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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-09 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARA WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Roberts called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, June 9, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof. EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Mayor Joe Schreiber. 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 Vice Mayor Roberts. 1. REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE REPORT: Diane Glasser, Redistricting Committee Chairperson gave a presentation. City Clerk Swenson explained that the Redistricting Committee would be reconvened due to information learned this morning regarding 13J, and a new report would then be presented to the City Commission. 2. PRESENTATION RE: PROPOSED FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT PROJECT TO EXPAND THE EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINES ALONG THE C-14 CANAL RIGHT OF WAY AND WOODLANDS SUBDIVISION: Tony Newbold, External Affairs Manager, Florida Power and Light and Assistant Jean Lindsey gave a presentation. Mr. Newbold explained Broward County has seen a 13% increase in demand for electricity and the service area is bounded by the Conservation Substation at Commercial Boulevard and the Sawgrass and the substation in Oakland Park. Mr. Newbold revealed the trail the new line would follow and said he expects the project to be completed by June 2005. Mr. Newbold added that a portion of the line would impact Tamarac and FPL is working with City staff to coordinate activities so there will be no adverse impact with regard to the Southgate Linear Park. Public meetings will be held to get input from the public affected along the route. The Woodlands will be affected by a portion of the route and new structures will be placed there, modifying the old "H" poles. Commissioner Sultanof questioned the circuits at Sawgrass and Commercial Boulevard, and whether they would properly feed into the park so it will be lit nicely. Additionally Commissioner Sultanof expressed concern about seeing a web of poles, and said people do not like to see a lot of lines. Mr. Newbold said a 3rd circuit would be added which will be compatible with the existing pole structures, and this will be a great partnership ability between FPL and the City. Mr. Newbold acknowledged that pedestrian lighting is important and there will be adequate power to light the park. FPL will make every effort to match pole locations. Commissioner Portner asked when and where the 13% increased demand came from, and Mr. Newbold said it is both new growth and incremental growth. Additionally the Eastward Ho movement has brought June 9, 2003 City Commission Workshop 1 about renovations to older buildings which play a part in the 13% increase in demand. The figures are based on 5-year projections, beginning in 2000. It is anticipated in 2005 there may be a need for increased capacity in existing stations, and an increase from original areas of distribution are more the norm than additional poles. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about the Woodlands Substation, and Mr. Newbold said it is a name given to the substation in Inverrary. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about underground lines and Mr. Newbold said distribution lines are underground, but it is very costly to place transmission lines underground. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about the location of the poles at Woodlands and Mr. Newbold explained most of the poles are going through the golf course area, which is closest to Rock Island Road, and there are currently two wooden poles at each location, which will be replaced with single poles with insulators on one side of the pole for existing wires and on the opposite side of the pole an insulator for new wires. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the Commission would be able to see visuals of the project and Mr. Newbold said as soon as the consultants complete the visuals he will arrange with City Manager Miller to present them to the Commission. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned how the public hearings would be run and which areas are involved, and Ms. Lindsey explained they would be similar to a book fair setting with powerpoint presentations, aerials and various information available for the public. There will be one presentation in each of six cities, but perhaps additional hearings would be held in the Woodlands and the Southgate neighborhoods. Commissioner Portner asked about an impact on franchise fees, and Mr. Newbold said transmission lines are excluded from franchise fees, but there is an impact on personal property through ad valorem taxes. Vice Mayor Roberts said she is concerned about the Southgate Linear Park, as staff and the commission just went through a process with the residents, and over the years people have been concerned with children walking under the electric lines to get to the High School. Vice Mayor Roberts said people will not be happy with more poles and lines and asked if there is another option to get from one substation to another. Mr. Newbold said the consulting group is looking at the matter, and it has been learned from various communities that if FPL can use the existing areas rather than creating new ones, residents are more receptive. If the community is willing to work with FPL as well as the development of the linear park, then it will be a win/win situation. Mr. Newbold said he would need to know who the community leaders are so dialogues can begin. City Manager Miller thanked Mr. Newbold for coming to speak to the Commissioners this morning and for working with Tamarac. City Manager Miller said outreach at the beginning of a project is a new step for FPL, and to recap the Commission's concerns, City Manager Miller said Tamarac would like fewer poles than are now at Southgate Park and to have them moved toward the canal, as Southgate Boulevard will be realigned. City Manager Miller said Commissioner Sultanof's request for FPL to look at the lighting along Southgate Park is an excellent idea as Tamarac is concerned about the potential for criminal activity. City Manager Miller also said Tamarac would like FPL to look at doing landscaping to improve the aesthetics of the poles and asked for a commitment from FPL for more maintenance in rights of ways. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the public meetings would be held and Mr. Newbold said they would be held before work begins, possibly mid -July through mid -September. Vice Mayor June 9, 2003 City Commission Workshop 2 1 Roberts said many people will be on vacation during the summer months, and Commissioner Sultanof said the Commission would also be on vacation the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August. Mr. Newbold confirmed that late August or September would be preferable for the Commission. 3. JUNE 11 2003 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(d). PURCHASE OF WATER METER FITTINGS AND WATER LINE ACCESSORIES: (TR10141) Utilizing the City of Deerfield Beach Bid Number 2000- 01/08, entitled "Water Meter Fittings and Water Line Accessories" issued on behalf of the Southeast Florida Governmental Purchasing Group; authorizing the purchase of water meter fittings and water line accessories in an amount not to exceed $110,000; approving funding from the appropriate Utilities Operational account. Utilities Director Ray Gagnon gave a presentation and said a blanket purchase order will be issued so the City can purchase parts used in the day to day operations as needed. Utilities Director Gagnon said last year 2,356 meters were installed or replaced, 580 yokes raised, and 732 meters were relocated from either the rear of homes or on homes to the front of the homes. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how many more relocations need to be done, and Utilities Director Gagnon responded less than 50%. Commissioner Portner asked about resale value of old meters and Support Services Manager Wilder explained there is no resale value; they are sold for scrap for approximately $6,000-$7,000. Commissioner Sultanof questioned the use of PVC and Utilities Director Gagnon said it is not as good nor does it last as long. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the money for this is in the budget and Support Services Manager Wilder said it is. b. Item No. 6(f). GRANT MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AND MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT — FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES -- MEDIAN LANDSCAPING ALONG SOUTHGATE BOULEVARD BETWEEN NOB HILL ROAD AND PINE ISLAND ROAD: (TR10149) Executing a Grant Memorandum of Agreement and Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Tamarac and the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for an Urban and Community Forestry Grant in the amount of $10,000 for median landscaping along Southgate Boulevard between Nob Hill Road and Pine Island Road providing for a City match of $16,650 and a total project cost of $26,650; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to amend the grants fund budget in the amount of $10,000 in accordance with proper accounting procedures during the third quarter budget revisions. Assistant City Manager/Interim Director of Public Works Michael C. Cernech introduced Special Projects Coordinator Perron, who gave a presentation. Commissioner Portner asked if this is linked to the linear park and Special Projects Coordinator Perron said it is not. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the beginning and completion time, and Special Projects Coordinator Perron said the work would begin when the contract is signed, about 4-6 weeks, and it would take about 6 weeks to complete. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the irrigation system had been installed in the median on Southgate and Assistant City Manager Cernech said it had. June 9, 2003 City Commission Workshop 3 C. Item No. 6(i). INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT — NPDES PERMIT: (TR10139) Executing an Interlocal Agreement between Broward County, the City of Tamarac, the Florida Department of Transportation District 4, the Florida Turnpike Enterprise and twenty-five other municipalities in Broward to share the resource burden of the system -wide EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (N.P.D.E.S.) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit; authorizing the Broward County Department of Planning and Natural Resource Protection (D.P.E.P.) to conduct specific routine activities under the N.P.D.E.S. Permit; authorizing annual expenditures for the term of this permit of $7,482.00 for 2003, $10,075.00 for 2004, $8,771.00 for 2005, $9,122.00 for 2006, and $9,487.00 for 2007. Assistant Director of Utilities/Acting City Engineer John Doherty gave a presentation and said Broward County is the lead permittee on this project, and they are responsible for performing the technical requirements of the permit, such as testing for pollutants. Tamarac's average annual contribution is $9,000 a year, which is paid out of the stormwater fund. Commissioner Portner asked how the $9,000 was arrived at, and Assistant Director of Utilities Doherty said it is based on population figures from the 2000 census. Assistant Director of Utilities Doherty said he would look into the breakdown as set up by Broward County. d. Item No. 60). AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT — ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AT MCNAB ROAD PARK PROPERTY: (TR10148) Executing an amendment to the agreement between the City of Tamarac and Silverstein Enterprises, Inc., for environmental mitigation at the McNab Road Park property. Parks and Recreation Director Kathie Margoles said this item and Temporary Resolution 10147 are companion items. Tamarac executed an agreement with Arch Aluminum to mitigate the wetlands, and Arch Aluminum was to construct a canal and wetlands. Mr. Silverstein has expressed a desire to pay to have the work done, which is the reason for the amendment to the agreement. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the money will cover the expenses and whether it will be done in-house. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it will be farmed out, and the following resolution is an amendment to the contract with RDC to do the work. Commissioner Portner asked why Arch Aluminum did not want to do the work and City Manager Miller said Mr. Silverstein is not a land developer and he got locked into permitting and construction issues, which is outside his scope. The delay is due to Mr. Silverstein's project being delayed, and he is willing to pay all costs. e. Item No. 6(k). AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT — CONSTRUCTION OF WETLANDS AND CANAL AT MCNAB ROAD PARK PROPERTY: (TR10147) Executing an amendment to the agreement with Recreational Design & Construction, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $73,680.00 for the construction of the wetlands and canal at the McNab Road Park property. 4. DISCUSSION OF PIONEER DAYS NOMINATION: Assistant to the City Manager Diane Phillips gave a presentation on Pioneer Days. Commissioner Sultanof suggested naming Tina Celentano as Pioneer, as she has lived here for many years and has been extremely active in the community, but now she is ill, and he would like to honor her in some manner. Ms. Celentano is a fine individual who has the City at heart at all times. Commissioner Portner asked how long she has lived in Tamarac. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the decision needs to be made and June 9, 2003 City Commission Workshop 4 1 Assistant to the City Manager Phillips said the information has to be turned in by mid to late August, but we would like to have the Commission's decision before the Commission goes on vacation. Commissioner Portner said he had discussed televising City Commission meetings with the City Manager and asked whether information was available from I.T. City Manager Miller said I.T. is gathering the information, but he has no report for the Commission today. Vice Mayor Roberts said that while she is not in favor of televising meetings, she would like to hear IT Director Sucuoglu's report before making a decision. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said she also would like to hear IT Director Sucuoglu's report, and asked about a trial period for televising Commission meetings. City Manager Miller said that is not advisable; when people get used to a service it is hard to take it away. City Manager Miller said even without IT Director Sucuoglu's report, he would recommend the Commission not televise meetings. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said during her campaign there was much discussion about perception, and she feels more discussion is needed on this issue. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how putting the commission meetings on the road was going and City Manager Miller said it is in the works. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about considering a road show policy and taking one meeting a month on the road. Vice Mayor Roberts said sometimes there are conflicts, and it does not have to be a policy set in stone. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of the pros and cons of televising commission meetings. Commissioner Sultanof said the City Manager of Deerfield told him it is an abomination and he could not figure out why it was ever put into place. Commissioner Sultanof said it was better to take the meetings to the people as we have in the past, and it has been successful. Plantation and Lauderhill also have problems with televising their meetings. Commissioner Sultanof asked about the cost factor to televise meetings and said one of the cable companies had set aside monies for this; Vice Mayor Roberts said it would be part of I.T.'s report. City Manager Miller introduced Bernadette Hughes, Management Intern from NC State in Raleigh. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Vice Mayor Roberts adjourned the workshop meeting at 10:45 a.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk June 9, 2003 City Commission Workshop 5