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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. October 15, 2001 City Commission Workshop 1 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 2 �J 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 3