HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-24 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the
City Commission to order on Monday, April 24, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner,
Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner
Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren,
Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
1. DISCUSSION RE: PROPOSED 1 % SALES TAX INCREASE TO PROVIDE
FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN BROWARD COUNTY: Former Broward
County Commissioner John Hart appeared and explained a group of concerned
citizens, led by the business community, want to take the question of the proposed 1 %
sales tax for transportation projects for Broward County and surrounding municipalities
to the people. Over the past 30 years the county has grown and demographic studies
estimate 750,000-1 million people will come to Broward County over the next few years,
bringing challenges with regard to education, affordable housing for workforce people,
and a realistic world class transportation system. The 10 sales tax for transportation
only would go into a trust account, not to be commingled with other funds. This money
will not replace other plans for transportation, and is expected to generate
approximately $260 million per year. Seventy-five percent of the funds will go to transit
improvements and 25% will go to other related transportation improvements. The
County is considering appointing a 9-11 member citizen committee to oversee the trust.
Additionally, 10% of the funds will go back to the municipalities, which for Tamarac
would mean about $850,000 per year; and the cities can use that money at their
discretion, but only for transportation oriented projects. The funds from the 10 sales tax
will also be used as a match for federal and state funds. Commissioner Hart asked the
Mayor and City Commission to support the 10 sales tax and encourage the Broward
County Commission to place this item on the upcoming ballot. Commissioner Sultanof
said he was unable to vote on this matter at the MPO prior to the Mayor and City
Commission being made aware of the plan and giving their approval. Vice Mayor
Portner said he chairs the State Road 7 Collaborative Committee and they, too, are
talking about transportation. Vice Mayor Portner questioned how we could be sure the
funds will be dedicated, and Commissioner Hart said the ballot question will incorporate
the projects that the funds will be dedicated for and the plan will be put into the ballot
question. Vice Mayor Portner asked when the plan would be available for the Mayor
and City Commission to see and Commissioner Hart said it should be printed within 4-5
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days. Vice Mayor Portner said he firmly disagreed with running light rail along 1-595 and
asked if the members of the committee would be paid. Commissioner Hart said they
would be volunteers and would serve 3-year terms. Vice Mayor Portner spoke of the
increased number of cars on the road over the past years and said he is in favor of the
10 sales tax; there should be more transit lanes and fewer traffic lanes on the roads.
Commissioner Hart said with gas prices climbing, people need alternative choices by
which to travel. Commissioner Dressler clarified the 75/25 split of the funds and spoke
about the economic impact on the middle class workers and the responsibility of local
government to provide other cost efficient ways for people to get to work.
Commissioner Dressler spoke of the dependency on fossil fuels, and noted the fact that
Brazil has now moved to the use of ethanol. Commissioner Dressler asked
Commissioner Hart how green his solutions will be and whether the buses will use fossil
fuel. Commissioner Dressler asked that ethanol be considered in the final proposal,
and said he is in favor of the 10 sales tax. Commissioner Hart responded future buses
will be hybrids which will switch to non -fossil fuels. The actual impact to the average
family for the 10 sales tax is about $45.00 per adult per year. Commissioner Dressler
spoke about the trolley system in Boston and said he would be delighted to take a
trolley from Tamarac to Las Olas Boulevard. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the
White Paper was well written and very user friendly. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
questioned the University Drive Corridor, which is important to Tamarac and asked
when we would see results for University Drive and State Road 7. Commissioner Hart
said State Road 7 and Oakland Park Boulevard initiatives will be launched immediately
as these roads reflect the highest use. As for University Drive, Commissioner Hart had
no answer at this time, but added all projects will be addressed within the first 2-5 years.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if University Drive would be addressed in the
forthcoming information and Commissioner Hart said it would. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco asked Commissioner Hart if he had spoken to other cities and he said he has,
plus there are 11 more on the agenda for the next few weeks. Everyone will be reached
prior to this coming before the Broward County Commission. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said the dedicated source of funding as well as the green issues should be
brought up during future presentations, and she is in support of the 10 sales tax.
Commissioner Sultanof asked the Mayor and City Commission for an expression of
interest for him to register a positive vote on this at the MPO in May. All were in
agreement. Commissioner Sultanof said he would vote in the affirmative in May and the
Mayor and City Commission would prepare a Resolution as they normally do.
Commissioner Sultanof left the room at 10:08 and returned at 10:10.
City Attorney Goren said he would prepare a resolution for the next regular city
commission meeting.
2. UPDATE ON TURNPIKE PROJECT: Nichole Kalil, FDOT and Bryan Williams,
Project Engineer appeared. Ms. Kalil said the turnpike is its own district and the portion
of the turnpike that runs through Broward County is part of the original stretch opened in
1957. North and southbound lanes are being added throughout Broward County and
the project is funded by toll revenues. The project began in February 2006. The first
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sections to be worked on are from Griffin Road to Atlantic Boulevard and the work is
being outsourced. Mr. Williams is the engineer in charge of the work going through
Tamarac. Road closures will be limited to nighttime hours and there is no anticipated
increase in tolls after completion of the project. Additional road rangers will be hired
and FHP will be more visible. Vice Mayor Partner questioned Ms. Kalil's statement
regarding no anticipated toll increases and asked for a definitive statement that tolls will
not be increased. Ms. Kalil said she is not authorized to make that statement; there is
always the potential for an increase in tolls but in Broward County the turnpike is being
widened using land it already owns. Commissioner Dressler asked that Ms. Kalil pass
on to the person in charge of strategic planning that adding lanes only encourages more
traffic. While the idea of more lanes is generally a good idea, the turnpike authority
should be looking at HOV lanes for hybrid/ethanol based vehicles as well as vehicles
with multiple passengers. Commissioner Dressler said he encourages people to go
green. Commissioner Sultanof said there is a big problem on the turnpike from Griffin
Road to Atlantic Boulevard and unless we do something now the problem will become
insurmountable. Fuel is a federal problem which local governments can do nothing
about. The MPO is going after the federal government for funds. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco questioned the bridges and ramps that are to be replaced and spoke of the
one at Commercial Boulevard and asked about the impact to Tamarac residents. Mr.
Williams said there would be a little more congestion because when there are signs in
the road people tend to slow down. Additionally, changes to familiar situations cause
issues. With regard to emergency services, the turnpike is consistently coordinating
with affected cities. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when this construction would
be done and Mr. Williams said within the next 2-3 years. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked that ample notice be given to Tamarac residents and Ms. Kalil said notice is
usually three weeks to one month ahead of the construction. Vice Mayor Portner asked
about the possibility of moving the toll plaza at Commercial Boulevard back to the
turnpike and Mr. Williams said it is not within the scope of the current construction. Vice
Mayor Portner spoke of Sunpass lanes and the bottlenecks at Commercial Boulevard,
and the Sunpass lane on the south side of Commercial Boulevard. Vice Mayor Portner
asked to add a toll booth to that entrance to the turnpike. Ms. Kalil said statistics
showed there are more Sunpass users at that exit, but she would bring that suggestion
back to her office. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she travels the turnpike extensively
and Vice Mayor Portner's idea would probably be good heading north as there are
many dangerous accidents at that site.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the agenda
to take up Item 4(e) on the workshop agenda.
e. Item No. 6(b). APPOINTING COMMISSION LIAISONS TO TAMARAC
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES: (TR10907) Appointing commission liaisons to the
Insurance Advisory Board, Investment Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation
Board, Public Information Committee, Social Services Board, and Veterans Affairs
Committee to serve until the next general municipal election. City Clerk Swenson gave
a presentation. Commissioner Sultanof said he would like to remain on the Veterans
Affairs Committee and suggested Commissioner Dressler for the Investment Advisory
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Committee and the Parks and Recreation Board; and Commissioner Atkins -Grad for the
School Committee. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco recommended Vice Mayor Portner for
the Public Information Committee. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said we do not have a
formal education committee but it is important to have Tamarac represented as there
are three schools in the city, and Commissioner Atkins -Grad should be the one to cover
the schools. Commissioner Dressler asked if creation of a new committee would
require modification of the charter and City Attorney Goren said it depends on the way it
is established.
Commissioner Sultanof left the room at 10:28 and returned at 10:33.
City Attorney Goren continued there are two venues to create a board or committee,
and if the Mayor and City Commission would like to create an education committee he
will be happy to work with them on this. Commissioner Dressler deferred to counsel.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested this be taken up at a future date but
Commissioner Atkins -Grad can represent the City of Tamarac informally and keep us
posted on what is going on in our schools. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the City of
Character Committee and City Manager Miller said he would come back to the Mayor
and City Commission at the next meeting with recommendations for formulation of the
committee. Commissioner Dressler said many cities have diversity committees and
asked if due to changes in Tamarac's demographics the City of Character Committee
could be the same as a Cultural Diversity Committee. City Manager Miller said one of
the purposes of the City of Character Committee was to represent every part of the
population. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she believed Commissioner Sultanof
wished to remain as liaison to the Social Services Board. City Manager Miller said that
was true. Vice Mayor Portner recommended Commissioner Dressler as liaison to the
Insurance Advisory Board. City Manager Miller said there is a strong chairperson for
that board and when he canvassed the Commission no one showed interest in serving
as liaison to that board. Additionally, the Risk Manager serves as staff liaison and as
such, it may not be necessary to have a commission liaison to that committee, but if the
Mayor and City Commission choose to appoint a commission liaison, that would be fine.
Commissioner Dressler spoke of previous commitments and after discussion, declined
the invitation to serve as commission liaison to the Insurance Advisory Board, but said
he would be available for consultation as necessary. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
confirmed there is no requirement for commission liaisons to every board/committee
and asked if there is any requirement for a commission liaison to attend every meeting.
City Attorney Goren said it is a relationship issue and there is no requirement to attend
every meeting. Commissioner Sultanof said Dr. Krause is a full student of insurance
from every angle, Risk Management is in full control, and Human Resources Director
Swanson is also involved. Commissioner Sultanof said he believed the commission
liaison for the Insurance Advisory Board should be left vacant. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said she realizes Commissioner Dressler has a full plate and she is
comfortable with Commissioner Atkins -Grad serving as liaison to the education
committee and formalizing the City of Character Committee in the future.
Commissioner Sultanof said we have not had a formal education committee and
questioned the need to create one as there is a commissioner already covering the
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schools. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the demographics are changing and it is
something to consider. Commissioner Dressler said he is in favor of an education
committee to interface with representatives from the School Board to communicate the
views of the Commissioners and parents; it is organizationally deficient not to have this
committee. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she is in support of an education
committee. City Attorney Goren said the item appointing commission liaisons to
boards/committees will appear before the Mayor and City Commission on Wednesday
and if the Mayor and City Commission wishes, legislation can be drafted or it can be
brought back to the Mayor and City Commission. Vice Mayor Portner suggested
creating the education committee without bringing it back before the Mayor and City
Commission. All were in agreement. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if a
commissioner can delegate attendance at a board/committee meeting should the liaison
commissioner be unable to attend. City Attorney Goren said there is no provision for an
alternate or delegate for alternate member. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned
flexibility and Commissioner Sultanof said no commissioner, vice mayor or mayor ever
sat on the Planning Board as it is separate from the other boards/committees. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to appoint Commissioner
Sultanof as commission liaison to the Veterans Affairs Committee and the Social
Services Committee; Commissioner Dressler as commission liaison to the Parks and
Recreation Board and the Investment Advisory Committee; Vice Mayor Partner as
commission liaison to the Public Information Committee; and Commissioner Atkins -
Grad as the commission education liaison. All were in agreement.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco returned to Item 3 on the workshop agenda.
3. PRESENTATION OF 2005 AUDIT REPORT (CAFR): Pablo Llerena, BKR
Garcia, Financial Services Director Chapman and Controller Nealon appeared. Mr.
Llerena gave an overview of the report and said Tamarac was given a clean opinion in
accordance with accepted accounting principals.
City Attorney Goren left the room at 10:45 and returned at 10:50.
Vice Mayor Portner asked for more specificity with regard to fund balances and Mr.
Llerena explained. Commissioner Sultanof said while we may be looking at $6 million in
fund balance there is actually not that much available and we do not have the funds at
the 10% cap. Financial Services Director Chapman went over the fund balance and
spoke of the 10% cap in the charter and said at the last meeting the commission
approved a budget amendment reducing the unreserved balance to $4.3 million,
increasing the economic stabilization reserves and the CIP, based on expenditures of
$43 million. Commissioner Dressler said the CAFR was done very well and he
reviewed every number in the document. With regard to the 10% cap, organizations for
profit call this money `free cash flow'; that which is left after spending money on fixed
expenses. Commissioner Dressler questioned why the City of Tamarac is capped at
10%. Commissioner Dressler asked Financial Services Director Chapman for an
opinion as to whether it should be a higher percentage. Financial Services Director
Chapman said the philosophy of the founding fathers of Tamarac was if government
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had too much money then it appeared taxes were too high. In today's thinking, for
situations like hurricanes and unpredictable events, we need to have cash in the bank.
GFOA recommends ranges for balances from 5% - 15%, and Financial Services
Director Chapman said his perspective as Financial Services Director is to give the
Mayor and City Commission more flexibility to set a fund balance. We should not go
below the 5%-7% level but a higher fund balance would help the city maintain its credit
rating and meet unexpected expenditures. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the $3
million that had to be reserved for litigation and hurricane expenses and said those
amounts could eat up our current fund balance in a heartbeat. As fiduciaries of the city
we should look at some flexibility for the 10%; we are entering into a 10-20 year
hurricane season and do not know what monies we will have to spend; additionally, we
cannot anticipate litigation. Financial Services Director Chapman thanked his staff and
the outside auditors for a job well done. City Manager Miller congratulated the
department directors for an outstanding job managing their budgets on a daily basis as
there were no negative findings in management. City Manager Miller also thanked Mr.
Llerena, Controller Nealon and Financial Services Director Chapman for their efforts.
Vice Mayor Portner questioned customer deposits and asked whether they were not
supposed to be returned. Controller Nealon said these are customer utility account
deposits and every year, for customers in good standing, deposits are refunded. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked Mr. Llerena and Financial Services Director Chapman for
the presentation and said the introductory section of the CAFR explains the rest of the
book and what is going on in the city; it is very user friendly. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco asked for clarification regarding BKR Garcia and Grau and Company. Mr.
Llerena said Grau and Company, with offices in Miami and Boca Raton, split at the
beginning of the year. The Miami Office was formerly Grau and Company, but is now
BKR Garcia. Mr. Llerena spoke of the financial condition assessment of Tamarac and
said over the past five years the tax and population is compared to other cities and
Tamarac is in a favorable financial condition. Commissioner Dressler asked if this
compared services provided in Tamarac and other cities and Mr. Llerena said Tamarac
is in the top 50%. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how many cities were included
and Mr. Llerena said 40-50. City Attorney Goren said the legal status of the relationship
between the audit firm and the city has been reviewed and the same principals that
were previously contracted with are before you today. Mr. Llerena thanked staff and
Financial Services Director Chapman for their help during the audit.
4. APRIL 26.2006 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 7. PURCHASE AND SALE OF REAL PROPERTY — TAMARAC
JEWISH CENTER, INC. AND CITY OF TAMARAC. (TR10945) Motion to approve
Resolution authorizing the appropriate city officials to execute an agreement for
purchase and sale of real property between Tamarac Jewish Center, Inc. (seller) and
the City of Tamarac (buyer) in the amount of Seven Hundred Twenty -Five Thousand
Dollars ($725,000.00) for the city to purchase 50,000 +/- square feet of vacant land for
the expansion of future economic development interests. City Manager Miller, Special
Counsel Eakin, and Realtor Caplan appeared. City Manager Miller explained Attorney
Eakin helped with previous land purchases and the instant resolution authorizes staff
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and appropriate parties to execute a purchase agreement for land in the middle of the
Main Street corridor; one acre located on the NE corner of 915t Avenue and 57th Street.
City Manager Miller explained it is difficult for larger developers to come in and show
interest in Main Street because there are many individually owned parcels; the
developers have asked the city to try to purchase as many of these parcels as possible
and added $725,000 for the acre is a very good price. Attorney Eakin said we had an
unwilling seller; there are two cell towers on the property that lease from the current
owner. It is a long term lease with multiple renewals and provides a good income to the
seller. It was agreed the seller could keep the advance rental from Nextel until February
2007. If we close by June we would give up advance rent for eight months totaling
$20,000. The City will also pay Mr. Caplan $21,000 and if these figures were to be
added to the selling price it would amount to $766,000 or $15.35 sq. ft. The purchase
price should be okay with the appraisers. Statutes require we get two certified
appraisals, phase one environmental audit and boundary survey. Attorney Eakin said
he would research the title and write the title insurance. Commissioner Sultanof said
based on today's market we have done well. Vice Mayor Portner asked what our needs
are for the land and City Manager Miller spoke of a developer with a proposal that is
under consideration as well as other developers who would be interested if there were
not so many individually owned parcels. This is a corner piece of property at the heart
of the Main Street Project which can be used for parking or an entry feature for the
project such as a park or a clock tower. There are a number of things we can do with
the property. Vice Mayor Portner said our return over the next 7 years is about
$704,000 so eventually the actual cost of the property will be about a quarter million
dollars, which makes this a very good purchase. Commissioner Dressler confirmed Mr.
Caplan's role is buyer's agent and City Manager Miller said it is. We have been using
Mr. Caplan's services for the last several years as the commercial realtor representing
the City of Tamarac. Commissioner Dressler confirmed there would be no
compensation to Mr. Caplan from the seller and Attorney Eakin said that is correct.
Commissioner Dressler said he agrees with Vice Mayor Partner, this is a great deal for
the city. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said it is a wonderful investment for the city and an
excellent price. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the process and Attorney
Eakin said if the resolution authorizing city officials to enter into a contract for purchase
is passed he will have four originals signed and will send two back to the seller and
begin due diligence. If the purchase price is justified we can proceed and go to closing.
If the environmental report comes back positive we can move forward, assuming the
title is clear and there is no problem with the survey. The last purchase the city entered
into the appraisers came back and said the property was not worth the purchase price
and we needed an additional environmental assessment. This contract contains a 30
day extension for due diligence.
b. Item No. 6(d). OPPOSING LEGISLATION ELIMINATING CABLE
FRANCHISING RIGHTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: (TR10942) Urging Congress
and the Florida Legislature to oppose legislation that eliminates the cable franchising
rights of local governments; directing that this Resolution be forwarded to Florida's
Congressional Congregation, the Governor, the Broward County Legislative Delegation,
Broward County League of Cities, and the Florida League of Cities. Assistant City
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Manager Diane Phillips gave a presentation and said the pending legislation changes
daily. The proposed legislation gives negotiation of franchise rights to the state and
existing franchise holders can opt out; there is no provision for emergency stations and
no provision in the franchise agreements for institution network or city facilities/buildings
to be networked. Vice Mayor Portner said he adamantly opposed the legislation as it
interferes with the city's rights to negotiate and takes away needed revenues.
Commissioner Dressler said this is a disturbing trend nationally to take power away
from local governments or use it to the benefit of large corporations. Commissioner
Dressler said he also opposes the legislation as it takes the power away from the
people. Commissioner Sultanof said he is opposed to the legislation but a problem is
surfacing via corporations the size of Google, who bypass local governments. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco said this speaks to the issue of home rule and we must continue
and persevere to maintain and protect our home rule. Vice Mayor Portner asked how
our resolution will get to the legislature and Assistant City Manager Phillips said it will be
transmitted by the City Clerk.
C. Item No. 6(e). APPLICATION — 2006 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT
PROGRAM — MEDIAN ENHANCEMENTS ALONG NOB HILL ROAD BETWEEN
SOUTHGATE BOULEVARD AND WESTWOOD DRIVE: (TR10947) Seeking Federal
Surface Transportation Program funds via an application through the Broward County
Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Florida Department of Transportation in the
amount of $307,000 for median enhancements along Nob Hill Road between Southgate
Boulevard and Westwood Drive; providing for a 10 percent cash match of $35,000 in
local funds for a total project cost of $342,000 in the event of approval of the application;
providing for acceptance of the award and executing of documents upon
approval. Public Works Director Strain and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek
appeared. Public Works Director Strain said this is the third time we have applied for
this funding for the north half of Nob Hill Road. We are in the process of completing the
design for the south half of Nob Hill Road and will then move forward; the north half will
mirror the south half. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek said this year priorities at the
MPO changed. In the past safety and mass transit were stressed; this year
improvements to transportation access amenities and environmental quality are
priorities. Commissioner Sultanof said the MPO voted for this project in the past and
they are trying to get federal monies involved.
d. Item No. 6(f). AWARDING BID FOR CITYWIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES:
(TR10940) Awarding Bid No. 06-08B to Cleaning Systems, Inc., for citywide janitorial
services; authorizing the appropriate city officials to execute an agreement with
Cleaning Systems, Inc.; authorizing an annual expenditure in an amount not to exceed
$211,800; approving a budget transfer of $13,000 within the general fund. Public Works
Director Strain said the janitorial services contract is for all city facilities. The previous
contractor tried, over the past nine months, to get their service to a level meeting the
city's requirements, but to no avail, so at renewal time the project was put out to bid.
The existing contractor did not bid, and Cleaning Systems, Inc. is the new low bidder.
There is an increased cost over the previous contract due to the expanded scope of the
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project. We are adding the Swim Center and other buildings not previously contracted
for, plus we anticipate better service.
f. Item 6(c). AGREEMENT RENEWAL FOR AUDITING SERVICES:
(TR10941) Exercising the first renewal option to the existing agreement between the
City of Tamarac and BKR Garcia Company, PLLC, (formerly Grau & Co.), for annual
auditing services for fiscal year ending September 30, 2006; for a not to exceed cost of
$89,500. Financial Services Director Chapman explained that pursuant to Florida
Statutes we must have an outside independent auditor to audit our books on an annual
basis. This is the end of the three-year agreement and this will be the first annual
optional renewal (there are two renewals available for this contract). Staff recommends
we complete the first renewal based on the performance we have received from the
company. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the fee would be the same as previously
paid and Financial Services Director Chapman said the three-year agreement had an
escalated fee every year; this renewal is $6,000 higher than last year, but the cost is
within reason. City Attorney Goren explained we are extending the contract with the
same people previously contracted with; the principals who did the audit this time are
the same as last year. There was a bifurcation of the Miami and Boca offices; the same
principals are legally authorized to extend the contract and modify it as necessary.
Commissioner Dressler questioned litigation with regard to the company and City
Attorney Goren said there is indemnification language in the contract that would prevail
and the company's obligation to indemnify the city would continue. Should the pre-
existing firm choose not to indemnify us we would look to the current vendor. Mr.
Llereno explained BKR Garcia Company has tail insurance. City Attorney Goren
explained that preexisting obligations or liability coverage are provided for with this
contractor.
g. Item No. 6(g). AUTHORIZING FOUR -WEEK COMMISSION VACATION:
(TR10906) Authorizing a four -week consecutive period (July 15, 2006 — August 13,
2006) during which time the City Commission will not schedule any regular meetings
pursuant to Section 4.06 of the City Charter. City Clerk Swenson explained the four -
week vacation for the City Commission. There was no discussion.
5. OVERVIEW OF THE CITY BUDGET AND BUDGET PROCESS: Overview of
the City budget and budget process. Financial Services Director Chapman and
Management and Budget Officer Sammartino appeared. Management and Budget
Officer Sammartino gave an overview of the budget and said our fiscal year runs from
October 1 through September 30. We are now beginning work on the FY2007 budget.
After adoption, the budget can be changed if necessary. The purpose of the budget is
to fund the plans, goals, and work for the year. Management and Budget Officer
Sammartino explained the various funds in the budget and spoke of revenues and
expenditures. Vice Mayor Partner questioned the cost to build our own water treatment
plant and City Attorney Goren said we can not do that as it is a federal program and we
are in a relationship with Broward County for the long term, which was generated
through federal legislation many years ago. Management and Budget Officer
Sammartino reviewed the budget process and the calendar for the next few months.
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Commissioner Sultanof asked the Financial Services Department to review the
recycling situation regarding disposal and dumping. The trash company is falling
behind in picking up the recycling and the public is not fully aware that our recycling
program is deteriorating. Tamarac is the 5th city in Florida to receive an award for
recycling. Commissioner Sultanof asked how much money we are losing when we do
not dump the recycling. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked that a copy of the
information be provided to the entire Mayor and City Commission.
6. DISCUSSION RE: TELEVISING COMMISSION MEETINGS: Discussion
regarding televising commission meetings. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco, IT Director
Sucuoglu and Public Information Officer Crockett appeared. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said this subject has come up time and again, as recently as when she was
campaigning. IT Director Sucuoglu said he met with Comcast and the local AN
contractor and was told we need a four camera system in the chambers; a community
calendar information channel (which is channel 78), four VCR's, cable TV transport,
web casting, and an AN system integration. The cost for hardware is $40,000; system
integration $25,000; CATV Transport $12,000; web casting $12,000; and a system
operator $12,000 per year, for a total cost of $101,000. The operator cost of $12,000 is
an ongoing expense. The overall system implementation time is about 150 days.
Commissioner Sultanof questioned the cost of the operator and IT Director Sucuoglu
said about $12,000 per year. Commissioner Sultanof asked if this would be an
independent operator or would the city be responsible for benefits. IT Director Sucuoglu
said there are several options and it depends upon how high a production requirement
we ask from that person. Commissioner Sultanof said he has attended meetings in
Deerfield, Coral Springs and Plantation, all of whom televise, and the meetings went on
until midnight -- 1:00 a.m., and asked if there would be an additional cost if our meetings
were to last that long. In that case, $101,000 would not be the bottom figure. Vice
Mayor Portner said it appears that those who do not have service from Comcast will not
be able to view the commission meeting. IT Director Sucuoglu said that is correct. Vice
Mayor Portner asked how many people in Tamarac do not have Comcast and Public
Information Officer Crockett said Comcast estimates almost 23,000 households are
served by Comcast and approximately 10,000 do not have Comcast. Public Information
Officer Crockett said part of the reason IT Director Sucuoglu addressed webcasting is
that in the citizen survey 63% of the homes in Tamarac have internet access, and if they
have high speed they may be able to watch the meetings over webcast. Vice Mayor
Portner said the numbers do not sit well with him. He can not see the commission
meetings being televised and those without Comcast can not see the meetings unless
they have internet access. Vice Mayor Portner asked how many in Tamarac have
internet access. Public Information Officer Crockett said according to the citizen survey,
63% responded, which number may be skewed by the change in demographics. Vice
Mayor Portner questioned whether it would be less expensive and more productive to
send city buses to the homeowner and condo associations to pick up people who
wished to attend the meetings. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked out of the $101,000
which are the fixed costs and IT Director Sucuoglu said everything except the operator.
Commissioner Dressler quoted Thomas Jefferson, who said "Democracy can only
succeed with an educated public." Many times over the years the public has not come
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City Commission Workshop
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forward with their comments. It is essential we do everything possible to bring the
workings of local government to the people. We must use everything at our disposal to
educate people regarding the issues. The public should have the opportunity to hear
everything, not just things that come from special interest groups and 'corpocacies'.
Commissioner Dressler said he wants people to hear all the issues; not being aware of
the crucial issues contributes to the low turnout in local elections and depreciates
democracy. As long as it can be rationalized, the ultimate cost is our freedom. Voters
must know what the real issues are and the opinions of the people they elected. We
need to do this and rely on staff to bring us creative solutions to problems, such as
grandstanding. Commissioner Sultanof said Tamarac is the only city in Broward County
that puts its commission meetings on the road four times a year. Commissioner
Sultanof said what disturbs him most is not the money; Tamarac has the most educated
population among cities but they may not hear the commissioners on the dais; we say
young people can not come to morning meetings as they have jobs to go to and older
people are too tired to come out at night. Commissioner Sultanof said past mayors did
not want to televise commission meetings. People will only want to know if the camera
is on them; people on the dais talk on and on; Deerfield, Coral Springs and Plantation
meetings last until 12:15 a.m. If the meeting is productive then it is okay, but everyone
wants to be on camera. Does the coverage warrant what we are trying to do? We must
do a good job keeping people informed. Public Information Officer Crockett said it is
hard to measure the benefits of televising meetings; those cities that do televise their
meetings report that the citizens favor televising, but they do not know how many
people actually watch the meetings on television. If we started televising meetings the
question could be added to future surveys in order to find out how many take the
opportunity to watch the meetings on television. The results of our citizen survey did
not have any suggestions to televise. Our questions were geared to participation and
any services the City of Tamarac does not offer that citizens would like to see provided.
Public Information Officer Crockett said she has reason to believe while the meetings
may initially go for longer periods, eventually that would wane over time. Some
communities start their meetings earlier to accommodate the length of the meetings and
some cities have a written policy in place that a meeting will not go past a certain time.
Public Information Officer Crockett spoke of creating additional public records and
competing with broadcast TV. Additionally, people do not promise they will watch
commission meetings should they be televised. Commissioner Sultanof said anyone
can come to the City Clerk's office and get a tape of the proceedings. There is no lack
of information for the public. Public Information Officer Crockett said there is no
equipment in place to televise offsite meetings. Vice Mayor Portner asked if there is
any reason Comcast could not come with hand held cameras to televise offsite
meetings? Public Information Officer Crockett said they do not support that in the
franchise agreement. Vice Mayor Portner said if offsite meetings could be televised it
would show the Mayor and City Commission bringing government to the people. IT
Director Sucuoglu said it is available as a contracted service but is not covered under
the existing conditions. Commissioner Dressler said these meetings can also be
broadcast by tape delay in the evenings and this is very valuable. IT Director Sucuoglu
questioned if we televise meetings whether we would still need to take the meetings on
the road. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the internet service would only work if
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City Commission Workshop
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one had high speed access and IT Director Sucuoglu said it could be set to work on
different speeds, but for optimum viewing high speed would be best. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how many cities currently televise their meetings and
Public Information Officer Crockett said the numbers do not reflect all the cities. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco said she would like to see the numbers broken out more clearly
between ongoing and one time costs, and she knows there are still questions to be
answered. It is important to Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco to continue this discussion
and include information regarding the system operator, what we can get from Comcast,
what it entails to take our commission meetings to the public, and concerns about length
of meetings should we televise. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said on the campaign trail
this came up many times but the citizen survey did not speak directly to that question.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she suspects if the meetings are televised people will
tune in, and she would like to have these questions answered so the discussion can
continue with more specifics. Vice Mayor Partner asked if the meetings can be
commercially sponsored and IT Director Sucuoglu said while the city has a sponsorship
policy the meetings would be aired over public access television, so it would not be
allowed. City Attorney Goren said there can be no advertisement during the meetings.
Vice Mayor Portner asked about a public foundation sponsor and City Attorney Goren
said that may be possible; a collaborative with a non-profit would not be inappropriate
but they would not be given commercial time to advertise. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked the City Attorney to get more information regarding sponsorship and asked the
City Manager to let the Mayor and City Commission know when the information has
been gathered and the item is ready to be brought back to the Mayor and City .
Commission.
7. DISCUSSION RE: LEGISLATION SUPPORTING MANDATORY
INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS OF ELECTRIC POWER AT GASOLINE
SERVICE STATIONS: Discussion regarding mandatory installation of generators of
electric power at gasoline service stations.
8. DISCUSSION RE: OPPOSING LEGISLATION INCREASING THE NUMBER
OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN BROWARD COUNTY: Discussion regarding opposing
legislation increasing the number of school districts in Broward County. Commissioner
Dressler asked to have items 7 and 8 deferred to another time.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:25 p.m.
pr
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
1
April 24, 2006
City Commission Workshop
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