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
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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
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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.
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Comments (21)
vow9RIa By 93 oLuck.
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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
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