HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-04-28 Workshop City Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
DANIA CITY COMMISSION
APRIL 28, 1975
1. Present: Mayor: Robert Duncanson
Vice Mayor: John Bertino
Commissioners: Robert Donly
John Kay
City Manager: Woodward Hampton
City Attorney: Jack Milbery
2. City Attorney Milbery has reviewed Ordinance #541 which adopted the General Employees
Pension Plan. He states that the Ordinance bases pension on the base salary for the
last five (5) years of service. The Pension Committee, according to Mr. Milbery's
findings, has no authority to change the Pension Plan. Any change, for example the
changing of the base salary from five (5) years to three (3) years, has to be done
by ordinance. The Pension Committee can recommend changes, but the City Commission,
through an ordinance, has the only authority to make the changes. The Commission
then reviewed the amendments to the Plan, and questioned their validity due to the
fact that they were not adopted by Resolution or Ordinance. The Mayor asked City
Attorney Milbery to research the legality of these amendments, and also the provisions
of the basic Pension Plan, and report to the Commission when this information is
secured. Then the Commission will discuss what steps have to be taken to set up the
Pension Plan as it should be.
3. The Commission continued its discussion on Charter revision that was begun at the
last workshop meeting. City Attorney Milbery states that there are certain changes
that will have to be made by referendum, for example, the election of City Commissioners
to a different length in office, and the change to a two (2) year mayoral term. The
Commission debated at length the pros and cons of having a strong City Manager with
the power to hire and fire department heads. They could not come to a decision on
this item in the Charter, and so decided to think about it until it can be put on a
regular meeting agenda.
4. The Commission discussed the Comprehensive Plan. This plan for land use has to be
submitted by June 26 to the Broward Planning Council. The Council will review these
plans from 29 cities, each city submitting three (3) maps. After the County wide
plan is adopted, it will be used as a development plan for Broward County. The
City of Dania's plan has to be adopted by Ordinance or Resolution before the Council
will accept it. As stated previously, each city must submit three maps - their
present zoning map, a map of the Land as it is being used at present, and a map of
the land as the City would like it to be used in the future. The Mayor asked that
the Building Inspector have the plans ready for the May 5 meeting. Also, he asked
that the City Attorney prepare an Ordinance and advertise it for the May 19 meeting
so that the Commission can officially adopt the Plan at the May 19 meeting.
5. Vice Mayor Bertino spoke on his findings concerning animal control. He recommends
hiring a dog catcher on a per dog basis, and suggests a fine of $25 for the return of
the animal to its owner. Once the public realizes that control of animals is going
to be enforced, the Commission and Police feel that the stray animal problem will
lessen. The Commission feels that the present rules controlling animals are adequate,
but the City needs better enforcement of these rules. The Mayor asked City Manager
llampton to compile all the Ordinances regarding animal control and report to the
Commission when this information is obtained.
Robert H. Duncanson - Mayor
Wanda Mullikin - City Clerk
City Commission -1- April 28, 1975