HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-21 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Tuesday, January 21, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner, Commissioner
Gertrude Mishkin, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner Karen L.
Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft,
Assistant City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
1. JANUARY 22 2003 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item 6(b). AGREEMENT RENEWAL AND AMENDMENT — SUN RECYCLING,
LLC: (TR10014) Authorizing a one year renewal of the agreement between the City
and Sun Recycling, LLC for the disposal of City generated construction debris;
authorizing the appropriate city officials to execute an amendment to the agreement
which exercises the option to renew for a second one-year period; authorizing an
annual expenditure in an amount not to exceed 140,000. Acting Public Works Director
Armando Linares gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber questioned the number of
tons/cubic yards of debris, savings to the City and the recyclable value of the material.
Project Manager (Solid Waste Recycling) D'Amato explained tonnage/cubic yardage
varies according to the density of the material; Acting Public Works Director Linares
responded that recyclable value of the material is the reason for the reduced cost to the
city. Commissioner Sultanof asked about an additional charge if the vendor were to
pick up the waste from the city. Acting Public Works Director Linares said the vendors
do not provide that service. Mayor Schreiber asked for a comparison of current cost
versus costs prior to this vendor doing the work.
b. Item 6(d). AGREEMENT- TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN — "CATALINA
PLACE" PLAT: (TR10024) Approving the Regional Road Concurrency Agreement
between Broward County, Catalina Place, Inc., and the City of Tamarac for road
Concurrency relating to "Catalina Place" Plat located on the northwest corner of NW
64th Street and NW 74th Avenue (Case No. 1-AP-03). Community Development
Director King gave a presentation and said this is a standard road Concurrency
agreement between Broward County and the Developer.
C. Item 6(f). GRANT AWARD — BEAUTIFICATION AND LANDSCAPING OF
MCNAB PARK ENTRANCE AND PARKING AREA: (TR10012) Accepting a grant
award from Broward Beautiful in the amount of $10,000, providing for the required one
to one City match for beautification and landscaping of the entrance and parking area of
McNab Park; authorizing the appropriate City officials to amend the grants fund budget
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
1
in the amount of $10,000 and appropriate said funds including any and all subsequent
budgetary transfers in accordance with proper accounting procedures. Special Projects
Coordinator Kimberly Perron gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Portner asked where
funding has come from so far; if federal funding is available; and whether we have
received state funds. Special Projects Coordinator Perron replied money has come
from the following grants: Challenge, Land and Water Conservation Fund, FRDAP and
assorted small grants. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant is federal money,
distributed through the state. Additionally we have received some state funds.
d. Item 6(g). FY03 BUDGET AMENDMENT: (TR10017) FY03 BUDGET
AMENDMENT: (TR10017) Amending the annual budget of estimated revenues and
expenditures for Fiscal Year 2003; appropriating debt service payments pursuant to
bond covenants. Finance Director Dona Newman gave a presentation and said this is a
housekeeping issue; budgeted money is in the general fund and now needs to be
transferred to the debt service fund. There was discussion about the amount of money
in the debt service fund.
e. Item 7. AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE TAMARAC CODE — RELEASE OF
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS: (TO1982) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first
reading amending Chapter 10, entitled, "Land Development Regulations", Article V
entitled, "Improvements", Division 1 entitled, "Generally", Section 10-156, entitled,
"Public Improvement Bonds", adding the Director of Utilities where applicable, amending
the requirement for acceptance of engineering improvements by resolution of the City
Commission to require acceptance of engineering improvements by City Engineer or
Director of Utilities, amending the requirement for the City Engineer to recommend to
the City Commission the acceptance of engineering improvements and release of the
improvement bond to require the City Engineer or Director of Utilities to recommend to
the City Manager or designee the acceptance of improvements and release of the bond,
and removing the requirement for placing bond release items on the Commission
agenda for discussion and possible action; amending Chapter 10 entitled, "Land
Development Regulations", Article V entitled, "Improvements", Division 2 entitled
"Roads and public rights -of -way", Section 10-191, entitled, "Street lighting"; amending
the requirement for the Commission to release the public improvement bond to require
the City Manager or designee to release the public improvement bond; providing for
codification. Utilities Director Ray Gagnon said this is a cooperative effort between
Utilities, Public Works and the City Manager's Office in accordance with the strategic
plan. Assistant Director of Utilities John Doherty explained the purpose of the ordinance
is to streamline and expedite the bond release procedure currently in place, and allows
for the City Engineer or Utilities Director to recommend release of a bond to the City
Manager. Mayor Schreiber said this absolves the Commission's obligation to the
people of the city in the event of poor and shoddy work by the providers, and asked that
the ordinance include a provision that will protect the commission. Mayor Schreiber
said before a release is approved he would like the Commission notified so they can
then inform neighborhood representatives that the release is pending, and any
problems can be brought to light before the release goes through. Commissioner
Roberts said she would like to have 30 days' notification of a release. Commissioner
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
2
Roberts spoke about street lighting; for the first 12 months the developer is responsible,
and the commission may require payment of additional maintenance charges.
(Commissioner Roberts referenced pages 6-7 of the ordinance, Sec. 10-191)
Commissioner Sultanof agreed with Mayor Schreiber and the 30 days' notification.
Utilities Director Gagnon said the ordinance could be revised in time for tomorrow
morning's meeting. Assistant to the City Manager Phillips asked for clarification on
whether the 30 day notification period was for performance bonds, warranty bonds, or
both, and Mayor Schreiber said for both.
f. Item 8. AMENDING CHAPTER 16 OF THE TAMARAC CODE — GENERAL
AND FIREFIGHTER PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT: (TO1995) Motion to adopt
Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 16, entitled "Pensions and Retirement",
Article III'. Pension Plan, Division 1, Generally, Section 16-126, Definitions, to clarify
definition of "retirement" or "retired" to include employment classification; amending
Article III. Pension Plan, Division 4. Benefits, Section 16-233. Benefit Level, to clarify
provisions for participants with vesting credits in more than one city pension plan;
amending Article VI. Firefighters Pension Plan, Division 1. Generally, Section 16-401.
Definitions, to clarify definition of "retirement" or "retired" to include employment
classification; amending Article VI Firefighters Pension Plan, Division 4. Benefits,
Section 16-504 Benefit Level to clarify provisions for participants with vesting credits in
more than one city pension plan; providing for codification. Human Resources Director
Maria Swanson introduced Employee Relations Manager Dorothy Cummings, who gave
a presentation and said the purpose of the ordinance is to provide for employees who
served in more than one classification, and allows for vesting credits in the respective
plans. Mayor Schreiber asked why funds could not be transferred from one plan to
another, and Employee Relations Manager Cummings spoke about Chapter 175 money
for firefighters that must be kept separate from other monies. Vice Mayor Portner asked
for clarification of contributions, multipliers, and pension benefits for employees who
have benefits in both plans to which Employee Relations Manager Cummings
responded. Human Resources Director Swanson said the situation is due to the
separation of the pension plans.
Commissioner Sultanof suggested discussing Item #7 before Item #2 since the
contractors were in the audience.
Mayor Schreiber called for questions on any other agenda items scheduled for the
regular. meeting, and Commissioner Roberts questioned the pre -retirement death
benefit in Item No. 9, TO1994..AMENDING CHAPTER 16 OF THE TAMARAC CODE
— POLICE PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT: (TO1994) Motion to adopt Ordinance on
second reading amending Chapter 16, entitled "Pensions and Retirement", Article VIII,
Division 4, entitled "Benefits" to provide adjustments for normal retirement benefits;
providing adjustments for early retirement benefits; providing adjustments for pre -
retirement death benefits pursuant to amendments of Chapter 185 of the Florida
Statutes; providing for codification. APPROVED ON FIRST READING JANUARY 8,
2003. Human Resources Director Swanson explained the ordinance for the police
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
3
pension set the pre -retirement death benefit at 50%; single sum value vested accrued
benefit. Our ordinance is now being revised to reflect state law, which is 100%.
Mayor Schreiber moved out of the regular order of business on the agenda to take up
item No. 7. 7. DISCUSSION -- REVISED ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS — PUBLIC
SERVICES COMPLEX: Commissioner Sultanof spoke about Tamarac's progress, and
said he met with Utilities Director Gagnon, Assistant City Manager Cernech, and City
Manager Miller, to discuss this item, and he approves of Option #2 with the curved top,
and the color as originally proposed, not the blue on the drawing. Commissioner
Sultanof said he respects the talents of the contractor and architect, and $65,000 is a
far cry from $125,000; it is the Commission's responsibility to be fiscally responsible in
Tamarac and as a taxpayer, Commissioner Sultanof said he is very responsible for the
dollars and cents, the same as everyone else. Commissioner Sultanof said he would
like to reconsider his vote, and hopes his colleagues will listen to what he has to say,
that the $65,000 will do the city well. Mayor Schreiber disagreed with spending an
additional $65,000, and said the Commission is obligated to spend money wisely; he is
against making changes to the facade. Commissioner Roberts asked if the addition of
4-paned windows is more costly, and Scott Weik of Miller Construction said changing
the windows at this level does not alter the cost. Commissioner Roberts said the
originally approved design had two towers, and asked for the cost differential for one
tower. Mr. Weik said features added to the fire station offset the cost of removing one
of the towers. Vice Mayor Portner said when the project was presented to the
commission a majority said they were not in favor of the tower, and wanted the building
to resemble the community center and new library, but the contractor came back with
towers, not a curved roof. After several discussions, it was decided to have a curved
roof. Vice Mayor Portner said Tamarac should be unique and individual and $65,000 is
a small percentage of the total project cost. Vice Mayor Portner agreed to Option #2
and spending the $65,000. Commissioner Mishkin asked what color the roof would be,
and Steve Knight, Architect, said it would be terra cotta, the same as the existing
building. Commissioner Roberts asked about the cost to change the color, and Harley
Miller, President of Miller Construction said it would be insignificant. Commissioner
Roberts asked about curved trusses and barrel tile or another material that can be used
to create the barrel tile look. Mr. Miller explained that he has never seen an arch with
barrel tiles and said anything that can be segmented or flexible could be substituted on
an arched roof. Mayor Schreiber said the job is being delayed due to these discussions
and asked for an expression of interest from the Commission. Commissioner Roberts
opted for the tower; Vice Mayor Portner the arch; Commissioner Sultanof Option #2;
Commissioner Mishkin the tower, and Mayor Schreiber, the tower. Mr. Miller said he
would address the landscaping so the project does not look like a retail facility.
2. DISCUSSION — PROPOSED EQUIPMENT FOR COMMISSION CHAMBERS
AND ROOM 105: IT Director Levent Sucuoglu gave a presentation and explained the
proposed audio and video components for the Chambers and Room 105. IT Director
Sucuoglu said money is available for this project from funds provided by AT&T
Broadband. Commissioner Roberts asked the size of the proposed screen in the
chambers, and IT Director Sucuoglu said approximately 15'x30', additionally at the dais
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
4
seats there will be 17" monitors. Room 105 will have two screens on opposing walls
and wireless microphones on the conference table, to eliminate the need for the
microphones now in use and the excess wires on the table. Also Room 105 will contain
a camera to pick up the entire view from the table, and broadcast the meeting internally
to authorized users, thus eliminating the need for staff to remain in the room until their
item is called. Mayor Schreiber asked the cost and IT Director Sucuoglu said the
estimate from vendors is $45,000 - $65,000; however, for this project the city would
have to go out to bid. Commissioner Roberts asked if there were restrictions associated
with the AT&T money, and IT Director Sucuoglu said the requirement is to use the
money to broadcast city meetings. Commissioner Roberts asked what would be done
with the screen and camera already in the Chambers and questioned the sound system.
IT Director Sucuoglu said the screen can be used, but the projector was taken down
several years ago as it was not functional, and the sound system in the Chambers is not
part of this project. The problem a few months ago was corrected, but if modifications
are needed, they should be incorporated with this project.
3. DISCUSSION — AGREEMENT WITH SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS AND
PROPOSED RESOLUTION REQUESTING SUPPORT FROM BROWARD COUNTY
DURING UPCOMING ELECTION: City Clerk Marion Swenson gave a presentation and
explained that the agreement between the Supervisor of Elections and the City to hire
and train poll workers is standard fare, and has been used in the past. The proposed
Resolution requesting support from Broward County during the upcoming election, asks
the County to provide Voting System Technicians (VSTs) as they had for the November
election.
4. DISCUSSION — ELECTIONS CONTINGENCY PLAN: City Clerk Marion
Swenson spoke of the city's plan to have managerial staff trained as VSTs, and then to
work alongside county staff as apprentice VSTs for the upcoming municipal election. If
the County then did not provide VSTs, we would have our own staff ready to go.
Additionally, for future elections we will need to have people trained and ready to step in
on Election Day. Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Sultanof asked the number of poll
workers needed, and whether, due to low voter turnout, we could do with a lesser
number of poll workers. City Clerk Swenson explained that it would not be in the best
interests of the voters to second guess how many would turn out to vote, and there is a
formula that the Supervisor of Elections office uses to compute the number of poll
workers needed, based on the number of registered voters. Commissioner Roberts
asked about getting equipment to and from the polling places and whether we would
need to use public works staff and vehicles. City Clerk Swenson explained that a
moving company would be used as in the past, to bring the equipment to the polling
places and pick the equipment up from the polling places after the election was
completed. City Clerk Swenson said the city would be ready in any way necessary to
assist in this election.
5. DISCUSSION — RE: SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE: Mayor Schreiber
said based on government decisions, his discussion was moot at this time.
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
5
6. DISCUSSION — COUNTY ANNEXATION REPORT: Community Development
Director J. Christopher King said Broward County continues its move toward the 2005
annexation deadline for all unincorporated areas. Staff and the annexation committee
have looked into abutting areas and presented reports to the City Commission
regarding the four areas identified by the Commission: Kozy Kampers, Mira Lago,
Executive Airport Industrial area; and State Road 7. The annexation committee was in
favor of the county's continued participation in infrastructure improvements in the areas
mentioned. Broadview, Imperial Estates and Pompano Park are being looked at by
North Lauderdale. Mayor Schreiber questioned the residents' desire to be taken over
by the cities, and Community Development Director King said for volunteer annexations
the residents need to vote on coming into a city and then contact the city officials.
Mayor Schreiber questioned Mira Lago, and Community Development Director King
said six months ago representatives from the community met with the Vice Mayor and
himself and said they would like to be taken in to Tamarac. They were told to take a
vote among the residents of the community and if the residents were in favor of
annexation to contact the City Manager. Nothing was heard from them. However,
members of the community were in attendance at a meeting several weeks ago and are
still interested in annexation. Community Development Director King introduced
Planning and Zoning Manager Wayne Thies, who said that Lauderdale Lakes
expressed interest in Kozy Kampers and Oakland Park expressed interest in Mira Lago.
Representatives from the neighborhood said they prefer Tamarac, but have not taken a
vote yet. Additionally, Twin Lakes, which is east of Tamarac, said they would be happy
to hear from Tamarac and there is an area just north of Caporella Park, which, it has
been said, makes sense for Tamarac to annex. Planning and Zoning Manager Thies
asked for direction from the Commission for these areas. Commissioner Sultanof
expressed concern about the cost to the city regarding the infrastructure of these areas,
and said he would be interested in knowing what the county intends to provide.
Commissioner Roberts asked if BSO patrolled the street between Caporella Park and
Prospect Road, and BSO Executive Officer Friel said BSO does not patrol that street.
Vice Mayor Portner said the county has set aside one-half billion dollars for
infrastructure of unincorporated areas and guarantees in writing that they will take care
of these matters. Vice Mayor Portner said he is interested in Kozy Kampers, Mira Lago,
the Airport property and State Road 7, and feels the city should move forward with
annexation. Commissioner Sultanof said the County proposed a lot of money for
Plantation along 441 and then stopped, but if it is in writing, then he sees the plausibility
of annexation. Mayor Schreiber said he does not think the areas in question will have a
direct impact on the economy nor will they hurt the city, and asked Community
Development Director King for his opinion. Community Development Director King said
he believed it advisable to move forward with Mira Lago. He is concerned about the
legislative delegation's "substantially contiguous" clause, as we only abut on a small
part of the area; however, it does provide Mira Lago with a choice. Mayor Schreiber
said Kozy Kampers and the property near Caporella Park could be worthwhile, plus the
State Road 7 property would provide commercial property to the city. Community
Development Director King confirmed the Commission's interest in Mira Lago, Kozy
Kampers, the property north of Caporella Park and State Road 7. Mayor Schreiber
asked for an expression of interest, and all agreed.
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
6
1
8. DISCUSSION — SMOKING BAN IN CERTAIN DESIGNATED AREAS OF CITY
PARKS: Commissioner Roberts said at a TAF meeting, little league stated they would
like a smoking ban in place for the field, dugouts and bleachers. Commissioner Roberts
said she is in favor of setting up non-smoking areas. Contracts for football and soccer
contain no smoking clauses for the field or in the bleachers, plus, the leagues enforce it
without any problem. Commissioner Roberts said she would like staff to look into this
and see if it can be done for all sports. The members of the Parks and Recreation
Board are behind this effort. Commissioner Sultanof said a ban on smoking is touchy
and asked about enforcement and whether it would be in violation of any state or
federal laws. City Attorney Kraft said the City can have its own regulations and pass an
ordinance which would be enforced by BSO. Commissioner Sultanof expressed
concern about TAF enforcing a City Ordinance and said we must be careful. City
Attorney Kraft said several issues have been raised; the contract with TAF, the City
Code, and the outdoor smoking issue, and these are legitimate concerns; he would look
into them. Commissioner Roberts said the league is willing to have parents sign a
contract saying they had no problems to date. Mayor Schreiber said it is within the
realm of our authority to establish non-smoking areas; Plantation and Coral Springs
recently passed such an ordinance.
Vice Mayor Partner spoke of his concern regarding the looming war in Iraq and asked
for a Resolution expressing Tamarac's opposition to the war to be sent to the President
of the United States and all cities in Broward County. Vice Mayor Portner said he did
not want the flower of this nation to give their lives for something he perceives to be
wrong. Commissioner Sultanof said the practical approach would be to go through the
League of Cities. Mayor Schreiber agreed with Vice Mayor Partner but suggested we
go through the League of Cities, which would carry more weight. A discussion on civil
liberties ensued. Commissioner Roberts said there is a Broward League of Cities
meeting Thursday evening and suggested Vice Mayor Portner attend and raise the
subject to see if the League would get involved. City Manager Miller said he did not feel
a Resolution from Tamarac would be prudent at this time.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:40 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
January 21, 2003
City Commission Workshop
7