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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-23 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes1 CITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the workshop meeting of the City Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009, in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell (participated telephonically), Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. 1. Item No. 6 (c) on the Consent Agenda. FRANKLIN COMMUNICATIONS AGREEMENT RENEWAL: (TR11580) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to renew an agreement for the "Printing & Distribution of City of Tamarac Publications" and execute an agreement with Franklin Communications, LLC for printing services for a one (1) year period, providing for two (2) additional one (1) year renewal options at the discretion of the City; authorizing the City Manager to approve expenditures for printing; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public & Economic Affairs Officer Berns and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns gave a presentation. Commissioner Dressler questioned whether the City has a policy through the RFP process to contract for at least three -years. Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said there is no policy but we look at the marketplace to see how well we can hold the pricing; three -years with two one- year renewals is a more common practice. City Manager Miller said we are pleased with Franklin Communications, and some of the premier cities use them as their work is of high quality. We look three years out; the opportunity is there after the first year for us not to renew and our legal liability is limited. Commissioner Glasser asked who does our layout as it is better now than it has been in previous years. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns replied Public Information Specialist Quinn is responsible for the layout. Vice Mayor Atkins - Grad said she is happy to see Franklin Communications is protected in the event of a power outage, and questioned the cost to the city should they have to send our jobs out of state. Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said there is no additional cost to the city. City Commission Workshop Meeting March 23, 2009 Page 1 of 6 2. Item No. 6 (d) on the Consent Agenda. UNIFORM RENTAL SERVICES: (TR11584) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida approving the termination of the agreement with Unifirst Incorporated authorizing the appropriate city officials to approve the rental of uniforms from Cintas Corporation, utilizing the Southeast Florida Governmental Cooperative Purchasing Group Bid #188-08 for a total not to exceed $36,000 annually, approving funding from the appropriate accounts; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing an effective date. Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned what would happen to the shirts when we leave Unifirst and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said our patches would be removed from the shirts and the shirts may be reused for another purpose. 3. Item No. 6 (f) on the Consent Agenda. NW 82nd STREET SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: (TR11586) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing the appropriate city officials to execute an agreement with Homestead Concrete and Drainage, Inc., for the construction of sidewalk improvements located on NW 82nd Street between University Drive and NW 81 st Avenue in accordance with Bid No. 09-04B, for an amount not to exceed $124,200.00 from the appropriate accounts; authorizing budget amendments as needed for proper accounting purposes; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the MPO TIP list and asked if we could offset part of the city's cost by making a supplementary addition to the TIP list. Community Development Director Bramley said there is a T.C.C. meeting this afternoon and she will ask at that time. Commissioner Glasser asked if this is going to be approved as part of the package or piecemeal and Commissioner Dressler spoke of approved funding by the MPO through FDOT. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad confirmed the location of the improvements. 4. Item No. 6 (e) on the Consent Agenda. TIRE PURCHASE UTILIZING FLORIDA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION BID AWARD: (TR11585) A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida approving the purchase of tires from Martino Tire Company for routine and emergency tire replacement to city vehicles and equipment, utilizing Florida Sheriffs Association bid award 09/10-10-04-0120 authorizing the purchase of tires in the quantities needed based on the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Net Price List; authorizing budget amendments for proper accounting purposes; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad said our concern for safety and the people driving our vehicles is paramount. City Commission Workshop Meeting March 23, 2009 Page 2 of 6 5. Item No. 6(i) on the Consent Agenda. BIKEWAY/WALKWAY PHASE 3 PROJECT: (TR11587) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida authorizing submission of a grant application, acceptance and execution of the grant agreement if awarded pending legal review in an amount not to exceed $750,000, providing for a match not to exceed $750,000 in local funds toward a total project cost of $1,500,000, to the Florida Department of Transportation for Federal Surface Transportation Program funds through the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the City of Tamarac Bikeway/Walkway System Phase 3 project. Public Works Director Strain and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. (Discussion combined with Item 6(h).) Item No. 6 (h) on the Consent Agenda. CANAL PATH SAFETY LIGHTING PROJECT: (TR11592) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida authorizing submission of a grant application, acceptance and execution of the grant agreement if awarded pending legal review in an amount not to exceed $195,000, providing for a match not to exceed $190,000 in local funds toward a total project cost of $385,000, to the Florida Department of Transportation for Federal Surface Transportation Program funds through the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the canal path safety lighting project. Public Works Director Strain and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation and said items 6(i) and 6(h) would be combined for discussion. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek spoke of the timing of the grant and said while the funds will not be available until 2012 we have to apply for them now. Commissioner Dressler spoke of possibly receiving the monies earlier than three years and Public Works Director Strain said that would be for phase 1 only. If we do not have our match by the time the funding comes through we do not have to sign a contract. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the MPO amendments to the funding of the projects. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said there are different pots of funding from which we might receive monies for our projects. Assistant City Manager Phillips confirmed the possible various funding sources. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she received a phone call from Congresswoman Wasserman -Schultz on Thursday wherein Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco was assured the funding for the overpass was still front and center on the Congresswoman's list. Commissioner Bushnell said information should be gotten out to the communities letting them know that in these economic times we are handling their money wisely. Assistant City Manager Phillips agreed we are looking into the acquisition of grant funds specifically earmarked for our projects. Commissioner Dressler said it is important for residents to understand that not all grant applications have matching aspects; we must take every project one at a time. City Manager Miller said we are up against larger cities for grant funding and staff works hand in hand with elected representatives of the MPO as well as sister cities to get our projects through; there is a lot of competition moving through the process and we must be vigilant. The stimulus has engendered City Commission Workshop Meeting March 23, 2009 Page 3 of 6 confusion into everything. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the lights will be LED and Public Works Director Strain responded we anticipate LED/Solar powered lights. We will go with most environmentally sensitive product that will last. 7. Item No. 6 (g) on the Consent Agenda. AQUATIC CENTER DRAIN REPLACEMENTS: (TR11590) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, authorizing the appropriate city officials to authorize the purchase and installation of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act approved drain covers for the Caporella Aquatic Center in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 from the appropriate accounts; authorizing budget amendments as needed for proper accounting purposes; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Public Works Director Strain, Director of Parks and Recreation Warner, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the expected completion date and Public Works Director Strain said possibly April. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner added Tamarac decided to remain closed because we are not in compliance, while many other cities and the county remain open without being in compliance. This Act provides a per day fine; other cities and the county are banking on the scope of the law which is unclear as to enforcement of the Act. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner added he has been in discussions with Ellis and Associates in order to work out a credit for the time the pool is closed. Commissioner Bushnell said the burden is on municipalities as well as communities; an additional burden is draining and filling pools. Commissioner Bushnell asked whether homeowner and condo associations have been cautioned with regard to the Act. Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech agreed this is not just applicable to city and county pools; it is for every condo and homeowner association and any public pool. It touches a lot of people and yet there are a lot of people ignoring this legislation. When it was initially passed cities were not governed by it; then legislators went back and modified the legislation to include cities in the group that needed to retrofit. Parks and Recreation then began complying with the legislation and modifications done in support of the legislation were deemed not in compliance so more significant repair design was needed. Commissioner Glasser said she is happy we are moving forward with the modifications, as life is not expendable. Commissioner Glasser said she would rather see the safety of our people put first and would like to see this consideration for peoples' safety countywide. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned how the information was being transmitted to the public so they know what we are doing is in their best interest. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it is on the website and more information will be provided. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested using twitter, the website and the Mayor and City Commission blast emails. City Commission Workshop Meeting March 23, 2009 Page 4 of 6 Ll I 8. Item No. 6 (b) on the Consent Agenda. EXTENSION OF FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL - PALMS MEDICAL CAMPUS: (TR11579) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, granting a time extension of one (1) year for final site plan approval for the Palms Medical Campus project, requested by Virtual Design Group (Eric Mills, Applicant), Designated Agent for the property owner Courtyard Properties (Joseph Vitolo, Owner) (Case No. 3-SP- 09); providing for conditions of approval; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the location. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the financing is expected to be completed and Community Development Director Bramley said within a few weeks to one month the applicant should be ready to go. 9. Item No. 6 Q) on the Consent Agenda. RECIPROCAL USE AGREEMENT - SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY: (TR11578) A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute a Reciprocal Use Agreement between the City of Tamarac and the School Board of Broward County, Florida, to provide reciprocal use of City and School Board facilities. Parks & Recreation Director Warner gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the facilities in question are all three schools and our multi purpose center. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner confirmed and said this year the Aquatic Center was included. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about any sticking points and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner spoke of the use of the elementary school for summer camp. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the date for camp sign-up and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said packets will go out to employees next week. We will try to keep enrollment between 375 and 400. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco questioned the issue of possible four -day school week and how that will be handled for summer camp. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said the city hag -scheduled outings at various county parks for Fridays. 10. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: City Attorney Goren gave an update on pending Bills: S132020, HB365, SB594 and SB 1972, the two growth management Bills 1306 and 360, SB1142, SB 1386, and HB 439. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked staff to advise the Mayor and City Commission which Bills they can best fight or support to protect the best interest of Tamarac. City Manager Miller said the City Managers' Association is working with the League of Cities who is doing a yeoman's job lobbying and keeping the municipalities informed. The two most serious Bills are the resurrection of the Tabor Bill (Taxpayers' Bill of Rights) which is now being called Smart Cap. It limits municipalities to last year's revenue except for new growth and COLA, and limits a municipality's ability to raise fees without taking a public vote. The companion Bill is the1.35 Bill which limits counties, cities, special districts and the school board to 13.5 mils total, which would have to be divided up between the above and no single entity would City Commission Workshop Meeting March 23, 2009 Page 5 of 6 then have funds to operate. Both caps are a most serious threat to our existence as local government. If the transparency Bill were to pass we would have to put at least one additional person on staff to monitor the data. We will keep the commission informed as to the current issues. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said getting to Tallahassee is difficult at best with the way the flights are routed and the travel costs. Commissioner Glasser added two -three days is not enough to accomplish what we need to accomplish. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the League has a program worked out for lobbying and they are working more closely than ever under the City Manager's stewardship of the City Managers' Association. Commissioner Dressier asked if we have the full support of the Broward Delegation on municipal issues and Commissioner Glasser said for the most part we do. However, it is important for the Mayor and City Commission to go to Town Hall meetings hosted by our legislators and to listen to what they have to say. City Attorney Goren spoke of a Bill regarding law enforcement assessment, which may be imbedded in another Bill. City Attorney Goren asked for an expression of interest to add a motion to Wednesday's meeting regarding a satisfaction of mortgage on property located at 8310 NW 59 Place. All were in agreement. City Attorney Goren spoke of the University Drive extension and said Palm Beach County and the DCA can not come to closure on the settlement documents and many issues are not resolved. The case will be tried in July or August; Tamarac, Coconut Creek and Coral Springs' position still exists. Commissioner Dressler asked if the Dixie Highway overpass could be represented as mitigation and City Attorney Goren said it could not. 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. Mari n Swensort, CIVIC City Clerk City Commission Workshop Meeting March 23, 2009 Page 6 of 6 F1 1