HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-28 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
CITY HALL CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 28, 2004
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the regular meeting of the City Commission
to order at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 in Chambers at Tamarac City Hall,
7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner
Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and
City Clerk Marion Swenson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Karen L. Roberts led the pledge of
allegiance.
INTRODUCTION
1. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
a. Proclamation by Mayor Schreiber proclaiming May 2-8, 2004 as "Municipal
Clerks' Week" in the City of Tamarac. City Clerk Swenson accepted and said it is a
pleasure working for the City of Tamarac.
b. Proclamation by Mayor Schreiber proclaiming May 2-8, 2004 as "National
Drinking Water Week" in the City of Tamarac. Utilities Director Gagnon and Water Plant
Superintendent Harvey accepted. Water Plant Superintendent Harvey extended an
invitation to the Mayor, City Commission, staff and residents to a Utilities Department
open house scheduled for May 5, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m.
C. Presentation by Coca-Cola of this year's sponsorship check in the amount of
$5,000.00. Steve Deckert of Coca Cola presented the check and called Angela
Hopkinson to the podium. Ms. Hopkinson thanked the City of Tamarac for allowing
Coca Cola to represent events and said they look forward to future initiatives.
REPORTS
2. City Commission:
Mayor Schreiber had no report.
Commissioner Portner said he received an e-mail from Representative Stacy Ritter
informing him of the award of $750,000 from the State for stormwater. Commissioner
Portner distributed and asked to be included into the record, a report from James
April 28, 2004
1
Brooks of the World Organization for Trade (attached and incorporated as part of these
minutes).
Commissioner Roberts thanked everyone for contributing to the food drive for Family
Central and announced the food drive ends today.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco had no report.
3. City Attorney: City Attorney Kraft had no report.
4. City Manager: The City Clerk's office reports that voters from Precinct 21 J which
is in District 2 of Tamarac will vote at the new Tamarac Fire Station located at 6000
Hiatus Road. This is a permanent change to take effect with the next election. The
Finance Department reports on the closing of $9.5 million in capital improvement bonds,
in which the City received favorable interest rates and bond ratings. The funds will be
used for stormwater and wastewater utility infrastructure projects. Congratulations go to
Purchasing Manager Steve Beamsderfer who was recently awarded the CPM
Certification, which is most prestigious. Assistant Fire Chief Forsberg is in
Emmetsburg, MD reviewing applications for the FEMA Grant Program. The Smoke
Detector Program continues and will be at Mainlands 16 and Greenbriar on May 15t"
CERT members will participate in a disaster drill in Homestead on May 15t, and they will
also assist in the Air and Sea Show on May 2"d. Parks and Recreation reports that the
Tamarac Veterans Affairs Committee will host the 5t" annual Veterans Assembly tonight
at the Tamarac Community Center from 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. The event is free to
Veterans and their spouses. Information for Challenge Day, which will be held on May
26, can be gotten at the Tamarac Community Center. Public Works advised that
Tamarac has been named 2003 Tree City U.S.A. by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
This is the 12t" year that Tamarac has been named Tree City. City Manager Miller
reported that he was informed last evening by both Lobbyist Ron Book and
Representative Stacy Ritter of the $750,000 grant funding secured for Tamarac. City
Manager Miller congratulated Ron Book, Stacy Ritter, elected officials and staff who
helped with this project.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Odiel Feyers, 7421 NW 70 Avenue, Tamarac, asked
for assistance in slowing traffic on 70t" Avenue until the traffic calming project is
completed. Mr. Feyers congratulated Commissioner Partner for his efforts on behalf of
proper methods of displaying the flag.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco seconded by Commissioner Portner moved
to pull Item 6(f), Temporary Resolution 10414 off the consent agenda and place it on
the regular agenda as Item No. 13. Item 6(f). NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT:
(TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park Project, which will be constructed at the
southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine Island Road, Tamarac, " ". On
roll call Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco voted "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes",
Commissioner Roberts "yes", and Commissioner Portner "yes". Motion carried.
April 28, 2004
2
Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved to pull
Item 6(o) off the consent agenda and table Item 6(o) to the May 12, 2004 regular city
commission meeting, at or after 7:00 p.m. Item 6(o). AGREEMENT -- NATIONAL
AUCTION COMPANY, INC.: (TR10419) Declaring certain equipment and material as
surplus and directing that certain computer equipment be disposed via sale through
established internet markets, providing that a public auction be held; offering the public
the opportunity to inspect all other items available for disposal prior to the auction;
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to enter into an agreement with National
Auction Co., Inc. to conduct the public auction and for disposing of any unsold items
having no cash value, utilizing Broward County Bid #J-1 03 007 B1 for auctioneering
services, for a commission rate of 1.625% of the auction proceeds, plus reimbursement
of out of pocket expenses for advertising and promotion in an amount not to exceed
$3,200, all of which shall be deducted from the gross sales auction proceeds; placing all
proceeds into the appropriate fund from which the assets were originally purchased. On
roll call Mayor Schreiber voted "yes", Commissioner Roberts "yes", Commissioner
Portner "yes", and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried.
Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved
approval of all items on the consent agenda except item 6(f) which was moved to the
regular agenda as Item #13 and item 6(o) which was tabled to May 12, 2004. On roll
call Commissioner Roberts voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried.
a. APPROVE the minutes of the April 14, 2004 Regular City Commission meeting.
APPROVED
b. FY03 WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM ANNUAL REPORT: (TR10384)
Receiving the Fiscal Year 2003 City of Tamarac Water and Wastewater Systems
Annual Report prepared by the City's Consulting Engineers, Mathews Consulting,
Inc., on behalf of the City of Tamarac Utilities Department as required by Bond
Covenants for Continuing Disclosure for the Taxable Water and Sewer Utility
Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 1996 and Refunding Bonds Series 1992.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-78
G. TAMARAC DRAINAGE EASEMENT — WOODLANDS SECTION SEVEN
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS: (TR10400) Executing a "Tamarac Drainage
Easement" with The Woodlands Section Seven Association, Inc., for the
Woodlands Section Seven Drainage Improvements, to allow legal access by City
Personnel for installing, maintaining, operating, and altering of surface water
storm drainage improvements; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to record
said agreement in the public records of Broward County.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-79
d. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT — ZAMBELLI INTERNATIONALE
FIREWORKS MANUFACTURING_ COMPANY, INC.: (TR10406) Executing an
amendment to the agreement between the City of Tamarac and Zambelli
Internationale Fireworks Manufacturing Company, Inc., exercising the option to
renew for the 2004 fireworks at a cost of 125,000.00,
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-80
April 28, 2004
3
e. NAMING MCNAB PARK PROJECT: (TR10413) Naming the newly constructed
McNab Park Project, located at 11000 West McNab Road, Tamarac, "Sunset
Point".
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-81
f. NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park
Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab Road and
Pine Island Road, Tamarac,
PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO REGULAR AGENDA AS ITEM 13
g. AGREEMENT RENEWAL -- KIRKPATRICK PETTIS_CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC.: (TR10412) Exercising the first renewal option to the existing agreement
between the City of Tamarac and Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management, Inc., for
Investment Advisory Services for a one-year period effective April 14, 2004
through April 13, 2005.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-82
h. CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 — PHASE 5A ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM:
(TR10411) Executing Change Order Number 1 to the agreement with Weekley
Asphalt Paving, Inc. for Phase 5A of the Seven Year Comprehensive Street
Improvement Program; authorizing an additional expenditure in an amount not to
exceed $128,138.36.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-83
i. RENEWAL ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES:
(TR10415) Renewing and executing the first addendum to the agreement
between the City of Tamarac and Onesource Facility Services, Inc. for provision
of janitorial services; authorizing a revised annual expenditure in an amount not
to exceed $144,480.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-84
j. BUDGET AMENDMENT: (TR10397) Amending the expenditure budget for the
Fiscal Year 2004; amending the budget of estimated revenues for the Fiscal Year
2004.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-85
k. WATER AND SEWER DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT — HAMPTON HILLS:
(TR10405) Executing a Water and Sewer Developer's Agreement with Centex
Homes for the Hampton Hills Project, located at the intersection of NW 58th
Street and NW 91" Avenue, requiring 479.70 ERC's for water and 479.70 ERC's
for sewer; requiring the payment of $1,535,040.00 in CIAC fees; authorizing and
directing the City Clerk to record said agreement in the public records of Broward
County,
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-86
I. BID AWARD AND AGREEMENT — PUMP STATIONS 7 7A AND 10
REHABILITATION PROJECT: (TR10409) Awarding Bid No. 04-13B to Cooper
Contracting, Inc., and executing an agreement between the City of Tamarac and
Cooper Contracting, Inc., for an amount of $389,417.00 for the Pump Stations 7,
7A, and 10 Rehabilitation Project; approving funding for this project from the
appropriate Utilities Operational and CIAC accounts; authorizing the appropriate
City Officials to administer the contract.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-87
M. AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF TAMARAC AND WHARTON-SMITH INC.
FOR STORMWATER PUMP STATION REHABILITATION CONSTRUCTION:
April 28, 2004
4
(TR10416) Awarding Bid No. 04-05B for the stormwater pump station
rehabilitation construction to Wharton -Smith, Inc.; authorizing the appropriate
City officials to execute an agreement with Wharton -Smith, Inc. for said work;
authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $4,832,000.00;
authorizing the City Manager to make necessary additions, deletions or revisions
to the work plan pursuant to Section 6-156 of the Code of the City of Tamarac.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-88
n. AGREEMENT -- CRAIG A. SMITH & ASSOCIATES — PHASE II
STORMWATER PUMP STATION REHABILITATION PROJECT: (TR10422)
Executing an agreement with Craig A. Smith & Associates for Phase II of
Stormwater Pump Station Rehabilitation Project to provide construction
engineering services; authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed
$101,600.00.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-89
o. AGREEMENT — NATIONAL AUCTION COMPANY INC.: (TR10419) Declaring
certain equipment and material as surplus and directing that certain computer
equipment be disposed via sale through established internet markets, providing
that a public auction be held; offering the public the opportunity to inspect all
other items available for disposal prior to the auction; authorizing the appropriate
City Officials to enter into an agreement with National Auction Co., Inc. to
conduct the public auction and for disposing of any unsold items having no cash
value, utilizing Broward County Bid #J-1 03 007 B1 for auctioneering services, for
a commission rate of 1.625% of the auction proceeds, plus reimbursement of out
of pocket expenses for advertising and promotion in an amount not to exceed
$3,200, all of which shall be deducted from the gross sales auction proceeds;
placing all proceeds into the appropriate fund from which the assets were
originally purchased.
PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA AND TABLED TO MAY 12, 2004 REGULAR
CITY COMMISSION MEETING AT OR AFTER 7:00 P.M.
P. APPLICATION SUBMISSION — FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDIAN BEAUTIFICATION ON NOB HILL ROAD:
(TR10420) Seeking Federal Surface Transportation Program funds via an
application through the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization to
the Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of $240,000 for median
enhancement along Nab Hill Road between Southgate Boulevard and Westwood
Drive; authorizing a 10% match upon approval of the application.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-90
q. APPLICATION SUBMISSION FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR SIDEWALK INSTALLATIONS: (TR10421) Seeking
Federal Surface Transportation Program funds via an application through the
Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Florida Department of
Transportation in the amount of $130,000 for sidewalk installation along Pine
Island Road between 67th Court and 62"d Street and Woodlands Boulevard
between 59th Street and Commercial Boulevard; authorizing a 10% match upon
approval of the application.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-91
r. FUNDING AGREEMENT — TRANSAMERICA OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY C/O AEGON INSTITUTIONAL MARKETS, INC: (TR10407)
April 28, 2004
5
Accepting a funding agreement from Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance
Company c/o Aegon Institutional Markets, Inc., (AEGON) for the proceeds and
other moneys related to the projects funded by the Capital Improvement
Revenue Bond Series 2004; authorizing the appropriate officials to execute an
acknowledgement of a funding agreement; authorizing the appropriate officials to
apply any non -substantive changes to said agreement and acknowledgement.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-92
S. DEBT SERVICE FORWARD DELIVERY AGREEMENT: (TR10423) Executing a
Debt Service Forward Delivery Agreement between the City of Tamarac and
Wachovia Bank, N.A., for the payment of debt service on all outstanding revenue
bond issues; authorizing the appropriate officials to apply any non -substantive
changes to said agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-93
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
REGULAR AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARINGS 9:00 A.M. OR THEREAFTER
QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS
7. AMENDING PRIOR ZONING — BRUCE PLAT: (T02043) Motion to adopt
Ordinance on second reading amending prior zoning of certain real estate property
(aka: Bruce Plat) from B-2 (Community Business District) to R-4A (Planned Apartment
Residential District) lands commonly known as a portion of Parcel "A" of the "Bruce
Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the Public
Records of Broward County, Florida, located 120 feet south of the southeast corner of
North University Drive and NW 64t" Street (Case No. 2-Z-04); providing for amendment
of the official zoning map to reflect such change. APPROVED ON FIRST READING
APRIL 14, 2004. City Attorney Kraft said Items 7, 8, 9, and 10 are companion items
and can be heard together but voted on separately. City Attorney Kraft read Item 7,
Temporary Ordinance 2043, Revision #1, by title on second reading. Commissioner
Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval.
8. DELEGATION REQUEST TO AMEND NOTES ON _BRUCE PLAT: (TR10408)
Motion to approve Resolution approving a Delegation Request to amend the notes on
the "Bruce Plat" which currently restrict Parcel
"A" to 100,000 square feet of commercial use and Parcel "B" to landscape buffer, in
order to accommodate the future development of one -hundred (100) residential town
home units and a park on the subject property, specifically Parcels "A" and "B" of the
"Bruce Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the
Public Records of Broward County, Florida, located at the southeast corner of North
University Drive and NW 64t" Street (Case No. 7-P-04). City Attorney Kraft read Item 8,
Temporary Resolution 10408 by title. Commissioner Portner seconded by
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval.
9. SPECIAL EXCEPTION -- UNIVERSITY LANDINGS: (TR10403) Motion to
approve Resolution granting a Special Exception to allow the construction of more than
one (1) principal building on the subject property in an R-4A (Planned Apartment
April 28, 2004
6
Residential District) zoning category to University Landings, located 120 feet south of
the southeast corner of University Drive and NW 641h Street, specifically a portion of
Parcel "A" of the "Bruce Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book
135, Page 11 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida (Case No. 1-Z-04);
providing for conditions of approval. City Attorney Kraft read Item 9, Temporary
Resolution 10403 by title. Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval.
10. REVISED DEVELOPMENT ORDER AND NEW DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN --
UNIVERSITY LANDINGS: (TR10404) Motion to approve Resolution issuing Revised
Development Order No. 192.3 and granting New Development Site Plan approval to
University Landings to allow the construction of a one -hundred (100) unit town home
development with pool, cabana, associated parking, landscaping and infrastructure
improvements, and a park, located at the southeast corner of University Drive and NW
64th Street, specifically Parcels "A" and "B" of the "Bruce Plat", according to the Plat
thereof as recorded in Plat Book 135, Page 11 of the Public Records of Broward
County, Florida (Case No. 4-SP-04); providing for conditions of approval. City Attorney
Kraft read Item 10, Temporary Resolution 10404 by title. Commissioner Portner
seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval.
City Attorney Kraft explained the quasi-judicial procedures for Items 7, 8, 9, and 10, and
Jay Huebner, Carnahan Proctor Cross waived his quasi-judicial rights on behalf of the
developer. Community Development Director King gave a presentation on Items 7, 8,
9, and 10. Commissioner Portner said many town home communities are being built in
Tamarac and they all look alike; he would like to see some ingenuity on behalf of the
developers. Additionally, Commissioner Portner said he objected to the wall and would
prefer a fountain or waterfall in its place, and asked the developer to consider making
this change. Commissioner Roberts said she felt the wall was a safety barrier for the
residents, and perhaps the developer could put some detail into the wall.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the perimeter, access and what, if any,
feedback staff has gotten from residents of Vanguard Village. Community Development
Director King responded and explained the 6' wall would have landscaping between the
wall and the sidewalk on the University Drive side of the complex for privacy.
Community Development Director King spoke of parking for the park and said there had
been no comments from residents of Vanguard Village. Commissioner Roberts
expressed her concerns about another passive park when there is a need for ball fields
in Tamarac, as well as the parking arrangement for the park. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco added that she agreed with Commissioner Portner in that
aesthetically all projects coming in to Tamarac are beginning to look alike, and
suggested using mature landscaping rather than waiting two years for landscaping to
grow enough to cover the wall. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested that
another color be used to distinguish this project from other projects. Mr. Huebner spoke
of economics and said he would work with staff to decide on a different color scheme for
the project. Mayor Schreiber asked if the wall would also act as a sound barrier, and
questioned the number of bedrooms denoted in the site plan. Commissioner Roberts
confirmed that this was affordable housing and asked what the units would sell for. Mr.
Huebner said affordable housing has gone up substantially and the units would start at
approximately $200,000. Commissioner Roberts asked how many were two and how
April 28, 2004
7
many were three bedroom units and Community Development Director King responded
there would be 87 two bedroom units and 13 three bedroom units. Mayor Schreiber
opened the public hearing. Ginger Abrahams, WPOA, questioned how this project
would affect school overcrowding. Commissioner Roberts said the children in this
community would go to Pinewood, and there is room for modules at that school. With
no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Schreiber closed the public hearing.
On roll call for Item #7, Temporary Ordinance 2043, Revision #1, on second reading,
Commissioner Roberts voted "no", Commissioner Portner "yes", Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 0-2004-13
On roll call for Item #8, Temporary Resolution 10408, Mayor Schreiber voted "yes",
Commissioner Roberts "no", Commissioner Portner "yes", and Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-94
On roll call for Item #9, Temporary Resolution 10403, Commissioner Flansbaum-
Talabisco voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", and
Commissioner Roberts "no". Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-95
On roll call for Item #10, Temporary Resolution 10404, Commissioner Portner voted
"yes", Commissioner Roberts "no", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and
Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-96
11. AMENDING DEVELOPMENT ORDER — WESTPOINT DEVELOPMENT OF
REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI): (T02042) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second reading
amending the Development Order for the Westpoint Development of Regional Impact
(DRI) generally located in Section 7, Township 49 South, Range 41 East and approved
by Ordinance No. 0-89-44 adopted December 21, 1989, and thereafter amended by
Ordinance No. 0-94-20 adopted November 9, 1994, and thereafter amended by
Resolution No. R-2000-206 adopted July 12, 2000, and thereafter amended by
Ordinance No. 0-2000-33 adopted November 22, 2000 and amending the Development
Order for the Westpoint DRI converting "Office/Hotel" to "Industrial/Office; Hotel;
Automobile Dealership" on the Revised Development Plan; and amending the Revised
Master Development Plan and converting "Industrial Use" square footage to
"Automobile Dealership" square footage; reaffirming Ordinance No. 0-89-44 as
amended by Ordinance No. 0-94-20 as amended by Resolution No. R-2000-206 as
amended by Ordinance No. 0-2000-33 except as amended herein; providing for
recordation in accordance with Section 380.06(15)(f), Florida Statutes (Case No. 7-MI-
04). APPROVED ON FIRST READING APRIL 14, 2004. City Attorney Kraft said Items
11 and 12 are companion items and can be heard together but voted on separately.
City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Ordinance 2042, Revision #1, on second reading by
title. Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved
approval.
April 28, 2004
8
12. DELEGATION REQUEST TO AMEND NOTE ON WESTPOINT SECTION 7
PLAT: (TR10410) Motion to approve Resolution approving a Delegation Request to
amend the note on the "Westpoint Section 7 Plat" currently restricting the use to "Office"
and "Industrial" to "Automotive Dealership" to accommodate the future development of
the Sawgrass Infiniti Automotive Dealership on the subject property, specifically Tract
"B" of the "Westpoint Section 7 Plat", according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat
Book 162, Page 23 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, located at 5801
Madison Avenue (Case No. 5-P-04). City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Resolution
10410 by title. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco seconded by Commissioner
Portner moved approval.
City Attorney Kraft explained the quasi-judicial procedures for Items 11 and 12 and
Attorney Susan Motley waived her quasi-judicial rights on behalf of the applicant,
Sawgrass Infiniti. Community Development Director King gave a presentation on items
11 and 12. Commissioner Roberts confirmed that the location for the 300 room hotel is
still available and Community Development Director King said it is. Mayor Schreiber
opened the public hearing for items 11 and 12, and with no one wishing to speak,
closed the public hearing.
On roll call for Item #11, Temporary Ordinance 2042, Commissioner Flansbaum-
Talabisco voted "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", Commissioner Roberts "yes", and
Commissioner Portner "yes". Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 0-2004-14
On roll call for Item #12, Temporary Resolution 10410, Commissioner Roberts voted
"yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and
Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-97
END OFQUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
13. NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the Gateway Park
Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine
Island Road, Tamarac, " City Attorney Kraft read Temporary
Resolution 10414 by title. Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval. There was discussion whether the three names
presented to the City Commission by the Parks and Recreation Board were ranked in
priority order, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said they were.
Commissioner Roberts said she preferred "Freedom Park". Commissioner Portner
seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved naming the Gateway Park
Project "Tamarac Commons". City Clerk Swenson explained that the vote approving
the motion would also approve the resolution as amended, with the insertion of the
adopted name. NAMING GATEWAY PARK PROJECT: (TR10414) Naming the
Gateway Park Project, which will be constructed at the southwest corner of McNab
Road and Pine Island Road, Tamarac, "Tamarac Commons". On roll call Commissioner
April 28, 2004
9
Portner voted "yes", Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", Commissioner Roberts
"no", and Mayor Schreiber "yes". Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. R2004-98
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
JOE SCHREIBER
MAYOR
MARION SWENS N, CIVIC
CITY CLERKOF w. r�ap*��!.nrn w i
�
April 28, 2004
10
•r
} Local Leaders on China Trade Mission
By James Brooks
First Vice President Charlie Lyons, Selectman, Arlington, Mass., and a group of 13 other
local elected officials, plus principals from small and medium-sized companies
participated in a trade mission to Shanghai and Beijing organized by the U.S.-China
Exchange Association. The mission included a business matchmaking program, televised
municipal officials forum, educational conference, and meetings with Chinese economic
and political ministers.
With a few exceptions, this was the first trip to China for the members of the delegation.
For 6 days, the local officials and company representatives were immersed in the
complexities and contradictions that are modern China. Visits to the major industrial
development zones around Shanghai, including Hangzhou and Jinshan, helped put the
country's rapid economic growth into perspective.
The U.S. Consul General in Shanghai, Doug Spellman, was one of the first people to
brief the delegation on what to expect in China. Mr. Spellman's insights, coupled with
those of trip organizer, Dr. George Wang, a China native and now professor of finance at
City University of New York, College at Staten Island, and the views of some of the U.S.
business executives with experience in Asia, made for an incomparable program.
Despite the rapid economic growth in China's development zones, the country remains a
land of contrasts. During the visit to Jinshan, the juxtaposition of seeing a US$5 million
robotic arm for painting auto parts and the concrete and tin housing of some local
residents could not have been more startling. Nonetheless, the Chinese are as optimistic
about their progress and future prospects as any of the U.S. officials are about their own
community. The capacity of the Chinese labor force, not to mention its sheer size, has
been one of the largest contributors to the country's development gains. The flip -side of
course is that China's cheap labor remains a source of global consternation over job flight
from rich industrial nations like the U.S. and Canada.
China's wants and needs are not wholly compatible with U.S. wants and needs. Despite
more open markets in China, American companies cannot operate in the country without
restrictions. Currency imbalances between the countries, China's desire for advanced
technologies that may have military applications, and the U.S. push to open Chinese
financial services markets remain challenging issues.
At the local level, there is more commonality but still, the perspectives remain different.
During the taping of a televised municipal official's dialogue, one Chinese mayor
suggested that his top policy priorities were creating jobs, attracting investment and
generally advancing economic growth. The American's by contrast noted that their
priorities were more geared to quality of life, such as service delivery and public safety.
One of the corporate executives on the mission suggested that at this time in China's
development it is useful to make comparisons to cities like Lowell, Massachusetts and
j Dearborn, Michigan in the middle years of U.S. industrialization. Cities in China's
industrial zones are company towns where employment, housing and recreation are
created to support manufacturing output. The main difference of course is that in China
much of the investment is from government rather than from private sources.
On the final day of the visit in Beijing, the group met with the Vice Minister for trade and
development. The delegation also was hosted for dinner at the compound of the Chinese
People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Foreign
Ministry office responsible for sister city relationships. The Friendship Association is
sending a 29-member Chinese delegation of city officials to the upcoming NLC Congress
of Cities in Nashville, Tennessee.
U.S. elected officials on the delegation
Charlie Lyons, Arlington, Mass.
Patsy Jo Hilliard, East Point, Ga.
Robert Young, Augusta, Ga.
Randy Gray, Great Falls, Mont.
Richard Kaplan, Lauderhill, Fla.
Joseph Schreiber, Tamarac, Fla.
James Ettleson, Lower Marion, Penn.
Enrique Barrera, San Antonio, Tex.
Janet Lockhart, Dublin, Calif.
Maureen Kirk, Chico, Calif.
R. Michael Kasperzak, Mountain View, Calif.
David Baxter, Monte Sereno, Calif.
Julia Miller, Sunnyvale, Calif.
William Plasko, Norwood, Mass.
Photo 1: 15` Vice President Charlie Lyons addresses the 2003 US -China Business
Matchmaking conference in Shanghai
Photo 2: Mayor David Baxter (center) at a signing ceremony for city -to -city agreements