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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-11-15 Workshop City Commission Meeting MinutesROLL GALL: Commissioners: City Manager: City Attorney: City Clerk: Absent: Mayor: Vice Mayor: M!NUTES DANIA CIIY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING NOVEMBER 15, !994 John Bertino Bill Hyde Albert Jones Robert Flatley Frank Adler Wanda Mullikin Robert Mikes Bobbie Grace 1. FAU Proposal for SeaFair Karla Coleman, Vice President-University Relations FAU, mentioned efforts by FAU to meet with numerous individuals, groups, civic associations, businesses and inform public information outlets, such as local newspapers and cable television, to provide information on their proposal for an Ocean Engineering Center at Seafair. Ms. Coleman advised that there appears to be general widespread support in Dania for the concept of FAU's project and asked for an opportunity to explain how Dania will be compensated for the loss in tax revenue. Dr. Stan Dunn, Chairman of FAU Ocean Engineering Depanment, explained that Seafair would be changed to SeaTech Center for Ocean Technology. A slide presentation was conduced pointing out the marina area, major port facilities to the nonh, intercoastal waterway to the east and the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. Dr. Dunn explained that the site provides the best location to the ocean and major transponation systems for an ideal ocean engineering facility. FAU would bring the best research programs from the Boca Raton campus that would include 18 professional researchers with PHD's in Engineering and Science, 15 engineers, and some 30 graduate students active in research. The budget would be on the order of 5 million dollars and the project would involve some of the best proiect sponsors in the United States including the US Navy, NOAA, NASA, NSF Q',lational Science 1WORKSHOP MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 1994 P resent: BENEFITS TO THE CITY. 2WORKSHOP MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 1994 Foundation), and A[(PA (Advanced Research Program Agency). Dr. Dunn advised that research Programs would include the autonomous underwater vehicle, marine acoustics sonar, marine materials, and high definition TV. He mentioned their intentions to conducr acousric tests on the Seafair building to determine if the structure could be used in the future for lectures, technical meetings and symphony performances. Charles Seaman mentioned that the project proposal must take into consideration the separate lease interests of Aragon Group, Dania Citizens and FAU. He clarified that FAU has decided that they need the area known as the point out on the intercoastal to be included in the research center. Mr. Seaman stated that the City would gain revenue from the 80 slip marina, the two parking areas along the marina and the wave runner tenant area. FAU is asking the City to extend the lease for a period of at least 40 years for the State to acquire an interest for the Seafair improvements. In lieu of the annual lease payments, which are currenrly due and paid by Aragon, the City would accept an asset transfer either in terms of title or proceeds from the revenues generated from the three parcels of land equaling or exceeding the revenues being paid by Aragon Group. Aragon Group would convey to FAU its lease hold interest and all the improvements and FAU would then convey to the City, or in whatever form the City wished to have it conveyed, or a third pany concessionaire (still to be worked out), for those marina slips and propenies being operated on an ongoing basis to generate revenue. He mentioned that there appears to be interest from the public to make more improvements at the beach and that there is discussion about acquiring two parcels of land to the Nonh owned by Holll,wood for a future Amphitheater. Mr. Seaman reminded the Commission that a significant number of revenue sources were identified when he presented the Aquarium project for Mr. Stephen Snyder, Aragon Group, a few years ago and that the engineering center will be a positive impact on the beach. r Dania's Seafair facility goes from being a sorely underutilized facility into something that is ongoing, positive and beneficial to the community;o FAU's project will stabilize and reinforce the City's investments in the pier and proposed restaurant projects at the beach;o Dania benefits because people who work and visit the beach will help to support the beach;o Dania has an opportunity to become a focal pon for marine resources throughout the south county;r Dania has a good chance for a commercial success since it has been shown that successful economic development programs around the country are due to research institutions developing technologies like FAU;. Dania will gain job and economic spin-offs based on a 5 million dollar budget;o FAU/Dania Pannership will increase technology and education for the community;o Dania would attain national identity with future submarine races and maritime activities being hosted at the beach;o FAU and Aragon my fund future amenities at the beach; MARINA AND PARKING PROJECTED REVENUES Based on market research and data, Mr. Seaman presented a graph showing linear foot rentals going from $4.00 per foot to $12.00 per foot based on the lowest in water range ro a medium point and parking revenues starting with $1.00 a day per space running up to $2.00 a day per space. He was confident that there is an opportunity to genertte a revenue stream to the City which is roughly what is currently being paid in the form of taxes and annual lease paymenrs. Commissioner Hyde questioned Mr. Seaman on his proposal that there are 80 boat slips based on his understanding that there are only 28 rental slips available. Mr. Seaman stated that Aragon Group provided him with information on 96 boat slips of which 16 slips would be allocated to FAU and 93 parking spaces on the south and east and 131 spaces to the north. Mr. Adler advised Mr. Seaman that Aragon Group has been violating the lease as there is a ban on DOT parking spaces in accordance with the lease. Commissioner Benino suggested that FAU look into the possibility of using the Pier structure and renting office space from the Seafair Building to agencies as sources of revenue to the City. FAU agreed to look into these suggestions. Commissioner Hyde questioned whether an appraisal has been conducted on the propeny. Ms. Coleman advised that FAU hopes to have a state approved appraiser hired by mid- December and that information on the value of the land and building will most likely not be available until after the holidays. Mr. Seaman clarified that Aragon Group has agreed to include funding possibilities for additional amenities at the beach as part oftheir current negotiations. Commissioner Jones expressed his disappointment that the City did not benefit from the first Aragon Group/Saturday Corporation lease and felt that there is a need to ensure that the City is protected from this happening again. Mr. Seaman understood the City's disappointment with the Seafair Lease but reminded the public that Aragon Group committed an enormous amount of money to the City and that the return on their money has been just as disappointing as the rent payments to the City. City Attorney Adler confirmed that Aragon Group will lose lease rights once they enter into a lease agreement with FAU. The Commission generally agreed to have the City Manager continue negotiations with FAU for a better proposal and to allow the public to comment at this time. Vincent Carroll recommended to include the FAU proposal as a Referendum on the March election ballot. Attorney Adler clarified for Jay Field that the lease assignment is necessary from Aragon Group in order for FAU to proceed with their project. WORKSHOP MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 19943 2. City Manager Flatley presented ordinances from the cities of Oakland Park, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Largo regarding the establishment of a Stormwater Utility fee. Marie Jabalee, Finance Director, explained that an engineering study would have to be conducted to establish the areas and fees that Dania could charge based on the Master Plan. She estimated that the City could generate around $250,000 ro $300,000 a year with the fees and that the study would cost around $25,000. Finance Director Jabaiee menrioned that the City has already invested around $15,000 in the NPDES study on storm water runoff under the Clean $(ater Act. Commissioner Benino mentioned that the City is forced to abide by the Clean \7ater Act and that the cost to comply should come from the fees. City Attorney Adler mentioned that St. Petersburg calculated their fees on impervious areas by using a single family residence as a unit basis and then they charge a percentage of the single family amount on mobile homes and condominiums. Mr. Adler stated that the City can obtain the square footage from the Tax Assessors office so that the actual propeny does not have to be measured to keep costs down. The Commission agreed to have City Attorney Adler draw up an ordinance on the rmPervlous areas. 3. City Manager Flatley mentioned that a draft ordinance on fire alarms has been prepared due to the need to address the problem with alarms going off in southwest and southeast sections of the City. Mr. Adler advised that BSO should be the agency to enforce the ordinance and not the Code Enforcement Department as stated in the dra{t ordinance. Deputy Linda Stanton, BSO, mentioned that Lt. Anton would like to change the time limit of 30 minutes to reset the alarms to 15 minutes to reset and to implement the use of a special form for each false alarm. Discussion followed on when an individual wouid be cited and the amount to charge for each false alarm. Commissioner Benino felt that there is a need to define and prove alarm malfunction in order to enforce this ordinance and that the City does not want to discourage businesses and residences from installing alarms for their safety. The Commission generally agreed to have Ken Land, Fire Depanment, and Lt. Anton, BSO, work on the language changes to include 3 violations before a person is charged and that alarms be equipped for no longer than fifteen minutes for reset. 4. Commissioner Hyde advised that the City of Hollywood has asked the City to pay over a half million dollars for their gray water. He suggested to continue this item until the City can respond to the unacceptable offer. 5. City Manager Flatley mentioned that with the elections coming up in the spring that there is a need to fill \fanda Mullikin's position as City Clerk. Mr. Flatiey advised that 4WORKSHOP MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 1994 'Wanda has been handling allot of specialized projects for him over the past few years beyond her clerk responsibilities. He suggested to change the way the minutes for the City Commission are taken by having Charlene Saltalamacchia, City Clerk Depanment, attend each meeting and type notes into a computer terminal to save time. Mr. Flatley recommended to appoint Marie Jabalee, Finance Director, into the City Clerk position based on her experience as Deputy City Clerk since 7979 and CMC (Certi{ied Municipal Clerk) Certification. He felt that Marie could move into the position very easily and that the City could save money because she is an existing employee. Commissioner Bertino mentioned that the City Clerk position has changed over the years and has been downgraded to a clerk position. 'Wanda Mullikin, City Clerk, stressed the need to recognize that the City Clerk position rs an important function of the City and that Marie Jabalee is qualified and competent for the position. Wanda recommended to merge the two departments and give Marie additional help in the Finance Department in order to deai with the transition of her retirement. W'anda reminded the Commission that her position was never completely separated from the financial responsibilities of the City and that the Commission may want to consider hiring an accountant in the Finance area. Commissioner Benino asked for an exact list of duties from the Finance Director and City Clerk so that the Commission can decide whether they need an accountant or not. Commissioner Jones felt that there is a need to advertise for the position for other applicants as well as looking at Marie for the job. $(anda Mullikin mentioned that there is a need to have a person on board by December 1 who is trained in handling the upcoming election. Commissioner Hyde stated that this issue is a good argument for turning the hiring and firing of Department Heads over to the City Manager. The Commission decided to omit the ordinance relating to 10,000 square feet as the issue was basically covered in a recent ordinance securing vacant commercial buildings. 5 NOVEMBER 15, 1994 6. Commissioner Jones mentioned that the ordinance providing for the securing of vacant commercial buildings containing 1O,0OO or more square feet of floor space should be removed and to include wording relating to buildings that cause an adverse impact to the community. City Attorney Adler asked for clarification on what to include in the ordinance since he thought that the Commission only wanted to deal with commercial properties not residential properties. Discussion followed on problems that occurred with the Chateau DeVille property. WORKSHOP MEETING This workshop meetlng adiourned. City 6WORKSHOP MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 1994