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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-10 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to order on Monday, December 10, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, and Commissioner Harry Dressler. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance. 1. PRESENTATION ON THE LOWER EAST COAST WATER SUPPLY PLAN: Director of Utilities Gagnon, Elbert Waters, Director of the Broward Services Center for the South Florida Water Management District, and Carole Morris of the Broward Services Center for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) appeared. Mr. Waters gave a presentation and spoke of the interaction with the new Comprehensive Planning Process. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke of Israeli programs for water reclamation and desalinization and said he hoped the SWFMD would consider some of these programs. Mr. Waters said Tampa Bay has had much success with reverse osmosis. The greatest waste of water is irrigation and we need to look into xeriscape. Ms. Morris discussed the benefit of the Biscayne Aquifer, which provides us with water at a nominal cost, and added in other parts of the world water is a rare and valued commodity. Times are changing; our water sources are not as readily available as before and water will become more expensive. Mr. Waters commended the City of Tamarac for its water conservation efforts. Commissioner Portner said we need to look to the future and the effects of programs on the population fifty years from now. Commissioner Portner spoke of conflicts between the laws and deed restrictions. Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of two water summits she attended over the past weeks and her excitement in Tamarac doing everything it can toward water conservation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of conflicts between codes and water conservation efforts, and this must be addressed immediately. The U. S. Conference of Mayors, Broward League of Cities, and Florida League of Cities consider water and climate protection as the two paramount issues, and water conservation is part of Tamarac's advocacy for legislation. Commissioner Dressler said he feels lawns require too much water and chemicals to keep them green. (Commissioner Atkins -Grad left the room at 10:02 a.m. and returned at 10:03 a.m.) Commissioner Dressler added many of our golf courses have been poisoned through the use of arsenic as a pesticide, and xeriscape is the way to go; additionally, we have to review our ordinances and look at using xeriscape for our medians. Commissioner Dressler asked for information regarding how much water goes into our medians and easements for irrigation and fertilization, and said Tamarac may be the first city outside Arizona to look into going December 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 5 back in time to a more natural environment. 2. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION RE: WATER CONSERVATION: Utilities Director Ray Gagnon and Lab Manager Oney appeared. Director of Utilities Gagnon gave a presentation and spoke of Tamarac's reduction in water usage. The District Board will meet to discuss modifications from Phase 2 Restrictions to Phase 3 Restrictions. Once the District decides what they are going to do, Director of Utilities Gagnon will bring that information back to the Mayor and City Commission. Tamarac Code §22-306 prohibits water being placed on tables at restaurants without the diner asking for it; Commissioner Atkins -Grad said this needs to be enforced, and Lab Manager Oney said letters will go out to restaurants as soon as Phase 3 Restrictions go into effect. Director of Utilities Gagnon said in an effort to change our culture of conservation, the Public Works department will take over testing sprinklers on medians so we can have more control over when the testing is done. Commissioner Dressler said there is a difference between changing behavior and changing environment to the extent the city can make environmental changes on city owned property. Commissioner Dressler asked that a xeriscape policy be looked into and discussed at a future workshop, as well as looking at fiscal impacts. City Manager Miller said the City of Tamarac's lawn program is associated with concurrency, and this is tied to the water supply. Additionally, Tamarac has had a water conservation program for many years, and it is one of the best in Florida. Ten years ago we instituted a median beautification program and paved streets in the community. At that time we started using drought tolerant plants in the medians and tried xeriscape but there was a big public outcry. This is a different world now, and we are going through the worst drought in Florida history; a workshop would be a great opportunity to talk through these issues. Vice Mayor Sultanof confirmed our water rate went up 18% and Director of Utilities Gagnon said during droughts it is raised and the math is sound. Raising the rate is good publicity for conservation and people reduce usage in order to keep their bills at a level. It also keeps us revenue neutral. Commissioner Portner said we are in the water shortage position now because 50 years ago nobody thought about consequences and we need to look ahead. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked that information be placed in the upcoming Tam -A -Gram. Commissioner Portner suggested instituting a water tax so that eventually people will cut back on usage. Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she was told that in Atlanta customers pay $5.00 for a glass of water in a restaurant. Director of Utilities Gagnon explained throughout most of the world water is expensive and is not placed on tables at restaurants. 3. DECEMBER 12, 2007 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 6(b) on the consent agenda. TASK AUTHORIZATION NO. 08-01 E -- WATER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN (STUDY): (TR11328) Executing Task Authorization No. 08-01 E with Mathews Consulting, Inc., to provide professional services to prepare a Water System Master Plan (Study) in accordance with the City's Consulting Engineering Agreement as authorized by Resolution No. R-2006-131, for an amount not to exceed $212,868.00; approving funding from the appropriate budgeted Utilities Operational and CIAC accounts; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to administer the contract. Utilities Director Gagnon, Assistant Director of Utilities Moore and Purchasing/Contracts December 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 5 Manager Glatz appeared. Assistant Director of Utilities Moore gave a presentation and said the last study was done in 1996. It will take six months to complete this study. Vice Mayor Sultanof complimented Assistant Director of Utilities Moore for his work and for saving the city money. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned the frequency of the study and confirmed the funds are available. Assistant Director of Utilities Moore said we are within the time frame for the study. b. Item No. 6(c) on the consent agenda. APPROVING THE CITY'S FY2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: (TR11329) Approving the City of Tamarac Legislative Agenda for the 2008 legislative session; directing the City Clerk to send a copy of the City of Tamarac Legislative Agenda for the 2008 legislative session to the Broward County Legislative Delegation and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners for consideration. Assistant City Manager Phillips, Director of Utilities Gagnon, Human Resources Director Swanson, and Financial Services Director Chapman appeared. Assistant City Manager Phillips gave a presentation on the city's legislative agenda. Commissioner Dressler spoke of unfunded mandates and congratulated city staff for their professionalism and foresight in avoiding entanglement in the SBA issue. Commissioner Dressler spoke of the use of premium tax revenues as funding for the Firefighter and Police Pension Trusts and the benefits and cost of a defined contribution plan versus a defined benefit plan. Human Resources Director Swanson explained cities in the South Florida area have traditionally used the defined benefit plans for public safety; and modifications must be collectively bargained. (Commissioner Atkins - Grad left the room at 10:55 a.m. and returned at 11:00 a.m.) City Manager Miller added there would be major resistance from Fire and Police personnel as well as General Employees for this type of program. There is competition between cities to get the best firefighters, police and general employees, and historically, people have gone into government for security and long term pension plans. Human Resources Director Swanson spoke of another city that recently negotiated for a defined contribution plan for new employees and they are now struggling in collective bargaining to equalize the plans. Commissioner Portner said we should do away with half of the exemptions and that would solve the budget problem, and he is in favor of an increased sales tax that will eliminate the ad valorem tax. Additionally, during Broward Days, all the commissioners should go to Tallahassee and speak with the majority party. Commissioner Dressler said the FLC addressed exemptions three years ago but to no avail. Vice Mayor Sultanof said if we go to Tallahassee we need to go advocating the sales tax. (Commissioner Portner left the room at 11:15 a.m. and returned at 11:20 a.m.) c. Item No. 6(d) on the consent agenda. CHANGE ORDER — NEW SIDEWALK REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT: (TR11330) Executing Change Order Number 2 to the Agreement with Straightline Engineering Group for the installation of new sidewalk and repair and replacement of existing sidewalk; authorizing an additional expenditure in an amount not to exceed $180,000.00 for said purpose; authorizing budget amendments as needed for proper accounting purposes. Public Works Director Strain and Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz appeared. Public Works Director Strain gave a presentation. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed the bulk of the funding is from CDBG money and $50,000 is from our annual repair/replacement fund. Commissioner December 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 5 Atkins -Grad said her understanding is the sidewalk will be near the schools so children will not have to walk in the streets. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco questioned starting time of the project and traffic disruption. Public Works Director Strain said we will start in two -three weeks from approval and there will be minimal impact on traffic. Commissioner Atkins -Grad suggested doing the work during the upcoming holiday and Public Works Director Strain said the company would not be able to complete the job in such a short time. Commissioner Dressler questioned how many blocks of sidewalk are covered and Public Works Director Strain said he would get the information to the Mayor and City Commission. d. Item No. 6(e) on the consent agenda. CONTRACT AWARD — UPDATE TO THE CITY'S FIRE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY: (TR11327) Awarding a professional services contract for an amount of $40,270 to Government Services Group, Inc. for an update to the City's Fire Assessment Methodology; authorizing budget amendments for proper accounting purposes. Financial Services Director Chapman, Purchasing/Contracts Manager Glatz and Management and Budget Officer Sammartino appeared. Financial Services Director Chapman gave a presentation. e. Item No. 7 on the regular agenda. AMENDMENT TO CITY OF TAMARAC COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN: (TO2155) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading adopting an amendment to the Capital Improvement and Intergovernmental Coordination Elements of the City of Tamarac Comprehensive Land Use Plan concerning a text amendment to incorporate new goals, objectives and related policies and the addition of the Public School Facilities Element to the Comprehensive Plan all pertaining to public school facility planning to address the implementation of school facilities concurrency through the establishment of a financially feasible Public School Capital Facilities Program; adoption of level of service standards to establish maximum permissible school utilization rates relative to capacity and coordinated procedures for implementing school concurrency (Case No. 2-LUA-07). Community Development Director Bramley and Dawn Tetzel of Michelle Melgren and Associates appeared. Community Development Director Bramley gave a presentation and said we are adding the public school element to the comprehensive plan. City Manager Miller said all cities have to do this. Assistant City Attorney Klahr spoke of the constitutional class size amendment that must be in place by 2010. (Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco left the room at 11:30 and returned at 11:33) 4. DISCUSSION RE: BRANDING CAMPAIGN: Public and Economic Affairs Officer Berns gave a presentation and showed the Mayor and City Commission three versions of the branding campaign. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco asked for an expression of interest and Commissioners Dressler and Atkins -Grad, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco, and Vice Mayor Sultanof, were in favor of option A. Commissioner Portner was not in favor. 5. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION RE: FEDERAL LOBBYIST: Assistant City Manager Phillips gave an update on the federal lobbyist and said there are currently two items pending in appropriations. We have paid the Russ Reid Company $10,000/month plus expenses for the past two years. The Russ Reid Company previously indicated if December 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 5 they were unable to get funding for Tamarac at the end of the two-year agreement, they would work for free until funding is approved. Assistant City Manager Phillips outlined the proposal from the Russ Reid Company and the two projects pending before the federal government; the $610,000 earmarked for the Pine Island Overpass and $150,000 earmarked for the construction of the Recreation Center. Should the Mayor and City Commission wish to engage a lobbyist on the federal level, we need direction from the Mayor and City Commission as to whether to pursue the relationship with the Russ Reid Company or identify another lobbying firm. Commissioner Portner said he initiated this federal lobbyist and pushed strongly for the Russ Reid Company. We have given them $240,000 and only heard the money is in the pipeline or held up in appropriations; he made a mistake recommending the Russ Reid Company and recommends discontinuing association with this company. We can go to our Representatives and Senators in order to get our projects through. Commissioner Portner asked that RFP's be put out for a new firm to continue our work in Washington, D.C. Commissioner Dressler said no disservice was done; we try to make the best decisions we can for the public good. The cost benefit is not there and we should find someone else who has been successful in a difficult environment. Vice Mayor Sultanof said we owe the Russ Reid Company nothing more; there should be a way we can approach our Representatives and Senators for the two items in the pipeline. If we have other items for funding we can find someone else to lobby for us in Washington, D.C. City Manager Miller said we would be looking for Main Street Infrastructure funding. Commissioner Atkins -Grad questioned whether our other two lobbyists could work for us in Washington, D.C. and Assistant City Manager Phillips said she has already contacted them and they have agreed to help ensure the appropriations pending are moved through; however they specialize in state and local lobbying. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said there is a need for a federal lobbyist and asked for an expression of interest to dissolve the relationship with the Russ Reid Company and move forward with Letters of Interest for a new lobbyist. All were in agreement. 6. DISCUSSION RE: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REVENUE BOND SERIES 2005: Vice Mayor Sultanof said Tamarac residents purchased these tax free bonds and it is our obligation to make sure they are handled properly. Vice Mayor Sultanof spoke about the dog park, and a woman who came before the Mayor and City Commission and pressed for the park, and Vice Mayor Sultanof added without a dog park many dog owners will walk their dogs on sidewalks and walking paths. The woman said she would go forward and call the gentleman who promised $155,000 toward the dog park and if he was not amenable at this time she would start a campaign to raise the money, if possible. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the workshop meeting at 12:15 p.m. Marion Swe on, CMC City Clerk December 10, 2007 City Commission Workshop Page 5 of 5