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HomeMy WebLinkAbout633 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2004 - 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Mayor McElyea called the Special Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Mayor: C.K. McElyea Commissioners: Robert Anton Robert Chunn Patricia Flury City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Tom Ansbro City Clerk: Louise Stilson Absent: Vice-Mayor: Bob Mikes Commissioner Chunn motioned to excuse Vice-Mayor Mikes' absence; seconded by Commissioner Flury. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Anton Yes Commissioner Flury Yes Commissioner Chunn Yes Mayor McElyea Yes 3. General Discussion City Manager Pato reported we received information on some of the projects suggested by the Commission. He advised because of the single purpose rule, it looks like we may have to break down the projects into five categories. 1. Downtown Library/City Hall Expansion $4,500,000 2. Public Services Facility $2,000,000 3. Public Safety $4,200,000 Neighborhood Sidewalk/Lighting/Traffic Calming Devices $2,000,000 Construction of Fire Station/BSO Sub Station$2,200,000 • 4. Recreation Centers $2,100,000 Meli Park Recreation Center $750,000 CW Thomas Park Recreation Center$1,000,000 NW Community Outreach Center $350,000 Commissioner Anton remarked he did not see anything for Byrd Park or any of the southwest areas. He commented we have done a lot for the northwest community, but we have not done much for the south areas. He would like to see something included for this area. City Manager Pato explained it is not there because Chester Byrd Park is a small neighborhood park. The addition of a building in that park could reduce significantly the relationship between open-space and building and would most likely disqualify us from obtaining grants in the future. Commissioner Anton suggested perhaps we could do something with another piece of property because we need to do something in that neighborhood. Commissioner Flury asked about the $350,000 for the NW Community Outreach Center. City Manager Pato responded it is the balance not covered by grant funds for the construction of the building. He advised all of these projects are currently in the CIP, to some extent and time. Commissioner Anton commented there is a building across from the park that could be converted • for use as part of the park. He remarked this was just an example; there are other areas we could deal with. But, we definitely need to do something for that part of the City, including all of the south areas. Commissioner Chunn commented that the City Manager had made a proposal when he first became the City Manager and it was shot down. He thought it was a great idea and addressed the issue, but the City Manager could not get support from the Commission. He suggested the City Manager revisit the idea. City Manager Pato responded Commission Chunn is referring to Boisey Waiters. He thinks it should be revisited anytime the Commission feels it is right. Mayor McElyea commented he and the City Manager have discussed how to do this. City Manager Pato responded he does not know what steps to take because there seems to be family issues that need to be resolved because of a death in the family. Commissioner Anton remarked he would be interested in this; he said he brought it up shortly after he was elected,but it did not go anywhere. He would be willing to listen to other options. Mayor McElyea commented he originally had the idea regarding a section on the west side of the canal. His uncle passed away; but the family owns the 30 acres on that site; they also own 20 acres behind Boisey Waiters. He thinks we may be able to make a trade with the family Minutes of Special Meeting 2 Dania Beach City Commission General Obligation Bond Tuesday,November 30, 2004—6:00 p.m. members. He advised the property is currently in probate. He agreed the Chester Byrd Park should have some type of building. Commissioner Flury remarked that she would like to see the NW Community Outreach Center removed from the plan. She remarked we have spent three years in a row on this facility, and the needs are greater elsewhere. 5. Park Improvement(Linear Park) $500,000 City Manager Pato advised the Linear Park would be the only one that fits into the Park Improvement category. He stated that East Dania Beach Boulevard would be reconfigured in two years by FDOT, and we could time this project in conjunction with that construction. This would be to create the park the Commission has expressed a desire for on a portion of SE 5`h Avenue. City Manager Pato summarized that everything presented amounts to $13,300,000 ($13.3M). Commissioner Flury remarked that $2.2M for a Fire Station was bizarre for a 10,000 square foot building when we already own the property and the plans have been completed. Chief Land responded the last plan was for a 10,100 square foot building; but we removed the BSO substation, the Civic Room, and took it down to an area that we were not sure was feasible. ® He advised the Fire Station across the street from City Hall was 10,000 square feet, and it is not big enough during a storm situation. Commissioner Flury remarked that construction of a Fire Station is not expensive construction. City Manager Pato responded we have found the opposite to be true. The cities of Davie and Hallandale recently went out for bid for the construction of their new Fire Stations and the costs came in at $200-$210 per square foot. Commissioner Flury remarked it probably includes a 6% architectural fee, but ours is already done. She thinks the cost is excessive for an 10,000 square foot building. Chief Land advised they went to three different Fire Stations; two were just completed and one just came back from bid. He advised that Coastal Contactors said $200 per square foot is just about right; they also checked with Construction Journal and they also said the cost was right. City Manager Pato reminded the Commission that now is the time to move forward to build this; we do not want to have to come back later and ask for more funds. We are anticipating higher construction costs to be on the safe side, but we got actual costs for construction at today's rates. He commented we need to remember that as the City develops and redevelops, the growth will be west of 95. Commissioner Chunn asked if the BSO Substation would be included in the construction. Minutes of Special Meeting 3 - Dania Beach City Commission General Obligation Bond Tuesday,November 30,2004—6:00 p.m. City Manager Pato responded the idea was they would have a certain portion of the building. Chief Land commented some of the items were completed in 1999, but he did not know how to remove those costs from the $200 per square foot charge. He noted that seven Fire Stations on the west coast were destroyed during the hurricanes this year because they were not constructed properly, and he would not want to see that happen here. Mayor McElyea asked why we were getting involved in a Library. The County pays for the Library; we should use our money somewhere else. City Manager Pato responded the idea came from the Commission. Commissioner Anton responded the County will not build us a Library; perhaps we need to find a way to force the County to build us one. City Manager Palo clarified the County would pay us rent for use of the building, but we would have to build it. The County will not build one for us. Commissioner Flury commented we need to clarify with the County that they would rent the building and get a commitment from them before we commit to a Library. City Manager Pato remarked the question for the taxpayers is do you want to build a Library. If ® they say yes, then we do the design and talk to the County about paying us rent instead of the other place they currently rent. He explained the price of the Library-is because it is a complex thing to do on the current City Hall site. For a 6,000 square foot Library, we will have to build and do some modest additions to the existing City Hall. We would also have to build a parking structure to accommodate the needs of the Library and City Hall. He commented we envision the bottom level being the Library and above that some type of parking structure and expansion of City Hall offices. The parking could someday be paid parking for the downtown area. He advised the cost of a parking structure is $10,000-$15,000 per space, but this could pay for itself eventually from the rental of the Library and from parking revenues. City Manager Pato commented that $13.3M is a relatively small amount for a Bond. The estimated cost to homeowners, for a 30 year bond at 6% interest would be: $100,000 Taxable Value—After Homestead Exemption $ 46.16 $200,000 Taxable Value—After Homestead Exemption $ 92.32 $300,000 Taxable Value—After Homestead Exemption $138.48 City Manager Pato commented the Commission mentioned the idea of other projects, such as the parks in the southwest. So, we included a $15M Bond figure, in case the Commission wanted to add something to the list. Minutes of Special Meeting 4 Dania Beach City Commission General Obligation Bond Tuesday,November 30, 2004—6:00 p.m. • 4. Public Input Pat Tyra, Estates of Ft. Lauderdale, remarked the western part of the City has been promised lighting, and she assumes her area is not included in the Bond because they were promised lighting. Mayor McElyea responded we hope you will get what you were promised, plus some of the Bond. Commissioner Anton responded we are moving forward with that project. The Bond would fund it so that it could happen right away, instead of over a time period. He remarked we also have problems in other areas of the City that need lighting, as well as sidewalks and traffic calming devices. Fernando Vazquez, Director of Public Services, advised he recently met with a consultant. Due to the hurricanes, FP&L has held us back on information for the construction costs. He advised the study is complete and we are prepared to go to the community by January lst. He advised the lighting would be the standard roadway fixtures. Anne Castro, 838 NW 1Oth Avenue, asked if a site had been chosen for the Fire Station. Commissioner Anton responded 30th Avenue. • Ms. Castro questioned if this is the location we want if the airport expansion goes through. She also asked if the CIP funds could be moved from capital to personnel costs. Commissioner Flury responded the funds cannot be switched from capital to operating; and those capital projects are for future years and have not been funded as yet. City Manager Pato clarified that there will always be a demand for services even if the airport expands. He remarked we are beginning to see a lot of pressure coming to the corridor of 441 as a result of the Hard Rock Casino and Davie's expansion eastward. Ms. Castro asked if the City would have the funds for projects in the CIP, if we did not go forward with the Bond. Commissioner Flury responded we would have some funding; we could not do everything. George Jason, 4549 SW 37"' Avenue, commented that people in the City drop money at the Hard Rock Casino and never think about it. The Dania Jai Alai will probably have gambling and people will spend money at the slots. He would like to see the City get a share of the money and start doing things for the people. He commented we need Bonds to supplement the regular budget. Karen Gottlieb, advised her daughter has been looking for a spot to build a sleep center, and the cost is $220 per square foot for an empty shell. Minutes of Special Meeting 5 Dania Beach City Commission General Obligation Bond Tuesday,November 30, 2004—6:00 p.m. • 5. Recap City Manager Pato advised if the Commission votes to move forward we will need to engage a professional firm to conduct a public information campaign on the Bond issue. The cost is estimated at $40,000, and will consist of direct mailings, and banners on key streets. He commented that staff will make a concentrated effort to attend every Homeowner and Civic meeting to pitch the point. He advised we have already discussed this with a Bond Counsel and we will be able to get the assistance we need to develop the proper questions. He believes the service was offered to us at no cost. The Commission would need to approve the ballot questions at the January 11, 2005 Commission meeting. We would need to submit the questions to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office by January 171h. We anticipate the first public notice advertisement to be on January 301h. The second public notice ad would be on February 13th; and the Public Information Campaign would be launched on February 15, 2005. City Manager Pato remarked if the Commission wants to add a Community Center or Park, we could still stay within the $15M figure. Commissioner Flury remarked she wants to stay with $13.3M figure. She asked if we knew what the average home in Dania Beach goes for. • Laurence Leeds, Director of Community Development, responded we do not know what the average is today because the census provided the Mean Home Value at $115,000; it is likely that figure has gone up to $150,000-$160,000. He commented that quite often the appraised value is generally higher than the assessed value. Commissioner Flury stated at $13.3M we know we are at less than $100 per year for homes valued under $200,000. She wants to stay at the $13.3M figure, but she thinks Commissioner Anton makes a good point for parks in other areas. She remarked the Public Services facility could be funded from SRF funds because the water component is funded in the CIP plan. Commissioner Anton thinks the $13.3M figure is good. He suggested putting the $350,000 for the NW Community Outreach Center towards Chester Byrd Park. He remarked that $100 will be significant to some people in the City, and it will be an impact to them. He emphasized the City will be dependent upon the Homeowners Associations to help promote the Bond issues. He commented the long-term outlook for the City is extremely positive, but in the short-term, things are going to get real expensive real quick. City Manager Pato asked the Commission for consensus. Commissioner Anton motioned approval of the projects, to include $350,000 for Chester Byrd Park as opposed to the NW Community Outreach Center, for $13.3M, and for the City Manager to move forward with the Education Campaign; seconded by Commissioner Chunn. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Moll Call vote: • Minutes of Special Meeting 6 Dania Beach City Commission General Obligation Bond Tuesday,November 30,2004—6:00 p.m. Commissioner Anton Yes Commissioner Flury Yes ® Commissioner Chunn Yes Mayor McElyea Yes City Attorney Ansbro advised the third draft of the revised City Charter is being reviewed by another attorney. He anticipates having the information to the Commission by Friday. He asked the Commission for a consensus for a workshop date. The consensus of the Commission was to hold a Workshop on Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. City Attorney Ansbro will provide a memo to the Commission with the revisions by next Monday. 6. Adjournment Mayor McElyea adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. CITY OF DANIA BEACH T zATT ST: C.K. MCEL A MAYOR-COMMISSIONER � LOUISE STILSON " CITY CLERK APPROVED: December 14, 2004 Minutes of Special Meeting 7 Dania Beach City Commission General Obligation Bond Tuesday,November 30,2004—6:00 p.m.