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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-15 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCity Commission Workshop Meeting 4/15/96 Page 1 CITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called the Workshop Meeting to order on Monday, April 15, 1996, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room #1, 7525 Northwest 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. -14[Zk � Mayor Norman Abramowitz Vice Mayor Larry Mishkin Commissioner Sharon Machek Commissioner John E. McKaye Commissioner Joseph Schreiber ALSO PRE:SENT.. Robert S. Noe, Jr., City Manager Mitchell S. Kraft, City Attorney Chief Michael C. Goldstein, District VII Commander, BSO Karen Jackson, Office Specialist Tape 1 1. Presentation by the Broward Sheriff's Office Community Council District VII Chief Goldstein introduced George Straker, President of District VII Community Council, and gave a brief presentation as to the development of the Community Council. Mr. Stroker presented the history of the Community Council and the involvement it has had with the Broward Sheriff's Office and its community interaction. He said the Community Council is actively recruiting members and is involved with such programs as the Telephone Reassurance Program, the Neighborhood/Business Watch, Citizens Observers Patrol (COPS), Partners Against Crime Today (PACT) and others. Mr. Stroker said the Community Council is also involved with Tamarac Day on July 4th. He said until present, the Council has received no direct financial assistance from the City Commission Workshop Meeting 4/15/96 Page 2 Broward Sheriffs Office or the City and has received unsolicited donations, being operated by volunteers. He said the Council received a $10,000 grant from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund and meets every fourth Tuesday of the month. Mayor Abramowitz commended the Council on a job well done and recommended that more information be placed in the Tam -A -Gram regarding the Community Council for the education of the public. He said the Alzheimers Family Center can provide services if necessary. Comm. Schreiber suggested that the City actively advertise its events, such as Tamarac Day. V/M Mishkin suggested that the Community Council utilize the Presidents Council for networking. Mr. Stroker said the an important resource for the Council would be the Commission's time and presented Certificates of Appreciation to Comm. John McKaye and Comm. Joseph Schreiber as Special Advisor Board Members to the Community Council. Chief Goldstein said of the cities with a population over 50,000, Tamarac has the lowest crime rate in Broward County. 3. Special Assessment Presentation: Emergency Medical Services and Fire Rescue Bruce Abrahams, Budget Officer, introduced Mark Lawson, attorney with Nabors, Giblin and Nickerson, Robert Sheets of David M. Griffith and Camille Gianatasio, Vice President of Government Systems Group, L.C. Mr. Lawson explained the Home Rule Power which cities and counties have within the State of Florida. He said Fire Rescue must show involvement of benefits to property and explained how this can be done with the special assessment. Tape 2 Further discussion was held regarding the special assessment program. Mr. Sheets said that the traditional fire department services no longer exist, the current fire departments are first responders with paramedic engine units, EMT -trained firefighters with a Fire Rescue Program. 1 City Commission Workshop Meeting 4/15/96 Page 3 Comm. Schreiber asked how the special assessment program can demonstrate a benefit to property verses individuals and Mr. Lawson explained, this is based on the development and property improvements within a city, an increase in population and the services required by them. Mayor Abramowitz said the reason for the possibility of a special assessment is based on the number of people within the City who pay no taxes at all due to Homestead Exemption and such. Discussion was held regarding the options available to the City including increasing taxes or special assessments. Comm. Machek asked if there would be a way for the citizens to spread out the assessment and Mr. Lawson said if this were so, the City would be responsible instead of the Property Appraiser. He said the State Statutes permit the citizen to pay their tax bill in increments. Comm. Machek asked if the City would be able to audit the County to assure all monies are being issued to the City as assessed and Mr. Lawson said there are ways to confirm this. Further discussion was held regarding the collection of taxes. V/M Mishkin asked how this is determined annually and Mr. Lawson said it is difficult the first year but each year after that the amount is approximately the same. Mr. Lawson said currently his firm is working with ten cities in Broward County on various issues. Mayor Abramowitz asked if the City can handle this or must it be handled by their firm and Mr. Lawson said local governments have to find ways for fund services and the City's staff could handle this but it is complicated and time consuming. Mr. Lawson said they would provide public information brochures of the twenty most asked questions to aid in the public awareness of the assessments. Discussion was held regarding the County tax procedures. Tapes 3 and 4 The Commission reviewed the critical events/dates handout. Ms. Gianatasio said by the deadline for this report, the Commission will have the range of rates for the different properties, an outline of the procedure and will be guided through the public hearings. Discussion was held regarding the current contract. City Commission Workshop Meeting 4/15196 Page 4 Mayor Abramowitz RECESSED the meeting at 11:15 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:20 a.m. with all present. 2. Proposed Legislation - Annexation Mayor Abramowitz said there has been consideration by the County to not have unincorporated areas. Discussion was held regarding past issues involving the annexation of various areas into the City of Tamarac. Mayor Abramowitz said currently there is legislation being presented in Tallahassee which would mandate the municipalities annex an area whether or not it is desirable to the municipality. He said the Broward League of Cities is opposed to this. Comm. Machek said the municipalities need to have better representation for the various ad hoc committees, such as the EMS Committee and Annexation. Mayor Abramowitz said he wanted the Commission to be aware that this issue will need to be addressed in the future. V/M Mishkin recommended that the Commission hold a workshop meeting to discuss the EMS issue more thoroughly as well as the proposed referendum items. Comm. Schreiber requested that explicit costs be provided on the EMS issue. Mr. Noe said he would possibly distribute the information following his meeting with the EMS representatives by the end of the week. Comm. Schreiber also requested an audit report be given at the workshop. Comm. Schreiber expressed his concerns regarding the illegal removal of trees within the City and the fact that the County does not enforce their code. Discussion was held regarding this. With no further business, Mayor Abramowitz ADJOURNED the meeting at 11:52 a.m. Carol A. Evans, CMC City Clerk