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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-13 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL CHAMBERS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Special Meeting of the City Commission to order on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 6:30 p.m., in the Commission Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Assistant City Attorney D. J. Doody, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Commissioner Harry Dressler led the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said it has been six months since she was elected as Mayor for the City of Tamarac, and six months since Commissioner Atkins -Grad and Commissioner Dressler joined the team as commissioners; Vice Mayor Portner and Commissioner Sultanof are the senior members of the team. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said she is proud to be part of this group and mayor of this City. The commission is working wonderfully and beautifully together. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said the city's budget, if approved will be'/ mils lower than last year and this reflects the intention of the Mayor and City Commission to cut the tax rate and continue providing quality services. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked City Manager Miller and staff for pulling together and guiding the Mayor and City Commission and thanked the public for coming to participate in this most important evening. The Commission worked diligently with staff to bring forward this budget and lower the tax rate, which is fair and in the best interest of the City. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said this is a special meeting of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac for the public hearings on the proposed millage and tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2007. Before the first public hearing begins, the City Manager has a statement. City Manager Miller said in accordance with TRIM he is required to read the following statement: The tentative General Fund budget of $48,467,000 is more than the Fiscal Year 2006 adopted budget of $43,267,300. The City proposes to levy a millage rate of 6.2224 for General operating purposes, which is a 17.74% increase over the rolled - back rate of 5.2847 mills. The proposed Debt Service millage rate of .1305 mills is a decrease from the current Debt Service millage rate of .3530 mills. 2. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco opened the public hearing on the proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year 2007. The following people spoke against tax increases: Burt Schneider, 8016 NW 72 Street; David Youner, 9551 Weldon Circle #206; Anita Brown, 7510 NW 79 Avenue; Patti Lynn, 6411 NW 58 Street; Mary Wilson, 7362 NW 83 Way; September 13, 2006 Page 1 of 5 Anthony Pepifanio, 7592 Granville Drive; Lorraine Meidenman, 7825 Exeter Blvd. E; Rosa Fernandez, 9090 Lime Bay Blvd.; Deborah Fleischman, 8612 NW 79 Street, Century 21 Realty; Harriet Cohen, 7979 Exeter Blvd. E; Mel Altschul, 7841 Exeter Blvd. E; Joe Schreiber, 10504 E Clairmont Circle; Cindy Watters, 6715 NW 58 Court; Judy Margolis, 4704 Queen Palm Lane; Robert Sarat, 8320 Lagos De Campo; and Godwin Graham, 8211 NW 73 Terrace. Gilbert Rincon, Family Central, 840 NW 21 Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, thanked the Mayor and City Commission for their support of Family Central, an organization that provides services for children, many of who live in Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco closed the public hearing on the proposed millage rate for FY2007. Financial Services Director Chapman explained the TRIM notice, spoke about the Save Our Homes Act, and said the City has cut back its taxes by .25 mils; that translates to a decrease in taxes from 6.6 to 6.35 mils. In response to some of the questions raised by the public, Financial Services Director Chapman explained that the article recently published by the newspaper was an anomaly of the TRIM Notice. The City's reserves will be the same, and our Charter caps our reserves at 10% ($4.2 million). Last year Hurricane Wilma cost the City over $1 million. The City does not use fund balance to balance its budget; our budget is based on recurring revenues and recurring expenses. Many people have fallen victim to the Save Our Homes Act, and if you do not physically live in your home, you are not eligible for homestead exemption. The City's budget has gone from $12 million in 2001 to $22 million, which is not a 100% increase as the newspaper noted; however during the past five years the City has added a fire station, built a community center, repaved all roads and has provided additional services as requested by the citizens. As has happened to the public the city has also been hit with large insurance cost increases. The City is not required to notice the millage rate as part of the public notice, our meetings are open to the public and the budget is available for anyone who wishes to see it. Each TRIM notice is unique to the individual property. The City of Tamarac tries to keep its taxes at a minimum while keeping the government running efficiently. The increase in the fire assessment of $12.00 per year for residential property is due to the new fire station built in 2004 and all costs involved therein. Commissioner Sultanof clarified the TRIM Notice as it pertains to Tamarac, and said people do not understand that other taxing authorities appear on the TRIM Notice. Financial Services Director Chapman showed an average TRIM Notice on the overhead and explained the increases for the City of Tamarac. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of the Britt case and the fact that the City of Tamarac had to set aside $3.5 million to repay the residents as a result of the case. Commissioner Sultanof said he serves on the MPO and added some Broward cities have no programs for seniors. While he understands some of the residents have financial problems, Tamarac is not the culprit. Commissioner Dressler said when staff looked at the budget, they looked at services that should be provided to all the residents; we live in a city that has a growing population and is becoming very diverse. We must provide services for younger people; the fire department has grown over the past five years, and it is the city's responsibility to provide essential services, such as fire, employee salaries, and pensions. It is the intention of the City Commission to bring the highest services to the September 13, 2006 Page 2 of 5 residents at the lowest possible cost. Prospective home buyers should be informed by their realtors or lenders that there will be an increase in their property taxes once they take over the property. Commissioner Dressler said the taxpayers gave the city permission to borrow money and through a variety of financial changes the city has reduced its debt. By looking at the budget, line item by line item, the residents can see how the money has been spent. If anyone thinks the money can be spent differently, they are invited to other commission meetings to raise the issue. Commissioner Dressler said he is delighted everyone is here tonight to participate in the democratic process. Vice Mayor Partner said he understands no one likes to pay taxes, but everyone wants services. Vice Mayor Portner said he would be happy to discuss with residents which services they feel should be cut in order to cut back on expenses, and there are many people in Tamarac who do not pay city taxes. 3. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco opened the public hearing on the Fire Rescue Assessments. Sheila Obanan, 5830 NW 64 Avenue, Lauderhill, said she did not understand the rationale of fire trucks parked in Midway Plaza, while firefighters shop for food, and questioned why firefighters did not use their personal vehicles. City Manager Miller said every fire department follows the same procedure; the firefighters must have access to their equipment at all times when they are on duty in the event they must respond to a call. Anita Brown, 7510 NW 97 Avenue, questioned a bill she received after having been transported to a hospital. City Manager Miller explained this is a transport fee, which, in most cases is covered by insurance or Medicare. The fire rescue fee does not totally fund the system. Burt Schneider, 8016 NW 72" d Street asked why the fire rescue fee is being raised if it is also in the budget. Financial Services Director Chapman explained the fire budget is a three -pronged funding source; fire assessment fee for fire prevention; the general fund funds a portion of the EMS; and the third component is the transport fee. Sy Schweb, Fairfax at Kings Point praised the commission for a job well done. Patti Lynn, 6411 NW 58 Street, asked the Mayor and City Commission to scale back. Sam Schwartz, Concorde Village, said the Mayor and City Commission are doing a good job, and he did not see where cutbacks could be made. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco closed the public hearing on the Fire Rescue Assessments. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the fire rescue team has responded to calls at her house many times, and she will do everything she can to bring to the forefront the realization of the extraordinary importance of this sector of our government; Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she hoped no one ever has to call them, but in the event they are needed by any resident, she wants everyone to know they are the best in the business. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco explained the Mayor and City Commission looked at this item, as it is their job to look carefully at the budget and go through it line by line, all the while keeping the services at a high level. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said while she, as well as many people, does not want to pay the extra assessment, it is necessary. Commissioner Dressler said nobody wants to pay additional taxes. Included in his tax bill is a portion that goes to the Broward County School System, Commissioner September 13, 2006 Page 3 of 5 Dressler said he has no children attending the public schools, but it is in the public interest to support the public schools. The Mayor and City Commission looked at what is best for the people. When staff comes to Commissioner Dressler and says they need new equipment, Commissioner Dressler said he is proud to say go ahead and spend the money necessary, for the quality of life of the residents. When he and the Mayor and City Commission authorize spending or saving of money, they look down the road 10-30 years to the quality of life now and then. David Youner, 9551 Weldon Circle expressed concern about the inability of seniors to pay their bills. Mr. Jabonski, 5830 NW 64 Avenue, questioned scheduling of our hearing vs. scheduling of other public hearings. Financial Services Director Chapman explained state law mandates our meetings must not conflict with the School Board or the County. 4. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco opened the public hearing on the tentative General Fund and Other Fund budgets. Joe Schreiber, 10504 E Clairmont Circle, said the residents should go to the property appraiser to complain about the tax increases, and added Tamarac's tax figure is the smallest part of the TRIM Notice. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said the Broward League of Cities recently took a united stand to come forward addressing this issue. Burt Schneider, 8016 NW 72 Street said there should have been copies of the budget available for those in attendance. Financial Services Director Chapman explained the TRIM Notices are delivered on August 24; budgets are available in June during the Commission budget workshop. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco spoke of placing the budget on our website, and City Manager Miller said the budget is available on the website. Mary Wilson, 7362 NW 83 Way, spoke of the increase in lobbyist services, and said 'efficient city government is an oxymoron'. Financial Services Director Chapman explained that in FY06, Tamarac took on the services of a federal lobbyist at $120,000 per year. So far this lobbyist has brought to the City over $1 million in grants. While this showed up as a mid year budget amendment, the increase is in actuality only 5%. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said we have a lobbying team in Tallahassee, Washington and the County. Because of our lobbyists and staff we have been able to bring in millions of dollars to the city. The best lobbyists cost money, and Tamarac should have the best lobbyists. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco closed the public hearing on the tentative General Fund and Other Fund budgets. 5. ADOPTING MILLAGE FOR THE 2006 TAX ROLL: (TO2120) Motion to adopt ordinance on first reading adopting the millage for the 2006 tax roll; levying a tax for general operations on all properties for the Fiscal Year 2007; levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest for bonded indebtedness. Assistant City Attorney Doody read Temporary Ordinance 2120 on first reading by title. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Vice Mayor Portner moved approval. On roll call Commissioner Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", and Vice Mayor Portner "yes". Motion carried. ADOPTED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 September 13, 2006 Page 4 of 5 6. FIRE RESCUE ASSESSMENT: (TR11030) 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, 2006; approving the rate of assessment; approving the Assessment Roll. Assistant City Attorney Doody read Temporary Resolution 11030 by title. Vice Mayor Portner seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved approval. On roll call Commissioner Dressler voted "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", Vice Mayor Portner "yes", Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2006-152 7. TENTATIVE GENERAL FUND AND OTHER FUND BUDGETS FOR FY2007: (T02121) 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 2007; 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. Assistant City Attorney Doody read Temporary Ordinance 2121 on first reading by title. Commissioner Sultanof seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved approval. On roll call Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", Vice Mayor Portner "yes", and Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes". Motion carried. ADOPTED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 8. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco announced the second public hearing on the budget will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5:15 p.m. in Chambers. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the Special Meeting of the City Commission at 8:20 P.M. MARION SW NSON, CMC CITY CLERK L Usbaum-Talabisco, Mayor September 13, 2006 Page 5 of 5