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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-10 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, MAY 10, 1999 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the workshop to order on Monday, May 10, 1999, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room #1 of Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Larry Mishkin, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner Karen L. Roberts and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof. ALSO PRESENT: Robert S. Noe, Jr., City Manager, Mitchell S. Kraft, City Attorney, Tim Hemstreet, Assistant City Manager and Carol Gold, City Clerk. 1, 6/11/99 Agenda Items b) Item #9(I), Temporary Resolution #8621, authorizing an additional expenditure of $23,639 for the installation of underground power lines and authorizing installation of street lights along Hiatus Road between Commercial Boulevard and McNab Road; authorizing the appropriate City Officials to pursue all necessary actions to successfully complete the underground power lines and installation of street lights; authorizing amendment to the annual trafficways improvement fund budget of estimated revenues and expenditures in the amount of $23,639. Public Works Director Verma and City Engineer Behmardi gave a presentation and responded to questions from Mayor Schreiber, Vice Mayor Mishkin and Commissioner Portner. Mayor Schreiber asked about the backup for Item 9(e), Temporary Resolution #8565, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to approve the purchase of a playground sunshade including installation from Sports Systems International, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $19,997,40, utilizing the County of Volusia, Florida Price Agreement Contract for park and playground equipment, Bid #97-B-139, approving funding from the appropriate Parks and Recreation account. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles responded. Commissioner Roberts said there is a great playshade at the sports center, and so many young families take advantage of it. Commissioner Roberts questioned Item 9(h), Temporary Resolution #8609, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute the Sixteenth Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and City of Tamarac providing for division and distribution of the proceeds of the Local Option Gas Tax imposed by the Broward County Local Option Gas Tax Ordinance, and Item 9(I), Temporary Resolution #8610, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute the 1999 Amendment to Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and City of Tamarac providing for division and distribution of the proceeds from the Broward County Additional Local Option Gas Tax on Motor Fuel Ordinance. Commissioner Roberts asked if the money goes to anything special in the budget, and Finance Director McGarrity responded. Vice Mayor Mishkin said there is a movement afoot now to add another 20 for Cities. Finance Director McGarrity said she is not familiar with that, and City Manager Noe said it is formula driven. Commissioner Roberts questioned Item 9(k), Temporary Resolution #8618, authorizing the appropriate City Officials to refund traffic signalization impact fees paid to the City by Market Place at Tamarac Association (formerly Village Mall) in the total amount of $11,000.00. Commissioner Roberts questioned the location, and the response was Commercial and 68t" Street. Mayor Schreiber spoke about Kings point having $50,000. in trust from Lennar, and if the County puts in the traffic light, then the money should be given to the County. Commissioner Sultanof said the money was given to the County. S. Replacement of Construction Equipment/Vehicles: Public Works Director Verma gave a presentation and responded to questions from Mayor Schreiber about what the equipment is used for and the feasibility of leasing. Public Works Operations Manager Greenspan gave a presentation and responded to questions from Mayor Schreiber and Commissioner Portner about repairs and the pros and cons of purchasing pre -owned vehicles. 1(a) Item #10, Temporary Resolution #8593, receiving the Comprehensive annual Financial Report, Auditors' Reports and Unqualified Opinion, prepared by Madsen, Sapp, Mena, Rodriguez & Co., for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998. Mayor Schreiber questioned the fact that the $6 million balance is not correct, and there is in reality a $3 million balance. Timothy Isler and Bob Benson, of Madsen, Sapp, Mena, Rodriguez & Co. gave a presentation. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet explained that the $3.6 million is for salaries and operating expenses, and there was discussion about designated and undesignated amounts. Finance Director McGarrity said that the report was prepared as of September 1998, and by now some of the monies have been spent. There was discussion about expenditures and revenues. Mayor Schreiber asked why the report was late this year, and Mr. Isler responded that the Y2K issue caused the delay. Vice Mayor Mishkin asked whether the auditors felt the City needed to continue to search for new sources of revenue, and Mr. Benson said it always makes sense to evaluate opportunities for revenue enhancement and expense control in order for the City to continue in its strong fiscal position. Vice Mayor Mishkin asked whose responsibility it is to track the bar coding, and Finance Director McGarrity responded it is the MIS department's responsibility. Commissioner Portner questioned why the City does not follow normal business practices when it comes to fixed assets and depreciation, and Assistant City Manager Hemstreet responded. Commissioner Sultanof left the meeting at 10:15 a.m., and returned at 10:45 a.m. Mayor Schreiber questioned why the City does not institute a process whereby money collected in Parks and Recreation is recorded immediately. Commissioner Portner said he thought the electronic billing system is already in 2 5/10/99 use and Commissioner Roberts said the system is not in use yet. Finance Director McGarrity said the City has the software but is working on the utility audit first. Ms. McGarrity said the system will be in place prior to the end of the fiscal year. Vice Mayor Mishkin asked whether an internal auditor would address any possible problems resulting from errors that may be outside the scope of the auditors, and Mr. Benson replied that would be dependent upon specific skills and scope of the internal auditor's review. Vice Mayor Mishkin mentioned that the City has not been able to attract an internal auditor, and said he believes the City is not offering enough of an incentive to attract someone. Mr. Benson replied that there is a shortage of people in the profession. City Manager Noe introduced John Archer of FPL, and said Mr. Archer will demonstrate the electric vehicle at the close of the workshop. 4. Utility Special Assessment, Land Section 7: Utilities Director Woika introduced Attorney George Nickerson of Nabors, Giblin, et al, Tallahassee, FL, and Camille Giantassio, of Government Services Group, Tallahassee, FL. Mr. Nickerson and Ms. Giantassio gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked if there were any foreseeable legal problems with the method being used and he asked for clarification as to why some parcels are classified as excluded on the property. Mr. Nickerson responded. Vice Mayor Mishkin asked why they are not using the method that has been in place for the past 35 years, and Utilities Director Woika said the City is acting as the developer in this case, and constructed the lines for the benefit of the development. Usually developers put in their own lines, and in the case of the Butters property, the City put up money to aid development. City Manager Noe said it is customary for developers to install their own utilities, and this is an exception. Five years ago the Commission wanted economic development and this is a way to get this accomplished. Utilities Director Woika said earlier in the meeting there was a question about whether the cost for underground lighting for Hiatus Road could be included in a special assessment, and Mr. Nickerson responded. City Manager Noe suggested that this matter be placed on the next workshop agenda for discussion. 3. Community Center — Presentation — DMS: Parks and Recreation Director Margoles introduced Robert Walters, Architect. Mr. Walters gave a presentation. Mayor Schreiber asked when construction is to begin, and expressed disappointment that the project is not moving forward. There was discussion about land for the library next to the Senior and Community Center, as well as whether it would prove beneficial to prepare the building for a second story in the future. Mr. Lynch, Dooley Mack Construction Manager said the project calls for a July start date, with projected completion in April. No bids have been received yet. 3 5/10/99 2. Impact of New Pension Law — Presentation: Personnel Director Swanson gave a presentation and explained the changes in the pension plan. Ms. Swanson said Robert Sugarman, Pension Board Attorney will give a presentation at the June 7, 1999 workshop. The new legislation requires that the police and fire pension plans be separated from the general employees. There is an option in the law that allows the police and fire to have either combined or separate boards, and members are voting on it this week at City Hall. Ms. Swanson will be meeting with FPE to talk about what they would like to see happen with the general employees' board. There was discussion about the composition of the pension boards, and Ms. Swanson said the police and fire pension boards' makeup is specifically determined by State law. City Manager Noe said it is critical who the Commission appoints to the board(s) because it is a financial issue and whoever is appointed needs to understand pension issues and must have the utmost concern for the City. Ms. Swanson said the new pension ordinances and appointments must be made before October 1, 1999. At 11:25 a.m. Vice Mayor Mishkin left the meeting. Mayor Schreiber said he has a letter from the State of Florida Division of Retirement that addresses several of the issues. Commissioner Roberts asked if a person could serve on 2 pension boards at the same time, and Ms. Swanson responded in the affirmative, if they meet the qualifications. Walter Coghlin, 4805 NW 49 Court, Tamarac questioned police pension members, since the City uses BSO, and Ms. Swanson answered. 6. Change of election date from March to November for Charter Board: City Attorney Kraft explained that to change the voting date from March to November would require a special act of the legislature or an ordinance, but this will not allow for any elected governing officials other than the Commission. The Charter Board has asked that their election date coincide with the Commission's. Ordinances have been prepared to this end and are being reviewed by the Charter Board, and the Charter Board wanted the Commission to be aware of this. City Manager Noe discussed the St. Petersburg conference with the Commission. The cutoff date for Board/Committee Applications will be placed on the next workshop agenda. Mayor Schreiber said Tamarac Football League is asking for a refund of $1,295.00 in fees. Commissioner Roberts asked whether the City has given rebates on water fees in the past, and City Manager Noe said he would look into it for the next workshop meeting. 4 5/10/99 C 1 7. Electric Vehicle Demonstration: City Manager Noe said there would be a demonstration of the electrical vehicle for those who are interested, after the meeting is concluded. There being no further business, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the workshop meeting at 11:35 a.m. 5 5/10/99 dxp--� Carol G6td, CMC/AAE City Clerk .