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Home My WebLink About2003-09-04 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL CHAMBERS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Special Meeting of the City Commission to order on Thursday, September 4, 2003 at 5:30 p.m., in the Commission Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Commissioner Edward C. Portner led the pledge of allegiance. 1. City Manager Miller announced, in accordance with TRIM, the tentative general fund budget of $36,590,200 is more than the Fiscal Year 2003 adopted budget of $32,556,260. The City proposes to levy a millage rate of 5.9999 for general operating purposes, which is a 10.03% increase over the rolled -back rate of 5.4530 mills. The proposed Debt Service Millage rate of .4550 mills is a decrease over the current Debt Service millage rate of .4928 mills. 2. Mayor Schreiber opened the public hearing on the proposed millage rate for FY 2004, and with no one wishing to speak, closed the public hearing. 3. Mayor Schreiber opened the public hearing on the tentative General Fund and other Fund budgets for FY 2004. Dr. Donna Faranda, Family Central, 840 NW 81 Avenue, North Lauderdale, thanked the City Commission for last year's donation and said Family Central helps 152 families in Tamarac. Larry Feingold, 8810 McNab Road, Dot Murphy, 5008 NW 50 Ct., Sam Schwartz, Concord Village, and Norman Berger, 7750 W McNab Road, spoke in favor of increasing the Senior Homestead Exemption to $25,000. Arlene C. Stein, 8765 Azalea Ct., spoke about her tax bill and reassessment of her home. Mayor Schreiber responded to Ms. Stein that it appears her issue is with the property appraiser, not the City of Tamarac. Vice Mayor Roberts said during her campaign she promised to pass $10,000 for the Senior Homestead Exemption. Vice Mayor Roberts added that the additional $15,000 for the Senior Homestead Exemption will be discussed on Monday during the workshop. Commissioner Sultanof added that Tamarac only received about $282.00 per house for taxes; the rest goes to the County and other agencies. Commissioner Portner said senior citizens get many benefits and the seniors should think about others who are younger and who work each day to make ends meet and provide for their families; Tamarac is changing and the population is getting younger and the seniors should realize this. Willie Magen, 6401 North University Drive and Larry Feingold, 8810 McNab Road said the residents did not want a division between the senior citizens and the younger families; but wanted the Commission to realize that the senior citizens' investments and incomes are down; all September 4, 2003 1 condominiums are faced with rising costs. Helen Rosen, Section 22, and Paul Popkin, Westwood 22, objected to Commissioner Portner's remarks. With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Schreiber closed the public hearing. 4. Mayor Schreiber opened the public hearing on the Fire Rescue Assessments for FY 2004. Santo Arico, 6023 NW 80 Street, Tamarac spoke against the increase and said it should have been done gradually. Vice Mayor Roberts agreed the increase should have been gradual, and Commissioner Sultanof added that the increase is necessary since Tamarac has grown to a metropolis, and with a limited amount of money Tamarac cannot get into the 21 st Century. Commissioner Sultanof also added Property taxes in Tamarac have not been raised, and the Commission will do its best for the citizens of Tamarac. Larry Feingold, 8810 McNab Road, #202, Sam Schwartz, Concord Village, and Eva Pellman, Trent Drive, spoke against the increase to $113.00 and said services are good but they would prefer a gradual increase over the course of several years. Irwin Guyett, 4809 NW 47 Avenue, spoke in favor of the increase. Virginia Britt, 10127 NW 70 Street, spoke of prior litigation and said the residents deserve proof of the assessment before it is put forth. Dewitt Casey, 8333 W McNab Road, said he was confused about the increase and City Manager Miller suggested he speak with a member of the Finance Department. Peter Ocello, 8351 N Pine Island Road, said he is concerned about the formula used for commercial property. City Manager Miller suggested Mr. Ocello meet with a member of the Finance Department for an explanation of the calculations. Pete lerardi, 8842 W McNab Road spoke against the increase and questioned the public hearing, since the items are on the agenda and would be voted on this evening. City Attorney Kraft explained the public hearing precedes the Commission voting on the items. Judy Perry, 8765 NW 75 Place, spoke against the increase and suggested gradually phasing it in. Sylvia Kaplan, 9587 Weldon Circle asked for an explanation of millage, ad valorem, and reimposing the fire rescue assessment. Mayor Schreiber explained the terms to Ms. Kaplan. Lilise Murray, (refused to give address as she lives alone) spoke against the assessment. Arlene Stein, 8765 Azalea Ct., Tamarac asked if Tamarac benefited from additional tax dollars realized from reassessments of properties. Mayor Schreiber replied that if prices rise, Tamarac derives additional tax dollars. With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Schreiber closed the public hearing. 5. ADOPTING MILLAGE FOR THE 2003 TAX ROLL: (T02022) Motion to adopt ordinance on first reading adopting the millage for the 2003 tax roll; levying a tax for general operations on all properties for the Fiscal Year 2004; levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest for bonded indebtedness; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Ordinance 2022 on first reading by title. Vice Mayor Roberts seconded by Commissioner Sultanof moved approval of Temporary Ordinance 2022 on first reading by title. On roll call Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", and Vice Mayor Roberts "yes". Motion carried. APPROVED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 September 4, 2003 2 1 1 6. TENTATIVE GENERAL FUND AND OTHER FUND BUDGETS FOR FY2004: (T02015) Motion to adopt ordinance on first reading adopting the budget for the General Fund and each of the other Operating Funds and the Capital Improvements Fund for the fiscal year 2004; allocating, appropriating, and authorizing expenditures as presented in the budget; providing for the revenues necessary to fund the expenditures of each of the funds; authorizing budgetary control by department total for all appropriations; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Ordinance 2015 on first reading by title. Commissioner Sultanof seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval of Temporary Ordinance 2015 on first reading by title. On roll call Commissioner Portner voted "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", Vice Mayor Roberts "no", and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. APPROVED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 6:50 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:55 p.m. with all present as before. 7. FIRE RESCUE ASSESSMENT: (TR10187) Motion to approve Resolution relating to the provision of fire rescue services, facilities and programs in the City of Tamarac, Florida; reimposing Fire Rescue Assessments against Assessed Property located within the City of Tamarac for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2003; approving the rate of assessment; approving the Assessment Roll; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; providing an effective date. City Attorney Kraft read Temporary Resolution 10187 by title. Commissioner Portner seconded by Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco moved approval of Temporary Resolution 10187. On roll call Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco voted "yes", Commissioner Portner "yes", Mayor Schreiber "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", and Vice Mayor Roberts "no". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2003-205 8. Mayor Schreiber announced the second public hearing in which a final millage and budget shall be adopted will be on September 11, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the Special meeting at 7:00 p.m. r MARION SWE " SON, CMC CITY CLERK September 4, 2003 3 JOE SCHREIBER MAYOR