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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-11 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, June 11, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th 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. Commissioner Portner, on behalf of himself and the rest of the Commission, expressed condolences to Commissioner Dressler on the loss of his brother. 1. JUNE 13, 2007 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(g) on the Consent Agenda. PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF GUARDRAILS: (TR11214) Approving the purchase and installation of guardrail from Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $68,905.00, located at Mainlands Drive, NW 791h Street, and Westwood Drive, utilizing Broward County, Price Agreement Contract for the general roadway and miscellaneous construction, Bid No. HZ-05-376- 131; approving funding from the appropriate Capital Improvement Account. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation and responded to questions from Commissioner Portner regarding the strength of concrete versus extruded steel and whether the County is responsible for repairs. Public Works Director Strain responded, saying a concrete barrier has no give but it will keep a car from going into the canal and there is no money available from the County for repairs. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if the City has looked into funding from the Safety Council and Assistant City Manager Phillips said the Safety Council is more oriented toward other programs and she will continue researching funding sources. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if this is a pre-emptive strike, and whether affected neighborhoods would be inconvenienced. Public Works Director Strain said it is pre-emptive and there is an alternate route to the Mainlands while the other areas are far off the roadway. Neighborhoods will be notified regarding the construction. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked if there is a way to put the guard rail behind the architectural guard rail and Public Works Director Strain said there is not enough room. b. Item No. 6(i) on the Consent Agenda. SIDEWALK REPAIRS: (TR11217) Executing Change Order Number 1 to the purchase order with Straightline Engineering June 11, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 5 Group for the sidewalk repair and replacement project; authorizing an additional expenditure in an amount not to exceed $120,000.00 for said purpose; authorizing budget amendments as needed for proper accounting purposes. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation and said while the sidewalks affected are scattered throughout the City, the majority of them fall into the areas of Sunflower/Heathgate, Woodmont, Southgate Boulevard area and the area north of 57th Street. Vice Mayor Sultanof said he is delighted 71st Street is being done. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed Public Works will monitor the sidewalks once they are completed. Commissioner Partner questioned the original budget for sidewalk repairs and the amount of money that will be spent, including this change order. Public Works Director Strain and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino explained there was no budget for the original repairs, since the City did not know the extent of repairs. When this is completed the City will have spent a total of $570,000. After monies are transferred from contingency there will be $800,000 left in the contingency fund. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked who is responsible if there is landscaping on private property that will cause harm to the sidewalks. Public Works Director Strain said if a tree on private property will damage the sidewalks it is the owner's responsibility to take care of the source of damage. The City will notify the property owner 90 days prior to the City doing any repairs. C. Item No. 6(I) on the Consent Agenda. SETTING NEW SCHEDULE OF PERMIT FEES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: (TR11202) Setting a new schedule of permit fees for construction projects within the City of Tamarac; repealing Resolution No. R-99-250. Public Works Director Strain and Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty appeared. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof said this is a wise move on the part of the City. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how much of an increase this will bring to the City and Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said about $109,000. d. Item No. 6(b) on the Consent Agenda. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH BARNEY AND WORTH, INC. FOR PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN: (TR11211) Amendment to Agreement between Barney and Worth, Inc. and the City of Tamarac to provide for development and implementation of the Public Art Master Plan; providing for conditions of approval. Community Development Director Bramley and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked who would be the watchdog over public art, and spoke of Messrs. Yelin and Cantor, who are interested in donating art to the City. Community Development Director Bramley said the Master Plan establishes criteria for public art and will be monitored by the Public Art Committee and then approved by the Mayor and City Commission. Vice Mayor Sultanof quoted from evaluations of Tamarac University Students, who said Tamarac is more progressive than most cities, and Vice Mayor Sultanof said he would like Tamarac to shine. Commissioner Dressler asked if there was a memorandum on record with regard to Mr. Cantor's wishes regarding the donation of art to the City and Community Development Director Bramley said there is not. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco added when Mr. Yelin June 11, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 5 approached the City, the Mayor and City Commission chose from several pieces. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the Master Plan would be done for the Mayor and City Commission's approval and Community Development Director Bramley said December 2007. Community Development Director Bramley added Barney and Worth are ready to start public meetings and she would like to get the Public Art Committee together by the end of August. Additionally, everyone who applied to serve on this Committee is ready to begin work and put in long hours. Commissioner Dressler questioned the purpose of the Committee and Community Development Director Bramley explained the Public Art Ordinance. Alternate strategies will be provided by Barney and Worth who will identify funding sources to perpetuate the program. Commissioner Portner asked if he would be able to recuse himself from voting on public art, since he does not feel he is qualified to make such selections, and City Attorney Goren said a commissioner could only recuse themselves from a vote if there is a specific conflict of interest or they are on vacation. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she is pleased to see funds are still being collected for Public Art. Vice Mayor Sultanof said no City can exist as a metropolis without museums, libraries and art. Many of us are not art connoisseurs but we can see what appeals to the eye. City Manager Miller explained the establishment of Public Art and funding for Public Art in Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said having just won the ArtServe Government Leadership in Art award, going forward with Public Art will be this Commission's legacy and she would like to see the money invested appropriately. e. Item No. 6(h) on the Consent Agenda. DRAFT MODEL PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ELEMENT: (TR11216) Demonstrating general support for the Draft Model Public School Facilities Element and related plan provision in the Intergovernmental Coordination and Capital Improvement Elements; providing for conditions of approval. Community Development Director Bramley and Planning and Zoning Manager Ross appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and said as of this date, Tamarac schools are under enrolled and the effect of this model element in Tamarac would be negligible but it is required, by law, to be approved. f. Item No. 7 on the Regular Agenda. FY 2007 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS: The City seeks public comments on the recommended use of the FY 2007 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. A draft has been developed based on comments and recommendations received during the June 6, 2007 Planning Board meeting. Community Development Director Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared. Housing Administrator Bauldree gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned the handicap access doors at the Tamarac Community Center and asked if these fall under the new 2006 Code. Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said they do not since we are in compliance with the existing doors. 2. DISCUSSION RE: DRAFT RESOLUTION DECLARING RETRACTABLE CURTAIN IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS AS BEYOND SURPLUS STOCK: (TR11220) Declaring the floor -to -ceiling retractable curtain in the City Commission Chambers as beyond surplus stock as defined by Section 6-153 of the City's Code of Ordinances; June 11, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 6 finding that the retractable curtain has no ascertainable value to the City; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to dispose of the retractable curtain in the manner most practical and beneficial to the City. Public Works Director Strain and City Attorney Goren appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned the curtain's value were the City to give it as a gift. Public Works Director Strain said it has no value. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned adding this to the charitable donation page of the budget and City Attorney Goren explained the non -legal value is different than the contribution value. Commissioner Portner asked if the City takes the curtain down whether the cost of labor could be added to the contribution value. City Manager Miller said it would be looked into. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when all this would occur and Public Works Director Strain replied during the Commission hiatus. 3. Item No. 8 on the regular agenda. DISCUSSION RE: DRAFT RESOLUTION APPROVING INVENTORY LIST OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED PROPERTY APPROPRIATE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING: (TR11221) A resolution of the City of Tamarac, Florida approving an inventory list of municipally owned property that is appropriate for use as affordable housing pursuant to Section 166.0451, Florida Statutes. City Attorney Goren appeared and gave a presentation. Commissioner Partner confirmed this is for land only and questioned foreclosure property in the City and the ability of the City to purchase the property and turn it into affordable housing. City Attorney Goren said he would look into the City's ability to acquire foreclosed property. City Manager Miller added the City of Tamarac has more affordable housing on a percentage basis than other cities in Broward County. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked if Tamarac has placed a lien on a house, and the owners are unable to pay the lien, whether the City could take the house and use it for first time home buyers. City Attorney Goren said as long as it is not homesteaded property. There are several steps to go through, and the City may not be on a par with other obligations such as mortgages and taxes. Many properties have debt incurred, which could make it more expensive to take over the property than the lien, itself. Commissioner Portner questioned the status of the Branding Consultant and City Manager Miller said this is on the agenda for the next Commission Retreat. Commissioner Portner asked about Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco and Assistant City Manager Phillips's trip to Washington last week. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the Commissioners will each get a report from our lobbyists. She met with six people on Capitol Hill, both Senators and Representatives, and she and Assistant City Manager Phillips were well received. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco will give a brief update at Wednesday's meeting. City Manager Miller said the Florida Legislature came out with another property tax proposal. Over the weekend he spent time on the phone with our lobbyists and staff and at this point in time he can not tell exactly the impact this new plan will have on Tamarac, but he will have a five-year projection prepared, and this is a lot more encouraging on the front end. Last Monday, in Tallahassee, they were talking about a 15%-20% roll back, based on a percentage. Most of the larger cities, and Tamarac is June 11, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 5 1 one of them, are in the 9% category. The 9% reduction is based on the last year's numbers and numbers for the coming year. We are analyzing the affect of the constitutional amendment on Tamarac, which is the second part of the package. Commissioner Dressler spoke of a lack of understanding on the part of the legislators regarding the difference between a percentage and dollar increase. To compare property values on a percentage basis without considering the base or average property value in a city is incompetent and embarrassing, and this speaks to the general incompetence of the leadership in the legislature. City Manager Miller said the watch word from the League of Cities, that represents us well in Tallahassee, made that exact point; one size does not fit all. What is also discouraging is that unlike local government, there is no opportunity to comment or address the legislators directly. Many things are discussed and decided in private and this has not been a good or fair process. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the concept in Tallahassee of rolling back City budgets and capping them on average, spend -able income, on a statewide basis. In Tamarac, a high percentage of people are on a fixed income and their only increase may be the CPI, so we can not apply the same standards to people in Tamarac who will not have inflationary net increases in spend -able income. This huge restraint severely impacts Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the special session starts tomorrow. Over the weekend she received a communication from a fellow Mayor and it appears the plan is firm. The biggest issue for the local levels is that the residents see tax reform and are not aware of the affect this will have on our City. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the general public is beguiled by all the information on TV and we are at fault because we vote these legislators into office. People in Tallahassee need to be shaken up; they do not answer to the same standards as local government. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said it will be up to the Mayor and City Commission to determine how to run our City with fewer funds. Commissioner Portner said all elected officials pander, and hopefully, some day we will return to what our original founders intended — not to make a career out of being an elected official. Until then, elected officials will pander in order to be reelected. The general public likes to hear about tax cuts and increased services, but they do not want to hear about the underlying things that will happen. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:10 a.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk Y Y June 11, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 5 of 5