HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-25 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2006
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the
City Commission to order on Monday, September 25, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 881h Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner,
Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof.
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Commissioner Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager Michael C.
Cernech, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
Commissioner Sultanof made a statement addressed to Patti Lynn, a member of the
audience, and asked Ms. Lynn to refrain from reading the newspaper when she attends
Commission workshop meetings.
1. PROGRESS REPORT — REPORT ON LAST YEAR'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND
OVERVIEW OF UPCOMING YEAR: Mitchell Ceasar, Lobbyist appeared and gave a
presentation. Mr. Ceasar distributed a memorandum listing the past year's
accomplishments as well as upcoming projects (a copy of which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein as part of these minutes). Mr. Ceasar requested a $5,000 increase
in his contract over the coming year, said he enjoys working with the City of Tamarac
and thanked Assistant City Manager Phillips for her help over the past years.
Commissioner Sultanof said he would like to see Mr. Ceasar bring in all the money
referenced in his memorandum, and if that comes to pass, perhaps the Mayor and City
Commission can then review a larger increase for Mr. Ceasar. Vice Mayor Portner
questioned the Courtyard item at $900,000 and Mr. Ceasar said this is the second part
of monies from Washington. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the $60,000 pre -
disaster mitigation, when we would see the money for the Courtyard project, the
Broward County federal dollars relating to red tape, and the timeline for projects in the
pipeline. Assistant City Manager Phillips said the pre -disaster mitigation money is for
windscreens for the Fire Station. Mr. Ceasar said the Courtyard money involves a long
process and monies referenced in the section on projects in the pipeline could be
forthcoming in a month or two, or six months or longer, depending on the projects. Vice
Mayor Portner asked Mr. Ceasar to assist in getting Congressman Wexler to speak
before the Mayor and City Commission to tell them what he has accomplished for
Tamarac. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to increase
Mr. Ceasar's contract by $5,000. All were in agreement.
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City Commission Workshop
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2. SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 6(e). BARGAINING UNIT PAY PLAN ADJUSTMENT: (TR11032)
Authorizing a four percent (4%) adjustment to the minimum and a four percent (4%)
adjustment to the maximum of the pay ranges in the bargaining unit pay plan. Human
Resources Director Swanson and Assistant Director of Human Resources Cummings
appeared. Assistant Director of Human Resources Cummings gave a presentation and
Vice Mayor Portner questioned the financial impact. Human Resources Director
Swanson responded there is no financial impact since this is an adjustment to pay
grades and not an increase in pay.
b. Item No. 6(m). RENEWING THE COVERAGE FOR THE CITY'S HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM WITH AETNA HEALTH, INC.: (TR11058) Renewing the
coverage for the City's Health Insurance Program with Aetna, Inc. for the plan year
effective January 1, 2007; providing for premium rates changes; providing for the
continuation of the current cost allocation of the health insurance premium between the
city and employees; providing for a waiver reimbursement maximum. Human
Resources Director Swanson and Benefits Specialist Cartes appeared. Human
Resources Director Swanson gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Portner questioned how
we were able to manage a reduction of 8.5 % last year and an increase of 5% this year.
Human Resources Director Swanson explained this is based on a reduction of claims in
2005 and an increase of claims in 2006. Additionally, the City has worked with AETNA
for several years and we are dealing with the same people each year. Commissioner
Atkins -Grad said it is good to be a part of the AETNA program, spoke of having to
change doctors each time an insurance program changes, and said she appreciates the
stability of staying with AETNA.
C. Item No. 6(i). RENEWAL OF BASIC LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL
DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT COVERAGE WITH METROPOLITAN LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY: (TR11053) Approving the renewal of Basic Life Insurance
and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage with Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company at the present rate the City pays for Basic Life Insurance and Accidental
Death & Dismemberment Insurance coverage effective January 1, 2007; providing for
the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the basic life insurance and accidental
death & dismemberment insurance premium between the city and employees. Human
Resources Director Swanson and Benefits Specialist Caries appeared. Human
Resources Director Swanson said she would discuss Items 6(i), 60) and 6(k) on the
consent agenda [Items 2 (c), (d), and (e) on the workshop agenda] at one time. Human
Resources Director Swanson said there has been no premium change on any of the
above -noted items.
d. Item No. 60). RENEWAL OF LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
COVERAGE WITH UNUM: (TR11054) Approving the renewal of Long-term Disability
Insurance Coverage with UNUM at the present rate the City pays for insurance
coverage for employees in the Elected, Appointed, Executive, Managerial/Professional
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City Commission Workshop
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and Administrative categories who participate in either the City's 401(a) Retirement plan
or the Elected and Appointed Officers and Non -represented Employees Retirement
Plan effective January 1, 2007; providing for the continuation of the existing cost
allocation of the long-term disability insurance premium between the city and
employees.
e. Item No. 6(k). RENEWAL OF THE CITY'S DENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAM
WITH AETNA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY: (TR11056) Approving the renewal of the
City's Dental Insurance Program with Aetna Life Insurance Company effective January
1, 2007 at the present rate the City pays; providing for the continuation of the existing
cost allocation of the dental insurance premium between the city and employees.
f. Item No. 6(r). RENEWAL OF PROPERTY, GENERAL LIABILITY,
AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY AUTOMOBILE PHYSICAL DAMAGE AND WORKERS'
COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE: (TR11043) Renewing General Liability,
Automobile Liability, Automobile Physical Damage, Workers' Compensation, and
Property Lines of coverage with the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT) for a one
(1) year period beginning October 1, 2006 at a cost of $1,486,026 and payment of any
increase resulting from the annual premium audit. Human Resources Director Swanson
and Risk/Safety Manager Tomaszewski appeared. Human Resources Director
Swanson said this group of policies includes property insurance, which has been a
challenge for everyone in Florida. Risk/Safety Manager Tomaszewski gave a
presentation. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the FMIT is stable and Risk/Safety
Manager Tomaszewski said they are. Human Resources Director Swanson added
when the FMIT changed their way of calculating deductibles for windstorm, they
recognized the risk they are under. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the $50,000
deductible and Human Resources Director Swanson said this is a proposed increase
from last year's $25,000. Windstorm deductible is 5% of the value of the damaged
Iocation(s). Vice Mayor Portner asked if insurers in Florida insure nationwide and said
he believed there are many states without catastrophic events who pay into the
insurance pool, and there must be a huge pool of money available, which would
counteract the amounts paid out to Floridians for hurricane events. Human Resources
Director Swanson said the rates are not the same across the country. Commissioner
Sultanof spoke of insurance carriers during World War I, and the problems arising from
deaths due to a flu epidemic not being covered.
g. Item No. 6(f). AMENDING THE EXPENDITURE BUDGET AND BUDGET OF
ESTIMATED REVENUES FOR FY06: (TR11049) Amending the expenditure budget for
the fiscal year 2006; amending the budget of estimated revenues for the fiscal year
2006. Financial Services Director Chapman and Financial Services Director Chapman
appeared. Financial Services Director Chapman gave a presentation and said a new
division for storm preparation would be added under other general government
departments.
September 25, 2006
City Commission Workshop
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h. Item No. 6(g). FIRST AMENDMENT TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR
INSPECTION AND PLAN REVIEW SERVICES: (TR11050) Executing the First
Amendment to 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 -Five Dollars ($65.00) per
hour for Building Code Inspector, Seventy -Five Dollars ($75.00) per hour for Plans
Examiner, Seventy -Seven Dollars ($77.00) for Chief Building Code Inspector, and
Ninety Dollars ($90.00) per hour for Building Official Services. Building and Code
Compliance Director Jones appeared and gave a presentation. Commissioner Sultanof
asked if this has helped over the past year and questioned the monetary value that was
negotiated. Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said it has helped and it is
the County's cost for recovery. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the cost to the City last
year and Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said less than $50,000.
i. Item No. 6(q). BROWARD COUNTY CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHGATE LINEAR PARK: (TR11055) Accepting
an award from the Broward County Challenge Grant Program in the amount of
$150,000; authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute an agreement between
the City of Tamarac and Broward County for Broward County Challenge Grant Program
funds for the Southgate Linear Park Project in the amount of $150,000 providing for a
cash match in local funds from the capital improvement budget for the development of
Southgate Linear Park. Assistant City Manager Phillips and Special Projects
Coordinator Gresek appeared. Assistant City Manager Phillips gave a presentation and
said we already received the $150,000 towards development of the park which we will
use as our match. Commissioner Sultanof confirmed this is the same money Broward
County Mayor Graber was to have presented to the City at the last commission
meeting.
j. Item No. 7. CDBG ANNUAL ACTION PLAN — 7T" PROGRAM YEAR:
(TR11059) Motion to approve Resolution approving the projects recommended for
inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Action Plan for expenditure of the U.S.
Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funds
estimated to be $434,900 for the Seventh Program Year (Case No. 14-MI-06). Deputy
City Manager/Interim Director of Community Development Cernech, Planning and
Zoning Manager Ross, and Housing coordinator Angela Bauldree appeared. Deputy
City Manager/Interim Director of Community Development Cemech gave a
presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the projects that would be
covered, and Vice Mayor Partner asked how many people are currently on the waiting
list. Housing coordinator Angela Bauldree said at this time there are 30 on the list,
down from 200.
3. DISCUSSION RE: JOINING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES IN THE
PARTNERSHIP FOR WORKING TOWARD INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES: Vice Mayor
Portner, Assistant City Manager Phillips and Management Intern Campbell appeared.
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City Commission Workshop
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Vice Mayor Portner opened the item and deferred to Assistant City Manager Phillips.
Assistant City Manager Phillips gave a presentation and said several months ago Vice
Mayor Portner brought forward a request for a program to reach out to the community
and the Mayor and City Commission identified the need for a program to address
diversity. The National League of Cities has identified the Inclusive Communities
Partnership program as an outreach effort for communities. As of now there are 28
states and 68 cities involved in the initiative to provide for better citizen involvement and
diversity. Through the Strategic Plan and the Sterling program we are trying to develop
a way to seek citizen input; our first step in this direction is to adopt a resolution.
Commissioner Sultanof questioned inclusiveness and Assistant City Manager Phillips
responded it is a method to get people involved. Vice Mayor Portner said there are
many different sects each working individually, and he would like to see that changed.
Assistant City Manager Phillips said we would like to move forward to identify ways and
means to bring people more closely together. Commissioner Sultanof said while he
agrees with Vice Mayor Portner, we can not involve ourselves with all clubs; it is difficult
to tell people to join other organizations as there are some barriers; however, we must
make people -knowledgeable of how we function in the city. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco complemented Management Intern Campbell on the report and asked how
Tamarac could participate in this program. Management Intern Campbell said this is a
formal declaration, the city is saying it is committed to inclusivity. Our demographics are
shifting and the city is now vulnerable to becoming made up of individual enclaves that
do not mingle with each other, in other words, becoming fragmented. A sign will help,
and the fact that the Commission is behind the project will do a lot for the community.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked what other cities have done and Assistant City
Manager Phillips and Management Intern Campbell said there are guidelines available
outlining what other cities have done. Vice Mayor Portner asked that the City reach out
to the community leaders and hold a meeting to explain what we are trying to do, and
the leaders, in turn, can take the information back to their groups. Mayor Flansbaum-
Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to add the resolution to the September
27th Commission meeting and all were in agreement.
4. DISCUSSION RE: DRAFT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING GOVERNOR
BUSH TO CONVENE A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS ISSUES SURROUNDING
PROPERTY INSURANCE: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco and City Attorney Goren
appeared. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said when Ron Book appeared before the
Mayor and City Commission he said there was no chance for a special session of the
legislature. Additionally, at the Mayors' meeting and during budget hearings, the issue
of insurance came up. We have to try to make an effective plea. City Attorney Goren
said the backup resolution is non -partisan in nature, but is about insurance. The
objective of the resolution is to ask the legislature to focus on this matter; the resolution
focuses on hurricane related issues and other issues relating to insurance. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines and Dania Beach have
already adopted similar resolutions. Vice Mayor Portner questioned the WHEREAS
clause that addresses people on fixed incomes (seniors) and said everyone who works
is on a fixed income, and he would like that clause amended. City Attorney Goren said
September 25, 2006
City Commission Workshop
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the wording could be amended to reflect citizens and residents in the State and City.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest to amend the
WHEREAS clause and add the item to the September 27 consent agenda. All were in
agreement. City Attorney Goren said filing the resolution may not be enough, but the
City has people working for it who must move this forward.
Commissioner Sultanof said with Vice Mayor Portner's approval he would like to
recommend to Alzheimer Central of Broward County that Vice Mayor Portner join the
Board. Vice Mayor Portner accepted.
There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 10:40 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC -
City Clerk
September 25, 2006
City Commission Workshop
Page 6 of 6
GLASSER, BORETH & CEASAR
Attorneys -at -Law
8181 W. Broward Blvd.
Suite 201
Plantation, Florida 33324
Mitchell Ceasar
Harry O. Boreth
Lloyd S. Glasser
TO: Tamarac City Commission
through City Manager Miller
DATE: September 22, 2006
SUBJECT: Yearly Update
Tel (954) 475-2500
Fax (954) 474-3149
FAX: 724-2454, 2 Pages
It has been a very prosperous year for Tamarac's grant program. Herein is the update.
Tamarac S orts Com lex: A $300,000.00 additional development program.
F.E.M.A.: A $70,000.00 win for visible oxygen stations, breathing apparatus, air
containers, etc.
Southgate Linear Park: $150,000.00 (developing)
Additional money programs are "in the pipeline." Included but not limited to those below
are:
Courtyard: A $900,000.00 federal request.
M.P.O.: Sidewalks - $140,000.00.
M.P.O.: Median improvements - $180,800.00.
Pre Disaster Mitigation: $60,000.00.
F.I.M.A.: A $100,000.00 for generators.
Broward Beautiful: Beautification - Linnear Park - $10,000.00.
Broward County: Federal dollars, relating to "red tape" units.