Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-26 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, January 26, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Schreiber led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. JANUARY 28, ZQQ4 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(b). 1ST QUARTER 2004 BUDGET AMENDMENT: (TR10321) Amending the expenditure budget for the Fiscal Year 2004; amending the budget of estimated revenues for the Fiscal Year 2004. Finance Director Dona Newman introduced Management and Budget Officer Chris Sammartino, who gave a presentation. Commissioners Sultanof and Portner asked about grant monies involved and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino explained the three grants, each of which have been previously approved by the Commission. Commissioner Portner asked about the general fund balance after $781,000 is taken out and Finance Director Newman said the audit is ongoing and we will know the balance within the next few weeks. Mayor Schreiber questioned the expenditure for next year and upcoming years and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino said it would increase, but funding will be available; staff is working on a 4-5 year forecast. Commissioner Portner confirmed that the presentation was made previously regarding firefighters, and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino said it was. b. Item No. 6(d). AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR HURRICANE WIND SCREENS: (TR10331) Submitting an application to the Florida Department of Community Affairs through the Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Trust Fund for an Emergency Management Municipal Matching Grant in an amount not to exceed $50,000, providing for a match of 2:1 for hurricane screens at essential facilities. Chief Jim Budzinski gave a presentation and noted the fabric -like material would cover bay doors at the fire stations. Mayor Schreiber asked if the screens could be used over open doors and Fire Chief Budzinski responded the trampoline -type material screens can be used on either open or closed doors; they attach to the top of the door and to the concrete or asphalt apron below and they reduce wind pressure on the doors and offer protection from wind-blown missiles. Commissioner Sultanof asked about the operation of the screens and Fire Chief January 26, 2004 City Commission Workshop 1 Budzinski said they are not motorized. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the accordion shutters on doors and windows are also on the bay doors and Fire Chief Budzinski replied in the negative. Mayor Schreiber asked where else these could be used and if this project involves a matching grant. Fire Chief Budzinski said these screens could be used on any existing buildings not currently protected by shutters. Assistant to the City Manager Phillips explained that construction costs of the Public Services Complex will be utilized as the city's match and we will not have to budget additional funds if we are awarded the grant. Commissioner Portner asked what velocity the screens can handle and Fire Chief Budzinski said they meet Dade County specifications and have withstood large missile tests without being damaged. Commissioner Portner asked for an explanation of the 2:1 match, and Assistant to the City Manager Phillips explained this is a rating scale wherein we match a minimum of $2 for the state's $1; application can be made for up to $50,000 and we will meet the match through construction costs. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the $100,000 match is in cash and Assistant to the City Manager Phillips said there is no cash layout; the match will be in -kind. C. Item No. 6(g). GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT — SOUTHGATE LINEAR PARK: (TR10328) Accepting a grant in the amount of $200,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Land and Water Conservation Fund; authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute an agreement between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Tamarac for grant funding in the amount of $200,000 with a City match of $200,000 for a total project cost of $400,000, from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to provide the residents and visitors of Tamarac enhanced parks and recreation programs at Southgate Linear Park. Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if the area up to the street median is included and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles explained the street will be redesigned to two lanes and will weave in and out of the present 4-lane area. Mayor Schreiber questioned the current status, completion date and total cost. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said a letter of interest has been drafted for a design consultant which will go out at the beginning of February. Other than the grant money, funding to complete the park has not been obtained; this will be accomplished sometime in 2005 or 2006. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said this grant sets a timeline of 3 years for completion and the entire project cost will be a minimum of $1 million. Commissioner Sultanof asked about the location of the pump station, a possible bandstand, observation tower and cross -through to the everglades. City Manager Miller pointed out the stormwater pump station on the conceptual master plan handout. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles explained if there is a bandstand, it would be more of a natural setting and closer to the Nob Hill end where there are more open areas. An observation tower will be considered, as the community desires a place to look at the sunset. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the county's plan is to go along our path and up to Coral Springs, then cross over to the everglades at Atlantic Boulevard. Mayor Schreiber asked about a cross -connection over the Sawgrass and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it had been proposed but is very costly. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how we are doing with FPL, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said she has not had contact with them since the public meetings were held. January 26, 2004 City Commission Workshop 2 1 Commissioner Portner asked if this is part of the trailhead of Broward County and if it would be completed in 2005. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles explained this is one of five priority greenway trails and funding has only been obtained for the design process; staff will come before the Commission in 2005 for funding for other amenities; other grants will be applied for in the future. Assistant to the City Manager Phillips explained the various elements of the project and grant funding of the costs using in - kind city matches. Commissioner Portner asked if, in the long run, the cost to the city would be $400,000 and Assistant to the City Manager Phillips said yes, for the elements discussed. Commissioner Portner asked if there are dollars from the state for stormwater, and Assistant to the City Manager Phillips responded in the affirmative. Mayor Schreiber said the park is very unique and after it is developed it may be eligible for an award. However, the public has charged that there are too many parks and not enough schools. Mayor Schreiber suggested that perhaps thought should be given to making this into a school site. Commissioner Sultanof asked for confirmation that the city is obligated to provide 1.3 acres of park land per 1,000 residents, and City Manager Miller said that is correct. Commissioner Sultanof said we have control over parks but not over the school board and questioned how this issue could be addressed. Mayor Schreiber said the Commission has a responsibility to the residents to help children; as a city, we are responsible to help other agencies, much as we did for the new library, which benefits the city; providing space for a school might be a benefit. Commissioner Sultanof said children cannot grow without parks and questioned building a school on Southgate in light of the fact the overhead power lines were an issue a few years ago. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said this parcel contains Florida Power and Light, and South Florida Water Management District easements and is not an appropriate site for a school. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the number of acres on this site and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it consists of about 30 acres. d. Item No. 6(h). URGING MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT_ PRIORITY ISSUES DURING THE 2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: (TR10333) Urging members of the Florida Legislature to support the Florida League of Cities' key priority municipal issues during the 2004 legislative session; directing the City Clerk to provide copies of the adopted Resolution to Governor Jeb Bush, Senate President Jim King, Speaker of the House Johnnie Byrd, Jr., Senator Skip Campbell, Representative Stacy Ritter, Representative Ron Greenstein and the Florida League of Cities. Assistant to the City Manager Diane Phillips gave a presentation and noted there are three key issues affecting Tamarac for which the League is requesting the city's support: the $200 filing fee for code violation cases; annexation laws; and more local control over water conservation areas. Commissioner Sultanof said while he favors legislators being made aware of these issues through the League of Cities, our lobbyist and the lobbyist for the League of Cities also need to get involved. Commissioner Partner said individual letters from each Commissioner to our representatives would be as effective as this Resolution. January 26, 2004 City Commission Workshop 3 e. Item No. 7. APPOINTING ONE RESIDENT TRUSTEE TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARDS (TR10327) Motion to approve Resolution appointing one resident trustee to the Police Pension Board for a two-year term ending January 28, 2006. City Clerk Marion Swenson gave a presentation and said an appointment is necessary due the vacancy created by the resignation of Gina Orlando, who had been appointed December 15, 2003. At that time, there were two other applicants for this board, Murray Levine and Jonathan Breslav; both have been contacted and they are still interested in serving. Mayor Schreiber asked if Mr. Levine served on the police pension board before, and City Clerk Swenson said he did serve on this board. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest; Commissioners Sultanof, Portner, Flansbaum- Talabisco and Mayor Schreiber expressed interest in appointing Mr. Murray Levine; Vice Mayor Roberts expressed interest in appointing Mr. Jonathan Breslay. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned item #6(c) on the consent agenda, Temporary Resolution 10318. TERMINATING AGREEMENT WITH PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.: (TR10318) Terminating the existing agreement dated March 26, 2003 with Public Financial Management Inc. Finance Director Dona Newman explained that this firm was hired and paid a retainer at the time the City was without a Finance Director. Finance Director Newman said after she was hired the agreement was amended to eliminate the retainer. The contract is not being utilized, nor is the firm being paid; therefore, termination of the contract is a housekeeping measure. 2. DISCUSSION RE: CITIZEN AWARDS PROGRAM: (This item was brought before the City Commission by Commissioner Portner at the September 22, 2003 workshop). Public Information Officer Lucy Crockett gave a presentation and said this is a follow-up to the discussion held this past fall. Public Information Officer Crockett said Management Intern Bernadette Hughes researched the matter and found some model programs which are more prominent in large cities, said programs having clear criteria and specific categories according to the city's priorities and values. No programs were found where elected officials sit on the panel. Public Information Officer Crockett said the Commission's current methods by which people are honored are good. Mayor Schreiber said he sees no need for such a program, and Vice Mayor Roberts said a formal program will contain similar awards as the Commission currently hands out, and will limit the Commission's ability to present awards. Commissioner Portner said his intention, at the time he first brought this up, was to publicly recognize individuals in the city and he implored the Commission to look into such a program. There were three different awards suggested to be looked into, which would entail photos and a write-up in a major newspaper. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what the pitfalls would be and Public Information Officer Crockett explained it is inevitable that some people would be disappointed by the outcome. If someone is nominated and does not fit the criteria, then the outcome would be that either someone not meeting the criteria is honored or an explanation to the nominator is necessary as to why there is no award. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if city commissions or separate committees make the decision, and Public Information Officer Crockett said Management Intern Hughes found that elected officials do not become involved in the process. Commissioner Portner referred to the New York Post's program, and Public January 26, 2004 City Commission Workshop 4 Information Officer Crockett said the New York Post sponsors the program; the city cannot force newspapers or television stations to air or report information. Commissioner Sultanof said the Forum is the community newspaper, and widely read, and questioned the possibility of the Forum creating a pilot program. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about the Area Agency on Aging's program. Mayor Schreiber said the City currently recognizes people for their volunteerism and good works, so a program such as this is unnecessary. Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 10:40 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:55 a.m. with all present as before. Commissioner Portner asked for an expression of interest from the Commission for him to talk to the Forum about a citizen awards program. All agreed and Mayor Schreiber said the Commission would like to hear Commissioner Portner's findings. 3. DISCUSSION RE: EMS COMMITTEE: Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco reported that the EMS Committee's December 2003 meeting was attended by only one EMS Committee member, five staff people, herself, and a visitor. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for input and direction from the Commission as to what should be done with the committee. Commissioner Sultanof suggested incorporating the EMS Committee members into the Citizens Corps Council, which is a newly - founded group. Members of the EMS Committee would have a voice in decisions made by the Corps. There was discussion whether to disband the EMS Committee. Fire Chief Budzinski said he agreed with Commissioner Sultanof; bringing the EMS Committee members into the Citizens Corps Council would be a very good use of their talents. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned whether the committee would remain as the EMS Committee and Commissioner Sultanof said their meetings could be suspended, but they should be allowed to attach themselves to the Corps. Fire Chief Budzinski said the Corps will hold their first meeting for 2004 shortly, and EMS Committee members could be invited to attend. Commissioner Portner suggested Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco call District 2 applicants for boards and committees, as personal contact from a Commissioner would be effective in recruiting members. Commissioner Portner said he does not want to see the committee disbanded. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said no applicants for previous board and committee appointments requested serving on the EMS Committee, but even if there were residents who chose to serve on this committee, the committee needs a mission. Commissioner Sultanof said the members have always provided input to Fire Chief Budzinski, and Vice Mayor Roberts said part of the problem is a current lack of goals and direction. The committee, in the past, was effective. Fire Chief Budzinski said the committee was initially created and tasked to monitor the transition from first response to ALS; the committee's original goal has been accomplished; today's issues are administrative and fall under the Medical Director or staff who follow standardized protocols. Fire Chief Budzinski reiterated that the original direction of incorporating the members into the Citizen Corps Council is appropriate. Then if there is a need for the Commission to appoint an ad hoc committee, they could draw upon the Corps people. Mayor Schreiber suggested the City Clerk contact all applicants to boards and January 26, 2004 City Commission Workshop 5 committees to find volunteers. Vice Mayor Roberts said keeping the EMS Committee alive will not help the cause; the committee should be suspended and the members asked to join the Citizen Corps Council, which will be a benefit to both the members and the City. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how often the Corps meets and Fire Chief Budzinski said it is up to the members, but under federal guidelines, they must meet once per year. Fire Chief Budzinski said it is proposed the Corps meet either monthly or bi-monthly; they can assimilate and create a role for a specific EMS focus. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco reiterated the lack of mission for the EMS Committee as well as the poor use of staffs time. Mayor Schreiber said since the Commission has such varying opinions, a decision regarding the future of the EMS Committee should be suspended at this time. 4. DISCUSSION RE: RECOGNITION OF THE OLDEST HOUSE IN TAMARAC: Commissioner Edward C. Portner said the house at 4562 NW 16th Avenue was issued building permit #7, which is the oldest permit in Tamarac to be found, and he would like a plaque and historic designation given to that house. City Attorney Kraft suggested Building Official Jones speak to the matter of historical definition, and Building Official Jones said Tamarac does not have an historical building definition. Mayor Schreiber asked how we know this is the oldest house in Tamarac, and Commissioner Portner responded the oldest permit found is No. 7; Nos. 1-6 are missing. Building Official Jones said the original records are filed with the county, and the county did not designate certificates of occupancy at the time these houses were built. Commissioner Sultanof said some records are stored in the office of Broward County Historical Records, and they could possibly confirm whether this is the oldest house in Tamarac. Vice Mayor Roberts suggested looking at archives in the City Clerk's office. There was no further discussion or determination of designation of the oldest house in Tamarac. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:15 a.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk LI January 26, 2004 City Commission Workshop 6