HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-07-19 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesC�
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July 15, 1985
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF
TAMARAC, FLORIDA
There will be a Special Meeting of the City Council on Friday,
--Jul 19 at 9:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall,
5811 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac,
The purpose of this meeting is discussion and possible action for
Council to consider transfer from the Contingency Fund to various
City Departments:
1. Engineering Department
2. City Clerk Department
3. Building Department
4. Parks and Recreation Department
5. Any other departments Council wishes toladdress
The City Council may consider and act upon such other business as
may come before it.
The public is invited to attend.
Marilyn Bertholf, CMC
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
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CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1985
Tape CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Philip B. Kravitz called the meeting to order on
1 Friday, July 19, 1985 at 9 A.M. in Council Chambers.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip B. Kravitz
Vice Mayor Helen Massaro
Councilman Arthur H. Gottesman
Councilman Raymond J. Munitz
Councilman Sydney M. Stein
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ALSO PRESENT: Jon M. Henning, City Attorney
Larry Perretti, Acting City Manager
Diane Williams, Secretary
MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Kravitz called for a Moment
of --Silent Meditation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL
6-.-Employment of Finance Director - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by Consent
See pages 5 & 6
V/M Massaro MOVED to agendize by consent the approval of the Finance
Director who has been selected by the Acting City Manager. SECONDED
by C/M Gottesman.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
7. Consideration For Adoption of New Sister City - Discussion and
possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by Consent
See page
V/M Massaro MOVED to agendize by consent for discussion and possible
action a request for a resolution to name a new Sister City. SECONDED
by C/M Gottesman.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
LEGAL AFFAIRS
8. cquisition of Land in Land Section-7 - Financing -
Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by Consent
See page 5
V/M Massaro said they are in the process of acquiring 45 acres of land
as a result of the condemnation suit and have discussed the fact that
this purchase would be covered with a bond. She said.
she has pertinent information and MOVED to agendize by consent
to authorize the Finance Director ro investigate an alternate means of
financing at a rate of 5-1/2%. SECONDED by C/M Gottesman.
Mr. Henning clarified that the proposed alternate means of financing
is offered through the Florida League of Cities.
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ALL VOTED AYE
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GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL
7. Consideration for Adoption of New Sister _City - Discussion and
possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by consent on Page 1
APPROVED request for City Attorney
to prepare appropriate resolution
adopting Givatayim, Israel as the
new sister city
Jack Weiner, Commissioner of Human Relations, reported on the
proposed trip to the Sister City, Kiryat Tivon, Israel and the
importance of why Council needs to take immediate action.
Mr. Weiner referenced a letter dated May 11, 1985 from the Mayor in Kiryat
Tivon which stated that after serious deliberation regarding their
trip to Israel in November, he felt it advisable to postpone the
signing of the Sister City Agreement for a few months. Mr. Weiner
said the Mayor cited the designated time in November as inconvenient
since they will be signing a similar agreement with a city in West
Germany in October.
Mr. Weiner said Mayor Kravitz had received two phone calls from the
Mayor indicating that he would not be available for the signing
ceremony in November. He reported that during the telephone discussions,
Mayor Ben-Dror suggested the adoption of another sister city.
Mr. Weiner requested that Council consider adopting Givatayim as the
new Sister City whose Mayor is Isaac Yarron. Mayor Yarron has submitted
the background of his city and expressed that it would be an honor for
them to have the City of Tamarac as a Sister City. Mr. Weiner said.
he was in agreement for the November date for the signing ceremony.
Mr. Weiner understood that Mayor Yarron spoke to Mayor Ben-Dror and
Mayor Ben-Dror had no objections.
Mr. Weiner referenced a mail -a -gram dated July 12, 1985 that stated
that with the consent of Mayor Ben-Dror, the Mayor of Givatayim has
confirmed the details as given to Council. He said
with these facts in mind, and the urgency to be allowed to continue
their proposed trip, which they can not afford to cancel, he recommended
to Council that the City Attorney be authorized to draw
up the proper resolution approving the City of Givatayim. He asked that
the City Attorney also include authorization of the execution of this
resolution due on this trip in November, and authorization for the Mayor
to carry out the provisions of the resolutions providing for an
effective date. He said he is prepared to answer any questions that
Council may have.
C/M Stein said they have spent over two years negotiating and selecting
this city, the Mayor came here to visit and Council determined that
Kiryat Tivon was the city most compatible to Tamarac. He said now
he is hearing that because they have a trip scheduled that does not meet
the Mayor's scheduling in Israel that they should select another city
to accommodate the trip's schedule. C/M Stein said that he does not
know anything about Givatayim and whether it is compatible to Tamarac.
He said if the Mayor of Kiryat Tivon does not want to have Tamarac as
a Sister City, he can accept that but felt that definite investigation
should be done before they select another Sister City. He said he would
like to see it TABLED because he does not understand the urgency other
than the trip has been planned. He said that if it turns out, upon
investigation, that Givatayim is compatible then they can go with it.
C/M Gottesman said that it was the Mayor of the original Sister City
that proposed that 'Tamarac select another Sister City.
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Mr. Jack Weiner replied that Mayor Ben-Dror did not have the time
because he is busy with another sister city. He asked why should
they try to push themselves off on a city that does not want them.
He reported that he does have the information from the proposed
Sister City of Givatayim which has a population of approximately
50,000 residents. He said their industry and commerce is the same
as Kiryat Tivon and Givatayim has ten (10) primary schools, four
(4) high schools, a high-level art school and it has a very large
successful program for its senior citizens.
Mayor Kravitz said the Mayor of Kiryat Tivon was eager to have
Tamarac as a Sister City and has never said that he does not want
Tamarac as a Sister City. Mayor Kravitz said, however, that Mayor
Ben-Dror did say, on two separate occasions, that he could not
go along with this trip. The Mayor said he personally felt that
they could not keep postponing trips and that it was urgent for
them to adhere to the proposed trip schedule. Mayor Kravitz said
he understood that the proposed Sister City is even more accessible
and equally as good as Kiryat Tivon and that Council needs to make
a decision today because their decision will decide the fate of the
proposed trip.
C/M Munitz asked the location of Givatayim.
Mr. Weiner said it is located ten (10) minutes from Tel Aviv as opposed
to an hour or an hour and a half from Kiryat Tivon.
C/M Munitz asked if it was on the same road going east.
Mr. Weiner replied that it was on the same road going east.
C/M Stein clarified that Kiryat Tivon has not rejected Tamarac but it is
just a matter of scheduling. He said the original trip was scheduled
prior to November which Mayor Ben-Dror was very happy with but that
Mayor Kravitz could not meet that schedule and changed it to November.
He said he assumed that it had been cleared by both mayors but said,
evidently, it had not. C/M Stein said he wants the record to reflect
that it is not important to have a trip to schedule a Sister City but
that it is more important to have a Sister City_that was mutually
decided upon.
C/M Stein said it was degrading to the City of Givatayim because they
have not conducted investigations as to compatibility but rather have
selected a city to fill, in their schedule.
C/M Gottesman asked if Givatayim is willing to send a delegation to
America to sign a reciprocal agreement or will this be a unilateral
agreement.
Mayor Kravitz said his understanding is that when they go there in
November there will be a signing agreement. He
said, however, that no discussion was held as to them coming to
Tamarac at some future date and reasoned that it was not germaine
to the issue.
Mr. Weiner referenced letter from Mayor Ben-Dror which stated that if
the city's trip to Kiryat Tivon is already underway that he would be
pleased to meet them without any official ceremony.
Mayor Kravitz said Mayor Ben-Dror stated that he could not meet
with them any time this year for an official signing and explained that
is why it is urgent that Council take action this morning.
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V/M Massaro directed her response to C/M Stein's remark that they did not
know who lives in Givatayim and stated that she does not know who
lives in Kiryat Tivon. She felt that something has occurred which
has created an unhealthy situation and that it is her belief that if
Givatayim is eager that there is not much time to deliberate on this
as a great many people's money is in jeopardy. She reasoned that
it has been looked into very carefully from the information presented
to them by Mr. Weiner and MOVED that Council APPROVE the request from
Mr. Jack Weiner asking the City Attorney to draw up an appropriate
resolution that would be presented at Wednesday's meeting; (7/24/85).
C/M Gottesman asked if Mayor Ben-Dror has indicated when he would want
to have the agreement.
Mr. Weiner said he indicated some time next year.
C/M Gottesman said that would leave things up in the air for all
the people who have planned on going there and SECONDED the MOTION
on that basis.
C/M Munitz asked how many people have signed up for the trip.
Mr. Weiner said he had received 60 deposits.
Mayor Kravitz said he has checks in his office from 20 people that he
has not given to Mr. Weiner which would increase the total to 80.
C/M Munitz said he does not see that this Sister City arrangement
contains any meaningfulness at all because of the "rushed" nature that
this has taken.
V/M Massaro said that her statement had been distorted and asked
that Council move forward with goodwill in their hearts.
She said if they decide when they are in Israel that it is
not the right thing to do, they will have had a nice trip and will
come back very well pleased at having gone there.
C/M Gottesman reasoned that the trip itself is the deal because 80
people have signed up to go to the Holy Land, and it is not a question
of just a Sister City. He said he does not think Council should
deprive the people of their trip and to go to another city of equal
caliber is the important thing.
Mr. Henning"said the MOTION is for -him to prepare a resolution for
Wednesday's meeting to accept the new city as the Sister City.
V/M Massaro said that would also include authorization for the Mayor
to enter and sign the documents.
Mr. Henning said that would be part of the resolution but first the
resolution has to be prepared and placed on the agenda.
VOTE: C/M Stein
Nay
C/M Munitz
Nay
C/M Gottesman
Aye
V/M Massaro
Aye
Mayor Kravitz
Aye
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LEGAL AFFAIRS
Acquisition of Land in Land Section 7 - Financing -
Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION_ Agendized by consent on Page 1
V/M Massaro explained that they had intended to float the bond to pay
for the land that they intend to acquire in Land Section 7 for the
deep well injection and other purposes but was made aware of an alternate
method of financing with the possibility of saving a lot of money. She
said there would be no bond fees attached to this type of loan and
understood, at the present time, that it is at 5-1/4%. V/M Massaro
asked that this be researched carefully by the City Manager, City
Attorney and the Finance Department to determine if this is a simple
interest loan and that they would only be charged interest on the unpaid
balance for a period of ten (10) years. She said the information would
be brought back to Council for further determination as no loan will be
made now.
She said if the City Attorney determines that this may take place during
the month of August she felt certain that he would instigate proper
action along with the Mayor and so MOVED. SECONDED by C/M Gottesman.
Vickie Beech, resident, asked if in the event that
this is not possible through the Florida League of Cities, there will
be no action taken to pursue it further and that staff will not be given
carte blanche to do something without coming back to Council.
V/M Massaro said the NUTION only refers to this particular research.
Mr. Henning explained that the City is contemplating purchasing 45 acres
of land on Land Section 7 and the funding for this land is proposed to
be from impact fees from developers. He said V/M Massaro reported that
she has learned of possible bond money available through the Florida
League of Cities at a low interest rate. He said the MOTION is to
authorize the City staff to look into this information and report back
to Council to see if that would be an alternate method of financing the
land purchases.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
V/M Massaro questioned whether it would be impact fees from developers.
Mr. Henning explained that CIAC is the impact fees from developers.
She asked if the money would be borrowed from CIAC to be returned.
Mr. Henning said no, the proposal is that the approximate $1 million
dollars would come from the connection charge fund,.'Whfch are impact
fees from developers.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL
6. mp oyment o inane Director - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by consent on Page 1
APPROVED employment of Frank
Etheredge as Finance Director
Acting City Manager Larry Perretti reported that he had interviewed a
number of candidates for the Finance Director's position and selected
Frank Etheredge. He informed 'hat Mr. Etheredge has had experience
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in the City of Larado, Texas as the Finance Director and in Dothan,
Alabama with a population of approximately 55,000. Mr. Perretti
said that he has spoken with Mr. Etheredge and was informed that
Mr. E:ther.edgecould be available for work Monday, July 22, 1985,
and recommended that Council approve his employment effective
7/22/85 at a starting salary of $36,008.
V/M Massaro asked Mr. Perretti to confirm Mr. Etheredge's probationary
period.
He answered that he will be on a six (6) months' probationary period,
and his medical benefits would be available to him and his family after
ninety (90) days of employment as all other employees within the city
except for Police and Fire who have a year's probationary period.
V/M Massaro asked if it was customary to pay for the family's insurance
as well as the employee's or does the employee contribute towards that.
Mr, Perretti said the employee contributes and the city pays a portion
of the dependent(s) coverage which amounts to approximately $41 bi-monthly.
Mr. Henning said that is less than half.
V/M Massaro inquired if car expenses have been included in this agreement
and Mr. Perretti said there will not be.
V/M Massaro asked about further increases.
Mr. Henning said the standard in the city has been that when an employee
is taken off probation they receive a one-step 4 % increase.
Mr. Perretti said that will be according to what happens October 1, 1985,
pertaining to the October 1 - April 1 concept versus the anniversary
date increase. He said if the October 1 - April 1 concept, which is
presently in effect stands, and Mr. Etheredge will not get another increase
until April 1 of next year.
C/M Gottesman inquired if there were any other perks involved.
Mr. Perretti replied nothing else was discussed other than what the
other general employees receive.
V/M Massaro reviewed all the applications for the Finance Director's
position and concluded that she would have selected Mr. Etheredge and
stated that she is not the least bit reluctant to MOVE to ACCEPT the
selection made by the Acting City Manager. SECONDED by C/M Stein.
C/M Munitz asked how many applications were received.
Mr. Perretti answered 28.
C/M Munitz asked how many did he interview.
Mr. Perretti indicated that he interviewed five.
Vickie Beech, resident, said that she has sat through quite a few
votes of approval for various employees that the city has hired. She
said the employees are aware of the probationary period but about
two months before the probationary period is over, the city feels an
urgency that they may lose them and decides to give them increases
and voiced her opposition to this.
V/M Massaro said she agreed with Ms. Beech wholeheartedly.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
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1. Engineering Department - Request for Transfer From Contingency
Fund - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
TABLED to next regular meeting
for additional research
Tape Bill Greenwood, Utililties Director, said he had a revised request
for $5,350 for the remainder of the year. He said the largest
increase is in Professional Services for $3,000. Mr. Greenwood
said the other items are approximately split accordingly. He
said the income presently in the City Engineer's Office as of June
3 was $172,886.13 which has covered expenditures to date. Mr.
Greenwood said the projection for the total income for the department
is $235,515.
C/M Stein asked where they -would obtain the $5,350 to make the transfer.
Mr. Perretti recalled that, in the past, the city has not gone into
interdepartmental transfers and perceived this as a way of obtaining
money. He explained that, if, in fact, a department had any fat in
their budget and felt they would have a surplus through September 30,
they could give it back in order that it be used for interdepartmental
transfers. Mr. Perretti said at the present time there is
$174,061.53 of total available funds that could be used for these
transfers.
He asked for Council's approval to transfer departmental surpluses
under salary line items.
C/M Stein asked if the funds were available if Council approves all -
budget transfers.
Mr. Perretti answered that right now there is $174,000 that can be
transferred, and if transfers from the salary line items are approved,
they, too, will be available for transfer.
Mr. Greenwood said none of the funds has come or should
ever come from any contingency fund from the city.
V/M Massaro said it sounded as if they were asking for a
budget amendment and any change in the budget requires a
couple of months. She said it has been her understanding
that iptradepartmental changes could be made but that inter-
departmental changes required an amendment to the budget
itself. V/M Massaro said that she would like explanations
as to why the budget requests are needed and that the City
Attorney research the legality of everything. She asked
Council to take into consideration that they have only the
months,of August and September before the new budget is enforced
and asked that they take a close look at everything that has
been requested for this two -month period but that they take
no action other than to listen, absorb it and think about
it until the 7/24/85 Council meeting.
V/M Massaro said that she is asking that every one of the
items on the agenda be explained by the department head
and that Council will render a decision at Wednesday's
meeting.
Mayor Kravitz inquired if she would like an explanation
and no action until Wednesday's meeting which, in effect,
can be interpreted as a request for tabling.
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V/M Massaro said this was a request for Tabling as the City Attorney
has to research the legality of the requests.
City Attorney Henning reported that in preparation for
the meeting he talked with Mark Wilson, representative
with Touche Ross. He said they discussed the amended
budget versus line item transfers. Mr. Henning explained
that an amended budget is an approximately 30-day procedure
with two (2) advertisements in advance. He said Mr. Wilson
discussed the likelihood of preparing revised revenues along
with expenditures to give an accurate accounting. Mr.
Henning said according to Mark Wilson's experiences with
municipalities he felt it would be appropriate to do the
line item transfers as proposed and, secondly, if Council
decides to reconcile the budget before the books are closed
out for the year, Council should reconcile the revenues
to give a full picture of the situation.
C/M Stein concurred with V/M Massaro but also wanted
clarification that if they did approve where the money would
come from. He said he also agreed with Larry Perretti and
Bill Greenwood because TUW is not part of the city's operating
budget because they have their own budget, income and
expenses. C/M Stein evidenced that Council would still have
to approve the transfers but they should be allotted to the
income and expense of TUW without affecting the city's con-
tingency fund.
V/M Massaro agreed and stated that it can not be intermingled
with the city's funds but has to stay with TUW.
C/M Stein said they should go over them to see how many they
approve and then determine where the money will come from.
C/M Munitz asked if they were talking about General Fund
Budget adjustments.
Mayor Kravitz answered that TUW is not ' part of the General
Fund.
C/M Munitz questioned if they should be separated and asked
which funds they are trying to adjust.
Larry Perretti said he was showing $174,000,which could be
interdepartmentally transferred rather than coming out of
the General Fund.
V/M Massaro stated that she understood Mr. Perretti to say
that he is bringing forth, for general information, that
there is a certain amount of money available for the other
transfers that have nothing to do with TUW.
Mr. Greenwood continued that line account 362 has $13,100.
He said his main request is for authorization for the TUW
budget to hire an engineer and draftsperson to handle the
projected 20 million dollars worth of capital improvements:
approximately 15 million dollars from the bond issue and $5 million dollars
from other funds, mainly, C1AC tunds. He said the positions
are desperately needed because the city presently has one
employee and his staff overseeing the grants and administration
consists of one secretary, one grants administrator and himself.
He explained that his time is spent in three (3) major categories:
City Engineer's Department, Grants for 20 million dollars
and Utility operations for the budget that is over 5 million
dollars. Mr. Greenwood reasoned that the workload would
interfere with the efficiency of his department.
Mayor Kravitz asked if he was asking for this money between
now and October because October 1 would be the date the city's
new budget is effective.
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C/M Gottesman asked when he expected to put the people
on board.
Mr. Greenwood explained that TUW is set up so that all
it would take is Council's authorization because it does
not require advertising.
Mr. Greenwood presented a revised budget for Water Treatment
Account #363 for $55,000 and stated that the main increase
of the $55,000 request is $50,000 for Florida Power & Light.
to offset additional electrical consumption by the plant.
He provided a graphic illustration and explained the increase
in costs.
V/M Massaro inquired if $50,000 is needed for the next
two months.
Mr. Greenwood reported that they were budgeted $135,000 for
energy in 1984-85 and that they are essentially at that
mark now and requested funds required to pay for services
for July, August and September. He said it fluctuates
between $13,000 to $17,000 per month.
V/M Massaro asked the Finance Department to conduct an
examination of the city's water rates to determine if
it is carrying its own weight citing the tremendous cost
of electricity as the reason for her proposal.
Mr. Greenwood discussed the revised Wastewater Treatment
Account #368 which is comprised of two topics: Professional
Services and Electricity. He said the increase in Pro-
fessional Services was mainly associated with the diffi-
culties of obtaining and maintaining the treatment plant
under permit status acquiring temporary operating permits
for the sludge farms, the new wells that the Department
of Environmental Regulations required and other monitoring
requirements. He said they also have to obtain variances
to keep the sewerage treatment plant permitted with EQCB
and the Florida Department of Environmental Regulations.
Mr. Greenwood said there has been extensive additional testing
for quality. He explained that routine testing is continuing
to be performed in-house but they have been required to
modify laboratory for extensive testing for minor elements
and that these analyses are very expensive and require
specialized equipment. Mr. Greenwood said since the sewerage
treatment plant sits in Zone 1 wellfield they have monitoring
wells completely surrounding the sewerage and water treatment
plants and wells on the premises plus other wells which have
to be continuously monitored for insecticide, pesticide and
heavy metal contents. He reiterated that the costs for these
analyses this year have been astronomical.
Mr. Greenwood said the second major item is energy
consumption for the wastewater treatment plant. He said
the current adjusted budget was $236,000 and he has requested
$295,000 which is an increase of $59,000. He said sewerage
requirements are based not only on flow characteristics, the
number of gallons in, but how strong it is. Mr.
Greenwood further explained that even though the flows are
down, the strength is up which requires additional air and
additional equipment. He said the wastewater treatment plant
actually pays more for a kilowatt hour and cited demand charges
as the reasons for the higher rate. He said sewage comes in
at peak hours and has to be treated at peak hours; therefore,
the city has to pay peak rates.
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V/M Massaro said the combined sums of the budget adjustments
for the three-month period amounted to $144,000, and that,
consequently, if that is multiplied by the four quarters in
next year, it amounts to $576,000 for the increase in costs
on those two items alone for this coming year. She asked
Council to take a good look at TUW rates to determine Me costs.
Mayor Kravitz asked Mr. Greenwood how they got into this situation.
Mr. Greenwood replied that the financial management of TUW,
as explained to them by the Finance Department, is an enter-
prise system and that as long as revenues are exceeding expenses,
his department can go into deficit spending. He said
the other line items within the budget have been fairly well
met and explained that the ones before Council are
with extraordinary increases.
C/M Munitz said they need to look at the revenues as well as
the expenditures.
Mr. Greenwood said the present revenues can cover the additional
expenses. He stated that from a long-range standpoint, Council
authorized James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, to pre-
pare a rate study. He said this very detailed study had been
performed and was assigned to the Finance Department for
implementation and administration. Mr. Greenwood said copies
were distributed to Council and highly recommended that at
the first meeting in September, . a critique be made of the
study pertaining to implementation.
C/M Stein wanted to know, because of the increase in electricity,
if there has been additional income which precipitated this
increase or was this strictly utility -rate increases and if
they had support from revenues to offset the increases.
Mr. Greenwood replied that they had the revenue support.
C/M Stein reasoned that it was possible that they under-
estimated the income as well as the expenditures.
V/M Massaro MOVED to TABLE action on all the Engineering
Department's requests and that they be addressed at Wednesday's
meeting (7/24/85). C/M Stein SECONDED.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
4. Parks and Recreation Department - Discussion and possible
action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
TABLED to next regular
meeting (7/24/85) for
additional research by
the Acting City Manager.
Sharon Ellis, Parks and Recreation Director, requested $51,450.
She said the main items in question are overtime and electricity
for their facilities at Tamarac Park. She explained that the
overtime was resultant of their department taking over the
medians and swales of specific streets within the city and
17 events which required overtime.
Ms. Ellis explained that originally they had.notbeen budgeted
for rentals and leases and requested funds for that account.
Mayor Kravitz asked if she had authority to overdraw the
budget.
Ms. Ellis said she was given authority by former City Manager
Elly Johnson. She added that in the past they had been budgeted
$20,000 for overtime but that in last fiscal year's budget
they only received $5,000 for overtime. /
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Mayor Kravitz referenced a communication from Lou Solomon,
Parks Commissioner, dated 7/16/85 in which he recommended
that the Parks and Recreation Department maintain the city's
four parks and relinquish the mowing of the medians to the
Public Works Department.
Ms. Ellis said she fully agreed with Mr. Solomon's recom-
mendation as they do not have the manpower to maintain over
three million sq. ft. of mowing projects in addition to
maintaining the parks as they should be.
V/M Massaro asked Robert Hurley's title and duties.
Ms. Ellis answered that his title is Parks and Recreation
Superintendent and that he oversees the daily operations
of the Parks Department program. She said due to lack of
manpower they have asked Mr. Hurley to do some physical
work outside of his job description. She stated that they
were fortunate to have a person with Mr. Hurley's expertise
and reasoned that if he were basically in the supervisory
position and the department had additional staff, they would
be moving forward and spending their money more wisely.
V/M Massaro asked if he was cognizant of the fact that he
sends four or five men on a project, if he knows what they
are doing, how long they are on a project and how long
it should take.
Ms. Ellis responded that if the general community that worked
with Mr. Hurley were polled they would inform that he is a
very competent person. She explained that she was instrumental
in bringing Mr. Hurley to the city and that he is a qualified
person with over 31 years' experience in turf maintenance and
ball field preparation. Ms. Ellis also stated that they can
document where their men are by the forms they are required
to complete. She said that V/M Massaro was referencing a
lone incident at Capparella Park whereby one of the men
was neglectful and left a weedeater at the park.
V/M Massaro said that was not what took place.
Ms.Ellis said she investigated the incident and was informed
that was the situation.
Tape V/M Massaro said she happened to be at this particular place
3 and was not there to check on the Parks and Recreation employees.
She said while there she observed that an employee had brought
an inoperative weedeater, took it to Public Works where he was
informed that it would be ready in half an hour, and he went
for a joy ride. She said he also stopped another man from work-
ing by standing with his foot on the equipment whereby
neither moved for 20 minutes. She reported that she asked
Mr. Solomon to find out the man's name and that she asked them
why they were planning to use a weedeater on the multitude of
sidewalks at Capparella Park and were informed that the City
did not have an edger.
Ms. Ellis said they do have one edger.
V/M Massaro said that another man said they had an edger
but that they forgot to bring it. She said he also came
in with a truck that did not have identification which is
against the law.
-11-
7/19/85
/vdw
Ms. Ellis said that the Vice -Mayor would have to talk with
Public Works about that.
V/M Massaro said she wanted to continue because people
have to know what happened as she felt it would fall on
the Superintendent of Parks. She said he arrived in a
truck that was in perfectly good working order but was
informed by the former City Manager that the truck was
going to be put up for auction. She said she asked him
why and he answered that when a truck gets to a point that
it costs more to keep it running then it would to buy a
new one and when it is in the repair shop more than it is
on the road, it is time to do something about it. V/M
Massaro said she checked with the department to determine
how often that truck was brought in for repairs and they
informed her that the last time they had seen the truck
was about a year ago. She said when she confronted the
former City Manager with this information he told her that
they would paint the truck but learned that an emblem was
placed on the truck without it having been painted.
V/M Massaro inquired what kind of repairs were necessary
for that truck and was informed that a collar was cracked
on the steering wheel and was replaced and they put on two
tires and it is back in operation. She added that the truck
will not be sold at auction as was indicated.
V/M Massaro said she also heard that a woman fell on a
sidewalk at her median and added that this contradicted
all the comments on how great a job they were doing with
the median mowing and that they should not be taken off
the medians. She remarked that the medians were never in
a more deplorable condition than they are today. V/M
Massaro reiterated that the lady fell as a result of the
grass being overgrown on the sidewalk.
Mr. Henning advised her against commenting about the fall
lest a claim be filed.
V/M Massaro said no claim had been filed and asserted that
Mr. Hurley should not be a superintendent.
Ms. Ellis said that Mr. Hurley should be present to defend
himself.
V/M Massaro said she was telling her as director of Parks
and Recreation. She said she inquired how many hours were
scheduled to do certain parks and nobody could come up with
the hours.
Ms. Ellis responded that she gave that to Mr. Solomon to do.
V/M Massaro said she was told that it took 32 hours to do
Capparella Park and felt that it was ridiculous.
Ms. Ellis assured that it does take one
whole day to do
Capparella
Park with the machinery and
the staff that they
have right
now. She also added that it
has been raining
and unless
the men are put on overtime
that is the only way
they can do
it.
V/M Massaro
said that she felt the overtime
should be adjusted
because she
does not think the men should
be working overtime
but should
be allotted a certain time to
complete the job so
that overtime
would not be necessary.
-12-
7/19/85
/vdw
Evelyn Lang identified herself as the person who fell in
the Boulevards section and said that her median has not
been cut in a month. Ms. Lang said she did not care
which department did it as long as the work got done.
V/M Massaro injected that this is the busiest time of
the year for grass cutting and that the Superintendent
of Parks and some of the grass cutters are on vacation.
She asked if this is called supervision when Mr. Hurley
went on vacation in the height of the grass cutting season.
Mae Lang, Tamarac Lakes South, concurred with Eveleyn Lang.
She said she has had a problem since May with an area on
31st Avenue and Commercial which needs to be cleaned up
because of overgrown weeds and bug infestation. Ms. Lang
said she called each department from Public Works to Parks
and Recreation and got a runaround.
Mayor Kravitz asked her if she called the Acting City Manager.
Ms. Lang replied that she did not.
Mayor Kravitz informed her that this was his department.
Ms. Lang continued stating that she even called Broward
County and was informed that they would clean the streets
but would not cut the grass. She said as a last resort she
called Helen Massaro who made several suggestions,none of
which worked out,and that she still does not know who
is responsible. She said she received a call yesterday from
the City Manager's Office asking her to be patient and they
will see that it is corrected. Ms. Lang concluded that they
are the "black sheep" of the east side and that they have
had to fight for everything.
Mayor Kravitz acknowledged that the Acting City Manager had
made a note of her complaint and would take care of it.
V/M Massaro informed her that they are in the process
of catching up.
Bob Curcio, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee,
clarified that he does not object to the transfer of main-
tenance of the medians and swales to Public Works but asked
that Parks and Recreation be allowed to continue to maintain
the four parks. He said, for the record, those men are working.
Mr. Curcio said that much of the equipment is antiquated and
in need of repair. He said Council should take into consideration
that there is but one edger for the entire city.
V/M Massaro said the important thing was where was it.
Mr.
Curcio
said the important thing is that there is only one
and
maybe it should have been with those men.
He said
they
do have a large mower which was sent to Public
Works
over
a month ago for repairs and they just recently
sent
it to
the manufacturer. He also reported that the
men
put in
a lot of time and that a lot of the time they
put
in they
are not paid for. Mr. Curcio said if the men
were
then
taken
there
off median and swales and placed in special events,
would not be enough manpower.
-1.3-
7/19/85
/vdw
%Editor's Note: Mayor Kravitz asked that the record reflect
that Evelyn Lang is a former Vice ---Mayor of the City of Tamarac.
J
Abe Herbert, resident, expressed surprise at the complaints made
about the medians because they have been present for years
when Publfc Works had it. He said he would like to
appear before Council at a future date and ask for an
allotment of money to hire a contractor to take care of
their median strips.
Council informed him that it could not be done that way.
Mayor Kravitz suggested that he talk with V/M Massaro after
the meeting,as they live in the same area,and she can
bring it before Council.
Mr. Herbert praised Bob Hurley's efficiency and, more
importantly, the respect he receives from people who
come in contact with him.
Vickie Beech, resident, said this discussion opened
the door for not only things about this department but
most every department in the city on the management level.
She said every year the budget gets bigger, salaries get
higher and they hire "hot shots" who are supposed to come
in and solve all the problems and it appeared that they
have more problems. Ms. Beech said the city has ordinances
that are unenforceable and department heads who refuse to
enforce them and stated that something has to be done. She
said if these departments are ineffective, then they should
be abolished from the hierarchy of the city.
Ralph Stokes, resident, said everything is done on the west
side and nothing is done on the east side.
V/M Massaro informed him that he was not alone because he
could ride up and down Commercial Boulevard and see the
need for maintenance. She said that it was a disgrace and
that she was ashamed to admit that this is the City of Tamarac.
Mr. Stokes said it goes back to supervision.
V/M Massaro agreed.
Nat Scolnick, member of the Parks and Recreation Committee,
said the equipment that they have is so old that he does not
see how they get any work done. He informed that they needed
standby equipment because it is true that the men will
stand around and do nothing if they do not have anything to
work with.
V/M Massaro said there is complete negligence on the part of
the workers that she has seen and that there was equipment
but they forgot to bring it. She said the entire problem is
lack of proper supervision and added that it is a shame when
the Superintendent does not know how to request equipment
through the City Manager's Office. V/M Massaro said the
situation deserves scrutiny.
Herb Perlmutter, member of Senior Men's Softball Team,
said the city's fields are the best because the men knew
what they were doing and did a good job.
Bob Curcio asked V/M Massao how many times she has observed
Parks and Recreation employees not doing their work other
than the one incident.
-14-
7/19/85
/vdw
xJ
V/M Massaro replied that she did not walk around in back
of the Parks and Recreation men but what she did see made
her aware that something has to be done about it.
Bob Curcio said that he does not monitor the men either
but the times that he has observed them, they have been
working.
Mr. Curcio said the field referenced by Ms. Lang on 31st
Avenue is not part of Parks and Recreation but comes under
Public Works. He said in a lot of casestomplaints have
come in only to learn that they are for Public Works but
Parks and Recreation gets the blame. Mr. Curcio said when
it comes out in a Council meeting, the public leaves blaming
Parks and Recreation and it does not matter that after the
meeting is over that they find out that it belongs to Public
Works. He suggested that those points be clarified in the
public mind as well as Council's so that when they go
home, it will not be with negativism against one or the other.
V/M Massaro said that she could not agree with him.
Sam Pizzarello, President of Tamarac Lakes South, stated that
the situation is beyond Sharon Ellis' control. He said they
have a strip that extends from 30th Street to 29th Street
that has not been touched in two years. He said this is
not a condemnation of Sharon Ellis because this item has
been taken . from Public Works to Parks and Recreation
and nobody wanted to touch it. Mr. Pizzarello said he even
spoke with Chairperson Florence Bochenek of the Beautification
Committee, and was told that they would get to it some time
this year because they were involved with so many projects.
Mr. Pizzarello said because of moving it has
left the avenue open for people to shun responsibility.
Sharon Ellis, Director/Parks and Recreation, clarified
that when the medians were given to the city on August 6,
1984 they were presented with a list of medians that were
under Public Works. She said that the list has increased
since then and that she presented a total upkeep proposal
to the City Manager to rebeautify Commercial Boulevard.
Ms. Ellis said she agreed with the residents that the area
is in a deplorable condition and asked how can they mow
weeds and dirt. She said she has tried to work with the
Beautification Committee to beautify the area. She said
when there is a question as to property jurisdiction she
contacts the Engineering Department for clarification and
noted that she has found parts that they have mowed that did
not belong to the city. Ms. Ellis said each month she has
found more property that has become their responsibility
and,because of the current equipment and personnel,they cannot
do an adequate job; therefore, she recommended to the City
Manager that it be returned to Public Works or a private
vendor.
V/M Massaro MOVED to TABLE the item to Wednesday's meeting
(7/24/85) with the City Manager taking note of everything
that has been said and bring recommendations back to Council
as to what should be done. SECONDED by C/M Stein.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
-15-
7/19/85
/vdw
2. City Clerk's Department - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
TABLED to next regular
meeting (7/24/85)
Marilyn Bertholf, City Clerk,
requested a $7,000 increase
to the Advertising Account for
legal ads. She said
this
account is approximately $1,000
overdrawn and that
she
anticipated a number of advertisements
between now
and
the new fiscal year.
Ms. Bertholf reported that the
Elections Account is
overdrawn
by approximately $5100 because
of two unanticipated
elections.
She requested $5100 to balance
that account.
The City Clerk requested $2,000 for the Contractual Services
Account to cover the codification services of the charter
and ordinances. She noted that the Contractual Services
Account is not only being used for codification but for
storage of vital records. Ms. Bertholf said the balance
of the money needed for this account can be transferred from
other accounts, subject to the City Manager's approval of
the line item transfers.
Mayor Kravitz asked for a legal opinion as to whether line item
transfers needed Council's approval.
Mr. Henning said they did not need Council's approval and
that if Council is accepting Mr. Perretti's discussion in
which he indicated the transfer of line item salaries that
would also be open to intradepartmental transfers. He
said transfers within the department do -not require Council's
approval and indicated that the budget stated that.
V/M Massaro questioned what happens if somebody made a transfer
arbitrarily in mid -year and then at the end of the year
said they were shy of an amount.
Mr. Henning said that is open to scrutiny and that the line
item transfers requires the City Manager's, Finance Director's
and department head's approval. He said there is an attempt
to make the right decision and it is subject to review.
Mr. Henning said the question posed to him was if it was
legal and his answer was "Yes, it is legal".
V/M Massaro said she never knew that they could make any
transfers in their budget without it coming to Council
in order that they know what is going on.
Mr. Henning answered that is not the case. He exampled
if a line item is $500 short and they can transfer from
within their department, it does not go to Council and it
never has.
V/M Massaro said never to her knowledge.
C/M Stein MOVED to TABLE the item to Wednesday's meeting
(7/24/85). V/M Massaro SECONDED.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
Mayor Kravitz suggested that before the next meeting that
the City Attorney submit, in writing, why it is legal to
do it that way.
-16-
Mr. Henning announced that when the budget passed by
ordinance it includes authorization to make intra-
departmental transfers and that authorization is then,
obviously, given by Council to the department heads.
V/M Massaro questioned where that was written.
Mr. Henning said he thought it was in the ordinance
that approves the budget.
3. Building Department - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: TABLED
to the next regular meeting (7/24/85)
Mr. Jahn reported that he was returning $14,261.53 for
unencumbered balances to the Contingency Fund. He also
noted that there is a 137 to 147 increase in anticipated
revenues.
Mr. Jahn requested $1,000 for printing and binding and
$500 for office supplies and stated that he would not
mind if Council tabled these items to the next regular
meeting; however, he asked that the three radios requested
for the Code Enforcement Officers not be tabled. He said
the radios they now have are inoperative and he does not want
the men out there without communication. Mr_ JAhn Raid
there is money within his budget but the purchase would ex-
ceed $2,000 and requested permission to purchase three (3)
Motorola mobile radios under State contract. He said after
the recommended purchase is made, there will be a balance
of $1,009.
V/M Massaro complimented Mr. Jahn on the way he has main-
tained his budget. She asked him if the Code Enforcement
Officers made reports.
Mr. Jahn said they are making daily reports.
V/M Massaro asked if he felt three Code Enforcement Officers
were necessary.
Mr. Jahn answered that it might be overstaffed and V/M Massaro
agreed.
Mr. Jahn admitted that within the past two months there have
been more notices of violations and that 50% of his time has
been devoted to code enforcement -related duties. He said
as a result of a study he hoped to complete by
the end of the fiscal year, he could say that they can
use all three Code Enforcement Officers.
Sam Pizzarella, said the transition of the Code Enforcement
Officers from the Police Dept. to the Building Dept. has
taken its toll. He explained that in June he called Code
Enforcement Officer Jennings and informed him that the
Tamarac Golf Club had placed a 30-foot fence on the City
of Tamarac's property. Mr. Pizzarella said Tamarac
Golf Club is in Oakland Park and they had a permit from
Oakland Park allowing them to build a 30-foot fence on
their edging and they decided to move it 12 feet to the rear
of the premises of 2502 N.W. 48th Street which is in Tamarac.
He said Mr. Jennings came down and placed a Work Stop Order
on it and spoke to Mr. Broad,manager, and that afternoon the
notice was torn down. Mr. Pizzarella said Mr. Broad deemed
it necessary to add another 18 feet of fence which made it a
48-foot of 6-foot fence on Tamarac property.
-17-
7/19/85
/vdw
J
Mr.
Pizzarella said he then called Code Enforcement and
was
advised that it
was no longer in their domain because
of
the transition
and advised him to contact Mr. Jahn.
He
said Mr. Jahn's
office responded and requested police
backup
because the
people refused to stop building the fence.
He
said the police
placed a work stoppage sign there and
the
sign came down
the next day. Mr. Pizzarella said he
is
anticipating Tamarac
Country Club putting up another
section
of fence.
He said nothing has been done since
Mr.
V/M
Jahn's letter.
Massaro asked
if the fence was on private property.
Mr. Pizzarella said that it is on private property.
V/M Massaro inquired about the owner of the property and
was informed that the owner was away but that he did not
want the fence. Mr. Pizzarella said on-theadjoining property,
2500 N.W. 48th St., the owner has erected a 30-foot fence
that was never authorized and does not have a building permit
and that is also on Tamarac property.
V/M Massaro advised that they could tear it down if it is
on their property.
Mr. Pizzarella agreed but noted that they broke the sprinkler
system because they put the post holes right through the
sprinkler pipes.
Mr. Henning said he did not recall the damage to the sprinkler
system but that he is aware of the fence being located there.
Mr. Jahn reported that he had a meeting with the Oakland
Park Building Official at the fence site and determined
that he did issue the permit erroneously. He said he
also contacted the fence company and had a meeting with
Mr. Broad, whom he found to be a very hard gentleman to
deal with. Mr. Jahn said he did obtain a copy of a legal
page and book number easement granted to Tamarac Country
Club, Inc. for 12' of that lot to place a fence and the
problem concerns proper permitting and getting the sprinkler
repaired. He said he has elicited a new permit application
from the fence company and a verbal promise in front of four
witnesses by Mr. Broad that he will repair the sprinkler
system.
Mayor Kravitz said he felt confident that Mr. Jahn and the
City Attorney could handle everything properly.
V/M Massaro asked if the easement covered the entire length
of the property discussed.
Mr. Jahn said it appeared to cover it from the legal des-
cription although he has not been able to definitely
ascertain if it fits all the lot but that it was a 10'
writ of ingress/egress for roadway purposes and 2' for a
fence.
Vickie Beech, resident, informed that Mr. Broad appeared
before Council last year and was denied the roadway.
Ms. Beech thanked the Mayor, Mr.Perretti and Mr.Jahn
and stated thatshe has had more communication than she
has had in a number of years. She said she has made
cursory inspections and noted boats in driveways, lean-tos
being built for boats. She said one must stress courtesy
for everyone concerned because there has been a lack of it
for some time.
7/19/85
/vdw
C/M Gottesman MOVED, in view of the fact that Mr. Jahn has
been able to show such a huge return of funds to the city,
that he be granted the money to buy the three radios.
V/M Massaro suggested that they do the same as with the
other departments and TABLE any action until Wednesday's
meeting (7/24/85) and C/M Gottesman so MOVED.
C/M Stein pointed out that Mr. Jahn has asked that
they be treated as two separate items. He said Mr. Jahn
has the money in his budget and is only asking for -approval.
V/M Massaro said the thing that concerned her is that she
is not sure that two men could not do the job that three
men are now doing. She said she would like to see those
reports to determine what they are really doing.
V/M Massaro SECONDED the MOTION.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
5. Any other departments Council wishes to address --
Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: TABLED
to the next regu ar meeting
(7/24/85)
Mr. Henning requested $11,600 for General Salaries and
FICA Taxes for the City Attorney's budget. He said the
expenditures for this account are at 81% when they
should be around 75%.
Mayor Kravitz asked what was the total budget for the
City Attorney's Office and Mr. Henning said the total
is $161.855, and the budget for "Regular Salaries" is
$82,500.
V/M Massaro asked him to define "regular".
Mr. Henning explained',that the line item is called "Regular
Salaries" which includes his and two secretaries' salaries.
Mayor Kravitz said the increase that he is asking for would
bring it up to $1.7.3,000 and asked him why it was necessary
to spend that kind of money because that was in addition to
the extra attorneys that Council hires.
Mr. Henning said ESM is a separate item and that in the past
years, Council has authorized as much as $70,000 for consulting
attorneys' services and that is included in the $161,000. He
said he had approximately $12,000 left in the Consulting
Services Account.
Mayor Kravitz asked, if Council did not grant the increase,
could the City Attorney's Office function for the balance of
the fiscal year without hurting the city.
-19-
7/19/85
/vdw
Mr. Henning said the salaries are set in October by the
computer and that as budget preparers they are told to
concentrate on the expenses. He said the three areas
within the budget are operating expenses, capital outlay,
and personal services.
with the city he has never made any adjustments to the
Personal Services area. He said he believed the problem
is that the City Attorney's Office received increases
after October 1 and they were not funded in the budget.
Mayor Kravitz suggested that Mr. Henning give Council
a full report at Wednesday's meeting (7/24/85).
V/M Massaro suggested that the City'Attorney include in
his report how they can fund the expenses of the Pension
Board.
Mayor Kravitz said that will be discussed on a future
agenda.
Mr. Henning said he understood that Council is considering
assessing some of the expenses for law fees or actuaries'
fees, etc., against the Pension Board. He said his main
question is whether or not, if Council initiates this,
will it be effective October 1 or would it be retroactive.
C/M Stein MOVED to TABLE to Wednesday's meeting (7/24/85).
SECONDED by V/M Massaro.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
Vickie Beech expressed concern over the way the city is
going by using so many consultants. She said she was under
the impression that there was expertise on the Council and
that, at one time or another, there must be guidance as with
the Pension Plan. Ms. Beech said it should be taken under
serious advisement because for the amount of salaries being
expended the benefits derived are not balancing.
Mayor Kravitz adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.
�Qf •
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITeF Y OF TAMAR C
A SISTANT CITY CLERK APPROVED AT MEETING OF /
City Cterk
This document was promulgated at a cost of $ 148_Cl5
or $ 4.1-1 per copy to inform the general public and
publicofficers and employees about recent opinions
and considerations by the City Council of the City of
Tamarac.
-20-
7/19/85
/vdw
V
1
I
�1
CITY OF TAMARAC
[��IM•�K�111►(�i11
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1985
Tape CALL, TO ORDER: Mayor Philip B. Kravitz called the meeting to order on
1 Friday, July 19, 1985 at 9 A.M. in Council Chambers.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip B. Kravitz
Vice Mayor Helen Massaro
Councilman Arthur H. Gottesman
Councilman Raymond J. Munitz
Councilman Sydney M. Stein
ALSO PRESENT: Jon M. Henning, City Attorney
Larry Perretti, Acting City Manager
Diane Williams, Secretary
MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Kravitz called for a Moment
of Silent Meditation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL
6. Employment of Finance Director - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by Consent
See pages 5 & 6
V/M Massaro MOVED to agendize by consent the approval of the Finance
Director who has been selected by the Acting City Manager. SECONDED
by C/M Gottesman.
1 Xj
ALL VOTED AYE
7. Consideration For Ado Lion of New Sister City - Discussion and
possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by Consent
See page
V/M Massaro MOVED to agendize by consent for discussion and possible
action a request for a resolution to name a new Sister City. SECONDED
by C/M Gottesman.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
LEGAL AFFAIRS
8. c uisition of Land in Land Section 7 -- Finagcing-
Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by Consent
See page 5
V/M Massaro said they are in the process of acquiring 45 acres of land
as a result of the condemnation suit and have discussed the fact that
this purchase would be covered with a bond. She said
she has pertinent information "-.and MOVED to agendize by consent
to authorize the Finance Director co investigate an alternate means of
financing at a rate of 5-1/2%. SECONDED by C/M Gottesman.
Mr. Henning clarified that the proposed alternate means of financing
is offered through the Florida League of Cities.
VOTE:
ALL VOTED AYE
7/19/85
vdw
j
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL
i forption of New Sister City - Discussion and
ac
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by consent on. Page 1
APPROVED request for City Attorney
to prepare appropriate resolution
adopting Givatayim, Israel as the
new sister city
Jack Weiner, Commissioner of Human Relations, reported on the
proposed trip to the Sister City, Kiryat Tivon, Israel and the
importance of why Council needs to take immediate action.
Mr. Weiner referenced a letter dated May 11, 1985 from the Mayor in Kiryat
Tivon which stated that after serious deliberation regarding their
trip to Israel in November, he felt it advisable to postpone the
signing of the Sister City Agreement for a few months. Mr. Weiner
said the Mayor cited the designated time in November as inconvenient
since they will be signing a similar agreement with a city in West
Germany in October.
Mr. Weiner said Mayor Kravitz had received two phone calls from the
Mayor indicating that he would not be available for the signing
ceremony in November. He reported that during the telephone discussions,
Mayor Ben-Dror suggested the adoption of another sister city.
Mr. Weiner requested that Council consider adopting Givatayim as the
new Sister City whose Mayor is Isaac Yarron. Mayor Yarron has submitted
the background of his city and expressed that it would be an honor for
them to have the City of Tamarac as a Sister City. Mr. Weiner said
he was in agreement for the November date for the signing ceremony.
Mr. Weiner understood that Mayor Yarron spoke to Mayor Ben-Dror and
Mayor Ben-Dror had no objections.
Mr. Weiner referenced a mail -a -gram dated July 12, 1985 that stated
that with the consent of Mayor Ben--Dror, the Mayor of Givatayim has
confirmed the details as given to Council. He said
with these facts in mind, and the urgency to be allowed to continue
their proposed trip, which they can not afford to cancel, he recommended
to 1-" Council that the City Attorney be authorized to draw
up the proper resolution approving the City of Givatayim. He asked that
the City Attorney also include authorization of the execution of this
resolution due on this trip in November, and authorization for the Mayor
to carry out the provisions of the resolutions providing for an
effective date. He said he is prepared to answer any questions that
Council may have.
- _. ..
C M Stein said they have spent over two years negotiating and selecting
this city, the Mayor came here to visit and Council determined that
Kiryat Tivon was the city most compatible to Tamarac. He said :' now
he is hearing that because they have a trip scheduled that does not meet
the Mayor's scheduling in Israel that they should select another city
to accommodate the trip's schedule. C/M Stein said that he does not
know anything about Givatayim and whether it is compatible to Tamarac.
He said if the Mayor of Kiryat Tivon does not want to have Tamarac as
a Sister City, he can accept that but felt that definite investigation
should be done before they select another Sister City. He said he would
like to see it TABLED because he does not understand the urgency other
than the trip has been planned. He said that if it turns out, upon
investigation, that Givatayim is compatible then they can go with it.
C/M Gottesman said that it was the Mayor of the original Sister City
that proposed that Tamarac select another Sister City.
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7/19/85
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Mr. Jack Weiner replied that Mayor Ben-Dror did not have the time
because he is busy with another sister city. He asked why should
they try to push themselves off on a city that does not want them.
He reported that he does have the information from the proposed
Sister City of Givatayim which has a population of approximately
50,000 residents. He said their industry and commerce is the same
as Kiryat Tivon and Givatayim has ten (10) primary schools, four
(4) high schools, a high-level art school and it has a very large
successful program for its senior citizens.
Mayor Kravitz said the Mayor of Kiryat Tivon was eager to have
Tamarac as a Sister City and has never said that he does not want
Tamarac as a Sister City. Mayor Kravitz said, however, that Mayor
Ben-Dror did say, on two separate occasions, that he could not
go along with this trip. The Mayor said he personally felt that
they could not keep postponing trips and that it was urgent for
them to adhere to the proposed trip schedule. Mayor Kravitz said
he understood that the proposed Sister City is even more accessible
and equally as good as Kiryat Tivon and that Council needs to make
a decision today because their decision will decide the fate of the
proposed trip.
C/M Munitz asked the location of Givatayim.
Mr. Weiner said it is located ten (10) minutes from Tel Aviv as opposed
to an hour or an hour and a half from Kiryat Tivon.
C/M Munitz asked if it was on the same road going east.
Mr. Weiner replied that it was on the same road going east.
C/M Stein clarified that Kiryat Tivon has not rejected Tamarac but it is
just a matter of scheduling. He said the original trip was scheduled
prior to November which Mayor Ben-Dror was very happy with but that
Mayor Kravitz could not meet that schedule and changed it to November.
He said he assumed that it had been cleared by both mayors but said,
evidently, it had not. C/M Stein said he wants the record to reflect
that it is not important to have a trip to schedule a Sister City but
that it is more important to have a Sister City that was mutually -
decided a n.
C/M Stein said it was degrading to the City of Givatayim because they
have not conducted investigations as to compatibility but rather have
selected a city to fill_ in their schedule.
C/M Gottesman asked if Givatayim is willing to send a delegation to
America to sign a reciprocal agreement or will this be a unilateral
agreement.
Mayor Kravitz said his understanding is that when they go there in
November there will be a signing agreement. I - He
said, however, that no discussion was held as to them coming to
Tamarac at some future date and reasoned that it was not germaine
to the issue.
Mr. Weiner referenced letter from Mayor Ben-Dror which stated that if
the city's trip to Kiryat Tivon is already underway that he would be
pleased to meet them without any official ceremony.
Mayor Kravitz said Mayor Ben-Dror stated that he could not meet
with them any time this year for an official signing and explained that
is why it is urgent that Council take action this morning.
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V/M Massaro directed her response to C/M Stein's remark that they did not
know who lives in Givatayim and stated that she does not know who
lives in Kiryat Tivon. She felt that something has occurred which
has created an unhealthy situation and that it is her belief that if
Givatayim is eager that there is not much time to deliberate on this
as a great many people's money is in jeopardy. She reasoned that
it has been looked into very carefully from the information presented
to them by Mr. Weiner and MOVED that Council APPROVE the request from
Mr. Jack Weiner asking the City Attorney to draw up an appropriate
resolution that would be presented at Wednesday's meeting (7/24/85)..
C/M Gottesman asked if Mayor Ben-Dror has indicated when he would want
to have the agreement.
Mr. Weiner said he indicated some time next year.
C/M Gottesman said that would leave things up in the air for all
the people who have planned on going there and SECONDED the MOTION
on that basis.
C/M Munitz asked how many people have signed up for the trip.
Mr. Weiner said he had received 60 deposits.
Mayor Kravitz said he has checks in his office from 20 people that he
has not given to Mr. Weiner which would increase the total to 80.
C/M Munitz said he does not see that this Sister City arrangement
contains any meaningfulness at all because of the "rushed" nature that
this has taken.
V/M Massaro said that her statement had been distorted and asked
that Council move forward with goodwill in their hearts.
She said if they decide when theY are in Israel that its
not the right thing to do, they will have had a nice trip and will
come back very well pleased at having gone there.
C/M Gottesman reasoned that the trip itself is the deal because 80
people have signed up to go to the Holy Land, and it is not a question
of just a Sister City. He said he does not think Council should
deprive the people of their trip and to go to another city of equal
caliber is the important thing.
Mr. Henning'said the MOTION is for -him to prepare a resolution for
Wednesday's meeting to accept the new city as the Sister City.
V/M Massaro said that would also include authorization for the Mayor
to enter and sign the documents.
Mr. Henning said that would be part of the resolution but first the
resolution has to be prepared and placed on the agenda.
VOTE: C/M Stein Nay
C/M Munitz Nay
C/M _Gottesman. ..Aye _ ..
V/M Massaro Aye
Mayor Kravitz Aye
7/19/85
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LEGAL AFFAIRS
8. Acquisition of Land in Land Section .7 - Financi -
Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by consent on Page 1
V/M Massaro explained that they had intended to float the bond to pay
for the land that they intend to acquire in Land Section 7 for the
deep well injection and other purposes but was made aware of an alternate
method of financing with the possibility of saving a lot of money. She
said there would be no bond fees attached to this type of loan and
understood, at the present time, that it is at 5-1/4%. V/M Massaro
asked that this be researched carefully by the City Manager, City
Attorney and the Finance Department to determine if this is a simple
interest loan and that they would only be charged interest on the unpaid
balance for a period of ten (10) years. She said the information would
be brought back to Council for further determination as no loan will be
made now.
She said if the City Attorney determines that this may take place, during
the month of August she felt certain that he would instigate proper
action along with the Mayor and so MOVED. SECONDED by C/M Gottesman.
Vickie Beech, resident, asked if in the event that
this is not possible through the Florida League of Cities,. there will
be no action taken to pursue it further and that staff will not be given
carte blanche to do something without coming back to Council.
V/M Massaro said the MOTION only refers to this particular research.
Mr. Henning explained that the City is contemplating purchasing 45 acres
of land on Land Section 7 and the funding for this land is proposed to
be from impact fees from developers. He said V/M Massaro reported that
she has learned of possible bond money available through the Florida
League of Cities at a low interest rate. He said the MOTION is to
authorize the City staff to look into this information and report back
to Council to see if that would be an alternate method of financing the
land purchases.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
V/M Massaro questioned whether it would be impact fees from developers.
Mr. Henning explained that CIAC is the impact fees from developers.
She asked if the money would be borrowed from CIAC to be returned.
Mr. Henning said no, the proposal is that the approximate $1 million
dollars would come from the connection charge fund ,\,"Which -are impact
fees from developers.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL
b. Employment ot Finance Director - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: Agendized by consent on Page 1
APPROVED emp oyment of Frank
Etheredge as Finance Director
Acting City Manager Larry Perretti reported that he had interviewed a
number of candidates for the Finance Director's position and selected
Frank Etheredge. He informed that Mr. Etheredge has had experience
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in the City of Larado, Texas as the Finance Director and in Dothan,
Alabama with a population of approximately 55,000. Mr. Perretti
said that he has spoken with Mr. Etheredge and was informed that
Mr. Kt he r edge could be available for work Monday, July 22, 1985,
and recommended that Council approve his employment effective
7/22/85 at a starting salary of $36,008.
V/M Massaro asked Mr. Perretti to confirm Mr. Etheredge's probationary
period.
He answered that he will be on a six (6) months' probationary period,
and his medical benefits would be available to him and his family after
ninety (90) days of employment as all other employees within the city
except for Police and Fire who have a year's probationary period.
V/M Massaro asked if it was customary to pay for the family's insurance
as well as the employee's or does the employee contribute towards that.
Mr. Perretti said the employee contributes and the city pays a portion
of the dependent(s) coverage which amounts to approximakely $41 bi-monthly.
Mr. Henning said that is less than half.
V/M Massaro inquired if car expenses have been included in this agreement
and Mr. Perretti said there will not be.
V/M Massaro asked about further increases.
Mr. Henning said the standard in the city has been that when an employee
is taken off probation they receive a one-step 4 % increase.
Mr. Perretti said that will be according to what happens October 1, 1985,
pertaining to the October 1 - April 1 concept versus the anniversary
date increase. He said if the October 1 - April 1 concept, which is
presently in effect stands, and Mr. Etheredge wi11_not get another ease incr
_ - ea e
until April 1 of next year,
C/M Gottesman inquired if there were any other perks involved.
Mr. Perretti replied nothing else was discussed other than what the
other general employees receive.
V/M Massaro reviewed all the applications for the Finance Director's
position and concluded that she would have selected Mr. Etheredge and
stated that she is not the least bit reluctant to MOVE to ACCEPT the
selection made by the Acting City Manager. SECONDED by C/M Stein.
C/M Munitz asked how many applications were received.
Mr. Perretti answered 28.
C/M Munitz asked how many did he interview.
Mr. Perretti indicated that he interviewed five.
Vickie Beech, resident, said that she has sat through quite a few
votes of approval for various employees that the city has hired. She
said the employees are aware of the probationary period but about
two months before the probationary period is over, the city feels an
urgency that they may lose them and decides to give them increases
and voiced her opposition to this.
V/M Massaro said she agreed with Ms. Beech wholeheartedly.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
7/10/85
/vdw
EngineerisuDeiartment Request for Transfer From Contingency
Fund ��son and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
TABLED to next regular meeting
for additional research
Tape Bill Greenwood, Utililties Director, said he had a revised request
for $5,350 for the remainder of the year. He said the largest
increase is in Professional Services for $3,000. Mr. Greenwood
said the other items are approximately split accordingly. He
said the income presently in the City Engineer's Office as of June
3 was $172,886.13 which has covered expenditures to date. Mr.
Greenwood said the projection for the total income for the department
is $235,515.
C/M Stein asked where they:'would obtain the $5,350 to make the transfer.
Mr. Perretti recalled that, in the past, the city has not gone into
interdepartmental transfers and perceived this as a way of obtaining
money. He explained that, if,.in fact, a department had any fat in
their budget and felt they would have a surplus through September 30,
they could give it back in order that it be used for 'interdepartmental
transfers. Mr. Perretti said at the present time there is
$174,061.53 of total available funds that could be used for these
transfers.
He asked for Council's approval to transfer departmental surpluses
under salary line items.
C M Stein asked if the funds were available if Council approves a71 -- -
hidget transfers.
Mr. Perretti answered that right now there is $174,000 that can be
transferred, and if transfers from the salary line items are approved,
they, too, will be available for transfer.
Mr. Greenwood said none of the funds has come or should
ever come from any contingency fund from the city.
V/M Massaro said it sounded as if they were asking for a
budget amendment and any change in the budget requires a
couple of months. She said it has been her understanding
that i4itradepartmental changes could be made but that inter-
departmental changes required an amendment to the budget
itself. V/M Massaro said that she would like explanations
as to why the budget requests are needed and that the City
Attorney research the legality of everything. She asked
Council to take into consideration that they have only the
months.of August and September before the new budget is enforced
and asked that they take a close look at everything that has
been requested for this two -month period but that they take
no action other than to listen, absorb it and think about
it until the 7124/85 Council meeting.
V/M Massaro said that she is asking that every one of the
items on the agenda be explained by the department head
and that Council will render a decision at Wednesday's
meeting.
Mayor Kravitz inquired if she would like an explanation
and no action until Wednesday's meeting which, in effect,
can be interpreted as a request for tabling.
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V/M Massaro said this was a request for Tabling as the City Attorney
-- ..
has tc, research7 tl4e.-legal_-ity.-of the--Yequestsr
City Attorney Henning reported that in preparation for
the meeting he talked with Mark Wilson, representative
with Touche Ross. He said they discussed the amended
budget versus line item transfers. Mr. Henning explained
that an amended budget is an approximately 30-day procedure
with two (2) advertisements in advance. He said Mr. Wilson
discussed the likelihood of preparing revised revenues along
with expenditures to give an accurate accounting. Mr.
Henning said according to Mark Wilson's experiences with
municipalities he felt it would be appropriate to do the
line item transfers as proposed and, secondly, if Council
decides to reconcile the budget before the books are closed
out for the year, Council should reconcile the revenues
to give a full picture of the situation.
C/M Stein concurred with V/M Massaro but also wanted
clarification that if they did approve where the money would
come from. He said he also agreed with Larry Perretti and
Bill Greenwood because TUW is not part of the city's operating
budget because they have their own budget, income and
expenses. C/M Stein evidenced that Council would still have
to approve the transfers but they should be allotted to the
income and expense of TUW without affecting the city's con-
tingency fund.
V/M Massaro agreed and stated that it can not be intermingled
with the city's funds but has to stay with TUW.
C/M Stein said they should go over them to see how many they
approve and then determine where the money will come from.
C/M Munitz asked if they were talking about General Fund
Budget adjustments.
Mayor Kravitz answered that TUW is not part of the General
Fund.
C/M Munitz questioned if they should be separated and asked
which funds they are trying to adjust.
Larry Perretti said he was showing $174,000,which could be
interdepartmentally transferred rather than coming out of
the General Fund.
V/M Massaro stated that she understood Mr. Perretti to say
that he is bringing forth, for general information, that
there is a certain amount of money available for the other
transfers that have nothing to do with TUW.'.
Mr. Greenwood continued that line account 362 has $13,100.
He said his main request is for authorization for the TUW.
budget to hire an engineer and draftsperson to handle the
projected 20 million dollars worth of capital improvements:
approximately 15 million dollars from the bond issue and $5 million dollars
from other funds, mainly, CTAC tunds. He said the positions
are desperately needed because the city presently has one
employee and his staff overseeing the grants and administration
consists of one secretary, one grants administrator and himself.
He explained that his time is spent in three (3) major categories:
City Engineer's Department, Grants for 20 million dollars
and Utility operations for the budget that is over 5 million
dollars. Mr. Greenwood reasoned that the workload would
interfere with the efficiency of his department.
Mayor Kravitz asked if he was asking for this money between
now and October because October 1 would be the date the city's
new budget is effective.
7/19/85
/vdw
C/M Gottesman asked when he expected to put the people
on board.
Mr. Greenwood explained that TUW is set up so that all
it would take is Council's authorization because it does
not require advertising.
Mr. Greenwood presented a revised budget for Water Treatment
Account #363 for $55,000 and stated that the main increase
of the $55,000 request is $50,000 for Florida Power & Light
to offset additional electrical consumption by the plant.
He provided a graphic illustration and explained the increase
in costs.
V/M Massaro inquired if $50,000 is needed for the next
two months.
Mr. Greenwood reported that they were budgeted $135,°000 for
energy in 198.4-85 and that they are essentially at that
mark now and requested funds required to pay for services
for July, August and September. He said it fluctuates
between $13,000 to $17,000 per month.
V/M Massaro asked the Finance Department to conduct an
examination of the city's water rates to determine if
it is carrying its own weight citing the tremendous cost
of electricity as the reason for her proposal.
Mr. Greenwood discussed the revised Wastewater Treatment
Account #368 which is comprised of two topics: Professional
Services and Electricity. He said the increase in Pro-
fessional Services was mainly associated with the diffi-
culties of obtaining and maintaining the treatment plant
under permit status acquiring temporary operating permits
for the sludge farms, the new wells that the Department
of Environmental Regulations required and other monitoring
requirements. He said they also have to obtain variances
to keep the sewerage treatment plant permitted with EQCB
and the Florida Department of Environmental Regulations.
Mr. Greenwood said there has been extensive additional testing
for quality. He explained that routine testing is continuing
to be performed in-house but they have been required to
modify laboratory for extensive testing for minor elements
and that these analyses are very expensive and require
specialized equipment. Mr. Greenwood said since the sewerage
treatment plant sits in Zone 1 wellfield they have monitoring
wells completely surrounding the sewerage and water treatment
plants and wells on the premises plus other wells which have
to be continuously monitored for insecticide, pesticide and
heavy metal contents. He reiterated that the costs for these
analyses this year have been astronomical.
Mr. Greenwood said the second major item is energy
consumption for the wastewater treatment plant. He said
the current adjusted budget was $236,000 and he has requested
$295,000 which is an increase of $59,000. He said sewerage
requirements are based not only on flow characteristics, the
number of gallons in, but how strong it is. Mr.
Greenwood further explained that even though the flows are
down, the strength is up which requires additional air and
additional equipment. He said the wastewater treatment plant
actually pays more for a kilowatt hour and cited demand charges
as the reasons for the higher rate. He said sewage comes in
at peak hours and has to be treated at peak hours; therefore,
the city has to pay peak rates.
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7/19/85
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V/M Massaro said the combined sums of the budget adjustments
for the three-month period amounted to $144,000, and that,
consequently, if that is multiplied by the four quarters in
next year, it amounts to $576,000 for the increase in costs
on those two items alone for this coming year. She asked
Council to take a good look at TUW rates to determine thecosts.
Mayor Kravitz asked Mr. Greenwood how they got into this situation.
Mr. Greenwood replied that the financial management of TUW,
as explained to them by the Finance Department, is an enter-
prise system and that as long as revenues are exceeding expenses,
his department can go into deficit spending. He said
the other line items within the budget have been fairly well
met and explained that the ones before Council are
with extraordinary increases.
C/M Munitz said they need to look at the revenues as well as
the expenditures.
Mr. Greenwood said the present revenues can cover the additional
expenses. He stated that from a long-range standpoint, Council
authorized James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, to pre-
pare a rate study. He said this very detailed study had been
performed and was assigned to the Finance Department for
implementation and administration. Mr. Greenwood said copies
were distributed to Council and highly recommended that at
the first meeting in September, a critique be made of the
study pertaining to implementation.
C/M Stein wanted to know, because of the increase in electricity,
if there has been additional income which precipitated this
increase or was this strictly utility -rate increases and if
they had support from revenues to offset the increases.
Mr. Greenwood replied that they had the revenue support.
C/M Stein reasoned that it was possible that they under-
estimated the income as well as the expenditures.
V/M Massaro MOVED to TABLE action on all the Engineering
Department's requests and that they be addressed at Wednesday's
meeting (7/24/85). C/M Stein SECONDED.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
4. Parks and Recreation Department - Discussion and possible
action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
TABLED to next regular
meeting (7/24/85) for
additional research by
the Acting City Manager.
Sharon Ellis, Parks and Recreation Director, requested $51,450.
She said the main items in question are overtime and electricity
for their facilities at Tamarac Park. She explained that the
overtime was resultant of their department taking over the
medians and swales of specific streets within the city and
17 events which required overtime.
Ms. Ellis explained that originally they had:notbeen budgeted
for rentals and leases and requested funds for that account.
Mayor Kravitz asked if she had authority to overdraw the
budget.
Ms. Ellis said she was given authority by former City Manager
Elly Johnson. She added that in the past they had been budgeted
$20,000 for overtime but that in last fiscal year's budget
they only received $5,000 for overtime.
4
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7/19/85
Mayor Kravitz referenced a communication from Lou Solomon,
Parks Commissioner, dated 7/16/85 in which he recommended
that the Parks and Recreation Department maintain the city's
four parks and relinquish the mowing of the medians to the
Public Works Department.
Ms. Ellis said she fully agreed with Mr. Solomon's recom-
mendation as they do not have the manpower to maintain over
three million sq. ft. of mowing projects in addition to
maintaining the parks as they should be.
V/M Massaro asked Robert Hurley's title and duties.
Ms. Ellis answered that his title is Parks and Recreation
Superintendent and that he oversees the daily operations
of the Parks Department program. She said due to lack of
manpower they have asked Mr. Hurley to do some physical
work outside of his job description. She stated that they
were fortunate to have a person with Mr. Hurley's expertise
and reasoned that if he were basically in the supervisory
position and the department had additional staff, they would
be moving forward and spending their money more wisely.
V/M Massaro asked if he was cognizant of the fact that he
sends four or five men on a project, if he knows what they
are doing, how long they are on a project and how long
it should take.
1
Ms. Ellis responded that if the general community that worked
with Mr. Hurley were polled they would inform that he is a
very competent person. She explained that she was instrumental
in bringing Mr. Hurley to the city and that he is a qualified
person with over 31 years' experience in turf maintenance and
ball field preparation. Ms. Ellis also stated that they can
document where their men are by the forms they are required
to complete. She said that V/M Massaro was referencing a
lone incident at Capparella Park whereby one of the men
was neglectful and left a weedeater at the park.
V/M Massaro said that was not what took place.
Ms.Ellis said she investigated the incident and was informed
that was the situation.
Tape V/M Massaro said she happened to be at this particular place
3 and was not there to check on the Parks and Recreation employees.
She said while there she observed that an employee had brought
an inoperative weedeater, took it to Public Works where he was
informed that it would be ready in half an hour, and he went
for a joy ride. She said he also stopped another man from work-
ing by standing with his foot on the equipment whereby
neither moved for 20 minutes. She reported that she asked
Mr. Solomon to find out the man's name and that she asked them
why they were planning to use a weedeater on the multitude of
sidewalks at Capparella Park and were informed that the City
did not have an edger.
Ms. Ellis said they do have one edger.
V/M Massaro said that another man said they had an edger
but that they forgot to bring it. She said he also came
in with a truck that did not have identification which is
against the law.
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7/19/85
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Ms. Ellis said that the Vice -Mayor would have to talk with
Public Works about that.
V/M Massaro said she wanted to continue because people
have to know what happened as she felt it would fall on
the Superintendent of Parks. She said he arrived in a
truck that was in perfectly good working order but was
informed by the former City Manager that the truck was
going to be put up for auction. She said she asked him
why and he answered that when a truck gets to a point that
it costs more to keep it running then it would to buy a
new one and when it is in the repair shop more than it is
on the road, it is time to do something about it. V/M
Massaro said she checked with the department to determine
how often that truck was brought in for repairs and they
informed her that the last time they had seen the truck
was about a year ago. She said when she confronted the
former City Manager with this information he told her that
they would paint the truck but learned that an emblem was
placed on the truck without it having been painted.
V/M Massaro inquired what kind of repairs were necessary
for that truck and was informed that a collar was cracked
on the steering wheel and was replaced and they put on two
tires and it is back in operation. She added that the truck
will not be sold at auction as was indicated.
,V/M Massaro said she also heard that a woman fell on a
sidewalk at her median and added that this contradicted
all the comments on how great a job they were doing with
the median mowing and that they should not be taken off
the medians. She remarked that the medians were never in
a more deplorable condition than they are today. V/M
Massaro reiterated that the lady fell as a result of the
grass being overgrown on the sidewalk.
Mr. Henning advised her against commenting about the fall
lest a claim be filed.
V/M Massaro said no claim had been filed and asserted that
Mr. Hurley should not be a superintendent.
Ms. Ellis said that Mr. Hurley should be present to defend
himself.
V/M Massaro said she was telling her as director of Parks
and Recreation. She said she inquired how many hours were
scheduled to do certain parks and nobody could come up with
the hours.
Ms. Ellis responded that she gave that to Mr. Solomon to do.
V/M Massaro said she was told that it took 32 hours to do
Capparella Park and felt that it was ridiculous.
Ms. Ellis assured that it does take one
whole day to do
Capparella Park with the machinery and
the staff that they
have right now. She also added that it
has been raining
and unless the men are put on overtime
that is the only way
they can do it.
V/M Massaro said that she felt the overtime
should be adjusted
because she does not think the men should
be working overtime
but should bea.11otted a certain time to
complete the job so
that overtime would not be necessary.
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Evelyn Lang identified herself as the person who fell in
the Boulevards section and said that her median has not
been cut in a month. Ms. Lang said she did not care
which department did it as long as the work got done.
V/M Massaro injected that this is the busiest time of
the year for grass cutting and that the Superintendent
of Parks and some of the grass cutters are on vacation.
She asked if this is called supervision when Mr. Hurley
went on vacation in the height of the grass cutting season.
Mae Lang, Tamarac Lakes South, concurred with Eveleyn Lang.
She said she has had a problem since May with an area on
31st Avenue and Commercial which needs to be cleaned up
because of overgrown weeds and bug infestation. Ms. Lang
said she called each department from Public Works to Parks
and Recreation and got a runaround.
Mayor Kravitz asked her if she called the Acting City Manager.
Ms. Lang replied that she did not.
Mayor Kravitz informed her that this was his department.
Ms. Lang continued stating that she even called Broward
County and was informed that they would clean the streets
but would not cut the grass. She said as a last resort she
called Helen Massaro who made several suggestions,none of
which worked out,and that she still does not know who
is responsible. She said she received a call yesterday from
the City Manager's Office asking her to be patient and they
will see that it is corrected. Ms. Lang concluded that they
are the "black sheep" of the east side and that they have
had to fight for everything.
Mayor Kravitz acknowledged that the Acting City Manager had
made a note of her complaint and would take care of it.
V/M Massaro informed her that they are in the process
of catching up.
Bob Curcio, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee,
clarified that he does not object to the transfer of main-
tenance of the medians and swales to Public Works but asked
that Parks and Recreation be allowed to continue to maintain
the four parks. He said, for the record, those men are working.
Mr. Curcio said that much of the equipment is antiquated and
in need of repair. He said Council should take into consideration
that there is but one edger for the entire city.
V/M Massaro said the important thing was where was it.
Mr. Curcio said the important thing is that there is only one
and maybe it should have been with those men.
He said they do have a large mower which was sent to Public
Works over a month ago for repairs and they just recently
sent it to the manufacturer. He also reported that the
men put in a lot of time and that a lot of the time they
put in they are not paid for. Mr. Curcio said if the men
were taken off median and swales and placed in special events,
then there would not be enough manpower.
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7/19/85
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*Editor's Note: Mayor Kravitz asked that the record reflect
that Evelyn Lang is a former Vice -Mayor of the City of Tamarac.
J
Abe Herbert, resident,'expressed surprise at the complaints made
about the medians because they have been present for years
when Public Works had it._ 'TFesaid he would- Like to
appear before Council at a future date and ask for an
allotment of money to hire a contractor to take care of
their median strips.
Council informed him that it could not be done that way.
Mayor Kravitz suggested that he talk with V/M Massaro after
the meeting,as they live in the same area,and she can
bring it before Council,.
Mr. Herbert praised Bob Hurley's efficiency and, more
importantly, the respect he receives from people who
come in contact with him.
Vickie Beech, resident, said this discussion opened
the door for not only things about this department but
most every department in the city on the management level.
She said every year the budget gets bigger, salaries get
higher and they hire "hot shots" who are supposed to come
in and solve all the problems and it appeared that they
have more problems. Ms. Beech said the city has ordinances
that are unenforceable and department heads who refuse to
enforce them and stated that something has to be done. She
said if these departments are ineffective, then they should
be abolished from the hierarchy of the city.
Ralph Stokes, resident, said everything is done on the west
side and nothing is done on the east side.
V/M Massaro informed him that he was not alone because he
could ride up and down Commercial Boulevard and see the
need for maintenance. She said that it was a disgrace and
that she was ashamed to admit that this is the City of Tamarac.
Mr. Stokes said it goes back to supervision.
V/M Massaro agreed.,
Nat Scolnick, member of the Parks and Recreation Committee,
said the equipment that they have is so old that he does not
see how they get any work done. He informed that they needed
standby equipment because it is true that the men will
stand around and do nothing if they do not have anything to
work with.
V/M Massaro said there is complete negligence on the part of
the workers that she has seen and that there was equipment
but they forgot to bring it. She said the entire problem is
lack of proper supervision and added that it is a shame when
the Superintendent does not know how to request equipment
through the City Manager's Office. V/M Massaro said the
situation deserves scrutiny.
Herb Perlmutter, member of Senior Men's Softball Team,
said the city's fields are the best because the men knew
what they were doing and did a good job.
Bob Curcio asked V/M Massao how many times she has observed
Parks and Recreation employees not doing their work other
than the one incident.
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7/19/85
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V/M Massaro replied that she did not walk around in back
of the Parks and Recreation men but what she did see made
her aware that something has to be done about it.
Bob Curcio said that he does not monitor the men either
but the times that he has observed them, they have been
working.
Mr. Curcio said the field referenced by Ms. Lang on 31st
Avenue is not part of Parks and Recreation but comes under
Public Works. He said in a lot of caseseomplaints have
come in only to learn that they are for Public Works but
Parks and Recreation gets the blame. Mr. Curcio said when
it comes out in a Council meeting, the public leaves blaming
Parks and Recreation and it does not matter that after the
meeting is over that they find out that it belongs to Public
Works. He suggested that those points be clarified in the
public mind as well as Council's so that when they go
home, it will not be with negativism against one or the other.
V/M Massaro said that she could not agree with him.
Sam Pizzarello, President of Tamarac Lakes South, stated that
the situation is beyond Sharon Ellis' control. He said they
have a strip that extends from 30th Street to 29th Street
that has not been touched in two years. He said this is
not a condemnation of Sharon Ellis because this item has
been taken . from Public Works to Parks and Recreation
and nobody wanted to touch it. Mr. Pizzarello said he even
spoke with Chairperson Florence Bochenek of the Beautification
Committee, and was told that they would get to it some time
this year because they were involved with so many projects.
Mr. Pizzarello-said because of moving it has
left the avenue open for people to shun responsibility.
Sharon Ellis, Director/Parks and Recreation, clarified
that when the medians were given to the city on August b,
1984 they were presented with a list of medians that were
under Public Works. She said that the list has increased
since then and that she presented a total upkeep proposal
to the City Manager to rebeautify Commercial Boulevard.
Ms. Ellis said she agreed with the residents that the area
is in a deplorable condition and asked how can they mow
weeds and dirt. She said she has tried to work with the
Beautification Committee to beautify the area. She said
when there is a question as to property jurisdiction she
contacts the Engineering Department for clarification and
noted that she has found parts that they have mowed that did
not belong to the city. Ms. Ellis said each month she has
found more property that has become their responsibility
and,because of the current equipment and personnel,they cannot
do an adequate job; therefore, she recommended to the City
Manager that it be returned to Public Works or a private
vendor.
V/M Massaro MOVED to TABLE the item to Wednesday's meeting
(7/24/85) with the City Manager taking note of everything
that has been said and bring recommendations back to Council
as to what should be done. SECONDED by C/M Stein.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
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2. City Clerk's Department - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
TABLED to next regular
meeting (7/24/85)
Marilyn Bertholf, City Clerk, requested a $7,000 increase
to the Advertising Account for legal ads. She said this
account is approximately $1,000 overdrawn and that she
anticipated a number of advertisements between now and
the new fiscal year.
Ms. Bertholf reported that the Elections Account is overdrawn
by approximately $5100 because of two unanticipated elections.
She requested $5100 to balance that account.
The City Clerk requested $2,000 for the Contractual Services
Account to cover the codification services of the charter
and ordinances. She noted that the Contractual Services
Account is not only being used for codification but for
storage of vital records. Ms. Bertholf said the balance
of the money needed for this account can be transferred from
other accounts, subject to the City Manager's approval of
the line item transfers.
Mayor Kravitz asked for a legal opinion as to whether line item
transfers needed Council's approval.
Mr. Henning said they did not need Council's approval and
that if Council is accepting Mr. Perretti's discussion in
which he indicated the transfer of line item salaries that
would also be open to intradepartmental transfers. He
said transfers within the department do not require Council's
approval and indicated that the budget stated that.
V/M Massaro questioned what happens if som-ebbdy made a transfer
arbitrarily in mid -year and then at the end of the year
said they were shy of an amount.
Mr. Henning said that is open to scrutiny and that the line
item transfers requires the City Manager's, Finance Director's
and department head's approval. He said there is an attempt
to make the right decision and it is subject to review.
Mr. Henning said the question posed to him was if it was
legal and his answer was "Yes, it is legal".
V/M Massaro said she never knew that they could make any
transfers in their budget without it coming to Council
in order that they know what is going on.
Mr. Henning answered that is not the case. He exampled
if a line item is $500 short and they can transfer from
within their department, it does not go to Council and it
never has.
V/M Massaro said never to her knowledge.
C/M Stein MOVED to TABLE the item to Wednesday's meeting
(7/24/85). V/M Massaro SECONDED.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
Mayor Kravitz suggested that before the next meeting that
the City Attorney submit, in writing, why it is legal to
do it that way.
-16-
Mr. Henning announced that when the budget passed by
ordinance it includes authorization to make intra-
departmental transfers and that authorization is then,
obviously, given by Council to the department heads.
V/M Massaro questioned where that was written.
Mr. Henning said he thought it was in the ordinance
that approves the budget.
3. Building Department - Discussion and possible action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: TABLED
to the next regular meeting (7/24/85)
Mr. Jahn reported that he was returning $14,26.1.53 for
unencumbered balances to the Contingency Fund. He also
noted that there is a 13% to 14% increase in anticipated
revenues.
Mr. Jahn requested $1,000 for printing and binding and
$500 for office supplies and stated that he would not
mind if Council tabled these items to the next regular
meeting; however, he asked that the three radios requested
for the Code Enforcement Officers not be tabled. He said
the radios they now have are inoperative and he does not want
the men out there without communication. Mr. Jahn said
there is money within his budget but the purchase would ex-
ceed $2,000 and requested permission to purchase three (3)
Motorola mobile radios under State contract. He said after
the recommended purchase is made, there will be a balance
of $1,009.
V/M Massaro complimented Mr. Jahn on the way he has main-
tained his budget. She asked him if the Code Enforcement
Officers made reports.
Mr. Jahn said they are making daily reports.
V/M Massaro asked if he felt three Code Enforcement Officers
were necessary.
Mr. Jahn answered that it might be overstaffed and V/M Massaro
agreed.
Mr. Jahn admitted that within the past two months there have
been more notices of violations and that 50Z of his time has
been devoted to code enforcement -related duties. He said
as a result of a study he hoped to complete by
the end of the fiscal year, he could say that they can
use all three Code Enforcement Officers.
Sam Pizzarella, said the transition of the Code Enforcement
Officers from the Police Dept. to the Building Dept. has
taken its toll. He explained that in June he called Code
Enforcement Officer Jennings and informed him that the
Tamarac Golf Club had placed a 30-foot fence on the City
of Tamarac's property. Mr. Pizzarella said - Tamarac
Golf Club is in Oakland Park and they had a permit from
Oakland Park allowing them to build a 30-foot fence on
their edging and they decided to move it 12 feet to the rear
of the premises of 2502 N.W. 48th Street which is in Tamarac.
He said Mr. Jennings came down and placed a Work Stop Order
on it and spoke to Mr.. Broad,manager, and that afternoon the
notice was torn down. Mr. Pizzarella said Mr. Broad deemed
it necessary to add another 18 feet of fence which made it a
48-foot of 6-foot fence on Tamarac property.
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7/19/85
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1
I
1
Mr.
Pizzarella said he then called Code Enforcement and
was
advised that it
was no longer in their domain because
of
the transition
and advised him to contact Mr. Jahn.
He
said Mr. Jahn's
office responded and requested police
backup
because the
people refused to stop building the fence.
He
said the police
placed a work stoppage sign there and
the
sign came down
the next day. Mr. Pizzarella said he
is
anticipating Tamarac
Country Club putting up another
section
of fence.
He said nothing has been done since
Mr.
V/M
Jahn's letter.
Massaro
fence
asked
if the was on private property.
Mr. Pizzarel'ta said that it is on private property.
V/M Massaro inquired about the owner of the property and
was informed that the owner was away but that he did not
want the fence. Mr. Pizzarella said on the adjoining property,
2500 N.W. 48th St., the owner has erected a 30-foot fence
that was never authorized and does not have a building permit
and that is also on Tamarac property.
V/M Massaro advised that they could tear it down if it is
on their property.
Mr. Pizzarella agreed but noted that they broke the sprinkler
system because they put the post holes right through the
sprinkler pipes.
Mr. Henning said he did not recall the damage to the sprinkler
system but that he is aware of the fence being located there.
Mr. Jahn reported that he had a meeting with the Oakland
Park Building Official at the fence site and determined
that he did issue the permit erroneously. He said he
also contacted the fence company and had a meeting with
Mr. Broad, whom he found to be a very hard gentleman to
deal with. Mr. Jahn said he did obtain a copy of a legal
page and book number easement granted to Tamarac Country
Club, Inc. for 12' of that lot to place a fence and the
problem concerns proper permitting and getting the sprinkler
repaired. He said he has elicited a new permit application
from the fence company and a verbal promise in front of four
witnesses by Mr. Broad that he will repair the sprinkler
system.
Mayor Kravitz said he felt confident that Mr. Jahn and the
City Attorney could handle everything properly.
V/M Massaro asked if the easement covered the entire length
of the property discussed.
Mr. Jahn said it appeared to cover it from the legal des-
cription although he has not been able to definitely
ascertain if it fits all the lot but that it was a 10'
writ of ingress/egress for roadway purposes and 2' for a
fence.
Vickie Beech, resident, informed that Mr. Broad appeared
before Council last year and was denied the roadway.
Ms. Beech thanked the Mayor, Mr.Perretti and Mr.Jahn
and stated thatshe has had more communication than she
has had in a number of years. She said she has made
cursory inspections and noted boats in driveways, lean-tos
being built for boats. She said one must stress courtesy
for everyone concerned because there has been a lack of it
for some time.
7/19/85
/vdw
IN
C/M Gottesman MOVED, in view of the fact that Mr. Jahn has
been able to show such a huge return of funds to the city,
that he be granted the money to buy the three radios.
V/M Massaro suggested that they do the same as with the
other departments and TABLE any action until Wednesday's
meeting (7/24/85) and C/M Gottesman so MOVED.
C/M Stein pointed out that Mr. Jahn has asked that
_theY_be treated as two separate items. He said Mr. Jahn
- -- - -
has the money in his budget and is only asking for approval.
V/M Massaro said the thing that concerned her is that she
is not sure that two men could not do the job that three
men are now doing. She said she would like to see those
reports to determine what they are really doing.
V/M Massaro SECONDED the MOTION.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
5. Any other departments Council wishes to address -
Discussion an possi e action
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION: TABLED
to the next regular meeting
(7/24/85)
Mr. Henning requested $11,600 for General Salaries and
FICA Taxes for the City Attorney's budget. He said the
expenditures for this account are at 81% when they
_.. _._...--- s.hQuld be around 75%.
Mayor Kravitz asked what was the total budget for the
City Attorney's Office and Mr. Henning said the total
is $161.855, and the budget for "Regular Salaries" is
$82,500.
V/M Massaro asked him to define "regular".
Mr. Henning explained -.Chat the line item is called "Regular
Salaries" which includes his and two secretaries' salaries.
Mayor Kravitz said the increase that he is asking for would
bring it up to $1.73,000 and asked him why it was necessary
to spend that kind of money because that was in addition to
the extra attorneys that Council hires.
Mr. Henning said ESM is a separate item and that in the past
years, Council has authorized as much as $70,000 for consulting
attorneys' services and that is included in the $161,000. He
said he had approximately $12,000 left in the Consulting
Services Account.
Mayor Kravitz asked, if Council did not grant the increase,
could the City Attorney's Office function for the balance of
the fiscal year without hurting the city.
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7/19/85
/vdw
LJ
J
Mr. Henning said the salaries are set in October by the
computer and that as budget preparers they are told to
concentrate on the expenses. He said the three areas
within the budget are operating expenses, capital outlay,
and personal services.
with the city he has never made any adjustments Co the
Personal Services area. He said he believed the problem
is that the City Attorney's Office received increases
after October 1 and they were not funded in the budget.
Mayor Kravitz suggested that Mr. Hennin give Council
a full report at Wednesday's meeting (7%24/85).
V/M Massaro suggested that the City�Attorney include in
his report how they can fund the expenses of the Pension
Board.
Mayor Kravitz said that will be discussed on a future
agenda.
Mr. Henning said he understood that Council is considering
assessing some of the expenses for law fees or actuaries'
fees, etc., against the Pension Board. He said his main
question is whether or not, if Council initiates this,
will it be effective October 1 or would it be retroactive.
C/M Stein MOVED to TABLE to Wednesday's meeting (7/24/85).
SECONDED by V/M Massaro.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
Vickie Beech expressed concern over the way the city is
going by using so many consultants. She said she was under
the impression that there was expertise on the Council and
thaC, at one time or another, there must be guidance as with
the Pension Plan. Ms. Beech said it should be taken under
serious advisement because for the amount of salaries being
expended the benefits derived are not balancing.
Mayor Kravitz adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.
00
MAYOR
ATTEST: -
0'-t� e CITY OF TAMA RAC,
A S STANT CITY CLERK APPROVED AT MEETING OF
City CWk
This document was promulgated at a cost of $ 5
or $ 4.11 per copy to inform the general puuic��and
public officers and employees about recent opinions
and considerations by the City Council of the City of
Tamarac.
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/vdw