Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-10 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes1 CITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, November 10, 2003, at 9:35 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY MAYOR SCHREIBER: 1. PRESENTATION OF CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR GATEWAY PLAZA: Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles introduced artist George Gadson. Mr. Gadson said he is proud to be a Tamarac resident and at Commissioner Portner's request, gave a brief bio of his past accomplishments. Commissioner Sultanof said the park has been previously referenced as Art Park and now is being called Gateway Park, and asked if the name has been established. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the working name is Gateway Park and another item on the agenda addresses the naming issue. Mr. Gadson gave a presentation and spoke about input from the community, wherein residents indicated their preference for a fountain, and were emphatic that they wanted no benches in the park. Mr. Gadson presented a rendition of a fountain he designed for the park termed "Tamarac Ecology". Another rendition of an overall park design was presented and Mr. Gadson spoke about an arch being used to draw passers-by to the park. Commissioner Portner questioned the height of the fountain and Mr. Gadson responded it will be six feet with a 4-foot cement base for a total of 10 feet in height. Commissioner Sultanof said if the residents of The Greens were not in favor of benches they would not be in favor of an arch; Commissioner Sultanof said he would prefer no arch. Mayor Schreiber said a public park belongs to everyone and there should be benches; he prefers not having an arch and suggested an alternate design consisting of a tree with a fountain around it. Commissioner Portner questioned the depth of the retaining base and Mr. Gadson said it would be no more than 16 inches. Vice Mayor Roberts said the park needs benches and suggested the benches be made of stone similar to the structures on the rendition. Additionally, Vice Mayor Roberts said she does not favor an arch as it detracts from the fountain. Mayor Schreiber questioned the timetable and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded the park could be complete in six months. Commissioner Flansbaum- Talabisco said she loves the sculpture and it appears an arch is not favored. November 10, 2003 City Commission Workshop 1 2. NOVEMBER 12, 2003 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No, 6(i). AGREEMENT —REIMBURSEMENT OF UTILITY REMOVAL COSTS: (TR10214) Executing an agreement between Broward County and the City of Tamarac for the reimbursement of utility removal costs along Pine Island Road from Oakland Park Boulevard to Commercial Boulevard; authorizing an estimated expenditure of $5,000.00 subject to actual quantities and bid prices. Utilities Director Ray Gagnon gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if the County intended to replace the surface as it was before the construction, and asked how far north of the intersection the widening would go. Utilities Director Gagnon said the County will repair construction damage and the construction would go north of the intersection, but he did not have specifics. Vice Mayor Roberts asked why we are paying for this and Utilities Director Gagnon responded our utility lines are in the county's right-of-way. Commissioner Portner questioned the county's responsibility as owner of the property and the consequences of not paying the County. City Attorney Kraft said our easement is in the county's property, and it is in our interest to cooperate with the granting authority of the easement. Utilities Director Gagnon said the county has already redesigned the project so as not to interfere with our 16" main, and if we do not pay then the county may not be as congenial as it has been in the past the next time we ask to work in their right-of-way. b. Item No. 6(b). ADOPTION OF POLICY FOR NAMING PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES: (TR10278) Adopting the Parks and Recreation Facilities Naming Policy. Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles introduced Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Warner who gave a presentation. Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Warner noted the policy will provide a process to name parks and recreation facilities through citizen input and allows for the naming of facilities by the Commission through the recommendation of the City Manager with input from the Parks and Recreation Board and city staff. Commissioner Portner questioned item #7 of the naming process, and Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Warner responded the donation would have to be property or a significant contribution as determined by the Commission; Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said this may be part of the negotiation process. Commissioner Sultanof asked how Caporella Park was handled, and Mayor Schreiber responded that the Caporellas gave the land to the City and then wanted the park named Caporella Park. Mayor Schreiber said all this can be established for approval by the Commission. Vice Mayor Roberts asked why only the top three names would come to the Commission and Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Warner said this was determined from input from other communities across the country. C. Item No. 6(h). ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR FY2004: (TR10281) Approving the City of Tamarac Legislative Agenda for the 2004 legislative session; directing the City Clerk to send a copy of the City of Tamarac Legislative Agenda for the 2004 legislative session to the Broward County Legislative Delegation and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners for consideration. Assistant to the City Manager Diane Phillips gave a presentation. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if November 10, 2003 City Commission Workshop 2 the items are in a priority order and Assistant to the City Manager Phillips said no. Mayor Schreiber said most of the items are worthwhile legislation and it is up to the Commission to push them with the delegation. Commissioner Portner said he does not support cameras for traffic control and would like the item removed, as cameras are an infringement on rights and privacy. Mayor Schreiber said this item came about from information from cities across the country; cameras reduce accidents and generate revenue. We do not have enforcement capability at to have a cop at every intersection and traffic here is a horror. Vice Mayor Roberts asked if the camera is capable of seeing the driver and BSO Lt. Raphael Perez said it is his understanding the camera takes a clear picture of the driver and the car tag. There was discussion regarding the ticketing process arising from camera enforcement. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest and Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco, Commissioner Sultanof and Mayor Schreiber favored keeping the item as part of the legislative agenda. d. Item No. 6(f). FEMA GRANT FUNDING — PURCHASE OF MOBILE FIRE SAFETY HOUSE AND ENHANCEMENT OF EDUCATING GENERATIONS FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM: (TR10283) Seeking grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters - Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program in the amount of $75,327, with an in -kind match of $32,283 for a total project cost of $107,610, to purchase a mobile fire safety house and enhancement of the Educating Generations Fire Safety Education and Outreach Program. Assistant to the City Manager Diane Phillips and Deputy Chief Kingman Schuldt gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber questioned the safety house and Deputy Chief Schuldt explained it is a 36-foot trailer used for fire and hazard safety training. The safety house is taken on -site to students and includes bleachers, smoke detectors, kitchen, and bedroom to simulate various situations. Commissioner Sultanof asked about matching funds and Assistant to the City Manager Phillips said the requirement was met with in -kind services. e. Item No. 6(m). PURCHASE OF TWO FIRE APPARATUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT: (TR10245) Purchasing two fire apparatus vehicles and equipment from Hall -Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc. based on the Hillsborough County Purchase Order BPCW02000033, for emergency vehicles and ancillary equipment at a total cost not to exceed $700,000. Finance Director Dona Newman and Deputy Fire Chief Kingman Schuldt gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if this was a lease with option to purchase and Finance Director Newman said the purchase would be made with cash on hand. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the order of the trucks within the overall vehicle replacement plan, and Deputy Fire Chief Kingman said these would be the 5th and 6th vehicles. Finance Director Newman said the two fire engines were brought before the Commission during mid -year. f. Item No. 8. ADDITIONAL SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: (T02028) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading authorizing the granting of an additional homestead tax exemption of $15,000 (for the maximum $25,000 exemption amount) to resident homeowners who have legal or equitable title to real estate, who are at least 65 years of age, and whose annual household income does not exceed the allowable November 10, 2003 City Commission Workshop 3 amount pursuant to Section 196.075, Florida Statutes (1999), as amended; that any taxpayer claiming the exemption must annually submit a sworn statement of household income, on a form prescribed by the Department of Revenue to the property appraiser, not later than March 1 of each year. Finance Director Dona Newman said the 2004 tax bill will reflect the full $25,000 senior homestead exemption. g. Item No. 7. APPOINTING COMMISSION LIAISON TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: (TR10274) Motion to approve Resolution appointing as Commission liaison to the Economic Development Advisory Committee for a period of time not to extend past the next general municipal election which will be held in March 2005. City Clerk Marion Swenson said in accordance with the Ordinance establishing this committee, the Commission needs to choose a liaison. Commissioner Partner said he would like to be the liaison as he proposed this committee, served on the State Road 7 Economic Development committee, and spoke of his business experience. Mayor Schreiber spoke about his election in 1992 and his emphasis on and involvement with economic development over the years, as well as his business experience, and said as such he has earned the right to be liaison to the committee. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested the Commission have two liaisons out of respect for both Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Portner, Mayor Schreiber said he does not really favor the idea. Vice Mayor Roberts agreed with Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco and said this would bring two viewpoints; additionally, if one liaison is unable to attend a meeting, the other liaison most likely would be present. Commissioner Sultanof said this suggestion has merit and once the committee is established and going, he prefers it become an alliance separate from the City and City funding. There was discussion regarding City Code. City Attorney Kraft said Section 2-33 can be interpreted as allowing more than one liaison, and with this being a committee covered under the sunshine laws, as long as the meetings are properly noticed, particularly with two Commissioners present, it is then the Commission's decision how to proceed. Commissioner Sultanof asked why a liaison must be appointed before the committee holds its first meeting, and City Manager Miller responded the object now is to move forward and appoint the two liaisons at Wednesday's meeting. Commissioner Portner proposed issuing City board and committee members name tags or badges, stating their name, board/committee name and a proviso the badges be used only within the location of the board/committee's meeting location. Vice Mayor Roberts said some boards do not meet at City Hall and Commissioner Portner said wherever they meet, that is where the badge would be valid. Vice Mayor Roberts said she has concerns with Parks and Recreation badges insofar as there is potential for board members telling employees what to do. Commissioner Portner said badge use would be only for board meetings. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the method of distribution of the badges. Mayor Schreiber said he feels there is no reason for badges; board members are not elected officials. Commissioner Portner said we should differentiate between visitors and board members. Commissioner Sultanof added that badges are a means of recognition but they should be worn only within the confines of where the board meets; it is up to the members to police themselves. Vice Mayor November 10, 2003 City Commission Workshop 4 1 Roberts noted that Parks and Recreation Board members meet at the Community Center and do not sign in; as school volunteers do, they should sign in and receive a tag. Any violations should result in the privilege being taken away. Mayor Schreiber added the Planning Board, for instance, could pick up their badges at the front desk when they arrive and return them to the front desk when they leave. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said she opposes the idea; if a badge falls in the wrong hands we would be opening a Pandora's Box. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest. Commissioner Flansbaum-Talabisco said no, Commissioner Portner, Commissioner Sultanof, Vice Mayor Roberts and Mayor Schreiber said yes. Vice Mayor Roberts suggested badges be tried for six months to see if they will work. Commissioner Portner questioned whether the contract with the vendor for the new bus benches calls for cement pads. Building and Code Compliance Director Gary Jones said the concern is that the benches be bolted down so they would not be able to be moved, and there are several locations throughout the city where concrete pads should be installed. Some sidewalks are wide enough to comply with ADA. Commissioner Portner said he received complaints that the benches are hot. Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said benches installed to date are to be repainted. Commissioner Portner said the vendor is in violation of the contract and asked what happens at this point? Building and Code Compliance Director Jones responded the matter has been under discussion and the benches will be repainted; at this point, the contractor is making a good faith effort. Commissioner Portner said the contractor knew what the Commission wanted and he believes the contractor is violating the contract. Commissioner Portner asked City Manager Miller and City Attorney Kraft to investigate. Commissioner Sultanof asked if the paint has heat resistance and Building and Code Compliance Director Jones said the powder coating in the RFP required heat resistance. Commissioner Sultanof complimented Lt. Perez for BSO's providing training to COPS Volunteers at no cost to the City. Commissioner Sultanof noted there are now an additional 10 COPS members in his district. 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 November 10, 2003 City Commission Workshop 5