HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-08 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Harry Dressler called the Regular Commission Meeting of the City
of Tamarac to order at 7:06 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 in City Commission
Chambers, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Harry Dressler, Vice Mayor Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Michelle J.
Gomez, Commissioner Diane Glasser and Commissioner Debra Placko were in attendance.
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney David
Tolces and City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Glasser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
a. State of the City Address by Mayor Harry Dressler: Mayor Dressler gave the State of the
City Address, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein.
b. Presentation of proclamations by Mayor Harry Dressler Honoring Tamarac's COPS
Programs. (Requested by the Mayor and Commissioners)
c. Presentation of a Proclamation by Mayor Harry Dressler Commending Ellie Petardi for
Serving as the President of Fairhaven 11 for Twenty Years. (Requested by Commissioner
Michelle J. Gomez)
2. CITY COMMISSION REPORTS:
a. Vice Mayor Bushnell: Vice Mayor Bushnell thanked the Mayor for having the Proclamation
for Abused Children on tonight's agenda. Vice Mayor Bushnell said she attended the
Employee Appreciation Luncheon earlier today and spoke briefly about the COPS and CERT
Programs and the importance of volunteering in the community.
b. Commissioner Gomez: Commissioner Gomez said she attended the Springfest event, the
Employee Appreciation lunch and she recently took a tour of the Water Treatment Plant.
Commissioner Gomez said she was in Tallahassee recently and talked about the various
legislators she met and meetings she attended.
c. Commissioner Glasser: Commissioner Glasser said participated in the University Hospital
Board Conference call meeting and things are progressing nicely at the hospital.
Commissioner Glasser said she is looking forward to the District 2 Neighborhood Meeting on
April 15th at Millennium Middle School.
d. Commissioner Placko: Commissioner Placko thanked Deputies Fitzgerald and Del Sol for
all the work they do with the COPS program and noted that the Woodmont COPS program is
the newest program in Tamarac and thanked all those who volunteered. Commissioner
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Placko spoke about a recent rash of break-ins in Woodmont and was pleased to report that
that the perpetrator was recently apprehended. Commissioner Placko said she too attended
the Employee Appreciation Luncheon and during the event a group of firefighters had to
leave to respond to a fire. Upon arriving home after the event she discovered that the fire
occurred at an elderly neighbor's home and said she observed the firefighters treat the
elderly couple with the utmost kindness, patience and respect. Commissioner Placko
reported that she also recently took a tour of the Water Treatment Plant and commented that
it might be good if children could also take tours of the plant. Commissioner Placko
announced that the District 4 Neighborhood meeting will take place on April 22"d at 6:30 p.m.
at the Community Center.
e. Mayor Dressler: Mayor Dressler said he attended the Broward League of Cities Board
meeting last week where they talked about upcoming legislation. One of the items they
discussed was short term rentals and how the state has pre-empted cities from being able to
deal with that issue. Mayor Dressler said that when they discuss issues it is interesting to
note that most cities share the same problems. Mayor Dressler said he recently took a
webinar offered by the U.S. Conference of Mayors on demographics and the impacts it has
on cities. Mayor Dressler reported that he recently attended a meeting of the Land
Development Code Rewrite Advisory Committee and said he feels it is important an elected
official attend these meetings.
3. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Assistant City Attorney Tolces reported that today the City
Attorney's Office received an Order from the 4th District Court of Appeal denying American
Charter Development's Petition for Writ of Certiorari regarding the property located at 8301
W. McNab. This was first appealed to the Circuit Court and the Circuit denied their appeal
and then they appealed to 4t District Court, to which we objected, and the Court issued an
Order denying their Petition for Writ of Certiorari. For all intents and purposes that matter
should be concluded; however, they always have the right to petition for a re -hearing or
consideration but that is highly unusual. Assistant City Attorney Tolces said he hoped
everyone had a happy holiday.
4. CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Cernech echoed the sentiments about the
employee recognition event and thanked the Commission for attending the event because it
shows their support for the peer driven program.
City Manager Cernech said Commissioner Placko recently asked the Commission to
recognize her COPS program which led staff to recognize all the COPS programs in
Tamarac. Commissioner Gomez wished to honor Ellie Petardi for her dedication to her
community for the past 20 years and Vice Mayor Bushnell has asked for a proclamation for a
gentleman in her neighborhood who picks up trash every day. City Manager Cernech said we
have a lot of people who do a lot of good things in this City and it is good that the
Commission recognizes these individuals.
City Manager Cernech said the District 2 Neighborhood Meeting will take place on
Wednesday, April 15th at 6:30 p.m. at Millennium Middle School.
Upcoming Events: The Concert in the Park will take place on Friday, April 10th from 7:00 p.m. _
to 9:00 p.m. at the Sports Complex and will feature the country music sound of the Kim Betts
and the Gamble Creek Band; the Community Garage sale is scheduled for Saturday, April
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11th from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tamarac Park; the Earth Day Celebration event will take
place on Saturday, April 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at Veterans' Park and the Parks &
Recreation Foundation will be hosting their 4th Annual P.A.R.OT. Golf Tournament on April
24th at Colony West Golf Club which will culminate with a "Concert on the Green" featuring
the band "The Castaways" and for more information, to make a donation or be an event
sponsor please contact Linda Probert at Linda. Probert(a-_)tamarac.orq or call 954-597-3632.
Past Events: The Springfest event that took place on March 28th was attended by more than
600 people and the Veteran's Affairs Committee held a raffle which raised $800 for the
Homeless Veterans Stand Down Event which will take place May 1-3, 2015 at the Robert
King High Park in Miami.
City Manager Cernech said Public Services has reported that the pipe bursting project in
District 1 at NW 47th Terrace has been completed with only minor punch list items remaining.
Mayor Dressler said he failed to mention earlier that the Broward County Commission has
approved a settlement in the Resource Recovery Board Litigation matter and Tamarac will be
receiving $1 million as part of the settlement. City Manager Cernech noted the Commission
voted 8 to 1 to approve the settlement.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Mayor Dressler opened Public Participation and the following
individuals spoke: Richard Robbins, 8711 NW 76th Ct., representing the Woodmont Property
Owners Association advised that the WPOA has changed its name and it is now the
Woodmont Community Association and asked the City to establish a program to clean up the
swales; Barbara Tarnove, 8632d NW 79th St., advised that the Historical Society will have the
2"d Annual Tamarac Historical Society Hall of Fame, honoring individuals who perform a vital
service to the City, on July 13, 2015 at the Community Center from 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
nominations will be accepted until April 30th and encouraged people to attend; Sharon Aaron
Baron, 4709 Woodlands Blvd., talked about retiring flags and suggested that the City create a
flag depository similar to what Coral Springs has; Julie Fishman, 7650 Westwood Dr., #509,
thanked the Commission for their continued support of the Relay for Life event which takes
place on May 2, 2015 at Millennium Middle School from noon to midnight and encouraged
people to attend the event.
6. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Dressler asked City Manager Cernech if there were any
changes/additions to the Consent Agenda and City Manager Cernech said there were no
changes/additions to the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor Bushnell seconded by Commissioner
Placko moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously
(5-0).
a. Approval of the March 25, 2015 Regular Commission Meeting Minutes - APPROVED
b. TR12622 - Authorizing Four Week Vacation for Mayor and City Commission: A Resolution
of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing a four -week consecutive
period (July 19, 2015 — August 16, 2015) during which time the City Commission will not
schedule any regular meetings pursuant to section 4.06 (a) of the City Charter; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; and providing an effective date.
RESOLUTION R-2015-22
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c. TR12623 - Relay for Life 2015 - In -kind Support: 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 Relay for Life event benefitting the American Cancer
Society to be held at Millennium Middle School May 2, 2015; providing for permits, proper
insurance, and execution of Lease Agreement for Equipment, providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
RESOLUTION R-2015-23
d. TR12621 - Awarding Bid No. 15-08B to and Approving an Agreement with Paragon
Construction Unlimited, Inc., for the Piccadilly Cafeteria Demolition Project: A Resolution of
the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, awarding Bid No. 15-08B to and
approving an Agreement with Paragon Construction Unlimited, Inc., for the Piccadilly
Cafeteria Demolition Project, located at 7200 N. University Drive, Tamarac, Florida, in
accordance with Bid No. 15-08B for a contract amount of $98,274; a contingency in the
amount of $10,000 will be added to the project account, for a total project budget of
$108,274; authorizing an expenditure from the appropriate accounts; providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
RESOLUTION R-2015-24
e. TR12626 - Support of SaferBy4 Initiative: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City
of Tamarac, expressing support and encouraging the collective efforts of municipalities
through the "SaferBy4" initiative to reduce preventable child deaths due to drowning and
sleep habits, authorizing the City Clerk to transmit this resolution; providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
RESOLUTION R-2015-25
7. REGULAR AGENDA: There were no Regular Agenda items scheduled for this meeting.
8. ORDINANCE(S) - FIRST READING:
Mayor Dressler asked for a motion and a second to table Item No. 8 (c) TO2318 on
Ordinances — First Reading. Commissioner Placko seconded by Vice Mayor Bushnell moved
approval to table TO2318. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). Item tabled.
a. TO2317 - 1st Budget Amendment FY2015: An ordinance of the City Commission of the
City of Tamarac, Florida, amending Ordinance 2014-13, which adopted the City of Tamarac
Operating Budget, Revenues and Expenditures, the Capital Budget, and the Financial
Policies for the Fiscal Year 2015, by increasing the total revenues and Expenditures by a
total of $2,796,893 as detailed in Attachment A attached hereto and summarized in
Attachment B; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; providing for an effective date.
Assistant City Attorney Tolces read TO2317 by title into the record. Commissioner Gomez
seconded by Commissioner Glasser moved approval of TO2317 on first reading. Motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
PASSED ON FIRST READING APRIL 8, 2015
b. TO2316 - Ordinance Adopting LAC Mitigation Fee Program Motion to adopt an Ordinance
of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida on first reading amending Chapter 10
of the City's Code of Ordinances, entitled "Land Development Regulations," Article V, entitled
"Improvements", by enacting Division 10, Section 10-311 entitled "Local Activity Center
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Mitigation Fee Program", to provide for adoption of a mitigation fee program associated with
the impacts connected with development within the area designated as the Local Activity
Center ("LAC") by the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan; providing for
codification; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date. Assistant City Attorney Tolces read TO2316 by title into the record. Commissioner
Gomez seconded by Commissioner Placko moved approval of TO2316 on first reading.
Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
PASSED ON FIRST READING APRIL 8, 2015
c. TO2318 - Ordinance Establishing Hotels/S-1 Zoning District: An Ordinance of the City
Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida amending Chapter 24 of the City's Code of
Ordinances, entitled "Zoning" by amending Article III, Division 13 entitled "S-1 Recreational
District" by specifically amending Section 24-308 entitled "Permitted Uses", amending Section
24-309 entitled "Prohibited Uses", amending Section 24-313 entitled "Yards, Setback Areas,
Open Spaces, etc." To allow hotels as an ancillary use to a private or public country club
permissible through Special Exception in the S-1 Recreational Zoning District in conformity
with the City of Tamarac Comprehensive Plan; providing for codification; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
ITEM TABLED
d. TO2320 - Ordinance Re-establishing Hotels in Business District: An Ordinance of the City
Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida amending Chapter 24 of the City's Code of
Ordinances, entitled "Zoning" by amending Article III, Division 19 entitled "Business and
Commercial Uses Master List" by specifically amending Section 24-434 entitled "Permitted
Uses Master List", to re-establish hotels as a permitted use in the B-2 Community Business
and B-3 General Business zoning districts in conformity with the City of Tamarac
Comprehensive Plan; providing for codification; providing for conflicts; providing for
severability; and providing for an effective date. Assistant City Attorney Tolces read TO2320
by title into the record. Vice Mayor Bushnell seconded by Commissioner Gomez moved
approval of TO2320 on first reading.
Mayor Dressler noted that this issue has to do with hotels in B-2 and B-3 zoning districts and
has nothing to do with the item that has been tabled. Commissioner Gomez said she
understands the need to grow and develop and this is just correcting a scrivener's error but
she is proposing adding additional language about the types of hotels that are allowed and
not allowed. Commissioner Gomez said she would like some of the definitions in TO2318
incorporated into this ordinance. Mayor Dressler said it is his understanding that the code
rewrite will address definitions of accepted uses. Community Development Director Calloway
said if we make the requested changes at this time staff would have to bring this back to the
Commission for first reading as this would be a substantive change to this ordinance_
Assistant City Attorney Tolces said the Commission can turn this down on first reading and
bring back a new ordinance that will provide for permitted use and design criteria. City
Manager Cernech said when staff brought this to the Commission it was just a simple
correction of a scrivener's error and what Commissioner Gomez is suggesting would be
handled with the comprehensive code rewrite. Vice Mayor Bushnell confirmed that this was a
correction of a scrivener's error for a use that was inadvertently dropped and definitions
would come through the code rewrite. Commissioner Gomez expressed her concern about
putting the permitted use back in now. What recourse will the City have if something comes
into play which does not meet the quality standards that we require? City Manager Cernech
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said the City can effectively deal with how a hotel looks if someone comes in to build a hotel
to make sure that it meets the design criteria suggested by Commissioner Gomez. City
Manager Cernech said if we don't put it back on the list and if someone comes in with a hotel
we will be able to deal with that also. City Manager Cernech said we want to fix this now
because there could be some potential for a hotel to express an interest and we will be able
to deal with it. There was a lengthy discussion about how the City would deal with different
scenarios and the process that would be afforded to any applicants so that the City would not
lose an economic opportunity and what the risk would be if someone came in with something
that was not desirable. Mayor Dressler confirmed that we are simply adding back in a
permitted use to the Master List that was inadvertently omitted in 2005. There was another
discussion about what would happen if this was not added back into the Master List vs. if it
was added back in to the Master List. City Manager Cernech and Community Development
Director Calloway addressed questions throughout the discussions. City Manager Cernech
said the City ultimately controls what would be allowed in. Commissioner Gomez said it was
her opinion to leave it alone and let the code rewrite address this issue and if a hotel comes
in in the meantime, we will deal with it. At the request of Commissioner Placko Community
Development Director Calloway went over the Special Exception process that applicants
would be required to follow. Mayor Dressler said he does not see any risk to adding this back
to the list and it is his opinion to say yes on first reading.
Motion passed 4 — 1 with Commissioner Gomez dissenting.
PASSED ON FIRST READING APRIL 8, 2015
9. PUBLIC HEARING(S): There were no Public Hearing items scheduled for this meeting.
10. ORDINANCE(S) - SECOND READING: There were no Ordinance(s) — Second Reading
items scheduled for this meeting.
11. QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING(S): There were no Quasi -Judicial items scheduled for this
meeting.
12. OTHER: There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor
Dressler adjourned the meeting at 9.27 p.m.
Harry Dressler, Mayor
Patricia Teufel, C1
City Cleric
Page 6 of 6 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING April 8, 2015
State of the City Address 2015
Mayor Harry Dressler
Good evening Vice Mayor Bushnell, Commissioners Gomez, Glasser and Placko,
City Attorney Goren, City Manager Cernech, staff, residents and those joining us
in chambers or via the Internet.
It's been a year since I first shared the State of the City with you as Mayor and
what a year it has been: our city is undergoing a resurgence, with property values
slowly starting to rise and new homes being sold soon after they come onto the
market. More major businesses are choosing to call Tamarac home. Your City is
financially stable and soundly managed, and recognized as such on a national
basis. More and more people are realizing what some of us have known for years:
Tamarac is a wonderful city ... whether you're raising a family, building a business
or spending your retirement years.
The job of your elected officials is to make Tamarac as strong as we possibly can
today, while putting the pieces together to ensure an even better tomorrow. Our
short-term focus is on safety, maintaining or enhancing property values, financial
stability and improving the quantity and quality of city services. All of this while
keeping the millage rate stable.
And Tamarac is delivering for you:
• Our calculated investments in the future helped the City's Fire Rescue
department achieve the highest possible rating for fire protection services.
That Class One rating comes from the national Insurance Services Office (or
I-S-O), which evaluates public fire protection. They monitor 48-thousand
communities across the country and less than half of one percent is rated
as well as we were.
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State of the City Address 2015
Mayor Harry Dressler
Not only does this top rating underscore the increased safety in our community, it
can translate into better insurance rates for residents and significantly improved
rates for businesses.
• In the months to come, you'll seethe establishment of afire station on
University Drive, across the street from University Hospital, which will help
to significantly reduce response time to this area of the city. We'll also
begin demolition of the existing fire station on Commercial Boulevard and
the turnpike, paving the way for construction of a new facility that will be
better able to serve this growing area.
• Many Tamarac residents can now take advantage of flood insurance
savings. Because of extensive work done by the City, their homes are no
longer in a flood zone.
• We continue to expand and improve our parks and recreation system. Just
a few months ago we cut the ribbon to open Mainlands Park, and it has
already become one of our more popular destinations.
• Looking to the future, we've begun the discussion on how to meet the
evolving needs of our community. Tamarac has undergone dramatic
demographic changes in recent years, with our median age now at 47. This
means the plans we make need to encompass needs at all ends of the age
spectrum - be it for parks, schools, social programs or the makeup of our
business community.
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State of the City Address 2015
Mayor Harry Dressler
• Our business community will be undergoing some dramatic changes, with
major additions to our corporate park.
• Kapco, a global aerospace parts distributor, will be moving its Southeast
regional headquarters to Tamarac. They will be investing 50 million dollars
in the project and adding 30 employees.
• By year's end we anticipate the opening of the international headquarters
of the pharmaceutical company Unipharma. In addition to building a state-
of-the-art facility in the commerce park, Unipharma will be creating 150
positions, including biochemists, engineers and pharmacists.
Why are new residents and substantial businesses choosing Tamarac? It's not by
chance. It's because of the quality of life and opportunities they find here, the
result of sound strategic planning and fiscal responsibility. We provide a vast array
of programs and services, but we spend within our means. Unlike other cities
around Florida, our pension plans are actuarially sound. And we've budgeted
wisely to ensure funding for infrastructure improvements.
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State of the City Address 2015
Mayor Harry Dressler
The City's fiscal policies are so effective that Fitch, the global financial ratings
agency, has affirmed our general obligation bonds at Double A, noting our strong
financial profile. And no less than Moody's Investor Services praised Tamarac,
citing the critical role that strong financial management plays both in maintaining
the city's financial health AND positioning it for success in the new economy.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the age of local government. We can no longer
look to Washington or Tallahassee. Community progress will occur based on
leadership at the local level. And you can be proud of the work done on your
behalf by the leadership of the City of Tamarac.
Let's continue to work together.
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