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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-22 Workshop Meeting City Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES ® DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2003 4:30 P.M. 1. Call to order: Mayor Anton called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mayor: Bob Anton Vice-Mayor: C.K. McElyea Commissioners: Robert Chunn Pat Flury Bob Mikes City Attorney: Tom Ansbro City Manager: Ivan Pato City Clerk: Charlene Johnson 3. Discussion of Sanitary Inflow and Infiltration program. (Public Services Director) Michael Sheridan, Director of Public Services, explained the current problems with the inflow/infiltration problems. He advised that the City will reinstate the Inflow/Infiltration Program that existed years ago and that was stopped due to lack of funds. In order to reactivate this program the amount of$50,000 has been allocated in this year's budget. He mentioned that over the last few years an increase of about 180% has been seen in connection with the sanitary sewer system. The program being presented will be brought forward to a future Commission meeting for financial approval. It will address the laterals that go to the homes and the smaller lines in the neighborhood where most of the problems exist. Director Sheridan introduced Lloyd Wander, Utility Sealing Services, Inc. the company who used to handle the Inflow/Infiltration Program in the past. MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING y Mr. Wander made a Power Point presentation containing information on the G7 Comprehensive Inflow Abatement. He also provided copies of a G7 Program Proposal for consideration by the City Commission. Public Services Director Sheridan advised that after the May 27, 2003 storm, the wastewater flow to Hollywood increased from 3 million gallons to over 5 million gallons. He further requested the Commission to support the program which will cost approximately $23,000 a year and for which funds have already being budgeted. Mayor Anton asked if this procedure will block the infiltration when you have standing water and there is a manhole. Mr. Wander indicated that this procedure will smoke test each lift station to determine if there are any leaks in the lateral lines. Each manhole chimney in the basin will be sealed to prevent rainfall inflow from entering the sewer system. An inflow dish will be installed under each manhole lid in the basin to abate surface water from entering the system through the frame and cover assembly. Commissioner Mikes clarified the following issues of concern to him: 0 The fact that residents can easily open the lids in manholes. He suggested securing them in a way that only authorized personnel can operate them. 0 Some of the affected areas may have had additional paving. 0 What is the material used in the chimneys. • Director Sheridan advised that when the Public Services staff identifies a storm drain that has been used, they go back and have the lid welded so that it can only be activated with specialized equipment. Director Sheridan explained that when a certain amount of paving exceeds the normal height in a manhole, a riser is placed on the roadways. He also advised that most of the chimneys are made of concrete. Questioned by Commissioner Flury, Mr. Wander clarified that the smoke testing will not affect the residents and that chances of people getting gas into their homes are very slim. Mayor Anton commented that the community will be notified through the City's Website as well as door hangers. MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 22, 2003 !WORKSHOP MEETING Public Services Director Sheridan advised that staff will present a resolution for approval at the November 12th Commission meeting and start the process no later than January, 2004. The process will take about 30 days to start and 4 months for completion. Mr. Wander further said that with this program the City will have a complete electronic inventory for each manhole in the basin. 4. Update on Fire Department Study. (Emergency Services Consultants) City Manager Pato advised that about three months ago the City retained Emergency Services Consulting, Inc, with the purpose of evaluating the current structure of the Fire Department and assessing the future fire and emergency medical needs of the community as a result of considerable redevelopment that is anticipated to take place. Phil Kouwe, Project Manager, Emergency Services Consulting Inc., explained that the benchmark standard for this study was NFPA 1710, "Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments". This standard permits the use of mutual aid or automatic aid companies in accomplishing the objectives for response time and staffing. The study was also based on data obtained from the National Fire Protection Association establishing a comparison with other cities about the same size as Dania Beach. Mr. Kouwe made a presentation to the Commission summarizing the most significant recommendations contained in his report. Copies of the Emergency Services Consulting, Inc. study were also distributed. During the course of the presentation, discussion occurred between the Commission and ESCI consultants in regards to how effective it would be to use cooperative or reciprocal agreements and contracting some services out. Tom Siegfried, ESCI commended the Fire Department and thought they ran an outstanding organization. Mr. Siegfried further pointed out some important items that need to be looked at: MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING 1) Although the Fire Department offers an outstanding salary and benefits • package, the City may wish to consider doing a salary and benefits survey to see what the City can afford in the future. 2) In regards to radios/communication issues Mr. Siegfried suggested that the City should address this matter with Broward County. 3) Establishing a liable automatic aid first response scheme that will be very cost effective for the citizens of Dania Beach. Commissioner Chunn pointed out the significant increase in the number of EMS calls. Mr. Siegfried clarified that when the study was prepared they already took in consideration a possible population increase. Commissioner Mikes commented on the fact that the Dania Beach Fire Department is one of the most expensive departments within the City hence reducing the salaries/benefits that can be offered to other employees or the funds that can be used for improvements to parks. Commissioner Mikes further commended the Fire Department for their professionalism. Discussion followed between Mayor Anton and the ESCI consultants in regards to the Fire Department considering reassigning the third crew member from the ambulances back on the engines in order to meet the NFPA 1710 standards. ESCI consultants recommended that all ALS incidents should receive a response from both an ambulance and an engine. The Commission generally thanked ESCI for a comprehensive and well done study. Fire Chief Ken Land advised that they do not disagree with the study and that there are three important issues to be discussed: o Do they need another Fire station? If so, the location of the new station. a Do they need more personnel? Chief Land thought it was up to the Commission to decide how to approach these issues. He thanked ESCI for an excellent job. MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING In regards to the fire stations, Fire Chief Land pointed out that polygons are good but that sometimes the units are not there. He also mentioned that the fire stations in Broward County are probably the busiest stations within the United States. He added that communications issues will hopefully be solved shortly. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Cassano advised that the ESCI study gave the Fire Department an opportunity to look carefully at some interesting figures. Copies of his presentation were distributed to the Commission. He mentioned that the NFPA's study places Dania Beach Fire Rescue amongst the top 3% busiest fire departments nationally. Deputy Chief Cassano advised that the rates shown in NFPA's report are based on data report and are not supposed to reflect recommended rates or some defined fire protection standards. He further said that the Fire Department does not agree with one of the recommendations in ESCI's study to remove a firefighter from the rescue truck and put him in on the fire engine. Deputy Fire Chief Cassano advised that ESCI's report also mentioned that a priority dispatching system should be implemented, to determine whether an engine or a rescue truck is needed. He clarified that this program may exist in other parts of the country but it does not exist in Broward County, so there is no way for dispatchers to determine the nature of the calls and send the appropriate type of unit. That is the main reason for having three people on the rescue • trucks. Deputy Fire Chief Cassano concluded his presentation by requesting that further discussions take place in order to determine the personnel needed at the Dania Beach Fire Department within the next two to three years. In response to Commissioner Chunn's question about the conditions of the fire rescue trucks, Fire Chief Land advised that with the exception of the ladder in one of the trucks, the others are in pretty good conditions. Commissioner Flury thought the consultants did a good job on the report, as well as the Fire Department, but what she would like to see is a document showing what is the City's cost compared to some of the local cities (e.g. Hallandale, North Miami Beach, Miami, Hollywood) who have a similar situation as regards tourists/seasonal people. MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING • • Fire Chief Land replied this type of survey is prepared every year Commissioner Mikes commented on a recent Florida League of Cities meeting held in Orlando, Florida, where the main subject of discussion was the runaway costs for fire rescue services and considering finding contributions. Both Mayor Anton and City Manager Pato thanked the Fire Department for their professionalism and high quality service to the community. 5. Discussion of Public Sidewalk Survey and Enforcement Program. (Community Development Director) Laurence Leeds, Community Development Director explained that the City had a Code revision adopted in 1971 requiring the City to survey all public sidewalks within the City to determine which were damaged or safe, notify the property owners of the situation, if the owner did not comply the City should fix the sidewalk or replace it and then place a lien upon the property of the abutting land owner. Director Leeds further advised that he had discussed the issue with City Attorney Ansbro and Mike Sheridan, Director of Public Services and everybody agreed that the Commission should decide what action should be taken now that the City is over 8 sq. miles. He presented his recommendations to the Commission and asked for direction on how to proceed. • City Attorney Ansbro commented that not in every case the City can get the property owners to take care of the problem with sidewalks and the only way to fix it is for the City to take care of the repairs, lien the property and implement a program. Vice Mayor McElyea thought it might be best, in some cases, to remove the sidewalk entirely rather than leave it in a dangerous and unsafe way. Commissioner Flury asked staff what exactly they needed from the Commission. Community Development Director Leeds outlined his proposed program. MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING Commissioner Flury was concerned that once the first notices are sent out, there ® will be problems with residents complaining about their sidewalks being broken because of tree roots or similar reasons, and the process will be extremely slow. In response to Commissioner Mikes' question on what is the procedure being followed by other coastal cities, Director Leeds advised he did not know, but will find out and come back with the information. Further discussion followed amongst the Commission, City Attorney Ansbro and City Manager Pato regarding the advantages and disadvantages of having the trees removed. Commissioner Mikes pointed out the fact that tree removal would reduce the property values and suggested implementing a tree replacement policy. Mike Sheridan, Director of Public Services, commented that the City's nursery is almost full with trees to be donated to the community and something needs to be done soon due to lack of space. The Commission generally agreed to have staff find out what is the procedure followed by other cities on sidewalks and bring back a tree ordinance for consideration. • Report on LAC approval Community Development Director Leeds advised that he and City Manager Pato attended the Broward County Commission meeting today and one of the requirements to have the LAC approved is for City officials to meet with the School Board of Broward County regarding impact fees. He further reported that the current impact fee for a new development in downtown Dania Beach is about $480.00 per unit. The School Board proposes to increase this fee to $2200.00 per unit. He considered that this fee increase will significantly slow down new developments in the downtown area. Director Leeds explained that the City could either accept the School Board's conditions, which will get the LAC approved very quickly or tell them this issue will need to be discussed in depth, because not only will the fee be increased by 450% more, but there is no guarantee that any portion of the fee will be used in the schools in Dania Beach MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING • that they claim are overcrowded. By not accepting the School Board's conditions, the LAC approval will probably be delayed for another six months. In response to Commissioner Mikes question as to what other cities were in the same position as Dania Beach, Director Leeds advised that Oakland Park is also in the process of having the LAC approved, but that the City was the first one, so it will be the one facing any obstacles placed by the School Board and the Broward County Commission. City Manager Pato commented that staff will contact other cities as well as.the Florida League of Cities to make them aware of what is happening to Dania Beach. It was the consensus of the Commission to get some allies, have other cities involved and try to negotiate with the School Board of Broward County what would be in the best interest of the City. 4. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:15p.m. C.K. MCELY • MAYOR-COWMISSIONER ATTEST: Q LOUISE STILSON CITY CLERK Respectfully submitted by: A�1� Miriam Nasser Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: July 27, 2004 MINUTES 8 OCTOBER 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING