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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-25 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2002 CALL TO ORDER,., Mayor Schreiber called the workshop meeting of the city commission to order, on Monday, November 2 s., 2002, at 9,35 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City HaRI., 7525 NW 80 Avenue., Tamarac, FRorida, PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Edward C. Fortner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and Commissioner 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. 1. NOVEMBER 27 2002 AGENDA ITEMS a. Item 6(b), TAMARAC CITIZEN CORPS COUNCIL: (TR9964) Supporting the Tamarac Citizen Corps Council. (This item was tabled at the November 13, 2002 regular commission meeting to the November 27, 2002 regular commission meeting). Chief Budzinski said a presentation was given at the last workshop meeting and he is here to answer any questions the commission may have. Mayor Schreiber said Commissioner Roberts's concern was about the Community Council's involvement and who would be in charge. Mayor Schreiber said the money must come through the city to fund the Citizen Corps Council, not through an organization. Mayor Schreiber asked if Tarnarac was the prirne tunding agent. Chief Budzinski responded that at this point no one knows about the funding, however, in order for the city or an agency within the city to get FEMA money, 4 would have to come through the Citizen Corps Council, and the benefit for Tamarac to establish its own Citizen Corps Council is so that Tamarac can apply directly for funding, rather than go through the county. Commissioner Sultanof said he wants to make sure that the city commission is the overseer of this council, and not the Citizen Corps Council. Chief Budzinski said he understood Commissioner Sultanof's concern, and believes if Tamarac takes the initiative now and establishes parameters for the Citizen Corps Council we will be able to set oversight up as one of the criteria. In the event of a disaster, there needs to be coordination and establishment of responsibilities between organizations. Vice Mayor Fortner asked how FEMA falls under, home rule or the security act, and Chief Budzinski said he cannot give a specific answer at this time because The Bill has not been signed by the President. At present, about 144 agencies fall under FEMA. Vice Mayor Portner said he believes the creation of the Citizens Corps Council is a reaction to panic. Commissioner Roberts said a group is needed through which to funnel money in case of an emergency. Communication between police and fire is not on the same wavelength and this needs to be corrected. Mayor Schreiber said after discussion this morning, there is no reason not to approve the resolution. Commissioner Sultanof said he is in favor of approving the resolution but with commission oversight of the committee. November 25, 2002 City Commission Workshop t b. Item 6(i) AUTHORIZING A REVISION TO THE INVESTMENT POLICY: (TR9980) Revising Section VII. Authorized and Suitable Investment Instruments, C. Repurchase Agreement, of the City of Tamarac Investment Policy to include required language for certification of the City of 'Tamarac Investment Policy by the Municipal Treasurers' Association of the United States and Canada. Finance and Policy Officer Leanne Williams gave a presentation, and Mayor Schreiber asked if MTA insists on the change. Finance and Policy Officer Williams said it is MTA's recommendation to add the wording so the Tamarac Investment Policy will be certified; plus it adds to Tamarac's financial credibility. Commissioner Sultanof spoke about investments, including 2--year notes from GMAC and Ford which are netting approximately 6.75%- 7%. Finance and Policy Officer Williams said she would look into it. Mayor Schreiber said the city is obligated to invest in secure paper, and he does not feel Ford is a secure investment as they are losing money each year_ Mayor Schreiber said he attended a meeting of the Investment Advisory Committee the other, day and there was discussion about purchasing investments of longer than 3-year duration because of increased earnings. Vice Mayor Portner asked what not being certified meant and Finance and Policy Officer Williams said there are no repercussions to the city; it is another feather in our cap. C. Item 60). ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT — BSO POLICE SERVICES. (TR9985) Executing the First Addendum to the Agreement for Police Services by and between the City of Tamarac and the Sheriff of Proward County, Assistant City Manager Cernech introduced Lt. Sill Friel, Assistant City Manager Cernech said this item stems from budget discussions over the summer and allows for the addition of clerical and analytical positions to better serve the community. The positions have been budgeted and now final authorization is needed from the commission in order to move forward with the agreement. Lt. Friel gave a presentation and discussed increased population and calls, obligated time versus current staffing, supervisor time allocation, crime analyst and clerical assistant positions. Commissioner Roberts asked how long it would take a civilian to train for the fishbowl position, and Lt. Friel said it is a very busy and demanding position. There is going to be a transition period for the person to learn the position, and hopefully, SSO will come back to the commission for another position later, on in the year. Lt. Friel said SSO would report to the commission in March 2003 regarding the success of the analyst and clerical assistant positions. Vice Mayor Portner asked how much obligatory time would be decreased and Lt. Friel said with the analyst that would be alleviated altogether. Vice Mayor Portner asked if there was a person in mind for the position, and Lt. Friel said they have conducted interviews and have someone in mind. Commissioner Mishkin said with so many people out of work and the upcoming holidays, it seems there will be more problems, and asked if patrols would be beefed up. Lt. Friel said they will take data from last year during the same time frame and develop different tactics to address those issues, and will beef up patrols. There was discussion about handbags being stolen and Commissioner Sultanof said baggers in supermarkets should take out the wagons; women should not go out alone.. Vice Mayor Portner said the burden should not be put upon the store; people should take responsibility for themselves. November 25, 2002 City Commission Workshop 2 City Manager Miller suggested Mayor Schreiber call for a short recess before taking up Item #2 on the agenda, in order to give representatives from the SFWMD a chance to set up their presentation. Mayor Schreiber recessed the workshop meeting at 10:25 a.m. Mayor Schreiber reconvened the workshop meeting at 10.40 a.m. with all present as before. 2. DISCUSSION RE: CANAL MAINTENANCE: Public Works Director Verma introduced Assistant Public Works Director Linares, Michael E. Massa, Director, Field Operations, SFWMD, Gordon E. Baker, Staff Environmental Scientist, SFWMD, Doug Ritchie, Public Works Superintendent and Wes Tipton, Public Works Supervisor, Stormwater. Mr. Baker said he has been with the SFWMD for over 30 years. Mr. Baker discussed natural and exotic vegetation, and said there are conflicting ideas among users about what is important, and we need to know the priorities of water bodies and users. Mr. Baker spoke about the history, biology and ecology of the water system in South Florida, as well as floating, submerged, immersed, and terrestrial native and exotics. Mr. Baker said the three methods of eliminating overage of the plants is herbicide, grass eating carp and harvesting. Commissioner Sultanof thanked Mr. Baker for his presentation and said it is important that the public be educated, and we need to be concerned about building into the Everglades, as that is our water source. Mr. Baker said the community needs to understand the environment, and we need to manage our water bodies for all purposes. Mayor Schreiber said the issue is the appearance of the waterways, and people complaining about growth. The public's perception needs to be changed, and education is the way to do it. Commissioner Roberts said she has lived on a canal in Tamarac for 22 years and looking at aquatic growth in the canal is not acceptable. There must be some way to deal with it. Vice Mayor Portner said all local areas respond to clean their own canals, and asked why the SFWMD could not come in and help, as it is expensive to clean the canals. Mr. Baker suggested speaking to the Broward County Service Center. Vice Mayor Portner agreed the public needs to be educated on canal plant life. Mayor Schreiber asked if Tamarac had the proper program to keep the canals as clean as they could be, and Mr. Baker said our program is good; we use a combination of mechanical harvesting, herbicide control and grass carp. Commissioner Mishkin asked what could be done to permanently remove the exotic plants, and Mr. Baker said there are 8 registered herbicides, regulated by the EPA, and Tamarac is doing the best it can. Public Works Director Verma said today's intent was to show that the plants in the canals are natural things and part of Florida's 11-month growing season. No matter what we do, they will continue to grow back. The public needs to be educated. The City is trying to maintain a delicate balance between harvester, herbicides, and grass carp. Our canals are kept up better than other, cities' canals, and some plants provide a filter which is necessary to the water system. Mayor Schreiber said we are charging the people $2.00 a month more for Stormwater service and we must provide more service to the public. Public Works Director Verma suggested a public outreach program, where Public Information Officer Crockett and City Manager Miller could coordinate presentations to different organizations. Mr. Baker said the SFWMD would be more than happy to assist in the presentations. Vice Mayor November 25, 2002 City Commission Workshop 3 Portner said he would like to see the Sun -Sentinel and Herald write about the eco- system in their newspaper. Public Information Officer Crockett said Public Works is developing a brochure, soon to be released, and there is also a feature in the Forum. This subject must be reinforced over and again. Mayor Schreiber thanked Mr. Baker for his presentation and said Tamarac needs help on the C-14 canal; and asked that Mr, Baker mention this to Mr. Dean. 3. DISCUSSION RE: AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENT: Chief Budzinski gave a status report and recommendation for future action. Chief Budzinski said Tamarac has an obsolete automatic aid agreement with North Lauderdale and Broward County, which needs to be eliminated, and a new agreement needs to be executed between North Lauderdale and Tamarac. The reason for obsolescence of the old agreement is that because North Lauderdale took over what was previously unincorporated Broward County's service area, and Oakland Park took over station 20 which was Broward County, the county boundaries were eliminated between. As a result, Chief Budzinski recommends termination of the existing 3-part agreement and initiating in its place a 2- part agreement with North Lauderdale. Vice Mayor Partner asked if finances were involved and Chief Budzinski said no finances, only exchange of services. 4. DISCUSSION — MONTEREY GOLF COURSE: Assistant City Manager Cernech gave a presentation and update on discussions regarding the golf course. Assistant City Manager Cernech said he has been in contact with the owner of the golf course and the asking price is $2.8 million. The city has been provided with documentation, and it appears there may be restrictions on the golf course. The City Attorney's office has assisted and arranged for a title search to see if the restrictions are in force and what restrictions were on the property at the time of the last sale. Assistant City Manager Cernech said he would bring the information back to the commission in a few weeks. Additionally, Assistant City Manager Cernech said that now that the price has been established, staff does not recommend spending $2.8 million on a golf course. An offer made by the City Manager in the future would rely on the amount of grant funding available, which the city may or may not get from Broward County. The city will ask its lobbyist to approach the county to determine if money awarded for the Island property can be moved to this property. Commissioners Sultanof and Roberts and Mayor Schreiber said they thought the previous asking price was less than $2.8 million, and suggested looking at the minutes of the previous discussion on this item to see what the asking price was at that time. Assistant City Manager Cernech said he would ask the lobbyist to pursue grants, and if he is not successful, we will have to apply to the county again. It is his understanding that they are opening another round of land acquisition grants. Mayor Schreiber said he knows the county is giving money to municipalities to purchase golf courses, and we have to determine if that is the direction in which we want to go.. Vice Mayor Portner said there is a problem with Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport noise abatement; which was to be brought up at the Ft. Lauderdale Commission meeting this week. Marcia Gallagher; 6181 NW 55 Lane, Tamarac, spoke about expansion of the Executive Airport and the Noise Abatement Group. Vice Mayor Partner asked the November 25, 2002 City Commission Workshop 4 1 1 commission to sponsor, a resolution supporting the recommendation of the pilots as far as noise abatement. Mayor Schreiber said he would like to see documents regarding noise abatement before sponsoring any legislation. Vice Mayor Portner said he has the documentation and would see to it that the commissioners each received a copy to review. Commissioner Sultanof asked how many steps need to be taken before we become noiseless — because that could hold up expansion of the airport, and the idea behind this is to allow smaller jets to land at the Executive Airport, thereby easing crowding at the International Airport. Vice Mayor Portner said when the commission approved changes in rules of procedure, the rotation vote was misinterpreted. Vice Mayor Portner said he would like a true rotation no matter who is the maker or seconder of a motion. Mayor Schreiber said the resolution would then need to be amended. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest to amend the resolution, and Vice Mayor Portner, Commissioners Sultanof and Mishkin said they were in agreement. Commissioner Roberts and Mayor Schreiber said they were not. There being no further business to come before the city commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:45 a.m. Marion Swenson, CMC City Clerk November 25, 2002 City Commission Workshop 5