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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-19 Workshop City Commission Meeting MinutesROLL CALL: Present Mayor: Vice Mayor: Commissioners: City Manager City Attorney: City Clerk: Park Structures - Gametime - Quality- Miracle - Recreetion Creations- PARK STRUCTURES: MINUTES DANIA CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING ,uLY 19, 1994 Bob Mikes Bobbie Grace John Bertino Bill Hyde Albert Jones Robert Flatley Frank Adler Wanda Mullikin 1. City Manager Flatley mentioned that the bids were opened on June 29 lor Playgrottnd Equipment and that the bid award will take place at the July 26 regtla:. meeting. Tim Tapp, Recreation Director, advised that eight bids were received and explained that Vision Construction did not submit a bid and U.S. Games only bid on the ss/ing sets. Another company, Iron Mountain Forge, submitted a package on equipment that is flush mounted on concrete footings and/or concrete slab and the sizing of the uprights were very small. These three companies were disqualified for not meeting the bid specifications. Mr. Tapp presented a bid summary and specification sheet showing the significant features required on the equipment and an analysis of the eight bid proposal: $ 87,061.00 $ 99,980.00 $109,604.55 $116,457.30 - $tt8,2s6.25 IWORKSHOP MEETING JULY 19, 1994 Mr. Tapp advised that Park Structures was the lowest bidder after the three companies were disqualified. Park Structures has a clamp system and submitted a one million dollar insurance certificate instead of a $5,000,000 insurance cenificate. He mentioned that Mike Smith, Personnel Director, advised him that this is a sub-standard insurance offering. Park Structures provided a Cenificate on the posts fior 12 years but have said that they will provide 15 They did not provide a handicap swing and their 2 seat dinosaur was not equal to the specifications. Mr. Tapp advised that a list of references were not provided by Park Structures but that they did refer to having many customers. Further information was provided on the pros and cons of each bidder and Mr. Tapp asked that the Commission choose between Gametime or Park Structures. He recommended Gametime as they met all requirements and were the specified manufacturer. The Commission discussed the differences between minor and major variances in the proposals and whether the handicap swing is required by the ADA. A Park Structures representative was available to comment on the ADA law and mentioned that handicap equipment can be purchased at any time and attached to equipment later. Further discussion followed on the use o{ galvanized or stainless steel compared to wood. Park Structures stated their ability to purchase $5,000,000 in insurance but their opinion that $1,000,000 is the normal requirement. The Park Structures representative advised that the company has 60 employees and has been based in Florida {or 18 years with estimated revenues of 5 to 6 million ^ yeaf. A representative from Gametime advised that they have been selling playground equipment for 65 years and are the largest manufacturing company in the world for playground equipment. Revenues in Florida were estimated at 3.5 million a year and their factory employs over 1200 people for shipments all over the world. He explained that their insurance has been with the same firm and is a $10,000,000 on occurrence policy which is known as an umbrella form of insurance. Mike Smith, Personnel Director, explained that occurrence form liability coverage is a better form of coverage. He felt that a claims made coverage is a cheaper form of insurance and inadequate in his estimation. The Commission generally agreed to obtain legal clarification from the City Attorney on the differences in the two insurance coverage's and comments were made regarding whether or not a logo is needed on the playground equipment. 2WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 19, 1994 Mike Crone, Iron Mountain Forge a division of Little Tykes Rubbermaid, explained that Mr. Tapp's opinions are not consistent with industry acceptance and recognition. He explained that their equipment is being used by Valt Disney, the Federal Government, Broward County Parks & Recreation and is far from backyard equipment as stated by Mr. Tapp. It was noted that Iron Mountain Forge does 58 million dollars worth of playground equipment per year and as pan of the Rubbermaid Corporation they are a 4 billion dollar company. Mr. Crone stated that there are other aLternatives for installing playground equipment and that their 35 to 40 playgrounds in Dade County were not disturbed at all through Hurricane Andrew. Mr. Crone mentioned that their equipment is being used throughout Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties and recommended a financiai review of each company that is being considered. He mentioned that his company has used the same insurance company for 20 years and that they have over 400 empioyees. The Little Tykes Rubbermaid company employs over 15,000 employees. Mr. Crone advised that his company has been successful on the stock exchange and felt that they are a bidding contender based on being $2,000 less than the lowest bid. Funher comments were mentioned about the ADA law and manufacturer requirements. Mayor Mikes advised that no decision can be made here tonight and that there are several considerations to be made by the Commission. 2. Mayor Mikes asked the Commission if they have any problems with the current procedures used for City proclamations, plaques, flowers and keys to the City. The Commission generally agreed to keep things status quo. 3. Commissioner Jones mentioned the need for Dania to establish a policy on "undersized lots" from the information that has been provided from other coastal cities. He encouraged the Commission to continue to promote affordable housing in Dania to provide opponunities for people to own homes. Mike Smith, Personnel Director, explained that Dania has been jointly involved with the Project Impac program with the Broward County Community Development Division since 1985 which is a comprehensive neighborhood improvement program. The City has also been involved in 25 replacement houses and 3 rehabilitation's in the northwest area with a couple built in the southwest section. Vill Allen, Growth Management Director, presented policy and procedure information from nine local government agencies relating to "undersized lots." The Commission discussed the establishment of an administrative process similar to what the City of Hallandale uses where t^rget a,re^ variances go directly to the City Commission without going to the Planning & Zoning Board whereby saving time and cost while maintaining quality housing. The Commission requested City Attorney Adler and Growth Manager Allen to prepte a. procedure that could speed up the process on "undersized lots to be brought back to the Commission. " 4. Commissioner Hyde encouraged the Commission to review program information on water conservation efficiency tools. Bud Palm, Utilities Director, stated that the South Florida Water Management District will require these programs in order for Dania to obtain permits to get water. Commissioner Hyde advised thxt Community Block Grant funds are available to implement some of these programs. 5. City Manager Flatley mentioned that according to the Safe Neighborhood Program, through cooperation with BSO, the southwest section has been analyzed as a high crime area based on statistics. It was determined that these neighborhoods could be made safer by 3WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 19, 1994 installing sixteen additional street lights and to earmark seven of these lights for alleys. The Commission generally agreed to pay the monthly energy and mainrenance charges at $94 per year per light. 6. City Manager Flatley reponed that Dania received approval from the Board of Education to operate afterschool programs at Dania and Collins Elementary Schools. Due to construction at Dania Elementary, the City cannot use the school after 2:75 p.m. Tim Tapp, Recreation Director, recommended to go forward with HRS Certification to use Collins Elementrry and Frost Park. He mentioned that construction at Dania Elementary is expected to take nine months to complete. Mayor Mikes expressed concern for building a large pool as maintenance and operation costs may be difficult to keep up later and the City may have revenue problems in the future due to the airpon expansion program. Vice Mayor Grace read her letter to the Broward County School Board on a proposal to enter into a Joint Venture Agreement to build a new swimming pool and recreation building on the Collins Elementrry and Modello Park property. Vice Mayor Grace then read a positive response letter from Miriam Oliphant, School Board, to Dr. Frank Petruzielo, Superintendent of Schools, requesting him to research funding ideas for the project. Commissioner Bertino mentioned his idea about seeking funding for a comprehensive recreation program through a bond issue and the Commission generally agreed to discuss it at the Budget $?orkshop tomorrow. Vice Mayor Grace requested no diving board and 6 feet depth on the pool and Mayor Mikes stated the need to provide security after the pool is built for liability purposes. 8. \(i1l Allen, Growth Management Director, reminded the Commission that the rezomngand flexibility request by DCK Enterprises for certain property on Sheridan Street failed on March 8 (corner of S\fl 2 Avenue and Sheridan Street) and that the Commission requested to workshop the land use funher. Mr. Allen advised that the land use designation is Residential and that Commercial zoning has been discussed. The existing land use is consistent with the zoning and Comprehensive Plan as the property is divided into 50 to 60 foot wide lots and single family and duplexes are built on the majority of the lots. Commercial zoning is a consideration since Sheridan Street is an arterial street as designated 4WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 19, 1994 7. Ciry Manager Flatley mentioned that staff members and Attorney Carl Adler have tried to obtain a set ofpool plans from Gilbretti Pools to be used for the preparation of specifications for the Modello Park Pool but that the company refused. Tim Tapp, Recreation Director, reponed that it is difficult to obtain plans for a stock pool that is a commercial grade that meets all HRS, State, Local and Federal regulations. He felt that an engineer is needed for the site and recommended to advertise for a design build pool as specifications with general requirements could be sent out for bidding rapidly. on the County Trafficways Plan. If commercial is approved, Mr. Allen recommended the rezoning be done on a larger area rather than on a lot by lot basis to permit adequate parking, landscaping and access to future commercial propeny. Discussion followed on the need to be careful in approving spot commercial zoning and Mr. Allen recommended to create a zoning district which requires larger lot frontage and lot area so that businesses front on Sheridan Street. Commissioner Bertino suggested to workshop a comprehensive plan for a PUD (Planned Unit Development) zoning for commercial along the site with a certain setback requirement in an effon to go forward with the propeny. Mayor Mikes stated that land use changes are very complicated now due to State and County agencies. Mr. Allen advised that it is not normal practice to split propeny into two zoning districts which is what happened with this property and that the owner may have an unusual circumstance that the Commission may v/ant to take into consideration. City Manager Flatley advised that he is not going to charge the Dania Civic Association for their use of Frost Park since no other civic associations are charged when they use park facilities. The Commission agreed. fhis workshop meeting adioumed. MayoFCom oner City Clerk Auditol 5WORKSIIOP MEETING JULY 19, 1994 Douglas Kaplan, Esq., owner of the property, understood the Commission's concern for wanting to be organized and consistent before changing the zoning of the propeny but stated that he has been waiting for 20 yerrs for something to be done to change the property to a viable use. He suggested the idea of reviewing each lot on an individual basis to determine a suitable use if that would assist the Commission in taking action.