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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-12 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING JUNE 12, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Roberts called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, June 12, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof. ABSENT AND EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Mayor Joe Schreiber and Commissioner Larry Mishkin. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant City Manager Tim Hemstreet, and Interim City Clerk Marion Swenson. Vice Mayor Roberts called for the Pledge of Allegiance. City Manager Miller introduced Mitchell Ceasar, the City's Lobbyist and Special Projects Coordinator Diane Phillips, and congratulated them on their excellent work in getting '/2 million dollars in grant money awarded to the City of Tamarac. 1. JUNE 14, 2000 AGENDA ITEMS: a) AGREEMENT WITH FPL FIBERNET, INC.: (TR9054) Executing an interim agreement with FPL Fibernet, Inc., for access to public rights -of -way. Assistant City Manager Tim Hemstreet gave a presentation. Commissioner Sultanof asked for an explanation of the difference between an easement and right-of-way, and Assistant City Manager Hemstreet responded. There was discussion about changes in the telecommunications law and collection of taxes. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet discussed the fact that the State legislature will no longer require franchise agreements as of 2001. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if there is any way for Tamarac to conduct an audit to make sure we are collecting the correct amount of revenue, and Assistant City Manager Hemstreet responded. City Attorney Kraft explained that this is an interim way to do business before the law is settled, and sales tax is not addressed in this item. Commissioner Portner questioned whether Item 7(f) on the regular agenda includes setup and placement of the furniture. PURCHASE OF CONFERENCE ROOM AND OFFICE FURNITURE: (TR9043) Authorizing the purchase of conference room and office furniture from Thomas W. Ruff & Co. in an amount not to exceed $28,023.00 under State of Florida Contract Numbers 425-001-97-1 and 425-050-97-1 for the Senior & Community Center; providing for funding. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded that it is included. City Commission Workshop Minutes June 12, 2000 Commissioner Portner questioned Item 7(h) on the regular agenda. PARENT TRAINING AGREEMENT: (TR9045) Executing a partnership agreement between the City of Tamarac and the Mental Health Association of Broward County relating to parent training; providing for insurance requirements; providing for waiver of liability. Commissioner Portner asked where the workshops were going to be held and Commissioner Sultanof asked why the program went through the Mental Health Association and what age children are involved. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet explained that the program is voluntary, and there are parents who say they do not know how to deal with their children or cannot get through to their children. This program provides avenues to assist parents to better deal with their children and relate to them. Commissioner Portner asked who would be teaching the program, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said professionals from the Mental Health Association would manage the sessions. j. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned Item 70) on the regular agenda. FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK - BANKING SERVICES: (TR9048) Executing an addendum to the existing agreement between the City of Tamarac and First Union National Bank exercising the option to extend First Union National Bank's banking services contract for one additional year. Vice Mayor Roberts asked Finance Director Bates why it behooves Tamarac to extend the bank's services for an additional year, and Finance Director Bates responded. 2. QUARTERLY REPORT: Quarterly report presentation. Finance Director Mark Bates introduced Management and Budget Officer John Ralston and Controller Bill Nealon. Finance Director Bates gave a presentation on the quarterly report as a whole, and Management and Budget Officer Ralston gave a presentation on strategic focus and major accomplishments. Controller Bill Nealon gave a presentation on the Utilities and Fire Rescue Funds. Vice Mayor Roberts asked for an explanation of unqualified opinion of external auditor, and Finance Director Bates explained. Commissioner Sultanof suggested taking a close look at the Fire Rescue Fund. Vice Mayor Roberts called for a recess at 10:35 AM. The Workshop meeting reconvened at 10:45 AM with everyone. present. 3. PRESENTATION BY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) TURNPIKE AUTHORITY: Presentation by Department of Transportation (DOT) and Turnpike Authority on the Sawgrass Expressway widening project and the project to modify the Turnpike entrance at Commercial Boulevard, Public Works Director Raj Verma gave a presentation and introduced Raymond A. Ashe, Jr., Manager of the Environmental Management Office, Turnpike District, and Carl Gibilaro, P.E., Senior Transportation Engineer, Post Buckley Schuh and Jernigan. Mr. Ashe reported on a study that indicated there is a need for a southbound ramp on Commercial Boulevard. Additionally, the study identified other needs, such as an Eastbound Commercial City Commission Workshop Minutes June 12, 2000 2 1 1 1 Boulevard to Southbound turnpike ramp with toll plaza; extension of the existing northbound turnpike exit ramp and moving the toll plaza; and an additional access on Cypress Creek Road to take some of the traffic off Commercial Boulevard. Commissioner Portner asked how long the project would take, and Mr. Ashe said the entire project with all identifiers addressed would most likely be completed by 2025. Commissioner Sultanof discussed his concerns about the 441 Corridor, and Vice Mayor Roberts asked when construction of the new ramp would begin. Mr. Ashe replied it will begin in 2003 and be completed in late 2004. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if any houses are going to be affected, and Mr. Ashe said no houses or businesses would be affected. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about a sign for Tamarac on the Turnpike and Mr. Ashe said he would look into it. Commissioner Portner asked about coordinating the lights, and Mr. Ashe said they could be synchronized. 4. PUBLIC WORKS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: Update on Public Works Improvement Project in the Woodlands area. Public Works Director Raj Verma gave a report on the status of the project. There was discussion about the water level of the canals. City Manager Miller said the purpose of this report is to inform the Mayor and Commissioners that the City has done everything possible over the past six months to avoid a situation similar to last year's flooding. Commissioner Portner said the City crews are doing a great job. 5. 954 AREA CODE: 954 area code. Assistant to the City Manager Kristin McKew gave a presentation and explained three options available with regard to new area code numbers. Assistant to the City Manager McKew suggested Tamarac move toward option #2, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs and Deerfield Beach exchanges having one area code, and Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood exchanges having another area code. This option would be least disruptive to Tamarac. Vice Mayor Roberts suggested bringing this item back when Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Mishkin have returned. 6. NAMING THE SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER: (TR9053) Naming the Senior and Community Center as "Tamarac Community Center". Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles distributed Temporary Resolution 9053 and gave a presentation. Commissioner Sultanof said the Center was presented to the residents of Tamarac as the Senior and Community Center, a center for all ages and he would like to see the intergenerational gap removed. Commissioner Portner agreed with renaming the Senior and Community Center. Vice Mayor Roberts asked why the item is not listed on the June 14th agenda, as it was agreed by consensus at the March 22 Workshop to rename the Center. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if there is anything pending at the Center regarding the name, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said there are two signs that need to be ordered. Public Information Officer Moore said the Tam -A - Gram is ready to go to print and there are articles in the Tam -A -Gram regarding the Senior and Community Center. Commissioner Sultanof suggested waiting until after the June 14t" meeting to see what the name for the Senior and Community Center would be City Commission Workshop Minutes June 12, 2000 3 and then send the Tam -A -Gram to the printer. There was consensus to place the item on the June 14th Agenda. 7. SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR IN TAMARAC: Small Business Person of the Year in Tamarac. Vice Mayor Roberts said she had requested a proclamation for the June 14th meeting for the Small Business Person of the Year in Tamarac, and Theresa Constanzo will be present to accept. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Vice Mayor Roberts adjourned the Workshop meeting at 11:50 am. Marion Swenson, CMC Interim City Clerk City Commission Workshop Minutes June 12, 2000 4 El