HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-26 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY MARCH 26, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the regular meeting of the City
Commission to order at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 in Chambers at
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88tn Avenue, Tamarac, FL.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof,
Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner
Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, 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. Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco proclaiming April
as "Water Conservation Month" in the City of Tamarac. Carole Morris, SFWMD and
Water Conservation Specialist Franqui accepted. Water Conservation Specialist
Franqui thanked the residents, HOA and Condo Association Presidents, businesses
and City of Tamarac employees for the success of our water conservation programs.
b. Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco proclaiming May
18-24, 2008 as "National Public Works Week" in the City of Tamarac. Public Works
Director Strain accepted and said the Public Works Department does its best to make
our roads safe and to keep Tamarac looking beautiful.
REPORTS
2. City Commission: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of her trip to Washington,
D.C. two weeks ago with Assistant City Manager Phillips and lobbyist Val Gelnovatch.
While there, they visited Governor Crist's office and met with his policy analysts, who
were very interested in our desire to purchase Interoperability Communication
Instruments, for which we are requesting $500,000. On Tuesday ArtServe put on a
performance at the Tamarac Community Center with over 100 in attendance. The City
of Tamarac will be awarded, for the second year in a row, the Broward County
Government Arts Leadership Award, which will be presented to the City on May 16tn
On Friday morning, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco participated on a panel for
Commercial/Industrial Real Estate Group, at the Tower Club. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco spoke with several developers after the meeting and said she would be happy
to set up a meeting with our City Manager and staff if they so desired. At the meeting of
the University Hospital Board, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco presented them with a letter
explaining what the City is doing with regard to updating the pump station. The hospital
has a new marketing program (copies of which are attached hereto and incorporated
herein as part of these minutes). On Sunday, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended the
Community Christian Church; over 1,500 people were in attendance. Mayor
March 26, 2008
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Flansbaum-Talabisco wished Vice Mayor Sultanof a happy and healthy birthday as he
turns 87 on March 27th.
Vice Mayor Sultanof said Tamarac has moved forward over the past years and he is
delighted to be a part of this community and this commission, and he has served his
community well. Vice Mayor Sultanof thanked Ben Roberts for attending the meetings
and understanding what is going on in the City, and wished everyone well.
Commissioner Portner wished Vice Mayor Sultanof a happy birthday.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad wished Vice Mayor Sultanof a happy birthday and thanked
staff for putting together the two day retreat.
Commissioner Dressler wished Vice Mayor Sultanof a happy birthday.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the order of business to take up Item 4, City
Manager Report.
4. City Manager: City Manager Miller reported on the Chamber of Commerce
Business Expo which will be held tonight from 5:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. at the Tamarac
Community Center. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has informed us
that FEMA approved our grant application for hardening of the fire doors at Stations 41
and 78. The grant is for $37,000. Community Development underwent a three day
audit in February for the State Housing Partnership and the City received an accuracy
score of 98%. Tomorrow, if it is a clear day, BAE Systems will do a flyover of the City of
Tamarac to conduct an aerial photography of the City. The Finance Department has
earned the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for the 2008 Adopted Budget; it is the
11 t" year in a row that we have received this award. Parks and Recreation reports the
2008 Peter Cottontail Wet & Wild Egg Hunt was a huge success and sold out with 75
children attending. The ArtServe Performance at the Tamarac Community Center
Ballroom featured a new age classical piano performance. The Spring Fest event on
March 22" d at the Sports Complex was attended by over 500 people, and included a
Junior Olympics Event. There will be a Dive -In movie on March 28th at 8:00 p.m. at the
Caporella Aquatic Complex — the movie is A Shark Tale and admission is free. The
Community Garage Sale will be held on April 15th from 7:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. Vendor
spaces are available at $15.00 per spot. Today the Mayor and City Commission will
add to the consent agenda as Item 6(e) a resolution opposing two constitutional
amendments coming out of Tallahassee's Taxation and Budget Reform Commission:
CP 21 a super homestead exemption which will impact local government in addition to
the other property tax reform issues; the impact to Tamarac, should this pass will be $5
million next year, and this will greatly impact police and fire services. CP 45, which was
passed by the Colorado State Legislature several years ago, and has since been
suspended, will greatly impact fire, police and schools. We have aggressively opposed
these Bills in Tallahassee, and City Manager Miller said he was on the phone last night
with our lobbyists and government groups. The Bill, if passed, will subject to a vote by
the public any increase in user fees, as well as cap property tax revenues. City
Manager Miller said he appreciates the Mayor and City Commission adding this to the
consent agenda. Commissioner Dressler likened the inadequacies in the legislature's
March 26, 2008
Page 2 of 5
changes to the insurance industry to that of the Bills being presented, and added this
undermines representative government on the local level and diminishes the democratic
process. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what the lobbyists' takes are on this
matter and City Manager Miller said the mood is grim; this will be a very interesting
discussion this morning in Tallahassee and the vote will be close. Even if this passes
today, the Commission is still meeting and there may be an opportunity to turn the vote
around. Commissioner Portner suggested that those who are running for election in
November get a copy of the Bill so they are forewarned and when they speak to their
constituents they will be informed and have answers to any questions that may come
up. Commissioner Dressler said it is ironic that the legislature has imposed sunshine
laws and restrictions on local governments to the exclusion of themselves, and they
also look to discourage public attendance at their meetings, but at the same time put
forth HB991. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the issues are very different now than
they were when she campaigned, in terms of running the City. It is important for those
out campaigning to educate the people.
3. City Attorney: City Attorney Goren elaborated on City Manager Miller's report
with regard to items coming out of Tallahassee, and said these are serious items and
portend serious, grim events if they pass. Tallahassee not only regulates our budgets,
but also wants to now control how we run our meetings. City Attorney Goren spoke of
HB715, which is moving fast and has to do with permit fee issues; HB1113, re ethics
and legal services; and HB881, private property rights. With regard to the University
Drive matter, the Administrative Law Judge has set a trial date for August 18. Joint
working groups are meeting on a regular basis, and these groups suggested a need to
continue University Drive and expand State Road 441. Their report will get to both
MPO's, who will review and make their recommendations. Commissioner Portner
confirmed the FDOT report is to increase State Road 441 to 12 lanes, and said every
time a lane is added it increases traffic. Commissioner Portner said of those who serve
as County Commissioners and Legislators in Tallahassee, many never served in local
government and have no idea how local government works. Commissioner Portner
suggested the next time we vote we ask what kind of experience these people have had
in local government, because they affect everything local governments do. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco said it is hard to understand why the County can not get its arms
around public transportation. Our survey shows that people want to get out of their cars
and use other types of transportation. Vice Mayor Sultanof said of the 19
representatives on the MPO, 16 are in favor of going straight up University Drive;
Broward County is 25 years behind in public transportation; Representative Jim
Waldman is working very hard for us; the Indian Nation will bid on 43 acres on Sample
Road; and State Road 441 will be a disaster and tie up traffic. Commissioner Dressler
spoke of special interests benefitting from the expansion of State Road 7.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: There was no public participation.
6. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved to table
Temporary Resolution 11231 to the April 9, 2008 City Commission meeting at or after
7:00 p.m. On roll call Commissioner Partner voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes",
Vice Mayor Sultanof "yes", Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco "yes". Motion carried.
March 26, 2008
Page 3 of 5
Vice Mayor Sultanof seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved the addition of
Temporary Resolution 11374 to the Consent Agenda as Item 6(e). On roll call
Commissioner Dressler voted "yes", Vice Mayor Sultanof "yes", Commissioner Atkins -
Grad "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes".
Motion carried.
Commissioner Dressler seconded by Vice Mayor Sultanof moved the approval of all
items on the Consent Agenda, with the exclusion of Item 6(d) which was tabled to the
April 9, 2008 meeting. On roll call Vice Mayor Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner
Atkins -Grad "yes", Commissioner Partner "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", and
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried.
a. APPROVE the minutes of the March 12, 2008 Regular City Commission
meeting.
APPROVED
b. OPPOSING HB991 "VOX POPULI — VOICE OF THE PEOPLE ACT":
(TR11371) Opposing House Bill 991, known as the "Vox Populi — Voice of the People
Act"; finding that House Bill 991 is unnecessary and its adoption will be an
encroachment on the municipal home rule authority granted by the Florida constitution
and state statutes; urging the Florida legislature to reject House Bill 991; directing the
City Clerk to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Governor, the Broward Legislative
Delegation and other members of the Florida legislature, as well as all municipalities
located within Broward County and the Board of County Commissioners for Broward
County.
RESOLUTION NO. R2008 - 36
C. IN -KIND SUPPORT FOR CHALLENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND
MILLENNIUM MIDDLE SCHOOL MULTI -CULTURAL FESTIVAL: (TR11369)
Approving requests from Challenger Elementary School and Millennium Middle School
for in -kind support for their Multi -Cultural Festival event to be held at Challenger
Elementary School and Millennium Middle School on Friday, May 16, 2008, from 6:00
p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; providing for proper insurance.
RESOLUTION NO. R2008 — 37
d. REVISED PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE: (TR11231) Increasing the City's Building
Fees pursuant to Exhibit "C" attached hereto and incorporated herein; authorizing the
appropriate City officials to take any and all steps necessary to increase and restructure
the Building Department Permit Fees.
TABLED TO THE APRIL 9, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING AT OR AFTER 7:00 P.M.
e. OPPOSING THE TAXATION AND BUDGET REFORM COMMISSION'S
CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS 21 AND 45: (TR11374) Opposing the Taxation and
Budget Reform Commission's Constitutional Proposals 21 and 45 to amend Sections 1,
3, 4, and 6 of Article VII of the State Constitution; opposing the creation of Section 19 of
Article VII of the State Constitution; opposing the creation of Section 27 of Article XII of
the State Constitution; directing the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this Resolution to
the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
RESOLUTION NO. R2008 - 38
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
March 26, 2008
Page 4 of 5
1
REGULAR AGENDA
ORDINANCES — FIRST READINGS
There were no ordinances scheduled for first reading.
PUBLIC HEARINGS 9:00 A.M. OR THEREAFTER
ORDINANCES — SECOND READINGS
There were no ordinances scheduled for second reading.
QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS
There were no quasi-judicial hearings scheduled for this meeting.
END OF QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the regular meeting of the City Commission at 10:00
a.m.
4
Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Mayor
Marion Swe6s�, CIVIC
City Clerk
March 26, 2008
Page 5 of 5
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