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HomeMy WebLinkAbout23440 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES OF WORKSHOP S.W. COMMUNITY CENTER, BOISEY-WAITERS, T.I.ME. 4 KIDS DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2007 — 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Mayor Anton called the Workshop to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Mayor: Bob Anton Vice-Mayor: Albert C. Jones Commissioners: John Bertino Anne Castro Patricia Flury City Manager: Ivan Pato City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro City Clerk: Louise Stilson 3. S.W. Community Center City Manager Pato shared an estimate prepared by Public Services Director Dominic Orlando with the Commission regarding this project. He indicated they found a way to prioritize the construction of the SW Community Center. Vice-Mayor Jones noted this project was approved by the citizens through the General Obligation Bond. He indicated $450,000 is available for this project, with the possibility of an additional $250,000 from a CDBG grant originally intended for the NW Community Center. Vice-Mayor Jones confirmed with Broward County that it is our decision to make the best use of grant funds. He stated he would like to see this project move forward. Mayor Anton noted the cost of construction is significant for a 2,500 square foot building, and indicated we could purchase a larger building for SIM, as opposed to construction. He also pointed out that the 18" pipe infiltration would need to be done for the Public Services Complex anyway. Mayor Anton commented they discussed using Chester Byrd Park for this project, but it would be too small to accommodate the Community Center and the required parking would also be a problem. Dominic Orlando, Public Services Director, explained that the 18" pipe is required for that specific site because there is no open space and no retention ponds. Commissioner Flury noted she was not receptive to transferring the CDBG funds from the lighting money in the west because they have waited a long time for this project to come to fruition. She suggested moving forward with the construction of the S.W. Community Center and the remainder of the funds be allocated to the Public Services Complex project. Mayor Anton clarified for the record that the funds available are not from any lighting project; they were originally intended for the construction of the N.W. Community Center, behind the 803 BSO Sub-Station, that was cancelled. City Manager Pato clarified that we have $426,000 in recreation impact fees, $300,000 from the G.O. Bond and $115,000 included in the CIP that we can use for this project. He pointed out that we do not need to wait until the construction of the Public Services compound is completed to start this project. City Manager Pato also noted we do not need to use CDBG funds either, because we already have money to build the S.W. Community Center. Dominic Orlando, Director of Public Services, explained the cost proposal for the project. He added that he used conservative numbers but the Commission could make adjustments if they wished. The consensus of the Commission was to proceed with the project; however, the cost needs to be reduced. 4. Boisey-Waiters Vice-Mayor Jones would like to see something done with this property. He thought we could partner with the School Board of Broward County, sell it, or put it back on the tax roll. Mayor Anton pointed out access to the building is a big issue. He also noted the building would have to be demolished before anything is planned with that site. Commissioner Flury pointed out that if the property is sold, these funds would need to go into the General Fund, not just to the southwest area. Mayor Anton indicated we need two separate appraisals for both properties on each side of the canal. City Attorney Ansbro indicated that if the appraisal is over $500,000 it must go out to referendum vote. It was the consensus of the Commission to obtain an appraisal of the property. Minutes of Workshop Page 2 of 4 S.W. Community Center, Boisey-Waiters, T.I.M.E. 4 KIDS Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday,August 14,2007-6:00 p.m. 5. T.LM.E. 4 KIDS Colin Donnell Assistant City Manager, explained the provisions of the rant. He noted the Y� Y g P P g grant amount is $280,000, and the two locations are Dania Elementary and Collins Elementary. He recommended entering into a contract with After School Programs, Inc. (ASP) to run the program, since they are familiar with our City and our students. Mayor Anton asked if there would be a way to measure their performance. Assistant City Manager Donnelly noted that ASP will test the students before they start with the program and after they finish. There was recently a field inspection conducted by the Children's Services Council and they found very few comments about what they do. Mayor Anton thought BSO Chief Peterson should be involved in the program as well. Commissioner Flury understood we could not afford to pay benefits to those working for the program therefore the only option is to turn it over to ASP. However, she is certain it will not be the same as when Turn Around Dania Beach handled it. Vice-Mayor Jones confirmed with Assistant City Manager Donnelly that we lease classrooms at these schools from the School Board of Broward County. He noted the School Board has a Tutoring Program that could be incorporated into ASP and help with measuring students' performance. Assistant City Manager Donnelly indicated ASP has a liaison with both schools who will prepare a report for each student in order to evaluate their improvement/problems. Commissioner Bertino would like to see the list of people working for ASP. Commissioner Castro questioned if we have ever done a cost comparison showing the City versus ASP handling the program and the benefits on either side. She also asked about their expertise. Assistant City Manager Donnelly explained what the costs to the City would be. He also noted ASP uses experienced people who are well known to Broward County and the Children's Services Council. He confirmed for Commissioner Castro that the City would be looking for private funding and not ASP. The Commission generally agreed that the program is important and needs to continue. It was the consensus of the Commission to move forward with staff recommendations. Minutes of workshop Page 3 of 4 S.W. Community Center, Boisey-Waiters, T.I.M.E. 4 KIDS Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday,August 14, 2007—6:00 p.m. 6. Adjournment Mayor Anton adjourned the Workshop at 7:01 p.m. ATTEST: CITY OF DANIA BEACH LOUISE STILSON, CMC BOB ANT CITY CLERK MAYOR-COMMISSIONER Approved: August 28, 2007 Minutes of Workshop Page 4 of 4 S.W. Community Center, Boisey-Waiters,T.I.M.E. 4 KIDS Dania Beach City Commission Tuesday,August 14,2007—6:00 p.m.