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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-14 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Special Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order at 9:30 on Monday, June 14, 2004 in Room 105 at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 881" Avenue, Tamarac, FL. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Schreiber led the pledge of allegiance. City Manager Miller welcomed everyone to the Special Workshop meeting and explained the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a five-year work program and funding plan for major infrastructure projects. City Manager Miller added that the Mayor and City Commission is not expected to vote on or give an expression of interest today on anything discussed at this meeting; this is just a first glimpse of the projects for Utilities, Public Works, Stormwater, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation. Finance Director Newman said there has always been a CIP, but this is more formalized. Finance Director Newman gave an overview of the plan, and added that the Charter requires a Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Portner asked how the plan is stronger and Finance Director Newman responded that in the past the focus was on the budget year, without documenting years two -five. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned the budgeting aspect of future years and Finance Director Newman said funding will be balanced by funds available from the general fund and staff will try to establish level funding and appropriate funds for the current year and conceptualize for coming years. Mayor Schreiber said we always had a CIP but the problem is raising money; and said the basis for the CIP, the need or desire, must present a sound reason to spend $12 million in programs. Finance Director Newman said the City determines what needs to be done; most projects fall into repair and replacement, and that is why we are holding this workshop, so the commission can decide if there is a public need. Finance Director Newman explained the process to develop a plan, and Commissioner Roberts asked what would happen if the City Commission's priorities are not the same as staffs. Finance Director Newman said the Commission is the authority that takes action. When the Commission feels Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 1 comfortable with a project, then that project will become part of the budget process and be adopted as appropriate. Commissioner Portner questioned balancing, and Finance Director Newman explained this is setting funding; staff does not want to spend so much money out of the general fund one year so that taxes have to be increased the following year. There will be prioritizing to match appropriate funds to projects. Mayor Schreiber questioned taking money from the general fund for CIP's and Finance Director Newman said CIP s are funded from multiple sources. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of the road resurfacing program and said funds were not taken from the general fund — bonds were issued but the debt service is paid out of the general fund. Commissioner Portner questioned interest from investments and asked if this money could be put into the general fund. Finance Director Newman said all revenues generated from general fund investments go into the general fund. As revenues rise, there is less reason to increase taxes. Utilities Director Gagnon gave a presentation on utility projects, spoke of upgrading infrastructure, and gave an overview of the 23 utility projects proposed for the next five years. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the turnpike replacement of mains and Utilities Director Gagnon said as part of the widening of the turnpike several mains will be impacted which are in FDOT's right of way. Major mains that go through the turnpike will need to be replaced. Commissioner Roberts asked if this is funded and Utilities Director Gagnon explained last year a rate adjustment was approved based on the five-year plan consultants put together. All this is identified in the five-year plan. Commissioner Portner asked if it was possible to get funding from FDOT and Utilities Director Gagnon and Vice Mayor Sultanof said no. Utilities Director Gagnon added that state law that provides that anything in excess of the price agreed to at the outset of the project (joint project agreement) is the responsibility of FDOT. Utilities Director Gagnon spoke of sewer main upgrades, water and sewer upgrades, and sewer pump station projects. Commissioner Portner questioned the one-year project, and Utilities Director Gagnon explained certain pump stations are in this year's budget. Utilities Director Gagnon spoke of renovations to the water treatment plant, and then recapped anticipated expenses for the projects. Commissioner Roberts asked if there are foreseeable rate increases in years 2006-2009, and Utilities Director Gagnon replied other than the CPI, none are anticipated. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation on public works projects. Commissioner Portner asked if master water plan improvements are done in - Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 2 house and Mayor Schreiber asked who would be responsible for correcting any problems found. Public Works Director Strain said a contract was issued to Craven Thompson for a study. It is not yet completed but they will highlight problems to be corrected and funds will then be set aside to make corrections as necessary, which work may be done in-house, depending upon the size of the problem and work load. Commissioner Portner questioned the 100 year storm and Public Works Director Strain explained it is a statistical analysis of storm frequencies. Public Works Director Strain spoke of boat ramp construction and easement permits for access to the canals. Commissioner Roberts asked how many boat ramps would be submitted and Public Works Director Strain said about five at $10,000 each. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if the tanks would be replaced with double -lined tanks and Public Works Director Strain said it is required. Public Works Director Strain spoke of the guardrail replacement, the fire alarm/sprinkler system sinking fund, roof replacement, and air conditioning repair and replacement. Mayor Schreiber asked about using a solar system and Public Works Director Strain said different systems are environmentally acceptable but an analysis needs to be made of the maintenance for each system, as the maintenance may bring the cost to a higher level. Public Works Director Strain discussed vehicle replacement and the fire station facades and renovations. Public Works Director Strain summarized the anticipated cost for the projects. Community Development Director King gave a presentation on Community Development projects and spoke of the GIS Base Map update. Commissioner Portner questioned flying over the city and Community Development Director King explained how the aerial maps are created using aircraft and field verifiers. Community Development Director King discussed the 57th Street/Main Street Project and relocation of existing infrastructure. Commissioner Roberts questioned the fact that these funds may be a duplication of effort and already discussed by Utilities and Public Works. Community Development Director King explained the three departments have coordinated their efforts and each is responsible for different elements, but there is no duplication of funding. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the developers' money coming in will defray some costs over the next four years. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke about federal funds that might be available for recreating the infrastructure, and Community Development Director King explained that the cost projections are the worst case scenario in the event the City had to fund everything. There may be grant money available as well as public/private partnerships. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 3 the development in West Palm Beach, where the developer came in and closed off delinquent malls and put a lot of money into the project. Commissioner Portner said he is also concerned about duplication of funding. Commissioner Roberts questioned the Centex property and Community Development Director King explained the rendering shows the property designated for Main Street from Commercial Boulevard toward the Centex Project, and Commissioner Roberts confirmed the Main Street project is slated for the narrow strip of land between Commercial Boulevard and 57th Street. Community Development Director King spoke of the east side development and enhancement beyond the State Road 7 collaborative issue which will tie the City together. Commissioner Portner asked if anything would be done on Commercial Boulevard and Community Development Director King said that must go through the permitting process and if we do any work in FDOT's right-of-way then we have to take over maintenance. Community Development Director King said he has seen projects of that type go through regional planning, which poses little to no impact on the cities' funds, and he will look into it. Community Development Director King spoke of the cultural arts center which will attract residents to the Main Street area, and added this is based on the outcome of the feasibility study. Funding has not been identified at this time. Vice Mayor Sultanof suggested looking to the National Endowment for the Arts for funding and also to gallery owners who would be willing to loan objects of art to the City. Commissioner Roberts said the survey needs to be done first to see if the residents are willing to fund this project, and questioned whether the project should be in the budget for next year. Community Development Director King explained there is no particular year identified when funding would begin since the feasibility study is not back yet; it is something for the Mayor and City Commission to think about at this point. Additionally, the city will seek grant funding and other opportunities for this project. Finance Director Newman said it can be discussed at budget workshops and if the Mayor and City Commission wish to show it in the CIP it can be put in for other years. Mayor Schreiber added if it is put into the CIP without funding, there is no cost to the City, but it becomes an idea for the future. Community Development Director King said when looking at grant opportunities, grantors want to see that the City has already identified certain projects, which can then lead to the City receiving additional points toward the grant. Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 4 Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of changing demographics and said it is important to plan ahead; we need a vision and projections, otherwise we are working with blinders and in a vegetative state. Tamarac needs to evolve and blossom; Tamarac has a vast potential. Commissioner Portner said he is impressed with what is going on in Wilton Manors and asked Community Development Director King if he has had any contact with them and if Tamarac could do something similar to Wilton Manors. Community Development Director King responded the planning community is small and planners from other communities are in constant communication with one another. Community Development Director King added that Wilton Manors has a developer working with them who owns land and get things accomplished. Tamarac property, on the other hand, is owned by many different property owners and developers. As we go through incorporating our development regulations for Main Street, we hope to entice developers to buy up property and they will be as aggressive as those in Wilton Manors, Commissioner Roberts questioned where the $12 million will come from since grant funding is drying up, and Community Development Director King said we will apply for every grant and funding source available and knock on developers' doors. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of developers in the City and said the Economic Development Advisory Committee should be made into a 501(c)(3) corporation to enable them to acquire funding for these projects. Mayor Schreiber recessed the special workshop meeting at 11:20 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 2:10 p.m. with all present as before. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on park projects, in particular the Aquatic Center, expansion of the Tamarac Sports Complex and Southgate Linear Park. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles explained that stipulations regarding passive and active usage for the Tamarac Sports Complex expansion were tied to the grant funding from Broward County. Commissioner Portner questioned the cost of the restrooms and concession stand and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded it is a restroom, concession stand and press box that TAF has asked for; the restrooms run about $200,000 and the cost estimate for the concession stand is between $100,000 - $150,000, and the press box will run about $50,000. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if there is additional money available, over and above that from the County, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said there is $1.6 million from Florida Communities Trust. Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 5 Parks and Recreation Director Margoles spoke about the Aquatic Center and proposed activities for all ages. Commissioner Roberts questioned the zero depth walk-in pool, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is not part of the bid but it is an option. City Attorney Kraft left the meeting at 2:30 p.m. and returned at 2:55 p.m. Mayor Schreiber questioned the inclusion of Phase 2B, the Parks Maintenance and Transportation facility, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said there is no land for it elsewhere. There was discussion regarding aesthetics of the Aquatic Center being affected by this facility, and Commissioner Portner asked why the transportation division could not remain at their current location in the BSO building. City Manager Miller responded that is hard to answer since we do not know what BSO's expansion requirements will be in the future. There was discussion regarding parking of buses at the aquatic center and impending traffic concerns. Mayor Schreiber said there are other parcels we can utilize for this purpose, either the rear of City Hall or the parcel behind BSO, and added parking the buses at the aquatic center will detract from the beauty of the facility. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said traditionally, park maintenance is situated at a park location. Vice Mayor Sultanof left the room at 2:40 p.m. and returned at 2:45 p.m. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked what it would cost to build the facility to house the maintenance and transportation personnel, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is part of Phase 2B and not currently under design. This facility stands by itself. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested the building could be camouflaged; however, traffic is another issue. Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Roberts said they did not like the idea of the parks maintenance and transportation facility located at the aquatic center. Mayor Schreiber suggested using the sports complex for this facility and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is not possible because of the requirements attached to the grant, but the City can look at other sites which may be more appropriate. Deputy City Manager Cernech asked the Mayor and City Commission to keep in mind the City is looking at development of the five acre aquatic center property and the additional five acre parcel as one 10 acre parcel. The CIP Committee is very supportive of moving the transportation and maintenance to this site. Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 6 Parks and Recreation Director Margoles spoke about the Southgate Linear Park and the conceptuals. Commissioner Roberts asked if the additional FPL lines would affect the construction of the park and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it needs to be looked into during the design phase. Vice Mayor Sultanof said it was his understanding in the last session with FPL they said they would not put additional lines at that location, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said her understanding is they would put single poles there, but we could design around the poles. Commissioner Portner asked about a skate board path and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said all the paths would be multi -purpose paths. Commissioner Roberts said at the public hearings there was talk about an observation deck near the bathrooms and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the issue with the observation deck is ADA access, and it may be very costly to construct an observation deck. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles spoke about landscaping and Mayor Schreiber said he believed the area along the C-14 Canal was higher than the road and asked if this would be balanced. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the park project would be designed with varying elevations. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles added that Tamarac made a commitment to being a beautiful City and this park will reinforce that commitment. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles reiterated the funding already in place and those phases not funded. Commissioner Portner questioned the yearly cost to maintain the swim area and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is estimated at approximately $400,000 per year, which is included in the funding scenarios to be presented. Commissioner Portner left the meeting at 3:11 p.m. and returned at 3:13 p.m. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles discussed Watersedge, a/k/a The Shather Property, and said the City applied for grant reimbursement from Broward County. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles reviewed the elements included in the application. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said a bikeway feasibility study would cost $75,000 and Commissioner Portner asked if designated bike areas are on the streets and whether we needed right-of-way from the County. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the County encourages bikeways, but it may not be feasible to do for the entire City. Finance Director Newman discussed unfunded park projects that total $10 million, and said there are several ways these can be funded; pay as you go, Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 7 issue debt, or a blend of the two. Finance Director Newman added the City will always try to get funding for its projects, but it will never get 100% funding. Finance Director Newman reminded the Mayor and City Commission that they are not to make any decisions today; the options are being laid out for them. Finance Director Newman reviewed the various scenarios for funding as laid out in pages 43-46 of the attached document. Finance Director Newman explained the City has put together its best recommendations to fund the projects, and hopes to receive reimbursements on its property purchases. If the reimbursements come through they will be used to pay for the Aquatic Park and Sports Complex Expansion in 2005. Finance Director Newman said she also recommends raising the rest of the money through General Obligation Bonds, which referendum can come before the residents in March 2006 as part of the citywide election. The operational costs connected with the Aquatic Center and Sports Complex can be offset with revenue generated from the Aquatic Center, with the rest raised by a 1/4 mil ad valorem increase. Finance Director Newman said if the Commission decides to move forward with this then the numbers need to be firmed up, and the bikeway feasibility study needs to include construction for the project. Commissioner Roberts asked when the General Obligation Bonds would go into affect should the public vote for it, and Finance Director Newman said the bonds would have to be validated and then the money issued, bringing us to August 2006. The money can be budgeted for FY2006 but not spent until after the referendum, and construction can then begin in 2007. Commissioner Portner left the meeting at 3:37 p.m. City Manager Miller asked the Mayor and City Commission to review the options presented today, and during the Parks and Recreation budget discussions in July, let staff know which of the options they wish staff to pursue. Commissioner Roberts asked why the referendum would be held in March 2006 rather than holding a referendum next year, and Deputy City Manager Cernech explained the timing of the referendum is based on community feedback which placed the ball fields and swimming pool as priorities. Public Works and Utilities projects in the CIP for 2005 and 2006 are significant and we need time to ramp up for additional park projects. The Sports Complex is a major overhaul and the Aquatic Center is a large project. Additionally, the two additional parcels at the Aquatic site come into play and we have submitted grant requests for reimbursement for the Cummings property. Some requirements have precluded the City from submitting a request for reimbursement and there are other scenarios for the Church property that have not been brought forward yet. We are also in the midst of getting a feasibility study for the art center. There is overcrowding in Tamarac Schools and dialogues have been established Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 8 1 1 regarding this issue, which will be discussed at another workshop. There are also parking issues associated with the schools and with Main Street. There are additional active recreation needs in the City which may be accommodated on the Church site. These all tie into the March 2006 referendum, and staff believes we can have all these issues sorted out by the end of 2004, which will then give us one year to prepare for the March 2006 referendum. During the first three months of 2005 we will conduct the survey and plan for feedback so the referendum will be successful. This will give the Mayor and City Commission everything they want. Additionally of the $11 million proposed, $3.8 million will be paid with cash reimbursements. This leaves $7.2 million for General Obligation debt, and we expect, as we resolve other issues, the price of improvements will increase; we expect to add other elements to the proposals. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the special workshop meeting at 3:40 p.m. MARION SWENSON, CIVIC CITY CLERK Special City Commission Workshop June 14, 2004 9 wi No Text t Construction or acquisition of new facilities f Additions to existing facilities *Construction or acquisition of new infrastructure #Addltionsto msting:infrastrueture t Repair and Replacement to facilities and infrastructure * Replacement Plans;: f Minimum cost of� Sa,000 t Minimum life of 3:years * Staff recommends new projects throagh CIR process ♦ Committee appointed by City Manager prepares bafaricaed program Incorporates level annual funding from General Fund ♦ Commission adopts first year of C1P as part of. Annual 8crdget process + Commission approves conceptually the outer four years w�q - � _ _rc�*ies _.._ ne�� No Text (C) Wder & Sewer U pgrccles - (2) 1. Mdn S #Eef - Phase 1 585,000 2, T cmcrcr- West System Rehcb 1.260,000 Sr_-bTdd $1,845.000 6 d Wr 't gdjwQal�� Seiov�Punp SfciNco Pri jeds - 1, P.S. # 16C - Acpck- Centu 2. P.S. # 23. # 40, #41 Mecixa�icd 3, P.S. # 27, # K # 36 MedumW 4, P.S. # 2A McdxTi:;d 5. P,S . # 18 Rehcb 6. P.S. # 11, #186, # 37, # 39 MEchchcxl 7. P-S # 2E, # 6, # 6E, # 3CA 4 36 Ekectricxal 8. P-5 6F, # 42 Mochaved S ub T ctd ul 500.000 IM'(W 180,ow 250,000 100,000 2DO, $1,880,000 ,-� =;- ... .:t� -...: � �. _ ._ _. 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"(w * Veterans Park -improvements $ 5010M - CIP Lighting; repaWng, landscaping 5 Year Pen FUNDING FY 05 FY 05-09 Ger"d Fund 200.Q00 50.000. T otd F urKirg- 5 Yea Pica $250,000 No Text D" 13 +V' ..:pis •.:... •v`• �'� _,,� �� ., ` p/ L 17� -1,- I(JIL: : I va; 11 7 :011P ♦Phase f to include swim lessons for school age children. *Adult Swim Lessons. ♦Open recreational swimming. *Summer Camp instruction. +Certification courses. *.Aqua exercise. _.&A"ILI : ♦ Handicapped access. ♦8-1ane, 50 meter pool. No Text No Text No Text I _ L 11 I •r'� .rrr F � L� �i r .m n Y _ Y I• -t�{a�x� [ — [���i��a+is�apx-•.s?s,�v�:�r;a-...-•� _��V rW o. aiu Southgate rinear Pork . . .l. - ... '. ... dl No Text No Text 9 No Text Prw,c.e.,!A ;E,a nd2 SVETIOTAL Y6TAI . 54.G['•5.30L 5 36C�.€IqV lFiir+de[! 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