HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-28 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY MAY 28, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the regular meeting of the City
Commission to order at 9:05 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, in Chambers at
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof,
Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Harry Dressler.
ABSENT: Commissioner Edward C. Portner.
ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, City Attorney Samuel S.
Goren, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Commissioner Dressler led the pledge of allegiance.
INTRODUCTION
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the agenda
to take up Item 1(b).
b. Presentation of a proclamation to the Mayor and City Commission by Broward
County Vice Mayor Stacy Ritter in recognition of the City of Tamarac receiving the
Emerald Award. Mayor and City Commission, Director of Utilities Gagnon, Lab
Manager Oney, and Water Plant Superintendent Harvey accepted. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said Tamarac is the first City in South Florida to receive this award and we
have also achieved the Silver Certificate for Greening.
e. Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco commending and
congratulating Tamarac Fire Rescue's ALS Competition Team first place honor.
(Requested by Fire Chief Jim Budzinski). Lts. Rex Van Mehren, Alex Arias, Derek
Cerney, and Firefighter/Paramedic Jorge Perez accepted. Commissioner Dressler
made a presentation of the trophy and said the entire community is proud of our
firefighters. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the firefighters are our backbone and we are in
good hands. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the firefighters are special to her and she
is proud to be a Commissioner in the City of Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
said for the past two years she and her husband have not had to make use of fire
rescue services, but she is grateful for those times when they have showed up.
f. Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco recognizing
Hector Roman as Broward General Medical Center's and North Broward Medical
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Center's "Paramedic of the Year." (Requested by Fire Chief Jim Budzinski). Firefighter
Roman accepted and thanked the City and the fire department for their support.
d. Presentation from the Tamarac Chamber of Commerce to the Mayor and City
Commission of a $5,000 check representing the final payment to the City of a $30,000
loan received by the Chamber in 2002. Vicki Reid and Chamber staff presented the
check to the City and thanked the City of Tamarac for partnering with the Chamber of
Commerce. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she was on the Commission with Vice
Mayor Sultanof and Commissioner Portner when the Chamber came forward for a
continuance of the loan. A partnership developed between the City and the Chamber,
and she is proud to see the Chamber's participation in helping Tamarac grow. Vice
Mayor Sultanof said the Chamber has been run very well under Ms. Reid's guidance.
Commissioner Dressler said he is pleased to see the work the board has done; they are
all unpaid positions and the Chamber is concerned about their community and have
supported us and other organizations in the city. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she is
very proud of the Tamarac Chamber of Commerce.
a. Representative Porth spoke of two Bills he sponsored that were passed this
session, the Jack Davis Florida Restaurant Limited Liability Act and the Window of
Opportunity Act, for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Representative Porth also spoke of
several Bills that did not pass the legislature this session, the Bill to either boot or
impound cars of those who drive with revoked or suspended licenses, and the Bill to
require convenience stores to put up surveillance systems in parking lots.
Representative Porth said he will continue to fight for these Bills. Representative Porth
spoke of a Bill Contest, which is a democracy in action initiative, for high school
students. If a good Bill idea is presented to him, he will contact the student, review the
Bill and submit it in upcoming legislative sessions. Representative Porth said his
address and phone number are 1300 Coral Springs Drive, 954-346-2810. His e-mail
address is ari.porth@mAoridahouse.gov He is happy to help with any of the City's
needs. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested announcing the Bill Contest in the Tam -
A -Gram and filtering the students' ideas through the Mayor and City Commission's
offices to Representative Porth's office. Commissioner Dressler said Representative
Porth is a bright spot in the legislature; he always tries to bring Bills to the House that
help people and others in Tallahassee should follow Representative Porth's example.
Vice Mayor Sultanof asked Representative Porth to include DUI's along with revoked
and suspended licenses. Vice Mayor Sultanof commended Representative Porth on
the work he does for Tamarac. Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of Mothers Against
Predators, of which she is Vice Chair, and said Representative Porth is a bonus to the
board. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she considers Representative Porth to be a
friend, and commended him on the Autism Bill. Commissioner Atkins -Grad agreed with
Vice Mayor Sultanof to include DUI's in the Bill Representative Porth is sponsoring.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she remembers when she and Representative Porth
first ran for office and they have both grown into their jobs together. During this
legislative session, Representative Porth has hit his stride. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
questioned taxes and Representative Porth said there will be a change in leadership, a
new Speaker of the House in November, and he is hopeful that there will be more
May 28, 2008
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balance in numbers with the upcoming election. Hopefully, resentment of local
government should diminish with the change in leadership. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco spoke of unintended consequences as a result of these sessions.
Commissioner Dressler said he is pleased to hear there may be a light at the end of the
tunnel. City Attorney Goren said he has a good relationship with the delegation, and
Representative Porth, as well as his assistant Ms. Plotnick, have called upon City
Attorney Goren many times with regard to local government issues, to seek guidance.
They have helped Tamarac to prosper. Commissioner Dressler spoke of a Bill filed by
Senator Ring with regard to allowing State pension funds to invest up to 2% in State
Biotech stocks and asked when it would be implemented. Representative Porth said it
has been signed on Wall Street but he does not know the affective date. Commissioner
Dressler commended Senator Ring for getting the Bill passed that allows for private
equity investment in our state. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said there is an open
invitation to Senator Ring to speak before the Mayor and City Commission.
C. Presentation of new voting equipment to the Mayor and City Commission by the
Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office. The Broward County Supervisor of
Elections' office was unable to attend the meeting.
REPORTS
2. City Commission: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of the Broward County
Cultural Division event held at the Tamarac Community Center on May 15th, attended
by several different cities and headed by the City of Tamarac Parks and Recreation
Board, the Public Art Committee, Community Development Director Bramley and
George Gadson. Fifty people were in attendance and an excellent packet of information
was handed out. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked Director of Parks and
Recreation Warner and Executive Assistant to the Mayor and City Commission Debbie
DeCrane for helping to put the event together. Additionally the City received a letter
from the Broward County Cultural Division for hosting the event. Challenger Elementary
and Millennium Middle School hosted the second Annual Multi -Cultural Festival on May
16th, with over 1,200 parents in attendance; the theme was May Peace Prevail Around
the World. On Saturday Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended a fund raiser for Gilda's
Club, which was held at Parker Playhouse. City Attorney Goren's wife, Shelley, is
President and CEO of Gilda's Club in Broward County, and $150,000 was raised. On
Sunday, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended Buddha's Birthday at the Buddhist
Temple on 57th Street. Additionally, a celebration was held for the lives of those who
survived the earthquake. After that, she attended the Challenger Picnic at the Multi -
Purpose Center, of which the City of Tamarac was the main sponsor. On Friday, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco attended the 19th annual ArtServe Award Ceremony at the 17th
Street Causeway Hilton; this is the second year in a row the City of Tamarac was
awarded the Government Leadership Award. The award was designed by George
Gadson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco is proud to claim that the City of Tamarac has
brought arts and culture to areas west of 1-95.
Vice Mayor Sultanof said the City of Tamarac does not have a rubber stamp
commission. Vice Mayor Sultanof thanked staff who attended yesterday's workshop,
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commended Fire Chief Budzinski for obtaining grants for the fire department, Public
Works Director Strain for making sure prices on oil and gas are watched,
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz for making sure we piggy -back on contracts and
save the City money, and Financial Services Director Chapman for making sure the
City's investments are kept in line. The new dog park will be named today after a
magnificent man, Gary B. Jones. This commission has made great strides, and Vice
Mayor Sultanof complemented Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco, who makes sure the
commission functions well. Tamarac is the finest City in Broward County. Through the
MPO we have obtained $8.5 million in funding for the years 2006 — 2009. Vice Mayor
Sultanof commended staff for their efforts on behalf of the City.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she echoes everything Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
reported and agrees with Vice Mayor Sultanof with regard to staff. It is wonderful to see
our firefighters win these awards, and Commissioner Atkins -Grad is very proud of them.
Our BSO Chief is doing a fine job. Commissioner Atkins -Grad acknowledged Ada
Jones, who was in the audience, and said Gary Jones can never be replaced and he
will be in our hearts forever.
Commissioner Dressler said he has attended two meetings of the MPO and the MPO is
projecting out to 2035. The MPO vote was 18-1 to support tri-rail mass transit with a
$2.00 fee on rental cars, but the Bill died in Tallahassee. Commissioner Dressler said
he is hopeful changes in the legislature will have a better affect on mass transit; we do
not need more roads, we need mass transit. Commissioner Dressler spoke of
foreclosures and depreciation of property values. Many homeowner associations do
not have enforcement capabilities for parking, lawns, and fences, and Commissioner
Dressler is hopeful staff will bring forth an ordinance that will made the City a safety net
for the homeowner associations in order to keep properties maintained. Commissioner
Dressler spoke about banks not taking responsibility for properties once they are
foreclosed upon. Commissioner Dressler spoke of older homes with one -car garages
now housing families with three and four cars; a solution also needs to be found for this
issue. Commissioner Dressler said he is looking forward to webcasting workshop
meetings so citizens can see the amount of work that goes into each item that comes
before the Mayor and City Commission.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said at the Commission retreat Community Development
Director Bramley described a community outreach effort, and Commissioner Atkins -
Grad and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco started this with Community Development
Director Bramley at Mainlands 8 and were very well received. A number of issues
brought up today were addressed. We all now have an opportunity to go with
Community Development Director Bramley and staff into the communities and look at
specific neighborhood issues and help bring them up to code.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the Memorial Day Service was a wonderful celebration
and thanked staff for the event.
May 28, 2008
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3. City Attorne. City Attorney Goren reported this Friday there will be an
Oversight Committee meeting for a review of the analysis and recommendation
regarding the University Drive extension into Palm Beach County. A trial is scheduled
for August 18th; the objective is to try to resolve the matter between the DOT and DCA.
The data derived by outside consultants is compelling and there is a need to continue
University Drive through to Palm Beach County.
The BSO Budget is at the County Commission level and there have been suggestions
of double taxation. City Attorney Goren is monitoring the allegations and the Broward
League of Cities is looking into the matter. Commissioner Dressler said it was his
understanding that the contract with BSO is a collective bargaining type contract. City
Attorney Goren said an audit has been provided by the County Commission Auditor, but
City Attorney Goren has not seen it yet. Commissioner Dressler asked if there are any
impacts on our upcoming budget because of issues like this. City Attorney Goren said
the new guard in the legislature may have less of an interest in this issue than the
current powers. Commissioner Dressler also expressed a concern about the County's
lack of interest in subsidizing buses that service Tamarac.
4. City Manager: Deputy City Manager Cernech reported we received notice from
the Florida Department of Health regarding a system for fire vehicles has been
approved in the amount of $62,750. Parks and Recreation reports the hurricane
wellness check discharge stations and condominium lists are being updated, as well as
the Broward County vulnerable population list. We partnered with Challenger
Elementary and Millennium Middle School in their Multi -Cultural Festival. There were
600 participants in the 2008 Health Fair held on May 17th. The Three on Three
Basketball Tour hosted 175 youths and 75 adult participants. Over 250 people joined
the Memorial Day celebration Monday at Veterans Park. Upcoming events: Dive -In
Movie at the Caporella Aquatic Center on June 6 at 8:30 p.m., and the Father's Day
Fishing Event at Caporella Park on June 14th from 9:00 a.m. — Noon.
Deputy City Manager Cernech said several issues raised by Commissioner Dressler
regarding neighborhood outreach will be addressed through the budget process in
June.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Odiel Fiers, 7421 NW 70th Avenue, spoke of the
need for speed humps on 70th Avenue.
Barbara McNeil, 6961 NW 82 Court, addressed speeding on 70th Avenue, and said
something needs to be added to the name Tam -A -Bark to indicate it is a sub -part of the
dog park.
Pam Bushnell, 4706 NW 43 Terrace, spoke in favor of Tamarac University and said the
Department Directors are very proficient. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said Tamarac
University was an initiative of the Mayor and City Commission. Commissioner Atkins -
Grad said it is nice to hear positive comments, and we are doing the right thing for our
residents.
May 28, 2008
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CONSENT AGENDA
6. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked to have Item 6(b) pulled from the consent
agenda for discussion.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad seconded by Vice Mayor Sultanof moved approval of all
items on the consent agenda with the exception of Item 6(b), which was pulled for
discussion. On roll call Vice Mayor Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes",
Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion
carried.
a. APPROVE the minutes of the May 14, 2008 Regular City Commission meeting.
APPROVED
b. NAMING THE TAMARAC DOG PARK PROJECT: (TR11406) Naming the
Tamarac Dog Park Project located on Southgate Boulevard, west of Tamarac Veterans'
Park, in Tamarac.
PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
C. RENEWAL OF CAPRI ENGINEERING AGREEMENT: (TR11402) Exercising the
first one (1) year renewal option of the agreement between the City of Tamarac and
Capri Engineering, LLC providing back-up building inspector services utilizing the City of
Ft. Lauderdale contract #362-9442.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-70
d. VACATING TWO EASEMENTS TO ALLOW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RIGHT
TURN LANE — COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH: (TR11405) Granting a vacation of
easement to vacate two (2) easements to allow construction of a right turn lane on
Commercial Boulevard into the Community Christian Church property lying in the
"Westpoint Section 7 Plat" (Plat Book 162, Page 23), located at the northwest corner of
Nob Hill Road and Commercial Boulevard; (Case No. 1-P-08).
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-71
e. PURCHASE OF DIESEL FUEL: (TR11407) Purchasing diesel fuel from BV Oil
Company, Inc. and MacMillan Oil Company utilizing Coral Springs Co -Op Contract #06-
A-098; authorizing purchase of diesel fuel in the quantities needed based on the oil
price information service price index cost at the time of delivery; authorizing budget
amendments for proper accounting purposes.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-72
f. AMENDING ANNUAL AUDITING SERVICES AGREEMENT: (TR11409)
Amending the original agreement between the City of Tamarac and GLSC & Company,
PLLC (formerly BKR Garcia & Company, PLLC), for annual auditing services to extend
the agreement for a three year period beginning with the fiscal year ending September
30, 2008; for a not to exceed cost of $99,500, $104,475, and $110,000 for fiscal years
ending on September 30th 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-73
g. EXTENDING THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
TAMARAC AND DAVIDSON FIXED INCOME MANAGEMENT: (TR11410) Extending
the existing agreement between the City of Tamarac and Davidson Fixed Income
Management, (formerly Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management), for investment advisory
services for a one-year period effective April 14, 2008, through April 14, 2009; Nunc
Pro Tunc.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-74
May 28, 2008
Page 6 of 8
h. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRACKING AND REPORTING SYSTEM
GRANT AWARD AND SUBGRANT AGREEMENT: (TR11412) Accepting a subgrant in
the amount of $62,750 from the Florida Department of Transportation through the
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services for Emergency
Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) funding; authorizing the
appropriate City officials to execute a Project Agreement and subsequent Agreements if
necessary pending legal review and approval between the Florida Department of
Transportation and the City of Tamarac for subgrant funding in the amount of $62,750
to provide for Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System information
technology equipment.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-75
i. GRANTING A TIME EXTENSION FOR FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL —
MURAL PLAZA PROJECT: (TR11391) Granting a time extension of one (1) year for
final site plan approval for Mural Plaza, requested by South East Architect Services, Inc.
(Lawrence Kramer), applicant (Case No. 4-SP-08); providing for conditions of approval.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-76
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
b. NAMING THE TAMARAC DOG PARK PROJECT: (TR11406) Naming the
Tamarac Dog Park Project located on Southgate Boulevard, west of Tamarac Veterans'
Park, in Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco recognized Ada Jones, who was in the
audience, and said we will miss Gary Jones very much, and his memory will live on in
the City always. City Attorney Goren read Temporary Resolution 11406, Revision #2,
by title. Commissioner Atkins -Grad seconded by Commissioner Dressler moved
approval. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved to
change the suggested name of Gary B. Jones Dog Park for People and Pups to Gary B.
Jones Park for People and Pups, and the naming of a subsection of the park Tam -A -
Bark Run. Wiggley Field remains the same. On roll call Commissioner Atkins -Grad
voted "yes", Vice Mayor Sultanof "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", and Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Vice
Mayor Sultanof moved the approval of TR11406, Revision #2, as amended. On roll call
Vice Mayor Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Atkins -
Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2008-77
REGULAR AGENDA
ORDINANCES — FIRST READINGS
\There were no ordinances for first reading scheduled for this meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS 9:00 A.M. OR THEREAFTER
ORDINANCES — SECOND READINGS
There were no ordinances for second reading scheduled for this meeting.
May 28, 2008
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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 10:55
a.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
May 28, 2008
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Beth •. .• •
Mayor