HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-06 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY JULY 6, 2009
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the workshop meeting of the City
Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009 in Room 105 at Tamarac City Hall,
7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad,
Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner Harry
Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial
Services Director Michael Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, and City Clerk Marion
Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco went out of the regular order of business on the agenda to take
up Item 10 on the workshop agenda.
10. Refunding Sales Tax Revenue Bond, Series 2009: (TR11653) Deputy City
Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech, Controller Cajuste, D. A. Davidson &
Co. Senior Vice President & Regional Manager Larson, and Attorney Draper of Bryant Miller
Olive appeared. Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech gave a
presentation and turned the discussion over to Mr. Larson, who spoke about the interest rate
and the fact that Bank of America asked for a depository relationship with the City.
Commissioner Dressler confirmed the compensating balance is 20% of the loan amount, and
explained the five benefits to the City to refinance the debt. Commissioner Bushnell asked
where the account is held now and if there is a fee to move it. Mr. Larson replied the monies
come out of current investment funds with liquid investments and there is no fee to move the
money. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad asked if Bank of America is one of the banks we looked at
when we were changing banks, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said they were one
of the respondents. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad said it is good that Tamarac thinks ahead and
thanked everyone for their work on this matter. Commissioner Glasser thanked everyone for a
job well done. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the taxable BAB and the bank counsel
and fees. Mr. Larson explained several of the acronyms and the fact that the bank's counsel,
Holland and Knight, reviews the documents prepared for the City by Mr. Draper of Bryant Miller
Olive. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked that in the future a glossary of acronyms be
included in the backup. Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech
introduced Mr. Draper, Bond Counsel with Bryant Miller Olive and explained Mr. Draper's role
in the process. Mr. Larson recommended the City use Bank of America for the upcoming
refinancing of the stormwater bonds and all were in agreement that Mr. Draper begin work on
the necessary documentation for the Mayor and City Commission review at the next workshop
meeting. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked that a memo be drafted for the Mayor and City
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Commission so they can be prepared with questions at the next workshop meeting.
Commissioner Dressler confirmed by restructuring the water/wastewater stormwater bonds,
the difference would go from the $2.5 million debt service today to about $900,000.
1. Item No. 7 on the Regular Agenda. EMERGENCY ACCESS FOR DISASTER DEBRIS
REMOVAL: (TO2179) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 9 of the
City Code of Ordinances entitled, "Health, Sanitation and Nuisances", by amending Article II
entitled, "Sanitary Nuisances", by adding Division 4 entitled, "Disaster Access and Debris
Removal", by adding Section 9-67 entitled, "Purpose", by adding Section 9-68 entitled,
"Findings of Fact", by adding Section 9-69 entitled, "Access for Emergency Response and
Disaster Debris Removal", by adding Section 9-70 entitled, "Collection and Removal of
Disaster Debris", by adding Section 9-71 entitled, "Disaster Debris from Residential Property",
by adding Section 9-72 entitled, "Disaster Debris from Non-residential Property", by adding
Section 9-73 entitled, "Determination of Immediate Threat to Life, Health or Safety", by adding
Section 9-74 entitled, "City and Federal Government Indemnification, Defense and Hold
Harmless"; providing for codification. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation.
Commissioner Dressler said at the previous meeting he neglected mentioning the work Public
Works Director Strain and Director of Utilities Gagnon have done for the City with regard to the
City's recent visit to New York for our credit rating. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned the 48
hours the homeowners have to clean up after a storm and asked when the City would go onto
private property. Public Works Director Strain said this is directly in relationship to the severity
of the storm and our priorities. We do the major arterial roads first and then move to the
secondary arterial roads. Commissioner Glasser asked if residents would have to contact the
City if the time frame goes beyond the 48 hours and Public Works Director Strain said this
would be at the option of the Mayor and City Commission. The language in the ordinance
allows the City to go onto private property to pick up debris after a disaster but it does not
obligate us to do that. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked where the Mayor and City
Commission come into the picture and City Manager Miller explained in the past cleanup on
private property by the City was based on the severity of the storm. After a major disaster we
will get the Commission together quickly to discuss our options. Commissioner Bushnell said
`severity' is the key word; while we do not want to spoil the residents we do want to help them.
Each disaster will have to be assessed as there are expenses tied to cleanup.
2. Item No. 6 (c) on the Consent Agenda. SEASONAL CONTRACT LABOR FOR CANAL
MAINTENANCE: (TR11643) Authorizing an expenditure not to exceed $44,000 for seasonal
labor utilizing the State of Florida Agreement with Deanna Enterprises, Inc.; authorizing budget
amendments for proper accounting purposes. Public Works Director Strain and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a
presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed this is for the summer months and it is
budgeted. Commissioner Dressler questioned the responsibility of due diligence with regard to
the employees, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said it is the responsibility of Deanna
Enterprises; they also have a State contract and the State, as well as the City, has
requirements. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad confirmed they are a local company.
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3. Item No. 6 (d) on the Consent Agenda. RENEWAL OF AGREEMENTS FOR
ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL CONTINUING SERVICES: (TR11644) Authorizing
the appropriate City Officials to renew Agreements with the following ten (10) consulting firms
to provide engineering and architectural continuing services on an "As Needed" basis: 1)
Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc.; 2) Carter Burgess, now known as, Jacobs Engineering
Group, Inc.; 3) Corzo, Castella, Carballo, Thompson, Salman, P.A.; 4) B.E.A. International
Corporation, Inc.; 5) GLE Associates, Inc.; 6) Saltz Michelson Architects, Inc.; 7) Chen and
Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc.; 8) Eckler Engineering, Inc.; 9) HSQ Group, Inc.; 10)
Matthews Consulting, Inc. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager
Glatz appeared. Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz gave a presentation. Commissioner
Bushnell asked if any were Tamarac firms included and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz
said no, there are no such firms in Tamarac. Commissioner Dressler questioned how the list
works and Public Works Director Strain said the method of working with the list is mandated by
statute. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned the significance of the numbers assigned to the
consulting firms in the backup and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said they are not
ranked.
4. Item No. 6 (e) on the Consent Agenda. BSO KALWALL ROOF
REPLACEMENT: (TR11647) Authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute an
Agreement with Specified Architectural Systems, Inc., a sole source distributor, for the
replacement of the translucent panel roof system at Broward Sheriffs Office Building
authorizing an expenditure not to exceed $104,390.00, which includes a contract price of
$94,900.00 and a project contingency of $9,490.00. Public Works Director Strain and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a
presentation. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed the leaks are not in the same area where the
new carpeting was installed and confirmed it is a budgeted expense. Public Works Director
Strain said it is covered in the sinking fund that is approved every year.
5. Item No. 6 (b) on the Consent Agenda. SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD SERVICES
AGREEMENT: (TR11639) Authorizing the appropriate City officials to exercise the first
renewal option of the agreement between the City of Tamarac and Action Labor of Florida,
LLC (AKA: Staffing Connection) providing for crossing guard services effective upon execution
of an agreement amendment renewing the agreement through September 30, 2011; for a rate
of $10.90 per hour. Community Director Bramley and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz
appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz discussed the agreement. Commissioner Bushnell
confirmed Tamarac has approximately 16 crossing guards. Commissioner Glasser asked if
there are any requirements with regard to the number of crossing guards we must maintain
and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz said we work with the School Board on the number
necessary.
6. Item No. 10 on the Regular Agenda. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WATER
SUPPLY: (TO2171) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second reading amending the Capital
Improvements Element, Intergovernmental Coordination Element, Infrastructure Element and
Conservation Element of the City of Tamarac's Comprehensive Plan consistent with the City's
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ten-year Water Supply Facilities Plan; authorizing transmittal of the 10 year Water Supply
Facilities Plan and Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the Department of Community Affairs
and other agencies as required by rule 9J-11, F.A.C; (Case No. 24-MI-08) providing for
inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and,
providing for an effective date. Community Development Director Bramley and Assistant
Director of Utilities Moore appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a
presentation and spoke of the two objections from DCA and intergovernmental coordination.
7. Item No. 8 on the Regular Agenda. NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM 2
GRANT APPLICATION: (TR11638) Authorizing the appropriate officials to submit a
competitive grant application for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 ("NSP2") funds
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009. Community Development Director
Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared. Community Development Director
Bramley said this is a competitive grant for a maximum of $10 million, and Housing
Administrator Bauldree and Assistant City Manager Phillips have both worked very hard
putting the information together. Housing Administrator Bauldree gave a presentation. Vice
Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned the fact that we are not asking for money for blighted
neighborhoods and Housing Administrator Bauldree spoke of the requirement for
redevelopment within 12 months and the fact that the City does not own the properties in
question so we cannot guarantee they will be redeveloped within the specified time frame.
Commissioner Bushnell asked how many properties have come to closing to date and Housing
Administrator Bauldree said two weeks ago we had our first closing. Two are scheduled for
this week and we anticipate one to two in each of the coming weeks. Once the banks are
more familiar with the process we will be able to close on properties on a regular time frame.
Commissioner Bushnell questioned an article regarding investors in Coral Springs buying up
properties. Community Development Director Bramley said there has been a lot of publicity
regarding applicants who cannot find homes; the Coral Springs program is limited to one zip
code, but we are able to apply the program (NSP2) to the entire City. Housing Administrator
Bauldree agreed and said for this round of funding a different mapping tool was used making
the entire City eligible for NSP2 funds. Commissioner Dressler questioned the stress these
programs have put staff under and Community Development Director Bramley spoke of the
money allotted under the programs for administrative staff and said we would hire additional
temporary staff if we are awarded the funding under NSP2. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
commended Housing Administrator Bauldree on her appointment to the BLC Housing
Committee. Commissioner Glasser asked if the qualifications for applicants would change and
Housing Administrator Bauldree spoke of income changes in March of each year.
Commissioner Glasser confirmed if someone applied but did not qualify, they could they
reapply. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad asked how realtors would be advised that the entire City
would be eligible under the NSP2 funding, and Housing Administrator Bauldree said realtors
would be notified via emails. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned the time allotted for
applicants to find housing and Housing Administrator Bauldree said they have three months to
go to contract; July ends the first three month round. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned
the $75,000 set aside for demolition and what we need to do to be able to use it. Community
Development Director Bramley said first a structure must be established as unsafe and then
the grant requirements have to be followed to purchase the property, demolish it and resell it.
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8. Item No. 9 on the Regular Agenda. CDBG FY 2009/2010 ANNUAL ACTION
PLAN: (TR11621) Approving the projects recommended for inclusion in the fiscal year
2009/2010 Annual Action Plan for expenditure of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development
Community Development Block Grant funds estimated to be $420,536 for the tenth program
year (Case No. 15-MI-09). Community Development Director Bramley and Housing
Administrator Bauldree appeared. Housing Administrator Bauldree gave a presentation.
Commissioner Dressler said the City is responsible for sidewalks excluding the maintenance;
there is a problem in District 4 where sidewalks look dirty and need to be steam cleaned.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the backup regarding homelessness, and asked if the
City is aware if the individuals in question and is able to connect them with the appropriate
entities. Community Development Director Bramley explained we use the figures from the
2000 census regarding those whose living expenses exceed 30% of their monthly income;
they become cost burdened and this affects mostly renters.
9. UPDATE REGARDING NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: Community
Development Director Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared. Community
Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and spoke of the responses received with
regard to the program. Community Development Director Bramley said it is her hope the
program will pick up once the success stories are relayed to the public. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco suggested advertising the successes in the Tam -A -Gram and the Forum. Vice
Mayor Atkins -Grad said she brought forth several communities, but due to financial restraints
on the part of the associations, they did not move forward with the program. Commissioner
Bushnell asked if anyone has been turned down, and Housing Administrator Bauldree replied
that anything other than landscaping requires three estimates and some associations came in
with only one estimate so their applications had to be returned. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked how much money is left and Community Development Director Bramley said about
$25,000.
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.
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