Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-11 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the regular meeting of the city commission to order at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 in Chambers at Tamarac City Hall 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Michael C. Cernech, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Dressler led the pledge of allegiance. 1. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS: a. Captain Erica Chabalko, U.S. Army, representing FOB Loyalty, Baghdad, Iraq, presented a flag, storyboard and certificate to the Mayor and City Commission thanking them for their support in the staging of the Turkey Trot Shadow Run on November 27, 2008 in Baghdad. Captain Chabalko introduced her husband and parents. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco acknowledged Vice Mayor Sultanof, Liaison to the Veterans Affairs Committee, and acknowledged two other veterans in attendance. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she cannot describe her feelings at receiving these effects from the men and women who serve us overseas. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco gave new Tamarac logo pins to Captain Chabalko and her family; and thanked them as well as Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns for their promotion of the event, and said she hoped the tradition continues. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad said she is very proud and Tamarac is a wonderful city. Commissioner Glasser said she appreciates all the troops have done for us, and she is hopeful we can avoid other conflicts and the world will be safe. Commissioner Bushnell said she is proud of our Mayor and City Commission, Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns, and the servicemen and women. Commissioner Dressler said it is an honor and pleasure to welcome our warriors home and he also would like to continue the tradition; he appreciates what the servicemen and women do for our country. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said this was a combined effort between Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns and staff, and this year was the biggest turnout for the Turkey Trot. REPORTS 2. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Bushnell reported on Broward County's tree and bush giveaway scheduled for March 14t". Commissioner Bushnell reminded everyone that this is Black History Month; she attended the art and music exhibit at the Tamarac Community Center and suggested everyone make time to see the exhibit. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said Commissioner Bushnell has an extensive background in insurance and has forged a relationship with Suzanne Chesser, a local State Farm Commission Regular Meeting February 11, 2009 Page 1 of 5 agent, as well as Evan Jenne (our Representative in Tallahassee on the Insurance Committee), and Commissioner Bushnell will keep the Mayor and City Commission informed as to her progress in talks with the insurance representatives. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad reported on the many homeowner association meetings she attended over the past two weeks, and said she is here for her constituents. Mothers Against Predators (MAP), of which Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad is chairperson, is now on Face Book and the organization is growing very quickly. Commissioner Dressler reported on the federal stimulus package, and said he will provide a report on the MPO's upcoming meeting. Friday, the MPO invited delegates to a video conference regarding how the stimulus package will flow, which ties into issues addressed by our Investment Advisory Board and Financial Services Department. Tamarac is doing a great job juggling the various issues in financial landscaping. Commissioner Glasser reported on the many meetings she has attended, but said the Transportation Workshop with the County which was held at the Tamarac Community Center, was extremely beneficial, She learned our buses do not go where people would like to go and there is no way, at this time, to make a hookup between our buses and the county buses. Commissioner Glasser said she will go to the County to see if she can make a change and she will make this her project. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she is very happy to see Commissioner Glasser working on this project and the Mayor and City Commission support Commissioner Glasser. Commissioner Dressler thanked BSO and the Sheriffs office for an outstanding operation regarding unlicensed contractors, which resulted in significant impacts. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she was invited by BSO and Sheriff Lamberti to represent the City in the operation regarding unlicensed contractors, and over 70 violators were pulled over. In addition to these people not practicing business ethically, many drove vehicles that should not have been on the road, and they are a danger to residents throughout the County. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco reported on an article that appeared in the newspaper about the Woodlands Community and those people in the community who were affected by the Madoff scandal. At a Woodlands homeowners association meeting on Monday, many who were quoted in the article felt that the Woodlands Community was portrayed well. (A copy of said article is attached hereto and incorporated herein as part of these minutes.) Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she was informed by Temple Beth Torah that they are having a Mitzvah Day to make the world a better place and to mend the planet and to enhance the quality of life for residents. They will be cleaning up Tephford Park on March 1st; this is truly a community partnership. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco read into the record an email from Lee Chaykin, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital and Medical Center (a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as part of these minutes) stating that University Hospital had completed their Chest Pain Center accreditation inspection, and Mr. Chaykin spoke of the close relationship between University Hospital and the Tamarac EMS Division. Last week Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco and Assistant City Commission Regular Meeting February 11, 2009 Page 2 of 5 Manager Phillips made a successful trip to Washington, D.C. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco thanked the commissioners for allowing her to continue to make these trips on behalf of the City. The projects brought forward to our Washington representatives were very well received. 3. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT: City Attorney Goren spoke of a Supreme Court decision with regard to the 1.35% tax cap language being misleading. City Attorney Goren spoke of the Honest Services Act and HB1142, sponsored by Senator Wise. Senator Nan Rich sponsored a bill regarding shade sessions, which intends to add the Risk Manager to those allowed to participate in shade sessions; speaks to pre -posting and advertising shade sessions to provide for quicker resolution; says any person involved in a shade session would be precluded from discussing strategy; and any member of the elected board who has an adverse claim against the governmental body can be kept from the room. The 5th DCA rendered an opinion with regard to bus tours by elected officials, making these tours a sunshine violation. There was discussion regarding the possibility of the Mayor and City Commission taking a bus tour of the city as well as traveling to social events via bus. 4. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech said BSO informs us that District Deputy Ralph Shemback was named Deputy of the Year 2008 in a ceremony on February 11 th. Fire Rescue will host a CERT Team Training the end of this month. Parks and Recreation invites eve one to the upcoming Tamarac Twilight Concert Series on February 13th and March 13t , from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the Tamarac Sports Complex. Children ages 7-12 can participate in the Skate Your Heart Away event on February 14th from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Tamarac Sports Complex Roller/Hockey Rink. The grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Tamarac Sports Complex Expansion will be held on February 21 st. The Tamarac Chamber of Commerce will host the First Annual Pet Lovers Expo on February 15th from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Gary B Jones Park for People and Pups. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns would like everyone to know that the credit for the Turkey Trot Run in Iraq goes to Parks and Recreation. 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Joel Davidson, 4608 Norfolk Island Pine Drive said two Tamarac residents were robed at the robbing ceremony held at the Broward County Courthouse for the 17th Judicial Circuit. CONSENT AGENDA 6. Deputy City Manager/interim Financial Services Director Cernech informed the Mayor and City Commission that TR11550 was amended after discussion at Monday's workshop, inserting the names of Commissioner Bushnell to serve as the City's voting delegate to the State Road 7 Collaborative and Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad to serve as the City's alternate voting delegate to the State Road 7 Collaborative; TR11572 was amended to add the name of Joe Schreiber to serve as the Resident Trustee to the Police Pension Board, and TR11573 was amended to add the name of Rolando Hernandez to serve as the Resident Trustee to the Firefighters Pension Board. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad moved acceptance of the Commission Regular Meeting February 11, 2009 Page 3 of 5 amendments. On roll call Commissioner Bushnell voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Glasser "yes", Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad moved approval of all items on the consent agenda. On roll call, Commissioner Dressler voted "yes", Commissioner Glasser "yes", Vice Mayor Atkins - Grad "yes", Commissioner Bushnell "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. a. APPROVE MINUTES of the January 28, 2009 regular city commission meeting. APPROVED b. TR11550 — STATE ROAD 7 COLLABORATIVE APPOINTMENTS: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, appointing a voting delegate to the State Road 7 Collaborative, appointing an alternate delegate to the State Road 7 Collaborative. RESOLUTION NO. R2009-018 c. TR 11557 — CANTILEVER SHADE SYSTEM FOR TAMARAC PARK BLEACHERS: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, approving the purchase of a cantilever shade system for the bleachers at Tamarac Park at a cost not to exceed $62,850.48, from Shade Systems, Inc., utilizing the City of Jacksonville, Florida Bid #SC-0511-06 Price Agreement Contract for Park and Playground Equipment. RESOLUTION NO. R2009-019 d. TR 11568 — EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER UPGRADES: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing submission of a grant application, acceptance and execution of the grant agreement if awarded pending legal review, to the Department of Homeland Security Emergency Operations Grant Program through the Florida Division of Emergency Management for upgrades to the City of Tamarac Emergency Operations Center in an amount not to exceed $55,600, providing for an in -kind match of $125,000 or a 25 percent cash match of $13,900 for a total project cost not to exceed $180,600. RESOLUTION NO. R2009-020 e. TR 11572 - APPOINTING A RESIDENT TRUSTEE TO POICE PENSION BOARD: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, appointing one resident trustee to the Police Pension Board to serve a two-year term ending February 11, 2011 or until new appointments are made. RESOLUTION NO. R2009-021 f. TR11573 — APPOINTING ONE RESIDENT TRUSTEE TO THE FIREFIGHTERS PENSION BOARD: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, appointing one resident trustee to the Firefighters Pension Board to serve a two-year term ending February 11, 2011 or until new appointments are made. RESOLUTION NO. R2009-022 END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA ORDINANCE — FIRST READING 7. TO # 2171 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT: Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending the Capital Improvements Element, Intergovernmental Commission Regular Meeting February 11, 2009 Page 4 of 5 Coordination Element, Infrastructure Element and Conservation Element of the City of Tamarac's Comprehensive Plan consistent with the City's ten-year Water Supply Facilities Plan; authorizing transmittal of the 10 year Water Supply Facilities Plan and Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the Department of Community Affairs and other agencies as required by Rule 9J-11, F.A.C; (Case No. 24-MI- 08) providing for inclusion in the comprehensive plan; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and, providing for an effective date. This item was deferred from the January 28, 2009 commission meeting to the February 11, 2009 commission meeting, at or after 7:00 p.m. City Attorney Goren read Temporary Ordinance 2171 on first reading by title. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad seconded by Commissioner Bushnell moved adoption of Temporary Ordinance 2171 on first reading. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and introduced Dawn Teetfel of the Mellgren Planning Group. Community Development Director Bramley explained the item will come back to the Mayor and City Commission for second reading after it has gone through the review process with other agencies. Commissioner Dressler questioned population growth and where the numbers came from, and also discussed the fact that with the demographics changing there will be more water usage due to the fact families with young children are moving into the City. Community Development Director Bramley spoke of Broward County estimates and growth patterns, and U.S. Census population figures. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco opened the public hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the public hearing. On roll call Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad voted "yes", Commissioner Bushnell "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Glasser "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. ADOPTED ON FIRST READING — FEBRUARY 11, 2009 QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING(S) There were no quasi-judicial hearings scheduled for this meeting END OF QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING(S) END OF PUBLIC HEARING(S) There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City CI•erk &i oe"Qo Beth Flansbau-Talabis o, Mayor Commission Regular Meeting February 11, 2009 Page 5 of 5 Neighborhood has 50 Madoff-tales, each sad - Local & State Business - MiamiHerald.com Page 1 of SERVICES SUBSCRIPTIONS DIGITAL NEWSPAPER ADVERTISE I MIAMLCOM I MOMSMIAMI.COM I DATA SLEUTH I ELNUEVOHERALD.COM I • Create a strong foundation with solid savings solutions. "4 MM= SUNtIIST SoiTrrxl Ca,N. 1;c.+b:'D�C. LWe Send. mm fNid." The Miami Herald a Business Y Local Susinees HPhIF UELIVERY' Current: 74° +r Local Businesses 7Sunday's Miami Herald Completee Pore Forecast 6 Months far $20f " Monday, 02.09.09 Welcome Guest Login Register HOME I NEWS I SPORTS I ENTERTAINMENT I BUSINESS I LIVING I OPINION I JOBS I CARS I REAL ESTATE I SHOP I CLASSIFIEDS Small Business I Personal Finance I Economy I Technology I Workplace I Real Estate I Press Releases ® wHYYt Posted on Saturday, 02.07.09 A A U Recommend (2) share email print comment reprint Neighborhood has 50 Madoff tales, each sad One Northwest Broward neighborhood offers a case study in how authorities say Bernard Madoff used friends and family in a $50 billion swindle. Bernard Madoff, the once -prominent Nasdaq chairman who recruited clients from his home and private club in Palm Beach, is charged with securities fraud and remains under house arrest in his Manhattan apartment AP FILE, 2008 Related Content • One in five Bernard Madoff investors from Florida • Bernard Medoff victims sue Spain banking giant • South Florida foundations face Bernard Madoff losses • Broward philanthropist Michael Bienes had ties to Bernard Madoff • Ex -Nasdaq chief charged in $50 billion fraud scheme • Graphic IThe hardest hit states • Lawyer did not gat chance to withdraw dad's money • Pompano investor thought he had a nest egg • To this investor, Madoff was 'Uncle aernie' • Investor's lifestyle will change • Join the News and Politics forum discussion • Bernard Madoffs complete client list d BY AMY SHCRMAN AND SCOTT ANDRON 3ANDRON@MIA MIHERALO.COM In the Woodlands neighborhood in Tamarac, where retired residents play golf on the two 18- hole courses and gather for card games at the clubhouse, Bernie Madoff was a household name long before he was arrested for masterminding what is likely the largest investment fraud in history. This well -manicured community of 890 homes, spanning just one square mile in northwest Broward County, is home to roughly two-thirds of Tamarac's 76 Madoff investors -- more than Chicago, Los Angeles or West Palm Beach. Many had invested with Madoff for decades: One man, now the president of the Woodlands homeowners association, started in 1986 and later brought in friends from the neighborhood. Back in 1993, a representative of Madoffs firm treated about 20 investors to lunch at the Woodlands' clubhouse. The list of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities customers, made public Wednesday, offered the first hard evidence of the fraud's full impact on South Florida. Beyond the wealthy enclaves of Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Madoffs Ponzi scheme also spread deeply among prosperous but unpretentious suburban communities like the Woodlands, where many business owners and professionals came from the Northeast to enjoy a comfortable retirement. _._ ............ .I Now some of Mercedes Silverman's neighbors are staring at wiped -out savings, having to cut back on shopping and travel and even think about working again. While leaving the Woodlands clubhouse Friday afternoon, Silverman said she could read in her neighbors' expressions whether they had money with Madoff. "You could see their long faces, and you'd know they were associated with him," said Silverman, who gave her age as over 80. "You could see they were very depressed." A TRUSTED FRIEND The stories of the Woodlands residents offer a case study of how authorities say Madoffs scheme sucked in more than 11,000 clients worldwide. Through friends, relatives and accountants, they heard about the high returns his firm paid, and as they collected their checks over the years they never questioned the honesty of the former Nasdaq chairman, now under house arrest while he awaits trial in New York. �B) The Miami Herald l., l Web Search powered by YAH001 http://www. miamiherald-com/business/local-state/story/893 689.htm1 2/9/2009 Neighborhood has 50 Madott-tales, each sad - Local & State Business - MiamiHerald.corn Page 2 of 4 • Some can't remember the exact details of who first introduced them to Madofrs services or when. It seems that everyone in the neighborhood just knew about him. "It wasn't any one person. It was all just very informal," said Lawrence Torn, a Woodlands resident and former Medoff client. The retired owner of a company that manufactured phone booths in New York, Torn now hopes to recover some of his investment through the federal Securities Investor Protection Corp, The Woodlands was built in the 1960s and 1970s off Commercial Boulevard west of Florida's Turnpike by developer Ken Behring, the businessman whose early projects gave Tamarac its name. It is a community of mostly single-family homes painted white, beige and gray. With flowers in the medians and a freshly renovated clubhouse, the Woodlands is pretty without being ritzy, homes generally sell for between $200,000 and $500,000, although some estate homes go much higher. While the neighborhood's residents now include families with children and many ethnicities, the Woodlands includes now -elderly Jews who bought homes here in the 1970s and '80s. Many of them invested with Madoff. Some of the customers on the list released Wednesday in bankruptcy court are now deceased, some are descendants of the original investors. They came to Madoff through different connections. Full Story 1 1 2 1 Next » recommend small print share bum upl Join the discussion The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your usemame will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time t0 offer your thoughts. Comments (21) vow9RIa By 93 oLuck. You must be logged in to leave a comment Login I Register Comments: `0 21 Showing! Newest first kb wrote on 02/09/2009 02:41:31 PM: Doral, if you could pull your head out of the propaganda, you would see this mess began with Clinton in office. The whisteblower began squawking in 200011 You need to wake up to the reality that its the federal government in total, not in part, who has set up our financial system to fail. Americans, who have no representation in DC except as the source for the giveaway. MUST vote every last one of these arrogant, stupid politicians out of office. This is the only way to get the politician' attention, PUT THEM OUT OF JOSS. Let them go home, and see what it's like to live day to day. Recommend (0) :.1"` Report abuse Gringo _No_More wrote on 02/09/2009 02:18:50 PM: Take it from me, I'm in the business. The two driving forces in the markets are always fear and greed. I've lost clients to these types of schemes, after warning them that the kind of return they were being quoted was "impossible". Recommend (0) d:lReport abuse loralai wrote on 02/09/2009 12:21:57 PM: truthtotell, really? DEMOCRAT culture of corruption and greed? Heeeeee!!! That's funny! Have you every heard of IRONY? Or of projection? Recommend (0)-!]Report abuse . Jude wrote d t o to rt denying :ail for theJudges need to start denying bail for these Crooks, holding them in prison until their trial and giving them the maximum sentence in a regular jail, no special treatment. As long as we have lawyers negotiating reduced sentences and coountry club jail time these crooks will keep operating as ususal. Madoff and his family ripped First Person: Being http://www.miamiherald.com/business/local-state/story/893689.htm1 2/9/2009 Debbie DeCrane I t�J�p J� (6 ram; Chaykin Lee [Lee.Chaykin@hcahealthcare.com] ent: Friday, February 06, 2009 4:50 PM To: Tom Sheridan; Jeff Miller; Jim Budzinski; Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco Subject: Chect Pain Center Accreditation for University Hospital and Medical Center Mayor Talabisco, Chief Budzinski, Chief Sheridan and Mr. Miller, We just completed our Chest Pain Center accreditation inspection. Even though the final report will not be available for three to six weeks, the survey team will recommend us for full accreditation at the summation. They were very impressed with the facility's dedication to this project and praised in particular the close and productive relationship that we have with Tamarac EMS. They were very impressed by the fact that we have better door (our ED) to balloon times (WRMC's balloon) than many facilities that have their interventional cath labs within their hospital. I am very proud of what our team (physicians, EMS and employees) has accomplished and how we have improved the care that we deliver to our patients. I wanted take a moment to thank you for the EMS Division's investment of time and effort in working with us to provide the best possible care to the patients in our community. hanks, Lee Lee B. Chaylcin Chief Executive Officer University Hospital and Medical Center 7201 North University Drive Tamarac, Florida 33321 Phone: (954) 724-6101 Fax: (954) 724-6567 Cellular: (954) 798-2520 April is National Donate LIFE Month. Be and Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor. Go to www.hcaoraandonation.com to Learn More. This email and any files transnutted with it may contain PRIVILEGED or CONFIDENTIAL information and may be read or used only by the intended recipient. If YOU are not the intended recipient of the email or any of its attachments, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use dissemination, distribution, forwarding printing or copying of the email or any attached riles is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately purge it and all attachments and notify the sender by reply email or contact at the number listed. •