HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-21 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2000
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Roberts called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 21, 2000, in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th 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 City Clerk Marion Swenson.
City Manager Miller welcomed everyone back from the summer vacation.
AUGUST 23. 2000 AGENDA ITEMS:
Agenda Item No. 9(r), ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES — CONVERGYS
CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC.: (TR9110) Approving Economic
Development Incentives for Convergys .Customer Management Group, Inc. (Convergys)
to open a service center in the Tamarac Commerce Park including a cash relocation
grant in an amount not to exceed $30,000,00; authorizing the appropriate City Officials
to waive review and permit fees in an amount not to exceed $70,000,00; providing for
refund of relocation grant and fee waivers; designating this as an Economic
Development Project for the purpose of expedited permitting and agreeing to the terms
set herein; Case No. 2-MI-00. City Manager Miller said the City has been working on
this project for the past six months and Convergys is expected to relocate from Ft.
Lauderdale to Tamarac Commerce Park. It is anticipated that during their first year in
Tamarac, Convergys will bring in revenue of $150,000. Community Development
Director King gave a presentation and introduced Ben Wakefield who represents
Higgins Development Corporation. Mr. Wakefield said Convergys is the largest supplier
of telecommunication services in the world. Commissioner Sultanof asked about the
size of the proposed facility and whether Convergys would bring their own personnel or
hire from within Tamarac. Mr. Wakefield said it would be 100,000 sq. ft. and Convergys
would bring 1,500 personnel with them and hire 300-400 from the area. Commissioner
Portner asked whether the incentive money was a determining factor in Convergys'
relocating to Tamarac, what the building would cost and where it would be in Tamarac
Commerce Park. Community Development Director King and Mr. Wakefield responded
and said the building would cost $10 — 12 million dollars and it would be located at the
entryway to the park. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the anticipated completion date
and Mr. Wakefield said completion is expected at about this time next year.
City Commission Workshop
August 21, 2000
Commissioner Sultanof asked about access roads and Community Development
Director King responded. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the refund of relocation
expenses.
b) Agenda Item No. 9(I), COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
APPLICATION: (TR9095) Approving the submission of the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) application in the amount of $244,217.00 to the Community
Development Division of Broward County for the Senior Center Program at the Tamarac
Community Center. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation.
Commissioner Portner said he would like to have a check from the County before
refunding any money to them. There was discussion about the reimbursement process
and Commissioner Sultanof said the money was to be refunded in monthly installments.
Assistant City Manager Hemstreet explained the process and discussed the funding
agreement. Commissioner Partner asked how much money the City has used so far,
and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said $198,000. Vice Mayor Roberts said
she is not happy about the fact that the County made an error and the City has to pay
back and then wait for reimbursement. Commissioner Sultanof asked if there is a way
to speed up the process and Vice Mayor Roberts asked how much it is going to cost
Tamarac. City Manager Miller said he would look into the matter. Commissioner
Portner said the Community Center is coming along beautifully.
c) Agenda Item No. 9(n), INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD
COUNTY FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES: (TR9117) Executing an
Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and the City of Tamarac for public
transportation services. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet gave a presentation and
said there are some issues that have to be discussed with the County. Vice Mayor
Roberts asked who would monitor the agreement, and Assistant City Manager
Hemstreet said the City would. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if this item must be
discussed on the August 23`d aRenda, and Assistant City Manager Hemstreet said it
must be approved by August 30in order for the County to make their deadline. Vice
Mayor Roberts expressed displeasure in having to meet the County's deadline.
d) Agenda Item No. 9(q), OPPOSING CONSTRUCTION OF TANDEM TRUCK
STAGING AREA: (TR9115) Opposing the construction of a Tandem Truck Staging
Area to be located on the southwest corner of the Commercial Boulevard Interchange of
the Sawgrass Expressway. Community Development Director King gave a
presentation. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the number of lanes, and Community
Development Director King responded. Commissioner Portner asked if Tamarac had
any communication with Sunrise about the staging area, and Community Development
Director King said Sunrise strongly opposes the staging area and there are several
issues that DOT staff will have to address. There was discussion about the land use
change and environmental issues.
e) Agenda Item No. 10, CHAPTER 16, PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT, ARTICLE
VII POLICE OFFICERS: (TO1908) Motion to approve ordinance amending Chapter 16,
Pensions and Retirement, Article VII Police Officers Declaration of Trust and Article VIII
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August 21, 2000
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Police Officer Pension Plan; providing for the deletion of all references to employees
and replacing the term with police officer; providing for the reference to Chapter 185
Florida Statutes relating to the return to work from military service; providing for the
deletion of provisions relating to non -covered employment; providing for compliance
with Chapter 185 Florida Statutes relating to pre -retirement death benefits and lump
sum payments; providing for a savings clause; providing for severability; providing for
codification and providing for an effective date.
f) Agenda Item No. 11, CHAPTER 16, PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT, ARTICLE
V FIREFIGHTERS: (TO1909) Motion to adopt ordinance on first reading amending
Chapter 16, Pensions and Retirement, Article V Firefighters Declaration of Trust and
Article VI Firefighter Pension Plan; providing for the deletion of all references to
employees and replacing the term with firefighter; providing for the reference to Chapter
175 Florida Statutes relating to the return to work from military service; providing for the
deletion of provisions relating to non -covered employment; providing for compliance
with Chapter 175 Florida Statutes relating to pre -retirement death benefits; providing for
a savings clause; providing for severability; providing for codification and providing for
an effective date.
Assistant City Manager Hemstreet spoke about items 1(e) and (f) on the workshop
agenda and said the Ordinances address housekeeping changes and place us in
compliance with State law. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the pension plans for police
and firefighters cover anyone other than sworn officers, and Assistant City Manager
Hemstreet said the plans only cover sworn officers.
Commissioner Partner asked, with regard to 9(b) on the regular Commission agenda if
there were companies in Tamarac that could do this work and questioned the tabulation
of flowers. GARDEN OF LOVE NURSERY INC.: (TR9079) Entering into the third of
the three one-year renewal option periods for lot cutting and related services to Garden
of Love Nursery, Inc.; original contract awarded by Resolution No. R-98-126; Case No.
18-MI-00. Community Development Director King responded.
Commissioner Partner questioned Item 9(i) on the regular Commission agenda, 2000
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT: (TR9104) Seeking grant funding from
the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Program in the amount of $22,848 to enhance crime
prevention and law enforcement programs, with a cash match in the amount of $2,285..
to be allocated from the Grant Matching Fund for a total project cost of $25,133.
Commissioner Portner asked how the funds are expended and Special Projects
Coordinator Phillips explained the process to secure the money and determine how the
City will use the money. Vice Mayor Roberts asked whether there has to be a public
hearing prior to final approval and Chief Goldstein said there does.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item 9(j) on the regular Commission agenda,
URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT: (TR9098) Submitting an application
to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for an Urban and
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Community Forestry Grant in the amount of $10,000 for the reforestation of McNab
Park; providing for a Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement between the City and
the Department of Agriculture in the event the award is accepted. Special Projects
Coordinator Phillips explained that the City is eligible for up to $10,000 per project.
Commissioner Portner asked, with regard to Item 9(k) on the regular City Commission
agenda if the City already had an agreement with Waste Management. SOLID WASTE
COLLECTION AGREEMENT: (TR9100) Authorizing the appropriate City officials to
pursue negotiations to renew the existing Agreement with Waste Management for
furnishing multi -family solid waste collection service. Commissioner Sultanof asked if
bulk pickup is addressed. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet responded and gave a
presentation.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item 9(m) on the regular City Commission agenda,
EXTERNAL LEASE AGREEMENT - ART ROOM AND MEETING ROOM #2 IN THE
MULTI -PURPOSE CENTER: (TR9090) Executing an External Lease Agreement with
the School Board of Broward County, Florida, for use of the art room and meeting room
#2 in the multi -purpose center, located at 7531 North University Drive, for use as art
room/music room/classroom for the 2000/2001 school year, for a rental fee of $1.00 per
year and utilities charges at $1,000.00 per room per year, payable upon
commencement. Commissioner Portner questioned the number of rooms involved and
whether the School Board is able to pay more than $1.00 per year. Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles responded that Tamarac Elementary School does not
have funding for the rental, and said that this is an ongoing agreement. Assistant City
Manager Hemstreet explained the history of the agreement and the School board's
involvement in the multi -purpose center. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about using the
school for summer camp next year, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said
some of the programs would be moved to the Community Center.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item 9(t) on the regular City Commission agenda,
SUPPORTING AN INDEPENDENT TAXING DISTRICT FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES
IN BROWARD COUNTY: (TR9118) Supporting an independent taxing district for
Children's Services in Broward County governed by a Children's Services Council. City
Clerk Swenson gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Roberts said Broward County
intended to add $1,000,000 but put it on hold due to the upcoming bond issue.
Commissioner Sultanof said the League supported the Resolution and while Broward
County put the additional $1,000,000 on hold, they do give $13,000,000 every year.
Vice Mayor Roberts said if the referendum passes, residents in a $100,000 home would
pay about $37.00. Commissioner Partner asked how this is going to impact the
children, and Vice Mayor Roberts said instead of about $31.00 per child it would be
about $191.00 per child. City Manager Miller said this is a positive issue and if it passes
Broward County might spend the $13,000,000 on infrastructure improvements.
Vice Mayor Roberts asked with regard to Item 13 on the regular City Commission
agenda whether charitable organizations could still request waivers. CHAPTER 12,
"LICENSE AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS": (TO1900) Motion to adopt ordinance
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on second reading amending Chapter 12, "License and Business Regulations", of the
City of Tamarac, Florida, by amending Article II, "Occupational Licenses", by amending
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. 8-Z-00. City Manager Miller responded in the affirmative. Commissioner
Partner asked why the fees are high for certain businesses, and Community
Development Director King explained. City Manager Miller said fees are set based on
calls for service, and City Attorney Kraft said fees are not meant to be punitive.
Vice Mayor Roberts questioned 9(o) on the regular City Commission agenda,
MODULAR BUILDING RENTAL: (TR9111) Accepting a proposal from Advanced
Modular Systems, Inc. and issuing a Purchase Order for the rental of an office trailer for
an initial two-year period with month -to -month extensions as required and/or necessary;
authorizing an expenditure of funds in an amount not to exceed $37,258. Vice Mayor
Roberts suggested that the City purchase the trailer. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet
said he would look into it and City Manager Miller said this item would be taken off the
agenda.
Vice Mayor Roberts asked if, with regard to Item 12 on the regular City Commission
agenda, the money could be used for planting native plants. CONSERVATION
ELEMENT AMENDMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: (TO1907) Motion to adopt
ordinance on first reading adopting amendments to the Recreation and Open Space
and Conservation Elements of the City of Tamarac Comprehensive Plan in accordance
with Chapter 163, Subsection 163.3177(6)(a) of the Florida Statutes concerning text
amendments relating to additional protection and restoration of wetland and natural
resource areas and coordinated efforts to provide additional outdoor recreation areas.
Community Development Director King responded.
2. PURCHASE OF LAND FROM LENNAR: Consideration of purchase of a 15-acre
tract from Lennar as an addition to the Sports Complex located on NW 77t" Street. City
Manager Miller said the City previously approached Lennar about building an
elementary school on the property, but Lennar did not want to sell at that time. Now the
property has been placed on the market for $4.3 million. City Manager Miller said in the
event the Commission decides to move forward with this, he has taken the liberty of
contacting Realtor Nat Kaplan to discuss the potential purchase with Lennar, and
authorized an appraisal of the property. Additionally, City Manager Miller said he asked
Craig Eakin, Real Estate Attorney, for assistance. The matter has been discussed with
Parks and Recreation and the Fire Department regarding possible uses. Vice Mayor
Roberts asked why the other property the City was interested in came before the City
Commission to request approval to hire an appraiser, and City Manager Miller explained
that the Commission had not met on a regular basis over the summer and time was an
issue. Vice Mayor Roberts asked the cost of the appraisal and Community
Development Director King said it would be about $3,000.00. Community Development
Director King gave a presentation on the possible uses of the property, and said he
hopes to have the appraisal figures by the end of the week. Commissioner Portner said
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August 21, 2000
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if the City purchases the property, he would like an area allotted for the Fire Station.
Commissioner Sultanof said this property is under the jurisdiction of Judge Weissing
and that needs to be taken into consideration. Vice Mayor Roberts said the City can get
another parcel of 46 acres for the same price as this 15 acres, and City Manager Miller
said he would have to come back before the Commission after he gets the appraisal
figures, as there are many steps to go through before the actual purchase. Broward
County was approached to consider putting both this parcel and the Caporella property
into the bond issue, but we have had no response yet.
Commissioner Sultanof left the room at 11:05 a.m. and returned at 11:10 a.m.
Assistant City Manager Hemstreet said latest discussion with Bond Counsel indicated
that we may not have to go to referendum for the purchase, but would have to validate
the bonds. This process takes from 60 to 90 days. If the City's referendum passes in
November and we purchase the property after that, then the issue will be set aside.
Commissioner Portner said there was discussion about putting a fire station behind
Public Works and asked about the cost of the building versus the cost of purchasing
property. Fire Chief Budzinski said the building will cost the same on either parcel, but
because there are wetlands behind the Public Works site, development costs will be
less at the Lennar site. City Manager Miller asked if the Commission wanted to
continue to pursue this matter, and Vice Mayor Roberts said the Commission should
move forward and look into the matter further. Commissioner Sultanof suggested that
Broward County should become an active player and look at the 46 acres and this
property together. Commissioner Partner agreed to move forward. City Manager Miller
said he would bring information back to the Commissioners at the next workshop.
3. MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF EXPLOSIVES: Municipal regulation of
explosives. City Attorney Kraft said the State amended Chapter 552 to vest significant
powers of regulation in the State Fire Marshall. Tamarac has taken steps to eliminate
blasting in the City. Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation and explained that while
the State granted regulatory authority to the State Fire Marshall's office regarding
blasting for mining for materials, site plan construction has been exempted. The intent
is not to regulate blasting for site development, and local government rules are not
impacted. City Attorney Kraft said we have not gotten anything in writing yet, and there
are two issues at bay — development and mining. Assistant City Attorney Steinerts said
the City does want something in writing from the State Fire Marshall that says the
purpose of the rule is for mining and that they will not regulate development blasting in
Tamarac. Commissioner Sultanof said they do not want to regulate it, and Vice Mayor
Roberts asked for an expression of interest to move forward with a Resolution for the
September 131" meeting. Commissioner Sultanof agreed, Commissioner Portner
agreed and said he wanted something from the State Fire Marshall in writing.
Commissioner Sultanof agreed and said the regulation pinpoints mining, not
development.
4. PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE: Role of Public Information Committee in
publishing the Tam -A -Gram resident newsletter. Public Information Officer Moore gave
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a presentation and explained the Public Information Committee's contribution to the
Tam -A -Gram. Commissioner Sultanof said the Public Information Committee has been
around for a long time and they have done an admirable job. Volunteers no longer
deliver the papers, but the members would like to feel that they still are involved. Esther
Garfinkle, a member of the Public Information Committee, led tours through City Hall,
and Commissioner Sultanof said he wants the tours to continue. Commissioner
Sultanof said he would like the members to have more latitude, and the Public
Information Committee members should continue to have input into the Tam -A -Gram.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Vice Mayor
Roberts adjourned the workshop meeting at 11.35 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
City Commission Workshop
August 21, 2000
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