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.
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August 24, 2009
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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