HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-08-13 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes�l
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NOTICE OF
WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
TAMARAC, FLORIDA
July 26, 1985
There has been a Workshop Meeting of the City Council scheduled for
Tuesday, August 13, 1985, at 1:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of
City Hall, 5811 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Broward County
Transit.
The public is encouraged to attend.
9
Carol E. Barbuto
Assistant City Clerk
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes
If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the city
Council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or
hearing, he will need a record of the proceedings and for such
purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record includes
the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
August 13, 1985
Tape 1 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Kravitz called the meeting to
order on Tuesday, August 13, 1985 at 1:00 P.M. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT:
Mayor Philip B. Kravitz
Councilman Raymond J. Munitz
ABSENT_AND EXCUSED:
Vice Mayor Helen Massaro
Councilman Arthur H. Gottesman
Councilman Sydney M. Stein
ALSO PRESENT:
Patricia Marcurio, Secretary
Vivian Gallagher, Secretary
Mayor Kravitz read the call to the meeting into the
record noting that the purpose of this meeting is
discussion of the Broward County Transit. He also
stated that since this is a workshop meeting, a quorum
is not necessary. He explained that at a previous
meeting held on July 24th, he could not give the public
more than one hour because of the lengthy agenda and,
therefore, this workshop meeting has been scheduled.
Amy Lew, of Bermuda
Club
and a member of A.A.R.P.
Tamarac Chapter 1430,
requested
Mr. Glen Margolis, who
has been working with
one year, apprise the
Nick
public
Camerano and her for almost
of the situation. She
explained that together
they
distributed surveys and he
will do everything he
can to
give the people of Tamarac
what they need.
Glen Margolis, Operations Planner for Mass Transit
Division, said they are trying to put the buses where
people are using them. He referred to a map and said
the existing service being provided to the Tamarac area
consists of routes #82, #30, #2, and #14. He said the
proposal for service changes is in route #30. He said
the establishment of a new route, which is #25, would
head across Cypress Creek Road, 441, Kimberly, and
actually get into the Tamarac area when it gets back
onto McNab Road. He said it would cross University
Drive to 100th Avenue, over to 81st Street, and to
Southgate and the Coral Square Mall. He said the reason
for the proposed change is that less than one passenger
is boarding per trip and people are not using the
service.
Nick Camerano, President of the American Association of
Retired Persons, Chapter 1430, and member of the Mayor's
committee on transportation, said about 75 percent of
the service is going to be eliminated. He pointed out
areas on the map where people will be without service.
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Matthew Richard, Section 12, read a commentary in
response to the County Board's contemplated bus service
revisions affecting this City. He said it is important
to note that public transportation is a non-profit
service promoted by a governmental entity, financed
through federal funds supplemented by some possible
state funds when available through taxation, and with a
minimum per capita fare primarily for the benefit of
safety and convenience of the public participating in
its use. He said it is a function dissimilar to a
private enterprise which operates primarily for profit.
He said because of its contemplated revisions of routes
and buses intended for reduction and elimination of
services, a meeting was held on July 24, 1985 at which
members of the Planning Board of Broward County
Transportation were to explain the contemplated
revisions of bus routes and services affecting the bus
riders in the City. He added that the explanations
created disappointment and some of the recommendations
would create burdens for the elderly. He said the
surveyors concentrated entirely on body count at differ-
ent locations. He questioned how such a survey could be
considered complete and accurate when riders with paid
in advance monthly passes and habitual riders sometimes
are compelled to become non -participants. He said it
was further explained that in some areas distances
between bus stops was greater and could reduce
incentives to visit places of interest and necessity.
He said in using monthly passes almost daily, he has
found many times more than the number of passengers
mentioned by the representative and added that it is
possible that the surveys were ill-timed. He said
mutilating or eliminating route #30 would become a
severe harship since it would eliminate a direct line to
Holy Cross hospital, the Galleria, Lauderdale by the
Sea, and Coral Ridge. He said to change #30 or #82
going west would be inconsiderate. He said that it
seems that since the meeting was held in the chambers on
the calendar date, Council has committed itself to some
responsibility to cooperate in its analysis of the
issues involved. He added that the rights of the
elderly in this City concerning these issues must not be
abandoned and the Board should beneficially appraise and
seriously accept those efforts.
Sol Robinson, Bermuda Club, said that the Public Service
Bus Commission is determining dollar signs without any
consideration about humanness. He said that this is an
order by someone to cut down the operating expenses. He
said that there is not a City in the United States that
makes a profit over public transportation. He said the
City of Miami in Dade County, in building the Metro
Rail, did so knowing they would lose money and would
have to subsidize it every year but perhaps in ten years
they might be able to see a little improvement. He said
that in the area that was previously served, no study
was made of the demographics of the people who live
there. He stated that the average age in that area is
in the low seventies and as people get older they cannot
drive their automobiles and will have to rely more and
more on public transportation. He said 95 percent of
the revenue that the County gets comes from the people
that live there and 95 percent of the monies that the
County gets from Tamarac comes from people over the age
of fifty. He said this operation should be funded with
the idea of service and not of the dollars.
Molly Stern, Section 12, said the bus service may not be
used daily but the people depend on it for daily needs
such as buying food, clothing, and traveling to neces-
sary places. She said the service would be completely
eliminated in her area which is west from University
Drive to 94th. She added that there is no service on
Sundays or late hours.
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Lillian Preston, Bermuda Club, suggested that route #30
not stop at University Drive but continue on to McNab
Road because there is no access to City Hall at all.
She said that having to walk three or four blocks to a
connection is a handicap.
Glen Margolis said the changes that are being recom-
mended are not made to make money and said none of the
routes make money but when there are routes that have
trips with no passengers from complete sections,
consistently, it becomes too expensive for limited
resources. He added that buses can not be provided
everywhere and service must be put where people are
using it. He said the system average is two passengers
per mile. He also said the surveys were done over a
three year period. He added that some of the recom-
mendations made today will be considered. He said this
is an attempt to make more efficient routing and would
like to get more information on improvements in order to
increase service to make it more useful to the people.
Bea Singer, Section 12, said unless #30 is available to
go to Sunshine Plaza, she cannot live in this City.
Louis Schiff, President of Tamarac Chamber of Commerce,
said that as a representative of almost three hundred
businesses in Tamarac and adjoining Cities, he supports
the residents. He also said the proposal is poor for
businesses and residents will no longer be able to come
to shops and this may also have an effect on property
values. He said the buses eliminated along Lagos de
Campo is a major section of the City. He suggested that
perhaps the problem lies in not enough promotion from
the Mass Transit Office. He added that there are not
enough buses available to choose from and that more
consistent service and weekend service is needed. He
said if businesses are affected, there will be less
revenue to the City and to the County.
Bernie Hart, President of Tamarac Presidents Council,
said this is an obligation of the County to supply the
citizens with transportation when, if, and where needed.
Tape 2 He suggested that mini buses in the areas where bus
service is not used extensively would cut operating
costs considerably. He said this service is being paid
for in taxes and the County must continue this obli-
gation.
Amy Lew suggested Bernie Hart go to the County Commis-
sion meeting on Thursday and speak. She said Mr.
Margolis said it would cost more in the long run for
mini buses than a regular bus.
Eve Shukner, Lime Bay, said things should be measured in
terms of humanity not dollars. She requested Council
members fight for the people of Tamarac at Thursday's
meeting.
Lillian Merle, Section 17, said lack of transportation
is not an excuse to miss jury duty when summoned and
asked how people are to get
downtown
when necessary.
Jack Friedman, Section 17,
said there
was an article in
the newspaper which stated
that the County
Commissioners
and the bus commission had
gotten
together and felt
that the City of Tamarac
was not
getting sufficient
transportation.
Julius Gersten, President of
Phase 8,
Bermuda Club, said
all the people of Tamarac
must go to
the County Commis-
sion meeting on Thursday.
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Glen Margolis said the service in this area has been
reviewed for four years and every attempt has been made
to increase passengers. He said over six thousand
surveys were distributed in the area six or seven months
ago and less than five hundred came back, which indica-
ted that there was not a lot of concern for bus service
in the area. He said there was a series of five public
hearings that were held across the County to talk about
the rough draft proposals for route changes and no one
from Tamarac had anything to say. He said it is now up
to the County Commission. He added that there are a lot
of good changes such as more direct service for the
people that can use this service. He repeated that the
Commission will meet at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday to hear
staff recommendations and all comments from the public
and they will decide the final determination.
Mr. Robinson asked why this new plan has to be put into
effect immediately. He suggested the matter be tabled
for thirty days in order to have time to get together
with others to come up with a concrete plan.
C/M Munitz summerized by stating that:
1. The new route increased the walking distances
of a potential rider to get to the bus stops.
2. Certain areas are being completely eliminated
from service and must not be allowed to happen.
3. Too much attention has been given to the profit
element.
4. The possibility of a ridership is being taken
away strictly because it is claimed that there
are no riders now.
5. The car drivers today are the bus passengers
tomorrow because as time goes on, the ability
to operate a car safely decreases and this
must be considered.
6. The future of an aging population must be
considered since there will be more and more
potential bus riders.
7. These actions will be injurious to the con-
tinued health, safety, and welfare of the
people that are being turned away.
8. Later bus service, and weekend and holiday
service must be considered.
9. Additional consideration to mini buses must
be given.
10. If businesses do not make money, there will
be no commercial tax base and personal taxes
could skyrocket.
He finalized by stressing that a tremendous turn out at
the County Commission meeting is absolutely essential
and suggested the City have a bus at City Hall to take
the people to the County Commission hearing.
Morris Haber said it seems that the bus company is not
satisfying their customers; therefore, the ridership is
lessened. He said the government said people must be
weaned from using their cars because of use of gas,
excessive traffic, etc.
E
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Mayor Kravitz explained how the City of Tamarac got
involved with this project. He said approximately one
year ago Commissioner Craft was here for a public
meeting and in the course of conversation, Commissioner
Craft said that if the people want bus service, changes
in bus service, better bus service, the City would have
to create a committee to work with them. He added that
a committee was formed between Amy Lew and Nick Camerano
to work with Commissioner Craft. He said a question-
naire was sent out in February, 1985 through A.A.R.P.
and the results were not as effective as they had hoped.
He said approximately two months ago he received a
notice that there were going to be five or six public
hearings in reference to bus service but none in Tamarac
He said he objected strenuously and, with the aid of the
committee, was able to have some discussion at the last
Council meeting. He assured the public that every
effort will be made to secure a bus for those who want
to leave from City Hall to go to the County Commission
meeting which will be held Thursday, at 10:00 A.M. He
said if the bus is secured, it is suggested that it
leave at 9:00 A.M. He also suggested the people call
the telephone operator at City Hall after 4:00 P.M.
today for information as to whether the bus is
available. He said he will make an effort to call and
write all seven commissioners before tomorrow and
impress upon them the need for the full bus route. He
said the City Council will not give up.
Mr. Margolis said Thursday's meeting will be held in the
new Governmental Center on Andrews Avenue.
Mayor Kravitz ADJOURNED the meeting at 2:25 P.M,
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
This document was promulgated at a cost of $161.65 or
$4.49 per copy to inform the general public and public
officers and employees about recent opinions and consid
erations by the City Council of the City of Tamarac.
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