HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-26 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the
City Commission to order on Monday, February 26, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad,
Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner Harry Dressler.
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner.
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. FEBRUARY 28, 2007 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 6(b) on Consent Agenda. PURCHASE OF DATA CENTER
EQUIPMENT: (TR11127) Purchasing data center equipment to house the City's
network, telecommunications and data processing systems in the new Utilities -IT
building from Dell - APC, utilizing State of Florida Contract #250-000-03-1; authorizing
an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $91,674.43. I.T. Director Sucuoglu and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. I.T. Director Sucuoglu gave a
presentation. Commissioner Sultanof questioned the safety of the placement of the
equipment in the space between Room 105 and the Commission offices and asked if
anything could be done regarding the company that installed the equipment and is now
bankrupt. Assistant City Attorney Klahr said we initiated a claim on the surety.
Commissioner Dressler questioned redundancy on the system and infrastructure. I.T.
Director Sucuoglu said there is redundancy on the system but if the air conditioning unit
fails we will have to rely on the building air conditioning unit. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco questioned a seamless transition and the affect on the public. I.T. Director
Sucuoglu said it will be done on weekends and after hours as much as possible and
there will be less than an hour's downtime on the website. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
spoke of the importance of the project and building, and felt the public should be told
what is going on and the importance to the city. City Manager Miller congratulated I.T.
Director Sucuoglu on an excellent job and explained lines are buried so there can be
communication between buildings.
b. Item No. 6(c) on Consent Agenda. PURCHASE OF UPGRADED LIGHTING —
TAMARAC SPORTS COMPLEX FIELDS 7 AND 8: (TR11131) Purchasing upgraded
lighting for the Tamarac Sports Complex Fields 7 and 8 at a cosf not to exceed
$185,565, from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC, utilizing the City of Jacksonville, Florida Bid
#SC-0511-06 Price Agreement Contract for Park and Playground Equipment; approving
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funding from the appropriate capital improvement and grant accounts. Parks and
Recreation Director Warner and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Parks
and Recreation Director Warner gave a presentation and spoke of the merits of the new
lights. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of available funding through the federal
government for recreation and sports programs and questioned the stability of the
existing poles. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner explained the poles are
appropriate for the system; structural soundness will be confirmed through the
permitting process. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the lights are solar and Director of
Parks and Recreation Warner said they are electric. Commissioner Atkins -Grad praised
the 25 year warranty. Commissioner Dressler asked if the new lights will tie in to the
three new fields and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner explained this project
was separated from the rest of the project in order to get a better price through the
Jacksonville bid. Lighting in the new areas is part of the design build through DiPompeo
Construction. Commissioner Dressler questioned DiPompeo's ability to piggy -back on
the Jacksonville bid and City Manager Miller said it will be looked into for the future.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if it is more costly for solar lighting and Assistant
Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said the draw on the lights is too large for
a solar system. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if these lights will match the ones in
the new fields, when the project would be completed, and spoke of notifying the
parents. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said they will match; the project
should be completed by spring, and the leagues will be notified.
C. Item No. 6(d) on Consent Agenda. DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN SURPLUS
EQUIPMENT: (TR11134) Declaring certain equipment and material as surplus and
directing that equipment be disposed via sale through established Internet markets to
be selected; or by the means deemed to be most practicable; placing all proceeds into
the appropriate fund from which the assets were originally purchased. Public Works
Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works
Director Strain gave a presentation. Commissioner Sultanof confirmed this is the same
process we used before through the internet and the money derived from the sale would
go back into the account from which it came. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned
the number of websites used and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said we use
_govdeals for this type of application.
d. Item No. 6(f) on Consent Agenda. GRANT APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT —
EMERGENCY NAME REGISTRY AND WELLNESS CHECK PROJECT: (TR11138)
Submitting an application to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for
Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Trust Fund (EMPATF)
Municipal Competitive Grant Program funds for the Emergency Name Registry and
Wellness Check Project in the amount of $17,547 providing for a 2 to 1 match of
$35,093 in local funds for a total project cost of $52,640 in the event of approval of the
application; providing for acceptance of the award and executing of documents upon
approval. Fire Chief Budzinski, Special Projects Coordinator Gresek and Social
Services Supervisor Cure-Persad appeared. Fire Chief Budzinski explained we are
applying for the grant in order to enhance our ability to respond to the community
following an event. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek spoke of the funding and
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added this will address residents with special needs. Social Services Supervisor Cure-
Persad said names are being collected in combination with the Fire Department's list of
homebound and code red. We are coordinating with condominium associations and so
far 80 condominiums are registered. There will be a charging station at the Tamarac
Community Center and we will have the ability to go to a home if the resident is not able
to get to the Tamarac Community Center. Fire Chief Budzinski added a small vehicle,
such as a Gator or Golf Cart is included, which will allow us to reach communities if the
roads are not cleared in order for our apparatus to fit through. Fire Chief Budzinski
thanked Special Projects Coordinator Gresek for taking the Fire Rescue and Social
Services information and consolidating it to seek assistance. This grant is supported by
the County and there are no conflicts.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad left the room at 10:10 a.m. and returned at 10:12 a.m.
Commissioner Sultanof asked for clarification on the 2:1 match and if the funds are
budgeted. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek explained for every dollar requested
the City has to provide double in its own funds; the funds are available in the FY08 Fire
Rescue budget. The grant should be awarded in June and we have one year to spend
the funds. Commissioner Dressler said Tamarac has always been very careful about
how we spend our money, and rhetorically asked what would happen if we did not have
a contract on which to piggy back and no money to maintain our infrastructure.
Commissioner Dressler asked if rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities fall
under the registry. Fire Chief Budzinski explained formal facilities in the City are
required to have their own mutual aid plans and present them to the City for review.
These facilities are better prepared than the average resident of Tamarac to deal with
impending disasters or the results of a storm. Commissioner Dressler said he does not
look at the numbers the way corporate America does; what is the cost of a human life?
Commissioner Dressler thanked staff for their hard work. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
said she is troubled about what is going on in Tallahassee; they have not looked at our
budget and a program like this speaks volumes about what we are doing for our
residents. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the golf carts previously referenced,
as many community residents have golf carts that could be pressed into service if
needed. Fire Chief Budzinski responded some of these are electric and some gas; in
an extended event we would have to ensure they could keep operating, which may
necessitate installation of a generator. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said as we get
closer to hurricane season this should be brought up when the Mayor and City
Commission go out to talk to the communities, as we do not want the residents to be
lulled into a false sense of security; we need to address these things at the grass roots
level. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco added she is on the hurricane committee for the
Broward League of Cities and they are using door hangers for condominiums — one side
for okay the other side need assistance; this would help us when going door to door.
Fire Chief Budzinski said this program is going forward countywide; and it is basically
for the communities to use, not for emergency responders. It is proposed that
communities take responsibility for that program. Commissioner Dressler said we face
threats from hurricanes and other natural forces, health issues such as the avian flu
virus, terrorists and bio-chemicals, and suggested we go back to the 1950's civil
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defense program. Fire Chief Budzinski said both the CERT Program and Citizen Corps
Council are heading in that direction but overall it has not gotten the full commitment of
the community. Commissioner Sultanof said we now have Tamarac University and
these people will be part of our government; it is up to the Mayor and City Commission
to spread the word. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of the golf carts with side panels
used during the Korean War so they were able to carry people to safety. Fire Chief
Budzinski said the vehicle proposed is an all terrain vehicle.
2. DISCUSSION RE: APPLICATION FOR AN EMS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$162,600 TO FUND COMPUTER BASED PATIENT CARE ,REPORTING SYSTEM:
Fire Chief Budzinski, Division Chief Sheridan and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek
appeared. Fire Chief Budzinski explained this is a computerized patient reporting
system. EMS Division Chief Sheridan said this is directly in line with state initiative case
reporting systems and provides real time live interface with County systems, timely
record keeping and a link to the billing system. Commissioner Sultanof asked where
the money would come from and EMS Division Chief Sheridan said a grant from the
State and a 25% match from the City from the internal fire source capital line item which
is in the existing budget. Commissioner Dressler said the money is spent for the safety
of the people. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an explanation of the difference
between calling 911 now and what it will be when the system goes into effect, and EMS
Division Chief Sheridan explained the interface is a real time download to units
regarding addresses and medical information for the patient as well as routing
instructions. When the paramedics are on the scene it would allow for one point of
entry for collection of data directly to the hospital. Fire Chief Budzinski added the
information would be made available to the doctors in the emergency rooms and the
system will prompt the paramedics through protocols. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked if it is an easy system to learn and questioned a backup. Fire Chief Budzinski
said in the event of a power failure we can revert to a paper system. This new system
is much better than previous systems. EMS Division Chief Sheridan said the system
should be on line by February 2008 and Tamarac is one of the leaders in the state for
the pilot program. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said this is a great example of where
we are spending our money and she would like the public informed as soon as possible;
this will change peoples' lives. Fire Chief Budzinski added reporting of data during
emergency response is a state mandate and we are trying to meet the February 2008
deadline for enhanced reporting. Commissioner Dressler rhetorically discussed
unintended consequences — property tax and recession, unfunded mandates, and
spoke of the law of economics.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad left the room at 10:45 a.m. and returned at 10:48 a.m.
Commissioner Sultanof questioned telephones in condominium elevators and the fact
that a 911 call from an elevator phone goes to Texas and then is re-routed to Florida.
Fire Chief Budzinski said most elevator telephones are required for safety of the riders,
should they get stuck in the elevator. It is just an answering service that will provide
information based on where the call comes from and is a decision on the part of each
association or property manager as to which company to use. Commissioner Sultanof
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said the representatives in Tallahassee have no conception of what each city has to do.
Cities come under home rule and we do better for our residents than Tallahassee does.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said after the November election she told the City Manager
that she would like to have a reach out and touch everybody program and starting in
January we invited School Board members and legislators to come speak to the Mayor
and City Commission. Commissioner Dressler said the disturbing thing about property
taxes and inguratice is the political ramifications; when home rule powers of municipal
government ane eroded it disenfranchises the voters at the local level and this then
spells the derNse-of democracy.
3. UPDATE ON CIP PROJECTS: Public Works Director Strain and Assistant Public
Works Director/City Engineer Doherty appeared. Assistant Public Works Director/City
Engineer Doherty spoke about recently completed projects: Caporella Aquatic Center,
70t Avenue Traffic Calming, Southgate Boulevard Streetscape Improvements, Culvert
Improvement Project, and Westwood Drive Speed Hump Installation Project. Assistant
Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty then spoke about active projects: Sports
Complex Renovation, Southgate Linear Park Phase I, Tamarac Dog Park, Recreation
Center Demolition and Reconstruction, Waters Edge Park, Aquatic Center Annex, Fire
Station Facade and Renovation, and Citywide Bike Path System, Commissioner
Dressler questioned the discrepancy between the estimated and total costs for the
projects due to the huge increases in economic growth and industrializing countries.
Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said the 70th Avenue Traffic
Calming was paid for out of the roadway program and then spoke about the
skyrocketing costs of construction and materials. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the
city's credit rating and borrowing ability and where our money goes — to projects that
provide safety and quality of life for our residents. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of
Tamarac's fiduciary integrity. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if the Dog Park would
have handicapped accessibility and Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer
Doherty said anything that is built in Tamarac must meet ADA requirements. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the people who use the Recreation Center have been
notified of the upcoming construction and we are able to accommodate them and asked
how the firefighters would be accommodated during the renovation of the fire station.
Public Works Director Strain said that would be taken care of as part of the contract.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed when people read about the increase in costs
they will be informed the increases are due to natural disasters and global influence of
the cost of construction materials. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco added, due to what the
legislature is proposing, this could well be the last of our wonderful city projects for a
while. The prior commission and this commission can take credit for changing the face
of Tamarac. Commissioner Dressler complimented staff and the senior executive team
for their hard work and dedication and said he hopes the ability of this city to grow will
not be jeopardized. Commissioner Sultanof thanked City Manager Miller for the team
he put together for Tamarac.
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There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:20 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk -
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