HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-22 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the
City Commission to order on Monday, January 22, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW $$t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
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,
Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
1. JANUARY 24. 2007 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 6(e). AWARDING RFP NO. 07-04R TO AMBIT MARKETING FOR
CONSULTANT BRANDING SERVICES: (TR11121) Awarding RFP No. 07-04R to and
authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute an agreement with Ambit Marketing
for the provision of Consultant Branding Services for a six month period at a cost not to
exceed $47,000. Economic Development Officer Berns, Kathy Koch and Stan Brown of
Ambit Marketing, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Economic
Development Officer Berns gave a presentation and introduced Ms. Koch and Mr.
Brown. Ms. Koch gave a presentation and said at the end of the process Tamarac will
have a new brand, a strategy for promoting the brand, and a method to implement it.
Commissioner Sultanof said he is not comfortable with the word "brand", confirmed that
staff will be fully aware of what we are doing, and asked if Ambit Marketing will vanish
after the project is completed. Ms. Koch and Mr. Brown said the company would like to
stay to market the project, but that is not part of their current agreement with the City.
Ms. Koch explained, using examples of Kleenex and Rolex, which are quality products,
that "branding" is promising what we are and what someone involved with us will get.
Ms. Koch added branding typically is accompanied by a slogan or logo. Commissioner
Dressler said he did not want to see the branding process confused with a simple logo,
adding he is a student of the Peter Drucker Marketing School, and urged Ambit
Marketing to take the Drucker approach to analysis -- 'in strategic planning an
organization must know who you are and who you want to be; who your customers are
and who you want your customers to be; what you are selling and what you want to
provide'. Vice Mayor Portner asked Ms. Koch and Mr. Brown what their image was of
Tamarac and Mr. Brown said a city in transition. Vice Mayor Portner said Ambit
Marketing will have to take resistance to change into consideration, and asked if the
company planned to advertise Tamarac in various publications. Ms. Koch said the
company would come up with a plan for marketing Tamarac. Vice Mayor Portner
questioned how, with limited land available, we can attract businesses from other areas
January 22, 2007
City Commission Workshop
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to relocate here, if the consultants are aware of the downtown area planned for
Tamarac, and their fee for this service. Mr. Brown said Tamarac's brand will not be that
of huge offices and industrial parks, but a residential community with a history, able to
bridge the gap between age groups. Ms. Koch said they are aware of the downtown
plans and Ambit's fee is $47,000. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said in her background as
a realtor she has seen branding for years, and this is a great opportunity for Tamarac.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how the consultants would go about putting together
the focus groups and the outreach to the community, adding the residents will provide
good information. Ms. Koch said they will be identified as civic leaders and people from
varying age groups. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said excellent points have been made
across the board and it is important that no one is left out of the process. Vice Mayor
Portner said he is against focus groups because they take all the creativity away from
individuals. City Manager Miller said this item is on Wednesday's agenda for approval.
After that we will begin going through the steps outlined by the consultants.
b. Item No. 6(c). AGREEMENT WITH IAFF, LOCAL 3080 — OCTOBER 1, 2006-
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009: (TR11120) Approving the Agreement with the International
Association of Firefighters, Local 3080; authorizing the appropriate City officials to
execute an Agreement with the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3080 for
the period from October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2009; authorizing the
preparation of amendments to Chapter 16 of the City Code for consideration by the
Pension Board; providing for the transfer of funds. Human Resources Director
Swanson, Fire Chief Budzinski and Assistant Director of Human Resources Cummings
appeared. Human Resources Director Swanson discussed key points in the
agreement, and the resulting pension ordinance that will come before the Mayor and
City Commission in February. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the cap on sick leave
days and Fire Chief Budzinski said there is a cap on the amount for which someone can
be compensated. Commissioner Dressler asked Human Resources Director Swanson
if she believes the agreement addresses issues of personnel retention and Human
Resources Director Swanson said it does; however, the market is a moving target and
very competitive. Fire Chief Budzinski spoke of long term retention, and added the first
few years are when firefighters are most mobile and a number of agencies in Broward
County as well as some outside of the County are competing for firefighter/paramedics
in entry level positions. Commissioner Dressler asked if the contract smoothed out the
job succession issues and Fire Chief Budzinski said yes, particularly with Captains'
positions. Commissioner Dressler questioned the 4% across the board pay adjustment
for years two and three, and spoke of proposed legislation to cap city revenues, and if
that was to be enacted, wondered if the City would be able to afford the 4% pay
adjustment and pondered where the money would come from. City Manager Miller said
the City would be locked in for three years of the contract and we would have to make
reductions in other parts of the organization to support this adjustment. On the short
term the money is available; public safety is the basis of local government.
Commissioner Dressler confirmed, if the cap is passed, public safety could be impacted.
Human Resources Director Swanson commended all those who participated in the
negotiations.
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(f). N 401(A) MONEY
C. Item o. RETIREMENT _ _ CORPORATION
PURCHASE RETIREMENT PLANS: (TR11122) Terminating ICMA Retirement
Corporation 401(A) Money Purchase Retirement Plans 109525, 109597 and 109905 to
allow those participants who elected to participate in a defined benefit plan the option to
cash out or roll over all or a portion of their remaining balances in the plan; amending
ICMA Retirement Corporation 401(A) Money Purchase Retirement Plan 109972 to
provide both 5% and 10% contribution levels for Executive, Managerial/Professional
and Non -Represented Administrative employees employed by the City in a full time
capacity, hired prior to October 1, 2005 who did not elect to participate in the defined
benefit plan. Human Resources Director Swanson and Benefits Specialist Carles
appeared. Human Resources Director Swanson said this is a housekeeping item.
There are currently four ICMA (401 a) plans which have been established over the
years, and this is a way to consolidate into one plan. Human Resources Director
Swanson discussed the various options available to participants and said a letter will be
sent to the employees outlining the options.
d. Item No. 7. AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC CODE OF
ORDINANCES, "FINANCE AND TAXATION": CREATING SECTION 6-41, "FUND
BALANCE POLICY": (T02129) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending
Chapter 6 of the City of Tamarac Code of Ordinances, entitled "Finance and Taxation",
by amending Article 11, entitled "Fees and Funds"; specifically creating Section 6-41, to
be entitled "Fund Balance Policy"; providing the City Manager with the authority to
adjust funding in order to balance the budget with or without the approval of the City
Commission; providing for codification. Financial Services Director Chapman said over
the past years large undesignated fund balances have shown up on the annual audit
report and this ordinance will allow the City Manager to designate areas as we go
through the audit process with regard to placement of surplus and to shore up deficits.
When the audit report is presented by the auditors to the Mayor and City Commission,
additional amendments can be made at that time. We will be able to show our
undesignated fund balance at or below the cap set by Charter. Commissioner Sultanof
said he is very happy this ordinance has come to pass; over the years we have had far
less than the 10% undesignated fund balance. Commissioner Dressler questioned
whether this is a simple accounting mechanism and Financial Services Director
Chapman said it is to measure reserve balances. The first order of business in each
fund is to assure adequate reserves. Vice Mayor Portner asked what power the Mayor
and City Commission is relinquishing to the City Manager and Financial Services
Director Chapman said none. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said this has been a topic of
conversation for longer than she has been on the commission, and this ordinance will
clear up misconceptions once and for all.
2. DISCUSSION RE: VISIONING STATEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS PLAN:
City Manager Miller, Deputy City Manager Cemech, Assistant City Manager Phillips,
and Management Analyst Hughes appeared. City Manager Miller said the vision
statement is part of the strategic planning process, and after the last retreat with the
Mayor and City Commission, the Mayor and City Commission's ideas were provided to
all levels of the organization through the Sterling process for feedback and thoughts on
January 22, 2007
City Commission Workshop
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how best to implement this vision. Assistant City Manager Phillips reviewed the process
used to get to the vision statement and said all levels of the organization have been
involved in putting together the vision statement. Commissioner Sultanof said we are
on the right track and it is important that our consultants know where we are going.
Commissioner Sultanof said he is delighted to be on this commission and is proud to be
part and parcel of a city that provides a wonderful way of life for its residents.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the vision statement is very appropriate as every one of
us is here by choice. Vice Mayor Portner said some of us may not be here 20 years
from now and asked City Manager Miller to invite some high school students from the
surrounding high schools, to come before the Mayor and City Commission no later than
April, to discuss their vision for Tamarac. City Manager Miller said getting community
input is what the sterling process is about, as is the basis for Tamarac University.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked that 8th graders from Millennium Middle School also
be included. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said between the marketing presentation and
this discussion, the residents should realize how exciting and forward thinking we are;
the beauty of being on a Board like this is we can throw our ideas out for discussion and
have a collective going forward with the best interest of the city at heart. The vision
statement says it all; this is an exciting morning and an exciting year to come.
Commissioner Sultanof said he serves on the MPO and other cities come to him and
ask what we are doing in Tamarac; we are on the move; this is an exciting time.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of the pleasant editorials and poems that have been
in the newspaper over the past few weeks and said it is all positive reinforcement.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to move forward with
the vision statement and all were in agreement.
3. DISCUSSION RE: STATUS REPORT FOR FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT:
Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said our rating has been enhanced by
CRS from 8-7, which affords a 5% discount for residents who live in special flood
hazard areas. The County has adopted flood mitigation strategies and part of the
County's strategy is that every year this report be presented to the commission in order
for us to hold onto our credits. Commissioner Sultanof reported that he read in the
"Wall Street Journal" that Allstate and State Farm are rendering the 5% discount, but
residents must call to claim the discount. Building and Code Compliance Director Jones
said the discount should be automatic and Building and Code Compliance is available
to assist residents if they have concerns. Vice Mayor Portner asked if the pipe work
done in the City counts for a reduction in liability and Building and Code Compliance
Director Jones replied some projects in the City support the mitigation efforts. Vice
Mayor Portner asked where the high flood zone risks are located in Tamarac and
Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said they are scattered throughout; 80%
of the city is in a special flood hazard area. Commissioner Sultanof said Tamarac
saved $15,000 on city buildings and rates were changed in many places. Some areas
in the city no longer have to cant' flood insurance, such as Kings Point, which saves
residents a large amount of money. Commissioner Dressler asked if we monitor the
distance between ground level and the aquifer and City Manager Miller said SFWMD
monitors it for intrusion of brackish water from the Everglades. Commissioner Dressler
said should the legislature continue its attack on financial control and eroding home rule
January 22, 2007
City Commission Workshop
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control, future projects such as the stormwater pump stations and culvert project would
be jeopardized. City Manager Miller agreed and said it is a big concern of City
Managers. If the property tax is capped we will not be able to do our long range
bonding, which is necessary for large capital expenditures. Some measures currently
being talked about in Tallahassee do not bode well for municipalities. Commissioner
Sultanof said it is not apropos at this time to discuss these things until we hear from
Tallahassee, as cities can make other considerations and there are other methods for
financing projects, but cities can not stop building. City Manager Miller said we will look
at other financial mechanisms should the cap occur; taxing authority comes from
Tallahassee so our options are limited. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned public
awareness of the flood hazard program and Building and Code Compliance Director
Jones said letters are sent to every resident along with a flood hazard brochure.
4. DISCUSSION RE: TIMELINE FOR MAIN STREET ASSESSMENT DISTRICT:
Financial Services Director Chapman and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino
appeared. Financial Services Director Chapman said we have our outside consultant
running the numbers and looking at the affected property owners in order to spread out
the cost equally. Management and Budget Officer Sammartino discussed the time line.
Commissioner Sultanof and Vice Mayor Portner confirmed this assessment district is
commercial only. Vice Mayor Portner asked if grants for the infrastructure are available
and Assistant City Manager Phillips said we are currently looking for grants on the
federal level. Vice Mayor Portner said he sees this as a repressive tax and because of
this, developers may not want to join the Main Street project; he prefers to search all
avenues before moving forward with this. Financial Services Director Chapman replied
if we receive grant funding we can always reduce the assessment. Commissioner
Dressler said the Mayor and City Commission previously authorized the study;
Commissioner Dressler questioned at what point do we determine the special
assessment would be an impediment to development? Financial Services Director
Chapman said he understands Vice Mayor Portner's concerns; a small number of
property owners will be carrying the burden for the improvement district and the study
will show how much the burden is for these property owners. Commissioner Dressler
said he does not feel this is a burden, bur rather an incentive for business — being
offered an opportunity to develop property without having to fully participate in all
expenses. Financial Services Director Chapman said if we have nothing in place we
will not be able to get the developers to build to our specifications. By extracting this
non -ad valorem tax we will be able to build at one time; it is up to the Mayor and City
Commission whether they want the infrastructure to be completed at one time or wait
over years as development occurs. Commissioner Sultanof said if people want to do
business here they will have to pay for the privilege. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said
every restaurant recently opened in Tamarac is packed; residents are thrilled not to
have to travel out of _the City; Main Street will be the same. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said developers and property owners know the cost of doing business. At the
end of the day we have our City's best interest in mind. Residents are delighted to
know the developers and property owners will absorb the cost. It is a win/win situation.
January 22, 2007
City Commission Workshop
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5. DISCUSSION RE: TRAFFIC CAMERAS AT INTERSECTIONS: Commissioner
Patte Atkins -Grad spoke of neighboring cities considering putting in cameras at
intersections and added the state is also talking about it. Commissioner Atkins -Grad
asked BSO Chief Dugger if there are statistics for running red lights in Tamarac. BSO
Chief Dugger said there are no specific statistics, but of the 200+ crashes per month in
Tamarac, the majority of them are due to following too closely and speeding. Pembroke
Pines considers running a red light a code compliance issue. BSO Chief Dugger said
we need to look at the cost of the cameras as the cameras currently in place over major
intersections can not be used by the City to track those who run red lights. The issue at
hand is safety; there are many methods available but cost, staffing and effectiveness
need to be looked at. Commissioner Sultanof agreed a study needs to be done and
safety is imperative. Vice Mayor Portner said he is against cameras used to track those
who run red lights and added the photo captures license tag numbers; if a person is
using someone else's vehicle, the owner of the vehicle will be penalized. Vice Mayor
Portner said this is an invasion of privacy, and until a way is found to properly enforce
these violations, he is not in favor of the cameras. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
questioned the state's standing on this issue and Assistant City Attorney Klahr said the
ticket is considered a civil code enforcement issue. There was a Bill proposed last
session which will either be re -proposed or an alternate proposal made, but she has no
information on it at this time. Some proponents would like this to move forward as a
traffic violation matter, but it has not happened. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said more
information is needed as this is a health and safety issue. Deputy City Manager
Cernech suggested we watch Pembroke Pines and see how they fare with this issue
rather than reinvent the wheel. We can then come back before the Mayor and City
Commission with ideas based on Pembroke Pines' experience. However, this will take
some time, as they need to fully implement their system. Assistant City Attorney Klahr
explained Pembroke Pines will merely issue warnings for a while. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said in the meantime, the Mayor and City Commission and BSO Chief
Dugger can go to the Homeowner Associations and speak to residents throughout the
City and encourage them to drive safely and let them know traffic is on our minds.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest for Deputy City
Manager Cernech's suggestion and all were in agreement.
Commissioner Dressler asked to have Item 6(g) removed from the consent agenda to
the regular agenda for Wednesday's meeting. All were in agreement.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:05 pm.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
January 22, 2007
City Commission Workshop
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