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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-11-08 Regular City Commission Meeting MinutesUINUTES DANIA ClrY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING ilovEMBER 8, 1994 lNvocATloN BY ctTY MANAGER, ROBERT F. FLATLEY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Vice Mayor: Commissioners City Manager: City Attorney: Deputy City Clerk: Bob Mikes Bobbie Grace John Bertino Bill Hyde Albert Jones Robert Flatley Frank Adler Marie Jabalee Mayor Mikes explained that the cake replicating the Nyberg/Swanson House was donated by Grampa's Bakery in conjunction with the City's 9fth Birthday Celebration and Pioneer Days that took place from November 4 through 6. *Binhday Gift from Dania Civic Association Tony Stevens, Dania Civic Association, presented the City of Dania with a clock for the Commission Chambers for the City's 90th Birthday. Mayor Mikes thanked the Dania Civic Association for their thoughtfulness and for their efforts on behalf of the City. *Red Ribbon Awards Deputy Pato, BSO, awarded the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for the Red Ribbon Program: Olsen Middle School: 3rd Place - Tara Endres 2nd Place - Naomi Harbutuk lst Place - Deanna McWilliams 1REGUIAR MEEIING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 PRESENTATIONS Dania Elementary: 3rd Place - Mrs. uflalsh's Group Arati Maharaj Paul Newbecker 2nd Place Mr. Aguilar's Group Milisav Nastevski Stanley Gillen 1st Place Mrs. Kennedy's Group Jody Bebon Ednal Novembre A representative from Dania Elementary explained that Meredith Rumble was responsible for most ofthe efforts to get the children involved in the program and that she was unable to attend tonight's function. He accepted the awards on behalf of the children and Dania Elementary School. Collins Elementary: Daniel Thompson -3rd Place Malcolm King - 2nd Place Voncia Bozeman - 1st Place At this time, children from Collins Elementary came forward to read poetry stressing the need to "Say No To Drugs". Deputy Pato expressed his appreciation to the principals, teachers and students at the schools. He presented plaques of Appreciation to Olsen Middle School and Dania Elementary and gave particular acknowledgment to Mrs. \(ard, Collins Elementary, for her efforts in the Red Ribbon Program. Lt. Anton, BSO, commended Deputy Pato for his tireless effons in coordinating the events for the "Red Ribbon" program and thanked the Kiwanis Club for providing the funding for the trophies and plaques for the schools. Vice Mayor Grace acknowledged Mrs. Cynthia Anderson, Principal, Collins Elementary School. 2REGULAR MEEIING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Mrs. Braverman's Group Liram Sustiel Margarie Vismonte +"Steppin Out in the Nineties" Vice Mayor Grace expressed appreciation to the Cultural Affairs Committee for their help in the "Steppin Out in the Nineties" event. She extended a special thank you to Jay Field for his help in the event and Committee involvement on her behalf. Vice Mayor Grace mentioned that Charlie McKenna is a dedicated employee and presented him with a special commendation for his help in the event. *BSO Deputy of Month Lt. Anton, BSO, reported that the "Deputy of the Month" award is being presented to Detective Bob Landerville for his distinguished performance in solving recent burglaries in Dania. *Fire Administrative Report Battalion Chief, Mike Bernardo, reponed 744 fire and 290 medical rescue calls for the month of October vzhich involved a total fire loss of $20,100. He mentioned that a Fire Safety Poster Contest was held with Olsen Middle, Dania Elementary and Collins Elementary Schools as pan of the Fire Prevention \7eek activities. The theme of the contest was "Test Your Deteoor for Life" and the contest winners from the 142 entries are as follows: Lareithae Johnson -Collins Elementary Daniel Thompson-Collins Elementary Palia Torez-Dania Elementary Jenifer Lampkin-Dania Elementary Sherrine Petridor-Olsen Middle Daniel Harrington-Olsen Middle Battalion Chief Bernardo explained that the Fire Depanment provided Public Education Presentations for Camp Blanding Day Care, Peterman's School, Learn and Smile Day Care, Dania Elementary Kinderganen and 2nd Grade and that this included a video on fire safety and fire rescue vehicles were displayed. Battalion Chief Bernardo presented the "3rd Quaner EMS Award" to Firefighter,/Paramedic Robert Basic for his outstanding services to Dania and the Fire Department. EMPLOYEE PRESENTATIONS \flERE HEARD AFTER ITEM 8.4 City Manager Flatley explained the accomplishments of the following individuals while presenting them plaques for their efforts in making the 9Oth Binhday Celebration a success: BSO - Lt. Anton Ed Tarmey. Fire Department Dan Oyler, City Planner 3REGULAR MEE]ING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Rose Marie Marco, Recreation Dept. Mike Smith, Personnel Director Lou Ann Cunningham, Growth Management Department Leo Villiams, Public \Works Superintendent \(ill Allen, Growth Management Director The Commission expressed their appreciation to the employees who parcicipated in the event and to all Dania employees for their dedication to the City of Dania. Mayor Mikes mentioned that a list of volunteers that were involved in the event will be presented at the next meeting. City Manager Flatley presented a special commendation plaque to Ifiill Allen, Growth Management Director, for his extensive involvement in coordinating and planning the City's Birthday event. Mr. Allen mentioned that there were many employees who assisted him in the event and expressed appreciation to the Commission for recognizing the employees who devoted their time. THE COMMISSION RETURNED TO APPOINTMENTS ON THE AGENDA AFTER THE EMPLOYEE PRESENTATIONS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Mikes pulled item 1.5 from the Consent Agenda. 1. CONSENTAGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Hyde, seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of item 1.5. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Commissioner Bertino - yes Commissioner Jones - yes Mayor Mikes - yes 1.5 Commissioner Jones felt that the ordinance securing vacant commercial buildings with ten thousand (10,000) or more square feet may be too restrictive by eliminating some properties that may cause a public safety problem. Commissioner Hyde clarified that the ordinance does include apartment buildings, hotels, motels, mobile home parks and other housing complexes and that the ordinance is now including commercial buildings containing 10,000 square feet of floor space. 4REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Commissioner Hyde - yes Vice Mayor Grace - yes A motion was made by Commissioner Hyde, seconded by Commissioner Jones to adopt the ordinance on first reading and to continue discussion to the November 15 workshop prior to second reading on November 22. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Commissioner Bertino - yes Commissioner Jones - yes Mayor Mikes - yes Commissioner Hyde - yes Vice Mayor Grace - yes 3. 4. 5. 2. PROCLAMATIONS Addendum 2.1 Commissioner Bertino read the proclamation declaring "Merita Mitchell Day" November 19,1994. He explained his personal experience working with Merita Mitchell and commended her expenise in working with children. BIDS - none PUBLIC HEARINGS -none CITIZENS' COMMENTS 5.1 Bob Adams expressed his displeasure with comments made by Mayor Mikes at the October 25 Regular Commission Meeting where Mayor Mikes questioned the accuracy a letter he wrote in the Reporter Newspaper. Mr. Adams stated that Mayor Mikes has made reference that the City's Airpon Attorneys were told by some unidentified entiry to recommend approval of the Interlocal Agreement on the airport expansion, Mr. Adams accused Mayor Mikes' of misleading the public with statements that the Marina Mile property was never a pan of the properties being annexed to the City in the agreement. He encouraged the public to verify the accnrtcy of his statement by reviewing the section of the Interlocal Agreement that clearly states that the Marina Mile property was, in fact, one of the parcels of valuable land being annexed. Mr. Adams continued to say that Mayor Mikes' resorts to personal inveoives against anyone who dares to disagree with pursuing the lawsuit opposing the airpon expansion and that Mayor Mikes uses his position on the Commission to attempt to defame the character o{ persons who disagree with him. Mr. Adams commented on the damage that can be done when untrue statements are spread around long enough to where people believe it as the truth. He asked Mayor Mikes to put to rest his statements that Commissioner Jones and Vice Mayor Grace do not care about the residents of Dania because they voted in favor of the Interlocal Agreement. 5REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Mayor Mikes advised Mr. Adams that he referred to some letters to the editor, that he never mentioned any names and that it was the Marina Bay property not Marina Mile property that he referred to in his comments at the October 25 meeting. Mayor Mikes explained that the Marina Bay property was the largest tax paying parcel being considered and was removed from the Interlocal Agreement way before it came to the City Commission for action. Mayor Mikes stated his opinion that the Interlocal Agreement was going to cause the City to lose a six figure amount of revenue by deannexinggT rcres east of the a;irpon. Mayor Mikes stated that the Reporter Newspaper is dominated by three potential candidates for election who are writing letters under the name of a previous Commissioner and that this needs to be made clear to the public. Mayor Mikes felt that the Commission took on an obligation to protect those neighborhoods out west from the Broward County Airport expansion when the voluntarily annex took place a few years ago. Mayor Mikes stated that the County wanted Dania to deannex the 97 acres to remove Dania's power in the DRI process and that they wanted the City to sell out the residents impacted by the expansion. Vice Mayor Grace asked Mayor Mikes to identi{y the three Commissioners who he says are being asked by the County to sell out the neighborhoods being impacted by the airpon? Mayor Mikes responded by restating that the Interlocal Agreement provided a cenain amount of money to give up the City's development rights that would protect the impacted neighborhoods. Mayor Mikes mentioned that the Interlocal Agreement and employee raises were provided by addendum on the same night and that it was coincidental that both items amounted to just under $200,000. Vice Mayor Grace asked Mayor Mikes to clarify if he is saying that Commissioners are trading off items? Mayor Mikes felt that it looked like this to some people when there were only two items delivered to each Commissioner and one was a revenue benefit and the other was a cost item to the City. Vice Mayor Grace reminded Mayor Mikes that the City's Airpon Attorneys negotiated the Interlocal Agreement that was brought to the Commission for action and that they advised the City that the Interlocal Agreement was probably the best deal. SITE PLANS -none EXPENDITURE REQUESTS 7 .1 City Manager Flatley reported that Ed Cunis agreed that the Edgewood Civic Association charge for $12O.OO on the last invoice was billed in error and should be removed from the charges. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Grace, seconded by Commissioner Hyde to approve the invoice from Curtis & Curits for $6,920.57 which removes the $120.00 over charge. 6 7 REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 19946 Commissioner Benino stated that when something is stated incorrectly and people hear it long enough that people begin to believe it is true. He stressed the need to dispel the rumors around the City that the Airpon Attorneys are overcharging, rhar they are paid too much and that money is being paid illegally to them. City Manager Flatley stated that records are open for review by the public, that every bill is checked by himself and the City Commission, and that everything is done in fuIl view of the public. Mayor Mikes added that the bills are also reviewed by the Airport Advisory Board members. Marie Jabalee, Finance Director, advised that Curtis & Curtis has received around $69,000 ofthe $135,000 so far expended for all airpon consulting services. Commissioner Jones clarified for the public that he voted no to spending money ro pursue rhe airpon litigation because he felt that there was a need to hire new attorneys for a fresh legal approach. Commissioner Jones clarified that this is no reflection upon Ed Cunis or Earl Gallop as they are fine attorneys. He thought a person should be respected for their right to have a difference of opinion and that the Commission should stop being reactive and be more proactive for better results. Mayor Mikes mentioned that the City wasted money on legal fees when they allowed the negotiation period with the County and that the City needs to continue to protect its rights through the litigation. Commissioner Hyde notified the public that once the City deannexes property that it is deannexed forever and the revenue stream will not return. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Commissioner Bertino - yes Commissioner Jones - no Mayor Mikes - yes Commissioner Hyde - yes Vice Mayor Grace - no 8. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 8.1 Vice Mayor Grace mentioned that the City receives around $90,000 a year from the Harbour Towne lease and that there may be a need to renegotiate the lease with Vegas Express since business is going so well. The Commission agreed to include this on the next workshop meeting. 8.2 City Attorney Adler recommended to workshop the Occupational License Commrttee recommendation relating to amending city code on license fees. City Manager Flatley advised that Eula Gardner brought in more than $150,000 over last year's pro,iected figure for Occupational License fees. He thought that the revenue increase is based on the fee increases in the ordinance and Eula Gardner's diligence in performing her job. City Attorney Adler mentioned that the City has also been able to track down persons owing occupational license fees through the exchange of information agreement with the State. 7REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Home Occupational Licenses: Eula Gardner, Growth Management Department, reported that there have been no violations from any of the 23 Home Occupational Licensees and that 4 or 5 applications are currently pending issuance. Ms. Gardner mentioned thar the Home Occupational License Ordinance will be fonhcoming for review. 8.3 City Attorney Adler presented the Request for Proposal for a temporary bait shop and food concession for the Dania Pier. He recommended to change the submission of the proposal from the Purchasing Division to the City Clerk Department in the RFP. City Manager Flatley mentioned that new changes were added to the RFP by the City's two consultants and that advertisement will go out to all of the bait and tackle shops in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties. Commissioner Hyde {elt that the list of requirements may be too difficult for a temporary operation and that the wording should be changed to suggested requirements instead for more flexibility. Mayor Mikes suggested to make it "Requirements and Other Considerations of the Vendor". The Commission made no changes and agreed to send the RFP out. Commissioner Bertino suggested to have the City operate the temporary bait shop at the beach and the Commission generally agreed to avoid this option if at al1 possible based on past experience. 8.4 City Manager Flatley recommended to send out a letter in response to Fort Lauderdale's voluntary annexation proposal to acquire 197 acres in the Port and that property owners should know the following factual information: . Dania has not increased tax millage since 1988 and Fort Lauderdale has increased by 12olo. Fort Lauderdale has 2 employees per 1,000 population and Dania has 1 employee per i,OOO popuiation o Dania is extremely lean on bureaucracy and easy to work with compared to Fort Lauderdale as it relates to the businessman . Dania will dredge the South Fork of the New River for the Marina Mile properties whether they are annexed to Davie, Fort Lauderdale or remain unincorporated City Attorney Adler mentioned that Fort Lauderdale's City Manager, George Hanbury, refers to Dania as a Town and he needs to know that Dania is a full pledged City. Mr. Flatley mentioned that Senator Jenne and Representative MacKenzie have been advised of the situation and Dania needs to be protected from losing the tax base. Commissioner Bertino recommended to obtain a financial statement on Fort Lauderdale's financial status to compare with Dania's financial position for the public. Further comments related to Dania's efforts to revitalize the Marina Mile area and how disappointing to have it taken by Fort Lauderdale. It was noted that the revitalization costs were covered by the increase in propeny tax base in the area. 8REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 AT THIS TIME, A PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEES \TAS HEARD 9. APPOINTMENTS 9.1 Appointment of 2 members to the Airpon Advisory Board continued to the next regular meeting. 9.2 Appointment of 1 member to the Unsafe Structures Board continued to the next regular meeting. 9.3 Appointment of 1 member to the Downtovrn Redevelopment Agency continued to the next regular meeting. 9.4 Appointment of 2 members to the Cultural Affairs Committee continued to the next regular meeting. 10. ADMINISTRATIVEREPORTS City Manager 10.1 City Manager Flatley commented on the items that will be discussed at the workshop meeting on November 15, 1994. City Attorney - no comments 11.1 CommissionerBertino Commissioner Benino commented on the recent election and expressed appreciation to the civic organizations who joined together to help in the 9fth Binhday event. He suggested the idea of conducting the event on an annual basis since it was so successful. 17.2 Commissioner Hvde Commissioner Hyde commended the members of the Dania Historical Society for coordinating the Pioneer Days event with the City's 9Oth Binhday event. Commissioner Hyde asked to include discussion of the City Manager having power to hire and fire department heads on a future agenda. 9REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 1994 9.5 Appointment of 1 member to the Dania Housing Authority continued to the next regular meeting. 11. COMMISSTONCOMMENTS 71.3 CommissionerJones Commissioner Jones mentioned the positive benefits to the communiry ro see everyone working together on the City's 90th Binhday Celebration but felt that the media was responsible for leaving out some black history that should have been included in the event. Commissioner Jones asked the City Manager to provide him with a status reporr on the dock for the 14th Terrace park. 77.4 Vice Mavor Grace Vice Mayor Grace mentioned that the sewer vacuum cleaning truck in now operational which should help in the drainage problems in the City and asked that the sidewalks be cut back on NW' 1 Street/5th Avenue and Mizell Blvd,/sth Avenue. Vice Mayor Grace notified the public that the United Methodist Church will be having a concert on November 18 at 7:30 p.m. and asked Commissioner Jones to see if Reverend Barr could be contacted to provide a choir for the event. She mentioned that she will not be able to attend the November 15 u7orkshop Meeting. Vice Mayor Grace reponed that the King Center from Atlanta will be in town on November 17 and 18. Their workshop will be held at the Airport Hilton at 8:30 a.m. on the 17th with the reception following at 5:30 p.m. and their banquet will be on November 18 at 7:30 p.m. 11.5 Mavor Mikes Mayor Mikes asked Code Enforcement to handle the problem with ^ catam^r^n boat that is being used for diving purposes on the Dania Cut-off canal. Mr. Flatley reponed that BSO is conducting an investigation into the problem. Mayor Mikes suggested the City cooperate with the newly founded civic association in the southwest section to crack down on crime. Mayor Mikes mentioned how professional everphing went with the 90th Binhday Celebration but didn't feel it is feasible to have the event each year as suggested by Commissioner Bertino. Further comments related to the cost beinB covered by donations from businesses and the possibility of making it a smaller event. This regular meetinEl adiourned. MAYOR.COMM IONERa,-,"/rZl*r*4; CIIY CLERK-AUDITOR REGULAR MEETING 10 NOVEMBER 8, 1994