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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. September 22, 2003 City Commission Workshop 1 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 September 22, 2003 City Commission Workshop 2 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 September 22, 2003 City Commission Workshop 3 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 September 22, 2003 City Commission Workshop 4