HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-04 - City Commission Retreat Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION RETREAT
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2006 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2006 8:00 AM-12:30 PM
RENAISSANCE HOTEL
1230 SOUTH PINE ISLAND ROAD, SALON E
PLANTATION, FL 33324
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the City Commission
Retreat to order on Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 9:00 a.m., at the Plantation
Renaissance Hotel, 1230 South Plantation Road, Salon E, Plantation, FL 33324.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner,
Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof, and
Commissioner Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Deputy City Manager Michael
C. Cernech, Assistant City Manager Diane Phillips, City Attorney Samuel S.
Goren, City Clerk Marion Swenson, Building and Code Compliance Director Gary
B. Jones, Director of Community Development Chris King, Human Resources
Director Maria Swanson, I.T. Director Levent Sucuoglu, Public Works Director
Jack Strain, BSO Chief Ken Dugger, Director of Utilities Ray Gagnon,
Management Intern Mark Medlar, Economic Development Officer Andy Berns,
Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Warner, Fire Chief Jim Budzinski, Public
Information Officer Lucy Crockett, Carol and Jon Nalbandian, Facilitators.
City Manager Miller welcomed the Mayor and City Commission, staff, and
facilitators Carol and Jon Nalbandian to the retreat, and said the objectives for
the retreat are to increase understanding and appreciation of the leadership
styles of the governing body and the management team; enhance the high
performance of the governing body; develop a common vision for the future of
Tamarac; and set strategic goals and objectives. City Manager Miller turned the
meeting over to Carol and Jon Nalbandian.
Ms. Nalbandian said the governing body and management team comprise the
leadership team for Tamarac and the purpose of this retreat is for the groups to
get to know each other better and strengthen themselves as Tamarac's
leadership team.
Mr. Nalbandian thanked the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager Miller
and staff for inviting both he and Ms. Nalbandian to Tamarac and gave a short
background of his experiences. Mr. Nalbandian spoke of relationships within the
commission between members of the commission; staff relationships;
relationships between staff and the Mayor and City Commission; with citizens;
and intergovernmental. Mr. Nalbandian posed the questions "how good do we
want to be?" and "how good can we be?"
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Ms. Nalbandian said one of the learning objectives is to look at our strengths.
The members of the retreat recessed at 10:25 a.m. and reconvened at 10:45
a.m. with all present as before.
Ms. Nalbandian spoke of the relationship awareness theory: motivation = why we
do things; style = how we do things. A universal motivator is that we all want to
feel worthwhile and do a good job. Our behavior reflects our motivation.
Vice Mayor Portner said a team needs a captain.
Ms. Nalbandian reviewed the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) styles of the
Mayor, City Commission and staff.
Mr. Nalbandian explained we all see the world as we are, and the SDI gives us
insight as to who we are and who others are; how you create. conditions so other
orientations can maximize their value.
Commissioner Dressler said certain SDI styles who have experience in
management know if things are not done in harmony goals will not be achieved.
Vice Mayor Portner asked for clarification of the mixed colors in the SDI.
Public Information Officer Crockett said a past boss once said that it did not
matter why he did something as long as the outcome was right.
Mr. Nalbandian spoke about inferences made based on what we see.
Ms. Nalbandian said respect and trust are very important. Trust is the foundation
on which a lot of great things can happen and we need to understand the
intentions of others and not take things personally.
Commissioner Sultanof asked what happens when personalities are brought into
play.
Ms. Nalbandian said if someone gets hurt as a result of something we do, and
they did not understand our intention, we must then look at ourselves, because
maybe, in that instance, we did not come across well and our intention was
hidden. On the other hand, the person whose feelings were hurt must then say
perhaps they need to understand things differently. Things need to be talked out
and worked out.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad asked what the different styles showed with regard to
this commission.
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Ms. Nalbandian said every commissioner is different and this is not an unusual
profile for commissions.
I.T. Director Sucuoglu said this represents the different needs and desires of the
residents.
Commissioner Sultanof said each commissioner deals with personalities
represented in their individual district, but in the past, commissioners have had to
consider items that concern all four districts of the city.
Ms. Nalbandian spoke of staff styles and said because staff is hired rather than
elected, their styles seem to cluster in a general area. This is also an indicator of
who stays with the city; perhaps people have found their comfort zone.
Mr. Nalbandian said the commission is diverse; issues with regard to how
business is handled and how things are decided is not written in policies; there
are differences in how the commissioners go about their business. Staff has a
hierarchy and structure. The Mayor and City Commission do not, so they have to
develop norms. The three people on the Commission who have a history have
established how they go about their business. The two new people either buy in,
or perhaps, the other three need to adapt. This will take a while to figure out. In
six months, the Mayor and City Commission may have to think about the way
they are doing business.
Commissioner Sultanof said in the past there were procedures for the
Commission; how they conducted themselves, civility, and opportunities for
dialogue. The commission made their own rules. New rules will be adopted as
we move forward with the new commissioners.
Ms. Nalbandian said people with long tenure will have to adapt to the new
people.
Commissioner Sultanof said the new people sometimes become overbearing,
are younger, and do things differently. We have to have the ability to blend and
remember not to throw out the old but try to mix the two; the new commissioners
have to understand what went on in the past.
Commissioner Dressler said we want to have people with different experiences
bringing different perspectives to the table so we can arrive at decisions that are
best for the city. The last election fractured the commission and there was a
huge emotional history. A culture has to be created regarding how we do
business and this is a wonderful opportunity for those who have been on the
commission.
Ms. Nalbandian said the commission does not have to start from scratch; there
are some good norms in place. This is a challenge; all five must work this out.
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Mr. Nalbandian said every commission faces this over time due to turnover and
respect must be given to the work of the past commission and to welcoming
newcomers.
Commissioner Sultanof said he is not in favor of taking the old water and
throwing it out. Things worked well; the commission voted 5-0 most of the time;
and the city progressed tremendously. New ideas are good but one must have
experience as to what took place prior to the new commissioners coming here.
We must build on it and realize that we will not always agree.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said that is what makes teamwork.
Ms. Nalbandian said the commissioners are all saying the same thing; they all
understand they must work together and this is a challenge because under the
Sunshine Law the commissioners are not able to talk to each other, but then,
when they are talking in open session, people are watching.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said as the lone member of the commission in the
`green' area of the SDI, she needs some discussion and she will use that to her
advantage.
Ms. Nalbandian said it is not unusual to see profiles fall totally in one color.
Mr. Nalbandian said on the conflict side of the SDI, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
will not be alone.
Commissioner Dressler explained that losing is not an option in his world. His
first alternative would be to come to consensus, but if he is cornered he plays
hard ball to survive. Additionally, a lot has to do with how important the issue is
to him.
Commissioner Sultanof spoke of intelligence and overall personalities; a good
majority of people do not have a level of intelligence to accept what you try to
say, and most people will not accept criticism. Commissioner Sultanof said he
likes to listen to people and does not want to hurt people.
Members of the retreat recessed at 12:07 p.m. and reconvened at 1:10 p.m. with
all present as before.
Mr. Nalbandian spoke of the partnership between the governing body and staff,
as well as objectives and values, and spoke of building, maintaining and
preserving a sense of community.
Commissioner Sultanof said the average citizen does not get politically involved.
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Mr. Nalbandian said the goal is to nurture conditions, services and activities that
will bring out commitment to community, as well as enthusiasm and support of
people. Politics as an art is about what decisions are made and when they are
made to provide quality without hurting people. The four fundamental values of a
democratic system are political representation and participation; efficiency and
professionalism; social equity; and individual rights.
Commissioner Sultanof spoke about the center of Tamarac moving westward as
expansion in the west occurred. Kings Point brought people to Tamarac and
taxes were raised to provide services; Tamarac blossomed. This is the fastest
growing city in Broward County.
Mr. Nalbandian asked why people care about the division between the east and
west and City Manager Miller said because people in the east do not feel they
are getting their fair share of services for taxes and everything new is being built
in the west.
Mr. Nalbandian spoke of social equity and said the value of equity is fundamental
in our society, as well as due process. What values do the commissioners bring
to the community that no one else can bring; the Commission can vote to pass
laws, and nobody else in the community can do this. Staff must find a way to
help structure the conversations so the Mayor and City Commission's decisions
are supported. For staff, efficiency is only one of the four values, but staff must
pay attention to the other values also.
The members of the retreat recessed at 2:05 p.m. and reconvened at 2:20 p.m.
with everyone present as before.
Mr. Nalbandian brought up the subject of televising commission meetings and
City Attorney Goren said the Mayor and City Commission could listen but could
not debate the issue today, as this topic would be before them in the future for
discussion and vote.
Ms. Nalbandian said if the commission is not on television the public gets
information with regard to the Mayor and City Commission by rumor; there are
very few commissioners who, over time, play to the television. The Mayor and
City Commission for a municipality are amateur politicians; they do not deal with
issues of heavy enough magnitude.
Vice Mayor Portner left the retreat at 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Nalbandian said staff can be helpful to the Mayor and City Commission by
giving them options when items are brought to the Mayor and City Commission.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco suggested staff factor in political options as well.
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Mr. Nalbandian said a lot has to do with how unified the commission is; if the
commission is unified in terms of direction, then staff has a lot of leeway as long
as their suggestions are within the scope of the commission. If the commission
is divided, then staff is in an uncomfortable position if they start to factor in
political options.
Commissioner Dressler said he would never want staff to be political in any way;
but there is value in having staff advise the Mayor and City Commission how
something is political.
Commissioner Sultanof said staff should not step into the commissions' political
shoes.
Mr. Nalbandian said it is not always clear what is political.
Commissioner Sultanof added the commissioners do not speak to staff without
going through the City Manager first. The final decision on how to handle the
directors rests with the City Manager.
City Manager Miller said the manager's responsibility, if he is aware of a political
trap door, is to try to advise all the commissioners rather than advocating for one
commissioner or another.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said many times history equals knowledge equals
power.
Mr. Nalbandian spoke of the governing board's working conditions: definition of
trust is reasonably vague; there is no hierarchy; there is no specialization on the
commission; there is little feedback.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said there is no measure for the Mayor and City
Commission; at the end of the day we can say we accomplished something but
what defines the Mayor and City Commission is the election every three years.
Mr. Nalbandian said in six months the Mayor and City Commission may want to
check their norms.
Commissioner Dressler questioned whether the citizen survey reflects how well
the Mayor and City Commission is doing and City Manager Miller said it is a
major indicator.
Ms. Nalbandian said the citizen survey is a flowing indicator because if it shows
the Mayor and City Commission is not doing a good job in some area, it is
usually too late. The survey needs to be done every two years; leading
indicators are also needed, which would be performance measures.
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City Manager Miller said the city will include performance measures as part of the
HPO/Sterling process.
Mr. Nalbandian said those measures are not closely enough connected to how
the Mayor and City Commission is doing as a board. Mr. Nalbandian spoke of
reducing uncertainty by knowing policy making roles, goals setting, problem
solving techniques, developing norms of behavior, team building, and partnership
with staff. Staff finds problems, helps structure the Mayor and City Commission's
discussion through staff reports, and offers alternatives.
Mr. Nalbandian spoke of the Mayor and City Commission's partnership with staff
and the characteristics of politics and administration. The power of politics is the
ability to get people to listen to your stories. The administration translates the
stories and turns conflicts of politics into problems that can be solved.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said Mr. Nalbandian included the Mayor under the
city administrative offices and senior staff and asked for clarification.
Mr. Nalbandian said because of the Mayor's position and community access and
understanding of the other commissioners, the Mayor has special insight and can
share this with the City Manager.
Commissioner Sultanof said this is all well and good but this is a City Manager
government; each commissioner can say the same thing to the City Manager.
We need to work with the Charter; advise and consent. If a problem goes to the
City Manager, he formulates a plan then presents that to the Mayor and City
Commission for ultimate decision.
Mr. Nalbandian said the commissioners' responsibility is to take full advantage of
the qualities the Mayor has; citizens always give more power/credence to the
Mayor. The commission's job is utilizing that as much as possible and leverage
that to get the work of the commission done. If the commission has a good
Mayor and does not work together to support that Mayor, the commission is then
undermining its own credibility; people make judgments about a commission on
the basis of how the commission does its work.
Commissioner Dressler said commissioners have to respect the fact that the
consequences for somebody who runs citywide are different than those of
persons who run in districts, and we must be sensitive to each other.
Ms. Nalbandian said the Mayor and City Commission are all equal.
Commissioner Sultanof said the commission does work together but the burden
of the commission is directed through the City Manager. Commissioner Sultanof
said he agrees the Mayor is at the head but he does want to feel, in his mind, if
he has a discussion regarding something that is going to be on an agenda, under
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the sunshine law he can talk to the City Manager. He does not want the fabric to
change.
Mr. Nalbandian said the translator role is important for department directors for
their staff; while the Mayor's role offers symbolic representation to the community
and government.
Commissioner Sultanof said people do look up to the Mayor.
The retreat was recessed at 4:00 p.m.
The retreat reconvened on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 8:35 a.m., with all present as
recorded at yesterday's role call.
Ms. Nalbandian asked everyone to consider their dreams for the future and
advised that there would be no decisions or costs included in today's discussion.
Ms. Nalbandian asked everyone to discuss items that they either collect, a talent
they have, or a hobby they are interested in working on, that others may not
know about.
Ms. Nalbandian said we do not have to be friends or social buddies, but must
have affection for a strong team and the only way to get to that point is through
connection.
Each member of the retreat discussed their collections, hobbies or talents.
Ms. Nalbandian spoke about reaching consensus and said this is a solution or
decision that all group members can support and that no member absolutely
opposes. Consensus is harder to reach than a vote. Consensus will ensure that
if we are to set the future direction of the community, everyone will be behind it.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said this sounds terrific, but practically speaking at
the end of the day when the Mayor and City Commission are faced with difficult
decisions to change the face of Tamarac, it is done by a vote.
Mr. Nalbandian explained this works because there are so few written rules
about how the Mayor and City Commission goes about its business and the rules
must be invented as the Mayor and City Commission moves forward. A lot of the
effective work of the Mayor and City Commission depends on how you act
towards each other. Mr. Nalbandian said his experience is that every new
commission and every old commission has the ongoing act of caring and
retaining respect of each other over and again. Each assesses each other. The
fundamental question every commissioner must ask is 'what are my
responsibilities if I am in the minority — after a vote is taken'. The number one
responsibility is to the constituents; then other commission members; it is an
ongoing journey seeking respect from each other.
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Commissioner Sultanof said each commissioner has to respect each other's
decision but also must have the ability to vote no. For example, four
commissioners voted for a situation in Commissioner Sultanof's district and he
voted against it, but was warned by the attorney at the time that he could be sued
personally. He held to his vote because the community said they did not want
the project and he voted to protect the community. He did not get upset about
the other votes; they had the right to vote their own minds, and those opinions
need to be respected.
Mr. Nalbandian said the discussion at this time is what happens after the vote;
what you do after the vote sometimes is more important that what you do during
the debate.
Public Information Officer Crockett said the quality of leadership is conveyed to
the community by a united commitment.
Mr. Nalbandian agreed and added there is also no enforcement; nobody has the
right to say 'you can not say that'. For staff it is different, there is a hierarchy.
Mr. Nalbandian said any time after a vote, if a commissioner does something to
sabotage that vote, however subtly, the commission is not moving forward.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she believes very strongly that this commission
is very fortunate and has a unique opportunity; Commissioner Atkins -Grad and
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco are neighbors and friends; Vice Mayor Portner,
Commissioner Sultanof, and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco worked together the
past few years. This is unique as they are going from one board to another
feeling the differences. Commissioner Dressler and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco
have known each other these past three years as friends and now work together.
This unique position between the Mayor and City Commission should be used to
show the community how different we are and how lucky they are to have us.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said she is not only fortunate to have a relationship
with Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco but also with Commissioner Dressler as his
wife and Commissioner Atkins -Grad worked together in real estate and have a
bond. She is also fortunate to have Commissioner Sultanof and Vice Mayor
Portner come into her life.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said it is important to play to each other's strengths
and make each other look good.
Commissioner Sultanof said that is rare in Broward County. Most cities have a
lot of bantering and there is no question that this is an opportunity, but a diverse
opportunity and there is the ability to dissent.
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Mr. Nalbandian provided the following scenario: we have left Tamarac and
moved to another area outside Florida. We have had no contact with Tamarac
for ten years and then return to Tamarac. We look around, talk to the people,
read things and see things and we decide Tamarac is perfect, exactly as we had
hoped it would be. What is it that we see and hear that makes Tamarac as
perfect as we had hoped it would be?
Commissioner Sultanof said government is accessible to the public and there are
parks and greenways with playing fields and a good place to raise children;
citizens take pride in the facilities.
Vice Mayor Portner said the new commission is taking to the next level what this
commission perfected; aspirations to be excellent.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said neighborhoods are attractive and well
maintained. There are busy shops, Main Street is no longer a dream, there are
restaurants, and cultural activities such as museums, theaters, movies and
shops.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said it is a new Tamarac with innovative staff.
Commissioner Dressler said there are parks, televised commission meetings,
diversity, citizen involvement, and we have achieved the Sterling award.
Vice Mayor Portner said a good many of these things are already written down
and in the process of being accomplished.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of transportation and a community center on
the east side of Tamarac, as well as the east side of Tamarac looking as good as
the west side of Tamarac.
Human Resources Director Swanson spoke of diversity reflected on boards,
committees and the City Commission.
Deputy City Manager Cernech spoke of a significantly higher level of citizen
involvement and more efficient citizen committees; more or greater use of district
leadership groups for representation from all districts, as well as the hope of
connections to our neighboring municipalities through transportation and light rail.
There is a physical presence that identifies where and who we are as well as
identifying the presence of our neighboring cities.
Commissioner Sultanof said the NW Council of Mayors, which is now being
called the NW Council of Elected Officials, consists of 7-8 cities coming together
once each month to review problems with the cities. It is difficult for Tamarac to
socialize with Weston and Miramar, to name a few as it is a matter of
geographics. The Broward League of Cities is also attended once each month,
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1
and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco is a voting member. Due to geographical
distances it is difficult to maintain relationships with all the cities.
Deputy City Manager Cernech said he defers to the commissioner; if it is
impossible to do a particular thing, then we must focus our energies on other
things that are more do -able.
Public Information Officer Crockett said she envisions in 2006 when she left
Tamarac the communities were teetering on the brink of decline and Broward
County told the municipalities it would be difficult to sustain the workforce
because of housing costs. In the ten years between 2006 and 2016 Tamarac
developed innovative strategies for affordable housing and in 2016 communities
are vital and people care about maintaining them; there is a sense of community.
City Manager Miller said his vision is there was a bond issue to build a
performing arts center to provide cultural opportunities for youth and adults.
Utilities Director Gagnon said he envisions in 2016 a mass transit and bikeways
— cyber commuting.
Assistant City Manager Phillips spoke of expanded cultural opportunities and a
sense of place.
Mr. Nalbandian asked everyone, using the same scenario, to change the
outcome to a sense of disaster in 2016.
Vice Mayor Portner said that would be the responsibility of the new commission,
at that time.
Commissioner Dressler spoke of doom and economic collapse in which the city
was not able to supply basic services.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of declining neighborhoods, both residential
and commercial.
Commissioner Sultanof said he would hope the trend could be reversed and
government must look at a positive way of life or nothing will take place.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad spoke of recycling, canal maintenance, and the
community doing the proper thing to help the environment.
Commissioner Dressler spoke of a water crisis, but with Tamarac having enough
water to sell to other cities, in order to maintain our own tax base.
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City Attorney Goren said in 2016 he envisions the city has achieved the Sterling
award but the State of Florida adopted legislation providing that if a city is not a
Sterling city it would be absorbed and/or abolished.
Building and Code Compliance Director Jones spoke of disruption of community
standards and the appearance of surrounding cities that would have an impact
on Tamarac. Management Intern Medlar spoke of beautiful new public facilities
that were not used due to growing anti -social behavior.
Utilities Director Gagnon spoke of inaction on the part of the commission to build
facilities for the changing demographics and Tamarac's low crime rate turning
into the worst crime rate in the state.
Public Works Director Strain said people become satisfied with the status quo.
Human Resources Director Swanson spoke of a fractional community in 2016.
City Manager Miller said his fear is that we do not grow a new group of leaders in
the community.
I.T. Director Sucuoglu said by trying to become everything to everybody we
misalign our services so we do not have enough money to provide necessary
services.
Assistant City Manager Phillips said if there is no tight plan or direction we will
start to knee jerk to different factions and run into financial problems.
BSO Chief Dugger spoke of graffiti and homelessness, which is a huge issue
from law enforcement's perspective and said without revitalization there will be
increased crime as a result of urban decay.
Mr. Nalbandian asked Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco, Human Resources Director
Swanson, Assistant City Manager Phillips, and Public Works Director Strain to
pick out five dominant themes for discussion after the break.
The members of the retreat recessed at 10:00 a.m. and reconvened at 10:30
a.m. with all present as before.
Mr. Nalbandian divided the members of the retreat into groups of three with each
one taking a theme area to turn into a goal for the coming years.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said no one theme was more important than
another.
Human Resources Director Swanson said any ideas not included could be
added.
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Ms. Nalbandian said we are looking for outcomes. Technology is a tool to get to
an outcome.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said revitalization and redevelopment would affect
the financial integrity of the city.
Ms. Nalbandian said by going through a series of drafts we will come up with a
consensus for a sense of unique identity for the City of Tamarac. The six themes
are as follows: a Sterling community; transportation solutions, which could
include greenways and bike trails; relationship building with municipal neighbors,
which could address regional problems; strong citizen involvement to provide for
a sense of community; revitalization and redevelopment for residential and
commercial areas with high public safety; creation of cultural and recreational
opportunities for all ages.
I.T. Director Sucuoglu said he would place technology as its own heading to
enable citizen involvement which is unique for Tamarac.
Ms. Nalbandian said while technology is critical it is not an end in itself.
Public Information Officer Crockett asked if workforce housing falls into
revitalization.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the small group came up with the bullets and
now it is up to the entire group to fill in the rest.
Commissioner Dressler said he agrees with I.T. Director Sucuoglu that the
internet brings democracy to the countries that do not have it; there is more free
flow of information and there should be a way to identify information technology
as a major mechanism.
Ms. Nalbandian said webcasting could be included under citizen involvement; we
are not trying to get the words but rather the ideas. Ms. Nalbandian spoke of the
Iceberg Model of City Work and the amount of work that goes on beyond the
view of the citizens, 'below the water line'. Once a dream is realized, then the
work to put it into place becomes part of the regular work of the city. We need
staff to keep up the dream and in order to do this we may need to expand the
iceberg; or get rid of something to make room for new ideas; or modernize the
organization.
City Manager Miller spoke of modernizing the organization which is a continuous
management improvement process and part of the sterling process. We will not
spend as much money on staff and unnecessary resources if we can be more
efficient. We can not do everything, and at some point we will need to set
priorities which will be done during the strategic planning stages; there will be
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financial, time and staffing constraints that will need to be addressed. If some
items previously set as -priorities appear to be falling off the list, we must look at
other ways to accomplish these tasks rather than lose them.
Vice Mayor Portner said constraints provide the Mayor and City Commission the
challenge to do things.
Commissioner Dressier said both City Manager Miller and Vice Mayor Portner
are correct. There is interplay between the Mayor and City Commission and
staff. The Mayor and City Commission is the Board of Directors and we set the
vision but we can not be amorphous. We have to prioritize based on short,
medium, and long term priorities.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said there is no right or wrong way to prioritize. She
understands that Vice Mayor Portner does not like the answer 'no', but in the
business world, every'no' from a client is a challenge. Some things may not play
out practically; there may be political implications and this is where consensus
comes into play.
Ms. Nalbandian said the systematic way of looking at things is through the
strategic plan and it is a continuing journey. If we work together and allow for
differences of opinion we will get there.
Commissioner Dressler said when honest people disagree and their views are
respected we have synergy. We must listen to and learn from each other.
The members broke into groups of three to turn the themes into visions for
discussion at future workshops.
The visions the groups came up with are as follows:
Commit to Building Relationships with immediate municipal neighbors:
• Start at the commission level
• Move to the staff level
• Find common grounds/issues and try to solve issues as groups
Parks and Recreation Director Warner said on behalf of the bullet regarding staff
level, this would actually start at the City Manager level.
Committed to creating a strong sense of identity for Tamarac that includes: a
"New Tamarac" ...affordable, safe, welcoming:
• Attain Sterling Award
• Theme, slogan or branding
• Local businesses provide advertising that they are in Tamarac
• Visual identity
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BSO Chief Dugger said if we create an environment to bring everyone in to
Tamarac, the residents and commissioners must understand that everyone must
be welcome to use our facilities and services.
Creation of regional transportation system that works
• Establishment of regional authority
• Identify/create funding sources
• Identify alternative methods of transportation
• Identify existing models that work
Fire Chief Budzinski said this is a regional project.
Ms. Nalbandian said this is a very ambitious goal and it will take longer than 10
years to accomplish.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said we may need to think of something that will
impact more quickly on Tamarac.
Ms. Nalbandian said she salutes everyone for this goal, and realizes that it must
be set up with very conservative, attainable steps, that show the citizenry what
we are working toward.
Commissioner Sultanof said there are outside forces that must come into play
with regard to transportation.
Deputy City Manager Cernech said Tamarac can play a role in the regional
system and perhaps that should be our goal. We have a transportation system
locally that needs replacement and within the local government we have the
opportunity to encourage the County to play a larger role in the system.
Fire Chief Budzinski said it must be a regional system with our support of the
regional system at the local level.
Mr. Nalbandian said if there is going to be an emphasis for improvement on the
local system we want it reflected somewhere in these goals.
Ms. Nalbandian said we could continue to encourage citizen involvement in order
to foster pride in Tamarac, a sense of community, a feeling of inclusion by
maximizing the use of technology, focus groups, and other means to gather
citizen feedback.
Physical development and redevelopment of the city is planned in an orderly and
well concerned manner the result is a thriving new Main Street corridor; older
retail shopping redeveloped into MXD use zoning; affordable housing; attractive
affordable housing and attractive industrial neighborhoods. to meet the
recreational and cultural needs of the changing demographics;
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May 4 and 5, 2006
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• Facilities
• Theaters
• Ball fields
• Realtor input
• School demographics
• Needs programs for cultural center
• Parks
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said we have not touched on schools or education
and while it is not within our jurisdiction to do this, we need to continue to work
with the school board.
Ms. Nalbandian said this falls under the intergovernmental relationship goal. The
next step is to give these goals to staff to refine and at some point you need to
begin to specify current projects and how they fit into these new goals.
Commissioner Sultanof said we have a five-year plan for which money has been
borrowed to accomplish several projects under the CIP.
Parks and Recreation Director Warner added recreational and cultural needs are
construction projects included in the CIP.
Ms. Nalbandian said next staff needs to put in some ongoing projects. Then the
Mayor and City Commission have three years together to think about how these
should be done.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said some things in the CIP will be done in the next
two years and the visuals of Tamarac will be changing.
Commissioner Sultanof said we have to fit all the pieces in during the time we are
governing.
Public Information Officer Crockett said if there is a commitment to a set of
strategic goals some things could be considered as related, and if the Mayor and
City Commission vote a certain way, the city will get closer to accomplishing
certain projects.
Commissioner Sultanof said we want to get people involved in boards,
committees, the one cent sales tax. All this fits into the larger picture.
Ms. Nalbandian said the Mayor and City Commission must govern and have day
to day work to accomplish as well; so does staff. If these visions are used as a
guide to the future, it should help with the daily decisions. At some point a
developer may come to Tamarac with an idea, and you have to be ready for that.
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May 4 and 5, 2006
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Commissioner Sultanof thanked the Nalbandians and left the retreat at 11:55
a.m.
Ms. Nalbandian summarized the retreat:
• Team building
• Vision for the future
• Improve and enhance mutual understanding, respect, trust
Ms. Nalbandian asked what value the Mayor and City Commission got out of the
session.
Commissioner Atkins -Grad said it is great for everyone to get together in one
room and talk one on one.
I.T. Director Sucuoglu said in the course of the normal work day we do not think
of the big picture involving the Mayor and City Commission's responsibilities and
staffs responsibilities.
Vice Mayor Portner said he would like to see staff implement the visions
discussed today quickly.
Human Resources Director Swanson said looking at the projects as set through.
the strategic plan makes all of our jobs easier.
Ms. Nalbandian added some other commissions have .said going through this
process and taking these ideas to the next level made their budget sessions
much easier.
Building Official Jones said he appreciated the insight and differences between
staff and commission functions, roles, and responsibilities. The Mayor and City
Commission have a more difficult time doing their job than staff does.
City Manager Miller thanked the Mayor and City Commission for taking this time
out of their days to spend with staff and said this is an important exercise. The
visioning system will begin to define your terms as a board and develop a work
program to achieve these objectives.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said whenever she can spend a day with people
she likes, respects, and has common goals with, is a privilege. Mayor
Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked City Manager Miller for giving the Mayor and City
Commission and staff this time together and added when a group of people can
spend time together getting to know each other outside city hall it is a plus. We
are a team, team Tamarac. These conversations will define all of us and we
have made a big investment today. We will have more of a sense of
camaraderie.
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May 4 and 5, 2006
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Ms. Nalbandian said this is the Mayor and City Commission's legacy to Tamarac.
Mr. and Ms. Nalbandian thanked everyone for their attentiveness and
participation, wished everyone well and said they felt the session went very well.
The retreat adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
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City Commission Retreat
May 4 and 5, 2006
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