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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING CITY COMMISSION VACANCY DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2006 - 6:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order Mayor Flury called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Mayor: Patricia Flury Vice-Mayor: Bob Anton Commissioners: John Bertino Anne Castro City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Tom Ansbro Deputy Clerk: Miriam Nasser Absent: City Clerk: Louise Stilson Mayor Flury advised this was a continuation of the Special Meeting held on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. She explained that at Tuesday's meeting the City Commission narrowed down the original list to six candidates, using a variety of criteria. Mayor Flury further commented that the Commission thought it was reasonable to know each of the individuals and when the presentations are concluded the Commission will make a decision. She mentioned it had been very difficult to eliminate those who were removed from the previous list as she was sure any of the applicants could serve in this position and do it well, but unfortunately they needed to select one person. She clarified the candidates will be called in alphabetical order. 3. Presentation by the following interested parties: Robert "Bob" Adams, 330 SE 3rd Terrace Mr. Adams has been a lifelong resident of Dania Beach. He noted he has served on the Charter Review Board, Human Relations Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and is currently serving on the Nuisance Abatement Board. Mr. Adams is also affiliated to several community organizations. Commissioner Castro asked Mr. Adams who he would vote for if he was a Commissioner. She also asked him to confirm he will not run for Commissioner in March 2007. Mr. Adams reaffirmed his previous statement that he will not run for office in the March election. He mentioned he thought Dr. Fetscher would be the right person to fill this vacancy. Vice-Mayor Anton asked Mr. Adams how he felt about the way things were going in the City of Dania Beach. Mr. Adams responded he thought the City was on a good path and that this Commission has done a very good job promoting growth and tourism, and attracting people to come to the City. Dr. Paul A. Fetscher—326 SE 3rd Street Dr. Fetscher is 61 years of age and has been an educator for the past 32 years; he is currently the Principal at a High School in Miramar. He moved to Dania Beach about 10 years ago at the urging of one of his long-time friends, Al Jones. Dr. Fetscher has served on the Planning and Zoning Board for seven years and was elected Chair of that Board one year ago. He commented that if elected, he would address the infracstructure issues. He noted there are lots of things that he likes about the City, one of them is the fact that some of his former kids work for the City, plus a lot of other things that make him proud of the City. Dr Fetscher would like this temporary position because he has no political aspirations and it would give him the opportunity to be a part of the decision-making process, which he has learned by serving on the Planning and Zoning Board. tCommissioner Castro asked Dr. Fetscher who would be his choice from the list of applicants. Dr. Fetscher responded he did not know the rest of the candidates, therefore he could not choose anyone. Commissioner Bertino asked Dr. Fetscher if he had any other experience, other than education, that would be valuable to help him as a Commissioner. Dr. Fetscher noted he owned a construction company in Connecticut for 16 years, however, he finally chose to be an educator because he enjoys working with kids and watching people become successful. Mayor Flury thought if Dr. Fetscher was elected tonight, the City would lose him as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Board. Vice-Mayor Anton asked Dr. Fetscher if he would go back to the Planning and Zoning Board when his term expires in March, 2007. Dr. Fetscher responded in the affirmative. ® 2 Minutes of Special Meeting City Commission Vacancy Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, October 12,2006—6:30 p.m. Bobbie Grace— 110 NW Wh Avenue Bobbie Grace was born in Georgia in 1945 and moved to Dania Beach in 1951. She is married and has two daughters and two grandsons. Ms. Grace worked for BellSouth for 29 years and retired in December 1997. She has served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning and Zoning Board and was elected to the City Commission in 1989 where she remained until 1997. Ms. Grace is a very active member of the community, is affiliated to several organizations and has received a number of awards; she will be honored as a Broward County Pioneer on October 14, 2006. Ms. Grace reaffirmed to the Commission that she would not be running for office. She further noted that she is confident that her past experience, positive, outgoing, forthright and independent attitude would help her face many issues that would make the City a better place. She finalized her comments saying that she cherishes the Commission's hard work and courage to do the right thing for the City. Commissioner Castro asked Ms. Grace who she would pick for the position. Ms. Grace responded she would select Bob Adams. Gary Luedtke—4461 SW 341h Drive Gary Luedtke was born and raised in Milwaukee, Winsconsin, and moved to Dania Beach in 1987. He has worked in marketing services and for the cruise line industry and retired in 2002. He joined the NOISE Abatement Committee in 1989 when their plan to expand the south runway • was announced. Mr. Luedtke has served on the Airport Advisory Board, Budget Advisory Board, Civil Service Board, Charter Review Board, Code Enforcement Board and the Planning and Zoning Board. If elected, he would like to see projects that would benefit the community in the area, such as the need for a post office and a bank along the Griffin Road corridor. Mr. Luedtke further noted that after several years, it would be very positive to bring a citizen from the Western Annexed area to the Commission. Commissioner Castro asked Mr. Luedtke why he was interested in this interim position and not running for office in the forthcoming election. She also asked him who he would pick from the rest of the candidates. Mr. Luedtke advised after his term is done, he would go back to being a private citizen with much more credibility after serving as a Commissioner. He further indicated he would pick someone with a lot of experience on City Boards, but preferred not to mention any name. Clive Taylor—642 NE 3r`' Street Clive Taylor was born in London, United Kingdom in 1943. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1965. He is married and has three adult children and five grandchildren who all reside in Broward County. Mr. Taylor has been a resident and property owner in the Northeast section of Dania Beach since 1978. He was employed by the Florida State Department of Transportation for 34 years. Since retiring, Mr. Taylor became an instructor for the University of Florida and 3 Minutes of Special Meeting City Commission Vacancy Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, October 12,2006—6:30 p.m. • has also contracted to be a consultant to review traffic maintenance work zones for the South Florida Conservation and Development Council. Mr. Taylor is currently Chairman of the Marine Advisory Board and felt the City would be a major player in the marine industry. He is also a charter member of the Northeast Property Owners' Association, and hoped to be a voice when major development happens in Dania Beach. Mr. Taylor thought maintaining our quality of life was paramount in our decision making process and summarized his presentation by saying that Dania Beach is unique and we should keep it that way. Commissioner Castro asked Clive Taylor if he was not elected, who he would choose for the position. Clive Taylor responded he did not know anybody but had read about Bobbie Grace in the newspapers, so he would pick her. Patricia "Pat" Tyra—2912 SW 54th Street Pat Tyra lives in the Estates of Fort Lauderdale Mobile Homes, in the annexed section of the City. She noted that she is a nurse, and nurses are known by their patients and colleagues as being caring and good on ethics, and that is the expertise she would bring to the Commission. Ms. Tyra added she is a hard worker, a good volunteer, and she is very good at listening and identifying problems as well as finding solutions. She is currently the president of the Estates of Fort Lauderdale Homeowners' Association and is very much involved in City matters, not only • representing her community, but herself. Ms. Tyra commented she would appreciate the opportunity to serve the City, however, she could not work as a full time Commissioner since she travels very often on personal matters. Commissioner Castro asked Ms. Tyra who would be her choice from the list of applicants. Ms. Tyra responded she would prefer not to choose anybody. Vice-Mayor Anton asked Ms. Tyra what she thought about the way the City was moving. Ms. Tyra responded she felt that it had taken too long for the City to address the infracstructure issues. She also mentioned she did not like the fact that some projects were approved and have never come to fruition, and that there was a need for a Master Plan for the whole City. Ms. Tyra thought affordable housing needed more attention since it was a nationwide crisis. 4. Discussion and possible selection to fill Commissioner McElyea's remaining term of Office (through March 20, 2007) Mayor Flury commented that now that all the applicants have made their presentations, it is time for the Commission to make a decision. i 4 Minutes of Special Meeting City Commission Vacancy Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, October 12,2006—6:30 p.m. • Commissioner Bertino thought everyone on the list was good, and he felt bad to have to choose one. Commissioner Castro thanked all the candidates for coming and noted this was going to be a tough decision to make. Vice-Mayor Anton agreed with Commissioner Castro and Commissioner Bertino. He further commented it is not easy for the applicants to do this type of presentation. Vice-Mayor Anton expressed a great respect for all the candidates and thought their volunteer work should also be recognized. Mayor Flury also thanked everyone for their time and asked for nominations from members of the Commission. City Attorney Ansbro suggested using a ranking procedure for the selection process. Commissioner Castro motioned to appoint Pat 'Tyra to the Dania Beach City Commission; seconded by Vice-Mayor Anton. The motion failed on the following 2-2 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Bertino No Vice-Mayor Anton Yes Commissioner Castro Yes Mayor Flury No Vice-Mayor Anton noted he seconded the appointment of Ms. Tyra because she comes from the Annexed area and this is a good opportunity to have a voice from the Western part of the City represented in the Commission. Mayor Flury advised she voted no, because Ms. Tyra clearly said she would not be able to serve the City on a full time basis and also thought the City needed someone more experienced. Commissioner Castro motioned to appoint Clive Taylor to the Dania Beach City Commission. The motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Bertino motioned to appoint Dr. Paul A. Fetscher to the Dania Beach City Commission; seconded by Commissioner Castro. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Bertino Yes Vice-Mayor Anton Yes Commissioner Castro Yes Mayor Flury Yes The City Commission unanimously agreed to officially appoint Dr. Fetscher tonight so he can sit as Commissioner at the October 24 Commission meeting. City Attorney Ansbro swore in Dr. Paul A. Fetscher, as he was appointed City Commissioner to fill the vacancy of Commissioner C. K. "Mac" McElyea, whose term expires March 20, 2007. He noted Dr. Fetscher was automatically resigned from the Planning and Zoning Board. • 5 Minutes of Special Meeting City Commission Vacancy Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, October 12,2006—6:30 p.m. • City Attorney Ansbro read the title of the appointing Resolution. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, APPOINTING DR. PAUL A. FETSCHER AS CITY COMMISSIONER, TO COMPLETE A FOUR YEAR TERM THAT EXPIRES MARCH 2O07, DUE TO THE RESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONER C.K. "MAC" MCELYEA; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Manager Pato requested the attention of the Commission to comment on an important subject. City Manager Pato referred to some copies of newspaper articles he made for each of the Commissioners relating to a sludge issue where Hollywood is involved and resulted in the arrest of a Hollywood City Commissioner. He further noted that between now and the next Commission meeting he would be working with other City Managers and consultants to discuss a possible strategy because he has heard we may be getting a bill from the City of Hollywood for $300,000. City Manager Pato added he will keep the Commission informed. Commissioner Bertino suggested the City Attorney look at this issue because we have to look at our legal recourse on the overall sewer system. Mayor Flury questioned the additional costs. City Manager Pato indicated they could increase rates, the cost of the contract, or anything that is involved in running the operation. Mayor Flury commented there was something wrong with the structure of the operation and thought that when it was originally set up, each of the large users were supposed to have some input. She added we need a broader approach to this matter. City Manager Pato commented he was hoping to convince the Legislature to bring some State oversight into this issue. Mayor Flury thought State oversight was needed. 5. Adjournment Mayor Flury adjourned the Special Meeting at 7:28 p.m. • 6 Minutes of Special Meeting City Commission Vacancy Dania Beach City Commission Thursday,October 12,2006—6:30 p.m. • CITY OF DANIA BEACH PATRICIA FLURY MAYOR-COMMISSIONER ATTEST: Q r✓'�LJ LOUISE STILSON, CMC CITY CLERK Approved: October 24, 2006 • Minutes of Special Meeting City Commission Vacancy Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, October 12,2006—6:30 p.m.