Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-10 - 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, December 10, 2001, at 9:35 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. 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, Assistant City Manager Michael Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. 1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED SINGLE-FAMILY BULK PICK-UP SCHEDULE: Project Manager (Solid Waste/Recycling) Jean Dupuis and Assistant Director of Public Works Mark Greenspan gave a presentation. Assistant Director of Public Works Greenspan said the current citywide pickup schedule is confusing and results in bulk waste being left curbside for up to 3 days before it is removed. Under the proposal, zones would be instituted with specific pickup dates. City Manager Miller noted that there would be no change to the contract, the number of bulk pickups per year would remain the same, and pickups would be by neighborhood (rather than citywide) and completed in one day. Assistant Director of Public Works Greenspan said the first pickup in 2002 would be citywide to allow time for advertising the change, and thereafter the following five pickups would be according to zones. Commissioner Partner asked about curbside pickup for hazardous material and if the costs involved could be added to the water bills. Assistant Director of Public Works Greenspan said this is very regulated, and requires special licensure, and City Attorney Kraft said we are currently operating under an agreement and perhaps Assistant Director of Public Works Greenspan could do further research on costs involved, and an addendum to the contract might be possible. Commissioner Roberts asked about Saturday pickups for residents of Heathgate Sunflower, and Assistant Director of Public Works Greenspan said the zones are not firmly set and this can be revisited. Discussion was held regarding requirements for bundling and containerizing waste, and Commissioner Roberts said cardboard boxes should be acceptable. City Attorney Kraft suggested now might be the time for Public Works and All - Service to address this contractual issue. Commissioner Portner questioned advertising the schedule change and Project Manager (Solid Waste/Recycling) Dupuis said notice would be given in water bills, the Tam -a -Gram and via direct mail. 2. DECEMBER 12, 2001 AGENDA ITEMS: a. Item No. 8(i). PURCHASE OF HTE SOFTWARE: (TR9632) Approving the purchase of E-Government and Human resources Software from HTE, Inc., at a cost of $52,750, including training and installation. Director of Information Technology Levent Sucuoglu gave a presentation and noted payments for utility bills, business licenses, and employment applications could be accepted over the Internet. Mayor Schreiber asked whether the usage would justify the cost, and IT Director Sucuoglu said there is increased interest by residents stemming from city -sponsored computer classes, and promotion of the website would increase December 10, 2001 City Commission Workshop 1 usage. Commissioner Roberts questioned the annual maintenance fee and whether a survey should have been done to determine usage. IT Director Sucuoglu said annual maintenance covers updates and changes to the software as well as 24-hour technical support, and utility bill and licenses would ensure usage. Commissioner Partner asked if the cost would be recoverable through usage and IT Director Sucuoglu responded in the negative. Discussion was held and the consensus of the Commission was to proceed at this time. b. Item No. 12. BROWARD COUNTY LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM - OPEN SPACE PARCELS: (TR9631) Executing two (2) applications for Open Space Acquisition to the Broward County Land Preservation Program in the amounts of $2,000,000 each for funding for the Kings Point Replat Parcel R and for the Island Property (Lyons Industrial Park Parcel P). Parks Superintendent Lance Moll gave a presentation. Commissioner Roberts asked about the 70% passive requirement for Parcel R and how this affects previous plans. Parks Superintendent Mall said it should not cause a problem. Discussion was held regarding the county's changing guidelines and City Manager Miller said concerns would be addressed. C. Item No. 8(g), PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT VEHICLES: (TR9633) Authorizing the purchase of replacement vehicles utilizing the Florida Sheriff's Association Bid #01-09-0904; authorizing an expenditure in an amount not to exceed $195,000. Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber questioned the cost for pickup trucks and Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan said they are 1-ton trucks used for pulling, towing, and hauling. Commissioner Portner asked why unit #608 was being replaced rather than repaired, and Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan said the vehicle has almost 50% of replacement value in repair costs. Commissioner Roberts asked about unit #322 and Assistant Public Works Director Greenspan responded that the unit is out of service. d. Item No. 8(f). MASTER LEASE -PURCHASE AGREEMENT - FINANCING OF FLEET VEHICLES: (TR9630) Executing and delivering certain lease documents in connection with the proposed financing of fleet vehicles in an amount not to exceed $195,000 under a Master Lease -Purchase Agreement between the City of Tamarac and Kislak National Bank; amending the annual budget of estimated revenues and expenditures for the purchase. Finance and Policy Officer Leanne Williams gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber questioned the lease period and Finance and Policy Officer Williams said it is five years. e. Item No. 11. AMENDING CHAPTER 7 - FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION: (TO1929) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 7, Fire Prevention and Protection, creating Section 7-55, of the Tamarac Code, to create the Community Automated External Defibrillator Program; providing for codification. Fire Chief Jim Budzinski gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber questioned potential locations for AEDs and Fire Chief Budzinski said any place with a large assembly of people, such as restaurants and clubhouses, would be desirable places. Placing an AED is voluntary and this ordinance would establish guidelines for installation and maintenance. Commissioner Porter asked about acquiring AEDs and said 15-20 are needed for the entire city. Vice Mayor Sultanof suggested approaching the North Broward Hospital District and Commissioner Portner questioned county involvement. Fire Chief Budzinski said state EMS grants have been applied for through the county. Mayor Schreiber suggested communicating with various neighborhoods and with Will Trower of the hospital district, and added benefactors must be trained to operate the December 10, 2001 City Commission Workshop 2 equipment. Commissioner Roberts questioned the training and certification of users and whether there is an inspection fee. Chief Budzinski said the Fire Department and the American Heart Association provide training, and evidence of certification is provided as an extension of the CPR card. There is no inspection fee. Mayor Schreiber questioned the location of Tubby's Food Store in Item 8(d) on the consent agenda. Item 8(d). UTILITY EASEMENT ENCROACHMENT AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT - TUBBY'S FOOD STORE: (TR9608) Accepting and executing a Utility Easement Encroachment and Hold Harmless Agreement with Sonny Gentile for a sign to be constructed within utility easements on the Tubby's Food Store site located at 6980 West McNab Road; authorizing and directing the City Clerk to record said agreement in the public records of Broward County. Commissioner Roberts replied it is located on McNab Road, east of 70t" Avenue. Commissioner Partner questioned Item 8(k) on the consent agenda. Item 8(k). AMENDMENT - CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLAN: (TR9634) Amending the City's Classification and Pay Plan for Executive, Managerial/Professional and Administrative Non -Bargaining Employees effective January 1, 2002. Personnel Director Maria Swanson gave a presentation and noted the figures provided include a 5% increase in the maximum pay in each range. Commissioner Roberts asked whether staff would be coming to the commission at some time next year to ask for an increase to the mid -point on the range, and Personnel Director Swanson said there are no plans to do that. Commissioner Portner asked how Tamarac could compete with larger cities like Fort Lauderdale and Sunrise, and Personnel Director Swanson said if Tamarac does not make salaries competitive, personnel would be drawn away by other cities. Commissioner Roberts said the Pay for Performance System standards need to be modified. Commissioner Portner asked about the tower in Item 8(I) on the consent agenda. Item 8(I). AGREEMENT- METROPCS CALIFORNIA/FLORIDA,�_INC. — TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA/EQUIPMENT: TR9 _ agreement .. -- _ ( 616) Executing an agreement with Metropcs California/Florida, Inc. for the installation of a telecommunications antenna and associated equipment on the existing tower at the City's Water Treatment Plant property; authorizing the appropriate City officials to execute any permit applications as may be required on behalf of the City as owner of the property. Director of Information Technology Levent Sucuoglu gave a presentation. Commissioner Roberts questioned the future appearance of the tower, and IT Director Sucuoglu said the tower is a monopole and the antennas to be installed are flat panels, not triangular. Commissioner Portner asked for an explanation of Item 9 on the regular agenda. Item 9. AMENDING CHAPTER 18 - SIGNS & ADVERTISING: (TO1955) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 18, Signs and Advertising, Article II, Signs, Division 5, Temporary Signs, Section 18-86, Political Signs, clarifying that removal requirements apply to signs associated with an election or ballot issue; providing that signs promoting issues not associated with an election or ballot issue are not subject to removal requirements; providing for codification. City Attorney Kraft said the ordinance distinguishes between election signs and political statement types of signs. Commissioner Roberts asked if the revision would have an effect on Election Day, City Attorney Kraft responded there are other provisions for Election Day. Discussion was held regarding campaign activities near polling places on Election Day, December 10, 2001 City Commission Workshop 3 and City Clerk Marion Swenson said she would get clarification from the Supervisor of Elections and provide it to the Commission. Commissioner Roberts questioned Item 80) on the consent agenda. Item 80). AGREEMENT - EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: (TR9607) Executing a two-year contract for the City's Employee Assistance Program with Magellan Behavioral Health, Inc., effective January 1, 2002; approving the appropriate budgetary transfer of funds. Personnel Director Swanson gave a short presentation and said coverage would be provided through the city's new health insurance carrier. 3. PRESENTATION OF THE QUARTERLY MANAGEMENT REPORT: Assistant City Manager Cernech gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if the audit has been completed and Controller Nealon said this week is the last week of fieldwork for the auditors. Assistant City Manager Cernech noted that the city's financial situation is stable and spoke about an economic stabilization fund for surpluses, which will be presented to the Commission for implementation next year. Discussion was held regarding General Fund surpluses and encumbered funds. Mayor Schreiber called for a recess at 11:35 a.m. Mayor Schreiber resumed the workshop meeting at 2:05 p.m. with everyone present as before. 4. DISCUSSION OF CODE REVISION TO AMEND PARKING CALCULATIONS/SPACE SIZE REQUIREMENTS: Community Development Director J. Christopher King said this item arose out of concern over the numerous parking waiver requests coming before the Commission and he presented four options: 1) reduce space width from 10' to 9'; 2) allow a percentage of spaces to be reduced to 9', which is Community Development's recommendation; 3) reduce the parking calculations ratio of one space for every 200 square feet of floor area; or 4) a combination of options 1 and 3. Discussion was held on designation of 9' spaces for compact cars only, vehicle width and door -span, McNab Shopping Center, Publix at Sunshine Plaza and diagonal spaces. Mayor Schreiber said vehicle width is one component, but the need for spaces is also based on use, and the reason for 9' spaces is to accommodate developments needing more spaces. The Commission expressed interest in pursuing option 2. 5. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR RELOCATION OF WILDLIFE PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION: Community Development Director J. Christopher King gave a presentation and noted the ordinance would include in the permitting process the requirement that the developer post a bond for the cost of relocation and removal of wildlife. Mayor Schreiber asked how much undeveloped land is left in Tamarac, and Community Development Director King said 5% of the entire city is undeveloped land. After discussion, the Commission agreed that a proposed ordinance be drafted. 6. REPORT ON FINAL UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN FIGURES: Assistant City Manager Cernech gave a presentation and said a total of $8,668.88 was raised, representing $7,543.88 local, $648 for the 9-11 Fund with a city match of $324, and $153 in matching funds from the brandy snifter collection. Mayor Schreiber commended Utilities Director Gagnon for his job as December 10, 2001 City Commission Workshop 4 United Way Campaign manager. Commissioner Portner suggested the city round off the collection to $10,000. There was no expression of interest to do this. 7. DISCUSSION - PURCHASE OF A COLOR COPIER: After reviewing information presented regarding options for lease/purchase of a color copier, Commissioner Roberts said she was not interested in leasing or purchasing an expensive color copier, but would like the city to look into perhaps purchasing a small, inexpensive color copier for small jobs, so staff would not have to go to an outside vendor for several copies. IT Director Sucuoglu said his department has a color scanner and color printer that may be utilized. Mayor Schreiber suggested all the departments be made aware of this. 8. DISCUSSION OF HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: Commissioner Portner spoke about other cities decorating streets and medians, and suggested decorating Pine Island Road or University Drive next year. Mayor Schreiber said there should be an equal mix of decorations for all religions. Commissioner Mishkin questioned the decorations in past years at the Recreation Center and Parks Superintendent Moll said most had been moved to the Community Center since it is the focal point of the community. Commissioner Portner asked that the atrium in City Hall be decorated and Mayor Schreiber said better displays are needed in every public facility. City Manager Miller said the atrium would be decorated. There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 3:05 p.m. Marion Swenson, CIVIC City Clerk December 10, 2001 City Commission Workshop 5