HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-27 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac
City Hall, 7525 NW 88th 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. DISCUSSION RE: CONSULTANT'S FINDINGS RELATIVE TO TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES/SPEED HUMPS: Assistant City Manager/Acting Public Works
Director Michael C. Cernech introduced Consultant Karl Passetti, of Kittelson &
Associates, Inc. Mr. Passetti gave a presentation and discussed general issues
regarding traffic calming and specific issues relative to NW 70 Avenue. Commissioner
Portner asked for clarification of want versus need, and Mr. Passetti explained that each
individual city sets its own thresholds, using traffic volume, traffic speed and crashes as
variables. Commissioner Portner asked what the most important point is and Mr.
Passetti said volume and speed are the main indicators; crashes are included as an
outside factor. In Broward County speed humps are the preferred treatment; Coral
Springs prefers enhanced speed humps; and Margate sticks to the Broward County
Traffic Management Manual. Other cities designate one demo project for each
commission district. Vice Mayor Roberts said according to the recommendations, it
appears that 70th Avenue does not fit into the plan per the speed limit and because
there are more than two lanes. Mayor Schreiber asked the consultant what the
experiences are in other cities, and Mr. Passetti said Coral Springs' program has
evolved because at first it was too stringent; Boca Raton also modified its program, and
they are now mature programs and they have worked the bugs out. Hollywood has
decided to go with a pilot project in each commission district. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about the impact of humps/bumps on fire rescue and
police vehicles, and Mr. Passetti responded that there is more concern with fire rescue
vehicles and the rule of thumb is 3-10 seconds per hump on response time. Vice Mayor
Roberts asked about different types of speed humps and costs involved. Mr. Passetti
said there are 22' flat table humps with a 3" height and a 6' rise, and the issue with this
treatment is driveway spacing may not allow for the expanse. Coral Springs uses 14'
humps with 3" height, which slows people down more. The smoother the ride for
emergency vehicles, the faster people can drive over the humps. The cost difference
between the two is $1,500-$2,000 more for speed tables, depending on the materials.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about moveable humps and Mr. Passetti
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said Coral Springs uses temporary speed humps of the same profile, but they are made
out of recycled rubber. Mr. Passetti said it is better if a confident place is found to go
with permanence. Commissioner Portner asked if it would be more cost efficient in the
long run to reconfigure the streets, and Mr. Passetti said in older developments there
would be problems with rights -of -way and drainage issues; putting curvature in the
roads would mean that driveways would need to be realigned and property purchased
by the city, which would be cost prohibitive. Mr. Passetti reviewed the NW 70 Avenue
Speed Management Study and said because the vehicle MPH tally was in the 39th
percentile, Broward County's recommendation would be to raise the speed limit. Mr.
Passetti reviewed the pros and cons of raised crosswalks and said this would be the
first site for traffic calming of a challenging site and we would want the site to guarantee
success. Vice Mayor Roberts said some of the residents in that area are in favor of this
and have offered to pay for it, but until there are meetings with the public we do not
know if this is entirely true. Mayor Schreiber agreed the Commission should find out
from the community their desires and get their support. Mr. Passetti said for a larger
stretch of roadway a temporary hump may be considered, but for a short stretch the
Commission should consider permanent traffic calming devices. Assistant City
Manager Cernech said NW 70 Avenue is one of the more challenging roadways in the
City for a test, and while the Consultant said that speed humps on 4-lane roads is not
usually applicable, the City can look at this along with other options. Assistant City
Manager Cernech said he would like to schedule community meetings with the people
in Vice Mayor Roberts's neighborhood; the concern is with Pine Island to 77t" Street
where the medians begin. Neighborhood participation is set at a high bar in other cities
— 2/3 vote is needed before any options can be implemented. Vice Mayor Roberts
asked if this means 60% of the people who live on the street or all the people in the
community. Mayor Schreiber said we are dealing with the whole community and this is
for the betterment of the community. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what
the community would be voting on — the type of calming device they would like or
whether to have it or not. Mayor Schreiber said the Commission determines the best
type of device for that location and the residents would get just one choice. Assistant
City Manager Cernech said this is a collector street and there are larger user groups of
this road which makes it more challenging. Phase V of the road program is coming up
and we have opportunities on this road to install medians and cut back on lanes to
make two lanes and a bike path. Mayor Schreiber questioned the cost and said he did
not want to see roads changed for this experimental program. Assistant City Manager
Cernech said the City has been able to achieve a significant savings during the first five
phases of the road program and this would be considered an improvement for the
neighborhood. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said if one recommendation is
taking the road from 4 to 2 lanes and adding a bike path and making it uniform with the
other road that has a median, and we have excess funds, this could enhance the quality
of the neighborhood, unify the road with the other road that has a median and slow
down traffic. Mayor Schreiber said then every neighborhood would want the same thing
and it would get to be a great expenditure. Commissioner Portner said he would rather
see the project done properly with an eye toward the future. Mayor Schreiber asked
that the commission be kept informed. Assistant Director of Utilities Doherty said before
moving forward with any options a speed hump policy is being drafted.
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2. DISCUSSION RE: FIRE ASSESSMENT FEE AND GENERAL FUND: Finance
Director Dona Newman gave a presentation on general fund and the fire assessment
fee. Finance Director Newman said there is a connection between value to property
and cost to property that is reviewed every year. Vice Mayor Roberts asked which
account the Fire Assessment Fees go into and Finance Director Newman said they can
only be applied to costs related to fire protection and the assessment fees go into the
Fire Rescue fund, not the general fund. The general fund is used for Rescue Services
and other general government services. At the last workshop $113 was discussed as
the residential fee to cover 100% of the Fire costs, and in accordance with Commission
direction, Finance Director Newman said she figured out the assessment based on
$80.00, $90.00 and $100.00, which would only cover the City through 2004. At $113.00
the City would be covered to 2006 before an increase in the general fund would be
needed. This takes into consideration the new Fire Rescue Unit. Finance Director
Newman explained it makes financial sense to fully utilize the Fire Assessment fee at
100% every year; since it was not increased over the last few years, this is a big
increase, and due to several windfalls the general fund was able to subsidize costs. If
the assessment is kept at 100% there will be only incremental increases over the
coming years. Mayor Schreiber asked for dollar amounts rather than percentages, and
said of all the increases, the one for the fire department is more popular since the fire
department is a very favorable department in the eyes of the public; they save lives.
Vice Mayor Roberts said whether we go with $80.00 or $100.00 the general fund will
still have to be adjusted after 2005. Commissioner Sultanof said if we do not go with
the 100% increase we will slip further back into the general fund and we must make a
step in this direction so the Fire Department and the City can function properly.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said the people who benefit most are the public.
Commissioner Portner said we must bite the bullet and do what needs to be done now.
Vice Mayor Roberts said when the millage rate was raised three years ago we were to
be okay through 2003; 2004 was questionable. Vice Mayor Roberts said she would
rather see this done as a two-step process; go to $80-$90 now and then to 100% the
following year. Mayor Schreiber said the Commission would get more criticism by doing
it that way and suggested the Commission go with the 100% increase now, and Vice
Mayor Roberts said according to Finance Director Newman it may not be $113.00 next
year, it may be more. Finance Director Newman discussed the revenue stream and
increasing costs and spoke of raising the fire assessment fee slightly each year. There
was discussion about the possibility of excess funds at the end of the fiscal year and the
impact these funds may have on the fire assessment fee. Mayor Schreiber suggested
that the entire budget be looked at closely to see where money can be saved. Vice
Mayor Roberts questioned fleet budget appropriations during the mid -year process.
Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest for the $113.00 Fire Assessment
fee and Vice Mayor Roberts said no to $113.00; Commissioners Sultanof, Portner,
Flansbaum-Talabisco and Mayor Schreiber were in favor of the $113.00.
3. MAY 28, 2003 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item 6(b). COMPREHENSIVE ANNEXATION BILL: (TR10110) Requesting the
City of Tamarac be included in a comprehensive annexation bill to be prepared by the
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Broward County Legislative Delegation as a choice city for certain contiguous
unincorporated areas to join. (Case No. 9-Mi-03). Community Development Director J.
Christopher King gave a presentation and Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the benefit
of this Bill. Community Development Director King spoke of the benefits of annexing
Mira Lago, Kozy Kampers, State Road 7 property and the area by Caporella Park. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked about the County performing upgrades and Mayor Schreiber said
that is part of the deal, the County is obligated to do that so the cost does not fall to the
annexing city. Commissioner Portner said he sat on the Broward County Annexation
Committee and it was agreed that the cost for infrastructure would not fall to any city.
Commissioner Sultanof said he noticed many mobile homes for sale at Kozy Kampers
and asked if Tamarac would be able to develop that area. Community Development
Director King said as Kozy Kampers ages it may be put up for sale which would give
Tamarac the opportunity for redevelopment. There are no RV Park designations in
Tamarac, and it would have to fall under non -conforming uses. Commissioner Sultanof
asked if the mobile homes were owner occupied and Community Development Director
King said the residents did not own the property. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the
mobile home park off Prospect Road, and Community Development Director King said
that is the 441 Section under consideration. Additionally, the property north of
Caporella Park is surrounded by Tamarac on three sides, and that property will most
likely end up in Tamarac. Vice Mayor Roberts said the city can bring the property up to
Tamarac's standards.
Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:00 a.m. and reconvened the workshop
meeting at 11:10 a.m. with all present as before.
b. Item 6(d). GRANT APPLICATION — FUNDING FOR ACQUISITION OF
TAMARAC PRESERVATION PARK: (TR10119) Seeking $1,616,264 in grant funds
through the Florida Communities Trust's Florida Forever Program for the acquisition of
Tamarac Preservation Park (King's Point Replat, Parcel R) for conservation,
preservation of open space, and recreational development providing for a $2,424,396
match and total project costs of $4,040,660. Assistant City Manager Michael C.
Cernech introduced Special Projects Coordinator Kim Perron who gave a presentation.
Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the money would have to be designated for a specific use,
and Special Projects Coordinator Perron said it did not. Commissioner Portner said the
property was to be purchased for $3.5 million, but the Resolution cites the cost as
$4,040,660. Special Projects Coordinator Perron said that is because we are able to
incorporate additional costs associated with acquisition of the property. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when we would know if we are getting the money and
Special Projects Coordinator Perron said there would be a meeting in Tallahassee in
mid -October.
C. Item 6(e). GRANT APPLICATION — FUNDING FOR BEAUTIFICATION,
LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION OF TAMARAC COURTYARD: (TR10120)
Seeking grant funds through the Broward Beautiful Community Grant Program in the
amount of $10,000 with a local match in the amount of $30,000 for a total project cost of
$40,000 for beautification, landscaping and irrigation of Tamarac Courtyard located
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between the Tamarac Community Center and the new Tamarac Branch Library on
Commercial Boulevard. Special Projects Coordinator Kim Perron gave a presentation.
Commissioner Sultanof said money was raised from private organizations and there is
approximately $30,000 that has not been used and he hopes there is enough to use for
the fountain. Community Development Director King said staff is working on an idea to
tie the Tamarac Community Center and Library together with a walkway between the
two. Consultants have been hired for conceptual plans and to incorporate the fountain
into the lake. Mayor Schreiber said Broward County was to share this with Tamarac.
Community Development Director King said the consultant, Parks and Recreation Staff
and Library Staff met on this and the Library Staff has committed $15,000. Mayor
Schreiber said the original commitment was to share the cost and no dollar amount was
spoken of; this needs to be straightened out as the cost may be more. Community
Development Director King said when this project began it was just a fountain in the
lake at a cost of approximately $30,000 and the library staff said they would go half.
Since then the project has grown to include benches and sidewalks. It is a two-phase
project. Commissioner Sultanof said the County must remember that Tamarac donated
the land for the library. Mayor Schreiber said after the Commission sees what is
proposed, they will go to the County for extra money. Commissioner Portner said he
remembers talking about statuary in the fountain. City Manager Miller said staff will
come back with a design at a future meeting. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about costs for
Phase I and Phase II, and if Florida Beautiful grant money is County money.
Community Development Director King said the cost has not been set yet; we are trying
to finalize the plans, and Special Projects Coordinator Perron said Florida Beautiful is
not county related funding.
d. Item 6(f). WATER TREATMENT PLANT DISINFECTION SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENTS: (TR10124) Executing Task Authorization No. 03-08E with Mathews
Consulting, Inc., to provide professional services for the design, permitting, bidding and
construction administration services for the Water Treatment Plant disinfection system
improvements, in accordance with the City's Consulting Engineering Agreement as
authorized by Resolution #R-2001-185, for a lump sum amount of $121,550.00;
approving funding from the appropriate budgeted Utilities Operational account;
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. Utilities Director
Ray Gagnon gave a presentation and said the Safe Drinking Water Act requires the
EPA to be more stringent and the new regulations propose to eliminate chlorine gas at
the water treatment plant. Commissioner Portner questioned parts per billion (ppb) and
Laboratory Manager Oney said it translates to one day in 31 years. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what happens to the old cylinders and Utilities Director
Gagnon said they are sent back to the manufacturer. Mayor Schreiber asked if this is
safer and healthier than what we have now and Utilities Director Gagnon said it is. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked about the cost and Utilities Director Gagnon said it is slightly more
expensive now but the cost will go down, and this meets all EPA standards. Utilities
Director Gagnon added that this is an unfunded mandate, and it is already budgeted.
e. Item 6(g). PURCHASE OF MODULAR RESTROOM BUILDING WITH
SHELTER: (TR10128) Approving the purchase of a modular restroom building with
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shelter at a total cost not to exceed $81,249.76, from Hunter Knepshield Company
utilizing the City of Jacksonville, Florida, Price Agreement Contract for Park and
Playground Equipment and Lighting, Bid No. SC-0463-00; approving funding from the
appropriate capital improvement account. Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen
Margoles gave a presentation and said that due to a delay in the design process and to
ensure we can meet the schedule (the project must be complete by November 30) the
modular unit must be on site so that when the contractor is engaged we can move
forward with the project. Mayor Schreiber asked if a key is needed to get into the
bathroom and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the bathrooms are open
when the park is open and locked at night. Commissioner Sultanof asked who locks the
restrooms and Parks Superintendent Moll said staff does. Commissioner Sultanof
questioned who is responsible for opening and closing the nature walk on NW 80th and
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the County is responsible for that park.
Commissioner Portner questioned revisions to the site plan and Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles said the first revision was removal of a black olive tree at the edge of
the existing parking lot, which Broward County denied, and which then necessitated
redesign of the parking lot. The parking lot was then in Broward County's right of way,
and had to be further redesigned.
Commissioner Portner said he is missing page two of the minutes under item 6(a).
4, OVERVIEW OF CURRENT PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS: Overview of current
public works projects. Assistant City Manager/Acting Public Works Director Michael C.
Cernech said in order to conserve time at Thursday's retreat, this presentation was
being made today, and gave an overview of the public works department, current and
future projects. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how the pump stations would relate to
Southgate Linear Park, and Assistant City Manager Cernech said on -site stations would
be kept working while new ones are built in an appropriate way to blend in with the
design of the park. Mayor Schreiber asked if stormwater pumps are not working
efficiently, who determines replacement. Assistant City Manager Cernech said he
would check into that. There was discussion regarding the joint project between the
County and City on Prospect Road, and Commissioner Portner said a sidewalk is
needed. Operations Manager Ritchie said that is a separate project. Mayor Schreiber
questioned sole source vendor and the wisdom of using a sole source vendor in the
event the vendor goes out of business. There was discussion regarding who is
responsible for repair of sidewalks and reasons that public works would repair a
sidewalk rather than the property owner or resident. Mayor Schreiber said the laws
should be changed so that the City has no responsibility and City Attorney Kraft said
Tamarac has maintenance requirements for sidewalks but Florida law covers the liability
issue because sidewalks are on rights -of -way. Vice Mayor Roberts said most people do
fix the sidewalks when they are cited. Commissioner Portner asked if there is an
agreement with Sabal Palm and Assistant City Manager Cernech said the survey has
been done and the City Attorney's Office will now be working on the agreement.
Assistant City Manager Cernech thanked Doug Ritchie, John Engwiller, Wes Tipton,
Tom Vreeland, Vinny Sciacca, Vinny Rutigliano, Amber D'Amato, Jean DuPuis, and Lee
Rowbotham for their efforts and work in the Public Works Department.
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Vice Mayor Roberts said on the May 19, 2003 Revenue Workshop minutes, page two, it
is noted that the consultant said 6,000 gallon usage would result in about $4.00 per
month increase, but the backup said $4.50, and asked which is correct. There was
discussion about what the consultant said and the backup.
Commissioner Portner asked about the Economic Development Committee, and City
Manager Miller said at the last workshop he told Commissioner Portner he would get
back with him in 60 days.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:05 p.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
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