HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-13 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Talabisco called the regular meeting of the City Commission to
order at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 in City Commission Chambers,
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Beth Talabisco, Vice Mayor
Bushnell, Commissioner Patricia Atkins -Grad and
attendance.
Harry Dressler, Commissioner Pamela
Commissioner Diane Glasser were in
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren
and Interim City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Diane Glasser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
a. Introduction to Commission by Broward County District 1 Commissioner Martin David Kiar.
Commissioner Kiar introduced himself to the Commission and said that he is excited to serve
the City of Tamarac and wants to make a difference for all of Broward County. Commissioner
Kiar said he is out and about in different cities to find out what he can do to help people and
encouraged people to reach out to him should they need assistance. Finally, Commissioner
Kiar said he is looking forward to working with Tamarac.
Mayor Talabisco moved out of order to take up item 1c.
c. Presentation of a
Proclamation by Mayor Beth
Talabisco proclaiming
February 13, 2013 as
"Human
Trafficking
Prevention Awareness
Day".
(Requested
by Mayor
Beth Talabisco)
Mayor Talabisco moved back in order to take up item 1 b.
b. Update Regarding Tamarac BSO Explorer Accomplishments for 2012 and Recognition of
the 2012 Tamarac Explorer of the Year (Requested by BSO Interim Chief Fred Wood)
Deputy Del Sol and BSO Explorer of the Year Captain Nataliya De Gracia appeared. Captain
De Gracia spoke of the many Community Service events the Explorers attended as well as
Major Training events in which the Explorers participated. A Comprehensive list is on file in
the City Clerk's Office.
2. CITY COMMISSION REPORTS:
a. Commissioner Bushnell: Reported that she and Vice Mayor Dressler went through CERT
traininglast Saturday and yesterday she was promoted to a Sergeant in the COPS Program;
attended the Strategic Planning meeting on January 29to and attended various homeowner
association meetings. Commissioner Bushnell said she sits on a few boards with the Broward
Page 1 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
League of Cities, one of which is the SRO Task Force which is involved in getting School
Resource Officers in schools for the sole purpose of the safety of our children. The other
board she sits on is the Texting and Cell Phones in Cars which is tasked with alerting people
that Florida is one of only six states in the country that does not have a law against texting
and talking on the phone while driving. Commissioner Bushnell also attended the Chamber of
Commerce awards dinner. Commissioner Bushnell spoke of an incident at the Mainlands
Park Ground Breaking Ceremony and then read a statement into the record, which is
attached hereto and incorporated herein.
b. Commissioner Glasser: Said she attended many homeowner association meetings and
even rendered assistance with one association's election process. Commissioner Glasser
said she has been working diligently with a lot of people in the community to resolve their
problems.
c. Commissioner Atkins Grad: Read a statement into the record which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
d. Vice Mayor Dressler: Read a statement into the record which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein. Vice Mayor Dressler asked City Attorney Goren to confirm the
approximate cost of a special election should one take place and City Attorney Goren
responded approximately $61,000 which is based on the 2009 special election for District 2.
Vice Mayor Dressler asked City Attorney Goren if he can obtain copies of Commissioner
Atkins-Grad's psychological reports that were submitted into evidence at her trial. for
Commission review. City Attorney Goren said it is a matter of public record if there were
reports or psychological evaluations that were utilized at trial and made part of the public
record, they can be accessed through the court system. If those reports were not made part
of the public record, they would not be available. City Attorney Goren said if there is no
objection, he will check with Commissioner Atkins-Grad's counsel and get back to the
Commission.
e. Mayor Talabisco: Said she is pleased to report that Jack is doing well after his surgery and
appreciates all the support they have received through the many difficult times over the last
few years. Mayor Talabisco said that in spite of the difficult situation that they are dealing
with, the City of Tamarac continues to move forward in a positive manner. Mayor Talabisco
said it is been an interesting "year" and the true measure of our strength is how we react to
adversity and move forward and that is what we are doing in order to ensure that the quality
of life is as good as it can be made with the funds available.
Mayor Talabisco reported that she attended the 81St US Conference of Mayors in January,
along with City Manager Cernech, and it is one of the high privileges of being a Mayor to be
in Washington DC with so many other Mayors who represent cities of all sizes. Mayor
Talabisco said she attended a seminar on Metro Economies in the New American City which
dealt with improving economies; tech incubators; the value -of public private partnership and
the value of summer jobs programs. All the panelists mentioned code compliance as being
essential as all cities need to be clean, safe and attractive and this has confirmed that the
steps that the Commission has taken on behalf of Tamarac are going in the right direction.
Page 2 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
City Manager Cernech attended the Technology and Innovation session where they talked
about electronic water meters and utilizing technology to market what we call our Tamarac
Tomorrow Program, which also confirmed that we are on the right track. Mayor Talabisco
said she also attended a seminar regarding vacant and abandoned properties which is a
nationwide problem. This again confirmed that we are on the right track with Operation Nip -It,
-the foreclosure property registration program as well as our housing program and said we are
not alone in what we are trying to achieve. Lastly, there were discussions regarding the value
of public and private partnerships and for the first time the US Conference of Mayors has
partnered with Weight Watchers which has grant programs regarding healthy communities
which could be beneficial to Tamarac. Mayor Talabisco said she would turn that information
over to Assistant City Manager Phillips to look into.
Mayor Talabisco reported that she recently hosted a meeting with State Representative
Hazelle Rodgers, along with Mayors from other cities, wherein Rep. Rodgers updated
everyone on the 2013 legislative agenda and issues were discussed that are important to us,
as well as other cities. Mayor Talabisco said that she recently met with newly elected County
Commissioner Kiar and School Board Member Abbey Freedman. Mayor Talabisco said she
will be hosting a Mayor's roundtable with Ms. Freedman, the three principals from Tamarac's
Schools, the new police chief, the SRO's, City Manager Cernech, as well as members of this
Commission, to discuss what is going on in our schools.
Mayor Talabisco said that Tamarac recently received the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for
our work in First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move Initiative". Tamarac was also recognized
as a partner with the County in the "Go Solar Program" regarding a grant Tamarac received
to put solar panels on the roofs of some of our government buildings. Our Neighborhood
Stabilization Program continues to provide opportunities for homeownershipand shoring g up
our communities. Tamarac also has a road improvement study underway that will help
ensure we maintain the city's roads and landscaping. In the future you will also be hearing
about studies we have conducted to position Tamarac for the future which includes a
commercial development study for areas around University Hospital, University Dr. at
Commercial Blvd. and State Road 441 at Commercial Blvd. There is also a corridor sturdy to
help develop the vision of how our major roadways should look and to help establish
Tamarac identify a special sense of place. Lastly, Mayor Talabisco reported that it is
Tamarac's 50th Anniversary and discussed the many events that have and will take place and
encouraged people to attend.
3. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: City Attorney Goren advised the Commission that the recall
committee submitted a packet of petitions this afternoon to Interim City Clerk Teufel which
she accepted and is currently housed in the city vault in a sealed envelope. City Attorney
Goren said, as governed by the state statute that governs recalls, the City Clerk will copy the
document and personally hand carry the original petitions to the Supervisor of Elections
sometime tomorrow morning, receive the appropriate receipt from the SOE which then sets in
motion a process that will begin a 30 day time clock within which the SOE can check names
and verify information required by the statute to enable the process to either move forward or
not. To the extent that the City's efforts are simply ministerial, the Clerk will perform those
functions and the City will not know more until the SOE responds back to the Clerk certifying
Page 3 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
whether or not sufficient names have been achieved or not. If they are not achieved, the
matter ends. If they have, another set of processes commences which will require some time
and effort on behalf of our City Clerk to perform her functions.
City Attorney Goren said as he advised at the Workshop on Monday he provided the
Commission with a memo regarding a series of bills that have been filed referencing issues
such as ethics, public meetings, red light cameras, sunshine, public records, gun control,
smoking in parks and public facilities. City Attorney Goren said he will be happy to brief the
Commission publicly and/or privately regarding these bills. A copy of the memo is on file in
the City Clerk's Office.
4. CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Cernech said he would like to take the
opportunity to introduce the Commission to Lt. Neal Glassman who will be the new District
Chief for District 7. City Manager Cernech gave a brief overview of Lt. Glassman's
qualifications. Lt. Glassman addressed the Commission and said he is honored to have been
appointed as Tamarac's police chief. Lt. Glassman said he has been with BSO for the past
23 '/2 years serving in various capacities and knows .that the City of Tamarac and BSO has
had a very strong relationship and one of the duties he will have as the new police chief is to
make sure that the relationship continues and strengthened. BSO's responsibility is public
safety, keeping people and property safe, which is a responsibility they all take seriously. Lt.
Glassman advised that he will be reaching out to various members of the community to either
strengthen partnerships that exist and/or create new partnerships. Lt. Glassman thanked
everyone for welcoming him and said he will work hard as Tamarac's police chief.
City Manager Cernech thanked Mayor Talabisco for inviting him to attend the US Conference
of Mayors. This was his second opportunity he has had to attend that conference and it is
good as your City Manager to listen to what other Mayors have to say. This re-emphasizes
how well this Commission works together and why we are able to accomplish so many things
we do and why others struggle.
City Manager Cernech reported a new Aqua Zumba Class will be held on Tuesday's at 6:00
p.m. at the Caporella Aquatic Center, the fee for residents is $15 and non-residents $20 for
four classes. Social Services reports that Minority Development & Empowerment, Inc., in
partnership with Tamarac, invites all low income families in Broward County to take
advantage of the VITAS Program which provides tax services and free e-filing, now through
April 15th, at the Community Center and anyone interested can call 954-597-3642 to
schedule an appointment. Also, a free Super Walmart shuttle is available for a limited time
from the Community Center to the new No. Lauderdale Super Walmart on Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Please call 954-597-3649 for
more information. The Matter of Balance Class, which is designed to teach participants to
manage falls and increase activity levels, will be held at the Community Center from 1:00
p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on 3/15, 3/227 4/57 4/127 4/197 4/26 and 5/3. Please call 954-597-3642 to
register.
Page 4 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
City Manager Cernech said the Mainlands Park Groundbreaking & Movie in the Park event
went very well on January 25th with more than 150 people in attendance. City Manager
i
Cernech invited everyone to attend the upcoming Concert in the Park, featuring the Fabulons
and Food Trucks, on February 22nd from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tamarac Sports Complex.
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City Manager Cernech reported that Youth Basketball began practicing on February5th with
211 players registered to date; Men's Basketball is underway with 10 teams and 70 la ers;
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Co -Ed Softball began on February 1st with 13 teams; Youth Soccer's regular season ended
on February 9th and Play-offs will run through February 23rd ; Flag Football registration is
underway for the spring season and Little League Baseball practices began on January 29th
with opening day scheduled for March 2nd.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Mayor Talabisco opened Public Participation and the following
individuals spoke: Dr. Marcia Becker, 8258 Cassia Ter., spoke in opposition to the bike path
and introduced documents to the Interim City Clerk which are on file in the City Clerk's Office;
David Reid, 6701 NW 93rd Ave., spoke about the overgrowth on Colon West CountryClub at
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Westwood Blvd. & 68 St.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad left the meeting at 8:25 p.m. and did not return.
The following individuals opposed the return of Commissioner Atkins -Grad to the City
Commission. George Stroker, Alvin Entin, Sharon Aron Baron, Patti Lynn, Judy Mar olis and
Stewart Webster. Charlotte Williams, said the Commissioner Atkins -Grad that everyone is
irY
talking about s not the person that she knows. Julie Fishman introduced herself as the Chair
for this year's Relay for Life and thanked the Commission for their continuing support and
encouraged people to attend the many events that will be taking place.
Mayor Talabisco announced that Item 7(a) on the Regular Agenda -Project Monodose for a
Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund is being tabled to the February 27, 2013 Commission
Meeting Agenda.
6. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Talabisco asked City Manager Cernech if there were any
additions/changes to the Consent Agenda. City Manager Cernech said there were no
additions/changes to the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Bushnell seconded by
Commissioner Glasser moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passed
unanimously (4-0).
a. Approval of the January 23, 2013 Regular Commission Meeting Minutes.
APPROVED
b. TR12288 - Approving Amendment #4 to Agreement with the Ferguson Group for
Federal Lobbying Services: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac,
Florida; approving Amendment #4 to the Agreement between the .City of Tamarac and the
Ferguson Group, LLC, for federal lobbying services, extending the term of the agreement for
a one year period effective February 13, 2013 through February 12, 2014 at a cost not to
exceed eighty-five thousand five hundred ($85,500.00) dollars per year; authorizing the
Page 5 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
appropriate City Officials to execute the amendment to the agreement for lobbying services;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
RESOLUTION R-2013-13
c. TR12303 - Approve an ILA with Broward County for Design and Construction of ADA
Accessible Bus Stops: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida;
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute an Interlocal Agreement between
Broward County and the City of Tamarac for the Design and Construction of ADA Accessible
Bus Stops; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-14
d. TR12299 - Relay for Life In -Kind Support and Waiver of Fees: A Resolution of the City
Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, approving a request on behalf of the American
Cancer Society for In -kind Support for the Tamarac/North Lauderdale Relay for Life event
benefitting the American Cancer Society to be held at Millennium Middle School May 17-18,
2013; providing for permits, proper insurance and execution of lease agreement for in -kind
equipment; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-15
e. TR12305 - 1st Amendment to Reciprocal Use Agreement with School Board of
Broward County: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute the First Amendment to Reciprocal Use
Agreement between the City of Tamarac and the School Board of Broward County, Florida,
to provide reciprocal use of City and School Board facilities; providing for conflicts; providing
for severability; and providing an effective date.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-16
7. REGULAR AGENDA:
a. TR12309 - Project Monodose for a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund: A Resolution
of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, recommending approval of Project
Monodose for a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund; recommending Project Monodose as a
Qualified Target Industry Business pursuant to Section 288.106, Florida statutes; committing
the City to payment of a percentage of the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund as a local
match as required by State Statute; authorizing City Officials to provide a local match or local
financial support for the Qualified Target -industry Tax Refund in the form of cash; providing
for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
THIS ITEM WAS TABLED ' TO THE FEBRUARY 27, 2013 COMMISSION MEETING
AGENDA.
8. ORDINANCE(S) -FIRST READING: There were no Ordinance(s) First Reading items
scheduled for this meeting.
9. PUBLIC HEARING(S): There were no Public Hearing(s) items scheduled for this meeting.
Page 6 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
10. ORDINANCE(S) -SECOND READING:
a. T02270 - Firefighter Pension Plan Amendment: An Ordinance of the City Commission
of the City of Tamarac, Florida, amending Chapter 16, Pensions and Retirement, Article VI
Firefighter Pension Plan; amending the definition of "average final compensation" in Section
16-401 of the Plan to exclude other non-taxable reimbursement, leave payments other than
at separation, and overtime in excess of 300 hours per year; amending Section 16-408 to
increase participant contributions from 9 percent to 10 1 /2 percent of total cash remuneration
paid for services; amending Sections 16-462, 16-467,16-470, and 16-489, providing for eight
(8) vesting credits for participants hired on or after January 1, 2013; amending Section 16-
468 to lower the interest paid on a return of participant contributions from 5 percent to 2.5
percent; amending Sections 16-496 and 16-497 providing for changes in disability retirement
benefits in accordance with disability benefits provided for in the Florida Retirement System;
amending Section 16-501 correcting for previous scrivener's error by adding the word
"compensation"; amending Section 16-503 increasing pension COLA start date from 3 years
to 5 years after January 1st of retirement date for participants that retire on or after June 1,
2013; providing for a savings clause; providing for codification; providing for conflicts;
providing for severability and providing for an effective date. City Attorney Goren read
T02270 by title into the record. Vice Mayor Dressler seconded by Commissioner Bushnell
moved approval of T02270 on second reading.
Motion passed unanimously (4-0)
ORDINANCE NO.0-2013-02
PASSED ON FIRST READING JANUARY 23, 2013
PASSED ON SECOND READING FEBRUARY 13, 2013
11. QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING(S): There were no Quasi -Judicial Hearing(s) items
scheduled for this meeting.
12. OTHER:
There being no further business to come
adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Patricia Teufel, C
Interim City Clerk
before the City Commission, Vice Mayor Dressler
Beth Talabisco, M
Page 7 of 7 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING February 13, 2013
Madame Chair: I generally believe in living life with a 1/2 full cup but am sorry to
say that is not always the case these days. I would like to go back in time to
January 25th where I attended the Groundbreaking Celebration of Mainlands
Park. That was just two days after our last commission meeting where I had asked
Patricia Atkins -Grad to "do the right thing" and resign from the office of public:
that she no longer deserves to hold. What should have been a pleasant occasion
for the residents of the city turned into a nightmare when Ms. Grad left the stage
with the specific purpose in mind to harass a resident who was attending the
event. This resident followed Ms. Grad back to the stage and Ms. Grad further
aggravated the situation by yelling in the resident's face that she would never
forget that he didn't pay his maintenance. This gentleman, who was not a foot
away from me, leaned down and said to Ms. Grad (and I quote) "My wife was
dying." Hearing this, and seeing his stricken face, I asked Ms. Grad to please be
kind. She turned to me and said (and again I quote) "Shut up, you bitch" While her
words alone do not harm me, it certainly is just one more demonstration of how
disrespectful, unprofessional, out -of -control and unworthy of public trust Ms.
Grad is. And, it turns out, her issue with the resident is one that occurred many,
many years ago and has no relevance to anything in today's world. I can promise
that I will never again welcome her to any event held in District 1 and hope that
she has the good sense to stay away.
And, still, she sits through meetings grinning like a demented Cheshire cat.
Perhaps she thinks this is all a joke - to me it is no laughing matter.
have heard that she is public in telling people that she is taking more
medications now than when she was in court. I confess that she has not told me
that in person so it is only hearsay on my part, but, if that is true in any way, I'm
most comfortable in suggesting again that she do the right thing for the residents
of the City of Tamarac, and resign her position if for no other reason than to
concentrate on mending her mental health.
j,3 )►3
s
l
r,
I have an impoftnt.,,.. ment I want to share wM you and want to make
sure I do not leave anything out. Sir, Ne wften my thoughts down and VKRI
read it to you and ask that you respect my free speech dghts.
I $3'ri insulted bythose of you whohave said that I should T£SMgn my
posifion as a City Cmmtwon after I. have been acquitted of all charges by
a juryof my piers. Our jury system is the foundation of the democracy we
haw. in the United States of America. I have the utmost respect for the
tars of the sFlorida and our free spy given us in both the
United States and the state of Florida constitution., Apparently, My
opponents do not have the very saw respect.
-I":
Whilelhose who seek my recall may have the. right to legally organize to do
sc�, why i cfo Hof � � the�s bullying., ��ra�er�, fies- d andon�
about Me Wng spmad by, some of my colleagues a b�m# f
man recall c as well as the unequal treatrnent by the Citys police'
dMadmnt fast Wight �t � ��nu�� #�n� �� 1�1�+ ands N��:
Owners Associaf*nin what �s an tbv**Us attempt to intimidate me iriio
stepping down. ttis obvious ftt those seeking a micall efecfion befie'ved
that ! weld resign toaveid the risk of their not being uil i» t r
�In
f�vrts. Lst me �e r now, � ��� not �siNn and I wiff to fhe
fullest extent of the law.
It appears that my attempt to defend myself yesterday evening at the
ai'lt1Ltal 'Fi'!8etii1g of the Woodlands Home Owners Association caused quite
a -stir. )Mhy?
IS it USC those that have pursued thisluu-d I Innfk finaRy hmoe to.' Tin
that the cost of a recall election could easily exceed $200 .000.00 of
ta)qmyer dollars to cover the cost of an eWction and oifier po*nUal o6�
related to this recall effort? Why have they not told the residents theiruth?
It is time for the citizens of Tamarac to know the truth and have the ability
to make an infior0 med decision based on the pacts. The most imporNaqt fact
being that at We ViQ,04 that could be used to the benefit all of our
City residents could be lost to pay for a recall election.
� tesipectfU#fy siiLst those that have sought my t'esii'fabtin a1pt .. f
the fact
I anot going to ran and allow me: the �i� to ��pp�rammy ifi-aht
to free speech 'in defending myself as the haw regarding recall ete��n's
permits me to do. My detractors and my supporters may agree on fift, but
one ing we all met agree on i the need allow this process go forward On
a CVtI tTlSnn$r and pursuant to the law while allowing the voters to make an
i ed decision. I have created a website for those who wish to know
the f4cts before they sign any petition at www.tamaractruth.com_ I urge
youall to visit ors Krebs so that canu � be �n� �dand not mislead by
those with u!#+edor Motives.
s
Vice Mayor HARRY DRESSLER' S COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS:
FIRST, LET ME SAY THAT BEFORE WE DESCEND AGAIN INTO THIS MOST
UNNECESSARY OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND TYPE POLITICAL RABBIT
HOLE!, THAT DESPITE .ALL THE NOISE AND FURY, THIS CITY CONTINUES
TO MOVE ON A DAY BY DAY, MONTH BY MONTH, MOVEMENT FORWARD
IN THE .MOST INNOVATIVE WAYS CONTINUING TO SERVE THE BEST
INTERESTS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS. THE GENERIC STATE OF
THE UNION IS SAFE, IN GOOD CONDITION AND FINANCIALLY STABLE. OUR
THANKS GO TO OUR PROFESSIONAL AND STEADFAST CITY EMPLOYEE
TEAM.
NOW, I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE MOST RECENT
INAPPROPRIATE .ACTIVITY OF ONE OF OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS AS
EXPRESSED IN THIS EMBARRASSINGLY JUVENILE HANDOUT.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS FLYER WAS DISTRIBUTED LAST NIGHT
AT THE WOODLANDS ANNUAL HOA MTG. BY COMM. ADKINS-GRAD.,
FOR THE RECORD, THE COST OF ANY DISTRICT WIDE SPECIAL ELECTION IS
NOWHERE NEAR THE $200,000 QUOTED BY COMMISSIONER ADKINS-wGRAD,
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW MISINFORMED SHE IS. THE ACTUAL COST OF
SUCH AN ELECTION, SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY IS I BELIEVE, Mr. GOREN,
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF APPROXIMATELY'` $60,000. IS THAT CORRECT?
THANK YOU. MR. GOREN.
{
THE SECOND POINT I wtDD MAKE HERE, AGAIN REFERENCING THIS
LUDICROUS AND BIZARRE PRONOUNCEMENT - WHAT IF THERE IS AN
INFERENCE THAT THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE RECALL ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR. THE CITY ABSORBING THIS SPECIAL ELECTION EXPENSE, THE POINT
IS OFF MARK.
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SPECIAL ELECTION COST, LIES SOLEY
WITH COMM. ATKINS-GRAD WHO AS STIPULATED BY HER DEFENSE
ATTORNEY IN HER CRIMINAL PROCEEDING, ACCEPTED MONIES
ALLEDGEDLY UNWITTINGLY, AN ISSUE I WILL ADDRESS AT A LATER
DATE.
IT IS HERSELF SHE SHOULD BLAME FOR.. THIS COST TO THE CITY AND
TAXPAYERS, NOT HER CONSTITUENTS WHO RISE UP TO REJECT HER ROLE
AS THEIR. POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE.
lb
THIRDLY, AND MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, PUBLIC BEHAVIOR SUCH AS THE
DEBACLE THAT OCCURRED AT THE WOODLANDS ANNUAL HOMEOWNER' S
MEETING, SPEAKS TO THE ISSUE OF HER COMPETENCE OR THE ISSUE OF
HER INCOMPETENCE.
AT SOME POINT IN THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDING, ATKINS-GRAD' S COUNSEL
-- AS I UNDERSTAND IT - PLEAD THROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORTS
THAT SHE WAS UNFIT TO STAND TRIAL. THAT IN LAYMAN' S TERMS, SHE
WAS INCOMPETENT TO DO SO. I WOULD LIKE THIS COMMISSION TO
REVIEW, ANALYZE AND SHARE WHAT CLAIMANT' S OWN COUNSEL
REPRESENTED AND THE IMPLICATIONS THAT APPLY TO HER MENTAL
ABILITY IN PERFORMING HER ELECTED DUTIES.
AS I SEE IT, THIS IS RELEVANT TO THE RECALL EFFORT, AN EFFORT THAT I
HAVE NOT COMMENTED UPON PREVIOUSLY BUT Sty ENDORSE TONIGHT.
MR. GO►REN, CAN YOU ESTABLISH IF SUCH REPORTS AS PART OF THE
TRIAL DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT WE MAY
EVALUATE THIS ISSUE IN TERMS OF OUR ONGOING REVIEW OF COMM.
ATKINS-GRAD' S ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE THIS CITY?
THAT SHE HERSELF IN FACT, THROUGH COUNSEL, CLAIMED TO BE
INCOMPETENT, AND IF SO, SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESIGN
HER OFFICE IMMEDIATELY SPARING THIS CITY FURTHER EMBARRASMENT
AND THE COST OF AN UNNECESSARY SPECIAL ELECTION.