HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-26 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the
City Commission to order on Monday, June 26, 2006, 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 Edward C. Portner,
Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner
Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager Michael C.
Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
Commissioner Sultanof asked City Manager Miller to instruct staff waiting to make
presentations to the Commission not to fraternize with the general public.
Commissioner Sultanof spoke of members of the public who have made it known they
wish to attend these meetings for the sole purpose of attacking the professional manner
in which city business is conducted, and said he and the rest of the commission resent
this.
1. PRESENTATION IN CONCERT WITH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF THE
H2U@WORK EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM: Human Resources Director
Swanson, Marlene Crep, Director of the H2U programs, Julie Morra, Coordinator for
H2U, and David Goldberg, Director of Marketing and Business Development appeared.
Human Resources Director Swanson introduced Benefits Specialist Caries. Ms. Crep
gave a presentation on the H2U @ Work program and said this is a pilot program that will
hopefully help with the rising costs of insurance, and spoke of the program goals and
measurements. Commissioner Sultanof questioned a fee for the City of Tamarac
employees, the ability of employees to attend the various programs, and physician
referrals in conjunction with AETNA. Ms. Crep said University Hospital is working with
Human Resources on a charge for the program and the program times will be creative.
Vice Mayor Portner asked if seniors who attend trips offered by the City are better off
than those who do not socialize and Ms. Crep said those who are socially connected
are better off. Vice Mayor Portner asked if the program will be mandatory for all
employees and Human Resources Director Swanson said it will not be mandatory.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad expressed concern about privacy issues and spoke of
identity theft emanating from hospitals. Ms. Crep said the hospital is HIPAA protected
and the reports will contain no names. Commissioner Dressler questioned tracking and
Ms. Crep said as many items as possible are tracked, e.g. number of people who sign
up and participate in the wellness survey, the number of people who take the HRA, and
how high end health insurance costs are affected. Commissioner Dressler said there is
no question about the correlation between preventive testing, the ability to treat people
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and accounting aspects, and we must measure how effective we are with education.
Commissioner Dressler spoke of privacy issues. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
questioned the $4,000 allotted for the fee and Human Resources Director Swanson said
it is in the budget. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco expressed satisfaction that Tamarac is
a pilot city for this program and questioned the impact on insurance rates. Human
Resources Director Swanson said taking preventive measures is part of it; this is a
different way to approach people. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked about family
members of employees, as well as children, being eligible to participate in the program.
Ms. Crep said there is nothing specific in the program for children, but if this is
something the City of Tamarac wishes, it can be incorporated.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the
workshop agenda to take up Item No. 6.
6. DISCUSSION RE: USE OF CITY EMBLEM: Vice Mayor Portner asked City
Manager Miller to request that Mayor Joe Schreiber, wearing a City of Tamarac emblem
shirt with the inscription 'Mayor' either leave the building or remove his shirt. Assistant
City Attorney Klahr gave a presentation regarding wearing of an emblem or displaying
an emblem or insignia of the City or holding oneself out as a public official if the
individual is not currently in office. Only those filling that capacity shall display the
insignia; actions could be taken based on the circumstances surrounding the activity.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if this includes city employees and how this would
be handled if the person no longer works for the city. Assistant City Attorney Klahr
replied if one is no longer an employee of the city, administration retrieves certain items.
The issue at hand is holding oneself out as a public official. Commissioner Sultanof
said during a recent campaign one candidate was told they could not use the city seal
on their letterhead. City Manager Miller said when someone leaves the city, staff
retrieves the I.D., all city property and any uniforms on which the city seal is displayed.
That is not the case with all employees, but they all know when they leave the city's
employ they are no longer eligible to wear shirts or say they are in the official capacity of
the city. It is up to the Mayor and City Commission to direct the City Attorney or City
Clerk to send a letter to ex -city employee(s) and previous elected officials and would
require an expression of interest. Commissioner Dressler confirmed paragraph 2 of the
staff memo from the City Attorney, where it is at the discretion of the Mayor and City
Commission whether to enforce the violation and questioned the fact that this could be
discriminatory. Assistant City Attorney Klahr suggested the statute be enforced
uniformly. Commissioner Dressler confirmed that while the Mayor and City Commission
are setting policy, this would have no bearing on the honorific of calling someone Mayor
or Commissioner; we are only addressing use of the city seal. On Vice Mayor Portner's
request, all were in agreement. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned Commissioner
Dressler's mention of a letter or policy and Vice Mayor Portner said he was not in
agreement with a letter or policy. Commissioner Dressler said if the Mayor and City
Commission take the position to establish a policy he would prefer counsel draft the
policy statement and send same to the appropriate party. Commissioner Dressler
questioned a writ of mandamus and how the notice would be worded. Assistant City
Attorney Klahr explained a writ of mandamus is an order of the court to take action; the
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letter would be similar to a notice to cease and desist. Commissioner Dressler said he
felt a letter would be appropriate. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she would also like
a policy. On expression of interest all were in favor of a letter and policy except Vice
Mayor Portner. Commissioner Dressier said he prefers to place this within the context
of a policy as Tamarac is a leading edge city and we focus on programs to provide the
highest level of service to the residents at the lowest cost. The Mayor and City
Commission should address items based issues, not on personalities. City Manager
Miller confirmed the Mayor and City Commission's direction is for the staff to come back
with a policy implementing the law and a letter for the present situation. City Manager
Miller said staff would bring same to the Mayor and City Commission at the next
workshop meeting.
2. PRESENTATION REGARDING EVERGLADES RESTORATION PROJECT:
Elbert Waters, Director, Broward Service Center, South Florida Water Management
District and Laura Corey, Governmental Representative appeared. Mr. Waters gave a
presentation and discussed major components, system modifications, challenges, the
study, Interagency Team, the plan, and how much it will cost as well as who is
responsible for payment. Commissioner Sultanof said the Everglades have shrunk
considerably and part of the program has become a political football; the governor took
money out of the Everglades Trust Fund. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about
reclaiming waste water. Mr. Waters said the district has moved forward with SB444, to
implement alternative water supply programs and programs to reuse water. Ms. Corey
added Broward County is not good at using water again; utility companies are
encouraged to reuse water. This is more difficult for older cities as the infrastructure is
not in place. Vice Mayor Portner asked if the Corps of Engineers is still the lead agency
and questioned fasttracking the 35 year project to 10 years. Ms. Corey said some
components of the project are accelerated but the entire project is expected to take 35
years. Vice Mayor Portner asked if the $7.9 Billion is the total cost for the project and
whether it is legal for the governor to take money out of the fund. Ms. Corey confirmed
the total cost of the project and said she is not qualified to discuss legalities of the use
of the funds. Commissioner Dressler asked what Tamarac can do to assist in this
program, and suggested a resolution in support of the project. Mr. Waters said through
Resolution the Mayor and City Commission could support the water conservation
efforts; additionally, the District staff can meet with the Mayor, City Commission and city
staff and become partners in this restoration project. Ms. Corey spoke of visiting the
homeowner associations and speaking to them about keeping the culverts clean,
educating residents and handing out brochures. City Manager Miller added the City of
Tamarac has one of the best water conservation programs in the state. Director of
Utilities Gagnon said the City of Tamarac has an aggressive water conservation plan;
we have added a Water Conservation Specialist to the department and the City has a
hands on approach, with the Mayor and City Commission leaders in this area.
Commissioner Dressler questioned reuse of water and asked why Tamarac does not
have its own wastewater treatment plant, and said as a leading edge city we need to
look into this rather than rely on the county. Director of Utilities Gagnon said Tamarac is
legally bound, and owns 10% of the wastewater treatment plant in Broward County; it
may not be impossible to have our own plant, but it would be economically unfeasible.
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Director of Utilities Gagnon said in his presentation to the Mayor and City Commission
after their vacation, he would discuss other things we can do. Commissioner Atkins -
Grad suggested restaurants not place glasses of water on tables unless the customers
specifically ask for a glass of water. Vice Mayor Portner asked if there are supposed to
be three storage units on U.S. 27 and Ms. Corey said there are impoundment areas for
the C-9 and C-11 canals connected by a convergence canal. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco suggested rather than a presentation by Director of Utilities Gagnon at an
upcoming workshop, a special meeting be scheduled for his presentation. All were in
agreement.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called for a recess at 11:20 a.m. and reconvened the
workshop meeting at 11:35 a.m. with all present as before.
3. JUNE_28,_2006 AGENDA ITEMS:
Due to the fact that Planning and Zoning Manager Ross had a prior commitment, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the workshop
agenda to take up Items 3(g) and 3(h).
City Manager Miller congratulated Planning and Zoning Manager Ross on being chosen
as Chair for the T.C.C., a subcommittee of the MPO.
g. Item No. 8. PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR INCLUSION IN THE FY06
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN: (TR10988) Motion to approve resolution approving projects
recommended for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Action Plan for expenditure
of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant
Funds estimated to be $434,900 for the Seventh Program Year (Case No. 9-MI-06).
Planning and Zoning Manager Ross gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
confirmed the Temporary Social Worker position is reimbursable by virtue of being a
temporary position.
h. Item No. 7. AMENDING CHAPTER 12, "LICENSE AND BUSINESS
REGULATIONS": (T02118) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first _reading amending
Chapter 12, "License and Business Regulations", of the Code of Ordinances of the City
of Tamarac, Florida, by amending Article II, "Occupational Licenses", by repealing
Section 12-39, "Amount of Fee" of the City of Tamarac Code of Ordinances in its
entirety and creating a new Section 12-39, "Amount of Fee" to conform with Chapter
205, Florida Statutes; modifying occupational license fees and classifications and
establishing equity between license fees and establishing additional license
classifications and fees (Case No. 7-Z-06); providing for codification. Planning and
Zoning Manager Ross gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the fact that
each individual must pay an occupational license fee in addition to the office within
which they work. There was discussion regarding the reasoning behind the fees and
Financial Services Director Chapman spoke about tax purposes and sub -contractors.
Vice Mayor Portner questioned the equity with regard to Astrologers paying $924 for an
occupational license while Auto Dealers may only pay $382. Commissioner Dressler
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agreed this seems to be potentially unfair. Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of realtors
in Coral Springs having to pay their own occupational license fees and said Tamarac's
fees are less than Coral Springs.
a. Item No. 6(c). INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AGREEMENT_- INFLOW
AND INFILTRATION PROJECT: (TR10980) Executing an agreement for the FY06
inflow and infiltration project for sanitary sewer rehabilitation with Insituform
Technologies, Inc., utilizing City of Melbourne contract RFP #10-111-1-2005, valid
through March 22, 2007, for an amount not to exceed $500,000.00; authorizing the
appropriate city officials to administer the contract. Utilities Director Gagnon, Support
Services Manager D'Amato, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared.
Director of Utilities Gagnon gave a presentation and said this would provide for
increased flow.
b. Item No. 6(e). JOINT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT — HOUSEHOLD
HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS: (TR10965) Executing an amendment
to the Joint Participation Agreement with Broward County for Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Events extending the agreement until June 27, 2007. Assistant Public
Works Director/City Engineer Doherty gave a presentation and said 400 cars came
through in 2001; 700 cars came through in 2005. The tentative date for the collection is
September 17, 2006 at the Public Services Complex on Nob Hill Road. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned notification to the public and Assistant Public Works
Director/City Engineer Doherty said it will be advertised by Broward County in the
newspapers, and through our Public Information office.
C. Item No. 6(f). AGREEMENT AMENDMENT — GRUBBS EMERGENCY
SERVICES, INC.: (TR10977) Executing an amendment to the 2002 agreement
between the City of Tamarac and Grubbs Emergency Services, Inc. for disaster
recovery services. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Assistant Public Works Director/City
Engineer Doherty gave a presentation and said this is primarily a housekeeping matter
to adjust the date of the agreement. Commissioner Sultanof confirmed the City will
receive money from FEMA and Vice Mayor Portner questioned whether the contract
was only for disaster recovery. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty
said we can use the contract for several items, such as the initial push after a storm, to
clear all essential roads, for canal restoration and debris pickup. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco questioned places for the men and trucks to park and living arrangements if
we do not have enough sites in the city. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer
Doherty said we do not promise them anything; they go wherever they can find a site.
d. Item No. 6(g). AGREEMENT — BECK DISASTER RECOVERY INC.: (TR10978)
Executing an agreement between the City of Tamarac and Beck Disaster Recovery, Inc.
for disaster debris monitoring services utilizing Orange County Contract Number Y5-
1000B. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Assistant Public Works Director/City
Engineer Doherty said the monitors are responsible to document that which is being
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done as part of our disaster recovery. Since Hurricane Wilma we have needed more
resources and we are planning ahead. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned living
arrangements and Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said these are
mostly local people. Vice Mayor Portner asked what else the monitors do and Assistant
Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said they can do data entry also.
Commissioner Sultanof confirmed reimbursement through FEMA for the monitors and
Commissioner Dressler asked for a ballpark figure of what it will cost for future storms.
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said our expenditure authority for the Beck
contract is $250,000.
e. Item No. 6(h). TAMARAC COURTYARD PHASE 2 FDOT LAP AGREEMENT:
(TR10982) Executing a Local Agency Program Agreement with the State of Florida
Department of Transportation for participation in the fiscal year 05/06 FDOT Work
Program for the construction of the Tamarac Courtyard Phase 2. Assistant Public
Works Director/City Engineer Doherty gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Portner asked
about plastic roll down siding to prevent people from getting rained on while walking
through the courtyard, and Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said
this could be looked at during the design of the project; however, it is a maintenance
issue and may be cost prohibitive. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when the Mayor
and City Commission would see the design and questioned the time frame for the
project. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Doherty said as soon as the
agreement is executed it will be sent to DOT. We should have something out by the
end of the summer. Commissioner Sultanof confirmed there would be benches.
f. Item No. 6(k). 2006 EMERGENCY HURRICANE SUPPLEMENTAL URBAN
AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT: (TR10991) Submitting an application to the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for an Emergency Hurricane
Supplemental Urban and Community Forestry Grant in the amount of $50,000 for the
provision of trees lost on public property or rights of way in Tamarac during Hurricane
Wilma; authorizing adherence to the three-year maintenance plan and execution of the
Maintenance Memoranda of Agreement between the City and the Department of
Agriculture in the event the award is approved; providing for a cash match of 25% in
local funds in the event of approval. Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer
Doherty and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects
Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation, said due to program cuts only $50,000 is
available this year, and spoke of the maintenance agreement attached to the project.
Special Projects Coordinator Gresek said the notice of award would be made some time
in September 2006.
i. Item No. 6(i). PURCHASE OF ROOF TARPS: (TR10987) Awarding Bid Number
06-21 B to W.W. Grainger, Inc., for the purchase of the annual requirements for roof
tarps for the City of Tamarac and on behalf of the Southeast Florida Governmental
Purchasing Cooperative for a period effective upon award of the agreement, for a period
of one year, with the option to exercise up to three (3) additional one (1) year
renewals, authorizing expenditure in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00. Fire Chief
Budzinski and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Purchasing/Contracts
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Manager Glatz explained better pricing for more quantity by partnering with the South
Florida Purchasing Group. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked how large the tarps are
and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said the sizes vary from 15'x20' to 30'. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the initial order of 500 and Purchasing/Contracts
Manager Glatz explained this is based on a five day supply. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco said she is pleased with the programs going into effect for the hurricane
season; on the campaign trail the subject was premier on everybody's mind.
Commissioner Sultanof asked if the $100,000 is budgeted and City Manager Miller said
it is. Commissioner Dressler asked about including availability of the tarps in the Code
Red message and Fire Chief Budzinski said we may want to target distribution of the
tarps more appropriately, based on the assessment of the Building Department.
4. UPDATE ON HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS: Fire Chief Budzinski, Economic
Development Officer Berns and Social Services Supervisor Cure-Persad appeared.
Fire Chief Budzinski said these activities are a result of last year's experiences and
preparation for the upcoming season. The message boards approved at the last
meeting have arrived. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about propane gas being stored in
Port Everglades and questioned the ability to use propane gas to fuel generators for
buildings with elevators. Fire Chief Budzinski spoke of the Building Department's
evaluation of a four-story building in Kings Point and the fact that in order to run the
elevators, fire alarm system, emergency and exit lights, would take a 70KW generator;
the cost of such generator, whether it would run on diesel or propane would be about
$75,000 and that would be an issue for the condominiums. The capacity of the
generator, not the fuel is the deciding issue. Fixed lighting and alarm systems draw
relatively little power from generators, but it is a life/safety system. Building and Code
Compliance Director Jones explained the elevators in Kings Point are set up on 480 volt
systems while generators for gas stations or homes are on 110 volt systems.
Emergency systems and lighting are modest draws. Commissioner Dressler confirmed
it is up to the associations and homeowner associations to take care of the generators
for their buildings. Commissioner Dressler spoke of issues of entitlement.
Commissioner Sultanof asked if FEMA is involved and City Manager Miller said FEMA
is more of a reactive than proactive agency. Vice Mayor Portner asked how other
communities hit by storms in previous years have handled these situations and Fire
Chief Budzinski said they have not, as these concerns are for those areas that are more
populated. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of signage for pharmacies and gas
stations that are hurricane ready. Fire Chief Budzinski explained the county's ruling on
pharmacies, gas stations and other businesses that would become a part of the
hurricane response network are allowed to advertise, but the rules of the program have
not been worked out yet. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what we could do to
inform our residents that some businesses are hurricane ready and City Manager Miller
said he would talk to staff about that, as there are issues due to the fact some
businesses say they are hurricane ready but when the chips are down they are not
ready; additionally, some businesses may be hit hard by a storm and may not be able to
reopen. Vice Mayor Portner suggested signage for clubhouses and posting the memo
attached as backup to this item. City Manager Miller explained Fire Chief Budzinski and
Social Services Supervisor Cure-Persad have been speaking with the homeowner
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associations and last year bulletins were posted at the clubhouses daily. Economic
Development Officer Berns addressed difficulties after Hurricane Wilma with regard to
obtaining gasoline. The legislature has ruled that stations along evacuation routes and
corporate entities with 10 or more stations must be generator ready. Of the 12 stations
in the City, seven are hurricane ready. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked Economic
Development Officer Berns if he spoke with gas stations that border Tamarac,
Lauderhill and Sunrise; Economic Development Officer Berns said if the Mayor and City
Commission indicated specific stations he would approach them. Social Services
Supervisor Cure-Persad spoke of the resident registry and said 73 homeowner
associations have signed up for distribution of supplies and she has the names and
phone numbers of those individuals who may need wellness checks after a storm.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked how many individuals signed up for Code Red and
Fire Chief Budzinski said about 25,000. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of
volunteers from faith based organizations. Economic Development Officer Berns said
he had a good discussion with them and Training Specialist Reinert is coordinating a
volunteer network. Vice Mayor Portner spoke of faith based organizations relative to
the City of Character Committee and asked Assistant City Manager Phillips to look into
this. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said when the volunteer group gets going it can piggy
back to the City of Character Committee. Commissioner Dressler said he is
comfortable with faith based organizations working as volunteers as long as it is a
diverse group. Fire Chief Budzinski explained we are encouraging participation at the
front end and there has been interest from different groups.
5. DISCUSSION AND SELECTION OF VOTING DELEGATE TO THE FLORIDA
LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Assistant City Manager Phillips gave
a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco nominated Vice Mayor Portner to serve as
the voting delegate and all were in agreement.
7. DISCUSSION RE: FLORIDA CITIES OF EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM:
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco nominated City Manager Miller and City Attorney Goren for
the Florida Cities of Excellence Award and all were in agreement.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:50 p.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
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