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Home My WebLink About2001-04-09 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING April 9, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Sultanof called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, April 9, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts. ABSENT AND EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Mayor Joe Schreiber. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant City Manager Tim Hemstreet, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Vice Mayor Sultanof moved out of the regular order of the Workshop Agenda to take up item No. 3. 3. BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE (BSO) OPERATIONS UPDATE: Chief Michael Goldstein introduced Lt. Ken Dugger and Deputy Scott, the new truancy youth coordinator. Chief Goldstein said the introduction of Deputy Scott was one of three matters he wished to bring before the Commissioners. Chief Goldstein provided maps indicating the breakdown of patrol zones within the city and said deputies are assigned to each of the twelve zones. Chief Goldstein spoke about patrolling neighborhoods, and Vice Mayor Sultanof said visibility is reality and residents seeing a patrol car on their street is important. Chief Goldstein assured the Commissioners that there is adequate coverage in the city. Vice Mayor Sultanof moved out of the regular order of the Workshop Agenda to take up item No. 2. 2. APRIL 11. 2001 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item #11(l). WATER AND SEWER UTILITY EASEMENTS — TAMARAC LAKES SEWER EXTENSION AND WATER DISTRIBUTION PROJECT: (TR9269) Accepting and executing Tamarac Water and Sewer Utility Easements with various residents of the Tamarac Lakes Development Sections 1 & 2 for the Tamarac Lakes Sewer Extension and Water Distribution Project located on the east side of 21st Avenue just north of Prospect Road, to allow legal access by City Utility Personnel for installing, maintaining, and operating the Water Distribution and Sewage Collection System Improvements; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to record said document in the public records of Broward County. Utilities Support Services Manager Keith Wilder introduced Project Engineer John Doherty and Utilities Engineer Tony Rabbat and gave a presentation. Support Services Manager Wilder said 68 out of 73 property owners are participating. Commissioner Roberts asked about the five owners not April 9, 2001 City Commission Workshop 1 participating and Support Services Manager Wilder explained the three deadlines in place. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked about septic tank fees and Commissioner Mishkin asked what the cost of hook-up would be after completion of the project. Support Services Manager Wilder discussed septic tanks and said the cost of hook-up would be $2500. City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft commended Assistant City Attorney Vanessa Steinerts for her work on the documents and Support Services Manager Wilder thanked Dawn Lesniakowski of the City Clerk's Office for her assistance. Vice Mayor Sultanof expressed the Commission's appreciation for all the good work. b. Item #11(o). FOUR WEEK PERIOD DURING WHICH COMMISSION WILL NOT MEET (TR9315) Authorizing a four -week consecutive period (July 18, 2001 — August 14, 2001) during which the Commission will not schedule any regular meetings in 2001 pursuant to Section 4.06 of the City Charter. Assistant to the City Manager Kristin McKew made a brief presentation. The Commissioners agreed that the period specified is acceptable. With regard to Item 13 on the regular agenda, Commissioner Portner referenced an editorial from the Miami Herald that discussed the State Senate's action. STATE FUNDING - EVERGLADES: (TR9342) Motion to adopt Resolution encouraging the State Legislature to replace the funds appropriated from the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund to the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund as outlined in Senate Bill 2002; directing the City Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to the Broward County Legislative Delegation and the Broward County Board of Commissioners for consideration during the 2001 legislative session, Commissioner Portner asked that the newspaper editorial be entered into the record and said it is a very dangerous thing that this appropriation was taken out. Commissioner Portner said it is important for all local municipalities to be aware of what is happening and encouraged all present to write to State Senators and voice concern. Vice Mayor Sultanof stated, with regard to Item 12 on the regular agenda, veterans who are Florida residents are eligible for the High School diploma no matter what state from which they were inducted into service. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FOR WORLD WAR 11 VETERANS PROGRAM: (TR9341) Motion to adopt Resolution supporting the Florida Department of Education's High School Diploma for World War 11 Veterans Program. Commissioner Portner asked where the diploma would be from and Vice Mayor Sultanof said the diploma would be issued by the Florida Department of Education. Regarding Item 14 on the regular agenda, Vice Mayor Sultanof noted that the retirement subsidy is issued monthly. AMENDING CHAPTER 16, PENSIONS & RETIREMENT, ARTICLE V1 FIREFIGHTER PENSION PLAN: (TO1928) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second readin 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 April 9, 2001 City Commission Workshop 2 Section 16-515, "Retirement Subsidy", providing for a monthly 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 (2.5%) that terminates at Medicare eligibility. City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller noted that the badging ceremony is scheduled for the Commission meeting on Wednesday, as well as reports from Director of Parks and Recreation Kathleen Margoles and Director of Utilities Raymond Gagnon. Vice Mayor Sultanof called a recess at 10:05 a.m. The Workshop Meeting of the City Commission reconvened at 10:20 a.m. with all present as before. 1 . DOT DISCUSSION OF COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENTS: DOT discussion of Commercial Boulevard Improvements. Public Works Director Raj Verma provided brief background information and introduced Ellen H. Daniel, P.E., DOT Project Manager. Ms. Daniel, along with Gino Y. Charles, P.E., Vice President of Lindahl, Browning, Ferrari and Hellstrom, Inc., Consulting Engineers, Surveyors and Mappers and Thomas A. Hall, Principal, Hughes Hall, Inc., Transportation Engineers and Planners, made a presentation. Mr. Hall discussed the improvements and modifications being considered from east of Rock Island Road to State Road 7 on Commercial Boulevard. The improvements are intended to improve the flow of traffic, resurface lanes and add a designated bike lane. Landscaping is included. Commissioner Roberts asked who would be responsible to maintain the medians and Mr. Charles said it would be the City's responsibility. For 47 th Terrace it was suggested to modify the traffic signal, add a westbound u-turn, and replace existing traffic signal supports with mast arms. For Sunshine Plaza it was suggested to remove the traffic signal, close the median, and restrict the driveway to right turn. For Mainlands, it was suggested removing the existing traffic island and allow all movement; modify the north approach to permit a left turn and replace existing traffic supports with mast arms. Commissioner Roberts suggested not renewing the lease at Sunshine Plaza because the renovations will make it hard for people to get into the center. For State Road 7 it was suggested that the traffic signal timing be revised and existing traffic signals be replaced with mast arms. Mr. Hall summed up the presentation saying that fuel consumption will be reduced, there will be a reduction in delay, and pollution will be reduced. Commissioner Portner asked when the turnpike project would begin, and Mike Sasser, P.E., Brindley, Pieters, and Associates, Sub Consultant, Florida's Turnpike said it should begin July 2003. Mr. Sasser gave a status report and said permits are now needed and rights -of -way. Commissioner Portner asked about expediting the permitting process and Mr. Sasser said the Turnpike authority is looking into it, and the project has already been accelerated by six months. Vice Mayor Sultanof said he is on the MPO, and this subject has been referenced many times. It is a fact that the project has been moved forward 6 months. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked about the entrance along Commercial Boulevard and 441 that was discussed several years ago, and Mr. Sasser said that was part of the PD&E study but it was not funded. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked about irrigation on the medians, and Mr. Charles said it is proposed. Commissioner Portner asked about interruption to traffic while the April 9, 2001 City Commission Workshop 3 construction is going on, and Ms. Daniel said there would be minimum interruption and safety of pedestrians is paramount. A lot of the work will be done at night. Commissioner Roberts asked how long the project would take, and Mr. Charles said about 270 days. Commissioner Portner asked why there are bike paths planned on heavily traveled streets, and Ms. Daniel said it is the policy of the Department to provide bikeways. Commissioner Roberts asked about saving money by reusing the traffic signals, and Mr. Hall said they are given to the County to be used at other locations. City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller suggested setting a Special Commission meeting immediately following the Commission Workshop on June 25, 2001, to make appointments to Boards and Committees. All agreed. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Vice Mayor Sultanof adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:10 a.m. Marion Swen�on, CMC City Clerk April 9, 2001 City Commission Workshop 4