HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-29 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL UPDATES
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Talabisco called the City Commission workshop meeting to order
at 8:34 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, in the second floor
meeting room of the Tamarac Recreation Center, 7501 North University
Drive.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Beth Talabisco, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell,
Commissioner Michelle J. Gomez, Vice Mayor Diane
Glasser and Commissioner Harry Dressler were in attendance.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Manager Diane Phillips,
City Attorney Sam Goren (in attendance from 8:34 a.m. —12:26 p.m.),
Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr (in attendance from 12:15 p.m.
to meeting adjournment), City Clerk Peter Richardson,
Building Director Claudio Grande, Community Development
Director Jennifer Bramley, Human Resources Director Maria Swanson,
Financial Services Director Mark Mason, Parks and Recreation
Director Greg Warner, Public Services Director Jack Strain,
Information Technology Director Levent Sucuoglu, Fire Chief
Mike Burton and BSO Executive Officer Fred Wood, and BSO Chief Marc Duguay
(in attendance from 12:10 p.m. through meeting adjournment).
Noting that no residents had reported water seepage into their residence following Tropical Storm Isaac,
Mr. Cernech called upon Public Services Director Jack Strain to provide an overview of the City's storm
water management system and its effectiveness during Tropical Storm Isaac this past Monday.
Mr. Strain provided a brief summary of the City's storm water management system and its
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interconnection to, and interdependence with, other storm water management systems in northwest
Broward County. Mr. Strain noted that the overwhelming majority of roadways in the City of Tamarac
were passable, for life safety purposes, during Monday's rain event. He stated that a portion of
NW 57th Street behind the Tamarac branch library and City of Tamarac Community Center was closed
for a brief period of time on Monday. Mr. Strain also said that a number of pump stations throughout
the City were operating at peak capacity during the storm event and City staff was apprised of this
situation through the use of an existing telemetry system. Fire Chief Mike Burton also noted that
many Fire Rescue staff members were heavily focused on making contingency preparations for Tropical
Storm Isaac and its potential impact on Tamarac residents last Thursday and Friday. Chief Burton said
that a total of only residents and three pets chose to stay at the pet -friendly storm evacuation facility in
the City of Tamarac. Mayor Talabisco inquired whether staff had evaluated the City's storm water
management system for any vitally necessary improvements. Mr. Strain said that Public Services staff
was in the process of evaluating the City's overall storm water management system in this regard.
Financial Services Director Mark Mason provided a detailed overview of the City's revenues and
expenditures to date in all City funds, noting that current balances were generally on -target through the
third quarter of the City's fiscal year and was proceeding quite well in the overall financial realm.
Mr. Mason responded to questions from the Mayor and City Commissioners and provided a brief update
on the potential impacts of fiscal or budget -related referendum questions on the November, 2012
general election ballot.
There was a break in the proceedings between 10:32 a.m. and 10:51 a.m.
The workshop resumed at 10:51 a.m. with all parties noted at the outset, including Mayor Talabisco and
all members of the City Commission and previously referenced City staff, in attendance.
Community Development Director Jennifer Bramley outlined details about the "Operation NIP -It"
Program, being proposed by City staff to address community appearance and property value related
matters. Ms. Bramley said that City staff was proposing the selection of three neighborhoods, with the
program commencing in October 2012 and concluding in September 2013. Ms. Bramley said that Code
Enforcement Manager Mark Woods, Housing Program Administrator Angela Bauldree and herself would
meet with presidents of the homeowners associations selected to participate in the Operation
NIP -It Program. Ms. Bramley responded to questions from the Mayor and members of the City
Commission. There was a break for lunch between 11:49 a.m. and 12:26 p.m.
Bob Koch, Les Brotman and Tim Burns of Group One made a detailed presentation to the Mayor and City
Commission regarding certain elements of the proposed Tamarac Village project. Mr. Koch stated that
the scale of the proposed project was tied somewhat to the fact that most pedestrians were
comfortable in walking no more than 1300 feet or approximately a quarter of a mile to reach their
destination. Mr. Koch also said that Group One was recommending the inclusion of a rectangular -
shaped village center to accommodate special events and community celebrations. Mr. Koch said that
his firm hoped to have a proposed chronology and timeline to share with the Mayor and City
Commission and City staff by the latter part of September. Mr. Koch noted that his firm was proposing
that the area adjoining the existing religious institutions along NW 57th Street move forward as a multi-
family project. He also said that the multi -family market in south Florida was very strong at the present
time.
Mr. Koch noted that the proposed development intensities could only be supported in the future with
the development of parking structure facilities. Ms. Bramley made note that the urban design
guidelines had not been adopted by the City Commission, but would be reviewed and adopted later in
the process of reviewing the proposed Tamarac Village project. Mr. Koch also noted that there were
presently very attractive and vibrant market opportunities for retail, dining and entertainment uses, and
the possible inclusion of a limited -service hotel facility. Mr. Koch responded to questions from the
Mayor and City Commission about traffic, parking, and other infrastructure -related matters, such as the
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potential of attaining grant funding for a pedestrian overpass. Mr. Koch said that he would be pleased
to discuss the viability of a pedestrian overpass with applicable County staff. Public Services Director
Jack Strain said that he would also be pleased to assist with logistics and discussions relative to this
matter. There was a break in the proceedings between 2:12 and 2:26 p.m.
The workshop meeting reconvened at 2:26 p.m. with all members of the City Commission and previously
referenced City staff in attendance. City Manager Michael Cernech noted that increasing the City's
proposed millage rate by a half -mill would yield approximately $1.1 million in additional funding for
public safety -related purposes. Mr. Cernech also noted that the proposal to be presented by BSO
Tamarac Chief Marc Duguay did not include funding for any future 911 communications system -related
expenses. BSO Tamarac Chief Marc Duguay said that he was recommending funding of an additional
five deputies, one additional administrative support position, and funding for certain technologically -
related items. Chief Duguay noted that two administrative support staff persons presently supported
ninety positions at the BSO Tamarac facility.
Chief Duguay also said he was recommending the addition of five deputies in order to handle serious
crime -related calls. Chief Duguay also provided a brief overview about the benefits offered from
fingerprint scanning and license plate reading technology solutions. Stating that BSO Tamarac had
handled more than 39000 calls for service last year, Chief Duguay said that having additional deputies
on the street would offer the opportunity for the BSO Tamarac District to be more proactive.
Commissioner Bushnell inquired about the nature of calls received by the City's Financial Services
Department relative to recently mailed TRIM (property tax) notifications. Financial Services Director
Mark Mason said that approximately 95% of the seventy telephone calls received to date had been
questions related to the solid waste assessment component of property tax bills. Chief Duguay
responded to questions from the Mayor and members of the City Commission.
Mayor Talabisco noted that the City of Tamarac's first budget public hearing would take place on
Thursday, September 13, 2012, beginning at 5:05 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers.
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Mr. Mason noted that the one-half mill greater property tax millage rate had been published in
accordance with City Commission action at their July 11, 2012 regular meeting.
Mr. Cernech noted that applicable City staff would be providing an update to the Mayor and City
Commission at their next workshop regarding the status of a potential ordinance regarding synthetic
marijuana. Mayor Talabisco expressed appreciation to her colleagues and to City staff for a good and
productive day.
The workshop meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m.
Peter M. J. f Khardson, CRM
City Clerk
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