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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-03 Special Meeting City Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 3, 2003 1. Call to order Mayor Anton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mayor: Bob Anton Vice-Mayor: C.K. McElyea Commissioners: Robert Chunn Pat Flury City Attorney: Tom Ansbro City Manager: Ivan Pato City Clerk: Charlene Johnson Absent: Bob Mikes (excused) City Manager Pato advised that Commissioner Mikes was out of town and would not be able to attend. A motion was made by Commissioner Chunn, seconded by Vice-Mayor McElyea, to excuse Commissioner Mikes from this meeting. The motion passed on the following 4-0 roll call vote: Commissioner Chunn —yes Vice-Mayor McElyea —yes Commissioner Flury —yes Mayor Anton —yes Public Hearing: 3. Public input on process and funding recommendations for upcoming 30th Year Community Development Block Grant Program. Mayor Anton announced the necessity for all those present to sign in. Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, presented information on the 30th Year Community Development Block Grants. She stated that the newest census showed many new areas within the City of Dania Beach that were not previously identified as being eligible for CDBG Funds. She presented and explained maps that pointed out the following areas that were west of 1-95: Ravenswood and Stirling Roads, Griffin Road from 40th Avenue to 441, 40th Avenue to 441 from Stirling Road north, Dania Cut-off canal to the north/Griffin Road to the south/34th to the west/30th Way to the east, Ravenswood to the east/27th to the west/Griffin Road to the north/53rd Court to the south. She then showed the following two areas east of 1-95: Dania Heights area (Stirling Road to the north/FEC RR tracks to the west/Federal Highway to the east/6th Street to south) and the College Gardens area. She stated that the recommendation from staff was to conduct a Needs Assessment study and a Crime Prevention Through MINUTES 1 DECEMBER 3, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING • Environmental Design (CPTED) study. Ms.Temchuk noted that both of these studies would be performed by a professional consulting firm with a CPTED certified urban planner. She stated that data would be collected, an inventory and analysis of each study area would be developed, and a strategic plan for implementation would be determined. Some of the items that would be included in these studies would be street lighting, traffic calming and traffic flow modifications, sidewalks, drainage, community patrols, community crime, neighborhood beautification, and neighborhood signage. She explained the scope of services and how the strategic implementation plan process would be conducted. She then showed the Boisey Waiters area and stated that a Needs Assessment study would be conducted of the Boisey Waiters Center including two parcels of land in which data and analysis information would be collected and usage recommendations would be made. Ms.Temchuk reported that the total estimated cost would be $222,500.00 ($30,000.00 for both studies in each of the seven areas and $12,500.00 for the Needs Assessment study of the Boisey Waiters area). Assistant to the City Manager Temchuk revealed the second recommendation of staff for a lighting improvement project that would be south of Stirling Road and included Phippen Road, SW 5tn Court, SW 1st Street, 4tn 5m 6tn 7tn 8tn Avenues, and W. Dania Beach Blvd. She stated that it was proposed that 70 new streetlights would be installed and included new lights as well as replacing existing lights that would be placed on existing poles. She reported that the total estimated cost of the lighting project was 28,512.00. Ms. Temchuk stated that since the estimated allocation of CDBG Funds for 2004-2005 would be $251,012.00, all of these items would be conducted at no cost to the City. • Mayor Anton opened the public hearing. George Williams, 4942 SW 44 Terrace, asked which areas would be included in the lighting project. Mayor Anton clarified that the $28,512.00 lighting project was intended for only those areas outlined, but stated that the other studies identified areas where lighting would be needed in addition to traffic calming, drainage, sidewalk issues, and a multitude of different things. Mr. Williams asked for some money allocated for Playland Isles street lighting. Bonnie Mills, 4941 SW 44 Avenue, requested streetlights and sidewalks be placed in the Playland Island neighborhoods. George Jason, 4549 SW 37tn Avenue and chairman of the Dania Beach Neighborhoods United, stated that there were two neighborhoods within their organization that desperately needed lighting. These areas were Woodland Lane/40th Street and Laboe Acres off Stirling Road. Vanessa Avolio 5551 SW 24th Avenue, stressed the need for streetlights in her neighborhood. She felt the City had promised them they would get streetlights in 2001 and still no lights were installed. She also commented on the barbed wire fencing that divided the commercial from residential areas and recommended some beautification for that area. She thanked the Commission for their consideration and assured them that MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 3, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING • City Manager Pato reported on delays with FPL in having the streetlights in the Ravenswood area installed and stated that he hoped to have a specific timetable from them in 3 or 4 months. Ms. Avolio wanted Code Enforcement to become more involved in the area to alleviate trash build-up. Lawrence Leeds, Director of Community Development, advised that there was a Code Enforcement presence in her neighborhood and stated that the problem of putting trash out too early was a Public Services issue. He assured residents that the City had compiled a list of all those cited and explained that under state law, code enforcement issues had become a slow process. Director Leeds offered to provide Ms. Avolio with materials he had gathered concerning her neighborhood. Anna Varsi, 5743 SW 24th Avenue, reported a large hole in the fence between the commercial area and homes on the 5700 block of 24th Avenue and was concerned about theft in that area. She felt that a hedge along that fence would look better and might alleviate the crime possibility as well as block out some of the noise from the trucks. Milton K. Rothrock , 5454 SW 25th Avenue, commented on the dilapidated condition of the fence between his area and a mobile home park. Mayor Anton stated that all code issues should be directed to Mr. Leeds' office and reminded the public that this public hearing was held to discuss issues concerning the • CDBG program. Bonnie Mills, 4941 SW 44th Avenue, questioned how much money was in the CDBG and how often did the money become available. Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, reiterated that the allotment was $251,012.00. Mayor Anton stated that the funds were available annually and the amount fluctuated each year and was determined by a census. In response to Ms. Mills' question regarding a master plan, Mayor Anton explained that part of the purpose of these studies was to have such a plan developed. Assistant to the City Manager Temchuk explained that results of these studies provided a plan, a timeline, and a budget for completion. Ms. Temchuk further explained the boundaries on the map to Ms. Mills. Clara Razor, 5751 SW 24th Avenue, stated that her neighborhood needed streetlights and sidewalks and was concerned about the safety of the children in her neighborhood. George Williams, 4942 SW 44th Terrace, asked when was the earliest that the money would become available for the lighting under the CBDG programs. Mayor Anton deferred the question to Assistant to the City Manager Temchuk and stated • that there were possibly other sources of funding. MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 3, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING • Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, stated that the application for the CBDG Funding would be submitted no later than December 31, 2003 and if approved, the funding would be available in November 2004. In response to Mr. Williams' question regarding resident notification, Ms. Temchuk advised that the studies provided information that would be available to the residents in approximately six months. Carmela Inglese, 5231 SW 40th Avenue, was concerned about the dangerous situation caused by the lack of lighting in her condominium area and mentioned an assault to a BSO officer two months earlier. She wanted to know how long they had to wait to get lighting. Mayor Anton stated that it was the condominium association's responsibility to contact FPL to have lighting installed in the parking lot, but that the lights on 40th Avenue were being addressed. City Manager Pato explained that this was the beginning of a process that provided improvements and reiterated that it would take time and residents would needed to be patient. He stated that most projects like these were completed within three to five years. Jay Field, Airport Advisory Board, asked about having streetlights installed along New Griffin Road to Old Griffin Road and on to Bryan Road. He requested the City consider having navigator lights installed on City bridges along the Dania Cut-Off Canal. • Gary Luedtke, 4461 SW 34th Dr., would like to see the materials presented be made available to residents as a handout. City Manager Pato stated that it would be made available once approval had been secured, but at this point it was only a draft. Barbara Davila, 4437 SW 50th Street, requested streetlights be installed in Playland Isles. Hearing no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Anton closed the public hearing. Commissioner Chunn expressed concern for people's perception of what the City promised during annexation and desired to help get services there. Vice-Mayor McElyea asked John Bertino, former Commissioner, where did the money come from to put streetlights in during the old days, before the CBDG funds were available. Mr. Bertino stated that the money came from the General Fund and that FPL put the lighting in and charged the City a rate per month. He did not recall an installation charge. City Manager Pato explained that the funds for the current project had come from a • budgeted item. MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 3, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING Commissioner Flury felt that the current procedure must be more complicated than what had just been described or these residents would not have had to wait so long to get their streetlights. She wanted to know whether FPL installed the poles or if the City paid someone to do it. City Manager Pato explained that the City had to pay for the improvements. In response to Commissioner Flury's question regarding the current lighting project, City Manager Pato explained that in 1991 the City had inherited a $60,000.00 allocation for the lighting project for the first annexed area of the City. He further explained that FPL's reason for not having completed this project was due to personnel changes and post 9-11-01 security issues. He explained that FPL has assigned an engineer to the project and that the City should have obtained their results in about three months. He clarified that FPL decided how many poles and lights were needed. Commissioner Flury was concerned that once the City had conducted these studies and the plan was formed, there might still be some delay of about two years while the City waited for FPL. She wondered if FPL should be contacted now that these projects were being considered so that they could start having their studies conducted now. Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, stated that it would take 6 months for the plan to be developed and it would be 18 months from now to have obtained the funding. City Manager Pato agreed to meet with Lynn Shatas, an FPL representative, and perhaps extend and invitation to have her address the Commission at a regular meeting. • In response to Commissioner Flury's question concerning the replacement lights for existing street light poles, Assistant Temchuk explained that the replacements provided additional heads on some poles and new, brighter lights. Commissioner Flury noted that in Hollywood's CRA area a number of street lights had been installed in addition to the lights that FPL provided and wondered if the City had considered areas where that could have been done. Assistant to the City Manager Temchuk advised that they had considered installing decorative lighting along Dania Beach Boulevard and stressed the following benefits of FPL installations: 1) significantly less expensive; and 2) the City would not have responsibility for having them maintained. Vice-Mayor McElyea suggested lights be installed on existing poles. Ms. Temchuk advised that FPL must have their own surrey conducted before they would have lights installed. Mayor Anton referred to a drainage problem on 401h Avenue that had been earmarked by the County and promised that the County would have the problem taken care of. He stated that the project should have begun in February 2004 and wondered if lighting could coincide with that project. • A motion was made by Vice-Mayor McElyea, seconded by Commissioner Chunn, to proceed with the 30t" Year Community Development Block Grant Program MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 3, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING • A motion was made by Vice-Mayor McElyea, seconded by Commissioner Chunn, to proceed with the 30th Year Community Development Block Grant Program proposal as presented by staff. The motion passed on the following 4-0 roll call vote: Commissioner Chunn —yes Vice-Mayor McElyea —yes Commissioner Flury —yes Mayor Anton —yes Bonnie Temchuk, Assistant to the City Manager, announced that the second and final public hearing on this issue was on Monday, December 8, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Anton urged all citizens to sign the attendance sheet and encouraged those residents of the annexation areas to proceed with their plan to form a homeowner's association. 4. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. BOB ANrTON MAYOR-COMMISSIONER ATTEST: MIRIAM NASSER ACTING CITY CLERK Respectfully submitted by Jill Fiorentino APPROVED: February 24, 2004 MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 3, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING