HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-17 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes • City of Tamarac
City Commission Budget Workshop - Minutes
Tuesday, June 17, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gomez called the Tuesday, June 17, 2020, City Commission
Budget Workshop, being held in Commission Chamber at 7525 NW 88th Avenue
Tamarac, Florida, 33321, and `virtual' to order at 9:05 a.m.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Julie Fishman, and
Commissioner Debra Placko were in attendance. Vice Mayor Bolton and Commissioner
E. Mike Gelin joined the meeting at 9:12 a.m. and 9:16 a.m. respectively.
Also present were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, City Attorney Samuel Goren and
City Clerk Jennifer Johnson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Gomez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Attorney Sam Goren updated the Commission on the virtual meeting procedures.
Goren stated that this meeting is a public meeting that will be conducted using
• Communications Media Technology (CMT), a rule that was adopted by the
Commission. This technology provides the public access to the meeting via Facebook
or through the City's website. Goren stated that the public does have a right of access
to the meeting but not to be in the room, to the extent that this is a workshop and per
section 2-34 of the City's code, the end result of that, there is no public comment, there
is public access. So, by virtue of the Commission sitting in the Chambers and the public
having access through CMT, that has been implemented by the City, the public have a
complete right of access. Goren stated that all the technological trapping of having this
meeting has been put in the place. Goren advised the Commission that if they have
questions for staff they may ask. However, the meeting is legally able to be conducted,
consistent with CMT access.
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City Manager Michael Cernech in his opening remarks gave an overview of the Budget •
process and stated that this meeting marks the beginning of the annual budget process.
He stated that each decision made by the Commission is critical and important, but this
year it is even more critical and the path the Commission chooses for the City will have
immediate repercussions and the effects will impact the City in years to come. Cernech
stated that if 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we need to be prepared for the
unknown. He reminded the Commission that as City leaders they have the responsibility
to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place; it works and is appropriately funded.
Cernech spoke about some of the challenges the City faced in the last year and how the
City worked to combat each issue. He also outlined everyone can be very proud of the
way city employees pulled together to meet all the challenges. He stated that with the
challenges faced, staff was innovative and ready to respond. Cernech stated that the
current state of COVID-19 will lead to a few years of uncertainty. He outlined that with
uncertainties we must be leaner and more strategic to continue to provide the high level
of service the residents have come to expect. Cernech stated that with all the
challenges, our residents are looking to us to lead and protect them, and this takes
courage. He stated that this is the time for uncommon leadership, and that the budget
brought forward reflects what it will take to prudently administer to those we serve and
recognize the hardship faced today. In closing, Cernech stated that we need to be
prepared to face the need of our residents and that as presentations are made to the
Commission, they must think about where the city has been over the last year and be
reminded nothing is promised as there is no idea of what tomorrow will bring. •
1. FY 2021 Proposed Budget
Interim Finance Director, Christine Cajuste and Budget Manager, Jeff Streder
gave a presentation, a copy which is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Discussion ensued with questions and comments from the Commission relating
to funding, gas tax revenues, staffing, training, travel, and the millage rate. Jeff
Streder responded to the questions from the Commission.
Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 11:18 a.m. reconvened at 11:34 a.m. with
Commission Fishman and Commission Placko being present. Vice Mayor Bolton and
Commissioner Gelin joined the meeting at 11:35 a.m.
2. Presentation of Department Budgets
Chief Building Official, Claudio Grande, gave a presentation, a copy of which is
on file in the City Clerk's Office.
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• Discussion ensued with questions from the Commission relating to the Tamarac
Village project, flood maps, and Woodmont maintenance permits. Mr. Grande
responded to the questions from the Commission.
Executive Officer, Lieutenant Phillips from the Broward Sherriff's Office gave a
presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued by the Commission relating to ownership of the proposed
equipment, matching budget funds, speed trailer license plate reader, patrol
bicycles, patrol officers, equipment for the police gym, mental health evaluation
and training of officers, an alliance program, and police zones. Lieutenant Phillips
and Captain Cirminiello responded to the questions from the Commission.
Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 12:28 p.m. reconvened at 1:32 p.m.
City Clerk Jennifer Johnson gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the
City Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued with questions from the Commission relating to Charter
• board, public records requests, and legal advertising. City Clerk Johnson
responded to the questions from the Commission.
Assistant City Manager, Kathleen Gunn, Assistant to the City Manager, Laura
Karpaviciute and Economic Development Manager, Lori Funderwhite gave a
presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued with questions from the Commission relating to online class
opportunities from Broward College, supporting local business initiatives, the
`Savor the Flavor' event, small business assistance, PPE (Paycheck Protection
Program) loans, estimated return on investment from retail and real estate
shows, opportunity at Metro Diner plaza, big businesses engagement, surveying
of businesses to see how many have received funding from the CARES Act, and
buying local. Ms. Funderwhite responded to the questions from the Commission.
Senior Strategic Communications Officer, Elise Boston gave a presentation, a
copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
There was no discussion on this matter.
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Community Development Director, Maxine Calloway gave a presentation, a copy •
of which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued with questions from the Commission relating to vacation
rentals, Tamarac amphitheater village project, signage and registration program,
food trucks, community signage, rental, and mortgage assistance and public art.
Ms. Calloway responded to the questions from the Commission.
Fire Chief, Percy Sayles gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City
Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued with questions and comments from the Commission relating
to hurricane preparedness, impacts due to COVID-19, cuts in the education
budget for the Fire Department, SAFER grant, hiring and hiring timelines for
firefighters, number of fires responded to for the current year, number of calls
received in the Fire Department, response zones, merging services with other
cities, and travel budget for department. Chief Sayles and Grants Manager
Michael Gresek responded to the questions from the Commission.
Mayor Gomez recessed the meeting at 3:50 p.m. reconvened at 4:09 p.m.
Mayor Gomez took consensus from the Commission for the continuation of the meeting,
all were in favor.
Human Resources Director, Lerenzo Calhoun gave a presentation, a copy of
which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
There was discussion on this matter.
Information Technology Director, Levent Sucuoglu gave a presentation, a copy of
which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued with questions and comments from the Commission relating
to system upgrades in the Commission Chambers and the age of the current
system. Director Sucuoglu responded to the questions from the Commission.
Parks and Recreations Director, Greg Warner gave a presentation, a copy of
which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
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• Discussion ensued with questions and comments from the Commission relating
to attendance at the food drive, covering for equipment at Tephford Park,
services being offered, park rangers, `Light Up The East' event, Caporella Park
project, and virtual board meetings. Director Warner responded to questions from
the Commission.
Public Services Director, Jack Strain gave a presentation, a copy of which is on
file in the City Clerk's office.
Discussion ensued with questions from the Commission relating to Veterans
Park parking lot project, the memorial wall project, Tuscany Villas, creating a
resiliency plan, the 70th St. traffic calming project, and the sports complex
concession project. Director Strain and Director Greg Warner responded to the
questions from the Commission.
3. Adjournment
City Manager in his closing remarks thanked the Commission, the budget team
and everyone that worked on the budget. Cemech also stated the point of
resiliency given by the Commission is well taken and stated that the city has
• great resiliency plans at the department level, but not a combined plan. He also
stated that the city is aggressively pursuing grant opportunities at both the federal
and state levels. Cernech urged the Commission to think on the day's
proceedings and share anything they think should be added or taken from to the
budget.
There being no additional business to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at
5:50 p.m.
Minutes respectfully transcribed and submitted by Assistant City Clerk, Kimberly Dillon.
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Kimberly)Jillon
Assistant City Clerk
AP R VED A ' TO GAL FORM
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Michelle J. Gomez, Mayor- f OFFICE OF TH CIT ATTORNEY
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Note to the reader: The above signature is the City Clerk, of the City of Tamarac, •
Florida. If the minutes you have received are not signed, or completed as
indicated above, they are not the official minutes of the Tamarac City
Commission meeting held Thursday, Thursday, June 17, 2020.
Pursuant to Chapter 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any
decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at such
meeting or hearing, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is
made which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is
based.
The City of Tamarac complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you are a disabled person requiring any accommodations or assistance, please notify
the City Clerk's Office at (954) 597-3505 of such need at least 48 hours (2 days) in
advance. Additionally, if you are hearing or speech impaired and need assistance, you
may contact the Florida Relay Service at either of the following numbers: 1-800-955-
8770 or 1-800-955-8771.
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