HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-20 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutesa
CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, October 20, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of
Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 881" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner
Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof.
ABSENT (EXCUSED FOR CAUSE): Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts.
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. OCTOBER 22, 2003 AGENDA ITEMS:
At Commissioner Sultanof's request, Mayor Schreiber moved out of the regular order of
business on the workshop agenda and took up items No. 1(f), 2 and 3.
f. Item No. 6(o). SUPPORTING CITY OF PLANTATION'S REQUEST FOR
BUFFER WALL: (TR10273) Supporting the City of Plantation's request for the
installation of a noise buffer wall, provision of an easement, use of right-of-way, and
certain other improvements; authorizing the City Clerk to provide a copy of this
resolution to each member of the Florida Department of Transportation's Florida
Turnpike Enterprise, the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the City
of Plantation, and any other interested parties. Commissioner Sultanof explained that at
the last MPO meeting he cast a vote to provide a resolution in support of both the City
of Plantation and the Town of Davie's requests for sound walls along the Florida
Turnpike, and asked that these items be placed on Wednesday's agenda.
2. UPDATE RE: METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION AND
PROPOSED ROADWAY FEDERAL FUNCTION CLASSIFICATION: Commissioner
Sultanof said at the MPO meeting cities were informed that the federal government was
cutting funds for classification of collector roads and was placing this burden on
Broward County, and asked for an investigation of whether we could latch on to funds
provided by the federal government to get collector roads unblocked.
3. UPDATE RE: NON -EMERGENCY MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION:
Commissioner Sultanof said he was informed at the last MPO meeting that the state
plans to take away $3,700,000 from the County for non -emergency transportation, and
• this burden would be given to the cities. Broward County had until the Il Wh to sign an
agreement with the state to assume the above funds and take over the total package.
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City Commission Workshop
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As of this time, Commissioner Sultanof said the County does not know what it is going
to do, but the cities should not become involved in this County project. Tamarac is not
in a position to pick up this item legally, insurance -wise or money -wise. City Manager
Miller said that staff has prepared a resolution which would request the County to keep
with its current responsibility for providing this transportation. If it is the commissions'
desire, this resolution can be added to Wednesday's meeting. There was an
expression of interest from the Commission to add the item to Wednesday's meeting.
Mayor Schreiber moved back to the regular order on the agenda.
a. Item No. 6(n). PURCHASE OF RESCUE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT:
(TR10244) Purchasing five advanced life support rescue vehicles with equipment
utilizing Bid Award Announcement 03-04-0828 Specification #02 of the Florida Fire
Chiefs' Association, Florida Sheriff's Association and Florida Association of Counties,
from American LaFrance MedicMaster for rescue vehicles and equipment at a total cost
of $918,480; authorizing the trade of three rescue vehicles. Chief Budzinski explained
this is for the purchase of rescue vehicles which were approved during mid -year. This
is the same company we purchased the original vehicles from in 1996. Mayor
Schreiber asked how long before delivery and Chief Budzinski said the first vehicle is
promised for April, in order to meet the requirements of the grant. Mayor Schreiber said
a great job was done getting discounts and rebates, and Chief Budzinski added that we
got a very high trade-in for the existing apparatus. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco
asked if we could assume the high trade-in was due to the condition of our vehicles, and •
asked if our existing vehicles would stand us in good stead until April. Chief Budzinski
said our older vehicles will be in reserve status until we receive our new vehicle(s), and
it is possible that we did get such good value for our vehicles due to the maintenance
program we have with Public Works. Commissioner Sultanof asked if we used all the
piggy back bids we could, and Chief Budzinski said we did explore several options
before settling on the Sheriff's Bid. Commissioner Partner questioned the figures and
Chief Budzinski explained the discounts on the units. Commissioner Portner asked if
mileage is a concern and also asked about the frame on the vehicles, due to
discussions regarding speed humps. Chief Budzinski said the vehicles are structurally
sound and it is not the frame that suffers from speed humps, but the components inside
the vehicles and the medical equipment.
b. Item No, 6(h). PURCHASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT: (TR10251)
Replacing obsolete computer equipment, purchase of network storage and backup
systems, and purchase of application servers, utilizing State of Florida Contract #250-
000-03-1 in an amount not to exceed $150,000. IT Director Sucuoglu gave a
presentation and said we intend to replace 60 existing PC's which are between 3.5 — 4
years old. We also need to increase our storage capacity, which we have not done for
the past 6 years. Commissioner Portner asked about the status of computer donations
and City Attorney Kraft said since that meeting, Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz
has worked on an ordinance revising the code, which should be ready to present to the
Commission at a future meeting.
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C. Item No. 6(f). AGREEMENT — REMETERING FOR LEXINGTON ON THE
GREEN APARTMENTS: (TR10272) Executing a Remetering Agreement with Tamarac
Apartments, L.L.C., for the Lexington on the Green Apartments to allow remetering of
the water service for the purpose of allocation of the direct cost of water and sewer
service among multiple users subject to the terms of the applicable developer's
agreement and in accordance with City Code Section 22-30, "Limitations of Use".
Utilities Director Gagnon introduced Support Services Manager Wilder, Lori Donnelly,
Regional Manager for Lexington on the Green Apartments, Ken Lowenhop, Attorney for
Lexington on the Green Apartments, and David Canfield, Developer. Mr. Lowenhop
explained that rents are governed by leases, and there have been capital improvements
and renovations done to the building, which have set rents. Mr. Lowenhop discussed
Tamarac's ordinance regarding remetering and the fact that people are more likely to
conserve water if they pay for it themselves. Commissioner Sultanof explained that he
voted against this item at the last commission meeting because he did not have
assurances from the owner that rents would not be raised merely due to the remetering,
and he was concerned that the costs of remetering would be passed down to the
tenants at the outset of the project and then rents again raised when the lease(s)
expired. Mr. Canfield explained that the cost of the meters would be borne by the
developer in the construction budget and not allocated to the residents. The only cost
to the residents would be water usage. Commissioner Portner said it is not within the
commission's purview to become a rent control board, and Commissioner Sultanof said
that was not his intention.
• d. Item No. 6(m). HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE RENEWAL -- AETNA US
HEALTHCARE: (TR10261) Renewing the coverage for the City's health insurance
program with Aetna US Healthcare for the plan year effective January 1, 2004;
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 gave a
presentation and spoke of a 14.5% increase in costs for 2004. Human Resources
Director Swanson spoke of the fact that the good news is that Tamarac's rates are
average, however, the bad news is that the average happens to be high at this time.
Mayor Schreiber asked if there are programs in place to keep employees healthy, and
Human Resources Director Swanson explained we do have wellness seminars and a
wellness fair. Human Resources Director Swanson added that lower co -pays
sometimes encourage people to go to the doctor when it is not necessary.
Commissioner Sultanof left the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
Commissioner Portner asked if the State Insurance Commissioner has any control over
costs, and Mayor Schreiber said the rates are controlled by a committee.
Commissioner Portner asked whether it would not be better if all cities in Broward
County got together and negotiated insurance as a group. Human Resources Director
Swanson explained that Tamarac negotiates its own rates; and many cities would like to
• have our rates. The cities with good experience usually are not interested in joining a
group because based on claims from other cities the rates can be much higher than we
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City Commission Workshop
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negotiate on our own. Additionally, due to the fact that we have several unions, we
have our own structure for our plans. Commissioner Portner said he is concerned 40
about health costs going up. Mayor Schreiber said for general insurance, everyone is in
the same boat, but for health insurance, many different factors come into play. No city
wants to pay for other cities' claims.
e. Item No. 6(k). RENEWAL OF DENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAM — AETNA
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY: (TR10266) Renewing the City's dental insurance
program with Aetna Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2004 with a rate
increase of 4%; providing for the continuation of the existing cost allocation of the dental
insurance premium between the City and employees. Human Resources Director
Swanson explained the dental insurance will increase only 4%. There will be a change
in the plan in that there will be a DMO/PPO plan and most dentists in the indemnity plan
now will be in the PPO plan, which will result in less out of pocket expense for plan
participants. Human Resources Director Swanson added there are two other items on
the agenda — Life and Disability insurances, neither of which will change.
Commissioner Portner questioned item 6(g) on the consent agenda. AGREEMENT —
VOIDING WATER AND SEWER DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT FOR LAKES OF
CARRIAGE HILLS SHOPPING PLAZA: (TR10222) Executing an agreement with New
Life Fellowship Center Church of God, Inc., voiding the Water and Sewer Developer's
Agreement with Commonwealth Savings and Loans Association of Florida for the Lakes
of Carriage Hills Shopping Plaza located on the southeast corner of Bailey Road and •
Rock Island Road; forgiving all delinquent guaranteed revenues in the approximate
amount of $7,500; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to record said agreement in
the Public Records of Broward County. Utilities Director Gagnon explained the property
was never developed by the former owner but guaranteed revenues were paid to the
city over the past 15 years, amounting to approximately $130,000. The property was
sold to the church which is having a problem paying the monthly fees. If this item is
approved, when the church does build on the property, a new developer's agreement
and new contribution charges (CIAC's) at prevailing rates at the time of construction will
be required.
Commissioner Portner asked about the contract term in item 6(i) on the consent
agenda. BID RENEWAL — PURCHASE OF AQUATIC_ ORNAMENTAL_ AND TURF
HERBICIDES: (TR10262) Renewing Bid #03-01 B for the purchase of aquatic,
ornamental and turf herbicides from Helena Chemical Company, Agro Distribution, LLC
d/b/a Pro Source One, and UAP Timberland, LLC in an amount not to exceed $81,700
per year for the two-year term. Public Works Director Strain said this was an existing
contract with a two-year renewal term; the term length was perhaps due to this being a
part of an overall contract that was piggy backed.
4. DISCUSSION RE: ADVERTISING ON CITY BUSES: Commissioner Portner
said he asked the City Manager to look into advertising on City buses to provide
additional revenue to the City. Mayor Schreiber asked if there were any restrictions .
since the buses are owned by Broward County and City Manager Miller said the City
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can place advertisements on the buses. City Manager Miller said he would like to have
additional time for staff to look into this to make sure that administrative costs would not
be more than would be realized from advertising. City Manager Miller also spoke about
the wraps that the County buses use for advertising, and said these are not very
attractive. Staff will explore the issue and get back to the Commission. Commissioner
Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned marketing and Assistant Director of Parks and
Recreation Warner said it would be similar to the sponsorship program. Administrative
Services Manager Maldonado said Tamarac is currently working in conjunction with
Broward County and their marketing department for guidance.
Assistant to the City Manager Phillips spoke of Government Day on Wednesday, and
Public Information Officer Crockett gave an overview of the day with students from Piper
High. Assistant to the City Manager Phillips added that children from Millennium Middle
School would also be at the meeting for a student government swearing -in ceremony.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the workshop meeting at 10:45 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
October 20, 2003
City Commission Workshop
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