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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-10 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, September 10, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Jacob Horowitz, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. 1. SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item 6(b) on the consent agenda. TASK AUTHORIZATION NO. 07-06E — UNIVERSITY DRIVE WATER MAIN UPGRADE FROM NW 77T" STREET TO SOUTHGATE BOULEVARD: (TR11264) Executing Task Authorization No. 07-06E with Eckler Engineering, Inc., to provide professional services for the design, permitting, bidding, and construction management for the University Drive Water Main Upgrade from NW 77th Street to Southgate Boulevard, in accordance with the City's Consulting Engineering Agreement as authorized by Resolution No. R-2006-131, for an amount not to exceed $99,600.00; approving funding from the appropriate budgeted Utilities accounts; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. Director of Utilities Gagnon, Assistant Director of Utilities Moore, and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco left the room at 10:31 a.m. and returned at 10:32 a.m. Assistant Director of Utilities Moore gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned street closures in light of the proposed resolutions that have been circulating from various cities, and whether we would have any issues with Coral Springs. Director of Utilities Gagnon said we could contact Coral Springs. Commissioner Dressler asked if funding for construction was approved in FY07 and Director of Utilities Gagnon explained construction is scheduled in our 5-year plan and is budgeted yearly. Deputy City Manager Cernech added the project costs would be paid from the Utilities fund, which is supported by water and wastewater. Commissioner Portner questioned the hours of night closures and the noise factor. Assistant Director of Utilities Moore said closures would be in eight hour blocks; approximately 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m., and residents would not be affected with noise as a result of the construction. Commissioner Portner questioned anticipated building on University Drive and Director of Utilities Gagnon said while we do not anticipate any specific upcoming construction, September 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 5 we would not dig up a major roadway without forethought of future anticipated use. Commissioner Portner asked Economic Development Officer Berns if he is aware of any future building on University Drive and Economic Development Officer Berns said he was not. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the road closure proposal allows for cities to close roads in the event of health and safety issues. Assistant City Attorney Horowitz explained the proposed legislation, and said it has not yet been submitted for review to the Charter Review Commission. Whether it passes or not, it will not circumvent Chapter 164, which sets out the process for resolution of disputes, and if the proposed legislation passes, it will provide for an additional option before a matter goes to court. Commissioner Dressler added this discussion is evidence that we do not want our Home Rule Powers usurped. b. Item 6(e) on the consent agenda. SUPPLEMENTAL DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE FUNDS: (TR11276) Submitting an application for Supplemental Disaster Recover Initiative Funding to Broward County through the Supplemental Disaster Recovery Initiative Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Program; authorizing City officials and representatives to take all necessary action to submit the application; authorizing City officials and representatives to provide for the increase of the maximum amount of funds available for any one property from $15,000 to $40,000. Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared and gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco asked when we would get the funds and Housing Administrator Bauldree said the end of the year. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed this is HUD money. Commissioner Dressler questioned the reference to $15,000 - $40,000 and Housing Administrator Bauldree explained the caps, mitigation costs, and Broward County's housing assistance plan. Commissioner Dressler asked if there is language in the resolution that states an applicant could not collect from more than one program. Assistant City Attorney Horowitz said there generally is an either/or situation and he would review the Resolution for such language. There was discussion regarding State and mitigation assistance and the opportunity for Tamarac to provide a match for State funding. Commissioner Portner questioned the types of preventive measure repairs and Housing Administrator Bauldree responded hardening of roof deck, gaps in windows, doors, and shutters. Commissioner Portner confirmed residents of Southgate Gardens would not benefit from the mitigation funds. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of the benefits to residents who are eligible to receive money from the State as well as from Tamarac, and said this is not considered double dipping. Commissioner Dressler explained there is no economic factor taken into consideration for state funds; it is based on the value of the home. Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked how constituents would be advised of the program and Housing Administrator Bauldree said there will be an article in the next Tam -A -Gram and a public notice could be published. Commissioner Atkins -Grad left the room at 10:08 a.m. and returned at 10:10 a.m. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said we have gotten clarification of how these programs work and we want these programs to help our residents. 11 September 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 5 C. Item 6(h) on the consent agenda. SHIP ANNUAL REPORTS: (TR11244) Approving the Annual Report for the State Housing Initiative Partnership for FY2004/2005 and the Interim Reports for FY2005/2006 and FY2006/2007. Housing Administrator Bauldree appeared and gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked how we are doing on the SHIP Program and Housing Administrator Bauldree said monies are either committed or expended for the years in question. There is no waiting list. Commissioner Dressler asked if the $40,000 is a grant or a loan and Housing Administrator Bauldree said it is a deferred loan for 10 years; for the first 5 years there is no forgiveness or prorating down. Commissioner Dressler questioned default experience and Housing Administrator Bauldree said since 1992, for 50 loans there have been three defaults. d. Item 6(f) on the consent agenda. FLORIDA RECREATION DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FRDAP) GRANT: (TR11280) Submitting an application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant funds for the Water's Edge Park Project in the amount of $200,000 providing for a match of $200,000 in prior grant funding in the event of approval of the application; providing for acceptance of the award and execution of documents upon approval. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation and explained the use of the park property as a match. Vice Mayor Sultanof congratulated Special Projects Coordinator Gresek for putting together the grant documents and added residents do not realize what is entailed in developing Tamarac. Commissioner Dressler said the majority of residents understand that property values are enhanced by parks and amenities; this impacts positively on the quality of life. Vice Mayor Sultanof added we are required to have a ratio of park land/residents. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said the park will be beneficial for surrounding businesses and residences. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said funding for this park almost makes it a gift to the City and it is in an ideal location. Employees of the Broward Teachers' Union are also excited about the park. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco asked that shade be taken into consideration when the park is constructed, either in the form of shade trees or shade elements, and questioned the anticipated date of completion. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said we are looking at fall/winter 2008/09. Commissioner Portner spoke of activists and added they keep the Mayor and City Commission on their toes. Commissioner Portner invited everyone to come and talk with the Mayor and City Commission. Commissioner Dressler said he is always happy to have people speak to the Mayor and City Commission whether they agree or disagree with the Mayor and City Commission. Vice Mayor Sultanof added what disturbs him is that many times people say things they do not have the ability to back up. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said people should have true and correct information at hand before they speak. e. Item 6(g) on the consent agenda. BROWARD BOATING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT: (TR11281) Submitting an application to the Broward County Marine Advisory Committee for Broward Boating Improvement grant funds to enhance recreational boating opportunities at Veteran's Park in the amount of $50,000; providing September 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 5 for acceptance of the award and execution of documents upon approval. Director of Parks and Recreation Warner and Special Projects Coordinator Gresek appeared. Special Projects Coordinator Gresek gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed no money is being spent out of pocket and thanked and commended Special Projects Coordinator Gresek for the grant documents. Commissioner Dressler said as we get into budgetary and legislative issues, he would not want to see staff get into a position every time money is spent to have to defend the spending. That is what cities are supposed to do; raise reasonable taxes and provide the best services possible. We spend money for the public's welfare and Tamarac does better than any other city in the state. We had to cut more from our budget than other cities. Commissioner Dressler spoke about Commission expenses and raises and said he gave back $2,000 in expense money due to fiscal commitments, which is more than he saved on property tax reductions. Vice Mayor Sultanof commended City Manager Miller's stewardship, as well as staffs assistance. 2. DISCUSSION RE: RAPE AGGRESSION DEFENSE RAD CLASSES: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke about RAD and RAD Kids and asked staff to look into these programs. BSO Chief Duguay gave a presentation and spoke of the program currently being run in Cooper City. The women's program consists of 12 hours, for those 14 and up; the children's program for those age 5--7 and 8-12 consists of 10 hours. The programs are well received and both have long waiting lists. For kids, it is more than a self defense course; it encompasses stranger/danger, fire safety, familiarity with firefighters in full dress in the event of an emergency, and fighting off aggressors. Commissioner Dressler thanked Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco and BSO Chief Duguay for bringing the programs to the attention of the Mayor and City Commission and said crime against women is very serious and appears to be on the increase. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she would like to see this brought to Tamarac sooner rather than later and for kids, she would like it to be an after school program. City Manager Miller reported that he, BSO Chief Duguay and Director of Parks and Recreation Warner have discussed this matter and will come back at a future date with the details. City Manager Miller spoke of an article in today's paper regarding a 17 year old boy who used his knowledge of Karate to thwart a home invader. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the key is 'preventive' and this is invaluable. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked if the program would be held at the Tamarac Community Center, suggested some venues for announcing the program (Sun -Sentinel and other media), and asked how long it would take to get organized. City Manager Miller said it would take a few weeks before he brought information back to the Mayor and City Commission. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco reminded everyone that the regular meeting of the City Commission would be held tomorrow evening. Vice Mayor Sultanof congratulated Economic Development Officer Berns on a wonderful job putting together the Tamarac Business Expo, and congratulated Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz on receipt of the highest purchasing honor in the National division. September 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 5 fl 1.1 Commissioner Portner asked about the status of solar panels for City Hall and whether tax relief could be given to residents who install solar panels in their homes. City Manager Miller said this information will be presented to the Mayor and City Commission at an environmental workshop; staff is checking available dates for a workshop to discuss greening. Commissioner Dressler said people should attend the workshop to hear the Mayor and City Commission's discussion on this matter, and then have an opportunity to speak at a future meeting as appropriate. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 10:50 a.m. f Marion Swenson, CIVIC City Clerk September 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 5of5