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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-15 Workshop City Commission Meeting MinutesMIilUTES DANIA CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEEflNG FEBRUARY 15, 1994 ROLL CALL: Present: Vice Mayor: Commissioners: City Manager: City Attorney: City Clerk: Bob Mikes John Bertino (late) Bill Hyde Albert Jones Robert Flatley Frank Adler Wanda Mullikin Absent Mayor Bobbie Grace 1. Y/ill Allen, Growh Management Direoor, described the location of the proposed motocross track on the 11.66 acres located on Tram Road and Collins Road requested by South Florida Sports Committee, Inc.. Mr. Allen advised that a text change would be needed to the Broward County Code to allow motocross as a Special Exception in a Light Industrial M-l zoning district and additional requirements would need to be addressed once the text changed is approved. Mr. Allen advised that several people spoke in favor and opposition at the February 8 meeting and that the primary concern is noise impact. The Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval with several conditions. Tom Laubenthal, Landscape Architect of CAD Landscape Inc. on behalf of South Florida Spons Committee, Inc., expressed his appreciation to the Commission for being allowed the opponunity to present funher technical and business information on the positive impact that the motocross track would provide for the area and community. Mr. Laubenthal provided a tape recording of motocross racing, background information on South Florida Spons Committee, Inc. and intentions to promote Air-Dania Motocross Park, Inc. He explained the method used to test the noise impao at the site on Sunday which proved a zero decibel reading and noted that the test was done without the proposed landscaping and berm improvements. Mr. Laubenthal stated that the technical noise report will be made available from the audiologist who conducted the test and that a fuIl spectrum of motorcycles were used. Mr. Laubenthal then responded to Commission questions regarding the project. 1WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 15, 1994 \(ill Allen advised that the previous owner used the property for a dump by cluttering it with hundreds of thousands of tires, wrecked cars, concrete structures, and asphalt tanks and that the petitioner spent several thousands of dollars to clean the propeny. Mr. Laubenthal agreed to operations restrictions in the beginning until the necessary property platting can be accomplished and agreed to being taxed for police services. He mentioned that the proposed track would be used for racers to obtain points to qualify for AMA National competitions but that the track would not qualify as a national track. Vice Mayor Mikes mentioned his concerns that the track is located in an airport approach area and Brian Penick, President of South Florida Sports Committee, Inc., advised that their lighting plan has been approved by the FAA. Mr. Laubenthal mentioned that AMA and their insurance carrier, KNK, requires them to provide their own police and emergency services and to keep all AMA statistical information on the racing that takes place. Funher comments related to egress/ingress, parking plans, traffic impact, employment, and days of operation for the site. For the public, Mr. Allen advised that first reading ofthe text change ordinance for the motocross is scheduled {or February 22 and 1{ the ordinance passes first reading then a second reading would take place on March 8. The Special Exception, Site Plan, Variance for the parking and Vacation of a road reservation that goes through pan of the property would be addressed later. Mr. Laubenthal expressed a desire to comply with all code requirements for the project and stated the need for the Commission to approve the road vacation for the propeny whether or not the motocross is approved. 2. Vice Mayor Mikes requested a resporse from Jones Intercable on their action to allow sponsoring by local advenisers for City Commission meetings. Tom Horn stated that the view point ofJones Intercable is to promote funding so that local origination programming can be expanded and that they need sponsors to assist them in covering operational costs. Mr. Horn did nor feel thar there was anlthing wrong with sponsoring Commission meetings and that better programming can be provided in the future when funds are available. The Commission decided to have Mr. Horn speak with City Manager Flatley to determine if there may be a need for the City to purchase the advertising time before/after and during the meetings. 2WORKSHOP MEETTNG FEBRUARY 15, 1994 Commission commenrs related to the City not wanting to be connected to promoting any one business enrity and rhe need for the City Commission meetings to remain a public service with no sponsoring. The Commission requested Mr. Horn to ensure that there is no advertising just before, after or during the time the Commission meerings are being aired and to just show the schedule of meetings for City and Board Advisory Meetings. 3 City Manager Flatley advised that repairs to the Modello Park pool were not included to the list of cost items in the City's Capital Program last year. He said that an estimate of the repairs for the pool can be presented tonight for informational purposes. Monte Pollock, Concrete Preservation Specialists & Construction, Inc., stated that he conducted sound tests on the Modello Park Pool and found the pool to be in pretty good condition. The deck would have to be removed, the existing plumbing would have to be taken apan, the filter structure would have to be removed, the plumbing would have to be replaced and pressure tested, and the fill underneath the deck would have to analyzrd to ensure that it is adequate to withstand a 95o/o compacting per deck. Bud Palm, Utilities Director, mentioned the extensive repairs that vrere needed when he conducred his own inspection ofthe pool and that pressure grouting could possibility be used to repair the pool. Vice Mayor Mikes mentioned that there comes a time when repairs are not cost effective and total replacement makes more sense. Mr. Pollock advised Vice Mayor Mikes that guarantees on the pool repair would be limited because of the actual basin of the pool. He said that there could be ma.jor infiltration's of chlorides within the structure that would inhibit the actual bond of the marcite used. Commissioner Jones mentioned that the pool has been sitting dormant for three years and that the City is spending money every year to send children outside the City to use other pools and that there is a need to provide a pool for the children. City Manager Flatley clarified that when the pool was functioning it cost the City $18,000 a year for lifeguards, water, and maintenance costs. The City will be impacted by cost between $1O,OOO to $18,000 a year as long as there is a pool at Modello Park. W'hen the City stopped using the pool at Modello Park and began to send children to the Attucks pool, the City has been paying around $11,OOO a year so there really hasn't been an increase in costs. Mr. Pollock recommended to conduct some core tests 15 to 20 feet down to check soil variations and mentioned the difficulty in determining where the leaks are because the pool is empty. Further comments were made regarding the repairs costing $50,000 and whether the City should finance a new pool for $132,000 since interest rates are so reasonable, Commissioner Bertino menrioned the problems that the School Board is having to complete their pool and that grants would be very difficult to obtain for this type of project. He questioned what the costs would be to conduct the geological tests and Mr. Pollock estimated the cost around $2500 to $5OOO. He said that the tests would be needed whether or not a new pool is built. The Commission decided to include authorization to conduct the tests to the next agenda and Vice Mayor Mikes recommended to have an Engineer analyze the pool as well. Lou Gusdorff read a newspaper anicle from the Miami Herald dated January 10 regarding violent crimes affect on young black men. 3WORKSHOP IIIEETING FEBRUARY 15, 1994 4. lVanda Mullikin, City Clerk, presented the ordinance changes regarding the assessment of fines for utility bills. Mr. Palm mentioned that people are finding ways to reconnect water service after the City has removed a water meter. The proposed ordinance addresses the problem with people supplying units with water unlawfully whereby circumventing the City's process. Commissioner Jones mentioned his concern for impoverished people who are denied water service. City Attorney Adler stated that destitute persons can come into City Hall and sign an affidavit so they don't have to pay for water. City Clerk Mullikin presented the additional changes to Sections 27-8(a)., 27-23,27-53 and 27- e(b). The Commission decided to include the ordinance to the next Commission meeting. 5. City Clerk $7anda Mullikin mentioned that the Broward Review Newspaper has been used for ordinances and bid notices because it is cheaper and because they can meet the City's advenising deadlines two days after regular meetings. The Sun Sentinel is difficult to work with because they require a 5 day lead time on advertisements and second readings on ordinances cannot be advertised for the following regular meeting. The City is limited on their use of the Miami Herald because they removed their classified section of the Broward Edition and display ads are too expensive to use for general business. City Attorney Adler commented on the disadvantages of using the Broward Review for zoning ordinances, special exceptions, land use changes and variances. Commissioner Jones requested City Clerk Mullikin to check into whether the $ estside Gazette and Broward Times can meet the City's time limit for advenising ordinances in between meetings. The Commission generally agreed to use the Broward Review for administrative ordinances only and to use other newspapers with the bigger circulation for bids and Growth Management business. Wanda mentioned that her department is responsible for advenising bid requests but felt that each department should be aware that they are responsible for soliciting additional vendors by obtaining the SDBE list from Personnel and are responsible for receiving bids. She advised that the Finance Department is completing a Purchasing Policy and that the Commission may want to workshop the document for the inclusion of these advercising procedures. 6. Dan Oyler, City Planning, advised that there is a need for the City to adopt an ordinance to comply with two County ordinances regarding "Tree Preservation' and "Tree Abuse". He advised that the ordinance is revising the existing landscape code and reviewed the provisions being implemented. 4WORKSHOP MEEIING FEBRUARY 15, 1994 Commissioner Bertino mentioned that residents may just want to better their property by trimming their trees and if they do not comply with City and Arbor standards may be placed in violation. Dan mentioned that the homeowner is responsible and that permits are not required for companies to trim trees. He said that Tree Trimming Companies are provided a list of tree trimming requirements at the time they are issued their Occupational License. Dan agreed to change the size of trees to 2.5' caliber and 12 foot minimum height in the ordinance and the Commission decided to continue the ordinance to a regular meeting. 7. Commissioner Jones expressed concern for crime and code enforcement problems in the northwest section of the City. He stressed the need for community policing and enforcement of the law to find solutions to the crime problems. Commissioner Hyde agreed that there is a serious crime problem and mentioned that people are afraid to attend functions in the nonh west section. Chief Farley, BSO, stated that his department is not leming these problems go by without taking aoion and that he has met with Commissioner Jones regarding these problems several times. He mentioned his efforts to schedule a meeting with the Modello Park Homeowners Association, business people, residents, Mayor Grace and Commissioner Jones to discuss the problems and then the meeting being canceled because Mayor Grace and Commissioner Jones were unable to meet due to Sunshine Law requirements. Chief Farley advised that the crime location is on the N\7 lst Street corridor between the railroad tracks and Modello Park. The police are not ignoring the crime problem as the district has made 123 arre$s for narcotics and dealers over the past year. The biggest problem in the area is gambling and the residents generally ignore it because it is a deep set custom in the community. He stated the need for business owners and residents in the area to communicate with his office and get involved with trying to resolve it. If BSO starts to arrest those individuals who are gambling then complaints will be made against BSO for harassing blacks. Commissioner Jones mentioned that there is blatant loitering and abandoned car problems that are not being enforced and that a message needs to be sent out that the City is not going to tolerate this. Deputy Richard Tarant, the Community Resource Officer, blamed a lot of the crime problem on the alcohol that is sold to unemployed individuals who play dominos. He mentioned that BSO could go over and arrest most of the individuals but didn't feel this was the answer to the problem. Commissioner Jones said that the law needs to be enforced and that everyone needs to think about the message that is being presented to young black people. A Dania resident came forward to explain that calls are made to the district to report drug trafficking in the area and no police assistance is provided. He said that the dispatch person is 5 FEBRUARY 15, 1994WORKSHOP MEETING not relaying these calls to Captain Farley and that it is difficult for residents to have confidence in the police. Vice Mayor Mikes felt that Mayor Grace should be involved in this discussion and that another workshop should be held with more information provided. Commissioner Benino felt that the problem is prostitution and drugs and questioned why undercover police are not used. Captain Farley advised that undercover police are used periodically. Captain Farley advised that programs are being staned with the assistance of MADDADS (Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) to help youth in the community. Several residents came forward to express their concerns, their request for additional patrolling in the two block business area, the lack of business owners involvement and the intimidation that is imposed on persons who repon drug dealing. Chief Farley advised residents to let him know immediately when they have asked for assistance and haven't received it. He asked residents to report the loitering problems and such on the regular number and only use the 911 when it is a life or death situation. Commissioner Jones expressed his appreciation for the communication tonight and was encouraged by the suppon from the neighborhood that something can be done to resolve problems in the nonh west section. Commissioner Bertino brought up a question on the procedures to rent the I.T. Parker Community Center to outside residents and the Commission did not want to change their policy in this regard. This workshop meoting aqlourned. MayorGommissioner 3/ 6WORKSHOP TllEETING FEBRUARY 15, 1994 Clty Glerk Audltor