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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-02-02 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321 TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900 MAIL REPLY TO: .January 31, 1984 P.O. BOX 25010 TAMARAC. FLORIDA 33320 TT n m T 0 V WORKSHOP METING CITY COUNCIL There will be a special workshop of the City Council at 8:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 2, 1984 in the West Conference Room at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss matters relating to the proposed new City Hall and Police Station, as well as the referendum on these matters scheduled for March 13, 1984. The Public is encouraged to attend. Carol A. Evans Assistant City Clerk /lc CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 1984 Tape CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Walter W. Falck called the meeting to 1 order on Thursday, February 2, 1984 in the West Conference Room at 8:30 A.M. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Walter W. Falck Vice Mayor Helen Massaro Councilman Philip B. Kravitz Councilman David E. Krantz Councilman Jack Stelzer ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Laura Z. Stuurmans City Attorney, Jon M. Henning City Planner, Richard Rubin Administrative Aide to the City Manager, Lee Browne Secretary, Roslyn Brauner Mayor Falck read the Notice of the Special Meeting into the record concerning the proposed new City Hall and Police Station and referendum on these matters scheduled for March 13, 1984. City Manager Laura Stuurmans stated that mr. Conrad Kwok is here today to present the site plan for Site B, which has been prepared by Miller & Meier. Mr. Kwok displayed for Council, a rough draft of a site plan for the Commercial Boulevard site. He explained that at the present time, there is a median cut approximately 700 feet from 88 Avenue, which is proposed to be used as the main entrance to the site. The buildings would be placed on the right and left hand sides of the visitors' parking area, to allow for entrance from the east and the west. Mr. Kwok indicated on the site plan, the parking areas for employees, Police Department and City owned vehicles,and said this would reflect a buildout of the City to the year 2000, or a population of 75,000. C/M Krantz inquired about the said the lot is approximately is 10.6 acres in its entirety, Building. size of the site; and Mr. Kwok 1,500 feet by 300 feet, which including the Public Works V/M Massaro inquired about the number of parking spaces there would be for the City Hall alone; and Mr. Kwok stated there would be 110 spaces for employees, 26 spaces for visitors and 28 spaces for City owned vehicles. Mr. Kwok distributed to Council, a listing of the pros and cons of both sites, which was prepared by Miller & Meier. C/M Krantz asked whether the concept plans are the same for both locations; and Mr. Kwok explained that Miller & Meier have prepared a site plan to reflect the general size of the buildings. -1- 2/2/84 /rb C/M Kravitz said in the conclusions it is stated that either site would be suitable, but it would be to the City's financial advantage to use the 88 Avenue site; and he would like to know what those financial benefits would be. Mr. Kwok said he understands the City owns both these sites and it would be to the financial advantage of the City to sell the property on Commercial Boulevard and use the proceeds to construct the complex on 88 Avenue. In addition to that, the Site A property was donated to the City to use as a park or for City use, and it cannot be sold. C/M Stelzer asked if there is enough space on the site for the Public Works Department; and City Manager Stuurmans said it was the intention to remove the Public Works Department from the site. C/M Stelzer said if a decision is made to use Site B for the new municipal complex, the City would have to make it clear to the public that the Public Works Department would be removed from the site. He mentioned that this is not shown on the site plan. Mr. Sydney Stein, resident, said the Public Works Department would have to be removed if the City,decides to sell the property. V/M Massaro said if Site B is used, the City would have to buy land for a new Public Works building, and that would have to be accomplished before construction is started. C/M Stelzer asked,if the City decides to keep the Public Works Department on the site in order to avoid going to referendum for a new site, how that could be accomplished. Mr. Kwok explained that the present site plan is designed for the buildout of the City to the year 2000 for a'population of 75,000. Therefore, if the complex is built for a population of only 50,000, which is projected for the year 1990, some of the parking spaces could be eliminated to allow for a Public Works building. V/M Massaro said the City wants to build a complex it would be proud of and does not want the Public Works Department on the site to spoil the appearance of the complex. C/M Stelzer said if the Citv decides to remove the Public Works Department, the public must be informed as to the cost of buying land and building a new Public Works building, after which a referendum would be required. He said it is too late to go to referendum this year for that purpose. City Attorney Henning stated that the City could go to referendum in September or October for the new Public Works building. C/M Stelzer asked when construction will begin on the new complex; and the City Manager said the schedule has projected that construction will begin in September. Mr. Stein commented that if the Public Works building is not removed, the City can use the site until the year 1990. V/M Massaro said the people in the area have been tolerant of the present appearance of the property because the City promised them the Public Works Department will be removed and is only on the site temporarily. Mr. Stein mentioned the Public Works Department would have to be removed regardless of the site chosen. -2- 2/2/84 C/M Stelzer said eventually the City could remove the Public Works building and sell the entire site; and that is what Mr. Kwok was referring to when he said it would be to the City's financial advantage to select Site A. C/M Krantz said consideration should be given to the traffic impact on Commercial Boulevard. He mentioned that the Sunrise Musical Theater is about one mile west of 88 Avenue and thousands of cars impact the road whenever there is an attraction at the theater. In addition, the Tamarac Jewish Center generates heavy traffic in both directions on a daily basis; and therefore, a traffic problem would be created if the Commercial Boulevard site is selected for the new municipal complex. V/M_Massaro commented that the Saw Grass Expressway will have an exit at that point. City Attorney Henning inquired about the number of parking spaces on the current City Hall Site; and Mr. Kwok said there are 156 parking spaces on the site, and there is presently a need for 192 spaces. C/M Stelzer asked about the number of parking spaces on Site B for the Police Department; and Mr. Kwok said there would be 89 spaces for employees of the department, 10 for visitors and 88 for City owned vehicles. C/M Stelzer commented that if there is overflow parking at the City Hall building, there would not be much chance of utilizing the parking spaces at the Police Department area. Mr. Henning said if a Community Center is built, he is assuming it would be located on the corner of the site; and Mr. Kwok said that could be done if the Public Works building is removed. Mr. Richard Rubin, City Planner, pointed out that the Community. Center could be built at the opposite end of the site, if everything is shifted down. He said this would be more desirable as the Community Center would then be away from the major intersection. C/M Stelzer said that would require the immediate removal of the Public Works building, and the City does not have a referendum to build a new Public Works building at the present time. Mr. Henning asked if there is a possibility of placing a traffic light at the entrance; and the Vice Mayor said it would be absolutely necessary to have a traffic light at that point. Mr. Kwok said from his experience at the Atlantic Vocational School, he found that if a traffic light would be within 1,000 feet of the next one, the City would have to apply for permission ftom the State. However, if it is more than 1,000 feet from the next traffic light, it could be done without a problem. Mr. Henning asked about the distance from the corner to the point where the traffic light would be required; and Mr. Kwok said it is about 700 or 800 feet from the corner. He mentioned that this is a State road, for which the requirements differ from those for a County road. The City Manager said the best use of.Site B would dictate the removal of the Public Works building at this time. V/M Massaro said the City cannot present something to the public which they themselves do not approve; and C/M Stelzer said it would be up to the public to make that decision. The Vice Mayor said if the City presents this to the public, the City is stating it is felt to be logical,and using Site B would not be logical. -3-- 2/2/84 /rb Mr. Sydney Stein said he feels the plan should be revised to show the removal of the Public Works building. If a referendum is required, it can be done in September or October since construction is intended to begin in September. Mrs. Stuurmans said the plan should reflect this and it should be indicated to the public that a referendum will be required in the Fall. C/M Kravitz pointed out that Council never discussed the cost of a new Public Works building or where it should be located. However, it is now indicated that the removal of Public Works building is anticipated. City Manager Stuurmans said the experts agree that it is necessary to move the buildings on the site up to 88 Avenue which would require the removal of the Public Works building when construction begins. She said in addition, if Site B is chosen by the public, it is her thought that the Public Safety building should be lo- cated on the corner for best access to emergency calls. She said the Public Works building is portable and could be moved temporarily to another site. Mr. Stein said it is anticipated to remove the Public Works building if the property is sold. V/M Massaro commented that this corner is the most valuable portion of the property. C/M Stelzer stated before this is presented to the public, the City should determine where the Public Works building should be located and how much it would cost, so this information could be provided to the public. V/M Massaro said it does not make sense to build the complex on Site B; and C/M Stelzer said the public would have to make that decision. V/M Massaro said the public must be told how much money the City would lose if Site B is chosen for the complex. City Manager Stuurmans said Miller & PZeier have indicated their conclusion to be that the complex should be built on the 88 Avenue site. C/M Stelzer stated that the public must be told if they choose Site B, the Public Works building would have to be moved and a new site chosen. C/M Krantz said the public should be informed that regardless of the site chosen, the Public Works building must be removed. Mrs. Melanie Reynolds, resident, said that originally, the Public Works building was part of the complex and she would like to know why it cannot be included in the complex at this time. She mentioned that the City never intended to build a Community Center on that site. The Vice Mayor said things change with time, and this situation has changed. C/M Stelzer said it was not previously mentioned that the Public Works building should be removed; and the City Manager explained that when this facility was placed on the site, it was stated to be a temporary situation and.that is why the building is portable. V/14 Massaro said the City would have placed a permanent building on the site if the intention was for it to remain there. --4- 2/2/84 /rb The Vice Mayor said the City would be breaking faith with the people if the Public Works building were located anywhere on that site, as they were promised it would be removed. The Vice Mayor asked Mr. Stein about the feelings of the Charter Board; and Mr. Stein said in order to clear the record, the residents of the City should decide where the municipal complex should be built. lie said the Charter Board did not state a preference and never made a recommendation. They feel only that the record should be cleared and the public should make the choice. The City Manager said when this matter was discussed with the Bond Counsel, they agreed it would be helpful to clear the record. If this is not approved at a referendum, then the effect is that this clears any idea that this was to be a public facility. V/M Massaro said she is in favor of clearing the record, but she is also in favor of the removal of the Public Works building as otherwise, the City is breaking faith with the residents who would have no say in this because they are in the minority in an election. C/M Stelzer said the people who are opposing this want the Public Works building to be part of the complex and do not want a Community Center on this property. He said the City should show the people how that can be done, and allow them to make the decision. Mr. Stein stated that even the people who are talking about the Commercial Boulevard site as being their preference, are not referring to the Public Works building, as it has been mentioned many times that the present building is an eyesore. It would be ridiculous to keep the Public Works building adjoining a beautiful, new municipal complex. He said he thinks it would be fair to tell the public that if they choose Site B, the PHblic Works building will be moved and a referendum would be required in September for that purpose. He said he feels this is the correct and honest way to present this to the public. C/M Stelzer said his suggestion was to make two plans, one with the Public Works building on the site, and one without the Public Works building. V/M Massaro said that would confuse the people. City Planner Dick Rubin said when the Public Works building was originally built, the cost to the City was between $35,000.00 and $50,000.00. He said a building of this type was recently completed in Cooper City which is 800 square feet larger than Tamarac's building, and cutting every dollar possible, the cost was $225,000.00 to $240,000.00. V/M Massaro stated that if the new municipal complex is built on Site A, the City would not have to touch the Public Works building. until it is readv to be sold. She said the City is not ready to sell the property at this time, because it would be appropriate to wait until the most money could be received for the land. C/M Stelzer mentioned that once the Saw Grass Expressway is located at this point, the property will become more valuable. -5- 2/2/84 /rb V/M Massaro said the City could rezone the property to gain the most from it and be the least offensive to everyone. C/M Stelzer said he is wondering how much money it would cost to buy the land necessary for a Public Works building; and the Vice Mayor said the City has been told it would cost approximately $13,000.00 per acre. Mr. Rubin said four to five acres would be required for a new Public Works building. The Vice Mayor said the City Charter states that the City cannot just go out and buy land and that complicated the matter in the past. She said in addition, there was a reluctance to buy land until it was known how much property would be taken by the Saw Grass Expressway. C/M Stelzer asked if the City has obtained an appraisal of the Commercial Boulevard property; and City Manager Stuurmans said there is an appraiser working on this currently. The Vice Mayor said in her opinion, conservatively speaking, the property on Commercial Boulevard is worth two to two and a half million dollars. City Attorney Henning said 'the ballot states that the electors are picking either Site A or Site B. They are not picking a particular site plan, and therefore, regardless of the site chosen, the site plan is subject to revision. He said that is the legal aspect of this. However, if a site plan is to be used for public presentation,there should be something close to what the City is intending to do. He said from what he has heard, the corner is the prime location and there should be a site plan to show the Police Department at the corner if that is the best traffic access. He said the City is not bound by the site plan, but if it is to be used in public presentation, it should show the site with the Public Works building removed. C/M Stelzer said the public must be informed about the money the City would lose from the sale of the property if the Public Works building were to remain on the site. In addition, they must be told what the cost would be for a new Public Works building, as well as the cost of buying the land for it. Mr. John Dunne, resident, said he feels the only logical location for the municipal complex would be at the 88 Avenue site. He said there is more property at that location and it would provide for additional parking facilities. He said he feels the Commercial Boulevard site would not provide sufficient parking facilities. Mayor Falck stated that it has been said it would discriminate against the people residing in the eastern portion of the City, to place the municipal complex on the 88 Avenue site. fie said he feels this is not true because McNab Road leads to the fire house in much less time than it takes to come through Commercial Boulevard. fie said secondly, the people residing in Mainlands can reach the 88 Avenue site easily by Rock Island Road or 81 Avenue. He said as far as the bus is concerned, it can be rerouted. The Mayor said he sees no logical reason to spend money to build a complex on Commercial Boulevard when there is a far better area to build it on for much less money. He said in addition to that, there is the matter of the Saw Grass Expressway, which will dump an additional heavy load of traffic on Commercial Boulevard and therefore, the City would have an obsolete complex before it is built. -6- 2/2/84 /rb C/M Stelzer asked whether it is intended the City Hall be two stories;and Mr. Kwok said it is. Mayor Falck suggested this item be placed on the agenda for Wednesday, at which time an official vote can be taken. He said most important of all is that the public must be informed as to the cost of buying land and moving the Public Works Department. . City Attorney Henning said he is assuming that when a rough draft of the brochure is available, it will be presented to Council before it is printed. He said staff is now working on the brochure. V/M Massaro said when the brochure is available, she feels there should be a special meeting. C/M Stelzer asked when Council will discuss public presentations; and the City Manager said she feels it would be appropriate for Council to decide today who would be responsible for the pre sentation to the public. She said there have been staff dis- cussions about the brochure as well as a slide presentation that is being prepared. In addition, there are a group of speakers the.City can call upon as needed, such as representatives of Miller & Meier and Williams,Hatfield & Stoner. Mrs. Stuurmans said staff has also asked C/M Stelzer and C/M Krantz to be available, but other Councilmembers who are engaged in daily activities and running for election have not been approached. She said the first presentation date is scheduled for the morning or afternoon, or both, of February 13, here in City Hall. V/M Massaro said before presentations are made, she feels the brochure should have already been mailed so the public can read it. Mrs. Stuurmans said the February 13 presentation will be made to the civic leaders such as the Presidents of the sections, the Directors of associations, etc. V./M Massaro said if the City spends money to send the proper information to the residents, it should be done before any one else starts to make presentations as she feels people tend to present their own opinions. Mr. Rubin said the brochure will go to the public first, but the purpose of the February 13 presentation is to educate the leaders of the community, so they can answer questions raised by residents. Mayor Falck said it is intended this be a dry run, and he feels it should be. The Vice Mayor said thought must be given to the matter of who will be responsible for these presentations before a decision is made. Mayor Falck said this can be done on Wednesday and everything should be in order at that time, so the presentation can be made after Wednesday. C/M Kravitz said when he made the Motion and Amended it, it was his intention this be handled by staff only and now a statement was made that two Councilmembers will be involved. C/M Kravitz said he objects to that and feels staff is capable. The Mayor said this will be discussed on Wednesday. A resident asked the difference between the presentation prepared by the Police Department and the one being prepared by staff since a presentation is scheduled for Tamarac Lakes South on March 4 and he is wondering whether the two presentations will conflict with each other. -7- 2/2/84 /rb City Attorney Henning said the Police Department has prepared a videotape showing the need for additional space. He said this has not yet been discussed with the Police Chief, but he feels pre- sentations scheduled after February 13 should be discussed with people who want presentations after that date, as to whether the City could exchange the presentation staff prepared which will include Police, City Hall and Utilities, with the videotape pre- sentation that was scheduled. Iie said staff would compare both presentations to determine which is more informative. V/M Massaro said it might be a good idea to combine the material from the Police videotape with the staff presentation. Mayor Falck suggested the City Manager prepare an outline, to be considered by Council at the Wednesday meeting; and Mrs. Stuurmans said a draft of the fact sheet will be available for Council at that time The Mayor said he is in favor of the Police Department giving their Point of view as it relates to their need for space,as he feels it will help to sell the program to the public. However, if the two presentations can be combined, he feels it might be a good idea. Mr. Henning explained the Police have a videotape presentation and staff is preparing a slide presentation. These are different mediums and different projectors are used and it would be difficult to combine them. He said Council will see everything that goes out to the public. C/M Stelzer mentioned since February 13 is the target date for the presentation, it might be a good idea to publicize it at all Board meetings from now on; and the Vice Mayor said the City Manager has indicated the date might have to be changed. City Manager Stuurmans said she is not comfortable with the February 13 date; and C/M Stelzer said this could be done with any date selected. He said for example, the Presidents Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and an announcement can be made at that time. Mrs. Stuurmans said the Presidents Council was invited for February 13 but that might have to be rescheduled. C/M Stelzer said Council could request an invitation be extended to the public at all Board meetings, and in that way, the City would be able to reach a good cross-section of Tamarac. The City Manager said if there is standing room only, an atmosphere is created that is not conducive to anyone's attention span and therefore, she feels the number of people should be limited to the approximate seating capacity. It will be suggested at the meeting that meetings be arranged in the field or if a group does not have the facilities, they can come to City Hall. C/M Stelzer inquired whether the wastewater facility would be included in the same presentation; and Mr. Henning said it would. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:45 A.M. ASSISTANT CITY CLERK This public document was promulgated at a cost of $70.50 or $1.91 per copy to inform the general public and public officers and employees about recent opinions and considerations by the Council of the City of Tamarac. -8- 2/2/84 /rb