HomeMy WebLinkAbout34787 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES
DANIA CITY COMMISSION i
WORKSHOP MEETING
JANUARY 16, 1992
R01.1, CA1,I,:
Present. :
Mayor: Bob Mikes
Commissioners: Bill Hyde
Bobbie Grace
John Bertino
City Manager: Robert Flatley
city clerk: Wanda Mullikin
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Additional Staff :
Finance Director: Mary Jabalee
tit,il it.ies Director: Bud Palm
Public Works Supr. : Cliff Taylor
Utility Billing: Gail Fondo -
Meter Readers : Dennis; Parker
Tim Sklark
1 Rachlin & Cohen: Lisa Layne
! Absent :
¢ Vice Mayor: Charles Mcl;lyea
City Attorney: Frank Adler
GENERAL DISCUSSION REGARDING WATER/SEWER/SANTTATTON RATES IN THE CITY OF
DANIA:
Mayor Mikes mentioned a recent. ordinance change affecting the time frame
allowed to pay delinquent: water bills that has imposed a hardship on
citizens; in Dania . The time period was changed from 30 days after the l
bill is ,ient out. to 15 days .
city Manager Flattery advised that Dania is one of five cities in Broward
County billing for utilitien on a bimonthly basis and that the City is
considering changing to a monthly procedure. He then commented on a
recent. survey of cities in regards to the time period on delinquent
billing. Mr . 1'latley advised that. Dania has moderate rates in
comparison to other Broward cities.
Brenda Miller , 1001 SW 12 Avenue, commented on the high garbage and
.ewer charges imposed on citizens and didn ' t feel the issue is related
to billing on a bimonthly or monthly basis. Ms. Miller mentioned that
the survey submitted does not include the base rate for water whether
you use it or not and questioned where Dania falls in regards to base
rate:; .
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Mavor Miken mentioned his efforts to save money by encouraging
refurbishment of the City's Water Plant instead of building a new one.
He responded to Ms. Miller' s questions in regards to ecological concerns
and the type of treatment system being used at the water plant.
Bud Palm, Utilities Director, explained the desalinization and membrane
softening methods used in treating water. He advised that costs would
increase by three times if. the City goes to the membrane softening
technology.
Lisa Layne, Rachlin & Cohen, mentioned that Dania lies in the middle for
water rates compared to other cities in the County and that Dania 's
w<:
rages are lower compared to northern cities in the State.
Comments were made in regards to ci-tizens not understanding the billing
method used to calculate sanitation, water and sewer usage and excessive
WORKSHOP MEETING 1 JANUARY 16 , 1992
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charges to a one person residence compared to a live person residence.
vela PeLorman complained about trash not. being picked up by Southern
Sanitat.ion Southeast. . I -
City Manager Flatley advised Lhat Dania has a hard junk pickup once a
month that. is not provided in other cities and that the City saved
$347, 000 a year by awarding the trash and garbage contracts th nt the
I bidding process .
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Cliff Taylor, Public Works Supervisor, explained efforts made by the
City to notify the public of the Lrash schedules. He advised that Code
Fnfcrrcement I.,; holding off on issuing violation notices to people who i
have Lrarh/garbage left out. to allow time for people to become familiar
with the. routine . Mr . Taylor mentioned Lhe dumping problem in the
southwest. section due to so many vacant lots and encouraged people Lo
j baq Lheir yard clippings Lo meet recycling criteria .
Discussion followed on Lhe high expense imposed on cities Lo dispose of
their garbage/trash and Lhe. cost Lhat. wart saved when the City recently
went. Lhru the bidding process to award Lhe garbage/trash contracts to i
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Seacoast. and Southern Sanitation Southeast: .
Citizens were encouraged to pickup up Lrash/garbage schedules at City
Hall and follow them in order Lo give the system it chance to work.
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l,isa Layne Look a few minutes LO explain Dania ' s responsibility :in
collect.ing sewerage and pumping it. to Lhe South Broward Regional
Sewerage 'Treatment Plant. in Hollywood. She advised the public that an
Infiltration and inflow Study is being conducted, at this Lime, in an
effort. Lo reduce sewer costs aL Lhe Hollywood Plant . She mentioned
Dania ' s lack of control over governmental regulations and mandates from
Lhc SLaLe DepL . of Fnvironmental Regulations and Federal EPA who force
cities Lo bear the high costs to meet Lreatment, criteria .
Johnny Hodge, Albert- .tones, Sara Spates, Sally Darling, Rose Middleton,
Bertha McCray, issac Cathiers, and Eugenia Byrd came forward to ask
individual rlucst. ions of staff and Commissioners regarding procedures
used in the utA lily Department. relating to billing , financial
account. iuq and meter issue::.
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Dennis Parker and Tim Sklark , Dania McLer Readers, explained procedures
that. are used to read meters. Responses were made Lo specific problems r ;
relat. inq Lo how meters are read when dirt covers the meter.
Buleah Lair came forward to confirm that. resident.s are responsible for -
keeping meter boxes clear of debris and dirt: for easy access and reading
by the meter readers .
Discussion followed on the possibility of reducing Lhe percentage rate
used on penal Lies Lo alleviate some of the burden for residents who are
having it tough time meeting their utility bills and the City allowing
ione free re-reading per year per account.
Commissioner Grace expressed the need for the. City to make more effort
in educating residents in regards to pickup schedules and for residents
Lo call City Hall when they are having a problem with their utility
bills .
Commissioner Hyde felt the City Attorney should determine if the people
can receive a credit back on penalties paid when the 15 day grace period
was in effect and for the City to give a free re-reading per year.
Commissioner Hyde expressed the unique benefit granted to Dania
residents by this Commission and staff to hold an open meeting to
discuss these issues and how this would not take place in other cities
or at. Lhe County level .
Commissioner BerLino encouraged a reduction in the percentage on �g}
penalties and to implement one free re-reading per year. Commissioner '
i Ber-Lino felt there was a need to notify residents on schedule changes
and suggested a representative from the Utility Department be available
Lo attend civic meetings for better awareness.
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WORKSHOP MEETING 2 JANUARY 16, 1992
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� e ' City Manager Flatley advised ghat he is looking into a program where -
t«� pictures will be taken at the time of. meter reading to have proof when *� ,
ry there are problems and that Dania needs to bill monthly opposed to
v bimonthly.
Mayor Mikes reconfirmed the Commission's desire to change procedures �
that are within their power in an effort to assist residents in any way
.3s'e possible.
This workshop meeting adjourned.
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MAYOR--COMMIS, ONER `
CITY C1,ER -AUDITOR
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WORKSHOP MEETING 3 JANUARY 16 , 1992
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ITEM 11 WAS HEARD AFTER ITEM 5 F f ,
11 . Mayor Mikes suggested that a letter be sent to the Broward
County Commission in regards to possible vagrancy problems that may ,.
occur with the county' s quick-take of the Trail ' s End Trailer Park.
Mayor Mikes felt that. extra deputies could be provided for by the
' County and that the City should not be responsible.
12. Commissioner Grace suggested that a representative be
designated to attend the Broward Day 1992 in Tallahassee on January
29-30, 1992.
The Commission generally agreed to send a representative but,
without Commissioner Hyde in attendance, no firm decision was made
on who would be attending.
city Manager Flatley advised that the Marina Mile Association Will
be part of the Dania presentation .
DISCUSSION '
MR. FLATLEY ADVISED THAT FEBRUARY 22ND AND 23RD HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE
FOR BEACH PLANTING DAY. MR. FLATLEY ADVISED THAT $40,000 WORTH OF
PLANTS HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE GRANT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION TO BE USED TO UPGRADE THE CLOVERLEAF AT DANIA
BEACH. MR. FLATLEY STATED THAT FOOD IS BEING PROVIDED FOR THE
VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING WITH THE PLANTING.
MAYOR MIKES REMINDED THE COMMISSION ON THE, PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 AT 7 :30 P.M. TO DISCUSS PUBLIC UTILITIES AND
TO ENSURE STAFF MEMBERS ARE PRESENT TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS. (((
MAYOR MIKES MENTIONED THAT A WORKSHOP MEETING IS SCHEDULED TUESDAY,
JANUARY 14 AT 7: 30 TO DISCUSS PUBLIC HOUSING WITH THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY.
COMMISSIONER BERTINO REQUESTED TO DISCUSS CONSIDERATION OF
INCREASING CODE ENFORCEMENT TO WORK WEEKENDS AT THE NEXT WORKSHOP
mm,TING.
This workshop meeting was then adjourned. j
YOR-COMMI IONER
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CITY CLERK-AUDITOR
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WORKSHOP MEETING 6 JANUARY 7, 1992
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