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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-09 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, June 9, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. 1. UPDATE AND OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION BY RON BOOK: Ron Book, Lobbyist and Kelly C. Mallette, Director of Government Affairs appeared. Mr. Book spoke of three items in the budget that were funded: two water projects at $300,000 and $200,000 and FRDAP money in the amount of $135,660 for the Waters Edge Park project. Mr. Book reported on the legislative session and said he does not anticipate things getting better until at least 2010 - 2011. The budget voted on in Tallahassee was $7 billion less than last year and many socially needed programs were cut. Mr. Book thanked the Mayor and City Commission for the opportunity to represent Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the legislature's stand on Cities setting fees, and Mr. Book explained local governments should not pass ordinances saying they are for safety reasons and not about collecting revenue, because the legislators do not accept that. Cities need to band together and the League of Cities has to work to get the message out and meet with leadership members of the press to convey the message. We must show a united mentality. City Manager Miller said he heard that everything on the table will be brought up again and his hope is that the new Speaker of the House will be more receptive; Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke about cities filing for bankruptcy. Commissioner Dressler said the Republican Party has lost its way and he agrees with Mr. Book's estimation of the near future. There is a huge disconnect between the local level, the legislature and the media. Commissioner Dressler spoke of trends and the fact that even though he does not want to raise taxes, there may come a time when we may have to look at a utility tax. Commissioner Portner thanked Mr. Book for his efforts in Tallahassee, and spoke of several cost saving suggestions he had considered, such as consolidating cities and instituting and taxes. Commissioner Portner spoke of looking forward for the good of the State. Commissioner Atkins -Grad thanked Mr. Book for bringing money to Tamarac and added cities all over are facing the same problems. Commissioner Atkins -Grad questioned whether the political climate with the upcoming presidential election will make a difference in what is going on in Tallahassee. Mr. Book said there will be some impact but he has yet to hear either candidate talk about what they are going to do to put June 9, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 4 America back on track, and Florida must have a catastrophic insurance plan in place. City Manager Miller said this legislative session could have been much worse had the legislators not gotten sidetracked with other issues. City Manager Miller thanked Mr. Book and Ms. Mallette for their efforts on behalf of the City of Tamarac, and said he agrees with Mr. Book's comments regarding the FLC. NE 11. 2008 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(d) on the consent agenda. DONATION OF EQUIPMENT TO THE BROWARD FIRE ACADEMY: (TR11423) Donating obsolete fire equipment to the Broward Fire Academy. Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation. Commissioner Portner questioned the obsolescence of the equipment and Fire Chief Budzinski explained it is heavier than the new equipment and is not compatible with the changing brands, but it is still operational. City Attorney Goren added the equipment is not defective or in a condition that would cause injury; there is no liability on the part of the City. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned whether consideration had been given to reaching out to smaller cities who might need the equipment and how this could be done. Fire Chief Budzinski said it had been considered, but since we hire firefighters from the Broward Fire Academy and the Coral Springs Fire Academy, we are trying to keep the donation local. There is a mechanism through the Fire Chiefs' Association to post the equipment on their website. It is not evident that this type of donation will occur again in the near future. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said if it should occur in the future, she would like to have the equipment donated to the fire academies and also provide the opportunity for other cities to get donations of the equipment. b. Item No. 6(h) on the consent agenda. BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL DETAILS FOR POLICE SERVICES: (TR11420) Executing a Broward Sheriffs Office Permit Application for Special Details for police services to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department in an amount not to exceed $43,000 in FY 08; approving funding from the appropriate Parks and Recreation accounts. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if there are any problems at the Aquatic Center or other parks and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said there have been some vehicle break-ins and other isolated incidents. The Athletic Leagues, as well as people walking to their cars in the parking lots, feel more comfortable with BSO presence. Commissioner Portner asked where the funding would come from and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it is from the Parks and Recreation budget. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said she is proud of our parks and wants them to be used and she wants people to feel safe. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the special details would begin and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said immediately. Commissioner Dressler said he is extremely impressed with the number of activities available to residents and citizens. C. Item No. 6(i) on the consent agenda. SECOND QUARTERLY BUDGET AMENDMENT: (TR11424) Amending the Expenditure Budget for the Fiscal Year 2008 and amending the Budget of Estimated Revenues for the Fiscal Year 2008. Financial June 9, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 4 Services Director Chapman gave a presentation. Commissioner Dressler questioned why the money could not stay in the pension plan to act as an advance and Financial Services Director Chapman explained it would create an expectation in the future of increased benefits. Commissioner Dressler asked why the calculations were reduced and Financial Services Director explained the fact that this is the first full fiscal year for the non represented plan and spoke of the transfer of employees from the general plan into the non represented plan, as well as promotions. 3. DISCUSSION REGARDING TERMINATION OF CONTRACT WITH BARNEY & WORTH — PUBLIC ART CONSULTANTS FOR THE PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN: City Attorney Goren, Community Development Director Bramley and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. City Attorney Goren explained the consultants have not performed according to the contract. Community Development Director Bramley spoke of the incomplete work done by the consultants, and the fact that it does not live up to the scope of work. Additionally, the consultants have been non -responsive to letters, phone calls and a -mails from the City. To date the consultants have been paid $20,000 and there is $21,000 left to continue the Public Art Master Plan with a new consultant. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned regaining funding already spent and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz explained the City paid for work done and we are holding back money due to the fact that we will not pay for defective work. Additionally, we will have a cost avoidance clause with a new consultant. Commissioner Dressler confirmed there is a cancellation clause in the current contract. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said at this point there is nothing the consultants can say or do to make her want to do business with them, but she wants to move on to a new group and use the work that we already have. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if the other firm that had been interviewed was less expensive, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz explained the decision was based on expertise, not price. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco added with all the art projects going on in the County, it would appear we are all more educated than we were several years ago. Community Development Director Bramley added the Public Art Committee does not think we will have a hard time finding a new consultant. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest and all were in agreement to terminate the contract with Barney & Worth, Public Art Consultants for the Public Art Master Plan. 4. UPDATE REGARDING CALLS TO ARTISTS: Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and said this appears on the City's website for two sites; the Tamarac Community Center/Library and Tephford Park. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if he would see some of the art before he left office in November and Community Development Director Bramley said the Tamarac Community Center Notice of Award would be before November. Commissioner Atkins -Grad questioned spending more money on the Tephford Park Site, as it was not going to be seen by as many people as the Tamarac Community Center site and Community Development Director Bramley explained the difference in size and available area for art on each site. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the Public Art Committee is made up of talented people in fields related to art placement and community planning, and she relies on their opinions. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of North Lauderdale having a mural painted on a June 9, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 4 wall that borders Tamarac, on McNab Road. Vice Mayor Sultanof said no City can prosper without art and museums. Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of her trip to Philadelphia and the beautiful public art and sculptures in that city. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:25 a.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk June 9, 2008 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 4