HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-12 - City Commission Special Budget Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Dressler called the Special Commission Meeting to order at
5:06 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2014 in City Commission Chambers, Tamarac City
Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, FL, 33321.
PRESENT: Mayor Harry Dressler, Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner
Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser and Commissioner Debra Placko.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Julie
Klahr and City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Dressler led the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Dressler welcomed everyone and said this is a Special Meeting of the City
Commission of the City of Tamarac to hold Public Hearings on the Annual Fire
Assessment, the Annual Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment, the Stormwater
Utility Management Fee Assessment, the Nuisance Abatement Assessment and the
setting of the Tentative Millage Rates and the Tentative City Budget for Fiscal Year
2015. I'm pleased you could join us this evening. These public hearings are literally the
culmination of an entire year's work by this City Commission, the City Manager and
staff. For the benefit of the public tonight, the City Commission held workshops
throughout the year as well as a budget workshop on June 30, 2014 to provide direction
to the staff on this submittal. I would like to thank my colleagues on the dais for their
participation at the workshops and for their suggestions as we deliberated on the staff
recommendations.
City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The City of Tamarac began using
a special assessment for residential solid waste collection services two years ago. This
method continues to be very successful in terms of collections with no delinquencies as
opposed to the previous method of using the water bill. This assessment is an
equitable and efficient method of allocating and collecting the Residential Solid Waste
Collection Services Assessed Cost among single family residential type parcels. The
residential rate for FY 2015 is $273.75 per residential dwelling unit receiving curbside
pickup and is the same rate as the previous two years. Staff recommends the City
Commission approve the rate that has been proposed and approved for publication at
the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment Rate hearing.
1. TR12528 Solid Waste Assessment: A Resolution of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
relating to the provision of Residential Solid Waste Collection services in the City of
Tamarac, Florida; approving the assessment rate for residential solid waste collection
services for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2014; imposing a Residential Solid
Waste Collection Assessment against assessed property located within the City of
Tamarac for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2014; providing for severability;
providing for conflicts; and providing an effective date.
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CITY OF TAMARAC
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12528 by title into the record and Financial
Services Director Mason made a presentation.
Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the
public hearing.
Commissioner Glasser seconded by Vice Mayor Gomez moved approval of TR12528.
Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
RESOLUTION R-2014-91
City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The City of Tamarac began using
a special assessment for the collection of the Stormwater Utility Management Services
Fees last year. This has been a very successful move in terms of collections with no
delinquencies as opposed to the previous method of using the water bill. This
assessment is an equitable and efficient method of allocating and collecting the
Stormwater Utility Management Services Fee Assessed Cost among all the parcels in
the City. The rate per equivalent residential unit (ERU) for FY 2015 is $113.62 and is
an increase of $3.29 or 3% over the previous year in accordance with our Code of
Ordinances. Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rate that has been
proposed and approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Stormwater Utility
Management Fee Assessment Rate hearing.
2. TR12529 Stormwater Assessment: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City
of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the levy and collection of the city's Stormwater
Management Utility fee within the municipal boundaries of the City of Tamarac for the
fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014; approving, confirming, and adopting the
Stormwater Management Utility fee and Stormwater Management Utility Fee roll;
providing for other matters relating to the levy and collection of the Stormwater
Management Utility Fee on the annual property tax bills; providing for conflict; providing
for severability; and providing for an effective date.
Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12529 by title into the record and Financial
Services Director Mason made a presentation.
Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and the following individual spoke: Kenneth
Hoffman, 8297 NW 70th St., expressed his opinion that Tamarac's rate was too high
compared to cities such as Dania Beach and Miramar. Financial Services Director
Mason addressed Mr. Hoffman's concern to his satisfaction.
Vice Mayor Gomez seconded by Commissioner Bushnell moved approval of TR12529.
Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
RESOLUTION R-2014-92
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SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The City of Tamarac has used the
Fire Rescue Assessment since 1997 to provide specific funding for the purpose of
providing fire services in the City of Tamarac. As the City Commission is aware, the
Fire Rescue Assessment has been determined to be an equitable and efficient
methodology to use in apportioning the cost of Fire Rescue Services to improved
properties thus reducing the overall burden on the ad valorem tax rate. The residential
rate for FY 2015 is $265 per dwelling unit which is same rate as FY 2014, FY 2013, and
FY 2012. The City conducted a study on the Fire Rescue Assessment in 2011 and
based upon calls for service and a five year budget forecast for the cost of providing
Fire Rescue Services, Staff recommends the City Commission approve the rates that
have been proposed and approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Fire
Assessment Rate hearing.
3. TR12530 Fire Rescue Assessment: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City
of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of Fire Rescue Services, facilities and
programs in the City of Tamarac, Florida; re -imposing fire rescue assessments against
assessed property located within the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning
October 1, 2014; approving the rate of assessment; approving the assessment roll,
providing for conflicts; providing for severability; providing an effective date.
Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12530 by Title into the record and Financial
Services Director Mason gave a presentation.
Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the
Public Hearing.
Commissioner Placko seconded by Vice Mayor Gomez moved approval of TR12530.
Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
RESOLUTION R-2014-93
City Manager Cernech made the following statement: In 2012, the City Commission
adopted the Public Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. As part of that ordinance, the City
Commission authorized the use of special assessments for amounts billed but unpaid
as of June 1 of the year following the abatement of the public nuisance. The City abated
28 public nuisances between June 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014 on 22 properties, two of
which have partially paid and one property removed. The remainder of the amounts due
are delinquent as of this date. City Staff has prepared the special assessments against
each property, the total of which is $13,406.85 to be collected on the tax bills for Fiscal
Year 2015. This would be the second year using this type of assessment. Staff
recommends the City Commission approve the Public Nuisance Abatement Special
Assessments that was approved for publication at the July 9, 2014 Preliminary Public
Nuisance Abatement Assessments hearing.
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SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
4. TR12531 Nuisance Abatement Assessment: A Resolution of the City Commission of
the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of Nuisance Abatement on certain
real properties by the City in accordance with Chapter 9, Division V of the City's Code of
Ordinances; approving the collection of a Nuisance Abatement Special Assessment on
real property that has been specially benefited by the City's Abatement of Nuisances
thereon; approving a Nuisance Abatement Assessment roll; providing for conflict;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TR12531 by title into the record and Financial
Services Director Mason gave a presentation. Commissioner Bushnell asked if most of
the properties being assessed were vacant and Financial Services Director Mason
responded that he did not know.
Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the
Public Hearing.
Commissioner Bushnell seconded by Commissioner Placko moved approval of
TR125321. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
RESOLUTION R-2014-94
Mayor Dressler made the following statement: This is the first public hearing for
establishing the Operating Millage Rate and Debt Service Millage Rate for Fiscal Year
2015. A second public hearing on Temporary Ordinance Number 2303 will be held on
September 22, 2014 at 5:05 pm.
City Manager Cernech made the following statement: In accordance with the Truth in
Millage requirements of Florida Statutes, the City is required to announce the
percentage difference between the proposed millage rate and the rolled -back rate. As
such, the following is read into the record: The proposed operating millage rate of
7.2899 mills for Fiscal Year 2015 is .5538 mills or 8.22% more than the rolled -back rate
of 6.7361 mills. In addition, the tentative Debt Service Millage Rate is proposed to be
.1010 mills which is .0076 mills or 7% less than last years millage rate of .1086 mills.
5. T02303 - FY15 Millage Rate Ordinance: An Ordinance of the City Commission of
the City of Tamarac, Florida to establish and levy Ad Valorem taxes within the corporate
limits of the City of Tamarac, Florida, for the tax year 2014; providing for the levy of Ad
Valorem taxes in the amount of 7.2899 mills ($7.2899 per $1,000) based upon the
assessed value on non-exempt real and personal property located within the city limits
of the City of Tamarac; providing for the levy of ad valorem taxes in the amount of .1010
mills ($.1010 per $1,000) based upon the assessed value of the non-exempt real and
personal property located within the city limits of the City of Tamarac, for funds for
annual debt service for the City of Tamarac, Florida general obligation refunding bonds,
series 1998; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an
effective date.
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SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TO2303 by title into the record and Financial
Services Director Mason gave a presentation.
Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and with no one wishing to speak, closed the
Public Hearing.
Commissioner Placko seconded by Commissioner Bushnell moved approval of TO2303
on first reading. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
PASSED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Mayor Dressler made the following statement: This is the first public hearing to establish
the Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Financial Policies. A
second public hearing on Temporary Ordinance Number 2304 will be held on
September 22, 2014 at 5:05 p.m.
City Manager Cernech made the following statement: The proposed operating and
capital budget for Fiscal Year 2015 is $140,585,741 which is $13,331,124 less than the
Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2014. The proposed general fund budget, which is the
primary fund for providing governmental services such as, our contract with BSO,
general and administrative services, public works, and parks and recreation, is
$52,218,644 which is $740,869 more than the Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2014.
In addition, the financial policies are included as part of the adoption of the annual
budget. These financial policies are an integral part of our long-term financial planning
for the City. These policies set parameters for operating management, including
establishing reserves for specific purposes, establishing accounts management and
financial planning policies and establishing policies on economic resources.
6. TO2304 - FY15 Budget Ordinance: An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City
of Tamarac, Florida, adopting the Operating Budget, Revenues and Expenditures, the
Capital Budget, and the Financial Policies for the Fiscal Year 2015, repealing all
ordinances in conflict with this ordinance; providing for conflicts; providing for
severability; and providing for an effective date.
Assistant City Attorney Klahr read TO2304 by title into the record and Financial
Services Director Mason gave a presentation.
Mayor Dressler opened the Public Hearing and the following individuals spoke: Stewart
Webster, 7900 S. Colony Circle, Apt. 208, inquired how he could obtain a copy of the
proposed budget and who could answer questions regarding line items. Financial
Services Director Mason said he would provide Mr. Webster with a copy of the
proposed budget and said Mr. Webster could do a public records request regarding line
item questions. Linda Marks, 840 SW 81st Ave., Family Central, thanked the
Commission for their continued support and asked them to consider their request for
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SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
$3,360 this year and added that 100% of the funds go to child care. With no one else
wishing to speak Mayor Dressler closed the Public Hearing.
Vice Mayor Gomez seconded by Commissioner Placko moved approval of T02304 on
first reading. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
PASSED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Mayor Dressler said that these items have been addressed at quarterly meetings during
the course of the year and an enormous amount of work goes into preparing the budget.
Mayor Dressler talked about Tamarac being highlighted in a Moody's report for its
financial management system.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Dressler
adjourned the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
Harry Dressler, Mayor
Patricia Teufel, C C
City Clerk
Page 6 of 6 Special City Commission Meeting September 12, 2014