HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-12 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 12, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, May 12, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac
City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward
C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Marc L.
Sultanof.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft,
Assistant City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY MAYOR SCHREIBER.
1. PRESENTATION — CONCEPTUALS FOR SOUTHGATE LINEAR PARK:
Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles said three public meetings were held
with local homeowner associations and the resulting plan reflects the peoples' wishes.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles thanked city staff who were in attendance at
the meetings, and introduced Consultants Dave Barth and Sarah Wilkinson of Glatting
Jackson. Mr. Barth gave an overview of the public meetings held to date and reviewed
the draft conceptual plan. Commissioner Sultanof asked if there is enough width to
develop the plan as proposed and Mr. Barth responded in the affirmative.
Commissioner Partner and Mayor Schreiber questioned the reconfiguration of
Southgate Boulevard and the meandering roadway concept. Mr. Barth explained urban
and natural themes, creation of open space on the residential and canal sides, and said
Southgate would be reduced to two meandering lanes with short medians to allow for
turning around. Vice Mayor Roberts expressed concern about the intersection at Nob
Hill and Southgate, and on -street parking at night. Mr. Barth said Southgate would go
from two lanes to four at the intersection and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles
explained that multiple cars parked at the park in the evening would be addressed by
park patrols or BSO. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about lighting intensity; Mr. Barth
responded the intention is to light Southgate but not the park since it will be closed after
dark. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about water features and Mr. Barth said the number
had been reduced. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said if the Commission
accepts the Master Plan as presented today, costs would then be brought back to them.
The Mayor and Commissioners were in agreement to go forward with the plan.
2. MAY 14, 2003 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 6(f). PURCHASE OF HERBICIDES: (TR10109) Authorizing an
additional expenditure not to exceed $50,000 for the purchase of aquatic, ornamental
and turf herbicides utilizing City of Tamarac Bid No. 03-01 B. Project Manager (Solid
Waste Recycling) Amber D'Amato gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked why
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additional chemicals are needed and Project Manager (Solid Waste Recycling) D'Amato
explained more chemicals have been used on canal banks for weed removal due to the
fact that several vacancies in the Stormwater division created manpower shortages, and
also the aquatic harvester could not reach every area. Commissioner Portner
questioned the total expenditure and payment terms of the bids. Project Manager (Solid
Waste Recycling) D'Amato said the request is for approval of spending monies already
budgeted and the entire $50,000 may not be needed for the remainder of the fiscal
year. Assistant City Manager/Acting Public Works Director Cernech said the bidder's
interest rate of 18%, while high, is not a concern as the city pays within 30 days.
b. Item No. 8. AMENDING CHAPTER 24 OF THE TAMARAC CODE — ARTICLE
VII, "FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES": (TO1997) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first
reading amending Chapter 24 of the City of Tamarac Code of Ordinances entitled,
"Zoning", Article VII, "Fences, Walls and Hedges", Section 24-631 entitled, "Residential
Districts" by amending setback requirements for fences and walls, amending height
requirements for fences and hedges, providing for exemptions, and providing for
definition of "secondary street", and amending Section 24-634 entitled, "All Districts" to
require that all fences, walls and hedges located within a sight triangle must adhere to
the appropriate state, county or city standards (Case No. 7-Z-03); providing for
codification. Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a presentation,
and said this will clarify the zoning code and address code enforcement issues
throughout the city. Mayor Schreiber questioned front yard fences and notifying
residents of the changes. Community Development Director King said typically chain
link fences in front yards are four feet in height and this is an attempt to bring uniformity
throughout the City. In order to inform residents about changes to the code, information
will appear in the Tam -a -Gram and regular articles are planned to keep residents
informed. Commissioner Sultanof questioned setbacks and county input. Community
Development Director King explained if a property has two street frontages, fences and
hedges would have to be three feet off the property line which gives bike riders and
pedestrians safer access; the county is agreeable with the height requirement. Vice
Mayor Roberts expressed concern about chain link and privacy fences abutting and
Community Development Director King said existing six foot fences would be
grandfathered in; typically chain link is in the front yard and privacy fences are
encouraged for screening on side yards. Commissioner Partner questioned a sentence
in the staff memorandum regarding the fact that hedges might be maintained at 10 feet,
and Community Development Director King explained uniformity at a ten foot height.
Commissioner Partner said he disagrees with wood fences, as chain link fences hold up
better and people do not tend to maintain the condition of wood fences. Vice Mayor
Roberts questioned the Australian Pines on Southgate Boulevard, and discussion
ensued on what constitutes a hedge as compared to a stand-alone tree.
C. Item No. 7. AMENDING CHAPTER 24 OF THE TAMARAC CODE —
CREATING SECTION 24-614, "PLACEMENT OF BASKETBALL HOOPS AND
POLES": (T02006) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 24
of the Code of Ordinances entitled, "Zoning", Article VI, "Accessory Uses*", Creating
Section 24-614 entitled, "Placement of Basketball Hoops and Poles" establishing
requirements for the placement of basketball hoops and poles (Case No. 15-Z-03);
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providing for codification. Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a
presentation and noted hoops in front yards would have to be at least five feet from the
property line. Mayor Schreiber asked if this would apply to existing hoops and
Community Development Director King responded in the affirmative. Vice Mayor
Roberts voiced concern regarding pie -shaped lots in Heathgate/Sunflower with small
front yards. Community Development Director King said typical front setbacks are 20
feet, and discussed accessory uses, under which basketball hoops fall.
d. Item No. 9. CDBG ANNUAL ACTION PLAN — 4T" YEAR: (TR10116) Motion to
approve Resolution authorizing the appropriate City Officials to accept the Fourth Year
Action Plan "Recommendations" for expenditures of the City of Tamarac's U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program for the HUD Fiscal Year (FY2003) Case No. 8-MI-03).
Community Development Director J. Christopher King introduced Economic
Development Manager Reed -Holguin who gave a presentation. Commissioner Portner
questioned the $5,000 and asked if it is a directive of the Federal Government, to which
Economic Development Manager Reed -Holguin replied yes. Commissioner Partner
questioned the $15,290 requested by the Fire Department for the CERT Program and
Economic Development Manager Reed -Holguin said the Fire Department asked only for
$12,000, as they had some money already set aside for the CERT Program, but the
total cost comes to $15,290. Commissioner Portner asked what type of programs Parks
and Recreation referred to and Economic Development Manager Reed -Holguin and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said these are programs by local hospitals,
e.g., Parkinsons, Diabetes, Grief, to which we would provide transportation for
residents. Commissioner Portner noted the purchase of a new mini -van is included, but
with low ridership, suggested perhaps one of the existing buses could be used for other
purposes. There was discussion about the buses belonging to Broward County, their
use, and available transportation.
Commissioner Portner questioned whether the same process would be used or if the
City hopes to get additional bids, in Item 6(h) on the consent agenda. REJECTION OF
BIDS FOR PAINTING AND WATERPROOFING: (TR10118) Rejecting all bids under
Bid No. 03-21 B for the painting and waterproofing of municipal buildings. Project
Manager (Solid Waste Recycling) D'Amato responded that most likely the same
companies would bid again, as there was a problem with the bids the first time they
were submitted. Commissioner Portner asked if the work could be done in-house, and
Project Manager (Solid Waste Recycling) D'Amato said we have neither the equipment
nor manpower necessary. Mayor Schreiber asked how many bids were non-
responsive, and Project Manager (Solid Waste Recycling) D'Amato explained that there
are certain documents that must be submitted with the bid documents and two bidders
failed to submit signed addendums addressing items that came up at pre -bid
conferences. Even though they verbally agreed, the documents were missing. Mayor
Schreiber suggested that perhaps the bidders should have been reminded to submit all
pertinent documents rather than having to go through the process again, as it is time
consuming and costly. Vice Mayor Roberts agreed with Mayor Schreiber.
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3. DISCUSSION RE: UPDATE ON INSTALLATION OF NEWSRACKS: Assistant
City Manager/Acting Public Works Director Michael C. Cernech gave a presentation on
the status of newsracks and introduced Assistant City Engineer Burgio, who gave a
presentation on an upcoming pilot program. Assistant City Engineer Burgio spoke
about Tamarac's ordinance which was passed in July 2001, and said newsracks around
the City are eyesores, and changing the newsracks in conjunction with the ordinance
would bring about a uniform look. There are three locations that the City would like to
start with; the Post Office on 57th Street, Lagos De Campo, and McNab at Westwood
Boulevard. Assistant City Engineer Burgio also spoke of the color "evergreen", which is
an in -stock color thereby making it much easier and quicker to replace should a
newsrack become damaged. Mr. Scott Burg, the newsrack supplier with Golden Eagle
added that he does keep several green newsracks in stock, but any other color is a
special order and it would take several weeks to replace a newsrack under a special
order. Photographs were shown of some corners where a variety of newsracks now
stand, as well as photographs of corners in other cities housing the new newsracks.
Commissioner Portner said it appears that pristine areas are being picked for the pilot
program, while State Road 7 and Commercial Boulevard could use an immediate face
lift, and he felt the worst areas should be dealt with first. There was discussion about
problems getting permits for newsracks from the State and County. Assistant City
Manager Cernech said it has been two years since the City started talking about
newsracks, and permitting is problematic. Mayor Schreiber suggested going to the
County Commissioners representing Tamarac to get their help in moving this project
along. Commissioner Partner said if the City Manager's office drafts a letter he will sign
it. Commissioner Sultanof said it is difficult for staff to approach the County
Commission; staff should come to the Mayor and Commissioners of Tamarac, and it
would then be up to the Mayor and City Commission to contact the County
Commissioners. Vice Mayor Roberts asked when the three pilots would be done and
Assistant City Engineer Burgio said construction would most likely begin in 4-6 weeks
and from there it would take a few weeks. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of
interest for the color of the newsracks and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco,
Commissioner Sultanof and Vice Mayor Roberts expressed an interest in green;
Commissioner Partner expressed an interest in blue. Mayor Schreiber asked for an
expression of interest to move along with the pilot project and all agreed.
Mayor Schreiber went out of the regular order of business to take up Item 6 on the
workshop agenda.
6. DISCUSSION RE: WOODLANDS SPECIAL DISTRICT: Commissioner Beth
Flansbaum-Talabisco said the Independent District Bill failed in Tallahassee and asked
City Manager Miller and City Attorney Kraft to research the matter and come up with
new ideas so a solution could be reached to this problem. Mayor Schreiber asked
Kevin Smith of the Sun Sentinel if there is legislation on the governor's desk to resolve
the problem of deed restrictions, and Mr. Smith spoke about the previous law requiring
the vote of the homeowners, while a new law requires a 2/3 vote of the Board of
Directors of the Association. Mayor Schreiber said that does not address the instant
problem, and said he had addressed 25 representatives of the Broward County
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Legislative Delegation and asked them to enact new legislation to enable homeowner
associations in the state with expired deed restrictions the opportunity to renew them.
Mayor Schreiber said all the residents must be aware of what is going on and when this
started 18 months ago, Larry Torn and Broward County Commissioner Lieberman were
informed the Tamarac City Commission wanted a vote of no less than 75% of the
residents, but after a period of 6-9 months, the City Commission was told the
Woodlands could not do what they had been asked to do and a vote was never held.
Commissioner Sultanof said he is anxious to have the City Manager and City Attorney
come up with a formula, and asked about a dependent district. Commissioner Sultanof
expressed concern that this is not the only association in Tamarac that will face this
problem. Mayor Schreiber said special counsel indicated that there are ways and
means to do things to help the residents. City Attorney Kraft said there are a number of
different options in State law; dependent district, safe neighborhood act, and community
development resources. He would look at all aspects and provide a report to the City
Commission. Vice Mayor Roberts asked that all the pros and cons are addressed and
City Attorney Kraft said he would lay out the different facts and the pros and cons would
be a value judgment on the part of the Mayor and City Commission; this is a
Commission driven project and the Mayor and City Commission would have to decide
what they want to do after reviewing information provided by the City Attorney and City
Manager.
Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:40 a.m. and reconvened the workshop
meeting at 3:30 p.m., with all present as before.
4. DISCUSSION RE: CHANGES TO TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM: Parks and
Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles gave a presentation and introduced
Administrative Services Manager Maldonado and Transportation Supervisor Benitez.
Administrative Services Manager Maldonado gave a presentation and explained the
terms of the agreement with Broward County and went over the average ridership of
each of the routes and possible route modifications. Mayor Schreiber asked what time
the buses began their routes and Transportation Supervisor Benitez said they started at
9:00 a.m. Mayor Schreiber asked if transporting children from school had been
considered, and asked about investigating different routes for bus service.
Commissioner Sultanof expressed concern about creating more `latchkey kids' if
parents did not pick their children up from school. Vice Mayor Roberts said many of the
children may live in Woodmont or Calico Country and there are no bus routes going to
those locations at this time. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the green and
yellow routes go past the schools, and perhaps transporting the children could be
addressed at a PTA meeting. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the buses operate on
Saturdays, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said she had not looked into
this as there were no riders who expressed interest in Saturday routes. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco said changing the hours of the routes and transporting children
shows flexibility on the part of the Commission. Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said when the aquatic center is built we may need to add a Saturday route at
that time. Mayor Schreiber asked about connections between Tamarac Transit and
Lauderhill Transit, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said we have a
connection between the two.
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Commissioner Portner questioned who asked for and authorized the fans in the gym,
and Mayor Schreiber said he sent a petition signed by 70 people to the City Manager
and the fans were approved. Commissioner Partner said the City Commissioners had
not seen the petition, and he is not in favor of the fans since a fitness room is not
supposed to be cool.
5. DISCUSSION RE: SELECTION OF COMMISSION LIAISONS: City Clerk
Marion Swenson explained that at the last workshop meeting there was discussion
regarding selection of Commission Liaisons to the various Boards and Committees, and
it was suggested that the Commissioners return with their choices. When the selections
are made resolutions will be drafted to formally appoint Commission Liaisons.
Commissioner Portner asked about the education committee and the economic
development committee he had discussed at the previous workshop. There was
discussion about Vice Mayor Roberts' participation on the school board and making her
a liaison to a city education committee. Vice Mayor Roberts was not interested in
participating in this venue. After much discussion it was decided not to move forward
with an education committee. Commissioner Portner suggested sunsetting the
Annexation Committee, as they have not met since October 2000. City Clerk Swenson
said she would draft a resolution for the June 25, 2003 Special Meeting to sunset this
committee. Mayor Schreiber expressed interest in serving as liaison to the Insurance
Advisory Board and Investment Advisory Committee. Commissioner Sultanof
expressed interest in serving as liaison to the Veterans Affairs Committee and to the
Social Services Board with particular interest in Elder Affairs. Commissioner Portner
expressed interest in serving as liaison to the Public Information Committee.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco expressed interest in serving as liaison to the
Emergency Medical Services Committee and the Parks and Recreation Board. Vice
Mayor Roberts expressed interest in serving as liaison to the Parks and Recreation
Board. Since both Vice Mayor Roberts and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco
wanted to serve as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board, Mayor Schreiber asked
the Commissioners for an expression of interest to break the stalemate. Vice Mayor
Roberts expressed interest for herself; Commissioners Sultanof, Flansbaum-Talabisco,
and Portner expressed interest for Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco. Mayor
Schreiber said although his vote was moot at this point, he would have expressed
interest for Vice Mayor Roberts.
Vice Mayor Roberts left the workshop meeting at 4:30 p.m.
7. DISCUSSION RE: MONTEREY GOLF COURSE: Commissioner Portner said he
believes there is money in Tallahassee to be appropriated for golf courses and said he
was told by the County Commission to get a copy of Cooper City and Plantation's
applications, have them adapted for Tamarac and then forward Tamarac's application to
the County. Commissioner Portner asked for an expression of interest on the part of
the Commission to move forward. Mayor Schreiber said he does not feel the City
should be in the golf course business, we are in the public service business; however, if
the owner leaves or goes bankrupt, then the City would take over the property.
Commissioner Sultanof spoke hypothetically about the possibility of the land being
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abandoned and not picked up by anybody, and then becoming blighted. Mayor
Schreiber said the key is the cost to purchase and operate the property as a golf
course, and he believes it is a losing proposition for the City. Commissioner Sultanof
spoke of a foundation perhaps taking over the golf course, as Coral Springs has some
projects run this way, with no endangerment to the City; and while there is merit to what
Commissioner Portner says, there must be a method by which we move forward.
Mayor Schreiber said we could find a way to purchase the golf course with outside
funding and asked for an expression of interest to move forward with Commissioner
Portner's proposal. Commissioners Portner, Flansbaum-Talabisco and Sultanof were in
favor of pursuing funding from the County and Tallahassee. Mayor Schreiber asked the
City Manager to look into it and follow up with the Commissioners.
Mayor Schreiber said he recommended waiving Commission reports for the July/August
issue of the Tam -A -Gram in order to allow for more space to honor the City of Tamarac
on its 40th Anniversary. Commissioner Portner said he has been in Tamarac for 28
years and would like to have something included in the Tam -A -Gram regarding the
expansion of the City over the past 28 years, but he would be willing to forego his
column for the July/August issue. Commissioner Sultanof said he already wrote an
article for the Tam -A -Gram, but it can be integrated into the article(s) being done
regarding the 40th Anniversary. City Manager Miller said quotes from the
Commissioners would be incorporated into the article, and no individual columns would
be needed for the July/August issue of the Tam -A -Gram.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 4:40 p.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
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