HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-20 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1996
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called the Workshop to order on Monday, May
20, 1996, at 9:30 A.M. in Conference Room #1 of Tamarac, City Hall, 7525 Northwest
88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT:
Mayor Norman Abramowitz
Vice Mayor Larry Mishkin
Commissioner Sharon Machek
Commissioner John E. McKaye
Commissioner Joseph Schreiber
ALSO PRESENT:
Robert S. Noe, Jr., City Manager
Mitchell S. Kraft, City Attorney
Dina M. McDermott, Assistant City Manager
Stanley Hawthorne, Finance Director
Thelma Fagelbaum, Utility Accounting Manager
Bruce Abrahams, Budget Officer
Mark Lawson, Attorney with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson
Robert Sheets, David M. Griffith & Co.
Camille Gianatasio, Government Systems Group
Phyllis Polikoff, Office Specialist
Tape 1
Mayor Abramowitz discussed House Bill 557 concerning property appraisers and said
this would reduce ad valorem money to the City. He suggested a request for Governor
Chiles to Veto House Bill 557 and requested City Manager Noe agendize this for the
May 22, 1996 City Commission meeting.
1. General Rules on Agenda
Comm. Machek discussed legal ramifications, Quasi -Judicial proceedings, residents
and Public Participation concerning the Kings Point Professional Plaza and discussion
followed.
City Attorney Kraft referred to Section 2.29 of the Code, First Amendment rights and
City Commission Workshop
May 20, 1996
Page 2
revising the language to reflect advising the speaker the subject could only be
discussed when all involved parties were present. He said a draft of the revised
language would be provided and V/M Mishkin suggested agendizing this for another
Workshop.
2. New Utility Bill
Stanley Hawthorne said there was prior discussion to combine Utilities East and Utilities
West and Thelma Fagelbaum made a presentation. She said the new bill would be
itemized and the first new utility bill would be sent out in June. Discussion followed
regarding the water bill amount which Ms. Fagelbaum suggested listing separately with
stormwater, recycling, etc., indicated under "Other Charges".
There was discussion regarding an additional cost, informational survey regarding the
new bill and miscellaneous messages.
Tape 2
4. Miscellaneous
Mayor Abramowitz mentioned the possibility that Governor Chiles might be in City Hall
on Thursday, May 23, 1996.
3. EMS Special Assessment
City Manager Noe discussed Fire Department emergency runs, hiring nine
Firefighter/Paramedics, first responder and transport.
Mark Lawson, Attorney with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, Robert Sheets, David M.
Griffith & Associates and Camille Gianatasio, Government Systems Group, gave a
presentation. Discussion followed regarding the non -ad valorem assessment and
Messrs. Lawson and Sheets and Ms. Gianatasio explained how the assessment would
be implemented, Case Law, the three year cost to the City and the cost for residential,
commercial, industrial, institutions and nursing homes.
Discussion continued on fire rescue versus fire rescue/EMS, costs based on Broward
County's Property Appraiser regarding dwelling units, costs for vacant parcels and
costs for non-residential based on square feet. Mr. Noe said the level of service would
be higher and discussion followed on the percentage representing residential for fiscal
year 1996/97, hardship exemptions, the consequences if anticipated ad valorem
City Commission Workshop
May 20, 1996
Page 3
revenues were not received and increasing the millage rate.
Tape 3
Discussion continued regarding exemptions on government property, institutions,
public and private schools, reducing the General Fund, the $5,000,000 Fire Department
budget, Broward County's Municipal Service Benefit Unit and vacant parcels.
Tape 4
There was further discussion relating to cost based on value of a residence and not the
property, imposing liens, ability to make changes in the assessment after one year,
assessment benefits and exemptions.
City Manager Noe referred to a June 12, 1996 deadline and suggested that government
property be tax-exempt but taxing everything else. There was also discussion
regarding Attorney Lawson's recommendation of $80 for each residential dwelling and
taxing or not taxing religious institutions.
Mayor Abramowitz requested another Workshop and a consensus to withdraw the
assessment program or go forward. He recommended going forward and V/M Mishkin
and Commissioners McKaye, Machek and Schreiber agreed.
Tape 5
Discussion was held on the assessment program in Hollywood, Margate and Fort
Lauderdale which were funded through Broward County.
With no further discussion, Mayor Abramowitz Adjourned the Workshop at 12:30 P.M.
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Carol A. Evans, CIVIC
City Clerk