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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. September 25, 2006 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 6 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 September 25, 2006 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 6 1 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 Page 3 of 6 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. September 25, 2006 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 6 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 Page 5 of 6 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.