HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-26 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the workshop meeting of
the City Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2009 in Room
105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 881h Avenue, Tamarac, FL.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad,
Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and
Commissioner Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren,
Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of
allegiance.
City Clerk Swenson announced Item 1 on the workshop agenda, TR11548,
Tamarac Marketplace, is to be removed from the workshop agenda as the item is
quasi-judicial and not for discussion at this meeting.
1. Item No. 8 on the regular agenda. TAMARAC MARKETPLACE:
(TR11548) A Resolution of the city commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
granting a Parking Waiver of thirty-seven (37) parking spaces to reduce the
required number of parking spaces from six hundred and fifty-three (653) to six
hundred and sixteen (616) parking spaces, for the property located at 10000-
10098 W. McNab Road (Case No. 3-Z-08); providing for conditions of approval;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date. This item was removed from the workshop agenda — no discussion due to
the item being quasi-judicial.
2. Item No. 6(c) on the Consent Agenda. WATERS EDGE PARK - GRANT
ACCEPTANCE AWARD: (TR11540) A Resolution of the City Commission of the
City of Tamarac, Florida, accepting a grant in the amount of $75,000 from the
Broward County Land Stewardship Program; authorizing the appropriate City
Officials to execute an agreement between Broward County and the City of
Tamarac for the development of Waters Edge Park; providing for a match of
$187,595 for a total project cost of $262,595; providing for conflicts; providing for
severability; and providing an effective date. Assistant City Manager Phillips and
Parks and Recreation Director Warner appeared and gave presentations.
Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said the recycled elements are different
than in other passive parks. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad said she is pleased we were
able to get to this level and questioned the timetable for completion. Director of
Parks and Recreation Warner said the design and construction should be
completed within the next year. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned cleanup of
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Monday, January 26, 2009
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the property and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner spoke of the Public
Works crew removing concrete material left from the model homes. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if the design would be done in-house and Public
Works Director Strain said the design would be done in-house except if there is a
building to be placed upon the property, then we might sub the work out.
Commissioner Glasser asked if the grant is secured for the City and Assistant
City Manager Phillips said the funds are allocated through bonds and it is
secured.
3. Item No-6 (d) on the Consent Agenda. PEMBERTON BUILDING REFUND —
STARBUCKS: TR11545) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of
Tamarac, Florida authorizing the appropriate city officials to approve a refund in
the amount of twelve thousand nine hundred fourteen dollars and thirty-one cents
($12,914.31) which was paid on commercial alteration permit number 07-4981;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date. Building Director Grande gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco asked if it is usual and customary to refund the money in this type of
circumstance and City Attorney Goren said staff reviewed the matter with the City
Attorney's Office and calculations were made; the refund is due. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if Starbucks would be coming back to the location in
the future and Building Director Grande said Dunkin' Donuts is looking at the
space. Commissioner Bushnell said the money will then be recovered. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when we would know about Dunkin' Donuts coming
to the location and Building Director Grande said it is in the works now.
4. Item No. 6(e) on the Consent Agenda. JOINT PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY FOR HOUSEHOLD GAZARDOUS
WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS: (TR11556) A Resolution of the City
Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing the appropriate City
officials to execute a joint participation agreement with Broward County for
household hazardous waste collection events valid through August 5, 2010;
providing for conflicts, providing for severability; and providing for an effective
date. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said using the Mayor and City Commission blast a -mails is a good way
to get this information to the residents. Commissioner Bushnell questioned the
May 3 date and said many residents of District 1 return north in April, and if this
were to be done prior to May they would be able to participate. Public Works
Director Strain said he could request an earlier date from the County for next
year but he is not sure they will comply. There is a site on Powerline Road that is
open every Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. If anyone is
interested in the address, they should call the Public Works office.
S. Item No. 6 (i) on the Consent Agenda. SECOND BUDGET AMENDMENT
FISCAL YEAR 2009: (TR11542) A Resolution of the City commission of the
City of Tamarac, Florida, amending the Expenditure Budget for the Fiscal Year
2009; appropriating fund balance for the Fiscal Year 2009; providing for conflicts;
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Monday, January 26, 2009
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providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Deputy City
Manager/Interim Director of Financial Services Cernech introduced Management
and Budget Analysts Ashworth and Stewart. Deputy City Manager/Interim
Financial Services Director Cernech gave a presentation. Commissioner
Dressler questioned the local option fuel tax and asked if it is a variable amount
based on the percentage of the cost of gas. Deputy City Manager/Interim
Financial Services Director Cernech said he would check and get back with
Commissioner Dressler. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the presentation
helps fill in the whole picture. Commissioner Bushnell said it is nice to know, as
a taxpayer, that the City is looking out for the residents.
6. Item No. 6(b) on the consent agenda. SABAL PALM SOUTH PROPERTY
OWNERS' ASSOCIATION, INC. QUIT CLAIM DEED: (TR11544) A Resolution
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approving and authorizing the execution of a Quit Claim Deed between the City
and Sabal Palm South Property Owners' Association, Inc. The City currently
owns a certain parcel of real property connecting two waterway canals owned by
the Association. Execution of the Deed will give the Association an undivided
ownership interest in the property and make them responsible for the
maintenance thereof. Public Works Director Strain and City Attorney Goren
appeared. City Attorney Goren gave a presentation. Commissioner Bushnell
asked what role the developer plays in this waterway now and Public Works
Director Strain said none.
7. Item No. 6(h) on the Consent Agenda. SECOND AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: (TR11555) A Resolution
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute the Second Amendment to
the Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Broward County for Public
Transportation Services; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and
providing an effective date. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner and
Community Services Manager Maldonado appeared. Director of Parks and
Recreation Warner gave a presentation and Community Services Manager
Maldonado spoke of the differences in paratransit, fixed route transit and the
express shuttle, as well as staffing, ridership and costs. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad
asked how our fares compare to the public bus fares and Community Services
Manager Maldonado said we can not charge more than 50% of the public bus
fares; our s harges are $.50 per ride. Commissioner Bushnell asked how
important it is -that the paratransit fees be increased and Community Services
Manager Maldonado explained the paratransit is separate from the other transit
services; it is run through the City of Tamarac. Commissioner Bushnell asked if it
pays for itself and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said for FY08 the
subsidy received from the County covered the entire transportation program
including paratransit. Commissioner Bushnell questioned how this is marketed
and whether we market the paratransit through the doctors' offices and hospitals.
Community Services Manager Maldonado said this would be a good idea; word
of mouth referrals are one way of marketing the program, as well as the Tam -A -
Gram and website. Also, there are applications to sign up for the program at
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Monday, January 26, 2009
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various locations in the City. Commissioner Dressler asked whether the City
pays for the paratransit or the money comes from the County supplement.
Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said both are correct. Commissioner
Dressler spoke of the potential of liability due to funding reductions to the County.
Commissioner Dressler said there is a sense of entitlement among people with
regard to bus service and people look to the cities. There are no economies of
scale and it is not the cities' responsibilities to provide that type of transportation;
the federal and county levels of government are responsible. Commissioner
Glasser said most people want the service and are willing to pay for it. If there
are those who can not afford the service, perhaps a provision could be made for
them. If people are going to doctors outside the City they will have to look to
TOPS for transportation. Buses running in the City also have to make sure they
connect with County bus services. Community Services Manager Maldonado
said schedules are posted to link to Broward County or Lauderhill buses. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of cities collecting different rates, and asked if the
forum scheduled for January 28 would address that matter. Director of Parks
and Recreation Warner said cities can not exceed more than Y2 what the County
charges and the County may be looking to take that provision out of the
agreement and set a rate for everybody. Community Services Manager
Maldonado said as soon as she gets information from the forum she will report
back to the Mayor and City Commission. Commissioner Glasser questioned
qualifications for people using paratransit and Community Services Manager
Maldonado said they can not own their own vehicle or have another means of
transportation and must be over 60 years old. Commissioner Glasser said for
many years the clubhouses were very active so people did not need to go out of
their communities but that is no longer the case. City Manager Miller added if
one were to take a cab across town it is very expensive; $.50 is quite a
substantial deal for our seniors. Commissioner Dressler said the transportation
issue is due to the failure of the State and County for not providing mass transit
in Florida.
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
adjourned the workshop meeting at 10:40 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
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