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida on first reading approving and authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute amendments to the commercial solid waste franchise agreements with current commercial solid waste franchisees Ace Waste Services LLC, Choice Environmental Services of Broward, Inc., Waste Services of Florida, Inc., FSR Transporting & Crane Services, Inc., Republic Services of Florida, L.P. dba All Service Refuse; Southern Waste Systems, LLC, for an additional period up to and including October 27, 2013; providing for severability; providing for conflicts; providing for an effective date. — Public Works Director Jack Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Keith Glatz Mr. Strain made a brief presentation regarding the issuance of new franchise agreements for all existing commercial contract vendors through late October 2013. He stated that all existing vendors had signed the proposed agreements. Commissioner Dressler inquired whether the Ace Waste case had been settled. Mr. Horowitz said this was correct and further was an outcropping of that particular litigation matter. 6. Item No. 8(c) on Ordinances for First Reading. Repeal of Firearm Regulations T02231 : Motion to adopt an Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, on first reading repealing Part Page 3 of 5 City Commission Workshop September 12, 2011 II, Chapter 15, Article III, Section 15-84 and Part II, Chapter 13-10 of the City's Code of Ordinances, relating to firearms; providing for consistency with Chapter 2011-10, Laws of Florida, which preempts firearm laws and regulation to the state; providing for codification; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. —Assistant City Attorney Jacob Horowitz Mr. Horowitz stated that local governments in the State of Florida would no longer have the authority to regulate firearms effective October 1, 2011. Vice Mayor Gomez stated that the City of Tamarac had no say in this matter. Mr. Horowitz said this was correct, noting that there would be stringent penalties if local governments in Florida enforced any firearms -related regulations. Commissioner Dressler expressed his very strong opposition to the potential pre-emption of local government regulation of firearms matters. 7. UPDATE REGARDING BUS SHELTER PROGRAM Community Development Director Jennifer Bramley and Planning and Zoning Manager Frank Zickar Community Development Director Jennifer Bramley provided a brief overview of City staff s recent presentations to the Mayor and City Commissioners regarding the proposed design of future bus shelters in the City of Tamarac. She noted that on July 11, 2011, City staff had made a comprehensive presentation regarding potential bus shelter options. Ms. Bramley said that City staff was recommending a kaleidoscope shelter design to the Mayor and City Commissioners. Planning and Zoning Manager Frank Zickar noted that the kaleidoscope type bus shelters were very open to the elements and included illumination features, benches and trash receptacles. Ms. Bramley said that alternatively, City staff could confer with Broward County Transit (BCT) staff about potential alternatives, but this would take an estimated nine to twelve months to complete negotiations. Vice Mayor Gomez inquired about the possibility of adding side panels to the kaleidoscope design bus shelter being recommended by City staff. Ms. Bramley said staff would need to check with Broward County Transit staff about this matter. Mr. Zickar stated that such a change would differ from the process being recommended and implemented by Broward County Transit staff relative to bus shelters. Commissioner Dressler inquired how some other municipalities in northwest Broward County had designed and installed attractive bus shelter facilities which cost approximately $60,000 each. Ms. Bramley said that the applicable municipalities had paid for these shelters out of their own coffers, rather than receiving funding from Broward County Transit. Commissioner Dressler also suggested the possibility of having a large bus route map displayed on the future bus shelter facilities. Vice Mayor Gomez inquired whether or not asking for sides on the kaleidoscope bus shelter design would add nine to twelve months to the anticipated design and installation process. Ms. Bramley said she was not certain of a specific timeframe to request sides for the shelter facilities. Page 4 of 5 City Commission Workshop September 12, 2011 1 Vice Mayor Gomez stated that some relatively new bus shelters were showing their age rather quickly in terms of faded paint colors. She inquired about the composition of materials in the kaleidoscope shelters. Ms. Bramley said the shelters were made of powder coated stainless steel and would be maintained by the applicable municipalities, rather than Broward County Transit. Mayor Bushnell inquired about the deadline relative to this matter. Ms. Bramley said Broward County Transit staff was awaiting a final decision regarding the bus shelter design prior to proceeding in this matter. Commissioner Dressler said he favored moving ahead with professional staffs recommendation to proceed with the kaleidoscope bus shelters. Vice Mayor Gomez said she would prefer to have a design which incorporated sides on the proposed kaleidoscope bus shelter. Mr. Zickar reiterated that adding sides to the bus shelters would likely necessitate the renegotiation of contracts established by Broward County Transit relative to bus shelter designs, possibly taking nine to twelve months to complete. Commissioner Dressler stated that funds for the transit shelters might not be available one year from now. Ms. Bramley stated that Broward County Transit had until 2014 to expend funds for the bus shelter program. Mr. Zickar stated that although the bus shelter vendor had a lot of potential designs, none were depicted with sides. Mr. Cernech said that City staff would endeavor to get answers to the Mayor and City Commissioner's questions about the possibility of getting sides for the bus shelters prior to Wednesday evening's City Commission meeting. 8. Other Business There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Bushnell adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:46 a.m. 71 Peter M. J. Richardson, CRM City Clerk +!l ollrrr�����, of TA4f ESTABLISHED'. 4 0 1963 Od�,`�,. SEAL O = •yg�p�� 00 UN1`\``` Page 5 of 5 City Commission Workshop September 12, 2011