HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-21 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
MAY 21, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, May 21, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac
City Hall, 7525 NW 881h Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Commissioner Edward C. Partner, Commissioner
Gertrude Mishkin and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ABSENT AND EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and
Assistant City Clerk Tom Schneider.
1. REVIEW OF FDOT SIDEWALK PROGRAM: Director of Public Works Raj
Verma gave a presentation and said a meeting was held with FDOT, and assurances
were given that all construction would be in the right-of-way, although in some places
construction would be very close to landscaping. Director of Public Works Verma
discussed the NW 94th Avenue and NW 57th Street segments and said most residents
oppose proposed sidewalks along NW 93rd and NW 103rd Avenues. Mayor Schreiber
asked if the current discussion requires official Commission action and City Attorney
Kraft said if the matter was a staff function, it remains a staff function. Commissioner
Roberts questioned the construction dates for NW 94th Avenue and Commissioner
Portner asked if there are sidewalks now along segments 45 and 46. Director of Public
Works Verma said there are not. Mayor Schreiber said the residents of Westwood 23
and 24 do not favor sidewalks, and with regard to the segment from NW 815t Street to
Southgate Boulevard, some residents favored sidewalks. Mayor Schreiber said he
supported sidewalks if they could be installed without severe damage to landscaping
and inconvenience to residents. Commissioner Portner said he received calls from
residents who do not want sidewalks along NW 93rd Avenue, and Mayor Schreiber said
there is no real benefit for sidewalks on NW 103rd or NW 93rd Avenues.
Mayor Schreiber called for public participation, and Bruce Hoffman, 8021 NW 95th Lane,
president of the homeowners association in Section 23, said the community objects to
interior sidewalks but has no objection to periphery sidewalks. Mr. Hoffman spoke
about NW 81 st Street and asked that sidewalks be constructed within a five-foot area
from the curb so as not to leave a large grass swale. Joel Sandberg, 8207 NW 93rd
Avenue, board member of Westwood 23, spoke about school buses using NW 93rd
Avenue relative to the proposed sidewalk on the west side of the street, and the
sidewalk to access the future park on Southgate Boulevard. Mr. Sandberg said out of
15 homes impacted on the west side, 13 strongly object. Charles Casiozza, Westwood
24, said there is no need for the sidewalk on Southgate.
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Commissioner Roberts said the proposed sidewalk along NW 103rd is on the wrong side
of the street, but since NW 93rd is a major city street and the site of the future park; the
time to build a sidewalk is now, when funding is available. Commissioner Roberts said
the grant money could not be used other than for this project and fines will be imposed
for delays. Mayor Schreiber said the integrity of neighborhoods must be protected and
the wishes of citizens respected. Commissioner Roberts said a decision should be
made based on what is good for the whole of the city. Director of Public Works Verma
noted that a decision is necessary by the June 3rd starting date. A brief discussion was
held and the Mayor and Commission agreed to add this item to the regular Commission
meeting on May 23rd, recess from the Chambers after completion of the regular agenda
and reconvene in Room 105 for discussion of this item.
2. May 23, 2001 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item #9(d) AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT - BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL
CHILDCARE SERVICES: (TR9370) Executing an amendment to the agreement
between the City of Tamarac and After School Programs, Inc., for providing professional
childcare services in the Before/After School, Winter and Spring Break and Kid's Days
Off Programs, exercising the option to renew for the 2001/2002 school year. Director of
Parks and Recreation Kathleen Margoles and Alan Wolnek, Director of Operations for
After School Programs, Inc., were present to answer questions. Commissioner Partner
asked if the program would move to the new elementary school when it opens, and
Director of Parks and Recreation Margoles said typically every school has their own
program. Commissioner Portner questioned the late charge and Mr. Wolnek
responded. Commissioner Roberts said the provider told parents that a city summer
program is not available, and Mr. Wolnek said he is here to work as a partner with the
city and a sign can be posted informing parents of the city's summer program.
Commissioner Roberts asked what partnerships Mr. Wolnek is involved in with the city
other than Tamarac Elementary, and Mr. Wolnek responded. Director of Parks and
Recreation Margoles discussed the unique qualities about Tamarac Elementary and
said efforts are being made to put the program in the elementary school. Mayor
Schreiber asked when this would happen and Director of Parks and Recreation
Margoles responded. Commissioner Roberts said parents are being told about other
summer programs, but not about the city's program, and while parents should be given
a choice, they should be informed that Tamarac offers a summer program. Mr. Wolnek
said he will take care of the matter.
b. Item #9(m) BID AWARD - DUAL MEDIA GRAVITY FILTERS 1 AND 2
REHABILITATION: (TR9386) Awarding Bid No. 01-13B to, and executing a contract
with, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, R.J. Sullivan Corporation for an
amount of $211,000.00 for construction of the Dual Media Gravity Filters 1 and 2
Rehabilitation Project, located at Tamarac Utilities West Treatment Plant Site; approving
funding for this project through an appropriation from Retained Earnings; authorizing the
appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. Director of Utilities Raymond
Gagnon and Project Engineer John Doherty gave a presentation. Commissioner
Partner asked if improvements have been made to the filters enabling them to last
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longer than 10-12 years and Project Engineer Doherty responded. Commissioner
Roberts asked when repairs were last made and Mayor Schreiber asked how long the
project will take to complete. Project Engineer Doherty said repairs were made 13
years ago and the project will be completed in 5-6 months. Commissioner Partner
asked about the 30 days after substantial completion and Project Engineer Doherty
responded.
c. Item #9(o) REMETERING AGREEMENT WITH EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT CORP.: (TR9394) Accepting and executing a
Remetering Agreement with Equity Residential Properties Management Corp., for the
Westwood Pines Apartments to allow remetering of water service for the purpose of
allocation of the direct cost of water and sewer service among multiple users subject to
the terms of the applicable developer's agreement and in accordance with City Code
Section 22-30, "Limitations of Use". Director of Utilities Raymond Gagnon, Support
Services Manager Keith Wilder and Jeff Kimes, Equity Management, gave a
presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if there will be any additional expense to the
tenants and if the city will send one bill to the property owner. Mr. Kimes said there
would be no billing fee to the tenants and only one bill sent to the property owner.
Commissioner Roberts questioned the lease rate and how long the project will take. Mr.
Kimes responded and said instead of a rent increase, tenants would pay for their water.
d. Item #9(p) SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE COMPLIANCE REVIEW: (TR9395)
Receiving the Solid Waste Franchise Compliance Review of Waste Management, Inc.
prepared April 27, 2001, and accepting a negotiated settlement in the amount of
$20,000 in final payment for monies due the City of Tamarac. Director of Finance
Robert Lange gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked how much Maximus was
paid and Director of Finance Lange said they were paid $13,000 by Waste
Management, Inc. Mayor Schreiber questioned why an estimate could not be
determined from the past and whether bidding will be open when the contract expires in
December 2001. Director of Finance Lange responded. Discussion was held regarding
service to condominiums as well as single family homes and the different analysis used
to determine the settlement amount.
e. Item #9(q) POSTAL ZIP CODE: (TR9397) Requesting the Postmaster
General provide for municipal identity of Tamarac by the elimination of the default
designation of Fort Lauderdale; to provide that mail sent to Tamarac zip codes be
designated as Tamarac and not Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and clarify to all that Tamarac
is a City in its own right; directing the City Clerk to forward a copy of this resolution to
the Postmaster General and Congressman Robert Wexler. Assistant to the City
Manager Kristin McKew gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked how this would be
accomplished and Assistant to the City Manager McKew said the resolution will be sent
to the Postmaster General, and while the issue cannot be forced, lobbying can be
undertaken. Commissioner Mishkin asked where the city listing is in the phone book
and Assistant to the City Manager McKew responded. Commissioner Portner asked if
the requested action would incur cost to the Post Office and Assistant to the City
Manager McKew said that is a possibility. Mayor Schreiber said Tamarac is not getting
credit and losing money because of the existing situation.
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Mayor Schreiber asked why there will not be a laser light show this year regarding Item
9(n) on the agenda. 9(n). BID AWARD - ZAMBELLI FIREWORKS: (TR9398)
Awarding Bid #01-12b entitled "Fireworks & Laser Light Show" to Zambelli Fireworks
Manufacturing Company, Inc.; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute an
agreement for Bid #01-12b for an amount not to exceed $25,000 for the 2001 Fourth of
July fireworks show; approving all necessary budget transfers. Mayor Schreiber
questioned the stated length of the show in the agreement, and Director of Parks and
Recreation Kathleen Margoles gave a presentation and said funding was not requested
for a laser show this year, but would be for subsequent years, at a cost of $5,000 -
$8,000. Director of Parks and Recreation Margoles explained the relationship between
the number of shells and length of the show, and Mayor Schreiber asked if the number
of shells is specified in the contract and whether a check is made on the empty shells.
Director of Parks and Recreation Margoles said a number is specified and Fire Chief
Jim Budzinski said shells are counted before and after the show. Commissioner
Portner asked how long it takes to set the show up and how many shells are used. Fire
Chief Budzinski responded.
Regarding Item 9(f) on the agenda, Commissioner Portner asked what an ERC is.
WATER AND SEWER DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT - WENDY'S OLD FASHIONED
HAMBURGERS: (TR9375) Accepting and executing a Water and Sewer Developer's
Agreement with Wendy's of Northeast Florida, Inc. and NYCH Partners, Ltd., for the
Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers Project, located on the north side of Commercial
Boulevard between Pine Island Road and NW 91 st Avenue for two non-residential
water and sewer building connections requiring 7.5 ERC's for water and 6.0 ERC's for
sewer; requiring the payment of $21,300.00 in CIAC fees; authorizing and directing the
City Clerk to record said agreement in the public records of Broward County. Director of
Utilities Raymond Gagnon gave a presentation and said ERC is an abbreviation for
Equivalent Residential Connection.
Commissioner Roberts questioned the location and undertaking regarding Item 9(g) on
the agenda. 9(g). ASSIGNMENT, ACCEPTANCE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
AGREEMENT AND CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
AGREEMENT AND CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT - MCNAB NORTH PLAZA:
(TR9376) Approving an Assignment of the Water and Sewer Developer's Agreement
with Noranda Devco Joint Venture, a Florida General Partnership, for the McNab Plaza
North Project to Tamarac L.L.C., a Florida Limited Liability Company; approving an
Acceptance and Acknowledgement of Agreement and Consent to Assignment executed
by Tamarac L.L.C., a Florida Limited Liability Company; approving an
Acknowledgement of Agreement and Consent to Assignment between Noranda Devco
Joint Venture, a Florida General Partnership, and Tamarac L.L.C., a Florida Limited
Liability Company for McNab Plaza North project located on the east side of University
Drive between McNab Road and NW 72nd Street; and authorizing the appropriate City
officials to execute said acknowledgement; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to
record said documents in the public records of Broward County. Director of Utilities
Raymond Gagnon gave a presentation.
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3. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE REORGANIZATION OF CHARTER BOARD:
City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft gave a presentation on a draft of Temporary Ordinance
1930, an ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, amending
Article VI I I, Section 8.01, of the City Charter, entitled "Terms and Qualifications";
changing the Charter Board from an elected to an appointed board; eliminating the
elected Charter Board; providing for transition; providing for removal from office;
providing that if the amendment is approved by a majority of the voters at the
2002 election, then such amendment shall become a part of the City Charter
upon certification and acceptance of the election results; providing for codification;
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. City
Attorney Kraft said the draft ordinance provides for a change in the Charter Board from
an elected to an appointed board. The ordinance provides for an effective date,
appointment of members by each commissioner, and setting meetings. Commissioner
Portner asked if present members would be allowed to finish their terms and City
Attorney Kraft said the elected Charter Board would be eliminated 30 days after
referendum approval. Commissioner Portner said normally a referendum goes with the
next upcoming election because of the additional cost connected with a special election.
Mayor Schreiber asked if it is customary that existing members finish their terms and
City Attorney Kraft said it is the Commission's decision. Mayor Schreiber questioned
whether the express wishes of the public would be abrogated and City Attorney Kraft
said they would not because if the referendum were approved, the public's action would
be more recent than prior actions. Commissioner Roberts said there should be a
change, but current members should be allowed to finish their terms. Mayor Schreiber
questioned whether the public would be confused regarding the ballot and City Attorney
Kraft said the election of the Charter Board would continue on the ballot. Commissioner
Roberts said those running for election would be paying filing fees and could be
eliminated if the referendum passes. City Attorney Kraft said they would know this
going into the election and a transition period could be written into the draft ordinance.
Mayor Schreiber said Tamarac is the only city in Florida that has an elected Charter
Board, and Commissioner Mishkin asked what is wrong with continuing the Charter
Board as it is. City Attorney Kraft said it is an advisory board; every other board and
committee is appointed; and changing the Charter Board to an appointed board would
bring consistency. The Mayor and Commission agreed the proposed ordinance should
go forward utilizing the March 2002 election so there is no extra cost to the city.
4. DISCUSSION OF TROPHY CASE: Commissioner Roberts said there is need
for an additional trophy case and to purchase one would cost $8,000-$12,000.
Commissioner Roberts said Piper High School would build a case as a project in its
shop class. The director met with Public Works and Parks and Recreation to come up
with a design. The case will be modular in style, 12 feet long by 8 feet high, consisting
of four 3 foot sections, with glass doors, inside lighting, carpeted shelving, and an oak
finish. The case is to be located in the Community Center near the fitness room.
Commissioner Roberts said the cost will be approximately $3,600, with a maximum
allocation of $5,000 because of the glass, and this includes a $500 donation to the
students. The Mayor and Commissioners agreed to move forward with the project.
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5. DISCUSSION OF A RESOLUTION ADVOCATING A CARDIAC CARE UNIT AT
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: Mayor Schreiber said he is asking for the Commission's
support in order to sponsor a petition to be circulated by the Tamarac Presidents
Council regarding a cardiac care unit at University Hospital. University Hospital does
not presently have a cardiac care unit and heart patients are transferred to Florida
Medical Center at a cost of $300 to each patient. University Hospital says it needs a
Certificate of Need for a cardiac care unit, and since a large segment of the population
of Tamarac is made up of senior citizens, many of whom have heart problems, they
should be able to get the treatment they need at University Hospital. Mayor Schreiber
said a grass -roots effort is needed to move forward with the certification. Commissioner
Roberts said she would be in favor of the petition only if University Hospital wants a
cardiac care unit. Mayor Schreiber said Jim Crookshank supports it, and Commissioner
Portner said if Mr. Crookshank supports the unit, then it should be pursued. Mayor
Schreiber suggested Commissioner Roberts contact Mr. Crookshank.
6. DISCUSSION OF A RESOLUTION ADVOCATING AN ADDITIONAL UNITED
STATES POST OFFICE IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC: Mayor Schreiber said a new
post office or a postal store that provides the same service at the same cost as the Post
Office is needed in Tamarac. Commissioner Portner said the city would be satisfied if
the 57th Street Post Office was torn down and a new Post Office was built. Mayor
Schreiber said the current facility is too small and it is time to bring an up-to-date postal
facility into the city. Commissioner Roberts said the mailboxes at the current Post
Office should be moved out of the parking lot so patrons do not have to drive through
the lot. The Mayor and Commissioners favored preparation of a resolution and
discussion at the next workshop meeting.
Commissioner Portner spoke about public financing of campaigns and suggested the
City of Tamarac put up $10,000 to be divided among candidates. Mayor Schreiber and
Commissioner Roberts said they were not in favor of the City financing campaigns.
Commissioner Roberts said she received a call about forming a Kiwanis Club
International in the city, and a brief discussion was held. City Manager Miller said he
will communicate with the Kiwanis organization.
There being no further business, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the Workshop Meeting of
the City Commission at 11:30 a.m.
I -It �_ _�
, ___so
Tom Schneider
Assistant City Clerk
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May 21, 2001
City Commission Workshop
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