HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-08 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the workshop meeting of the
City Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2007, in Room 105,
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL.
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 Julie Klahr,
Assistant City Manager Diane Phillips, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
spoke of an article in Saturday's Sun -Sentinel, regarding Tamarac and other cities going
green, (a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein), and quoted the
final sentence of the article, "BOTTOM LINE: They deserve great credit for showing the
leadership and environmental stewardship that Washington is not." Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said an article of this sort is the best way to start the year. But for this Mayor
and City Commission and their forward thinking via trans fats, water, and recycling,
among other things, this would not have made the newspaper.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she is grateful this Commission is together and
representing the City of Tamarac. Since her recent return from the Mayors' Summit on
the Environment, she has talked about an initiative to begin the first quarter of this year,
wherein the Mayor and City Commission will hold a special workshop for greening in
Tamarac, at which time speakers will come before the Mayor and City Commission to
explain and enlighten them on various issues. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she
would like each member of the Board to bring forth ideas for the City Manager to place
on the special workshop agenda. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she would like to
discuss recycled materials to be used at City Hall, (e.g., cups, paper, etc.), as well as
explore the use of hybrid vehicles.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke about a utilities award she read about in Nations
Cities Weekly, and asked the City of Tamarac to look into this for our utilities
department.
1. JANUARY 10, 2007 AGENDA ITEMS: No agenda items were brought to the
table for discussion.
2. UPDATE ON WATER CONSERVATION ISSUES: Director of Utilities Gagnon
and Water Conservation Specialist Franqui appeared. Director of Utilities Gagnon said
projected water usage will increase from 6.6 million gallons — 8.3 million gallons per day
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 1 of 7
Revised 1 /10/2007
in coming years. Director of Utilities Gagnon discussed how we plan to meet our future
needs and spoke of water conservation and a reverse osmosis plant. There have been
drastic reductions is water usage through education. Director of Utilities Gagnon
discussed financing for upcoming years, both through utility operating funds and grants.
Vice Mayor Portner questioned the level of Lake Okeechobee, whether we are planning
for the new plant now, the largest commercial user of water in the City, a definition of
reverse osmosis, and asked about irrigating the medians on Commercial Boulevard
during off watering hours. Director of Utilities Gagnon said we are experiencing the
second worst drought in the history of South Florida, and he is not sure about the level
of Lake Okeechobee, but we are in reasonably good shape. We are currently looking at
technology and financing for the new plant, and the largest commercial user of water in
the City is University Hospital. Reverse Osmosis is a water filtering process. Public
Works Director Strain explained the City does not condone watering in off hours, and
what Vice Mayor Portner has seen on Commercial Boulevard is a testing of the sprinkler
heads, not irrigation of the medians. Vice Mayor Portner questioned grants and
Assistant City Manager Phillips said we look at all sources across the board and we
work with our lobbyists to acquire money for these projects.
Commissioner Dressler said he is pleased to see the dramatic reduction in water usage,
and for the special workshop he would like to add the following items to the agenda: he
would like to have representatives of Palm Beach County speak to the Mayor and City
Commission regarding the use of wastewater; and he would like to discuss, in addition
to hybrid vehicles, the use of bio-fuels, such as ethanol. Commissioner Dressler
questioned incentives for commercial businesses that reduce their water usage and
Director of Utilities Gagnon said there is an increased tier water rate.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she has been in communication with the Broward
League of Cities, and it is her belief that all cities must work together as a team in order
to make a big difference. Director of Utilities Gagnon added Bruce Adams, in charge of
the South Florida Water Conservation District has said the City of Tamarac is a leader
in this area.
Commissioner Sultanof asked if there is a citywide program with regard to irrigation,
such as the one in Kings Point, and spoke of desalinization and using reclaimed
wastewater, as done in Viet Nam and Israel. Commissioner Sultanof said irrigation
constitutes a large use of water in Tamarac. Director of Utilities Gagnon replied people
are under the misguided impression they must irrigate every day. There is a plan to
assess irrigation systems and the City is currently working with those who use potable
water for irrigation, and will move on in the future to work with those who use canal and
lake water. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of sub -metering.
Commissioner Dressler said he recently read an article regarding free ice from the state
and suggested that staff take the ice and find a creative way to use it.
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 2 of 7
Revised 1 /10/2007
Vice Mayor Portner spoke about Xeriscape Gardening and Director of Utilities Gagnon
said the new Community Development Director has spoken about changing our Code to
incorporate Xeriscape Gardening. Vice Mayor Portner said he would like to add
Xeriscape Gardening and solar energy to the upcoming special workshop meeting. City
Manager Miller said these items would be added to the upcoming special workshop
meeting, and added that Xeriscape Gardening is not always as attractive as traditional
landscaping, and sometimes people use Xeriscape as an excuse not to maintain their
yards.
Commissioner Dressler spoke of windmills that could be placed on the west side of the
Sawgrass Expressway on property that was recently rezoned and asked that this also
be added to the special workshop.
Commissioner Sultanof said while all the ideas are good, we need to look into our
Franchise Agreement with FPL to see if, in fact, we can incorporate some of these
ideas. City Manager Miller said we do have a franchise agreement with FPL and we
need to explore if it would need to be revised to allow for these new ideas.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said at the special workshop meeting the pros and cons of
these new issues will be discussed; the Mayor and City Commission will become
educated so we can make educated decisions. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
questioned the water capacity at 8.4 million gallons per day and build out, and how the
two situations can come together. Director of Utilities Gagnon said the water charts
anticipate build out in 2025 with 2% wiggle room built in each year for changing
demographics and redevelopment.
Vice Mayor Portner said it is his belief that cities have more power than they think they
do and cities should take their power to do things that are of benefit to the cities, state
and counties. Additionally, it is up to this commission to concern ourselves about what
will happen in Tamarac 20 years down the road.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said Tamarac is light years ahead of other cities and as
long as the Mayor and City Commission hold open dialogues and respect each other
and have the support of the staff, we will stay in the forefront.
3. DISCUSSION RE: TAMARAC UNIVERSITY: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said
in July she raised this issue and asked staff to investigate it. Many cities in Florida have
universities such as the one we are looking at and the County is opening Broward
County Academy. The most important thing is to allow residents to see what each
department is involved in and how information comes to the City Commission. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked George McCarthy of Mainlands 6 and Barbara McNeil of
Sunflower Heathgate for attending today's meeting.
Assistant City Manager Phillips and Management Intern Campbell appeared. Assistant
City Manager Phillips said as a result of the 2005 Citizen Survey, with regard to interest
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 3 of 7
Revised 1 /10/2007
in programs to educate people on local government, 270 responded they were willing to
commit time to the project. Additionally, there was a wide age dispersion (1/3 were
under 44 years of age and 1/3 were 44-64). In a retreat prior to the commission break,
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco proposed, and the commission agreed, to go forward and
develop a program, which fits in nicely with our Inclusive Communities' Initiative.
Various cities with successful citizen academies were contacted. Graduates of these
academies serve as allies and ambassadors in the community and create an expanded
pool of resident volunteers. Our program will run for 8 consecutive Tuesday evenings,
from April 24 — June 13, (6:00 pm — 8:30 pm). Participants will be permitted no more
than two absences and the final session will be held concurrent with an evening
meeting for the graduation ceremony. If a participant misses more than two sessions,
these can be made up in future sessions. Refreshments will be served from 6:00 pm —
6:30 pm. There will be 25 participants, selected from each of the four districts and
reflective of Tamarac's changing demographics; open to residents and business
occupants, selected by a committee composed of City staff. Recruitment will be made
via the website, direct mailings, posting at city buildings and facilities. Curriculum will be
overseen and coordinated by the City Manager's Office, with each department
designing the content. Evaluation and refinement of the program will utilize pre and
post testing. The cost of the program (for the inaugural year) is $18,850.
Commissioner Sultanof said while he is in favor of the program he does not want it to
turn into an advisory group of students similar to the Charter Board. Assistant City
Manager Phillips said the benefit of this program is that it provides us with an expanded
pool of resident volunteers who can then apply to serve on boards and committees and
will be available to join focus groups. We are not formalizing any advisory boards but
we are educating residents regarding the operation of local government.
Vice Mayor Portner agreed this would not become an advisory board but a cadre of
people who can come in and take the Mayor and City Commission's positions once their
terms are up; people who will be knowledgeable in local government. Vice Mayor
Portner said he is upbeat about this program.
Commissioner Dressler said he likes the idea and anything that can be done to educate
the public as to how the City works is a good thing, and he would rather someone
appear before the Commission and make informed statements. Hopefully this program
will open the door for more people to attend City Commission meetings who understand
the relationship of development and redevelopment, impact fees, etc.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said this is a great idea and a good educational program,
and added the Tam -A -Gram is a good way to get the word out.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if there is an age limit for participants, if the
sessions would be held in City Hall, questioned the tests and suggested the Chamber of
Commerce make the local businesses aware of the handouts, plaques, dinner, shirts,
etc. that will be distributed during the sessions, so they can bid on the items. Assistant
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 4 of 7
Revised 1/10/2007
City Manager Phillips said the sessions are for adults, those beyond the high school
years and the sessions would be rotated throughout City facilities. Pre and post tests
are recommended regarding knowledge of individual departments and general
government, which will be used to gain a perspective as to whether the city is
accomplishing its objectives. Additionally, the City will work closely with the Chamber,
as it is important to include the business community.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she received many phone calls complimenting the
City on the Tam -A -Gram and the Calendar. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked staff
in advance, as they will be working hard and staying later to bring the Tamarac
University to fruition and man the sessions, and without staffs participation, the Mayor
and City Commission's ideas can not be implemented. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
confirmed when the sessions are over the evaluation would be brought back to the
Mayor and City Commission. Assistant City Manager Phillips said she hoped to use the
pre and post tests as well as the participant evaluations for discussion with the Mayor
and City Commission, as well as refer to them if any modifications or changes are
needed for the program. Assistant City Manager Phillips thanked Management Intern
Campbell and the Executive Team and staff for their work on this program. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to move forward with Tamarac
University and all were in agreement.
4. STATUS REPORT FOR FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT: City Manager Miller
asked to have this item deferred to the next workshop meeting as neither Building and
Code Compliance Director Jones nor Building Operations Manager McIntyre are
present today. The report has been distributed to the Mayor and City Commission and
is part of the backup to this agenda.
5. REQUEST FOR SHADE SESSIONS Assistant City Attorney Klahr requested a
Shade Session for Friday, January 12, 2007, 9:30 AM, in Conference Room 105. All
were in agreement.
Vice Mayor Portner spoke of a newspaper item regarding Commissioners accepting
tickets for charity balls.
Vice Mayor Portner asked City Manager Miller to look into the City foreclosing upon and
refurbishing homes that have been red tagged and uninhabited for many months, and to
sell these as low income houses.
Vice Mayor Portner asked the Mayor and City Commission to endorse a letter to the
President of the United States, and/or Speaker of the House and Senate calling for an
end to the war in Iraq and asking that our soldiers be brought home. Commissioner
Sultanof said with the new Congress being a Democratic majority, they are entitled to
do what they have to do to bring this disaster to an end. The City has no right to tell the
President of the United States what to do; that is up to Congress. With regard to tickets
for attendance at certain events, the law is convoluted and poorly written and
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 5 of 7
Revised 1/10/2007
Commissioner Sultanof said he leaves it to the City Attorney to advise him; he did
nothing wrong.
Commissioner Dressler said the Commissioners all have views on issues beyond the
City's borders, but the Mayor and City Commission should only look at issues that apply
locally. Commissioner Dressler said he understands both Vice Mayor Portner's and
Commissioner Sultanof s points of view and he would like to see our national leaders do
their job. While he does not like to see a Republican controlled congress leaving no
budget and leaving the democrats with all kinds of problems, it is not a municipal role.
Vice Mayor Portner said he is not asking the City to endorse a letter; he is asking his
colleagues to endorse it, and he will write his own letter if his colleagues do not want to
endorse a letter.
Commissioner Dressler said it is part of the American tradition to protest and he
congratulates anyone who wants to write to the President. Commissioner Dressler said
he was elected in a non -partisan race and it makes sense to avoid partisan issues
outside of the City of Tamarac and state.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said we listen to our constituents, and we are the federal
government's constituents; it might not be a bad idea to write a letter.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said not voting people into office sends a message. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco said she also wants our young men and women to come home
safe and sound; each one of us as elected officials have the ability to pick up the phone
and talk to anyone we want to, and we can also use that ability to state our views. As
private citizens we can write to anyone we want to also. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
said she understands Vice Mayor Portner's passion about this and we can each
approach this matter in our own way. It should not be handled collectively as a Board,
but rather individually.
Commissioner Dressler said anyone elected by the people has a right to address these
issues. If more politicians took a position perhaps we would not have the dysfunctional
government we have and maybe more people would vote. Commissioner Dressler said
he does not agree with a collective letter but he congratulates Vice Mayor Portner on his
passion to take a position.
Commissioner Sultanof agreed every individual has a right to petition the government;
any one can write a letter.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she is proud to be on this Board where there is open
dialogue, and this speaks volumes about the way we operate as a Board and the
respect we show for each other and each other's comments.
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 6 of 7
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Vice Mayor Portner said Commissioner Sultanof, the longest serving member of this
Commission, has worked diligently for his district and for the City, and Vice Mayor
Portner would like to acknowledge him by naming a street after him. There is no sign
designating the street leading into the Kings Point Clubhouse and he would like to name
this `Marc Sultanof Drive'.
Commissioner Sultanof thanked Vice Mayor Portner for his kudos and said Vice Mayor
Portner's heart is in the right place, but he does not feel he needs a street named after
him; he is proud of his years of service and this is the best Commission to serve the City
of Tamarac.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the Commission should defer to Commissioner
Sultanofs wishes.
Commissioner Dressler said he is looking forward to serving with Commissioner
Sultanof in good health over the next few years. An honor is due Commissioner
Sultanof but he will defer to Commissioner Sultanofs wishes. Commissioner Dressler
said he agrees with Vice Mayor Portner that recognition for long service to Tamarac is
appropriate.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad agreed the Commission has a wonderful camaraderie but if
Commissioner Sultanof does not want a street named after him then it is not
appropriate.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:25 am.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
January 8, 2007
City Commission Workshop
Page 7 of 7
Revised 1/10/2007
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ISSUE: Tamarac and others "go green."
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mrn
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up in housing market
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and help change the world as it is."
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Gainesville to Fiesta
WEATHER
Tamarac has become a crusader on a number
Bowl
Hurricane
of health and environmental issues, and has
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recently embarked on several policy initiatives
weather forecast
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that should be models for others. As City
(2-111 Teen killed by
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Commissioner Harry Dressler puts it, "we think
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globally but act locally."
Broward home
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Already the city has asked restaurants to leave
cause scare at Port
Miami Heat
of Miami
Florida Panthers
trans fats out of the foods they serve and to
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University of Miami
stop serving water unless customers ask for it.
South Florida canals
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It is now exploring ways to encourage solar
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City leaders deserve credit for these initiatives
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really exciting is that Tamarac is not alone.
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has one of the
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Events
in the state. And numerous localities around
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over
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out of deal to redevelop
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Port of Miami after
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giving suspicious
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CO2 Reduction Plan," which targets 35 areas in
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