HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-08 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2002
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, April 8, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac
City Hall, 7525 NW 88'h Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Marc
L. Sultanof, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Michael Cernech, City Attorney Mitchell S.
Kraft, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
1. APRIL 10, 2002 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 5(b). TASK AUTHORIZATION AND FUNDING - ENGINEERING
SERVICES: (TR9731) Executing Task Authorization No. 02-05E with Mathews
Consulting, to provide engineering services for a Water Treatment Plant Disinfection
Optimization Study providing for alternative disinfection methods in the treatment of
drinking water and to ensure the facility will maintain compliance with existing and
proposed Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) drinking water
regulations, in accordance with the City's consulting engineering agreement as
authorized by Resolution #R-2001-185, in an amount not to exceed $47,838.00;
approving funding from the appropriate budgeted Utilities Operational account;
authorizing the appropriate City officials to administer the contract. Utilities Director
Gagnon introduced Laboratory Manager Oney and Water Plant Superintendent Harvey
and gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked about the cost to the city and
Commissioner Sultanof asked if federal funds are available. Utilities Director Gagnon
responded that for us to tweak the chemical tests would be outside the scope; and
Laboratory Manager Oney said monies tend to be given to smaller systems where the
per user cost is higher. Commissioner Sultanof asked if this overlaps to neighboring
cities, and Utilities Director Gagnon said it is a nationwide issue. Vice Mayor Portner
questioned alternative methods, and Water Plant Superintendent Harvey explained the
reaction of chlorine gas with natural organics in ground water. Vice Mayor Portner
asked about stage two targets, whether we could do these ourselves and what our goal
is. Laboratory Manager Oney said it is not anticipated having a final bill until 2004, and
Utilities Director Gagnon said we would do better to have an unbiased opinion than
doing these ourselves. Our goal is clean, healthy water for now and the future.
b. Item No. 5(c). 401(A) MONEY PURCHASE PLANS: (TR9733) Amending the
City's ICMA 401(A) Money Purchase Plans effective January 1, 2002 in compliance with
the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act; to approve minor changes to
the plans.
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City Commission Workshop
C. Item No. 5(d). 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: (TR9749) Amending
the City's ICMA 457 Deferred Compensation Plan effective January 1, 2002 in
compliance with the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act. Personnel
Director Maria Swanson gave a presentation on Temporary Resolutions 9733 and 9749
and explained the change in contributions, rollovers, and porta ility. Mayor Schreiber
asked that the commissioners be fully informed of the change . Vice Mayor Portner
asked why there are four plans and Personnel Director Swanson axplained how the four
plans came about. Commissioner Roberts asked about the percl. ntage of City Attorney
and City Manager 401 plans, and Personnel Director Swanson said the City Attorney's
is the same as the employee's plan and the contributions were approved by the
commission last spring at 11 %, 13% and 15%.
d. Item No. 5(g). AGREEMENT - GENERAL ASPHAyT COMPANY, INC.:
(TR9712) Approving Phase IV -A of the Seven Year Comprehensi ` e Street Improvement
Program; awarding Bid Number 02-15b to General Asphalt Company, Inc.; excluding
the portion of the bid relating to the construction of turn Ines; authorizing the
appropriate City Officials to execute an agreement with General Asphalt Company, Inc.;
authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $4,119,0 9 which represents a
contract award of $3,744,590 and a project contingency of $3 ,459; authorizing the
City Manager to make necessary additions, deletions or revisions to the Phase IV -A
work plan pursuant to Section 6-156 of the Code of the City of Tamarac, Florida;
authorizing budgetary transfers as necessary for proper accountir g purposes. Assistant
Public Works Director Greenspan gave a presentation. Vice Ma or Portner asked what
construction contingency is used for and Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan
said things like unforeseen field conditions and deviation in pricing. Vice Mayor Portner
asked why we are not using the same company as before, and Assistant Public Works
Director Greenspan said the city went out for open market bids.
e. Item No. 5(h). AGREEMENT - APAC-FLORIDA, INC.:
(TR9713) Authorizing
construction of turn lanes as a part of the Phase IV -A road iesurfacing
work plan;
awarding the turn lane component of Bid Number 02-15b
to Apac-Florida, Inc.;
executing an agreement with Apac-Florida, Inc; authorizing
an expenditure in an
amount not to exceed $1,738,616 which represents a contract award
of $1,580,560 and
a project contingency of $158,056; authorizing the City Manager
to make necessary
additions, deletions or revisions to the turn lane construction portion
of the Phase IV -A
Work Plan pursuant to Section 6-156 of the Code of the City
of Tamarac, Florida;
authorizing budgetary transfers as necessary for proper accountir
g purposes. Assistant
Public Works Director Greenspan gave a presentation and said
this is a split award to
maximize serving the city. Mayor Schreiber said the original intelit
was to correct roads
in Tamarac, and asked if this is a necessary expenditure. Public
Works Director Verma
said a few weeks ago he made a presentation which included
his item, and told the
commission that this was not a part of the original plan. This
split will give the
commission the opportunity to discuss whether they want to mov3
forward with the turn
lanes or not. The roads as they stand now do not conform to code.
Mayor Schreiber
said there are many things in the code from the city's inc
ption that are not in
compliance with the code now. Commissioner Roberts asked about
previously paved
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City Commission Workshop
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areas, and Public Works Director Verma said those changes could be made using the
same criteria. Vice Mayor Portner expressed concern about constituents not wanting to
adhere to the code if the city does not adhere to it, and City Attorney Kraft said this is
not a valid defense for code violations. Vice Mayor Portner said he is in favor of the turn
lanes. Commissioner Sultanof said it is impossible for a city to change all the codes at
one time. Tamarac falls under home rule and adheres to its codes. Commissioner
Sultanof asked if the postal system, under the federal government, pays for the use of
our roads and City Attorney Kraft said his office would research this. Commissioner
Roberts asked for the criteria for left turn lanes, and Public Works Director Verma said
turn lanes are required when making left turns into developments or city streets. Mayor
Schreiber asked for an expression of interest to move forward with the turn lanes. Vice
Mayor Portner questioned the construction period and Assistant Public Works Director
Greenspan said about 270 days. Vice Mayor Portner said he approves of the turn
lanes. Commissioner Roberts asked about removing some of the proposed lanes from
the resolution, and asked about 57th street, especially in light of the fact that a main
street/downtown area is being contemplated. Public Works Director Verma said it is not
known when the main street project will take place, and within this one-year period there
should be a conceptual design ready. If the turn lanes are inconsistent with the design,
they can be deleted from the plan. Commissioner Sultanof said he feels the city should
move forward with modifications and isolate what is absolutely necessary. City Attorney
Kraft said the commission might want to revise the resolution before moving forward.
Mayor Schreiber said we need to establish how many are needed and then determine
whether to move forward or not. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the money is part of
the bond issue, and City Attorney Kraft said this resolution is based on the bid, and
asked if the bid needed to be modified. Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan
said it is a per unit bid and the contract gives the authority to change or delete, however
the contractor stipulated a minimum of 30 turn lanes in the agreement. The commission
discussed safety, concerns about going into developments, and fiscal responsibility.
The following expression of interest was given: Commissioners Roberts and Mishkin
no, Vice Mayor Portner, Commissioner Sultanof, and Mayor Schreiber proceed.
Commissioner Roberts asked if the turn lanes could be modified and Assistant City
Manager Cernech said those modifications could be made, but the program could not
be substantially changed; certain turn lanes could be deleted and added elsewhere.
Public Works Director Verma said to comply with the requirements of the bond
documents there are provisions for modification to the turn lanes.
Vice Mayor Portner asked if there is a grant for the generator in Item 5(e) on the
consent agenda, and whether the $98,000 is in addition to the grant. AWARD OF BID -
EMERGENCY GENERATOR: (TR9743) Awarding Bid #02-04B, entitled "500KVA
Emergency Generator" to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Zabatt, Inc., in
the amount of $98,000 for purchase and installation of an emergency generator for the
Tamarac Community Center; approving funding from the appropriate grant accounts.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the $98,000 is from the grant money.
Mayor Schreiber asked the purpose of the generator and Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said it is to power the community center as a mass care site after a disaster.
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Vice Mayor Portner asked, regarding Item 5(f) on the consent' agenda, if this is the
same company the city used before. AGREEMENT - CITYWIDE JANITORIAL
SERVICES: (TR9735) Awarding Bid No. 02-13B to OneSource Facility Services, Inc. for
Janitorial Services; executing an agreement with OneSource acility Services, Inc.;
authorizing an annual expenditure in an amount not to exceed $ 19,064.00. Assistant
Public Works Director Greenspan said it is a change in contractor as a result of a new
bid. Vice Mayor Portner asked why the City Attorney's office is not included and City
Attorney Kraft said there are security issues.
Vice Mayor Portner objected to the award of the contract to Sun Sentinel in Item 5(i) on
the consent agenda. AWARDING OF RFP 02-16R TO SUN -SENTINEL: (TR9744)
Awarding RFP 02-16R entitled "Printed Tamarac Resident & Employee Newsletters"
and accepting and executing an agreement with Sun -Sentinel Company for an amount
not to exceed $95,500 annually. Commissioner Roberts said s e did not understand
Vice Mayor Portner's objection, and Vice Mayor Portner said the lifeblood of this country
is small business. Mayor Schreiber said the Sun Sentinel is a good corporate neighbor
and the lowest bidder. He, too, would like to see local firms get the city's business, but
many times they cannot compete; the decision is based on price and ability to perform.
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Flurry said local vendors did not id on this project. A -
Plus Printing had the contract previously but the city looked at creativity, experience in
putting together and publishing a document, as well as doing �ork in-house. Public
Information Officer Crockett said the Sun Sentinel Direct is not i0olved in production of
the newspaper, and there are advantages to dealing with this cc mpany. In the future,
the city hopes to be able to produce a full color publication. The bid was open to
anybody, but the criteria were very exacting. Mayor Schreiber asked if postage is
included in the price, and Public Information Officer Crockett said it is.
Vice Mayor Portner asked if the resolution reiterated what was r reviously discussed; a
60 day period and $30,000 interest free with regard to Item 5(k) c in the consent agenda.
TAMARAC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: (TR9726) Providing emporary city staff to
the Greater Tamarac Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for a maximum of sixty (60) days;
authorizing the review of monthly financial statements by city staff with appropriate
documentation prepared by a private accountant for the Greater Tamarac Chamber of
Commerce, Inc. Board of Directors; authorizing financial assistance in the form of an
interest -free, one (1) year deferred payment loan for a maximum term of six (6) years to
the Greater Tamarac Chamber of Commerce, Inc. in an amount not to exceed thirty
thousand ($30,000.00) dollars; authorizing the appropriate budgetary transfers.
Community Development Director King said everything the co mission expressed at
the last meeting is incorporated into this resolution.
Commissioner Roberts said she thought the city was going to USE, BSO, and questioned
the dollar amount in Item 50) on the consent agenda. AGREEMENT - WACKENHUT
CORPORATION: (TR9567) Executing an agreement with Wackenhut Corporation for
security services adopting by reference all of the terms and c nditions contained in
Broward County Contract #D090297RB01; authorizing an annue I expenditure of funds
in an amount not to exceed $45,000. Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan said
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City Commission Workshop
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this represents services for this fiscal year, and the recommendation for transition from
Wackenhut to BSO is going to be part of next year's budget submitted by the Sheriff.
Mayor Schreiber asked if BSO was able to provide services now, and Assistant Public
Works Director Greenspan said this agreement needs to be executed in order to comply
with the code and pay Wackenhut. BSO Chief Dugger said the Sheriff's office proposal
adds a position to create staff assigned to the district to address the security issue for
City Hall only for the following year beginning October 1. Commissioner Roberts asked
why this was not brought forth back in October, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager
Flurry said this item was pulled until an evaluation of city facilities could be completed.
Mayor Schreiber asked City Clerk Swenson to find out when the item was pulled.
Commissioner Roberts asked when the contract with Wackenhut ends, and Project
Manager Dupuis said August 4.
Commissioner Roberts asked if St. Malachy has gone through the permit process,
regarding Item 5(I) on the consent agenda. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - SAINT
MALACHY CARNIVAL: (TR9751) Approving the sale of alcoholic beverages on April
18 through April 21, 2002 during the Saint Malachy Carnival. Community Development
Director King said permit fees are paid and they applied for a special event permit. The
city is waiting for the State license, which they will bring us this week.
2. EDGEWATER CANAL: Update on Edgewater canal bank collapse. Public
Works Director Raj Verma gave a presentation and said the city has placed barricades
and flexible fencing in the area. After several discussions with staff, it was determined
that since this occurred on private property, it is the owners' responsibility to repair the
bank. Mayor Schreiber said he is familiar with the situation, and asked how much it
would cost to fix the fissure. Public Works Director Verma said about $4,000, and
introduced Joe Abruzzino of Aces Engineering who gave a presentation and said 2/3 of
the crevice is on private property, and about 40' lies under water within city property.
Public Works Director Verma distributed a photo taken immediately after the fissure
appeared, and said the split became larger over time, but originated on private property.
There was discussion about the 40' lying within the city's property and alternatives to
fixing the split. Mayor Schreiber said the residents are seeking relief from the
commission and we have to try to help if we can, and asked about waiving permit fees.
Commissioner Roberts said she would like to help, but since the city set a precedent for
waiver of the permit fees, we should not expand on it. Mayor Schreiber said if the city's
property is involved we may have a responsibility. Commissioner Sultanof asked if
putting in sand and rocks would stop the crevice from forming in another part of private
property, and asked how far under the water it goes. Public Works Director Verma said
it was unknown at this time how far it extends and how much further it will go. Mr.
Abruzzino said this occurred because soil eroded from the water side. There was
discussion of a possible sinkhole, and the city's resources to fix the problem. Vice
Mayor Portner asked if a second opinion would be of value, and Public Works Director
Verma said another engineer with more specific expertise could be hired, but since the
problem began on private property, he feels it is the residents' responsibility to hire the
engineer. Marvin Sobel, 7824 NW 60 Street said the Army Corps of Engineers built the
canal with a shelf supporting the land. The shelf eroded and the land fell in causing the
April 8, 2002
City Commission Workshop
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crevice. The Army Corps of Engineers turned the canal over to the city and it is the
city's responsibility to maintain the canal and the shelf. Mr. Sooel said in some areas
tree roots are holding up the land. Roxanne Cabuzzio, who livesnext door to 6009 NW
60 Street, showed photos of the crevice and said Mr. Sobel's theory is plausible and the
problem is now in the city's arena and the city is keeping the residents from fixing their
property. If this is happening sub aquatic, it has nothing to do with private property.
Commissioner Roberts asked how the commission is stopping the residents from fixing
their property, and Ms. Cabuzzio said as a gesture of good fait the city should assist
the residents in determining the problem. Mayor Schreiber asked why the insurance
company did not consider the claim, and Ms. Cabuzzio said the claim was submitted but
the insurance company only covers the dwelling. Ms. Cabuzzio said she was under the
impression the city would conduct an investigation and when she asked for the report
was told there was no investigation and no report. Santo Arico, 6023 NW 80 Avenue,
spoke about the affects of the drought on the bank. Mayor SchrE iber said this needs to
be looked into further, and Commissioner Sultanof asked Public orks Director Verma
to call the Army Corps of Engineers to find out how and when the canal was turned over
to the city.
3. UTILITY BILL PAYMENTS — PAYMENT OPTIONS: 9ommissioner Roberts
asked to have this item postponed until the next workshop meetin .
4. QUARTERLY REPORT: Assistant City Manager Michel Cernech said this
presentation would be brought forward to the commission at a fut re meeting.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:00 p.m., and asked the commissioners to return
at 2:00 p.m. for the special workshop meeting.
"2A4
Marion S enson, CIVIC
City Clerk
1
April 8, 2002
City Commission Workshop
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