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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-26 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING I MARCH 26, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, March 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 reported that he and Vice Mayor Roberts attended closing ceremonies for the Tamarac Soccer Club, at which time four trophies were presented to the club. MARCH 28.2001 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item #6. CONTRACT AWARD OF SCADA SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT: (TR9295) Awarding Bid No. 01 -01 B to, and executing a contract with, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Curry Controls Company, for an amount of $1,946,923.00 for the SCADA System Improvements Project; approving funding for this project from the appropriate Utilities Operational and CIAC accounts including the appropriation of $488,314.00 from Retained Earnings; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. Director of Utilities Raymond Gagnon, Utilities Engineer Tony Rabbat, and SCADA System Specialist Gary Loney gave a presentation and responded to questions. Utilities Engineer Rabbat explained that SCADA is a computerized system that monitors and controls vital wastewater and water treatment equipment throughout the community 24 hours a day. With regard to Item 5(a) on the consent agenda, APPROVE the minutes of the March 14, 2001 Commission meeting, Mayor Schreiber said the first reference to the word "affect" under the discussion by Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber, should be changed to gieffect". Regarding Item 7 on the regular agenda, Mayor Schreiber said the reference to the subsidy benefit at retirement should state ten dollars ($10) per month per year of service. AMENDING CHAPTER 16, PENSIONS & RETIREMENT, ARTICLE VI FIREFIGHTER PENSION PLAN: (TO1928) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 16, Pensions and Retirement, Article VI, Firefighter Pension Plan; amending Section 16-408, "Participant Contributions", providing for an increase in employee contributions; amending Section 16-487, "Early Retirement Age", providing for the deletion of early retirement on attainment of twenty-five (25) years of credited service; amending Section 16-489, "Normal Retirement Age", providing for normal retirement at the attainment of twenty-five (25, years of credited service; adding Section 16-115, "Retirement Subsidy", providing for a subsidy benefit at retirement of ten dollars ($10) per year of credited service including a minimum, a maximum and an annual adjustment of 2 and one-half percent March 26, 2001 City Commission Workshop (2.5%) that terminates at Medicare eligibility. Assistant City Manager Tim Hemstreet said it is addressed in the ordinance. Mayor Schreiber questioned Item 8 on the regular agenda. AMENDING CHAPTER 9 - "HEALTH, SANITATION AND NUISANCE": (TO1923) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 9 entitled, "Health, Sanitation and Nuisances" by amending Article IV entitled, "The Local Housing Assistance Program", by amending Section 9-130 "Definitions", correcting the State renumbered Chapter reference from "91- 37" to "67-37"; by deleting section 9-134 entitled, "Establishment of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee", (as a completed task); by deleting section 9-135 entitled "Review and approval of the Affordable Housing incentive Plan", (as a completed task); Case No. 9-Ml- 01. Community Development Director J. Christopher King said the ordinance is a housekeeping measure and brings the Tamarac Code into conformity with state statute. With regard to Items 5(b) Temporary Resolution 9293, 5(c) Temporary Resolution 9324, 5(d) Temporary Resolution 9300, and 5(e) Temporary Resolution 9301 on the consent agenda, Commissioner Portner questioned releasing performance bonds and then requiring one-year warranty bonds. Director of Utilities Ray Gagnon and Mayor Schreiber explained that when a job is completed, inspected and recommended for release, a letter of credit is exchanged for a warranty bond. Regarding Item 5(f) on the consent agenda, Commissioner Portner asked how long the improvements will last and if there is a warranty associated with the work performed. PUMP STATIONS 12 AND 22 REHABILITATION PROJECT: (TR9307) Awarding Bid No. 00-21 B to, and executing a contract with, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Cooper Contracting, Inc., for an amount of $216,933.00 for Pump Stations 12 and 22 Rehabilitation Project; and approving funding for this project from the appropriate Utilities Operational and CIAC account including the appropriation of $213,768.00 from retained earnings in the Utilities Operational Fund and $3,165.00 from CIAC funds for construction and approving an additional $23,527 for engineering fees related to this project to Hazen & Sawyer from utility fund retained earnings; authorizing the appropriate city officials to administer the contract. Director of Utilities Raymond Gagnon responded regarding the expected duration and warranty of repairs and Utilities Engineer Tony Rabbat gave a short presentation. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned Item 5(h) on the consent agenda. USE OF CITY LOGO ON T-SHIRTS: JR9266) Authorizing the Federation of Public Employees to imprint the City logo on T-Shirts to be given as gifts to members at the 2001 Annual Members Picnic. Special Project Coordinator Diane Phillips explained that the City Commission must grant approval to third parties in order for them to use the city logo. City Attorney Kraft asked whether the copyright seal would be on the shirts with Tamarac's logo, and Special Projects Coordinator Phillips said it would. With regard to Item 50) on the consent agenda, Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the hourly increase. USER FEES - SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM: JR9320) Establishing user fees for the City of Tamarac Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camp Program effective fiscal year 2001. Director of Parks and Recreation Kathleen Margoles said the hourly user fees would increase from 65 cents to 70 cents and an extra half an hour was added to make March 26, 2001 City Commission Workshop 2 it easier for parents pick up their children at the end of the day. Mayor Schreiber asked whether fees are keeping up with maintenance costs, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded that there is approximately a 50% cost recovery. Mayor Schreiber said he received inquiries from residents regarding showers at the Community Center, and asked the Commissioners to consider having showers installed. Discussion was held on cost and liability issues. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles noted that staff is logging all inquiries on showers, It was decided not to pursue showers at this time. Regarding Item 4a on the regular agenda, CITY MANAGER, ---INVESTMENT REPORT, Commissioner Portner asked about the Balance Available to Invest on page 3 of the report, and Investment Accountant Leanne Williams explained. Mayor Schreiber called a recess at 10:50 a.m. The Workshop Meeting of the City Commission reconvened at 11:00 a.m. with all present as before. 2. QUARTERLY REPORT: Finance Director Robert Lange gave a presentation on the operating funds for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001 and said the city is in a positive cash flow position. Mayor Schreiber said both the Investment Advisory Committee and Finance staff have done a good job. 3. CITY ID BADGES FOR BOARDS AND COMMITTEES: Assistant to the City Manager Kristin McKew said there have been requests from some Boards and Committees for ID badges so members do not have to check in with the security guard upon entering City Hall. Assistant to the City Manager McKew noted that the Consumer Affairs Committee has badges because they staff their office next to the Commission Chambers four days each week. A brief discussion was held, and the Commissioners agreed not to issue badges at this time. 4. RESCHEDULING APRIL 23rd WORKSHOP TO APRIL 24 th : Assistant to the City Manager Kristin McKew explained that M or Schreiber requested the second workshop date in April to be changed from April ®rito April 24 th , due to the fact that he and the Commissioners would attend the Women's International Bowling Conference luncheon rd meeting on April 23 . Mayor Schreiber asked City Manager Jeffrey Miller to communicate the Commission's attendance to the group and noted that there will be a women's bowling camp at Carter's on April 17 th . The City Commission expressed an interest in holding the th workshop on April 24 City Manager Jeffrey Miller said the City of Coconut Creek regarding the location of the new Enron Power plant contacted Tamarac. Assistant City Manager Tim Hernstreet explained that Coconut Creek is joining with other cities to form a coalition to fight the location of Enron Power plants in Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach, and the City of Tamarac has been asked to join the coalition, which will hire legal counsel to review the contract and see if they can prevent the plants from being built. The overall cost of legal counsel is estimated at $10,000, with the City of Tamarac's share possibly being $2,000, depending upon how many cities join the coalition. Mayor Schreiber said the city should try to protect the environment. Commissioner Portner agreed that Tamarac should join the coalition , Vice Mayor Roberts suggested perhaps a resolution of support would be in order, and questioned spending taxpayers' dollars to join the coalition when Enron's success is March 26, 2001 City Commission Workshop 3 imminent. Commissioner Sultanof said pollution from the plants would be heaviest near the Sawgrass Expressway, and suggested a staff person be sent to the meetings to keep track of the situation. The Commissioners were in favor of joining the coalition and asked City Manager Miller to assign staff to attend meetings. Mayor Schreiber said he received correspondence from the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce regarding the Women's International Bowling Conference and asked whether the Commissioners want to participate. Mayor Schreiber said he received information from a company that provides prepaid legal services to employees for a monthly fee, and asked City Manager Jeffrey Miller to look into this and report back to the Commissioners. Mayor Schreiber spoke about a communication he received from AT&T, and suggested this be looked into to determine if the city has control over a recent change made by AT&T. City Manager Jeffrey Miller said the change is allowed under the current franchise agreement. Mayor Schreiber spoke about the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the partnership with Youth Services of America, and said the city is encouraged to participate. Mayor Schreiber asked City Manager Miller to speak to Lt. Dugger regarding improved police service through additional patrols, and Commissioner Sultanof asked about the zones in Tamarac, City Manager Miller said Chief Goldstein could speak about zone boundaries. Mayor Schreiber said there is a need to identify the zones and get assurance of the zones being patrolled. Vice Mayor Roberts requested that the City's truancy officer be made aware that he is also a youth counselor and asked to have the officer introduced to the Commission. Mayor Schreiber said he spoke to Public Works Director Verma about the repair of Southgate Boulevard and was told it would be two years before repairs could be made. Mayor Schreiber said many citizens have asked about this and questioned why the lanes in the worst condition could not be fixed and remaining repairs be left for a later date. City Manager Miller said other street improvements would have to be put on hold if repairs to Southgate Boulevard are moved out of the prescribed order. Mayor Schreiber said St. Malachy Church asked for waiver of fees to use the ball fields. City Manager Miller responded that all groups pay for the use of the fields. Mayor Schreiber shared correspondence he received from Brazil regarding World Day of Physical Activity. Commissioner Edward C. Portner asked the Commission to donate $1,000 for a Florida World War If Memorial in Tallahassee, and a mobile unit that will travel through the state to visit all the counties in Florida. Commissioner Portner said a Broward County Delegation is involved in this matter, and he would like the City of Tamarac to be the first city to make a donation. There was discussion about the location of the memorial and Vice Mayor Roberts said she was not comfortable with a $1,000 donation. Commissioners Sultanof and Mishkin said they are in favor of the donation, Mayor Schreiber said he would go along with the majority and asked Commissioner Portner to keep the Commissioners informed of the memorial's progress. March 26, 2001 City Commission Workshop 4 Mayor Schreiber requested that in the future, if any Commission members wished to attend another meeting that may fall on the date of a Commission meeting, the matter be brought up before the Commission to avoid a possible lack of quorum at a Commission meeting. Commissioner Portner spoke about perceived lack of enthusiasm for and participation in events held at the Community Center on the part of the Mayor and Commissioners. Mayor Schreiber noted that the Commissioners were not always available to attend a particular function. Commissioner Portner asked the Mayor and Commission to authorize a beer and wine license for the Community Center. Mayor Schreiber questioned the city's liability and exposure. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how long it takes to grant a special exception for alcoholic beverages and City Manager Miller responded approximately 24 hours. It was decided not to pursue a beer and wine license for the Community Center. Commissioner Portner said he spoke to City Attorney Mitchell Kraft regarding public financing of elections because he is concerned that there may be people who want to run for office but cannot afford to run. Discussion was held, and City Attorney Kraft said he would like an expression of interest from the Commission to determine if further research is necessary. Mayor Schreiber, Vice Mayor Roberts, Commissioner Sultanof and Commissioner Mishkin were not in favor of pursuing financing of elections. Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts spoke about dedicating a plaque to Tamarac Elementary School in memory of Coach Brumfield. A brief discussion was held. Vice Mayor Roberts said Elementary School F91 Principal, Kathleen Goldstein asked for donations of used tennis balls to put under chairs and desks to prevent scratching the tile floors. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:20 p.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk March 26, 2001 City Commission Workshop 5