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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2332 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES OF WORKSHOP DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007 - 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Mayor Flury called the Workshop to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor: Patricia Flury Vice-Mayor: Bob Anton Commissioners: John Bertino Anne Castro Paul Fetscher City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro City Clerk: Louise Stilson 2. City-Wide Traffic Control Issues Presentation by Blake Cumbers, Boyd Gaming, and representatives of Kimley-Horn Mayor Flury explained that the purpose of this meeting is to see what can be done to develop a plan for when gaming comes to the City. She also wanted to have a timetable of upcoming development within the City as a whole, not just for the SE section. Blake Cumbers, Boyd Gaming, introduced Bill Carey, of Kimley-Horn and Associates, the traffic engineers engaged in this project. Mr. Cumbers advised this would be a long project which would take 18-24 months. He indicated that they would explain their work plan showing the various phases of the project and the possible solutions and proposals. Mr. Cumbers further noted they would be working with the community and the Commission so that everyone understands the timeframe for implementation of the different options for traffic mitigation techniques. Bill Carey, Kimley-Horn and Associates, narrated a presentation on improvements to the Jai Alai property: • Re-route NE 2od Street • Separate NE I" Street from Fronton Boulevard • Additional parking along NE 2nd Street and NE 3`d Street for Frost Park • Landscape median on I" Terrace Tim Stillings, Kimley-Horn and Associates, discussed the Traffic Calming principles: • Function is to address impact from speeding and cut-through traffic 0 Concept is to maintain speed of 30 mph • Do not impact Emergency Response vehicles • Entry Islands— used to provide transition between commercial and residential areas • Speed Humps—most conventional use to reduce speed • Traffic Circles—used in 4-way intersections; they are safer than 4-way stop signs • Diverters—tend to deflect traffic issue to another street; they are often associated with partial closures; they could cause confusion • Chicanes— generally for wider streets Mr. Stillings noted that if the project started today, construction for Phase I could begin in December 2007; Phase II in July 2008 with construction completed in May 2009. Mayor Flury commented we should discuss the SE section. She suggested we might need to have 2-3 workshops and break up the sections of the City. Blake Cumbers clarified for Commissioner Castro that all the improvements around the facility are their responsibility. Currently there are some problems in the SE neighborhood adjacent to Jai Alai, issues that have existed for a long time, that need to be mitigated. He indicated there is a negotiated agreement in progress between the pari-mutuels and the County for fees to off-set traffic impacts, public services, police and life safety. Mr. Cumbers further commented that the actual construction of mitigation efforts for pre-existing conditions should be covered under the impact fees collected by the County and the City. Commissioner Castro confirmed with Mr. Cumbers that Boyd Gaming would help defray costs for the design phase and when the actual construction starts the City would have to pay for the traffic calming devices. She further asked to discuss the maintenance costs in detail. Mr. Cumbers advised Boyd Gaming would provide a loan to the City, interest-free, against impact fees. Commissioner Castro thought the Commission should consider setting up impact fees for the next 3-5 years only to be used for the impact the gaming venue would cause to the City. Mr. Cumbers noted the City needed to be cautious on how aggressive they are with traffic calming devices, because the cure could be worse than the problem. Mayor Flury summarized for the record that Boyd Gaming would be paying for this project, the City would provide them with significant input to develop a plan by May, and we would then determine who would be responsible for what. She further confirmed that Boyd Gaming would advance the funds to the City, interest-free, at the appropriate time, assuming we can all stay on schedule. City Attorney Ansbro advised we should not use the term "impact fees" when referring to the County Agreement whereby the City is a beneficiary. The "impact fees" we usually discuss relate to fees collected for certain administrative items when a building is built. Minutes of Workshop 2 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, January 11,2007—6:00 p.m. . City Manager Pato commented these fees were described as revenue items, not fees. He further explained that it is a percentage of the revenues that would come to the City for the purpose of addressing public safety issues, traffic, and gaming addiction issues. Commissioner Castro suggested putting our share of the revenues in an Enterprise Fund for a period of 3-5 years. Vice-Mayor Anton suggested expanding the study to Sheridan Street as well as 5'h Avenue. He further noted that diverters would cause significant inconvenience for the residents in this neighborhood, and they would have to provide input to the Commission in order to find the best solution. Vice-Mayor Anton commented we should also look into turning streets in the SE section into one-way streets. Commissioner Castro indicated that as we go through the studies and identify the problem areas, we should try to have options for the residents to choose from. She also mentioned that traffic coming from Hollywood would increase considerably on NE 5'h and suggested incorporating the Linear Park into the plan. Commissioner Bertino commented we would have to be extremely careful and look for a good solution with traffic, specifically in the SE section. Mayor Flury thought we could consider less intrusive options in the early stages, and after the Casino opens, we could conduct an assessment and determine where the problems are located. City Manager Pato advised the Linear Park is already included in the 5-year CIP and it should begin after FDOT completes its work. He added we could begin work on 4'h Terrace as soon as we resolve the drainage issues. Mayor Flury advised this Workshop was not a public hearing, however, she invited people in the audience to make a brief comment, if they so wished. Mimi Donly, 209 SE 3rd Terrace, would like to make sure that all of the school zones are taken into consideration. Vice-Mayor Anton suggested adding some chicanes to slow traffic down in the 5'h Avenue area, in conjunction with the Linear Park. City Manager Pato clarified for the record that 7'h Street is a continuation of Dixie Highway. Bob Adams, 330 SE 3`d Terrace, commented that SE 3`d Terrace should also be considered when discussing increase in traffic. He added this is the first through street from Federal Highway to 5'h Avenue, and we must try to slow down traffic. Albert Jones, 722 SW 3`d Avenue, noted we should make sure that the calming devices are needed so we do not waste taxpayer money. He also indicated that we need to consider the exit • Minutes of Workshop 3 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, January 11,2007—6:00 p.m. • area of the casino after close of business. Mr. Jones further noted that the upkeep and maintenance of the roundabouts should be taken into consideration as well. Michelle Bruzees, 2❑d Street, commented that when the traffic study is done, it will show that fifty percent of the people cutting through our streets do not belong in the neighborhood. She thought this problem needed to be addressed. Mr. Cumbers advised they are taking a verbatim transcript of this meeting, to make sure that every point of the meeting is clear to everyone, and they could furnish a copy to anyone who requests it. Joe Van Eron, 1500 SW 2nd Avenue, commented that when the CPTED study of the Triangle area was conducted three years ago, some additional areas were added. He indicated that we already have data that suggests installing chicanes along SW 5`h Avenue. Mr. Van Eron also noted that some small cities have implemented city-wide speed limits, and felt we should give it some consideration. Mayor Flury advised this matter has been discussed in the past, however, we will add it to the list of issues being considered. She would also like to see better signage within the City. Commissioner Bertino thought we needed to look at changing the length of traffic signalization at certain hours. iMr. Cumbers noted this has been a very good session, but we will need a few more meetings on this specific issue. He added that they will facilitate this process, but will need more time. Mr. Stillings commented we would need more traffic calming meetings in order to develop a concept plan. He suggested meeting with the neighbors in 2-3 weeks, in a very informal way, before coming back to the City. Mayor Flury would like to discuss the SE section first, and leave the remainder of the City for the second session. Commissioner Fetscher suggested the informal meetings with the community should be held within two weeks. Mayor Flury advised the community meetings will be held in the Commission Chamber and people will be notified. Commissioner Bertino suggested placing tables in the atrium where the traffic engineers would be available for residents to discuss any issues. Vice-Mayor Anton asked the Kimley-Horn representatives for suggestions to alleviate the problems the neighbors are currently facing in the 2nd Street and 3`d Avenue area. He asked for copies to be distributed to staff and the Commission. • Minutes of Workshop 4 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, January 11,2007—6:00 p.m. Ralph Eddy, 150 SE 3`d Avenue, thought there was no traffic control in his neighborhood and if the City does not enforce the signage already in place, there is no point in installing new signs. 3. Review of Citv Hall Renovations City Manager Pato advised the City Hall second floor addition is taking shape. He indicated that all customer service functions will remain downstairs, such as water billing, Code Compliance Unit, etc. The administrative staff would move upstairs and the City Attorney would return to City Hall. City Manager Pato further noted that we are building a modern Emergency Operations Center and a fireproof record storage area. Dominic Orlando, Director of Public Services, explained that the new hurricane code is more stringent, therefore the new Emergency Operations Center will have a separate foundation from the existing building. The current Conference Room is about 700 sq. ft. but does not meet the new hurricane code requirements. There will be no windows in the Atrium area, and no windows on the south side of the building. He noted that the existing copy room on the first floor will be turned into the elevator closet and the copy room would be moved to the storage area located behind the current Large Conference Room. Director Orlando indicated that the elevator would take people directly into the Human Resources area. City Manager Pato commented that one of the plans would be to move the Finance Department • to the Administration area, which would enable Code Enforcement to move into the current Finance area. An alternate plan would be to bring Code Enforcement to the Administration area for easy public access. He indicated that the Large Conference Room on the first floor will remain for use by several boards, civic organizations, and general staff. City Manager Pato added that the Fire Inspection Services/Fire Marshal's office will come back to City Hall. He added there will be extra space to be used as needed. Director Orlando advised that the second floor will be secured, and a pass from the receptionist will be required in order to have access to the second floor. Commissioner Bertino suggested one of the extra offices on the second floor could be used for the City Commission. Mayor Flury commented she would like to see the current Commission Office cleaned, the HR testing moved upstairs, and the video equipment moved out of that office. She added this room on the first floor is very convenient and she does not want to lose it. It was the Commission directive to have a room for the Commissioners upstairs as well. City Manager Pato advised that we are planning to update the video equipment and move it out of the Commission Office. Minutes of Workshop 5 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, January 11, 2007-6:00 p.m. • Director Orlando clarified for Commissioner Castro that the amount of$50,000 has already been allocated in the Budget to furnish some of the new offices, and any other incidental expenses related to the expansion project. City Manager Pato indicated we would have to discuss the painting of the entire building at a future date. 4. Adjournment Mayor Flury adjourned the Workshop at 7:35 p.m. CITY OF DANIA BEACH A ATTEST: PATRICIA FLURY MAYOR-COMMISSIONER LOUISE STILSON, CIVIC CITY CLERK • Approved: January 23, 2007 Minutes of Workshop 6 Dania Beach City Commission Thursday, January 11, 2007—6:00 p.m.