HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-15 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Special Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, October 15, 2001 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City
Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C.
Partner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and City Clerk
Marion Swenson.
1. PARKS AND RECREATION OPEN SPACE AND SOCIAL SERVICES MASTER
PLAN: Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles introduced Dave Barth, consultant
with Glatting-Jackson; Recreation Superintendent Greg Warner; Parks Superintendent Lance
Moll; Special Events Manager Charlene Nevadomski; Information and Referral Specialist Rose
Cure; Transportation Supervisor Eddie Benitez; and Administrative Coordinator Nancy Wilson.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles discussed the city's vision for parks and the aquatic
center and gave a presentation. Commissioner Roberts asked how long the renovations
would take and expressed concern about construction and traffic from the Tamarac
Elementary School during dismissal. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the
Business Plan outlines the timetable and the city would work with the architect and contractor
on access issues. Commissioner Portner asked when the project would be let for design and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it could be a year before a design is begun.
Recreation Superintendent Warner gave a presentation on the aquatic center and amenities,
including a fitness center. Commissioner Roberts asked about employees being relocated
from the Community Center to the fitness facility at the aquatic center and the creation of more
traffic on University Drive. Commissioner Portner questioned closing the fitness facility at the
Community Center, moving aerobics classes, and hours of operation for these programs at the
aquatic center. Recreation Superintendent Warner said it is natural to have a fitness facility
with an aquatic center. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said this would allow for more
room at the Community Center and the hours for the fitness facility at the aquatic center would
be the same as the Tamarac Community Center. Mayor Schreiber asked about operating
costs and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said operating costs are addressed in the
Business Plan. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke about using the road behind Tamarac Park for
ingress and egress. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded that it is a private
road and she is not sure of the legalities involved. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the new center
would generate a lot of traffic at University Drive, and perhaps the aquatic center might put the
city in a position to finally get a traffic light.
Commissioner Roberts questioned whether the city would use the Multi Purpose Center or
build a new center, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the city would work with
the architect and engineer to see if it is feasible to redesign the recreation center or demolish it
and build a new facility.
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City Commission Workshop
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Commissioner Mishkin questioned enlarging the Tamarac Community Center and Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles said it had been discussed, but space for expansion is only
available near the ballroom, which is not contiguous with the fitness room.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on the Caporella parcel, and
Parks Superintendent Moll spoke about proposed facilities on the Lennar property.
Commissioner Portner and Commissioner Roberts asked about separation between the ball
fields and Parks Superintendent Moll said chain -link fences and walkways would separate the
fields and foul ball netting and UV protective material would be used over the bleachers.
Commissioner Roberts questioned whether one ball field could be put on the Lennar property,
and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the leagues feel it is more efficient to keep
the fields together and the wheel design creates maximization of the concession stand and
fields. Commissioner Roberts asked about picnic areas, and Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said picnic areas are addressed in the aquatic center facility. Mayor Schreiber
suggested a sound buffer for surrounding residential areas, and Commissioner Portner
questioned lighting on the ball fields and its affect on the neighborhoods. Consultant Barth
said the site plan was designed to locate the fields as far away from homes as possible and
the light fixtures have a cut-off feature that will prohibit light from shining into the
neighborhoods.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on bikeways and sidewalks.
Mayor Schreiber asked when the plan would be implemented, and Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles said the paths are done, but have not yet been signed off. The bike path
runs along the C-14 canal and the city owns most of the land from the canal to the bike path,
which can be developed to provide amenities not able to be placed in other city parks. Also
there is less traffic west of Nob Hill Road, which would allow for expansion of the park by
reducing the road to two lanes, and would provide additional space for a trailhead. Mayor
Schreiber said there is vacant property owned by FPL, which could possibly be acquired to
provide for parking. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if there have been any studies regarding
powerlines emitting radiation and Recreation Superintendent Warner said no detrimental
affects have been shown in various communities, and these areas are used for low usage
facilities. Commissioner Roberts said the Spring Lake residents would object to a reduction in
lanes on Southgate Boulevard, and Consultant Barth said trailheads could be designed as an
asset to the neighborhood providing benefits to the residents. Commissioner Portner
questioned Broward County's involvement in trailheads and Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said some bond funding might be available. Mayor Schreiber said the plan would
have to be coordinated in conjunction with repairs to Southgate Boulevard. Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles spoke about possible facilities for Southgate Park and
developments under the power lines.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on the transit system, and
Transportation Supervisor Benitez gave a brief history of his involvement in the transportation
field. Mayor Schreiber asked if there are plans to hook up with neighboring cities' services and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said Tamarac is waiting for neighboring cities to get
their services up and running. At present, all routes are required to meet Broward County
routes. Commissioner Portner questioned ridership, and Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said the para-transit makes approximately 2,500 trips a month. Mayor Schreiber
asked about federal assistance and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said federal
October 15, 2001
City Commission Workshop
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money comes through the county, wherein Mayor Schreiber suggested exploring the possibility
of federal monies coming directly to Tamarac.
Commissioner Portner left the room at 10:30 a.m. and returned at 10:35 a.m.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles spoke about plazas, green center, Tamarac Main
Street Program, a public sign system and recreation programs. Recreation Superintendent
Warner spoke on intergenerational recreation programming. Commissioner Mishkin
suggested English classes be offered to reach out to non-English speaking residents. Mayor
Schreiber suggested the school board be contacted for utilization of space in schools, and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is possible to enter into an interlocal agreement
with the school board, and at present Tamarac Elementary is being used for the summer camp
program. Recreation Superintendent Warner gave a presentation on special population
activities. Information and Referral Specialist Cure gave a presentation on new and future
social services programs at the Community Center. Commissioner Roberts suggested holding
a health fair at night for those who work days and weekends. Commissioner Portner
questioned the free monthly physical and Information and Referral Specialist Cure said it is
part of the health fair. Mayor Schreiber asked about city liability regarding the health fair.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said waivers are obtained from providers and
participants.
Mayor Schreiber recessed the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Mayor Schreiber reconvened the
meeting at 11:00 a.m. with everyone present as before.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on fees and subsidy levels.
Mayor Schreiber questioned cost recovery. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said
while fees may need to be raised at some point, she is not recommending fee changes at this
time. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked how Tamarac compares to other cities and Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles said Tamarac is the most benevolent. Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles spoke about a sponsorship policy and City Manager Miller said a draft policy
would be forthcoming and presented to the Commission at a future date. Mayor Schreiber
said there is nothing wrong with sponsorship as long as the city retains the name of the event.
Commissioner Roberts asked for a printout of the Turkey Trot fees and costs.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:15 a.m.
Marion Swens n, CMC
City Clerk
October 15, 2001
City Commission Workshop
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