HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-22 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, September 22, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward
C. Portner, Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco and Commissioner Marc L
Sultanof.
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. UPDATE AND OVERVIEW OF YEAR'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Mitchell
Ceasar, Lobbyist, gave an overview of the past year's projects and accomplishments,
and said he enjoys his relationship with Tamarac and hopes to continue as lobbyist. Mr.
Ceasar said he agreed with the new standards in the agreement and asked for a
modest increase to $36,000; he is aware that the city's other lobbyist, Ron Book, earns
$35,000 per year, and he is agreeable to being on parity with Mr. Book. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco said it is a good idea that the salaries be equal. Commissioner
Portner suggested no more than a 7% increase; Vice Mayor Roberts said it should be
5%-7%. Mayor Schreiber agreed with Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco that the two
salaries be on parity at $35,000. Commissioner Sultanof offered a compromise amount
of $34,000 and spoke of the limitation on spending for both lobbyists agreed upon in the
past. After further discussion, Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco, Commissioner
Sultanof and Mayor Schreiber agreed to $34,000.
2. SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 7, AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE TAMARAC CODE — SECTION
8-10. VARIANCES: (TO2013) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending
Chapter 8, Flood Prevention and Protection, Section 8-10. Variances, of the Tamarac
Code, amending the variance procedures; providing for codification. Building Official
Gary B. Jones gave a presentation and noted this amendment brings the code into
consistency with requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program and maintains
Tamarac's rating of 8, which equals a 10% discount. Commissioner Portner questioned
how the discount is determined and minimum standards regarding variances. Building
Official Jones responded the discount is arrived at through a complex scoring system
based on drainage systems, maintenance, etc. There are various criteria outlined by
FEMA, according to National Flood Insurance Program standards, for the variance
procedure, which criteria are incorporated in this code amendment.
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b. Item No. 6(c). REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
(TR10223) Establishing intent to reimburse certain capital expenditures incurred with
proceeds of one or more future debt financings. Finance Director Dona Newman gave
a presentation and explained this would allow for spending budgeted funds for
stormwater projects before the issuance of bonds; bond proceeds could then be used to
reimburse the city for those expenditures. Vice Mayor Roberts asked how the grant
from Tallahassee affects this, and Finance Director Newman responded the grant
money would be used as planned for, and we will still need the bond money.
Commissioner Portner questioned expected expenditure of funds on hand. Finance
Director Newman explained a bond financing team is being assembled. Depending
upon the timing of acquiring the bonds, it is possible we may not have to spend the
budgeted funds.
C. Item No. 6(k), FY2003 BUDGET AMENDMENT: (TR10188) Amending the
expenditure budget for the Fiscal Year 2003; amending the budget of estimated
revenues for the Fiscal Year 2003. Finance Director Dona Newman introduced
Management and Budget Officer Sammartino, who gave a presentation. Management
and Budget Officer Sammartino explained that a quarterly budget amendment process
will be implemented to provide for better adherence to the annual budget plan and to
alleviate year-end audit problems. Management and Budget Officer Sammartino gave
an overview of the items in this budget amendment and Human Resources Director
Swanson explained the new actuary's changes in assumptions in terms of funding the
Firefighter Pension Fund. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the new quarterly budget
amendment process and surpluses. Finance Director Newman said the quarterly
amendment would come before the Commission by way of Resolution after each
quarter except for the fourth quarter, which would be brought to the Commission prior to
the end of the fourth quarter; the desire is to put more emphasis on the adopted budget
insofar as following the plan.
3. DISCUSSION REGARDING SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Vice Mayor
Karen L. Roberts said the Commission discussed this two weeks ago, and at her
request the matter was put on hold so Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco could be
present for discussion. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said this is an item on
which she campaigned, feels very strongly about and supports. Vice Mayor Roberts
asked Mayor Schreiber for a consensus of the Commission and Mayor Schreiber said
we should move forward with the additional $15,000 senior exemption to take affect the
following year. Commissioner Portner said the City will lose revenue, but he is in favor
of helping those seniors who need it and working to close the loopholes. The Mayor
and Commissioners agreed to move forward at this time, and City Manager Miller said
the item will be brought back to the Commission via an ordinance, both readings to be
completed prior to the December 1st deadline. The increase in the senior homestead
exemption will be included in the millage for 2005.
4. DISCUSSION REGARDING ANNEXATION: Commissioner Edward C. Portner
spoke about three possible areas for annexation, Kozy Kampers, Mira Lago and the
airport property, and said the delay is whether or not County money is available for
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infrastructure improvement. Commissioner Portner said he would like direction from the
City Commission to move forward. Community Development Director King said in July
a letter was sent to the County Commission requesting information regarding proposed
funding and the County responded that there would only be money for landscaping
along 315t from 19th Street to Commercial Boulevard, parallel to the Mira Lago property.
Mayor Schreiber asked what more needs to be done to Mira Lago and Community
Development Director King explained the amount of capital improvements necessary
and the annual cost to the city. Commissioner Sultanof spoke of $200 million the
County supposedly set aside for this purpose and Community Development Director
King responded that County staff told him no funding has been allocated for the above
properties. Additionally, Community Development Director King anticipated there would
be an approximate $10,000 per year loss to the City should the property be annexed.
Mayor Schreiber questioned the feasibility of the City annexing the three properties
without the County's money and Community Development Director King said we could
move forward and announce our intent to annex and then find the appropriate avenue.
There are several types of annexation processes; voluntary, annexation of enclaves,
referendum, and special act. Mayor Schreiber asked who would be responsible to pay
for a referendum, and Community Development Director King said the City would if the
City initiated a referendum. Commissioner Sultanof asked for a report from the County
as to how much exposure the City would have, before committing to annexation.
Commissioner Portner said if the City Commission expressed interest in moving forward
he would have to speak with the individual County Commissioners representing
Tamarac, and they, in turn, would have to address the County Commission.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what the benefit would be to Tamarac to
annex the properties. Community Development Director King responded an increase in
land area; possible increase in redevelopment; increase in the tax base. Every positive
also has a negative — some instances have more negativity than others. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco said she felt this may be opening a "Pandora's Box".
Commissioner Portner spoke about the legislature forcing cities to take areas that are
not voluntarily annexed. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco asked do we have to get
the property before we get the money or will the County commit before we take the
property? City Manager Miller said that is a good question. If Commissioner Portner is
authorized by the Commission to move forward, City Manager Miller will have a
conversation with the County Administrator and get something in writing from him. Vice
Mayor Roberts asked if Commissioner Portner was going to move forward on all three
parcels, and said Kozy Kampers was the only one with a possible profit. Commissioner
Portner said Tamarac has to take part of the airport property. Mayor Schreiber asked
for an expression of interest for Commissioner Portner to speak with the County
Commission and bring back a report to the City Commission. All agreed.
5. DISCUSSION REGARDING CHANGING COMMISSION MEETING TIMES:
Mayor Schreiber spoke about the difficulty in attracting residents to the Commission
meetings unless there is a hot issue on the agenda, and said there should be a good
reason to change the meeting times. Commissioner Sultanof said if it is a personal
reason, then the time for a particular meeting could be changed. Commissioner Portner
said he wanted the meeting times changed totally. Commissioner Sultanof asked for
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staff input. City Manager Miller said the City Clerk put together a memorandum
explaining the process. The Code would need to be amended, and we have already
scheduled off -site meetings, as requested by the City Commission. Additionally
evening meetings are required for land use items. Staff can accomplish the time
changes, but it is a policy issue, up to the Commission to make the determination to do
so. The community is used to meeting at certain times. It will be necessary to
reeducate the public (via advertising) to make people aware of the changes.
Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said this is a very hard decision to make as she
respects Commissioner Portner's request, but cannot agree to the change if she does
not know what the reason is for the change. Commissioner Partner said the same 8-10
people show up at the meetings now, and he does not see ramifications in changing the
meeting times. Commissioner Portner said if the Commission does not approve of the
change in meeting times, it will be the last time he asks about it. Vice Mayor Roberts
said she needs to know the reason; she respects the personal issue but cannot justify
the whole thing without knowing the reason. Meetings have been at the current
schedule for over 10 years. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest and
Vice Mayor Roberts, Commissioner Sultanof and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco
said no.
6. DISCUSSION_ REGARDING CREATING A CITY AWARDS PROGRAM:
Commissioner Edward C. Portner said while he was vacationing in New York he came
across an article regarding "Best of the City" awards, and would like to implement a
similar program in Tamarac. City Manager Miller said staff reviewed the program, as
Commissioner Partner requested, but he does not feel this is applicable to Tamarac.
We already recognize those who perform heroic acts. Commissioner Portner said he
wanted to go to the populous and have them nominate local heroes for three awards
yearly. Commissioner Sultanof said he did see Commissioner Portner's point in this as
people in Tamarac perform and are never heard of; now is the opportunity to find the
unsung people who do good deeds. Commissioner Sultanof suggested Public
Information look into this project. Vice Mayor Roberts said she did not want to put
herself in a position to judge one person over another. Mayor Schreiber said the
recommendation has merit, but it needs more work. Commissioner Sultanof said many
cities have no programs like this, but Tamarac has a heart. Mayor Schreiber said
before moving ahead we need a formula. Commissioner Portner spoke of a coupon
that would be put in the Tam -A -Gram (i.e., an application or form). Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco said it sounds like the commission is on the same page but needs
a mechanism to move forward. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest to
bring this back to the Commission at the next workshop with more details. All agreed.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 11.00 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
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