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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-24 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING CITY HALL - CONFERENCE ROOM 105 MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the workshop meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser (participated telephonically), and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. Commissioner Dressler said while the previous Commission meeting may have seemed contentious, he does not question the integrity of the Mayor and City Commission either as elected officials or as individuals. Commissioner Glasser said while she appreciated Commissioner Dressler's comment, it was not the venue to discuss same. City Attorney Goren said Tamarac's custom and practice allows interaction by commissioners via telephone; while the telephonically participating commissioner is not counted as part of the quorum, they may, however participate in a vote. 1. PRESENTATION RE: PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN: Community Development Director Bramley, Roberto Rovira and Linda Bloom, Bloom Art Consulting appeared. Community Development Director Bramley spoke of the two art projects under construction, the incomplete master plan, and the selection of Bloom Art Consulting to complete the master plan. Ms. Bloom and Mr. Rovira introduced themselves and spoke of their qualifications and experience. 2. BOND ISSUANCE UPDATE: Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech, Controller Cajuste, and Jeff Larson, Larson Consulting Services LLC appeared. Mr. Larson gave a presentation and spoke of the fixed rate at 4.15% as well as the City's ratings from Fitch, Moody and Standard & Poor. Commissioners Dressler and Glasser gave kudos to staff, Mr. Larson and Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech for their work on this project. Commissioner Dressler left the meeting at 9:55 a.m. Commission Workshop Meeting August 24, 2009 1 Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco moved out of the regular order of business on the workshop agenda to take up Item No. 4. 4. Item No. 6 0) on the Consent Agenda. VETERANS PARK -GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT: (TR11668) Accepting a grant award in the amount of $48,584 from the Broward Boating Improvement Program; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute an agreement between Broward County and the City of Tamarac for the Veterans' Park Boat Ramp Project. Public Works Director Strain and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation. Commissioner Bushnell questioned the fact that there is no dock at the location and Public Works Director Strain explained a grant have been applied for to build a dock but Broward County said the boat ramp had to be fixed first. After the ramp is fixed we will apply for money to build the dock. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the stability of the funding source from the Broward Boating Improvement Program and Assistant City Manager Phillips and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek said to date we have not heard that the funding will be cut. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad asked if the design would be done in-house and Public Works Director Strain said the grant is design build and we do not have the design for the ramp yet. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the size boats the new ramp would accommodate and Public Works Director Strain explained it would accommodate a normal size boat for use in the canal. 5. Item No. 6 (f) on the Consent Agenda. STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (SERT) PROGRAM SUBGRANT APPLICATION: (TR11674) Authorizing submission of a grant application to the US Department of Homeland Security for State Emergency Response Team (SERT) subgrant funds through the Florida Department of Emergency Management for equipment, supplies and training relating to the City of Tamarac Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in an amount not to exceed $15,000, and providing for acceptance of the award and execution of the grant agreement upon approval of the application. Interim Fire Chief Moral, Community Education Preparedness Specialist Schoen and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation and explained this subgrant is for pandemics with no match required on the part of the City. We will find out in September whether or not we are approved and we will then have one year to spend the funds. Interim Fire Chief Moral spoke of the addition of teen CERT classes. Commissioner Glasser questioned the difference between subgrant funds and grants and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek explained grant funds come directly from the granting agency, whereas subgrants are passed through. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad questioned the difference between SERT and CERT. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek said SERT is the program from which we get the subgrant monies and CERT is the local volunteer program. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the number of people currently in the CERT program, the teen age group and where we would recruit from for the program. Interim Fire Chief Moral said we have trained approximately 500 CERT members, however we can realistically count on 40-50 to come forward in an emergency situation. Community Education Preparedness Specialist Schoen said the Commission Workshop Meeting August 24, 2009 2 teens are between the ages of 14-17 and will not be at risk because they will serve in a support function. They will be recruited from schools and residents. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco suggested speaking to Joel Davidson who is president of the Kiwanis and can put us in contact with the Key Club presidents. Commissioner Glasser questioned the liability to the city and Interim Fire Chief Moral said they would be isolated from dangerous situations and serve in strictly administrative roles. Commissioner Bushnell asked if a pandemic is expected and Interim Fire Chief Moral said there are a lot of theories but we know we can expect the swine flu. Interim Fire Chief Moral added he would prepare a presentation for the Mayor and City Commission at the next workshop meeting. The supplies we would purchase with the grant money are not perishable and being prepared for the flu season we will most likely utilize some of the equipment. 6. Item No. 6 (i) on the Consent Agenda. AGREEMENT WITH POS IMPACT LLC: (TR11654) Authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute an agreement with POS Impact, LLC, for the provision of organizational and Management development consulting services to the City of Tamarac for a one year period at a cost not to exceed $75,000, providing for two additional one year renewals. Assistant City Manager Phillips, Management Analyst II Hughes and Philip Centonze, POS Impact, LLC. appeared. Assistant City Manager Phillips and Management Analyst Hughes gave presentations on HPO and the Governor's Sterling Award as it pertains to the City of Tamarac. Commissioner Dressler returned to the meeting at 10:40 a.m. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad left the room at 10:40 a.m. and returned at 10:45 a.m. Commissioner Bushnell questioned the train the trainer aspect of the program and Mr. Centonze explained it is a transfer of knowledge. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad said the City of Tamarac has been recognized for excellence at the League of Cities as the Top City in Florida Being Green. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the use of Six Sigma for efficiencies. City Manager Miller spoke of an earlier part of the presentation where several examples were brought up utilizing Sterling and combining department functions thereby saving money without short staffing. Commissioner Glasser commended the presenters and agreed efficiency sometimes helps reduce costs. Commissioner Glasser requested updates so the Mayor and City Commission can see where are efficiencies are lacking and help improve same. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad spoke of information in the backup material that mentioned a savings of about $500,000. Commissioner Dressler asked for an executive briefing of no more than one page to be provided quarterly with a short presentation by staff on this project. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco said she would prefer a separate meeting once each quarter so that the Mayor and City Commission can become more interactive in the process. Commissioner Dressler asked that the same updates be provided with regard to the budgeting process, separate and apart from the two day budget workshops that are held each year. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco returned to Item No. 3 on the agenda. Commission Workshop Meeting August 24, 2009 3. UPDATE RE 18% WATER RESTRICTION SURCHARGE: Utilities Director Ray Gagnon said at the budget workshop meetings the Mayor and City Commission directed staff to review the 18% water restriction surcharge. Staff is now asking the Mayor and City Commission for a consensus to remove the 18% surcharge, to go into effect at the earliest the first billing cycle in September. City Attorney Goren explained the original document provided the mechanism to do this. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed this would include commercial as well as associations. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed we are the only City doing this. Commissioner Dressler said not only are we not increasing user fees in FY2010, but we are deleting a user fee. Director of Utilities Gagnon confirmed the rate decrease is for anyone using over 1,000 gallons of water. There was discussion regarding how the residents would be notified of this change and in addition to newspaper articles, water bills and the Tam -A -Gram, Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco suggested use of the Mayor and City Commission blast emails and Twitter. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to eliminate the 18% water restriction surcharge and all were in agreement. 7. UPDATE OF TAMARAC'S FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN STRATEGY FOR 2010. Chief Building Official/Director Grande gave a presentation. 8. Item No. 6 (c) on the Consent Agenda. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT - BROWARD COUNTY UNSAFE STRUCTURE BOARD: (TR11664) Authorizing the appropriate city officials to execute an interlocal agreement between Broward County and the City of Tamarac providing for hearings by the Broward County Minimum Housing/Unsafe Structures Board at a rate of sixty-six dollars ($66.00) per hour for the Code Enforcement Officer and thirty dollars and no cents ($30.00) per hour for clerical support, with a maximum case cost of five hundred dollars ($500.00) unless written authorization from the city has been received; per noticed case, for a two year period through September 30, 2011. Chief Building Official/Director Grande gave a presentation. 9. Item No. 6 (d) on the Consent Agenda. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT-BROWARD COUNTY INSPECTION SERVICES: (TR11665) Authorizing the appropriate city officials to execute the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency/Non Guaranteed Supplemental Support between Broward County and the City of Tamarac for Inspection and Plan Review Services to be performed by the Broward County Building Code Services Division in the event there is a staff shortage at a rate of sixty-six and 00/100 ($66.00) per hour for a Building Code Inspector, seventy-six and 00/100 ($76.00) per hour for a Plans Examiner, eighty dollars and fifty cents ($80.50) for a Chief Building Code Inspector, ninety and 00/100 ($90.00) per hour for Building Official Services. Overtime, when approved by the City, shall be at one and one half the normal hourly rate, including annual increase of 5%, for a two year period commencing October 1, 2009. Chief Building Official/Director Grande gave a presentation. Commission Workshop Meeting August 24, 2009 4 10. Item No. 6 (k) on the Consent Agenda. DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS: (TR11675) Approving a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants on Lots 8- 12, Block 4, Lyons Road Commercial as recorded in Plat Book 71, Page 1 of the public records of Broward County, Florida, to assign vested rights pertaining to transit concurrency from the existing city -owned property to the future Temple Beth Torah property (Case No. 20-MI-09). Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation. City Attorney Goren added this is a legal housekeeping exchange. Commissioner Bushnell confirmed there is no cost to the City for the rights but the Temple will have to pay if we do not transfer them. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called for a recess at 11:25 a.m. and reconvened the workshop meeting at 11:35 a.m. with all present as before. 11. Item No. 6 (e) on the Consent Agenda. FY 2007-2009 LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN 3RD AMENDMENT: (TR11671) Approving an amendment to the City's Local Housing Assistance Plan ("LHAP") for fiscal years 2007-2009 to provide for the inclusion of additional State Housing Initiative Partnership ("SHIP") funds for the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program ("FHOP"), to assist first time homebuyers; providing for certification of consistency with the City's Comprehensive Plan, providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective time. Community Development Director Bramley and Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared. Housing Administrator Bauldree gave a presentation. Commissioner Dressler confirmed an applicant for NSP does not qualify for other funding. Commissioner Glasser confirmed the $8,000 from SHIP can be used for the purchase of a home either in foreclosure or one not in foreclosure. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for a glossary of acronyms, and Commissioner Glasser said in addition to the glossary she would like to know which programs interact with each other; Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she would also like a listing of which pots of money go with which programs. 12. Item No. 6 (g) on the Consent Agenda. BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL DETAILS: (TR11670) Authorizing the appropriate City Officials to approve an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $8,000 bringing the total amount to $52,900 in FY09 for a previously executed Broward Sheriffs Office Permit Application for Special Details for police services to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Recreation Director Warner gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she is greatly troubled because of what is going on and the fact that we need extra police presence due to the parents and coaches fighting. This, however, is a band aid, and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked -if there 1s some counseling mediation, arbitration, or rules of behavior that can be -placed on the parents and coaches. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner spoke of the Parent Association of Youth Sports (PLAYS) program, which is used by many local organizations. Each of the youth athletic groups will require parents and coaches to go through a sportsmanship program prior to the season. Those going through the program are required to sign a paper saying they have completed the session; this is tracked through the league and the City will have a roster of parents and children, and Commission Workshop Meeting August 24, 2009 5 the City will handle enforcement. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked to what this behavior is attributable and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said it seems to have increased over the past year; one reason may be due to stress over the economy. The City will take positive steps to try to eliminate these problems. Commissioner Dressler asked who pays for the PAYS program and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said we are working with BSO for grant money to pay for the program. There was discussion regarding the authority to eject people from the teams and from the parks. Commissioner Bushnell questioned the leagues' responsibilities and the length of the course. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said the leagues' rules are consistent; they have to submit by-laws to the City prior to the season. The training is one hour for parents and 6 hours for coaches. Vice Mayor Atkins -Grad asked if Tamarac residents are involved in these incidents and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said yes. Commissioner Glasser added in a professional ball game if someone gets out of order the referee takes that player out of the game. There could also be a financial burden placed upon the offender. Additionally, there should be a code of ethics for those who want to play on the field, which should be signed by the players as well as their parents. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked when we would need to put the program into effect and questioned the grant money. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said we will move forward with the program whether we receive the grant money or not; however, BSO is confident they will be able to supply the funding. 13. Item No. 6 (h) on the Consent Agenda. REGIONAL INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF: (TR11660) Approving the Regional Interlocal Agreement (RILA) between the Sheriff of Broward County and the City of Tamarac; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. Interim Fire Chief Moral, EMS Division Chief Sheridan, and Dennis Hall, BSO Communications Technology Division appeared. Interim Fire Chief Moral gave a presentation and said this will help alleviate past problems with interoperability and data connection. Mr. Hall gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the future availability of funds for the program and Mr. Hall explained the funding comes from the County and the funds are available. The original agreement is for five years with five year extensions. City Attorney Goren explained this is a Charter driven obligation on the part of the County. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:15 p.m. Marion Swenson, CMC - City Clerk Commission Workshop Meeting August 24, 2009 6