HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-26 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission
to order on Monday, February 26, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall,
7525 NW 88 1h Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward C.
Portner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant
City Manager Tim Hemstreet, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Schreiber moved out of the regular order of the Workshop Agenda to take up item
No. 2.
2. UPDATE ON WOODLANDS PUMP STATION: Public Works Director Raj Verma
gave a presentation and responded to questions regarding the bottlenecks between the
lake and the channels, and said adding a 48" pipe would increase the capacity of the
channel. There was discussion about another bottleneck off Rock Island Road, which is
controlled by the County. Public Works Director Verma explained the seawall capacity,
reviewed calculations and introduced Jim Davis of Williams Hatfield Stoner.
BROWARD COUNTY_ COMMISSIONER ILENE LIEBERMAN: Broward County
Commissioner Ilene Lieberman discussed Tamarac issues in which the County Commission
could provide input. There was discussion about the Woodlands, modifying the opening off
Pine Island Road and Tamarac's request for a barrier on Commercial Boulevard.
Commissioner Lieberman said it is FDOT's policy that request for a barrier be presented at
the time of road construction, and FDOT will not honor a request after the road is
completed. Commissioner Lieberman said she has been copying Tamarac on
correspondence with the Turnpike Authority, and discussed the State's standing on
capacity, noise and pollution. Commissioner Lieberman asked for clarification on whether
Tamarac wanted the canals north of Shaker Village cleaned, and City Manager Miller said
Tamarac does want them cleaned. Regarding the Landis property, Commissioner
Lieberman said one way to alleviate the problem is for Tamarac to consider annexing the
property. Commissioner Lieberman said she needs to be aware of Tamarac's future plans,
and said she will keep her eyes on the Challenge Grants. Vice Mayor Roberts asked for
assistance regarding the staging area on McNab Road west of University Drive. City
Manager Miller said he wrote a letter to Mr. Chesser telling him of all the accidents that
occurred on Commercial between 49th and 50th , and if there are no results from that letter,
City Manager Miller said there are other avenues the City can take to try to resolve the
matter. Mayor Schreiber asked about a traffic light on University and 76 th Street, and City
Manager Miller said the light was approved but there has been no commitment for
construction. Mayor Schreiber asked about moving work on the entrance to the turnpike up
to the year 2002, and Commissioner Lieberman explained there was a misunderstanding
about whether the monies could be paid and then reimbursed, and there is a timeline that
must be followed, which would not allow the construction to begin before 2003. City
Manager Miller said he appreciates Commissioner Lieberman's efforts on behalf of
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Tamarac, and asked if she would keep an eye on the library for the City. Commissioner
Lieberman said she follows up on this monthly. Community Development Director King said
the City met with the architect and engineer and there should be a preliminary site plan
ready for review late summer or early fall. Mayor Schreiber asked how long before
construction begins on the project, and Community Development Director King said if the
contracts are released in February 2002, the library should open within one year, and it is
conceivable the library will be built by the end of 2002. Commissioner Portner asked about
taxes on the Landis property and City Manager Miller said he would look into it.
Commissioner Lieberman said on February 27 th there would be a public hearing to approve
a new bus line on Pine Island Road from Broward Mail to Coral Square Mall.
Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation regarding the Automatic Exterior Defibrillator
(AED), installation and training for operation. There was discussion about acceptance of an
AED that was to be presented to Kings Point, and Fire Chief Budzinski explained that
Tamarac was told that the North Broward Hospital District's (NBHD) charter did not allow
them to contribute equipment directly to a private entity, so a method was devised to get the
equipment to the American Heart Association, and they in turn, would donate the equipment
to the Tamarac Fire Department; Tamarac Fire Rescue would then assign the equipment to
Kings Point. Fire Chief Budzinski said he was drafting an ordinance to control placement
and training on the AED, and the ordinance would set standards throughout the City. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked why the equipment is being turned over to Kings Point rather than
another community, and Fire Chief Budzinski said the people of Kings Point had been
working with the NBHD and the equipment was earmarked for Kings Point. Commissioner
Sultanof asked Fire Chief Budzinski to find out whether Lennar purchased the AED for
Kings Point or if it was donated by the NBHD. There was discussion about funding for
purchasing additional AED's for other communities, and Commissioner Portner asked about
the cost of each unit. Fire Chief Budzinski said they run between $2,000-$4,000, and
Commissioner Portner suggested budgeting money to purchase units for the rest of
Tamarac. City Manager Miller said the request could be put in for discussion at midyear or
in next year's budget. Commissioner Sultanof said each individual clubhouse could raise
money for an AED if they desired, but he wanted it to be clear that the AED for Kings Point
is being donated. Vice Mayor Roberts suggested holding off giving the AED to Kings Point
because there are no rules and regulations in place, and City Attorney Kraft said the AED
cannot go into operation until Tamarac gets the release and waiver. City Manager Miller
said the intent is to give the AED to Kings Point subject to Commission approval.
3. FEBRUARY 28, 2001 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item #9. PHASE III OF THE SEVEN YEAR COMPREHENSIVE STREET
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: (TR9271) Motion to approve certain streets for resurfacing as
part of Phase III of the Seven Year Comprehensive Street Improvement Program;
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute a contract amendment with Weekley
Asphalt Paving, Inc., for Phase III of the Seven Year Comprehensive Street Improvement
Program for asphalt paving; authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed
$1,425,102.31; authorizing budgetary transfers as necessary for proper accounting
purposes. City Manager Miller said this item is not part of the backup and it will be pulled to
the March 14 1h Agenda. Public Works Director Raj Verma gave a presentation. Vice Mayor
Roberts asked when work on Phase III would begin and Public Works Director Verma said
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within 30 days of the resolution being approved and notice to proceed. There was
discussion about the increase in cost for asphalt, and future phases of the project. Public
Works Director Verma said the east side of Tamarac may experience delays due to the
previously approved utility project, and Commissioner Portner asked about doing the work
before the septic tank project. Public Works Director Verma said it was not the best way to
move forward. Public Works Director Verma said the total program, from beginning to
completion of Phase III, would cost about $17 million, and Vice Mayor Roberts asked where
the additional $2 million would come from. There was discussion about the utility fund and
Assistant City Manager Hemstreet explained that monies in that fund are set aside for
capital improvements.
b. Item #8(f). PURCHASE AND SALE OF REAL PROPERTY. (TR9260) Executing
the Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Property between the City of Tamarac and
Samuel Butters for the sale of 1.3 acres of property identified as the northeasterly 1.3 acres
of a parcel of land being a portion of the northwest quarter (N/W 1/4) of Tract 5, less the
north 30 feet thereof in Section 7, Township 49 South, Range 41 East, of the "Florida Fruit
Lands Company's Subdivision Map No. 2" Plat, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in
Plat Book 1, Page 102 of the Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida, said lands
situated, lying and being in the City of Tamarac, Broward County, Florida, further described
in Exhibit "A" of the Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Property, Case No. 5-MI-01.
Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a presentation. Mayor
Schreiber asked about the difference in price for Butters' property and the City's property,
and Community Development Director King said Butters' property is platted while
Tamarac's is not, and Tamarac's property is still listed as agricultural.
C. Item #8(g) BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION
CHALLENGE GRANT FUNDS — MCNAB PARK: (TR9285) Approving an application to the
Broward County Safe Parks and Land Preservation Challenge Grant Program in the amount
of $500,000 in order to provide the residents and visitors enhanced parks and recreation
programs at McNab Park; increasing the appropriation for improvements to the McNab Park
Parcel to $807,300. Special Project Coordinator Diane Phillips gave a presentation.
Commissioner Portner asked about using the FRDAP application for a match, and Special
Projects Coordinator Phillips explained that the FRDAP application, which will not be
approved until June, is for specific items.
d. Item #8(h) BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION
CHALLENGE GRANT FUNDS — CAPORELLA PARK: (TR9286) Approving an application
to the Broward County Safe Parks and Land Preservation Challenge Grant Program in the
amount of $259,900 in order to provide the residents and visitors enhanced parks and
recreation programs at Caporella Park; providing for a match in the amount of $102,500 in
the form of other grant dollars. Special Project Coordinator Diane Phillips gave a
presentation.
e. Item #8(i) BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION
CHALLENGE GRANT FUNDS — TAMARAC SPORTS COMPLEX: (TR9287) Approving an
application to the Broward County Safe Parks and Land Preservation Challenge Grant
Program in the amount of $167,500 in order to provide the residents and visitors enhanced
parks and recreation programs at Tamarac Sports Complex. Special Projects Coordinator
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Phillips gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned whether the fencing had
previously been budgeted, and asked what will happen to the budgeted monies if the grant
is approved. Director of Parks & Recreation Kathleen Margoles responded.
f. Item #80) BROWARD COUNTY SWIM CENTRAL CHALLENGE GRANT
FUNDS — AQUATIC CENTER: (TR9288) Approving an application to the Broward County
Swim Central Challenge Grant Program in the amount of $1,500,000 in order to provide the
residents and visitors enhanced parks and recreation programs. Special Project Coordinator
Diane Phillips gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked about the ball fields, and Parks
and Recreation Director Margoles responded. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the location of
the pool could be changed if the City acquires another piece of property, and Special
Projects Coordinator Phillips said it depends on what funding is available, and whether the
County would agree. Commissioner Sultanof commended the way the matches were
dovetailed onto previous grant funds.
91 Item # 8(k) EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM "REACHING FOR THE
STARS": (TR9290) Approving the City of Tamarac Employee Recognition Program
"Reaching for the Stars"; authorizing the appropriate budgetary transfer of funds in the
amount of $4,000. Pat Kendrick, Taskforce Chairperson, explained the Shooting Stars
program, Phases I and 11, and introduced the taskforce; Cindy Diemer, Co -Chair, Kay
Reinert, Mauro Burgo, Kristin McKew, Keith Wilder, Fran Oney and Greg Warner; and the
Steering Committee Maria Swanson, Kathleen Margoles, Robert Lange and Tim Hemstreet.
Cindy Diemer and Keith Wilder explained the awards and criteria for each. Vice Mayor
Roberts questioned the certificate for the Heroic Action award. Code Enforcement Manager
Diemer said the certificate of achievement recognizes that employees have done something
outstanding, and any or all of these types of things would be useful when someone is
applying for a promotion. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the monetary amount and
personal day for the City's Mission Statement award, while Heroic Measures does not
include a monetary award. There was discussion about monetary awards for the different
categories. City Manager Miller confirmed the Commission's desire to lower Exemplifying
City's Mission Statement to $100 and one day, and change Heroic Measures to $100 and a
plaque. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the Leadership award, and whether it would take
some employees out of the loop. Commissioner Portner questioned the monetary award of
$200, and Mayor Schreiber said the City derives the greatest benefit when employees go
over and above what they have to do. Commissioner Portner said he could not equate the
monetary amounts for Heroic Measures and Leadership. Public Works Director Verma
explained how the awards were decided upon, and Commissioner Portner recommended a
monetary award go with each category in a proportionate fashion. Personnel Director Maria
Swanson spoke about recognition, and said if the Commission wants to do something other
than what has been proposed, it should be on a case -by -case basis. There was discussion
about giving a monetary award for each category, and Mayor Schreiber did not agree this
was the best way to go. Mayor Schreiber recommended leaving the Leadership award as
the Committee suggested, and Commissioner Sultanof agreed to $100 on the Heroic
Measures award. There was discussion about what things may fall under Leadership and
what may fall under Innovation, Commissioner Mishkin said the Committee gave this a lot
of thought and suggested that the Commissioners go along with the committee's decisions.
Vice Mayor Roberts said the Innovation award has to be documented, and whether or not
the suggestion is implemented, the employee should get something. Commissioner
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Sultanof agreed and said a monetary award should be considered; a minimum of $50 gift
certificate and a day off. There was discussion about taking the $6,000 worth of personal
days and using the money for other types of awards. Kristin McKew explained how the
$6,000 worth of personal days was derived. Mauro Burgo reviewed the process for the
program and the timeline. Kristin McKew reviewed the funding. Chairperson Kendrick
thanked the City Commission, the taskforce, steering committee and Fran Oney for their
work on the Employee Recognition Program.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item 8(j) on the consent agenda, Temporary Resolution
9288, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute an application to the Broward
County Swim Central Challenge Grant Program in the amount of $1,500,000 in order to
provide the residents and visitors enhanced parks and recreation programs. Commissioner
Portner asked if there was a budget for personnel and maintenance, and a timeframe.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said she is putting together a business plan, and it
most likely would be ready before budget.
Mayor Schreiber expressed concern about Item 10 on the regular agenda. Temporary
Ordinance 1920, amending Chapter 2 "Administration", Article Vill "Risk Management
Program" of the City Code of Ordinances to provide for the operation of the Risk
Management Program when the City elects to purchase outside insurance coverage and
adjustment services. In particular, Mayor Schreiber was concerned about taking authority
away from the City Commission. There was discussion about the reason for amending the
Code. It was decided that the Ordinance could be changed before second reading to state
that the City Manager is to notify the City Commission prior to settlement for all amounts.
Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 12:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:20 p.m.
with all present as before.
4. DISCUSSION OF CARPORT CODE ENFORCEMENT: Commissioner Portner
discussed the fact that carports are becoming storage areas and are unsightly. Vice Mayor
Roberts suggested an ordinance be drafted for enforcement.
Commissioner Mishkin left the meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Community Development Director King said he would check with other municipalities to see
what codes they have in force regarding carport storage. Walter Coghlin, Mainlands 5,
spoke about storage on carports.
Commissioner Portner asked about preparing a resolution to show that Tamarac
disapproves of tax cuts for schools.
5. DISCUSSION OF CREDIT CARDS FOR COMMISSIONERS' USE DURING
TRAVEL: Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts suggested a City Corporate Credit Card to be used
when staff makes reservations for Commissioners' trips. The room reservations and
registrations would be put on the credit card and the bill sent directly to the City. City
Manager Miller said he would look into this and report back at the next workshop.
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6. DISCUSSION OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS SCHEDULE: Assistant City
Manager Tim Hemstreet said there is a conflict with Kings Point for the March 14 th City
Commission meeting. Commissioner Portner suggested holding the March 14 1h meeting at
Woodmont, and Vice Mayor Roberts said Woodmont holds its club dinner on Wednesda
nights. Commissioner Sultanof suggested the Community Center for the March 14ty
meeting. Mayor Schreiber said in April the meetings at Kings Point drop off, so the first
meeting in April might be better at Kings Point. Vice Mayor Roberts said there needs to be
more organization to taking the commission meetings to the people, to make sure there are
no conflicting dates. In Woodmont it has to go before the Board of Directors, which takes
about a month. City Manager Miller asked if May would be good for Woodmont, and Vice
Mayor Roberts said that would be good. City Manager Miller said Commissioner Mishkin
suggested either the Community Center or Lime Bay for her area. There was discussion
about Lime Bay not being in District 2.
Vice Mayor Roberts said if a car is abandoned on a City swale, BSO can ticket the car, but
there are no provisions in the Code to tow the car. If it is on the roadway blocking traffic,
BSO has the right to tow it. This creates a situation where abandoned cars are sitting on
swales. City Manager Miller said he would speak with Chief Goldstein about this.
Commissioner Sultanof said Tamarac has been ticketing cars for sale that are left on
swales.
Vice Mayor Roberts asked if Economic Development Strategy was in the budget for this
year, and City Manager Miller said it was.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:50 p.m.
MaKion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
'� ,Out
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February 26, 2001
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