HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-08 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, September 8, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward
C. Portner, and Commissioner Marc L Sultanof.
EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft,
Assistant City Manager Michael C. Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Schreiber led the pledge of allegiance.
1. PRESENTATION BY CIVIC DESIGN FOR MAIN STREET PROJECT:
Community Development Director J. Christopher King introduced Eric Liff of Lambert
Advisory, and Jim Hill of Civic Design Associates. Community Development Director
King said at the strategic planning session staff was instructed to move forward with the
feasibility study. A meeting was held with property owners during the Commission's
summer break, and today the final report is being presented. Mr. Hill gave a
presentation on the overview of the study area, existing development, development
potential, vacant lots, phasing of the plan, regulatory environment, current vested rights
and property values. Commissioner Portner said it appears that the sale price of single
family homes in Tamarac has increased 30% from 1998 to 2002, which makes Tamarac
desirable. Mr. Liff added this is in line with the growth of the County and parallel to
interest rates. Mr. Hill said the potential of Main Street will be driven by residential
development with retail playing a supporting role. Commissioner Portner asked about
the projected population of the area from University to 94t" Avenue and Commercial to
57t" Street, and Mr. Hill replied 400-500 housing units, with the rest being commercial.
Mayor Schreiber asked if Mr. Hill foresaw parcels on Commercial between University
and Pine Island being other than commercial use, and Mr. Hill replied ideally the uses
would be maximized. Commissioner Sultanof added that the Post Office is on 57t"
Street, as well as the new Tuscany development; the Caporella property will consist of
536 units, and there is a large parcel of land between Wendy's and the bank on
Commercial, and on 57t" Street there are two houses of worship, an ALF and the
schools. Commissioner Sultanof asked Mr. Hill if all that had been considered, and
when the commercial use people were interviewed, what their feelings were about the
plan. Mr. Hill said certain regulatory parameters would have to be put in place, and then
discussed the area behind the Library and Communit� Center. There was discussion of
promenades and pavilions on the south side of 57t Street, to encourage pedestrian
activity. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of narrowing the medians, and said the
community on the north side of 571" street wanted the City to build a wall for them. Mr.
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Hill said this area would be harder to work on than other areas, and spoke about
parking. Commissioner Portner said at the last meeting with Mr. Hill he asked about
moving City Hall to this area; Mr. Hall said while this was considered, it is not
recommended. Mr. Hill added currently the Jewish and Buddhist Temples do not fit
within the proposed development mix, and if this plan takes off, their properties will
become more valuable and they may find a good deal on property in a more quiet
neighborhood. Mayor Schreiber said he did not think that would happen. The addition
of a housing development would provide more members for the Jewish Temple, and he
did not see why they would want to move somewhere else. Vice Mayor Roberts said
there is no other place for them to move. City Manager Miller explained in the short
term as development begins the Jewish and Buddhist Temples would remain where
they are; down the line, in 10-15 years, that land will be very expensive and religious
institutions may see it to their advantage to sell. Mr. Hill added that Broward County is
running out of land, and being able to capture the opportunity is the key. Vice Mayor
Roberts asked if any consideration had been given to the children; by doubling the
density it would place more of a burden on the existing schools. Mr. Hill replied that
Broward County looks at concurrency for new development, and different student
generation is based on the type of units built. Broward is at a crossroads; growth is
likely to continue but there is no reservoir of raw land. The approach to infill
development and redevelopment needs to be reevaluated. Mayor Schreiber asked
about the time element for the entire project and Mr. Hill said early development would
be in 2-3 years. Vice Mayor Roberts said new residential developments would sell well
due to the proximity to schools and shopping and Mayor Schreiber said it depends on
the mortgage rates and the economy. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how the property
owners foresaw this project when Mr. Hill met with them and he said they seemed
interested; once discussion turned to intensified development, parking became an
issue, and the City may need to give some future thought to a parking structure.
Commissioner Sultanof spoke about City Place in West Palm Beach, and how it was
developed. Mr. Hill said the key to that was critical mass and development by one
entity. Mayor Schreiber suggested it would be in Tamarac's best interest to contact
three or four developers to see where and how they would get involved to develop the
plan. Community Development Director King added that when meetings were held with
property owners several large developers who could easily participate in a master
development scenario were in attendance. Now that the final report is done, staff would
like to move into the second part of the phasing, development standards for an overlay
development district, which includes zoning regulations, design for street furniture and
lighting, and he hopes to have this done within one year from now, if not sooner. RFP's
are ready to go out October Vt. We will continue to market the area, and at the same
time hire a consultant to put together development regulations and amenities. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked how this would affect the 57th street paving and renovation of the
medians, as it has already been put off because the City was looking into this project.
Community Development Director King said a temporary layer of asphalt would be put
on the roads.
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2. SEPTEMBER 10, 2003 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item 6(c). AGREEMENT — TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA AND
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT: (TR10180) Executing a Site Lease Agreement
with AT&T Wireless Service of Florida for the installation of a telecommunications
antenna and associated equipment on the existing tower at Tamarac Sports Complex;
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute any permit applications as may be
required on behalf of the city as owner of the property. IT Director Levent Sucuoglu
gave a presentation on the current sites and said the total revenue derived from the
telecommunications antennas with the inclusion of AT&T would be about $385,000 per
year. Vice Mayor Roberts asked what the new equipment would look like, and IT
Director Sucuoglu said it would be as stealth as possible; we could ask them to do
anything we desired. Vice Mayor Roberts suggested a flag pole, as there is not one
there now. IT Director Sucuoglu said we are fortunate to co -locate on existing facilities.
IT Director Sucuoglu explained that Item 6(c) on the consent agenda is a lease
agreement with AT&T at Tamarac Sports Complex, which will generate $29,106 yearly
with a 5% increase each year. This would be a panel around the existing pole on the
existing tower. Item 6(d) on the consent agenda is an addendum to the agreement,
whereby MetroPCS would recover half of what they paid Nextel. Commissioner Portner
asked if Nextel would be leasing space to AT&T, and IT Director Sucuoglu replied the
lease agreement is with the City; we own the tower.
b. Item 6(d). ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT - METROPCS - LEASE OF
PROPERTY: (TR10221) Executing the first addendum to site lease agreement between
City of Tamarac and MetroPCS California/Florida, Inc., for the lease of property for
installation of a telecommunications antenna and associated equipment.
C. Item 6(h). GRANT APPLICATION — DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHGATE
LINEAR PARK: (TR10228) Seeking grant funding in the amount of $200,000 from the
Department of Environmental Protection through the Florida Recreation Development
Assistance Program for the development of Southgate Linear Park. Special Projects
Coordinator Perron explained this is a grant application for the development of the
Southgate Linear Park, in particular the winding road through the park, another large
picnic pavilion and two smaller shaded, covered areas. Commissioner Portner asked if
we have the funds for the match, and City Manager Miller said we do. Commissioner
Sultanof asked if there is federal money available for the park since it is mandated that
we have a certain number of acres per population. Special Projects Coordinator Perron
responded the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, to which we applied in
March has tentatively awarded Tamarac $200,000, but we must provide a match.
d. Item No. 6(i). FMIT PROPERTY AND CASUALTY PREMIUM FOR FY04:
(TR10239) Renewal of Property, General Liability, Automobile Liability, Automobile
Physical Damage and Workers' Compensation lines of coverage with the Florida
Municipal Insurance Trust for a one (1) year period beginning October 1, 2003 at a cost
of $1,017,030, and payment of any increase resulting from the annual premium audit.
Human Resources Director Swanson said this is the annual renewal with FMIT for
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insurances, and introduced Risk/Safety Manager Patty Tomaszewski. Risk/Safety
Manager Tomaszewski gave a presentation and said she is pleased with the rates the
City was quoted, given that in general insurance rates have risen considerably. Human
Resources Director Swanson added that with each department working hard to become
safety conscious, as well as the work of the safety committee and Risk/Safety Manager
Tomaszewski's lead, there has been a change in the modifier from 1 to .81, which
directly impacts the rates. Commissioner Sultanof said he is delighted, and asked if we
are always in concert with the League of Cities to make sure we fall within the
categories, and asked if they work with us. Risk/Safety Manager Tomaszewski said
Tamarac gets a benefit from the League and over the past 1'/z years she has spent time
working with the League, reducing reserves on closed claims. The incentive credits
have amounted to $242,000 beyond our other discounts. Human Resources Director
Swanson said Tamarac is making progress and moving in the right direction.
e. Item No. 7. APPOINTING VOTING DELEGATE TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
OF CITIES' ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING AT THE CONGRESS OF CITIES IN
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: (TR10229) Appointing as the City of Tamarac's
Voting Delegate to the National League of Cities' Annual Business Meeting at the
Congress of Cities in Nashville, Tennessee; appointing as the City
of Tamarac's Alternate Delegate to the National League of Cities' Annual Business
Meeting at the Congress of Cities in Nashville, Tennessee; directing the City Clerk to
send a copy of this Resolution to the National League of Cities. Commissioner Sultanof
said he will not be able to attend the meeting, but suggested Commissioner Portner as
the Voting Delegate with Mayor Schreiber as the Alternate Voting Delegate. Vice Mayor
Roberts said she did not want to be a voting delegate and was not sure about whether
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco wanted to be a voting delegate or not. City
Manager Miller said he spoke with Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco this morning
and she did not address this item. It was agreed that Commissioner Portner would be
selected as Voting Delegate and Mayor Schreiber Alternate Voting Delegate.
f. Item No. 8. AMENDING CHAPTER 24 OF THE TAMARAC CODE — SECTION
24-71: (TO2018) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 24 of
the City of Tamarac Code of Ordinances entitled, "Zoning", Article II "Administration",
Division 3 "Planning Board", Section 24-71 entitled "Review and Consideration of
Variances and Appeals by the Planning Board", authorizing the City to obtain a fee for
processing a variance application (Case No. 31-Z-03); providing for codification.
Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a presentation and
explained this ordinance provides the Planning Board the ability to charge for variance
cases brought before them. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if it would be the same fee as
previously charged, and Mayor Schreiber said he felt it was excessive. Mayor
Schreiber said he believed the code should be amended to provide that only architects,
planning consultants, or those with construction background should be appointed to the
Planning Board. Commissioner Sultanof said he thought when the Board of Adjustment
was removed a caveat was placed in the ordinance that variances come before the
commissioners. Community Development Director King said this was not so.
Commissioner Sultanof asked who sits with the Planning Board with the ability to advise
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them on their decisions. City Attorney Kraft said an appointed board has certain duties
and authorities and it is not up to staff to change their decisions. Community
Development Director King explained when the powers and duties of the Board of
Adjustment were given to the Planning Board all variance requests are handled the
same as other matters. Staff makes its recommendation based on expertise and past
practice. The Assistant City Attorney is advisory to the board, and does help direct
them. Mayor Schreiber asked why the fee for a variance is $2,000. Community
Development Director King said the fee is to recoup the cost of staff time, research,
mailings, and preparation of documentation. Mayor Schreiber said homeowners usually
request variances and $2,000 is more of a penalty to them. Mayor Schreiber asked
how many variances came before the board(s) this past year and Community
Development Director King said two; one residential and one from a prospective
business. Commissioner Portner asked about a two tier process, one for residential
and one for commercial. City Attorney Kraft said that is not legal, and added that this
ordinance does not set the fee. Vice Mayor Roberts said $2,000 to a homeowner is not
a minor amount of money, and asked if there is any way it can be declared a hardship
or the City Manager can reduce the fees. Community Development Director King said
staff has been working on making sure residents can get through the process, but if
they request a fee waiver they can come before the Commission.
Vice Mayor Roberts questioned items 6(f) and 6(g) on the consent agenda, in particular,
the fact that (g) is for a tipping fee increase and (f) is an increase to monthly service.
Vice Mayor Roberts also questioned the increase in the cost of logo bags.
Item 6(f). SINGLE FAMILY SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES RATE
INCREASE: (TR10234) Authorizing an increase in the Single -Family Solid Waste
Collection Services monthly rate from $16.56 to $17.31, effective October 1, 2003;
authorizing an increase in the purchase price of City Logo Bags from $1.31 to $1.38,
effective October 1, 2003.
Item 6(g). MULTI -FAMILY SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES RATE
INCREASE: (TR10235) Authorizing a tipping fee increase of $0.152 per cubic yard and
a Consumer Price Index increase of 2.87% for Residential Multi -Family Solid Waste
Collection Services, effective October 1, 2003.
Public Works Director Strain said fees are tied to the tipping fee; when that goes up,
everything else does. Project Manager (Solid Waste Recycling) D'Amato added that the
backup contained the language Vice Mayor Roberts was questioning.
Mayor Schreiber questioned item 6(e) on the consent agenda. Item 6(e). BID AWARD
- FURNISH,, DELIVER AND DISCHARGE OF QUICKLIME: (TR10230) Awarding Bid
03-24B, "Furnish, Deliver and Discharge of Quicklime" to and executing an agreement
with Chemical Lime Company of Alabama, Inc. for a period of one year with four (4)
additional one-year renewal options, issued on behalf of the Southeast Florida
Governmental Purchasing Cooperative. Mayor Schreiber said we did not want to give
the current company a 6% increase, so we went out to bid, and wound up paying the
same amount to the successful bidder, which was the same company we previously
used. Mayor Schreiber asked where the backup was for the second and third bidders,
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as the commission has a right to see this information. Finance Director Newman
explained Tamarac is in a bid cooperative with other Broward cities, and on this item,
Tamarac was the lead city. We tried to get the best deal for all the cities. Acting
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Nicotra explained that this is a very difficult item to
source, as there are very few companies in the southeast who provide this service.
Every year the issue arises whether to re -bid because the low bidder wants more
money than the contract allows for; there is a lack of competition in this area.
Commissioner Partner asked what the other vendors bid, and Acting
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Nicotra said other bids were higher. Vice Mayor
Roberts explained that is why the backup must be included so the commission can
make the comparisons. City Manager Miller said it appears that a new policy is being
set; the commission wants to see the bid documents on all bidders. However,
sometimes many bidders participate, which means a great deal of documentation.
Commissioner Portner said he thought staff usually gave the commission several from
which to choose, and City Manager Miller replied not on bids. Vice Mayor Roberts said
she would just like to see who bid and the cost. Mayor Schreiber said he would like to
see the successful bidder and the next two bidders in line. Vice Mayor Roberts said it is
not necessary for all the bid documents, just a few lines of summary. City Manager
Miller explained there is a summary sheet included in this backup, and it will be included
in future backup documents, along with the price.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item No. 10 on the regular agenda, and asked if the
commission had to decide now what it was going to do. AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF
THE TAMARAC CODE — ARTICLE III CREATING DIVISION 14 ENTITLED
"ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: (TO2019) Motion to adopt
Ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 2 of the City of Tamarac Code of
Ordinances entitled, "Administration", Article III "Boards, Committees, Commissions",
creating Division 14 entitled, "Economic Development Advisory Committee", Sections 2-
234.37 through 2-234.42 as provided herein to serve in an advisory capacity in matters
relating to economic development within the City of Tamarac; providing for appointment
of new board members and providing for specified duties (Case No. 32-Z-03); providing
for codification. City Manager Miller said the committee must be formulated before any
decisions would be made.
3. DISCUSSION REGARDING MEETING TIMES: Commissioner Portner asked the
commission to consider `flip-flopping' the times of the meetings; holding the first
meetings of the months in the morning and the second meetings of the months in the
evening, beginning in October. City Attorney Kraft said this requires an ordinance to
amend the code. Vice Mayor Roberts said she is not thrilled about it as she has
meetings set up so they work around the commission meeting dates, and she cannot
change some of the board and committee times. Mayor Schreiber said this affects all
future meetings away from City Hall, to which Commissioner Partner replied this could
begin in November if it would be more convenient. Mayor Schreiber asked the
commission to think about this and come up with a response before the next
commission meeting.
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4. DISCUSSION REGARDING SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Vice Mayor
Roberts said she brought this up because many people asked about it. The first
$10,000 went into affect this year. Vice Mayor Roberts said she had asked City
Manager Miller and Assistant City Manager Cernech when we need to pass this
additional amount if it is to take place next year, and she was informed it must be
passed by December. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how the other commissioners feel
about increasing the amount. Commissioner Sultanof said he is in favor of the full
$25,000 Senior Homestead Exemption as long as the City can remain fiscally sound.
He would like to see the numbers this November from the first $10,000 the commission
approved. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about people having untaxable income that
they are not required to report, and perhaps availing themselves of the Senior
Homestead Exemption. Mayor Schreiber said we could approve the full $25,000 and if
it does not work out we can then change it. Commissioner Sultanof said the
commission should not give something and say if it doesn't work next year they will take
it back. Vice Mayor Roberts said we could put off purchasing a fire truck for one year.
Commissioner Portner agreed to put the full $25,000 into effect and wanted to do so
immediately. Vice Mayor Roberts suggested placing the item on the next workshop
agenda so that Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco could speak on it, and Mayor
Schreiber agreed.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:25 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
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