HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-13 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Special Workshop meeting of the
City Commission to order on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 9:35 a.m. in Room
105, Tamarac, City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner
Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen
L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft,
City Clerk Marion Swenson, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Lynda Flurry.
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Flurry gave a presentation on the procedures for
the meeting, and asked the Commissioners not to discuss the interviews during
the break, to be in compliance with the Sunshine Law. There was discussion
about the reason for asking each applicant the same questions, and City
Attorney Kraft said by keeping the questions consistent, the Commission would
be able to make an objective decision, and City Manager Miller said if the
Commission follows the proper channels and keeps the questioning consistent, it
creates less difficulties if their decision is challenged. There was discussion
about whether money should be discussed before entering into negotiations, and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Flurry said state statute does not permit including
price in the RFP, the decision must be made based on credentials and
experience. Commissioner Roberts asked if the lobbyist is in the budget or must
be added on, and City Manager Miller said it would be added. Commissioner
Portner aired his feelings about payment for a second lobbyist, and said he
would not approve paying more than $25,000.
Ronald Book, appeared on behalf of Ronald L. Book P.A., and introduced
Vincent Grande, of GRANDe Consulting. Mr. Book thanked the Commission for
the opportunity to make this presentation, and said it is his intention to compete,
earn their respect, and help them through the lobbying process. Mr. Book said
his firm has a tremendous track record and they earn their winds every day. The
firm has a bi-partisan approach, and while it is a democratic firm, they recognized
the changing process and participate on the republican side now. They are one
of three firms accepted on both sides of the aisle, and they treat everybody with
respect, support the process, and bring good information to their clients. Mr.
Book said his firm is known for being the most prepared in the process. Mr. Book
spoke about his staff in Tallahassee as well as South Florida. The firm takes a
proactive approach to the process, and looks to the City Manager to identify the
needs of the community, and the lobbyist then counsels where the process will
go. Mr. Book said this is the worst financial time in the history of the state;
however, he can get things done in spite of the budget deficit. Mr. Book said
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December 13, 2001
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lean times require new, creative approaches to get a fair share, and he knows
that Tamarac is not getting its fair share. Mr. Book ended by saying he wants to
represent the City of Tamarac, and can do so creatively.
Mayor Schreiber asked Mr. Book to discuss his specific qualifications and explain
why he believes he is the most qualified applicant. Mr. Book said he knows
everyone who applied to represent Tamarac is well qualified, but does not
believe anybody has the track record, years of experience, level of creativity, or
command and understanding of the process that he has. Mr. Book said he spent
his life understanding how government works; started at 13 years old where he
got lights put into a public park in North Miami. He loves the process, and every
client and day is a new challenge. Nobody approaches the process with the
same level of passion and desire to succeed; his clients pay the firm well to get
the job done, and Mr. Book said he does not like to lose.
Commissioner Portner asked Mr. Book to describe a situation where he has been
instrumental in acquiring funding or other support on behalf of a government
entity. Mr. Book said in the last two weeks in Tallahassee revenue estimated
actual receipts of collections — about $50 million ahead from what was projected.
Holes in budget. Shifted recurring revenue out of budget. Believe will plug
bigger holes. If revenue estimates hold, could have $5-$6 million to spend over
what was anticipated. Legislature would be better served in trying to pass a
budget in January, February or March. Call special session April or May to
specifically pass budget. Remains to be seen if what they do. Recommend
immediately put together water project (preferably storm water); excessive
flooding that might create insurance claims every time get a bad storm — to justify
taking money out of catastrophic fund — linkage to insurance problem. Start with
small ($6-900,000) range with reasonable commitment to matching funds.
Also Florida Community Trust (FCT) idea — modest in health, human services
arena. Show legislature Tamarac willing to participate with a level of a match.
Commissioner Mishkin asked Mr. Book is his expertise is primarily in the local,
state or federal arena. Mr. Book said he is particularly strong at the state level,
very strong at the local level, and moderately strong at the federal level. He feels
the City is better served hiring someone who specializes at the federal level with
his firm's oversight. Dade County got a tremendous amount of federal money for
bike paths; hazardous dumpsite cleanup, arts grant out of congress for $2.5
million for North Miami. There are people who specialize at the federal level,
while his firm is better at state and local level, as that is what they do every day.
Vice Mayor Sultanof asked how Mr. Book would keep the Commission and City
Manager informed as to their activities and progress. Mr. Book said he has a
track record of providing a written report to many of his clients; some want
more/less reports. He will be as responsive as the City wants him to be. If the
Commission is not happy with his services, he will pay back the money to the
Commission; the commission needs to feel they are getting their money's worth.
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Commissioner Roberts asked Mr. Book how he would proceed if faced with a
conflict of interest; and asked for a situational example. Mr. Book said his is
generally able to steer clear of conflicts; however, with as many clients as he
has, there are bound to be conflicts. He would opt out of a conflict in favor of
local clients. He can shift off some issues to his joint venture partner.
Mayor Schreiber Mr. Book spoke about getting legislation passed, which is many
times worth more than money. Commissioner Portner asked Mr. Book his
opinion on the chances of 'killing' the sunshine law, and Mr. Book said none.
Mr. Book said he was solely responsible for passing the parking surcharge in
Miami, which brings in $13.5 million a year. Mr. Book said his firm was able to
get legislation passed in Special Session B and C, outside of the call. Mr. Book
thanked the Commission for the opportunity to be here and said he wants to
represent Tamarac. Mr. Book said his firm does not take prisoners — they get
paid to get the job done.
Mike Colodny, Joel Fass and Fred Karlinsky appeared on behalf of Colodny,
Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, P.A. Mr. Colodny said reasons to give
consideration to his firm are that there are limited dollars available in this
economic time and his firm has no conflicts that would modify or limit their ability
to pursue funds on behalf of Tamarac. Mr. Colodny said in predominantly
Democratic Broward County, his is one of the leading republican firms. They
have been selected to represent the Broward County School Board, and were
able to acquire significant funding to place nurses in schools, specialized
facilities, and additional capital funding. The firm knows and understands
municipal government. Members of the firm have served as City Attorneys and
Commissioners, and they understand the needs and desires of entitlement
municipalities in and growing area. Mr. Colodny said he reviewed Tamarac's
2002 budget and strategic goals, and his analogy was that his firm would be the
halfback, the city administration would be the coach and quarterback — the city
designs the play and hands the ball to Colodny, Fass, et al. Tamarac's strategic
plan is aggressive and the city should be proud of it. Mr. Colodny said his firm
could be beneficial and successful on behalf of Tamarac.
Mayor Schreiber asked Mr. Colodny to discuss his specific qualifications and
explain why he believes he is the most qualified applicant.
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