HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-12 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAM RAC
CITY COMMISSION WOR SHOP MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 12, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabis o called the Workshop Meeting of the
City Commission to order on Monday, May 1 , 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tam rac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talat
Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commi
ABSENT: Commissioner Edward C. Portner.
Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof,
er Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. �Iler, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren,
Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and ity Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
1. MAY 14.2008 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 6(c) on the consent agenda. ONSTRUCTION OF A WESTBOUND
RIGHT -TURN LANE AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COMMERCIAL
BOULEVARD AND NW 94T" AVENUE: (TR11
84) Awarding Bid No. 08-05B to Kailas
Corp. and executing an agreement with Kailas
Corp., for an amount not to exceed
$89,403.00 for the construction of a westboun
right -turn lane located at the northeast
corner of Commercial Boulevard and Northwest
94th Avenue; authorizing budget
amendments as needed for proper accounting
purposes. Assistant Public Works
Director/City Engineer Doherty and Purchasi
g/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared.
Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer
herty gave a presentation. Vice Mayor
Sultanof questioned the design and the safety
of the students. Assistant Public Works
Director/City Engineer Doherty said Harris E
gineering worked on the design, and
explained with the turn lane would add to the
safety of the students. Commissioner
Atkins -Grad said she and both principals t
ank the City for doing this. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the impact to
the bank with regard to moving the
traffic signal and Assistant Public Works Di r
ctor/City Engineer Doherty said there
would be no impact. City Manager Miller addec
we have completed the sidewalks from
Commercial Blvd. and 94th Avenue to McNab
Road, and the children will not have to
walk in the street. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked if these schools are being used
for camp and City Manager Miller said they are
iot.
b. Item No. 6(d) on the consent agenda.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
the amount of twenty thousand five
REFUNDS: (TR11385) Approving a refund in
hundred forty eight dollars and no cents ($20,
48.00) which was an overpayment on
commercial alteration permits 05-1386, 05-2321,
06-5268, 06-5999, 06-6271, 06-6558 and 0
06-254, 06-2658, 06-3049, 06-3211,
-6591. Building Operations Manager
McIntyre gave a presentation. Vice Mayor
Sultanof expressed concern over the
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City Commission
orkshop
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developer putting the bay in the back of the office building, and Commissioner Dressler
confirmed the fees noted in the recommendation and background fall under the current
fee schedule.
C. Item No. 6(i) on the consent agenda. BARRY UNIVERSITY STUDENT
RIDERS: (TR11376) Executing an Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Barry
University, Inc. (University) to allow Emergency Medical Services (EMS) students an
opportunity to receive education and training from Tamarac Fire Rescue personnel in an
EMS Student Preceptorship Program for a three-year period. Fire Chief Budzinski gave
a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed hold harmless agreements would be in
effect. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if this is comparable to shadowing and Fire
Chief Budzinski responded shadowing is a more informal process, while this program is
a requirement in order to complete para-medic training. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked to what degree the students are allowed to work on cases and questioned the
ages of the students. Fire Chief Budzinski explained they start off observing. Then,
depending on where they are in the program dictates how much they are able to do on
the road, under the supervision of a preceptor. The students must be at least 18 to
participate in the program.
d. Item No. 6(e) on the consent agenda. ACQUISITION OF THE REQUIRED
NETWORK AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT: (TR11388) Approving the
acquisition of the required network and telecommunications equipment from Coleman
Technologies / CISCO Systems, to integrate the new IT/Utilities building into the City's
telephone and data network, utilizing State of Florida Contract #250-000-03-1;
authorizing budget amendments for proper accounting purposes and authorizing an
expenditure for an amount not to exceed $63,072.00. Information Technology Director
Sucuoglu, Assistant Director of Utilities Moore and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz
appeared. I.T. Director Sucuoglu gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned
moving the equipment and I.T. Director Sucuoglu explained the bare essentials would
be left in City Hall as well as a portion of the telephone system, so that this building can
function if connectivity is lost. Additionally, the main frame will be moved to the new
building. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if it is possible to keep iguanas from getting
into the equipment, as happened last week when power was lost in parts of the county.
I.T. Director Sucuoglu said the new building is protected against that occurrence.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the move would take place and Assistant
Director of Utilities Moore responded the equipment should be moved and occupancy
granted by late August or early September. Additionally, funding is provided from the
interest accrued on the bonds. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked that information
about our new building and information management changes be shared with other
cities under best practices. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked how the underground
wiring would be affected by flooding and Assistant Director of Utilities Moore said we
are above the expected flood levels.
e. Item No. 6(f) on the consent agenda. AMENDMENT TO INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT — ADDITIONAL LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX ON MOTOR FUEL
ORDINANCE: (TR11392) Executing the 2008 Amendment to Interlocal Agreement
May 12, 2008
City Commission Workshop
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between Broward County and City of Tamarac
the proceeds from the Broward County Additioi
Ordinance. Finance Director Chapman said
agenda together are interrelated, and suggest
Services Director Chapman gave a presentation
f. Item No. 6(g) on the consent age
providing for division and distribution of
ial Local Option Gas Tax on Motor Fuel
Items 1(e)(f) and (g) on the workshop
:d discussing them together. Financial
AMENDMENT TO INTERLOCAL
P1Vf%LL1TIL1% 1 - rlr 1 fl VLI\ 1 r%LTLl11 IVI\P%L. L,W%OP%L. Vr 1 IVI\ WP1a7 IPU% Will MW 1 VR
FUEL FOR TRANSIT: (TR11393) Executing the 2008 Amendment to Interlocal
Agreement between Broward County and City of Tamarac providing for division and
distribution of the proceeds from the Broward dounty Fifth Cent Additional Local Option
Gas Tax on Motor Fuel for Transit.
g. Item No. 6(h) on the consent agenc a. AMENDMENT TO INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT -- LOCAL OPTION GAS TAXORDINANCE: (TR11394) Executing the
2008 Amendment to Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and City of
Tamarac providing for division and distribution of the proceeds of the Local Option Gas
Tax imposed by the Broward County Local Opti n Gas Tax Ordinance.
h. Item No. 60) on the consent agenda.
INC. AGREEMENT - 2008 FIREWORKS: (TR
agreement between the City of Tamarac
exercising the option to renew for the 2008 firs
Recreation Director Warner and Purchasin
Director of Parks and Recreation Warner gave
Grad said we are very fortunate to have been,
did such a great job last year. Director of F
stipulations have been added to the agreemen-
scheduled for July 5th; the additional cost is i
show, the cost is capped at 40%. Mayor F
sponsorships which show community support.
said he would work with community partners
Sultanof said the concession stand monies go
not want to take anything away from them.
i. Item No. 6(k) on the consent agenda.
TEAM (SERT): (TR11399) Grant applicatioi
Security through the Florida Department of E
Emergency Response Team (SER1) sub
Emergency Response Team (CERT) equipn
materials in an amount not to exceed $20,00
and execution of documents upon approval of
Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeare
gave a presentation. Fire Chief Budzinski s.,
participation in the CERT Program and providi
MELROSE SOUTH PYROTECHNICS,
11396) Executing an amendment to the
nd Melrose South Pyrotechnics, Inc.,
:works at a cost of $20,000.00. Parks &
I/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared.
a presentation. Commissioner Atkins-
ible to negotiate with this company, who
arks and Recreation Warner explained
for inclement weather and a rain date is
upped at 10%. If the City cancels the
ansbaum-Talabisco spoke of corporate
Director of Parks and Recreation Warner
if they wish to participate. Vice Mayor
to the youth sports groups and he does
GRANT APPLICATION TO THE US
1R STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
to the US Department of Homeland
iergency Management for Florida State
trant program funds for Community
,ant, supplies, training and promotional
; providing for acceptance of the award
he application. Fire Chief Budzinski and
I. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek
d we are looking forward to increasing
ig additional training for those who have
May 12, 2 08
City Commission Workshop
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already gone through the program. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how many
participants are in the program, and Fire Chief Budzinski said 500 people have already
gone through the program. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if anyone signed up at
the Hurricane Expo Booth, and Fire Chief Budzinski said there were inquiries.
Commissioner Dressler questioned the last time the City offered CERT training and
when CERT people are used. Fire Chief Budzinski said the last program was held
within the last few months and the CERT people are used as administrative volunteers
at the fire department, as well as at the Hurricane Expo. Additionally they worked with
City employees after the last hurricane, delivering resources to the community and
some were in the EOC. Vice Mayor Sultanof added a CERT volunteer made use of the
AED at the Kings Point Clubhouse a few years ago. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
suggested targeting the newer communities and the younger families, and
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she would work along with Fire Chief Budzinski to bring
the information to the new communities in District 2. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco also
suggested meeting with the PTA's as the schools are our partners. Commissioner
Dressler suggested getting in touch with Burt Schneider from the Woodmont
Homeowners' Association.
j. Item No. 6(I) on the consent agenda. GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR FLORIDA
BOATING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: (TR11400) Grant application to the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Florida Boating Improvement Program
(FBIP) grant funds to enhance recreational boating opportunities at Veterans' Park in
the amount of $24,000; providing for a 25 percent match of $8,000 in local funds for a
total project cost of $32,000; providing for acceptance of the award and execution of
documents upon approval of the application. Assistant Public Works Director/City
Engineer Doherty, Director of Parks and Recreation Warner and Special Projects
Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a
presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the time frame and Special
Projects Coordinator Gresek said if we are successful we will know in July 2008 and
then we have 18 months to spend the funds.
k. Item No. 6(m) on the consent agenda. GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM (FCT) FUNDS_ FOR ACQUISITION COSTS
RELATING TO THE CHEVRON PARCEL: (TR11401) Grant application to the Florida
Communities Trust for Florida Forever Program funds for the Tamarac Reclamation
Park Project in an amount not to exceed $736,800; providing for a cash match of
$2,000,000 in local funds for a total project cost of $2,736,800; providing for acceptance
of the award and execution of documents upon approval of the application. Assistant
City Manager Diane Phillips and Special Projects Coordinator Mike Gresek appeared.
Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof
confirmed the money is not coming from the City taxpayers, and asked that this be
communicated to the residents. Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns responded
that the next issue of the Tam -A -Gram is being put together and an article will appear
regarding the Chevron parcel. Assistant City Manager Phillips spoke of funding
sources. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed we are mandated to have 3 acres of park land
May 12, 2008
City Commission Workshop
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1
1
I
per 1,000 residents, and the Chevron people m ill remove structures and tanks from the
property. Commissioner Dressler said the pLirchase of land for a park should not
become a political issue, and he is in favor of ff e purchase. Commissioner Atkins -Grad
spoke of an article in the Sun -Sentinel and E poke of the new Botanical Gardens in
Lauderhill, adding she hoped our park would h ve a similar feeling. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said at the last land acquisition meeting Tamarac was commended on forging
ahead with perseverance on this matter, beca ise there is almost no money left in the
fund. Additionally, that committee is being sun 5efted. Tamarac is one of the only cities
to have purchased this type of property. On Saturday, Commissioner Atkins -Grad and
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco attended the opening of the Ilene Lieberman Botanical
Gardens; it is a beautiful park and Mr. Gadson and Ms. Ravitz, both of who did art work
for Tamarac, also did some art work for the new park. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said
last week she was at the Aquatic Center and Sunset Point Park with her family and
people came up to her telling her how much they loved our facilities. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco questioned the design for the park and Assistant City Manager Phillips said
we have just begun to think about what might be there; we need to keep 70% of the
surface pervious and we want to tie it in with the main Street project and also be an
entryway feature. Commissioner Dressler com lemented staff and the City Manager on
the negotiations for the parcel. City Manager Miller said the credit goes to Assistant
City Manager Phillips who did a fantastic job. Ii took over a year to negotiate with the oil
corporation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spok3 of shade elements at the park and said
people gravitate to gazebos. Commissioner Dressler asked that the Public Art
Committee investigate a gazebo for the new park. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked
what could be done to provide shade at the park on McNab and Pine Island and
Assistant City Manager Phillips explained the trees that were put in were not mature
trees.
Item No. 6(n) on the consent agenda. INTER OCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
1ARD COUNTY AND CITY OF I TAMARAC FOR DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF A COVERED PEDESTI
Interlocal Agreement between the City of Tam,
Construction of a Covered Walkway at Tamar
West Commercial Boulevard, in an amount not
Five Hundred Dollars ($260,500.00) from appr
amendments as needed for proper accoun,
Director/City Engineer Doherty appeared and I
Talabisco questioned the plans for the Cou
Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer
ours. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of money pu
be made clear they are City benches with
Dressler asked if the new logo would be used
said we will look into that. There was discussie
the new logo. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco sui
alternatives. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco tha
and County Commissioner Lieberman for tr
funding for the City. Commissioner Dressle
UAN WALKWAY (TR11404) Executing
rac and Broward County for Design and
is Branch of the Broward Library, 8701
to exceed Two Hundred Sixty Thousand
)priate accounts and authorizing budget
ng purposes. Assistant Public Works
ave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-
ity's half of the covered walkway and
)oherty said the plans are the same as
aside for the benches and asked that it
he City seal on them. Commissioner
)n the benches and City Manager Miller
i whether to use the seal with the bird or
gested waiting for the design to discuss
eked Broward County Vice Mayor Ritter
�ir assistance in bringing forward the
. complemented the Mayor, City staff,
May 12, 2 08
City Commission Workshop
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Assistant City Manager Phillips, and Lobbyist Mitch Ceasar, who worked over a
weekend to make sure we got the funding. Commissioner Dressler said he read an
article over the past weekend about a city in California that filed bankruptcy; Tamarac is
prospering and he would like that communicated to the residents.
M. Item No. 7 on the regular agenda. EXTENSION OF FINAL SITE PLAN
APPROVAL - MONTEREY PROJECT: (TR11397) Granting a time extension of
eighteen (18) months for Final Site Plan approval and a Waiver of the fee for the
extension for the Monterey Project, requested by the law offices of Billing and Cochran
(Gerald L. Knight), on behalf of the applicant (Bruce Chait, owner Prestige Homes)
(Case No. 7-SP-08). Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested discussing Items 1(m)
and 1(n) on the workshop agenda together. Community Development Director Bramley
gave a presentation. Commissioner Dressler confirmed they are asking for the
extensions due to the extraordinary circumstances developers are experiencing now.
Commissioner Dressler asked if requesting the waiver of the fees is usual for
developers and Community Development Director Bramley said it is not. Vice Mayor
Sultanof said he is in favor of waiving the fees. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said while
she always has been and still is in favor of these projects, she is not in favor of waiving
the fees. Commissioner Dressler addressed the staff memo and said he would argue
that there is a fiscal impact to the City via the extension of the final site plan approval for
12-18 months, and he is not in favor of waiving the fees. City Attorney Goren explained
the applicant has already paid the fees. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she is in favor
of the project but not waiving the fees.
n. Item No. 8 on the regular agenda. EXTENSION OF FINAL SITE PLAN
APPROVAL — SABAL PALM PROJECT: (TR11398) Granting a time extension of
twelve (12) months for Final Site Plan approval and a Waiver of the Fee for the
Extension for the Sabal Palm Project, requested by the law office of Billing and Cochran
(Gerald L. Knight), on behalf of Bruce Chait, owner of Prestige Homes, applicant (Case
No. 6-SP-08).
o. Item No. 9 on the regular agenda. 2008/2009 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR
CDBG: (TR11403) Approving the projects recommended for inclusion in the Fiscal
Year 2008 Annual Action Plan for expenditure of the U.S. Housing and Urban
Development Community Development Block Grant Funds estimated to be $418,811 for
the Ninth Program Year (Case No. 07-MI-08). Community Development Director
Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared. Community Development
Director Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree gave presentations.
Commissioner Dressler asked if the Aquatic Center is used for therapeutic purposes
and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said there are some exercise classes held
as part of the Senior program.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called for a recess at 11:23 a.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 11:31 a.m. with all present as before.
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2. DISCUSSION AND UPDATE RE: WE CASTING COMMISSION MEETINGS:
I.T. Director Sucuoglu gave a presentation on costs
for webcasting only the commission
meetings with one camera; webcasting the
commission meetings and workshop
meetings with one camera; webcasting the cc
mmission meetings with two additional
cameras; and webcasting the commission mee
ings and workshop meetings with three
cameras in the chambers and two cameras in
Room 105. I.T. Director Sucuoglu said
the quality of the website will not be comparable
to televising, and he has also looked at
other cities that webcast. Vice Mayor Sulta
of said he is not in favor of televising
commission meetings, but he feels the workshop
meetings provide the essence of what
the Mayor and City Commission do; we should
take the workshop meetings to the
public either via travelling to various areas in the
City or webcasting, and asked that the
cost for both be brought back to the Mayor
and City Commission. Commissioner
Dressler discussed amortizing costs over a five-year
period and questioned the cost of
webcasting only the workshop meetings. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about a
pilot program and I.T. Director Sucuoglu said preparing
for a pilot program requires full
implementation of the hardware, software and
infrastructure. Commissioner Dressler
spoke about leasing vs. purchasing the equi
ment and I.T. Director Sucuoglu said
purchasing is a better option. One concern is tt
ie burden on the website as there is a T-
1 telephone line that serves access to the wet
isite, a-gov, e-mail communications and
all other communications. With the video, therE
will be an extra burden on the capacity.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco and Commissions
Dressler said they would want to track
the numbers of people using the site. I.T. Dire
Aor Sucuoglu said at this point he does
not feel lines need to be added, as most of the
demand will be on demand viewing, not
live viewing. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said
she would like to see some more
figures. I.T. Director Sucuoglu added this is
not funded in this year's budget; if we
follow the budgeting process we can begin putting
the project in force after October Vt.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the time
it would take to set up and I.T.
Director Sucuoglu said a total of about 90 days.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the
key thing she is concerned about is funding. B
th she and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
ran for office with televising/webcasting as tl
eir platform. She is concerned about
funding as we have just been cut by Tallahassee,
and she is also concerned about
grandstanding at the Commission meetings.
Oayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned
whether there is a way to limit the number of
iours a meeting runs and City Attorney
Goren spoke about scheduling of public
hearings. Commissioner Atkins -Grad
questioned how to determine how many people
are actually going onto the webcast and
I.T. Director Sucuoglu said we may need to set
up a pre -registration process; we can
count the number of hits on the page but that d
es not tell us how many people actually
look at the webcast. Commissioner Dressler said
he is opposed to pre -registration; we
all ran on an open government to the people campaign
and he would like to go the least
intrusive way to count the hits to the site. Commissioner
Dressler said he would also
like to know the differential between
costs for commission only and
commission/workshop meetings, as well as the
difference in cost to take the meetings
to the public and webcasting. Mayor Flansba
m-Talabisco said she would also like to
have information on a mechanism of counting the
people feel they are part of something new
number of people who use the site so
happening in the City. Commissioner
Atkins -Grad suggested requiring names so we
will know exactly how many people go
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City Commission
orkshop
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into the site. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco and Commissioner Dressler were not in favor
of requiring names. I.T. Director Sucuoglu confirmed the Mayor and City Commission
wanted information on figures comparing the cost of taking the workshop meetings to
the public vs. webcasting the meetings.
3. UPDATE RE: INDIGENT DEFENDANT CASES: City Attorney Goren introduced
his daughter Jessie, who was in the audience. City Attorney Goren spoke of the 4tn
DCA decision which impacts the City of Tamarac. In municipal ordinance violations
where the City prosecutes, if there is a potential for jail time and the defendant fails to
appear, and the judge issues a capeas, the City is then obligated to provide a defense
attorney for the defendant. Under the State statutes, it appears the public defender is
legally obligated to provide that service, but he chose not to contract with municipalities.
4. UPDATE RE: TRAFFIC MAGISTRATE: City Attorney Goren said he met with
Judge Tobin, and there is a meeting scheduled for May 13 for the State Court
administration, the object of the meeting is to funnel money into the budget for Broward
County, in order for the traffic magistrate program to continue.
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.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
1
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