HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-21 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, March 21, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward
C. Partner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Karen L.
Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft,
Assistant City Manager Diane Phillips, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Schreiber led the pledge of allegiance.
1. MARCH 23. 2005 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 6(g). AMENDING EXPENDITURE BUDGET AND BUDGET OF
ESTIMATED REVENUES FOR FY2005: (TR10645) Amending the expenditure budget
for the Fiscal Year 2005; amending the budget of estimated revenues for the Fiscal
Year 2005. Finance Director Chapman and Management and Budget Officer
Sammartino appeared. Finance Director Chapman gave a presentation and said these
are housekeeping matters. Finance Director Chapman reviewed the amendments and
Mayor Schreiber said the Mayor's Jewels and Jeans Gala should be changed to
Broward County not Mayor's. Commissioner Portner questioned the funds for the public
art fund and questioned whether the sculpture was donated. Management and Budget
Officer Sammartino said the sculpture was donated. City Attorney Kraft clarified that the
sculpture was donated by Mr. Yellin and the money was given to the city. The city then
purchased the sculpture from the artist. Commissioner Portner questioned the Three
Million Dollars taken out for legal costs and the remaining fund balance. Finance
Director Chapman replied as of September 30 we should end the year with an
undesignated fund balance of about $3.7 million which gives us a fund balance of
9.45%. With this amount taken out the percentage will fall to 8.4% and that is within the
allowable fund balance. Commissioner Roberts spoke of the Broward County Jewels
and Jeans Gala and said it was her understanding that instead of sponsorship the
Mayor and City Commission decided to donate $2,500 to the Transplant House.
Commissioner Roberts and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco agreed they wanted
this noted as they did not want it to appear that the Mayor and City Commission
sponsored a table.
b. Item No. 6(h). NEW DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN APPLICATION FEE REFUND
— TAMARAC AQUATIC COMPLEX PROJECT: (TR10669) Refunding $3,000.00 to
Catalfumo Construction, L.L.C. for New Development Site Plan fees collected in error
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for the Tamarac Aquatic Complex Project (Case No. 4-MI-05). Community
Development Director King gave a presentation. Commissioner Roberts said this is the
right thing to do since it is the city's project.
C. Item No. 6(n). FY04-05 ALLOCATION — STATE OF FLORIDA'S STATE
HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP (SHIP_ PROGRAM FUNDS: (TR10657)
Amending the State of Florida's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program
budget of estimated revenues and expenditures in the amount of $422,627.00 by
accepting the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 allocation of the program funds to be utilized
according to the City's Local Housing Assistance Plan and Housing Delivery Goals
Chart; appropriating said funds, including any and all necessary budget transfers (Case
No. 2-MI-05). Community Development Director King gave a presentation and said this
allocation is less than last years, based on the amount of doc stamps recorded. Mayor
Schreiber said management of the SHIP program was turned over to the county and
they are not doing a good job; the city should look into getting another company to
manage the program. Community Development Director King said the city is aware of
this and is on top of it; in the last two -three weeks the county has been more productive.
The contract is good until the end of September and we are being proactive.
Commissioner Roberts said it is a great program but she felt more homeowners and
first time home buyers should be helped each year. Community Development Director
King explained that in addition to the SHIP program there are CDBG funds available
and we should be able to help 100-150 people in the next 6-8 months. Commissioner
Roberts spoke of the number of foreclosures she has seen and asked if this affects the
city, since some of them are SHIP houses. Community Development Director King said
the city does get its funding back. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned the progress of the
first time homebuyers and Community Development Director King said the city will look
into an increase in the amount of money available. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of
foreclosures, in particular with regard to condominium units and asked how this can
dovetail into the program. Community Development Director King explained when
applicants are notified they have qualified it is up to the potential homeowner to find a
home; the city can put them in touch with local real estate agents but then it is up to the
applicant to find a property. Mayor Schreiber asked if there is a requirement that
prospective homeowners purchase a property in Tamarac and Community
Development Director King said if they are going to use Tamarac funds, then they must
purchase in Tamarac. Commissioner Portner asked how much funding is allocated per
city and Community Development Director King said SHIP allocates a minimum of
$350,000 per city plus the doc stamps that are taken in through individual cities. There
has been a cutback on monies received from doc stamps.
d. Item No. 6(p). RIGHT-OF-WAY BEAUTIFICATION AGREEMENT — MCNAB
ROAD MEDIANS FROM UNIVERSITY DRIVE TO THE EAST CITY LIMITS:
(TR10666) Executing a Right -of -Way Beautification Agreement between Broward
County and the City of Tamarac for landscaping improvements within McNab Road
medians from University Drive to SW 83rd Avenue and for the maintenance thereafter of
said landscape improvements. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation.
Mayor Schreiber asked what work is going to be done and Public Works Director Strain
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said the medians would be dressed up, emulating what has been done elsewhere in the
city. Commissioner Roberts asked if there is already a sprinkler system in the instant
median and Public Works Director Strain said there is not. We will be installing a
sprinkler system and taking the water from the canal. Commissioner Roberts asked
what would be going in on the strip at the corner of McNab and University and Public
Works Director Strain said pavers. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned the SFWMD
restrictions regarding water conservation and Public Works Director Strain said this
work would be done under our master permit for irrigation. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke
of the median from 715t Place to McNab Road on Nab Hill and said he has seen our
trucks watering the medians. Public Works Director Strain said he would look into it.
Public Works Director Strain spoke of two grants, the instant one and one that the city
would be applying for in the future. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of damaged palm trees
due to lack of water, and spoke of a turn lane being constructed south of McNab. Public
Works Director Strain said the new grant would cover medians from Commercial
Boulevard north and the turn lane would be designed using the same pavers we have
used throughout the city. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of the cut -in for buses and asked if
the city is involved in planning the bus stops. Public Works Director Strain said we are
involved in inspection of the construction, not the design. Commissioner Roberts asked
when work would begin on the McNab medians and how long it would take. Public
Works Director Strain said construction should take about 2-1/2 months once it is
begun; work should start in a month or so. Mayor Schreiber asked where we would tap
into water for irrigation on 70th Avenue, and Public Works Director Strain said the canal.
Commissioner Portner questioned the construction on Southgate between University
and Nob Hill and Public Works Director Strain said FPL is installing parallel lines and
the city started work on the Veterans Park boat ramp and parking. Additionally there is
construction on the central pump and west pump stations. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked
Public Works Director Strain to check if FPL is reducing the line sections and Public
Works Director Strain said they are running parallel feed to supplement the existing grid
and have a more reliable system for our growth needs.
e. Item No. 6(q). GRANT AWARD AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT — SHATHER
PARCEL: (TR10654) Entering into an Interlocal Agreement with Broward County
accepting a grant award up to the amount of $1,600,000 for the acquisition,
improvement, enhancement, operation and management of open space site OS-117
Water's Edge Park (a.k.a. Shather Parcel) and accepting the conceptual open space
park management plan included in the agreement for the development of OS-117;
authorizing the appropriate city officials, upon approval and receipt of the Interlocal
Agreement by Broward County, to execute and record the declaration of restrictive
covenants and return to the county for funding. Assistant City Manager Phillips gave a
presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if the old trees on the property would be saved
and Assistant City Manager Phillips said we will try to preserve them as they provide a
good habitat for wild life. Mayor Schreiber questioned the location of the property and
whether it fronts University Drive; Assistant City Manager Phillips said it is set back
about 250' from University Drive; there is a parking lot in front of the property.
Commissioner Portner questioned the requirement of putting a sign up for Broward
County and Assistant City Manager Phillips said it was requested that the public be
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notified that the property was acquired with funds from Broward County. Commissioner
Roberts said she is on the Land Preservation and Acquisition Board (LPAB) and the
County wants everyone to know the monies come from the bond issue.
f. Item No. 6(r). GRANT AWARD AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT —
CUMMINGS PARCEL: (TR10655) Entering into an Interlocal Agreement with Broward
County accepting a grant award up to the amount of $782,000 for the acquisition,
improvement, enhancement, operation and management of open space site OS-118
Swim Central Park Addition (a.k.a. Cummings Parcel) and accepting the conceptual
open space park management plan included in the agreement for the development of
OS-118; authorizing the appropriate city officials, upon approval and receipt of the
Interlocal Agreement by Broward County, to execute and record the declaration of
restrictive covenants and return to the county for funding. Assistant City Manager
Phillips gave a presentation and said this is a companion agreement to the previous
item. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed that a sign is also needed for this property to notify
the public where the funding came from. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked
how difficult it would be if we decided to tweak our amenities and Assistant City
Manager Phillips said that would be under the control of the County; the original request
was submitted through the LPAB. Mayor Schreiber added that Coconut Creek recently
opened a community center park with a skate park which is very nice.
g. Item No. 7. ELECTING A VICE MAYOR TO SERVE FOR A ONE YEAR TERM:
(TR10660) Motion to approve Resolution electing Commissioner to
serve as Vice Mayor for a one (1) year term beginning March 23, 2005 with no
succession. City Clerk Swenson asked for an expression of interest from the
commissioners for a vice mayor to serve a one-year term with no succession, said item
to be voted on at Wednesday's meeting. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco
expressed interest in serving as the next vice mayor and asked for the Mayor and City
Commission's support. No one was in disagreement.
Commissioner Portner questioned the $25,000 in Item 6(s) on the consent agenda.
FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION GRANT: (TR10674) Submitting an application to the
Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program for funding to
construct a fishing pier at Southgate Linear Park in the amount of $25,000 providing for
a city match of $25,000; providing for acceptance of the terms and conditions in F.I.N.D.
Rule 6613-2 F.A.C. as part of the project agreement; ensuring that the program will
match proposal requirements; assuming operation and maintenance responsibility for
the project; providing for non-discrimination according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 and statutes relating to handicapped accessibility; ensuring availability of all
records of expense to F.I.N.D. if requested; providing for acceptance of the award and
execution of documents upon approval. Assistant City Manager Phillips explained the
money is already budgeted and set aside for the Linear Park; the $25,000 we are
looking at is for the fishing pier; the city is seeking ways to raise monies for the project.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item No. 9 on the agenda, in particular whether a
new company has come into Tamarac and is soliciting business. COMMERCIAL
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GARBAGE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT — ACE WASTE SERVICES LLC.: J02081)
Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading authorizing the appropriate city officials to
execute a Commercial Garbage Franchise Agreement between the City of Tamarac and
Ace Waste Services, LLC. Public Works Director Strain said this company, Ace Waste
Services, LLC, has taken over several routes that were part of Waste Management, as
a result of a court order. Commissioner Portner asked if they did not need to come to
the city for a contract and Public Works Director Strain said the company has operated
in the City of Tamarac since August; they were discovered and now we are coming
before the Mayor and City Commission with the contract for a franchise agreement.
They will be billed retroactively to August for franchise fees. Commissioner Portner
asked if the city could fine the company for operating without a contract and City
Attorney Kraft said Tamarac would not lose any franchise fees, but there are no punitive
provisions. Public Works Director Strain explained the city is being more proactive and
spoke of the occupational licensing provision wherein a new business must show
contracts with vendors for waste collection, among other things. The city does not now
monitor renewals of the businesses' contracts upon renewal of licenses. Vice Mayor
Sultanof spoke of sub -contractors working under the umbrella of existing vendors, and
City Attorney Kraft explained that section 6 of the agreement states that the contracte
shall not engage any contractor without approval of the city. Commissioner Flansbaum-
Talabisco questioned an annual mechanism by which a city business informs the city of
any changes prior to renewing the occupational license and suggested tightening up the
process. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said now that we know this has occurred,
this might be going on with other businesses; Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked if Public Works Director Strain would investigate. Community Development
Director King explained the information is only taken during the initial licensing cycle
and the business is not obligated to inform the city of any changes for which the city
does not charge a fee. Public Works Director Strain said there have been discussions
regarding changing the system and this is being looked at on multiple fronts. One
suggestion is to have the waste haulers place city stickers on their dumpsters.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if there is a network available between cities
to let each city know if this is going on and City Manager Miller said the TAC.
2. DISCUSSION RE: GRANT APPLICATION FOR A MOBILE SELF CONTAINED
BREATHING APPARATUS: Chief Budzinski and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek
appeared. Chief Budzinski gave a presentation and explained this equipment is to
enable refilling of bottles and to allow continuation of operations on the scene.
Commissioner Partner asked whether the thermal imager has been received and Chief
Budzinski said the grant has just been approved; the equipment will be ordered as soon
as all the paperwork is completed. Commissioner Portner asked whether this is a
federal grant and Chief Budzinski said this program was instituted following 9-11 to put
more money into first responders. Commissioner Portner asked about funding for
homeland security and Chief Budzinski said a lot of the training provided has been
through federal grants at no cost to the City of Tamarac, and the monies discussed
today are under the homeland security umbrella. Mayor Schreiber said the biggest
problem with homeland security funding is that the money does not get funneled to the
cities. Mayor Schreiber asked if the purchase of this equipment would be piggybacked
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on an existing bid and Chief Budzinski said he would enlist purchasing to research
whether there is an existing bid we could piggyback onto or if we need to go out to bid
ourselves.
3. DISCUSSION RE: VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR
PLAQUES FOR EACH OF THE BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES ON THE
VETERANS MEMORIAL: Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation
and explained the members of the Veterans Affairs Committee voted to place plaques
on the veterans memorial to commemorate the five branches of the armed forces. This
issue came up before but the commission has not voted on it. The plaques will be the
same size as the public art plaque and they will be bronze. The seven organizations
that make up the Veterans Affairs Committee have pledged to raise funds for the
plaques. Vice Mayor Sultanof said he is the commission liaison to the Veterans Affairs
Committee and the members said they would raise the money and this would be an
enhancement to the Veterans Park. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the
cost of the plaques would be $250.00 each and at five plaques we are looking at a total
of $1,250.00. Mayor Schreiber said if the members of the Veterans Affairs Committee
are willing to raise the funds he has no objection to the plaques. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked whether it could be completed by the end of May, and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the Veterans Affairs Committee will meet
next month and at that time they can discuss a time frame for the project but she did not
think the end of May would be realistic since it takes eight weeks for the plaques to be
made. Additionally, during the Memorial Day ceremony we will have the dedication of
the Eternal Flame. Commissioner Portner said this is a city park and the city should
support this and pay for the plaques; public funds should be used for a public park.
Vice Mayor Sultanof said he felt the Merchant Marines should also be included in the
plaques and the city should allocate the $1,250.00 for the plaques. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for clarification with regard to the discussion of the
Merchant Marines. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles clarified the Veterans
Affairs Committee recommended five plaques and the Merchant Marines were not
brought up during the committee's discussions. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked that this be
held over until after the Veterans Affairs Committee meets next month and
Commissioner Portner said he felt a decision should be made now. Commissioner
Roberts said it is a great idea but the Veterans Affairs Committee should help raise
funds and she felt Veterans Day, in November would be the best time to unveil the
plaques. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest to approve $1,250.00 for
five plaques. Commissioner Portner, Vice Mayor Sultanof, Commissioner Flansbaum-
Talabisco, and Mayor Schreiber were in agreement to expend $1,250.00 of city funds
for five plaques. Commissioner Roberts was not in agreement. Vice Mayor Sultanof
said he would like to find out whether the Merchant Marines is a private organization or
under the umbrella of the Coast Guard. Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Portner
said the Merchant Marines are not considered veterans. Commissioner Flansbaum-
Talabisco said the Veterans Park is a beautiful park; we have an eternal flame and will
now move forward with plaques; however, she would like to think the park is done
except for future landscaping upkeep. Nothing else is needed for this park.
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There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 10:55 a.m.
MARION SWENSON, CIVIC
CITY CLERK
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