HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-20 - City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Workshop of the City Commission
to order at 9:38 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019 in Conference Room 105, City Hall, 7525
NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Vice Mayor Debra Placko, Commissioner Marlon
Bolton, Commissioner Mike Gelin and Commissioner Julie Fishman were in attendance.
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Jacob
Horowitz and City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
1. Surtax Update - Broward County Assistant County Administrator Gretchen Cassini and
Deputy Director of the Broward MPO Bill Cross appeared. Ms. Cassini gave a
presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Ms. Cassini introduced
the members of her team: Chris Walden, Broward County Director of Transportation;
Broward County Deputy Director of Public Works Richard Tony. Ms. Cassini, Mr. Cross,
Mr. Walden and Mr. Tony responded to questions from the Commission relative to the
Oversight Board, the turn around time for projects; bus transportation gap issues going
east and west issues; Tri-Rail; bike lanes and accident statistics; greenway systems; bus
benches/shelters; SMART County & Data Centers; bus ridership; expansion of the
Sawgrass to 195; Complete Streets; high speed rail from east to west; ILA; bus service
hours; TOPS Program; future transportation; mobile ticketing and a transportation app.
Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 10:58 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:10
a.m. with all present as before.
2. Presentation - Woodsprings Suites Public Art Easement - Community Development
Director Maxine Calloway, Public Art Administrators George Gadson and Beth Ravitz
appeared. Ms. Ravitz and Mr. Gadson gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the
City Clerk's Office, and presented the three semi-finalists and renderings of their
sculptures. Ms. Ravits said the Public Art Committee has chosen Mr. James Simons'
sculpture of a man on a bike. The Public Art Committee is coming before the Mayor and
Commission to recommend the Commission go with this choice and added that the artist
will work with Tamarac regarding the colors on the sculpture. Ms. Ravitz and Mr. Gadson
responded to questions regarding the criteria for the project, how finalists are chosen, the
consideration of local artists, uniqueness of the sculpture. After it was decided this
particular sculpture would be better off on a bikeway, park or Tamarac Village, it was
decided to have the Public Art Committee go back to Ray King and have him tailor his
"Beacon" sculpture more to Tamarac, i.e. like an orchid or bird of paradise, and come back
for the commission's decision. There was a brief discussion about art in District 1.
3. Sister City's Discussion - Carolina Rendeiro, Chief Marketing & Development Officer,
Connect2Global, Inc. and Assistant to the City Manager Laura Karpaviciute. This item was
tabled to the June 10, 2019 workshop as Ms. Rendeiro was unable to attend due to a
scheduling problem.
Page 1 of 4 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 20, 2019
Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 12:02 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 1:04
p.m. with all present as before.
4. Presentation to the Commission on People Profile Awards - People Profile Awards
founder Dr. Allan Cunningham and Karrelle Chang, Executive Director of People Profile
appeared, a copy of a letter explaining their vision and mission is on file in the City Clerk's
Office. Commissioner Bolton said he met with Dr. Cunningham and felt this was an
excellent organization doing amazing things in their community Dr. Cunningham
responded to a few questions from the Commission.
5. Discussion on Social Media - Senior Strategic Communications Officer Elise Boston and
Assistant City Attorney Jacob Horowitz appeared. Sr. Strategic Communications Officer
Boston gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office, and talked
about different Social Media options. Assistant City Attorney Horowitz talked about the use
of Nextdoor and the terms of service, general concerns, "blocking" access to social media
accounts and using social media as a "Tool of Governance". Assistant City Attorney
Horowitz also talked about social media being subject to the Public Records Law.
Assistant City Attorney Horowitz cited Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump (2018)
and Davison v. Randall (2019) regarding cases of blocking access to social media and
went over the background of both cases. Assistant City Attorney Horowitz said you cannot
legally block members of the public from accessing social media sites. Assistant City
Attorney Horowitz also said that if the official uses social media to communicate with the
public about official business and if a public official's utilization of social media as a tool of
governance, results in the creation of a public forum on the social media platform.
Assistant City Attorney Horowitz went over the criteria of tools of governance. Assistant
City Attorney Horowitz also said any/all content on a public official's social medial must be
retained in accordance with the state's record retention schedule.
Everyone concurred that Nextdoor is a great tool. Sr. Strategic Communications Officer
Boston and Assistant City Attorney Horowitz responded to questions and concerns from
the Commission regarding sunshine laws, interactive communication between two elected
officials, using an account for election purposes, people posting anonymously and/or using
pseudo names, posting opinions related to pending matters, city policies regarding social
media and using the City Logo on social media pages. Mayor Gomez asked the City
Attorney to draw up a policy regarding the use of the City's Logo. Mayor Gomez asked for
a consensus to have the elected officials have access to social medial citywide. All were
in agreement. Assistant City Attorney Horowitz cautioned the Commission not to comment
on any Quasi-Judicial matters as it may hinder the applicant.
Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 2:28 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 2:40
p.m. with all present as before.
6. Boards and Committees Discussion - City Clerk Patricia Teufel, Community
Development Director Maxine Calloway and Parks & Recreation Director Greg Warner.
Parks & Recreation Director Warner said previously the Commission had a consensus to
workshop our Boards & Committee structure and the possibility of adding additional
boards. City Clerk Teufel, Community Development Director Calloway and Parks &
Recreation Director Warner gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City
Clerk's Office. City Clerk Teufel went over the existing boards and committees; and noted
that the appointment process is set forth in Sections 2-56 to 2-61 in the Code of
Page 2 of 4 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 20, 2019
Ordinances and Administrative Policy 00-01 R. Community Development Director Calloway
went over the composition of the current Planning Board and their duties and
responsibilities; the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee members and the Public Art
Committee members. Parks & Recreation Director Warner talked about the Parks &
Recreation Board members and what their responsibilities are and the Veteran Affairs
Committee members and what their responsibilities are. Parks & Recreation Director
Warner then talked about additional advisory committees that were discussed at Strategic
Planning: a Youth Council; the MLK Day Committee and the Multi-Cultural Diversity
Committee. Parks & Recreation Director Warner said the next steps if the Commission
determines the need for creation of new boards would be: the development of board
logistics and responsibilities; ordinances to create the new boards and then the
appointment process.
Commissioner Fishman said she brought this up because prior to being a Commissioner
she served on some boards and wants people to feel they are getting something out of
being on the board and doing something for the City. We need to look at the future and the
Youth Council was her suggestion because we have a growing population of young people
asking to participate and bring forth ideas. Commissioner Fishman noted that we need to
formalize our Educational Stakeholder Group. Commissioner Fishman agrees that we
need a committee to continue the planning of numerous Multi-Cultural/Diversity programs.
Parks & Recreation Director Warner said Coral Springs has a Multi-Cultural Committee
that promotes acceptance for all differences in the Community. Commissioner Gelin asked
for an Education Committee and a Police Review Board. Parks & Recreation Director
Warner and Community Development Director Calloway responded to questions from
Commissioner Gelin about residency requirements, who the members on the One
Tamarac Planning Committtee are and if a Planning Board member's residency had been
confirmed. Vice Mayor Placko said she was waiting for this discussion before appointing
anyone to fill the Planning Board, Parks & Recreation Board and the Public Art Committee.
Vice Mayor Placko said she thinks a Multi-Cultural Committee is a good idea and we have
to reach out to the community and let them know that moving forward that committee will
be permanent. Community Development Director Calloway and Parks & Recreation
Director Warner responded to questions from Vice Mayor Placko about the Planning
Board, Public Art Committee, the Parks & Recreation Board the Youth Council. Parks &
Recreation Director Warner responded to questions from Commissioner Bolton about the
Veterans Affairs Committee and the application and appointing process for that
Committee. Mayor Gomez asked Assistant City Attorney Horowitz to get together with
Parks & Recreation Director Warner and City Clerk Teufel to re-write the section of the
Code dealing with the Veterans Affairs Committee with the best plan and bring it back to
the Commission.
There was a discussion on the qualifications to be appointed to the Planning Board and
Community Development Director Calloway went over the list of qualifications contained in
the Code. Mayor Gomez asked if there was a way to make the Parks & Recreation Board
a stronger board. Parks & Recreation Director Warner suggested that the Commission get
a better connection with the members which would make the board more effective. Mayor
Gomez asked if there were any changes that need to be made to the Public Art
Committee. Community Development Director Calloway responded that our Public Art
Committee is consistent with those committees in Broward County, Coral Springs and
Pompano Beach. Mayor Gomez said we need to determine an age level for the Youth
Advisory Council and combine the Education Stakeholder Group into an Education
Page 3 of 4 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 20, 2019
Committee. Parks & Recreation Director Warner said a formal committee would make it by
Commission appointments which would be difficult because it is made up of teachers,
advisors and non-profit people from Broward County who do not reside in Tamarac. We
need to have the best people on the group and the Commission should not be appointing
them. Commissioner Gelin said he would like a Citizen Review Board to review Police
behavior and the BSO contract expires and this is something we should have before we
renew or move to creating our own Police Department.
Commissioner Gelin said staff needs to notify the Commission members to go out in the
community and promote the Boards and Committees. Mayor Gomez said we need to re-
advertise for the vacancies on the Planning Board, Parks & Recreation Board and the
Public Art Committee city-wide. There was a discussion about re-advertising Mayor
Gomez said there will be no changes to the procedures for the Public Art Committee and
the Parks & Recreation and we have asked for modifications for the Veterans Affairs
Committee.
7. Discussion on Banning Plastic Straws and Styrene - Commissioner Mike Gelin said he
would like to direct the City Attorney to draw up legislation to ban the use of plastic straws
and the use of Styrene products in Tamarac. Mayor Gomez said she is concerned about
taking this step without more information about how it will affect businesses in Tamarac.
Mayor Gomez said she believes a lot of this is the personal responsibility of individuals
and she is not for an all out ban and does not want the City Attorney to draft language.
Assistant City Attorney Horowitz said you will have to draft an ordinance that will provide
an implementation period, which would be effective immediately or in six months. Mayor
Gomez asked if we have any research as to how it would affect Tamarac businesses.
Assistant City Attorney Horowitz said they have not done research as it is a straight
forward action and suggested that staff, the Chamber of Commerce or Community
Development speak with local business owners. Commissioner Fishman said she would
like to see a cost analysis on the effects for small businesses. Mayor Gomez said we will
need to look into how it will affect the City and how we will enforce a ban. Mayor Gomez
asked if there is an alternative to a ban. Vice Mayor Placko said she would also like to see
more information on this, and asked what type of containers would be used for food.
Commissioner Fishman said she would like to see a discussion about Medical Marijuana
Dispensaries on a future workshop and Mayor Gomez asked City Manager Cernech to put
this on a future workshop agenda.
8. Other
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Gomez
adjourned the meeting at 4:24 p.m.
Patricia Teufel, C
City Clerk
Page 4 of 4 COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 20, 2019