HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-29 - City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCity of Tamarac
Regular City Commission Meeting - Minutes
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gomez called the Tuesday, Sept. 29,2020, Virtual City Commission
Meeting to order at 5.05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Vice Mayor Marlon Bolton, Commissioner Mike Gelin,
Commissioner Debra Placko and Commissioner Julie Fishman were present.
Also present were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, Assistant City Attorney Mike Cirullo and
City Clerk Jennifer Johnson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Mayor Bofton led the Pledge of Allegiance
PROCEDURES FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Assistant City Attomey, Mike Cirullo, provided details related to the authorization of virtual
meetings, as outlined in the Govemor's Executive Order 2C+62 and further extended by
Executive Order 20-193. Cirullo also outlined the public's right to access, and the need for
conducting a roll call vote for all items in the virtual environment.
City Manager Cernech provided an update on the City's phased approach to reopening
following Governor DeSantis' order. Cernech stated as plans to reopen become more
formalized, he would advise every one of the changes.
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 2020; providing for the levy of Ad Valorem in the amount of 7.2899 Mills
($7.2899 per $1,000) based upon the taxable value on non-exempt real and personal
property located within the City limits of the City of Tamarac; providing for conflicts;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
City Manager Cernech stated, 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 tentative operating millage rate of 7.2899 mills for Fiscal Year 2021 is .4964
mills or 7 .31% more than the rolled-back rate of 6.7935 mills. That concludes my
statement. Thank you, Madame Mayor.
Assistant City Attorney Cirullo read the title for the record
Mayor Gomez introduced lnterim Finance Director Christine Cajuste, and Budget
Manager Jeff Streder, who provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
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Mayor Gomez opened for public comments.
Clerk Johnson read the following comments for the record
1. \Mlliam MacFall, via email, Greeting, My name is William MacFall. My address is
8003 NW 75th Ave Tamarac. I am 54 years old, and a Tamarac resident for nearly
50 years.
I would like to comment publicly about my experience at the meeting taking place on
Tuesday September 29, 2020.
ln 2019 I spoke in detail about the HIV virus with city officials, and the dangers our
community faces.
HIV is a virus Broward County continues to struggle with today, and I hope our city
explores options to protect our community from all sexually transmitted diseases as
well as others that evolve in the future.
This year Broward County was faced with the Coronavirus, and the new challenges
this virus presents.
Though l'm impressed with our cities coronavirus response, our city must be better
prepared for all future health threats, and the extreme likelihood of
additional complications that follow.
To assist with the crisis our community faces today, I decided to enroll in an
experimental vaccine study for Covid-19.
This particular vaccine study consists of two injections, approximately one month
apart. The study is a "blind study." However, I received notification recently through a
separate blood draw - outside the Covid study - that I have developed antibodies to
Covid-19 after my first vaccine injection and weeks before the second.
I have never tested positive for Covid during any other examination or testing
There are side effects to all vaccines, but I did not experience any after the first
injection. However, after the second injection (booster) I did experience symptoms
that could be difficult to tolerate for those who receive the Covid vaccine.
I do understand the vaccine I am involved with is experimental.
Vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer, Moderna as well as many others vaccines have
similar side effects. Symptoms are likely to occur in any of the final vaccines
available to the public, and could pose additional challenges to our community if
thousands of individuals are given the vaccine injections in a short period of time.
"Mostly those one would expect from a vaccine injection, including soreness at the
injection site, fever, chills, headache, and muscle or joint pain."
Page 2 of 5 CITY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 29, 2020
Though, common pain relievers appear to control the severity of symptoms
associated with the vaccine, it's possible many could experience discomfort that may
requ ire emergency treatment.
I usually tolerate medications well, without any adverse effects. My symptoms began
the evening of the second injection (booster) and tapered off after 2 days.
Headaches, body aches, congestion were my chief complaints for days one and
two. I personally benefited from 600m9 of lbuprofen.
I hope the information I provided is helpful, and I suggest that our residents carefully
review their health care needs with their providers.
I encourage the City of Tamarac to prepare for the possibility of numerous residents
in need of emergency assistance once I vaccine is available to the public. lf the final
vaccine has any discomfort associated with its use, I suggest residents gather
essential items their health care providers recommend before supplies of those items
become limited.
Good luck,
VUilliam MacFall
2. Kenneth Hiteman, via email, Good afternoon, I have emailed in the past in reference
to the hotel being considered for a Woodmont. I think it's a honible idea to build a
hotel in a residential community. lt does not fit nor add value to our homes. lt will be
a magnet for prostitution and drug sales. lt adds no value. That and the fact it simply
does not aesthetically work in our community either. I hope you feel the same way. I
hope you will do everything you can to oppose this monstrosity as always thank you
for your help.
Regards, Kenneth Hiteman
3. Luis Lopez, via telephone. City staff attempted to reach Mr. Lopez but he was
unavailable.
Mayor Gomez closed public comment.
Commissioner Placko motioned to set the operating millage rate at 7.2899 mills which is
.4964 mills or 7.31o/o more than the rolled-back rate of 6.7935 mills. Commissioner
Fishman seconded.
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, which carried 4-1, with Commissioner Gelin
dissenting.
2. TO2435 - FY2O21 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 2021; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and
providing for an effective date.
Page 3 of 5 CITY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 29, 2020
City Manager Cernech stated the tentative operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year
2021 is $1U,292,023 which is $12,688,010 less than the Adopted Budget of
$196,980,033 for Fiscal Year 2020. The tentative general fund budget, which is the
primary fund for providing governmental services such as, our contract with BSO,
general and administrative services, public services, and parks and recreation, is
$70,871,351 which is $6,176,655 less than the Adopted Budget of $77,048,006 for
Fiscal Year 2020. ln 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. Thank you, Madame Mayor.
Assistant City Attorney Cirullo read the title for the record
Mayor Gomez introduced lnterim Finance Director Christine Cajuste, and Budget
Manager Jeff Streder, who provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Mayor Gomez opened for public comments
1 Luis Lopez, via telephone. City staff attempted to reach Mr. Lopez but he was
unavailable.
Mayor Gomez closed public comment.
Discussion by the Commission ensued related to the amount being designated for each
member of the Commission, it being a significant increase above the previous year,
travel for legislative purposes, the increased amount proposed being prior to having a
set of guidelines for spending approved, etc.
Vice Mayor Bolton motioned to adopt 102435. Commissioner Gelin seconded
Clerk Johnson conducted a roll call vote, which carried 4-1, with Mayor Gomez
dissenting.
There being no additional business to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at
6:23 p.m.
Minutes respectfully transcribed and submitted by City Clerk Jennifer Johnson.
Page 4 of 5 CITY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 29, 2020
Mi le J. Gomez, M
Note to the reader: The above signature is the City Clerk, of the City of Tamarac, Florida.
lf 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 Tuesday, Sept.
29,2020.
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. lf you
are a disabled person requinng 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 .
Page 5 of 5 CITY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 29, 2020