HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-08 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, October 8, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
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PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward
C. Portner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and
City Clerk Marion Swenson.
1. OCTOBER 10. 2001 AGENDA ITEMS:
a. Item No. 11(c). LOBBYIST SERVICES AGREEMENT: (TR9547) Executing an
agreement between the City of Tamarac and Mitchell Ceasar for lobbying services.
Lobbyist Mitchell Ceasar said he looks forward to working with Tamarac in the coming
year, and it is a pleasure working with Special Projects Manager Diane Phillips. Mayor
Schreiber said Mr. Ceasar helped Tamarac receive a good bit of money this year, and
most of his efforts were in the County. Mr. Ceasar agreed his work for Tamarac is
mainly in statewide grants and he does not lobby the legislature. Mayor Schreiber
asked how much money Mr. Ceasar brought in for Tamarac and Mr. Ceasar responded
$550,000 - $600,000, not counting the swim central monies of $1.5 million, on which
Commissioner Portner and the committee also worked. Commissioner Portner asked
for an expression of interest from the Commission to restructure the lobbyist's contract
by reducing the amount of money Mr. Ceasar is paid to $25,000 yearly and including a
bonus program, and asked City Manager Miller to meet with Mr. Ceasar to work out the
formalities of a new contract. Commissioner Roberts said she would like to see a
lobbyist working for Tamarac in Tallahassee, and as Senator Campbell told the
Commission several years ago, there are monies in Tallahassee available to
municipalities. Vice Mayor Sultanof said Tamarac is missing out on monies from
Tallahassee and this needs to be explored. Commissioner Roberts agreed to a new
contract with a base salary of $25,000. Mayor Schreiber said he did not agree. Vice
Mayor Sultanof said the budget would change with the alteration of Mr. Ceasar's
contract and possible bonus. City Manager Miller said his understanding of the city
Commission's direction is that he is to meet with Mr. Ceasar to generate a contract with
a base salary of $25,000 and look at a bonus program. Commissioner Roberts said she
agreed with a flat fee and while she did not agree with the bonus, she would go along
with it. Commissioner Portner, Commissioner Mishkin and Vice Mayor Sultanof
expressed interest in the bonus program; Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Roberts
did not. City Manager Miller said he would look into a contract for the entire year.
b. Item No. 11(r). AGREEMENT — AETNA U.S. HEALTHCARE: (TR9549)
Awarding contract to Aetna U.S. Healthcare for health insurance. Personnel Director
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Maria Swanson introduced Aetna US Healthcare Manager Salvador Aleguas, III, Aetna
Representative Joy Fenton, and Benefits Coordinator Kimberly Frisbie. Personnel
Director Swanson gave a presentation, and said there are appropriations in the budget
to cover the increased costs of health insurance. The City received four proposals for
the RFP (Signa, HIP, Humana, and Aetna), and a committee made up of Benefits
Coordinator Kimberly Frisbie, Contracts and Purchasing Manager Lynda Flurry,
Assistant City Attorney Vanessa T. Steinerts, FPE Representative Tom Vreeland,
Assistant Fire Chief Kingman Schuldt, and IAFF Representative Jackie Dickson,
reviewed and evaluated the RFP's. A team appointed by the City Manager, consisting
of Assistant City Attorney Steinerts, Purchasing and Contracts Manager Flurry, Benefits
Coordinator Frisbie, and Personnel Director Swanson negotiated the contract and
worked on a comprehensive health insurance package in the interests of the City and its
employees. Mr. Aleguas gave a presentation and discussed Aetna's background,
technology, value added benefits and opened the floor for questions. Commissioner
Roberts asked about coverage for eye exams and co -payments for physicians,
specialists and diagnostic tests. Mr. Aleguas explained the difference between routine
eye exams and those for special problems and also discussed diagnostic testing.
Mayor Schreiber questioned whether instituting a co -payment would reduce premiums,
and Personnel Director Swanson said every carrier now has a co -pay, and while this
helps with premiums, it does not reduce them. Commissioner Portner asked about re-
checks, and whether there would be a co -pay for each visit. Mr. Aleguas responded
that each visit would constitute a co -pay, however, a re -check would be at the discretion
of the physician. Commissioner Portner expressed concern about health care costs in
the United States being so much more than Canada and Mexico, and Mr. Aleguas said
it was because of regulated industries and drug company strategies to increase
demands. Commissioner Roberts questioned the mail order and after discussion it was
determined that the mail order would be three times 30 days. Commissioner Roberts
asked about dependent coverage, and Mr. Aleguas said the State of Florida provides
for dependent coverage up to age 25 if a full time student, and the law recently changed
to include full time dependents up to 25 years of age. Personnel Director Swanson
spoke about cost sharing and waivers.
C. Item No. 11(d). GRANT APPLICATION - GREENWAYS & TRAILS: (TR9551)
Approving an application to the Department of Environmental Protection Florida
Greenways and Trails Acquisition program for one million dollars in grant funding for the
acquisition of Parcel R. Parks & Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles gave a
presentation and spoke about two available parcels; the Lennar parcel (Parcel R) north
and east of Tamarac Sports Complex, and the Caporella property at NW 57 Street
between 94t" Avenue and Pine Island Road. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles
discussed the County bond issue for parkland acquisition and said there is additional
money available. Commissioner Roberts said she was disturbed that North Lauderdale
and three other unincorporated areas were each getting $2 million when they had not
applied for it. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles explained that at this time she
was seeking direction from the Commission about the priority of the purchase of Parcel
R and Caporella property from County funds. Staff recommends purchasing the Lennar
property as the first priority, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles discussed the
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needs assessment. Mayor Schreiber asked who is responsible for maintenance of the
canal, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said it is the City's responsibility.
Vice Mayor Sultanof questioned what Lennar is asking for the property, and Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles said they are asking $4.3 million, but negotiations have
not yet begun. Commissioner Roberts spoke about pavilions in the picnic area and the
location of the concession stand. Commissioner Portner asked about demolition in the
area and canoes. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded that the
demolition is for the vegetation. There was discussion about additional restroom
facilities and concession stands. Mayor Schreiber spoke about recovering costs and
asked what percent of participants live in Tamarac. Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said an average of 70% of the participants are residents. Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles gave a presentation on the Caporella property, and said
there has been discussion about a high school on the property, and there was also
discussion about developing the property as a joint use partnership, which is a popular
concept across the country. Commissioner Roberts asked why the plans only showed
ball fields and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said this is a first priority for
sports leagues. There was discussion about the wheel design, and City Manager Miller
said other kinds of uses might need to be provided to secure the high school. Parks
and Recreation Director Margoles said all the concepts are subject to change, and it is
important to try to serve the expressed needs of the community. Commissioner Roberts
asked about adding a playground and pavilions later on, and Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles said this could be done. After discussion about fields and the
location of the swimming pool, Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said at this time
it is important to acquire the land. Vice Mayor Sultanof said negotiations should take
place for both parcels. City Manager Miller said he would like to see the Commission
follow staffs recommendations and he indicated that the City is still not sure Caporella
is a willing seller, so it would be best to start with the Lennar property, and the City can
afford to purchase both properties.
Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:30 a.m. The Workshop meeting reconvened
at 11:45 a.m. with all present as before.
d. Item No.11 (e). RECREATION DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM: (TR9552) Executing the Florida Recreation Development Assistance
Program (FRDAP) grant application to the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection in the amount of $200,000 for the acquisition of "Parcel R". Special Projects
Manager Phillips gave a presentation, and Commissioner Portner asked about local
dollars and what needs to be done to get some of the additional money that has
become available. Special Projects Manager Phillips said community and county
dollars are considered local dollars, and there is information in the staff report outlining
criteria for tapping into the extra money. Special Projects Manager Phillips said it has
yet to be determined whether there will be a cap on that money.
e. Item No. 11(b). TAMARAC 2002: (TR9546) Adopting the goals of the "Tamarac
2002: A Strategic Focus for the City of Tamarac" document. Interim Assistant to the
City Manager Diane Phillips gave a presentation and reviewed Tamarac 2002.
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Commissioner Portner questioned the firehouse and Fire Chief Budzinski said it is
included in the plan and they are now waiting for the engineering study. Commissioner
Roberts questioned the consultant's fee, and Fire Chief Budzinski said the fee for the
consultant came in at less than the original figure, and it had been paid. The
engineering study is in the process and has been partially paid. Mayor Schreiber asked
if the design build and site plan review constitute 10% of the construction cost, and
asked when construction would begin. Fire Chief Budzinski said it depends on the type
of Contract that is negotiated, and he recommends design build because that would
accelerate the process. Ground breaking should be in spring 2002 and it would take
approximately 18-24 months to complete the project. Commissioner Roberts asked
about Charter and Code revisions being taken out of the strategic plan in Tamarac
2002, and City Manager Miller said the contracted review of the Charter and Code by
Municipal Code Corporation has been completed, and the various departments are
working on revisions to the Code.
Commissioner Partner questioned item 11(I) on the consent agenda. DAVID'S
CUSTOM CATERERS - PERFORMANCE BOND RELEASE: (TR9535) Releasing a
Public Improvement Performance Bond in the form of Check #4775 in the amount of
$5,296.00 for the Water Distribution System Improvements installed by Sprinklermatic
Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc., for the David's Custom Caterers Project located at 6501
West Commercial Boulevard; waiving the requirement for the receipt of a one year
warranty bond. Utilities Director Gagnon said the facility has been in service over one
year, and the reason for the delay is that the City recently received the paperwork.
Commissioner Portner questioned the order of the banking institutions in item 11(n) on
the consent agenda. AGREEMENT - BANKING SERVICES: (TR9541) Executing the
agreement for banking services (Agreement No. 01-11R) between the City of Tamarac
and First Union National Bank of Florida for general banking services including the
Repurchase Master Agreement. Finance Director Lange said the institutions are listed
alphabetically, and this does not relate to their ranking.
Commissioner Portner asked about the increase of $4,000 per year in item 11(p) on the
consent agenda. AGREEMENT RENEWAL - MEDICAL DIRECTOR: (TR9490)
Renewing an agreement with L. Scott Ulin Emergency Medical Services, Inc. for
Medical Director for a two (2) year term, commencing on October 1, 2001 and expiring
September 30, 2003 at an amount not to exceed twenty eight thousand dollars
($28,000.00) per year for a total of fifty six thousand dollars ($56,000.00). Fire Chief
Budzinski said Dr. Ulin originally asked the City to cover his malpractice insurance,
which the City would not do. The increase is additional compensation for services
provided.
Commissioner Portner asked about the Board's power in making decisions on unsafe
structures, item 11(s) on the consent agenda. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT -
BROWARD COUNTY MINIMUM HOUSING/UNSAFE STRUCTURES BOARD:
(TR9463) Executing an Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and the City of
Tamarac providing for hearings by the Broward County Minimum Housing/Unsafe
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Structures Board at a cost of $150.00 per noticed case plus associated costs. Building
Official Gioia explained the process and said the Board has the final say.
Commissioner Portner questioned item 12 on the regular agenda. MOTION TO
REMOVE TEMPORARY ORDINANCE 1935 FROM THE TABLE AND SET A
HEARING DATE FOR NOVEMBER 14, 2001 AT OR AFTER 7:00 P.M.: (TO1935)
AMENDING PRIOR ZONING OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE PROPERTY FROM B-6
BUSINESS DISTRICT TO B-2 COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT): Amending
prior zoning of certain real estate property from B-6 (Business District) to B-2
(Community Business District); lands commonly known as Lots 1 & 2, Block 4 of the
"Lyons Industrial Park" Plat, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 71,
Page 1 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, located at 5700 NW 94
Avenue; Case No. 16-Z-01; providing for amendment of the official zoning map to reflect
such change. TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 REGULAR CITY
COMMISSION MEETING. City Attorney Kraft said while the item is quasi-judicial the
motion is procedural. Community Development Director King said in order to put the
item back on the agenda it must go through the process of a motion and second, and a
date for hearing has to be decided upon. The item then needs to be advertised.
Commissioner Portner questioned item 13 on the regular agenda. AMENDING
CHAPTER 13 - MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES: (TO1940) Motion to adopt Ordinance
on second reading amending Chapter 13 entitled, "Miscellaneous Offenses", by
deleting Section 13-2 entitled, "Public property - Injuring, destroying, etc.", deleting
Section 13-3 entitled, "Same - Tampering with, breaking into, etc.; exceptions for
authorized personnel", deleting Section 13-6 entitled, "Trespassing", deleting Section
13-7(b) entitled, "Power boats on city waterways"; Case No. 27-MI-01; providing for
codification. APPROVED ON FIRST READING — SEPTEMBER 26, 2001. Code
Enforcement Manager Cindy Diemer said this ordinance eliminates duplications of state
statutes, and provides for a more streamlined process.
2. MODIFICATIONS TO EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM: Discussion of
modifications to the employee recognition program. Laboratory Manager Fran Oney,
Code Enforcement Manager Cindy Diemer and Training Specialist Kay Reinert
appeared, and Laboratory Manager Fran Oney gave a presentation and discussed the
recommended changes in awards for the Galileo, Leadership and Supernova
categories, and designation of City Manager Miller as administrator of the program to
implement minor modifications as needed. There was discussion about the increase in
the Supernova award, and Commissioner Roberts and Mayor Schreiber suggested $50
increments. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest in the recommended
changes for the Employee Recognition Program, and Commissioner Portner, Vice
Mayor Sultanof and Commissioner Mishkin were in favor, with Commissioner Roberts
dissenting. Commissioner Roberts suggested that a note be sent to last year's
recipients of the Super Nova Award explaining this year's increase.
3. PROVISION OF LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE UNITED WAY
SEPTEMBER 11TH FUND: Discussion of provision of local matching funds for the
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United Way September 11th Fund. Director of Utilities Ray Gagnon gave a presentation
and explained the September 11th Fund sponsored by the United Way, and said monies
from this fund will go to all victims' families, whether they were firefighters, police or
others. Utilities Director Gagnon asked what the City's intentions are with regard to
contributions to this fund. Commissioner Roberts distributed an article regarding
distribution of monies to families of firefighters and others affected by the disaster.
Commissioner Portner said when he made his proposal at the last Commission
meeting, it was for the benefit of firefighters and police only, and was not intended to
include other groups. There was discussion of a City match for funds collected at
Commissioner Portner's request during the last Commission meeting. There was an
expression of interest to donate monies collected at Commissioner Portner's request to
the police and firefighters' fund only. There was an expression of interest for the City to
match those funds at $.50 on the dollar, not to exceed $5,000, and that matching money
is to go to the September 11th Fund of the United Way. City Manager Miller asked for a
time period within which to do this, and Commissioner Roberts suggested 3 months.
City Manager Miller said employees will be contributing to the September 11th Fund
through the United Way, and asked for an expression of interest to match the
employees' contributions. All agreed to a match of the employees' contributions to the
September 11th Fund of $.50 on the dollar not to exceed $5,000.
The City Commission moved out of the regular order of business on the Workshop
Agenda to take up Item No. 7.
7. WOODMONT COUNTRY CLUB: Discussion of Woodmont Country Club's offer
of a municipal accommodation category for the City of Tamarac. Special Projects
Manager/Interim Assistant to the City Manager Diane Phillips distributed a
memorandum from City Manager Miller outlining Woodmont Country Club's creation of
a municipal accommodation category, with a proposed fee of $2,000 per year, to
provide for the establishment of up to 8 authorized users from the City who would be
able to utilize the dining room and other facilities, excluding the golf course, for business
development purposes only. Mayor Schreiber stipulated that this arrangement is not for
personal use and asked for an expression of interest. Commissioner Portner,
Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Mishkin and Vice Mayor Sultanof agreed. Mayor
Schreiber disagreed with the proposal. Mayor Schreiber said Commissioner Portner
had contacted Woodlands Country Club and Mayor Schreiber spoke with the president,
and Woodlands is looking favorably at this type of a proposal for the City, so there is a
possibility that there will be more than one country club available to the City in the
future.
The Commission returned to the regular order of business on the Workshop Agenda.
4. DISCUSSION OF VETERAN'S DAY PARADE ROUTE: Parks and Recreation
Director Kathleen Margoles gave a presentation and said this is not a proposal to
change the route of the parade. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said
incentives would be given to encourage people to come out to watch the parade, such
as giveaways and a contest with a prize going to the community along the parade route
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showing the largest turnout. Commissioner Roberts asked about communities that are
not along the parade route, and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said they could
stake out an area and participate. There was discussion about the time of day for the
parade and the fact that it is on a Sunday this year and the turnout may be small
because of church services being held at the same time. Parks and Recreation Director
Margoles said the president designated November 9-11 as the Weekend of Unity and
Hope and all federal parks would be open to the public at no charge. Local
municipalities will be sponsoring events during the weekend.
5. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM:
Discussion of Tamarac's increase/improvement to a Class 8 rating pursuant to the most
recent FEMA evaluation. Building Official Paul Gioia gave a presentation and indicated
a saving of $205,000 to the City.
6. ANNEXATION UPDATE: Update on annexation of unincorporated areas.
Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a presentation and said the
legislature approved moving the annexation date from 2010 to 2005. After 2005 it
would be up to the state legislature as to where unincorporated areas are annexed.
The County desires to combine all local bills into one bill to expedite the annexation
process. Community Development Director King said areas to be annexed should not
expect the County to do more with regard to infrastructure improvements than what the
respective City would do, and at this time he has no knowledge of what is included in
the County CIP. There was discussion about the difference between County and City
standards. Commissioner Roberts suggested holding off for one year until Community
Development checks into the County's CIP plan, at which time there will still be four
years left to move forward with annexation. Vice Mayor Sultanof said if we wait a year,
another city may lay claim to a piece of property in which Tamarac is interested. There
was discussion about Tamarac's interest in the Kozy Kampers and Mira Lago
developments, and discussion about change of use for the Kozy Kampers property.
City Attorney Kraft said part of the annexation process allows people to have a say as to
where they want to be annexed, and if the City is going to change the use of the
property, then they may not want to come into Tamarac. Mayor Schreiber said the Mira
Lago property is more conducive and beneficial to the City and would carry its own
weight, and suggested the City look into annexing Mira Lago at this time and look into
Kozy Kampers some time down the road. Vice Mayor Sultanof suggested Community
Development Director King go to Mira Lago and see if there is an interest in being
annexed into Tamarac, and Commissioner Roberts suggested staff meet with them, and
also asked Community Development Director King to see what the County CIP is and
how much the County is willing to upgrade those areas. Mayor Schreiber asked if there
is any problem with the Mira Lago property, and City Manager Miller said there is a
stormwater problem. Community Development Director King said he is not sure how
much it would cost to fix it; Vice Mayor Sultanof asked whether the County said they
would bring that property up to scale, and Community Development Director King said
there is nothing in the CIP that makes that commitment. City Manager Miller said if
there was an expression of interest, he, the Fire Chief and several other Department
Directors would look at the CIP and then talk to the County. There was a unanimous
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expression of interest to have the City Manager and staff explore Mira Lago for
annexation.
8. WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL TRUST FUND: Discussion of the World War II
Memorial Trust Fund. Commissioner Edward C. Portner thanked the Mayor and City
Commission for donating $1,000 to the Florida World War II Memorial Trust Fund, and
added that because of Tamarac's donation, several other cities have also donated
$1,b00 each.
Commissioner Portner said he would like to see the lake between the Community
Center and the proposed library improved with a fountain and/or statue. Mayor
Schreiber said the plans for the library should be looked at before making a decision,
and Vice Mayor Sultanof said it would be wise to speak with Cecil Beech. Mayor
Schreiber said he would investigate the matter and report back to the Commission.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Marion Swenson, CMC
City Clerk
October 8, 2001
City Commission Workshop
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