HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-12-20 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber opened the Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission on Monday, December 20, 1999, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac
City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, FL
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, Commissioner
Karen L. Roberts, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof
ABSENT AND EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Vice Mayor Larry Mishkin
ALSO PRESENT: Jeffrey L. Miller, City Manager, Mitchell S. Kraft, City Attorney and
Carol Gold, City Clerk
12/22/99 AGENDA ITEMS
a) Item #6(b), (TR8843) AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENT: Executing an Automatic
Aid Agreement between the Cities of Tamarac, North Lauderdale, Margate, and
Broward County for Emergency Fire Protection Services. Fire Chief Budzinski gave a
presentation and responded to Commissioner Sultanofs concerns about the
Agreement, particularly who gets billed for the service provided, and whether Tamarac
is over straining its resources. Commissioner Roberts expressed concern that the Fire
Department will ask for additional staff and equipment, to be used to help other
municipalities. Mayor Schreiber said mutual aid and automatic aid helps to reduce our
fire rating. Commissioner Partner asked for clarification on how the system works, and
Fire Chief Budzinski explained. There was discussion about which cities would
participate and whether Broward County would benefit from this Agreement, as well as
discussion about the possible financial impact on Tamarac. Commissioner Roberts
requested that the Agreement be reviewed in 6 months.
b) Item #6(c), (TR8852) AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT:
Authorizing renewal of the Agreement between the American Heart Association and the
City of Tamarac Fire Rescue Department. Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation.
c) Item #6(d), (TR8846) TAMARAC ATHLETIC FEDERATION: Executing an
Agreement between the City of Tamarac, the Tamarac Athletic Federation, Inc., and
TAF Member Leagues to provide for organized sports activities. Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles gave a presentation and Commissioner Roberts commended
Management Intern McKew and Parks and Recreation Director Margoles for their work
with the Tamarac Athletic Federation.
d) Item #6(g), (TR8848) ATHLETIC FACILITIES: Establishing fees for the use of
athletic facilities in the City of Tamarac. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles gave a
presentation and responded to questions from the Commissioners. Mayor Schreiber
asked whether there would be a problem for the City if a group was denied use, and
City Attorney Kraft responded that the City can deny use if a facility is unavailable.
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Commissioner Roberts questioned why the tennis courts are not covered, and Parks
and Recreation Director Margoles responded. Commissioner Roberts asked about
liability and City Attorney Kraft responded.
e) Item #6(n), (TR8864) ACQUISITION OF GOULD PROPERTY: Acquisition of
Gould Property Parcel 'B'. Assistant City Manager/Interim Finance Director Hemstreet
gave a presentation.
f) Item #7, (TR8814) LARGE USER AGREEMENT: Motion to adopt Resolution
executing the First Amendment to the Large User Wastewater Agreement between
Broward County and the City of Tamarac for additional wastewater reserve capacity;
amending the utilities CIAC fund of estimated revenues and expenditures in the amount
of $377,999. Utilities Director Woika gave a presentation and responded to questions
from the Commissioners regarding the costs for treatment and transmission.
g) Item #9, (TR8835) LAND SECTION 7 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT: Motion to
adopt Resolution establishing uniform method of collecting non -ad valorem special
assessments levied within the incorporated area of the City (Land Section 7 Special
Assessment). Utilities Director Woika gave a presentation.
Commissioner Roberts questioned Item #8, FIFTH EXTENSION OF CABLE
TELEVISION FRANCHISE: (TO1882) Motion to adopt Ordinance on first reading,
authorizing the appropriate City Officials to execute a fifth extension of the Cable
Television Franchise agreement between the City of Tamarac, Florida and MediaOne of
Greater Florida, Inc. (MediaOne), extending the Franchise Agreement to March 22,
2000. Commissioner Roberts asked if MediaOne has paid any fees owed the City, and
Assistant City Manager/Interim Finance Director Hemstreet responded that no permit
fees have been paid to date, but MediaOne has been told that the permit fees would
have to be paid as part of the transfer process. There was discussion about the fees
and the extension of the Cable Television Franchise, as well as discussion about the
consequences of not approving the extension. Assistant City Manager/Interim Finance
Director Hemstreet explained that there are two (2) issues: (1) the existing franchise,
extension and renewal; and (2) the issue of the transfer of ownership from MediaOne to
AT&T. He said the extension is in the best interests of both parties. Commissioner
Sultanof asked about the status of contractual agreements with MediaOne held by
some communities if a competitor provides service to the City. City Attorney Kraft
responded that if the Cable Company is not operating under a legal franchise, it cannot
continue, but a court must ultimately make that decision. City Manager Miller said the
City is in a good negotiating posture and recommended the Commission wait until
March 22, 2000 before taking other action. Commissioner Sultanof asked that
negotiations include assurances that MediaOne repair damages caused during the
installation of fiber optics. City Attorney Kraft said the City Manager's office has been
working on the repair situation on a case -by -case basis.
Assistant City Manager/Interim Finance Director Hemstreet recommended that Item
#11, TRANSFER OF FRANCHISE FROM MEDIAONE TO AT&T: (TO1869) Motion to
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adopt Ordinance on second reading, be tabled to March 22, 2000. Mayor Schreiber
asked for a recommendation in writing from the City Manager's office.
Commissioner Portner questioned Item #12, COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF
MAYOR AND COMMISSION: (TO1874) Motion to adopt Ordinance on second
reading, amending Article IV, Section 4.04 of the City Charter entitled "Compensation
and Expenses of the Mayor and Commission" to remove fixed amounts for Mayor and
Commissioner expenses from the Tamarac Charter to provide that expenses shall be
set through annual budget process; providing that if the amendment is approved by a
majority of the voters at the March 14, 2000, election, then such amendment shall
become a part of the City Charter upon certification and acceptance of the election
results. Commissioner Portner said he is not in favor of this Charter amendment.
Instead, he believes the Commission would like to have a raise in salary and let the
expenses stay as they are. Mayor Schreiber agreed with Commissioner Portner.
Commissioner Roberts said the Commissioners should not have to pay for their
expenses out of their salaries and she would like to see both expenses and salaries
changed. Commissioner Sultanof said he is in favor of increasing salaries, but he is
concerned that since this referendum question has failed in past, he does not know if it
will pass this time. Commissioner Portner said the people feel the Mayor and
Commissioners should get a raise in salaries, and it is a question of respect for the
position. Commissioner Roberts asked City Attorney Kraft to prepare the same type of
Ordinance amending Mayor and Commission salaries as he did for expenses.
Commissioner Roberts asked for Charter Board input, and Harvey Kram, Chairman of
the Charter Board spoke about the Charter Board's interest in amending Mayor and
Commission salaries. Commissioner Roberts asked about comparison from other
cities, and Mr. Kram said Tamarac is behind in salaries. Mayor Schreiber asked for an
expression of interest directing the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance for salaries
that parallels Temporary Ordinance 1874. All agreed. City Attorney Kraft said he would
prepare the Ordinance to be added to Wednesday's meeting.
2. Broward Millennium Council: Commissioner Sultanof said he is part of the
Millennium Committee of Broward County, and a capsule is to be buried in Dania Beach
on January 24, 2000. Twenty-nine cities in Broward County are going to participate and
fifteen people from each City are invited to attend the ceremony. Commissioner
Sultanof suggested the Mayor and Commissioners from Tamarac, along with one guest
each, City Manager Miller, City Attorney Kraft, and Public Information Officer Moore
should represent Tamarac. There was discussion about the Workshop scheduled for
January 24, 2000, and it was agreed that the Workshop will begin at 8:30 A.M. and
recess at 10:00 A.M., if necessary, to be continued after the Millennium ceremony.
3. Additional Homestead Tax Exemption for Seniors: Mayor Schreiber said the
Property Appraiser informed him that the time to pass an Ordinance on additional
Homestead Exemption for Seniors was extended to February 1, 2000. Mayor Schreiber
suggested Tamarac wait and see how many applications the property appraiser
receives and then determine the financial impact on the City. Commissioner Roberts
said she has reservations about people who do not need the extra exemption, but
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because their taxable income is less than $20,000.00 they can apply for it.
Commissioner Sultanof said the law is unclear and we need a better study.
Commissioner Roberts said the League of Cities requested information from various
cities in Florida who have enacted ordinances pertaining to the legislation, and asked if
Tamarac can add items to the local Bill. City Attorney Kraft replied that a local
ordinance could not be in conflict with State law nor modify State law. Mayor Schreiber
informed the Commissioners that they do not have to grant the entire $25,000.00.
Commissioner Sultanof suggested tabling the Special Meeting to appoint members to
the Pension Board of Trustees until Vice Mayor Mishkin is in attendance. The
expression of interest was to table the meeting until Wednesday, December 22, 1999,
immediately following the regular Commission meeting. City Attorney Kraft suggested
adjourning the Workshop meeting, then opening the Special Meeting and tabling
everything on the agenda to a time certain.
Commissioner Roberts said it would be nice to give Public Works Operations Manager
Greenspan a gift certificate for dinner as an expression of gratitude for his heroic efforts
in saving a life. City Manager Miller said his office would take care of it.
There being no further business, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the meeting at 12:25 P.M.
-a"ez
Carol Gold C/AAE
City CTerk
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