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>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
[CALL TO ORDER]
IT IS 7:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9TH, AND WELCOME YOU TO OUR CHAMBERS FOR OUR COMMISSION MEETING.CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
>> VICE MAYOR GELIN. COMMISSIONER VILLALOBOS.
>> GOOD EVENING. IF WE CAN ALL STAND AND COMMISSIONER BOLTON WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND THEN IF WE CAN HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR WORLD AFTERWARDS, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. PLEASE BE SEATED. CITY ATTORNEY, YOUR REPORT.
[1. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT]
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, I HAVE ONE ITEM THAT IT'S REALLY MORE ABOUT INFORMATIONAL INTO HAVE YOU START THINKING ABOUT THIS.
BUT IF YOU DON'T RECALL, DURING THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION, THERE WAS A CHARTER BROWARD COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENT MATTER THAT PASSED THAT PROVIDES FOR COUNTY PROJECTS, SURTAX PROJECTS, THAT ARE GOING TO BE BUILT WITHIN MUNICIPALITIES, WHICH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM WILL BE BUILT TO MUNICIPALITIES ARE ESSENTIALLY PREEMPT ON LOCAL REGULATIONS THAT WAS APPROVED.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS REACHED OUT TO ALL OF THE MUNICIPAL ATTORNEYS AND IS TRYING TO SCHEDULE A MEETING THAT IS GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS TO DEVELOP THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY A COUNTY ORDINANCE AND SO WE'RE WORKING ON THAT ITEM.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT AS USER-FRIENDLY TO THE MUNICIPALITIES AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF WHAT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT WAS.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT, THAT AS WE BRING THAT MATTER FORWARD TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES OR CONCERNS THAT WE MAY HAVE AT THE STAFF LEVEL, WE MAY BE ASKING YOU ALL TO CONTACT YOUR PEERS IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, AS WELL AS YOUR PEERS ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO ASSIST US ALL IN TRYING TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WHAT GETS ADOPTED IS REFLECTIVE OF WHAT THE RESIDENCE OF THE COUNTY VOTED ON, AND AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING ESSENTIALLY THE EQUIVALENT OF YOUR HOME RULE POWERS AND THAT OF EVERY OTHER MUNICIPALITY IN BROWARD COUNTY.
OTHER THAN THAT, I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CITY MANAGER.
[2. CITY MANAGER REPORT]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSION.
THE ONLY REPORT I HAVE IS TO INVITE ALL OF THOSE OF YOU ON THE DAY AS TO THE FRONT ROW FOR THE MAYOR OF STATE OF THE CITY, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS VIDEO.
>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. IT IS GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND I HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS TEXTS AND SOME CALLS FOR EVERYBODY WATCHING IN THE SKY.
WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.
WITH THE YEAR WE'VE HAD, IT MAY BE A LITTLE TOUGH TO THINK ABOUT OUR FUTURE.
BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT OUR CITY'S LEADERSHIP IS DOING.
IT'S PUTTING PLANS IN PLACE AND LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR MANY YEARS AHEAD.
WHAT DOES TAMARAC LOOK LIKE IN 2040? IT'S THE THRIVING, VIBRANT CITY FOR YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF THE NEW GENERATION.
OUR CITY IS FIT, HEALTHY, AND ACTIVE.
WE'RE TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF OUR GROWING NUMBER OF PARKS, NATURE TRAILS, AND GATHERING PLACES FOR OUR RECREATIONAL NEEDS.
TAMARAC IS PHYSICALLY STRONG, ALWAYS SEEKING WAYS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT REVENUES THROUGH PRUDENT BUDGETING AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO ELIMINATE OR REDUCE TAXPAYER BURDEN.
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WE'RE MEETING THE BUSINESS GROWTH AND HOUSING NEEDS FOR OUR EXPANDING CITY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EQUITABLE PROCUREMENT.OUR PAVED INFRASTRUCTURE IS ACCESSIBLE, SOUND, AND CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING TRAFFIC FLOW.
WE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
YEARS INTO THE FUTURE, OUR CITY STILL HAS CURB APPEAL.
IT REMAINS NEIGHBORLY AND HOSPITABLE AND CONTINUES TO BE SOUGHT AFTER AS A SAFE, DESIRABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME BY YOUNG FAMILIES, HIPSTERS, SCHOLARS, RETIREES, AND EVERYONE IN-BETWEEN.
HOW DO WE GET THERE? BY TAKING THE CRITICAL STEPS TODAY THAT LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.
I'M TAMARAC MAYOR, MICHELLE J GOMEZ, AND I'M VERY PROUD TO PRESENT TO YOU THE 2020 STATE OF THE CITY AND SHARE WITH YOU HOW THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE IS ALSO THE CITY FOR YOUR FUTURE.
THE CITY OF TAMARAC WORK DILIGENTLY TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE THE 2020 US CENSUS.
THE RESULTS SHOW THAT OUR CITY'S POPULATION HAS GROWN 19 PERCENT, 72,000 PEOPLE.
RESIDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MAKEUP 19 PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION, 28 PERCENT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE SENIORS ABOVE THE AGE OF 65.
OUR MEAN AGE IS 49-AND-A-HALF AND THIS PAST YEAR, WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE CELEBRATED AT LEAST SEVEN, 100 YEAR YOUNG OR OLDER RESIDENTS.
MRS VERNA SCOTT, SHE TURNED 106 THIS PAST HALLOWEEN.
WE ARE A WONDERFUL MELTING POT OF AGES AND CULTURES.
IN 37 PERCENT OF OUR HOUSEHOLDS, PEOPLE SPEAK LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH, SPANISH BEING THE MOST COMMON.
[FOREIGN], WHICH MEANS WE ARE ONE TAMARAC.
WE ARE STRONG, WE ARE SMART AND ADAPTABLE.
TRACE THAT HAVE HELPED US WEATHER YEAR 2 OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
WE'VE ALL BEEN TOUCHED BY ITS IMPACT AND WE CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE THE JOURNEY TOGETHER.
IN 2021, MANY TAMARAC GOOD SAMARITANS HELP NEIGHBORS IN NEED.
THE CITY PARTNERED WITH FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA, CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER, COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, AND VSO TO PROUDLY AND SAFELY DISTRIBUTE FOOD THROUGH APRIL.
I'M ALSO PROUD TO SHARE THAT CORINNE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S WEEKLY DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DISTRIBUTION IS STILL ONGOING.
IT IS FEEDING UP TO 500 FAMILIES PER WEEK.
IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO SERVE WITH THEM REGULARLY.
THE CITY DID ITS PART AND DISPERSED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GRANT FUNDING TO ALMOST 820 TAMARAC HOUSEHOLDS IN NEED.
RECOGNIZING THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS SOME RESIDENTS WERE GOING THROUGH, THE COMMISSION ELIMINATED LATE FEES AND WATER UTILITY DISCONNECTIONS IN 2020 AND IN 2021.
ONCE VACCINATIONS BECAME AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2021, TAMARAC FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 2,000 COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING HOMEBOUND SENIOR CITIZENS, WORLD WAR II VETERANS, BAY OF PIGS SURVIVORS, AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS.
IN JANUARY 2022, A NEW TAMARAC DRIVE-THROUGH COVID-19 TESTING SITE OPENED UP AND IT ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 13,000 TESTS.
NOW, I'M VERY PLEASED TO SEE THE COMMUNITY REOPENING AND THE RETURN OF SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY.
EVEN THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, TAMARAC CONTINUES TO ASSERT ITSELF AS A FORCE IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY WITH MORE THAN 2,000 ACTIVE COMPANIES OF ALL SIZES MAKING THEIR UNIQUE MARK.
TAMARAC IS HOME TO BUSINESSES RANGING FROM FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANTS, TO SERVING MULTICULTURAL CUISINE, TO MAJOR CORPORATIONS.
TAMARAC IS HOME TO COMPANY LIKE NEW VISION PHARMACEUTICAL, ONE OF THE REGION'S LARGEST LIFE SCIENCES FIRM.
THE HEADQUARTERS OF PUROCLEAN, SPECIALIZING IN REMEDIATION OF PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OF CITY FURNITURE.
WE WELCOMED FOUR NEW COMPANIES INTO THE TAMARAC BUSINESS CENTER, A BRAND NEW 357,000 SQUARE FOOT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMERCE PARK.
THIS CREATED NEARLY 600 NEW JOBS AND ROUGHLY 485 OF THEM ARE ATTRIBUTED TO AMAZON.
ANOTHER MAJOR EMPLOYER INVESTING MORE THAN $17 MILLION INTO THE CITY IS HCA FLORIDA WOODMONT HOSPITAL, FORMERLY KNOWN AS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.
IT PROVIDES JOBS FOR OVER 650 PEOPLE.
WE THANK OUR FRONTLINE WARRIORS FOR ALL THAT THEY DO TO KEEP OUR VISITORS AND OUR RESIDENTS HEALTHY.
TAMARAC'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS CONTINUE TO BE FOCUSED ON NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT.
WITH THE LAUNCH OF TWO NEW GRANT PROGRAMS, TAMARAC IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR COMMERCIAL PLAZAS TRANSFORMED AND REVITALIZED.
COMING SOON TO OUR CITIES MEDICAL REDEVELOPMENT AREA,
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TWO STORY STRUCTURE WITH RETAIL SPACE AND THE HIGH-END ROOFTOP DINING WILL BRING NEW LIFE TO OUR CORRIDOR.WORK HAS RESUMED TO COMPLETE TAMARAC'S MARRIOTT FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES.
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO OUR NEW AND IMPROVED COLONY WEST GOLF CLUB, HOME TO THE VIEW RESTAURANT.
WE CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF THE STATE OF THE ART MULTIPURPOSE EVENTS AND DINING SPACE IN MID 2021.
WE ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HOTEL OPENING UP, HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
TAMARAC HAS GROWN, AND ITS HOUSING STOCK IS NEARLY 17,000 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND NEARLY 29,000 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENCES.
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY FOR THE ENCLAVES IN WEST APARTMENTS, LAKE OF TAMARAC TOWN HOMES, TAMARAC CIRCLE, BAILEY SQUARE APARTMENTS, AND THE NEXT PHASE OF TAMARAC VILLAGE.
TAMARAC VILLAGE IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF WHAT WILL BECOME TAMARAC'S DOWNTOWN.
IN AN AREA ONCE FILLED WITH UNDEVELOPED LAND, NOW STANDS THE PRIZED MIXED LAND USE DEVELOPMENT, A PROTOTYPE, A MODERN 400 UNIT APARTMENT COMMUNITY.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CURRENT PHASE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL BRING A PARK, SPLASH PAD, AMPHITHEATER, SOCIAL JUSTICE WALL, ALONG WITH THE REMAINING 190 NEW HOUSING UNITS.
AS FOR EDEN WEST, IT IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT SMART REDEVELOPMENT WAS ONCE AN OUTDATED SHOPPING PLAZA CAN BECOME.
THROUGH STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND FORWARD THINKING, FORWARD THINKING LAND USE REGULATIONS PUT IN PLACE TODAY LIKE THESE PROJECTS SET THE BAR FOR TAMARAC'S DEVELOPMENT ENDEAVORS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THE COMPLETION OF THESE PROJECTS AND WELCOMING MORE NEIGHBORS TO TAMARAC TO CALL HOME.
TAMARAC DEFINITELY HAS CURB APPEAL.
IT IS EVIDENT THROUGH OUR PUBLIC ART.
IN TOTAL, ROUGHLY 31 PUBLIC ART SCULPTURES ARE EXHIBITED THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO LATELY, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY THROUGH TAMARAC INSPIRATION WAY.
OUR CITY'S MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS, SCULPTURES ARE CHANGED YEARLY AND THE NEW INSTALLATION IS NEARLY COMPLETED.
PLEASE DRIVE ALONG KNOB HILL ROAD AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY FROM COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD TO MCNAB ROAD.
BEST OF ALL, PUBLIC ART PIECES THROUGHOUT THE CITY ARE FUNDED SOLELY TO DEVELOPER FEES.
THROUGH THE YEARS, TAMARAC HAS ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION AMONG ITS RESIDENCE AND NEIGHBORS AS A CLEAN, WELL-MAINTAINED CITY.
A SENTIMENT EXPRESSED BY OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ALIKE.
AS YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH TAMARAC, WHEN YOU SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL BUFFER WALLS.
THERE'S A TOTAL OF 24,000 MILLENNIAL SQUARE FEET THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
TAMARAC'S BEAUTY IS ALSO EASY TO SEE, BUT OUR STRENGTH AND APPEAL GO BELOW THE SURFACE THROUGH SMART STRATEGIC INVESTMENT.
CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER COMES FROM OUR TAMARAC FAUCETS.
TO CONTINUE PROVIDING OPTIMAL LEVELS OF SERVICE, TAMARAC'S WATER TREATMENT PLANT WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND RECONSTRUCTED, MAKING WAY FOR A 21ST CENTURY MODERN BUILDING.
THE NEW PLANT WILL MEET PRESENT-DAY SAFETY AND HURRICANE BUILDING CODES THAT DID NOT EXIST WHEN THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THE 1960'S.
THIS $20 MILLION PROJECT IS SLATED TO BEGIN THIS YEAR.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IS THE INSTALLATION OF FOUR NEW EMERGENCY GENERATORS, A $600,000 GRANT FUNDED PROJECT TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY BACKUP POWER TO FOUR SANITARY LIST STATIONS, ENSURING THAT THE CITY'S WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM CONTINUES TO OPERATE DURING POWER OUTAGES.
AN EXTENSIVE EXPANSION OF OUR CITY'S FIBER OPTIC NETWORK CONTINUES.
EXPANDING FREE WI-FI AND HIGH-SPEED NETWORK CONNECTIVITIES TO OUR PARKS AND FACILITIES.
REPLACING OUR ABOVE-GROUND FIBER WITH UNDERGROUND FIBER, ENHANCING OUR RESILIENCY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PREPARED FOR ANY DISASTERS.
THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED THIS SPRING.
INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF LIFE COME AT A COST.
WE KNOW HOW HARD IT HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
YOUR COMMISSION HAS BEEN LISTENING.
THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, 2022 BUDGET WAS ADOPTED WITH THE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.2000, THE FIRST MILLAGE RATE REDUCTION IN NEARLY A DECADE.
THE CITY IS DISPLAY SOUND, TRANSPARENCY AND STRIVING TO LIMIT TAXPAYER IMPACT OR PERENNIAL GOALS.
HELPING US ALONG THE WAY ARE ONGOING EFFORTS TO OBTAIN ONE TIME AND REOCCURRING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO OFFSET COSTS.
FOR THESE EFFORTS TO CITY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED MORE THAN THREE DECADES BY THE PRESTIGIOUS GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.
IN TAMARAC, WE SPEND LOCALLY, THANKS TO THOUGHTFUL PLANNING BY OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF.
I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IN 2021,31 PERCENT OF TAMARAC'S PROCUREMENT WAS AWARDED TO LOCAL,
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SMALL, MINORITY WOMEN OR VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES.OUR COMMUNITY IS FLOURISHING AND OUR CITY IS POISED FOR THE FUTURE.
WE ARE ONE TAMARAC MADE UP OF PEOPLE OF MANY NATIONS, RACES, CULTURES, GENDERS AND CREEDS, WHO ENTHUSIASTICALLY CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER.
WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE DO SO IN OUR PARKS.
SOON, YOU WILL SEE MUCH ANTICIPATED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CAPORELLA PARK.
IT WILL INCLUDE A NEW PICNIC SHELTER, RESTROOMS, CONCESSION AREA, PLAYGROUND, A NON-MOTORIZED BOAT LAUNCH, SPLASH PAD, COVER FITNESS CENTER, AMPHITHEATER, AND A PARKING LOT EXPANSION.
WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.
ALSO ON THE WAY, ARE NEW RESTROOMS AND PARKING LOTS AT SUNSET POINT AND VETERANS PARKS.
SEATING WILL ALSO BE ADDED TO ENHANCE THE TAMARAC VETERANS MEMORIAL DESIGN, GIVING YOU A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO REST WHILE VIEWING THE BEAUTIFUL HONOR WALL AND REFLECTING ON THE SERVICE OF THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY.
IN THE 2021 TAMARAC RESIDENTS SURVEY, YOU TOLD US THAT YOU FEEL SAFE IN TAMARAC.
BSO TAMARAC WORKS EVERY DAY TO KEEP CRIME DOWN, THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS CRIME HAS REDUCED BY APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT JUST LAST YEAR.
RECENTLY, BSO DISTRICT SET AND ROLLED OUT THIS NEW ANTI-AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CAMPAIGN.
ITS EMPHASIS IS ON TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT AND KNOCKING OUT AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.
WE DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO ITS UNITS SUCCESS.
[APPLAUSE] ALSO ENHANCING OUR SAFETY IS A BRAND NEW STATE OF THE ART TAMARAC FIRE STATION 36, PROTECTING IT WILL BE A FANTASTIC 16 FOOT SCULPTURE OF A DALMATIAN NAMED SPECKLES MAKE FRECKLES.
IN ADDITION TO BEING A MODERN, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED FIRE STATION, ITS LOCATION HELP THE CITY EXCEEDED IT'S GOAL OF A TARGET EIGHT MINUTE RESPONSE TIME AT THE RATE OF 90 PERCENT OR HIGHER.
THANK YOU, TAMARAC FIRE RESCUE.
[APPLAUSE] WHAT A PLACE TO CALL HOME.
I CREDIT MUCH OF OUR CITY'S SUCCESS TO OUR TALENTED STAFF OF 4,000 PLUS.
NEARLY 19 PERCENT OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES RESIDE IN TAMARAC.
IT HAS BEEN ONE OF MY GREATEST PLEASURES TO SERVE ALONGSIDE OF YOU FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.
I'M INSPIRED BY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, EVERY DAY, YOUR DIGNITY, YOUR WORK ETHIC, YOUR COURAGE, AND YOUR COMMITMENT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE CITY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR BUSINESSES, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
ANOTHER MAJOR TALENT POOL IN OUR COMMUNITY IS THE FUTURE WAVE OF TAMARAC PROFESSIONALS BEING DEVELOPED AT OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.
IN 2021, TAMARAC MILLENNIUM COLLEGIATE ACADEMY CELEBRATED ITS INAUGURAL CLASS OF 62 STUDENTS, ALL GRADUATING WITH HONORS, ALL WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEIR TALENTED WORK AND SEEING THEM WORKING IN OUR CITY.
WE'VE HAD AN UNUSUAL BUT PRODUCTIVE YEAR.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WITH OUR DEDICATED AND SKILLED PROFESSIONAL STAFF, OUR CITY IS IN GOOD HANDS.
YOUR COMMISSION WILL CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS, ADVOCATE FOR YOUR NEEDS, AND WORK HARD TO ENSURE A SUPERB QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE'RE PROGRESSING INTO A HAVEN FOR BUSINESSES AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, BRINGING MORE GOOD PAYING JOBS INTO THE CITY.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPERS ARE RECOGNIZING THE DESIRABILITY OF A TAMARAC ADDRESS.
WE WILL NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT MAKES THIS THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE.
THAT'S WHY THE TAMARAC OF TOMORROW WILL, IN MANY WAYS, LOOK LIKE THE TAMARAC OF TODAY, THRIVING AND VIBRANT, BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY.
BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, A MULTI-GENERATIONAL, MULTI-CULTURAL, BLENDED COMMUNITY, UNITED TO PROVIDE THE OPTIMUM QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE.
WE'LL GET THERE BY RESPECTING EACH OTHER'S STRENGTHS AND UNIQUENESS AND WORKING COLLECTIVELY TO BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THAT BRIGHTER FUTURE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
[APPLAUSE] ADMITTEDLY, I WAS NERVOUS. I FORGOT THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO THE NEXT THING.
IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I ALSO GET THE CHANCE TO INTRODUCE THE 2021 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO WHERE YOUR COMMISSION WILL SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR PAST YEAR.
[00:20:04]
OF TAMARAC 2021 WAS FILLED WITH MANY DEFINING MOMENTS SPARKED BY GLOBAL, NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL EVENTS.THROUGH IT ALL OUR CITY PROOFS TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT WE ARE ONE TAMARAC BUILT TO PREVAIL, GROW, EVOLVE, AND SUCCEED AT ALL OUR STRATEGIC GOALS WITH UNITY.
AS A COMMUNITY WE CONTINUE FACING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TOGETHER.
OUR 2021 RESIDENT SURVEY SHOWED A 78 PERCENT SATISFACTION RATING FOR TAMARAC'S PANDEMIC RESPONSE, IN ADDITION TO SAFELY REOPENING THE CITY FACILITIES AND RESUMING IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES.
THE CITY OF TAMARAC'S ECONOMY, LAND DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, TECHNOLOGY, HOUSING, AND COMMUNITY AMENITIES CONTINUE PROGRESSING AND HERE'S HOW.
[MUSIC] TAMARAC IS AN INCLUSIVE, MULTI-GENERATIONAL, MULTI-CULTURAL, VIBRANT, AND CHANGING COMMUNITY.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR ABILITY TO EQUITABLY SERVE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF ALL WHO CALL TAMARAC HOME.
[MUSIC] THROUGH THE PANDEMIC TAMARAC'S POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW, BECOMING YOUNGER AS NEW FAMILIES MOVE IN.
US CENSUS DATA SHOWS WE'RE NOW AT 72,000 RESIDENTS, OF OUR NEW RESIDENTS, 1.6 PERCENT MOVED IN FROM ANOTHER STATE, WHILE 1.8 PERCENT MOVED FROM ABROAD.
WHAT MAKES TAMARAC THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE? IT'S OUR PARKS, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, SERVICES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL LIFESTYLE.
IT'S YOUR COMMUNITY PRIDE THAT MAKES OUR CITY SHINE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.
IN 2021 TAMARAC'S NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM AWARDED 16 RESIDENTIAL AND FOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES FOR THEIR CURB APPEAL.
TAMARAC HAS HIGH RESIDENT SATISFACTION WITH THE CLEANLINESS AND APPEARANCE OF OUR STREETS, PUBLIC AREAS, BUILDINGS, FACILITIES, AND PARKS.
UNIQUE MEASURES SUCH AS OUR CITYWIDE PRESSURE CLEANING PROGRAM ARE AMONG THE REASONS WE MAINTAIN THIS STANDING.
TAMARAC'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK DISTINGUISHES US AMONG BROWARD COUNTY CITIES.
IN 2021, THE CITY'S FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAMS SUPPORTED HOME OWNERSHIP DREAMS FOR EIGHT POTENTIAL RESIDENTS.
THROUGH TAMARAC EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WE AWARDED APPROXIMATELY THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO 820 HOUSEHOLDS FACING PANDEMIC RELATED HARDSHIPS.
>> TAMARAC'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY THRIVES AS WE CONTINUE BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
IN 2021, WE WELCOMED 386 NEW BUSINESSES, CREATING HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS.
TAMARAC HAD FIVE OF THE LARGEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEALS IN BROWARD COUNTY IN 2021, INCLUDING AMAZON, NEW VISION PHARMACEUTICALS, SONNY'S ENTERPRISES, AND TWO NEW NATIONAL GYM FRANCHISES, CRUNCH FITNESS AND RETRO FITNESS.
IN 2021, THE BRAND NEW 357,000 SQUARE FOOT TAMARAC BUSINESS CENTER OPENED IN OUR COMMERCE PARK.
THIS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BROUGHT NEARLY 600 NEW JOBS, TO TAMARAC THROUGH THE ADDITION FOR NEW AND GROWING COMPANIES.
OUR SAVOR, THE FLAVORS TAMARAC SMALL BUSINESS CAMPAIGN SUPPORTED AND PROMOTED THE MORE THAN 60 LOCAL FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANTS OFFERING AUTHENTIC INTERNATIONAL CUISINES.
THE CAMPAIGN'S ONLINE RESTAURANT HUNT AND IT'S TASTIEST ADVERTISER CONTESTS HIGHLIGHTED TAMARAC AS A PRIME DESTINATION FOR AUTHENTIC FOOD REFLECTING OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
TAMARAC IS FOCUSED ON REVITALIZING COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS AND SHOPPING CENTERS.
AS INTRODUCED TWO GRANT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CATALYZE NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN MAKING COMPREHENSIVE EXTERIOR AESTHETIC IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING CLASSES.
DURING THIS UNIQUE TIME IN HISTORY, THE GREAT RESIGNATION, OUR CITY HELPED PREPARE OUR LOCAL WORKFORCE FOR THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES SPROUTING UP ALL AROUND.
BROWARD APP, TAMARAC'S ONGOING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH BROWARD COLLEGE HELPED ADVANCE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR 131 RESIDENTS WHO UNDERWENT SKILLS TRAINING TO EARN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AT NO COST.
>> TAMARAC'S PARKS ARE THE PRIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
[MUSIC] THE SWIM CENTRAL ANNEX AT CAPORELLA PARK OPENED IN MARCH 2021.
THIS NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PARK HAS QUICKLY BECOME A FAVORITE AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
2021 ALSO BROUGHT MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO TAMARAC'S SPORTS COMPLEX, INCLUDING RESURFACING OF OUR COURTS AND THE ADDITION OF THE CITY'S FIRST OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL COURTS TO BE GROWING DEMAND FOR THIS INCREASINGLY POPULAR SPORT FROM ACROSS AND BASEBALL OR FOOTBALL AND SOCCER.
THE SPORTS COMPLEX HOSTS MANY YOUTH LEAGUES KEEPING PACE WITH THE COMMUNITY DEMAND.
A NEW 3500 SQUARE FOOT CONCESSION BUILDING WITH RESTROOMS, AND MEETING SPACE, AND STORAGE WILL OPEN IN 2022.
AT YOUR REQUEST, THE CITY DEDICATED THE NEW DR.
MICHAEL HORBAL AREA FOR LARGE DOGS AT THE TAMARAC'S, SCARY BEAD JONES PARK FOR PEOPLE AND PETS.
IN ADDITION, NAMED IN HONOR OF THE BELOVED LATE TAMARAC VETERINARIAN.
WE RESUMED IN-PERSON EVENTS IN 2021 WITH COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE.
WE WELCOME THE IN-PERSON RETURN OF THE 41 YEAR OLD TAMARAC TURKEY TRUCK 5K.
[00:25:02]
OUR CITY OF MOST CHERISHED THANKSGIVING TRADITION.AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WE CELEBRATED HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH MUSIC THAT INSPIRED FITNESS CLASSES, GAMES, AND OF COURSE, FOOD.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, TAMARAC RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS THE HOLIDAY AT OUR INAUGURAL JUNETEENTH STORY TIME EXTRAVAGANZA.
IN 2021, FURTHERING YOUR EXPERIENCE AT TAMARAC'S PARKS AND FACILITIES, EXPANSION OF OUR UNDERGROUND FIBER NETWORK CONTINUED, PROVIDING RESIDENTS WITH AN ENHANCED WI-FI ACCESS AT ALL PUBLIC PARKS, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING THE REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FUTURE SMART CITY PROJECTS.
TECHNOLOGY IS WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF OUR DAILY LIVES.
HOWEVER, THE QUALITY OF OUR ENGAGEMENTS THROUGH VARIOUS INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IS OF EQUAL SIGNIFICANCE.
THE TAMARAC COMMUNITIES KEPT INFORMED AND CONNECTED THROUGH THE CITY'S WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND OUR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION, THE TAMAGRAM.
IN FACT, TAMARAC IS RECOGNIZED LEADER IN USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT PEOPLE AND ENHANCED SERVICES.
SINCE 2014, TAMARAC HAS BEEN AMONG THE TOP RANK CITIES BY THE CENTER FOR DIGITAL GOVERNMENT.
IN 2021, TAMARAC PLACED THIRD IN THE DIGITAL CITY SURVEYS UP TO 75,000 POPULATION CATEGORY.
TAMARAC PARKS AND THE PEOPLE AND PETS WHO ENJOY THEM ARE TRULY THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR CITY.
IN 2021, WE ALSO INTRODUCED A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU TO TAKE OUR INCLUSIVITY AND TOGETHER NEXT TO A HIGHER LEVEL.
WE ESTABLISHED TAMARAC SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE, THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, RUTH BADER GINSBURG COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY BOARD.
A HIGH-QUALITY OF LIFE IN AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY IS THE TAMARAC WAY.
>> ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY, A TOP PRIORITY IN TAMARAC.
IN 2021, BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TAMARAC DISTRICT REPORTED A CRIME REDUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT.
[MUSIC] THE STRATEGY, NEW ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES LIKE IT'S BUSINESS LIAISON PROGRAM, WHERE TAMARAC BUSINESS OWNERS CONNECT WITH THE PROGRAMS ASSIGNED DEPUTY ABOUT NON-EMERGENCY MATTERS RELATED TO BUSINESS SAFETY AND SECURITY.
LIASON TAMARAC LOOKS FORWARD TO INCREASING COMMUNITY TRUST THROUGH NEW PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.
TAMARAC'S HOMETOWN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY PROTECTS AND SERVES US WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND COMPASSION.
SPEAKING OF PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY, TAMARAC FIRE RESCUE IS THE WORLD'S 85TH FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOLDING ACCREDITATION THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON FIRE ACCREDITATION INTERNATIONAL AND AN ISO CLASS 1 RATING.
IN MARCH AND APRIL OF 2021, TAMARAC FIRE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 2,000 COVID-19 VACCINES AT TAMARAC COMMUNITY CENTER.
IN 2021, WE ALSO OPEN THE MODERN NEW FIRE STATION 36 ON THE BUSY UNIVERSITY DRIVE CARTER, EXPEDITING TFR'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES AND A TRUE ASSET TO CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR CITY AND NEIGHBORS.
IN 2021, TAMARAC FIRE JOINED BROWARD COUNTY'S CLOSEST UNIT RESPONSE PROGRAM, WHICH ALLOWS ANY AVAILABLE AND EQUIPPED VEHICLE WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF AN EMERGENCY TO RESPOND REGARDLESS OF THE AGENCY'S JURISDICTION.
THIS CRUCIAL NEW SYSTEM WILL BRING FASTER RESPONSES TO CRITICAL EMERGENCIES AS MORE CITIES JOIN.
TAMARAC PUTS YOUR SAFETY FIRST.
>> ALL MEMBERS OF OUR DEDICATED TAMARAC STAFF WORK TIRELESSLY TO DELIVER QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE.
THE CITY OF TAMARAC IS TRULY A GREAT PLACE TO WORK FROM THE PEOPLE TO THE EXPERIENCE AND TO THE KNOWLEDGE WE GAIN.
WE BUILD PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS WHILE ALSO IMPACTING AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE.
THE CURRENT AVERAGE TENURE OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES IS NEARLY 10 YEARS.
WE HAVE MORE THAN 400 EMPLOYEES ACROSS 11 DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING 59 TEAM MEMBERS WHO'VE BEEN WITH US FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
TAMARAC IS A DYNAMIC WORKPLACE THAT CULTIVATES A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AND ATTRACTS THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TALENT.
AS WE LOOK AHEAD, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE CITY OF TAMARAC IS STRONG AND OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT.
CITY LEADERS ARE WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT TAMARAC REMAINS A QUALITY OF PLACE TO LIVE BY MAKING SMART INVESTMENTS IN OUR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE COUPLED WITH SOUND FINANCIAL PLANNING TO ENSURE OUR CONTINUED SUCCESS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO INNOVATE.
WE WILL CONTINUE BUILDING A CITY THAT GENERATIONS WILL ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME.
[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF OUR STAFF WHO HELPED PUT THIS TOGETHER AND ARE OUTSIDE SUPPORTERS AS WELL.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS PART OF
[00:30:03]
OUR STATE OF THE CITY IS NOW OVER AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A 15-MINUTE RECESS IN ORDER TO BRING THIS LOOK BACK TO ITS USUAL SELF SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT AND HOPEFULLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO STAY, WE'D LIKE YOU TO STAY, BUT IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE, WE DO UNDERSTAND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE].
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE RESUMING OUR MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH US.
WE ARE NOW GOING TO START OUR 2021 FOURTH QUARTER NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS.
[NOISE] I'M NOT SURE IF HOW WE'RE DOING THIS.
ARE WE GOING TO BE DOING PHOTOS IN THE WELL WITH THE RESPECTIVE PERSON FROM THE COMMISSION OR WE.
YOUR CHOICE MAYOR, WHATEVER YOU GUYS WOULD PREFER TO DO.
ARE YOU COMFORTABLE AT THIS TIME, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY OBVIOUSLY, COVID AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD CONCERNS SO OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF AWARDS WE'VE INTRODUCED PEOPLE AND HAVE THEM TAKE PICTURES WITH THEIR FLOCKS, AND WE HAVE NOT HAD ANYBODY FROM THE COMMISSION COME DOWN TO THE WELL, SO IF THE COMMISSION IS COMFORTABLE, IT APPEARS TO COMMISSIONERS COMFORTABLE THAN THE RESPECTIVE PERSON FROM THE DISTRICT WILL COME DOWN AND TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE PERSON FROM THAT DISTRICT RECEIVING THAT AWARD.
WELL, THAT IS A GOOD POINT SO [NOISE] IF THE RECIPIENTS NOT COMFORTABLE, IT'S A GOOD POINT.
ARE ALL THE RECIPIENTS COMFORTABLE HAVING THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN WITH ANYBODY ON THE COMMISSION PLEASE GIVE ME A THUMBS UP.
AWESOME. WE'RE ALMOST BACK TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY.
THE CITY OF TAMARAC TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN PROVIDING AND ENHANCING THE VIDEO VISUAL IMAGE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, IMPROVING LIVABILITY AND PROMOTING COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
THIS EVENING, THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION PROUDLY PRESENT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER.
THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT DISPLAY ARCHITECTURAL APPEAL, OUTSTANDING LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGNS.
WELL, I GUESS CAN WE GO OUT OF ORDER? PUT ME LAST SORRY.
DISTRICT 1, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR PROPERTIES CONTRIBUTION TO THE VISUAL BEAUTY AND VIBRANCY OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING FOURTH QUARTER 2021 WINNERS, DISTRICT 1.
VIRGINIA MCCREA, WHOSE PROPERTY IS LOCATED 472 NORTHWEST 44TH COURT IN TAMARAC.
[APPLAUSE] COMMISSIONER BOLTON, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE? TAKE YOUR TIME.
EXCELLENT. [APPLAUSE] DISTRICT 2, CARLOTA ARMSTRONG AND GROVER DAVIS JUNIOR, WHOSE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 8511 NORTHWEST 57TH CHORD IN TAMARAC.
[APPLAUSE] UNFORTUNATELY, ROBERT DAVIS JUNIOR COULD NOT BE HERE, BUT WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT CARLOTA ARMSTRONG IS HERE ALONG WITH HER SON.
SON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME DOWN TO I'M SORRY.
[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] UNFORTUNATELY, OUR DISTRICT 3 INDIVIDUAL, ISRAEL DAVID, WHOSE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 9503 NORTHWEST, AT FIRST MANNER, IS NOT ABLE TO BE THIS EVENING, BUT WE STILL CONGRATULATE HIM.
HE IS HERE. [BACKGROUND] MY APOLOGIES.
[00:35:03]
NO PHOTOGRAPHS. THANK YOU, MR. DAVID.[APPLAUSE] BUT I THINK THERE'S SOME PHOTOGRAPH BEING TAKEN, NOT BY US. IT'S ALL GOOD.
OUR NEXT PERSON DISTRICT 4, IF I HAVE IT CORRECTLY, IS NOT HERE.
NINA WASHAW WHOSE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 8276, COSTS OF TERENCE IN TAMARAC.
WE CONGRATULATE HER ON HER PROPERTY.
[APPLAUSE] LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, WE'RE GOING TO OUR CITYWIDE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
THE ALAZHAR SCHOOL INC, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ALAZHAR SCHOOL SCHOOL, WHOSE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 7201 WEST MCNABB ROAD WITH DINA IN BROOME PRINCIPLE AND I'M SORRY, I CAN'T EVEN SEE LUBNA ALBAONE.
BOARD MEMBER AND WILL ACCEPT ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNER, AND THE PROPERTY LOOKS FANTASTIC.
>> LET'S HAVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF OUR WINNERS [APPLAUSE].
>> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON ALL OF YOU HAVING ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND WELL-MAINTAINED PROPERTIES IN THE CITY.
THANK YOU FOR THE PART YOU PLAY IN HELPING MAKE THE CITY OF TAMARAC THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE. AGAIN, WE THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] WE NOW COME TO THE PART OF OUR MEETING CALLED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
[3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION]
CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE RULES OF THE ROAD.>> THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO DASH 29 THE CITY CODE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SPEAK AT CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS DURING PUBLIC HEARINGS OR AT A TIME TO BE SPECIFIED BY THE MAYOR OR PRESIDING OFFICER OR DURING THE PERIOD SET ASIDE FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON CITY COMMISSION AGENDA; SUBJECT ON COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SPEAK ONLY AT TIMES DESIGNATED BY THE CITY COMMISSION.
SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES AND ALL REMARKS SHALL BE ADDRESSED TO THE CITY COMMISSION AS A BODY THROUGH THE MAYOR AND NOT TO ANY MEMBER THEREOF.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHALL ADDRESS ONLY THE TOPIC BEING DISCUSSED.
DISRUPTIVE, BELLIGERENT, OR ABUSIVE CONDUCT BY ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IS PROHIBITED AND SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED.
ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO VIOLATES THE SECTION MAY BE INSTRUCTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION TO REMOVE HIMSELF OR HERSELF FROM THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE CITY, UPON HIS OR HER FAILURE TO DO SO, A MEMBER OF THE BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHALL YOU EJECT THE PERSON FROM THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS UPON INSTRUCTION BY THE CITY COMMISSION.
IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO REFUSE TO LEAVE THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY WHEN INSTRUCTED DO SO BY THE MAYOR OR PRESIDING OFFICER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED THEY STATE THEIR NAMES AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
IN LIEU OF THEIR ADDRESS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY GIVE THEIR CITY OF RESIDENCE.
PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO DASH 34 OF THE CITY CODE, THE CITY COMMISSIONER HAS THE FOLLOWING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
RECOGNITION SHALL BE GIVEN ONLY BY PRESIDING OFFICER.
UPON BEING RECOGNIZED, THE MEMBER MAY PROCEED NO MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION MAY FILIBUSTER MAY NOT SPEAK MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES CONTINUOUSLY.
ACCEPT BY LEAVING THE CITY COMMISSION THE DECISIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS FINAL, GENERALLY BRIEF PRESENTATION BY CITY COMMISSIONERS DO NOT COUNT AGAINST THE FIVE-MINUTE TIME LIMITATION.
REMEMBER MAY SPEAK A SECOND TIME ON ANY ONE QUESTION ONLY AFTER ALL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK; GENERALLY THIS IS LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES.
THE MAYOR SHALL REGULATE DEBATE IN ANY OTHER MANNER THAT SHE DEEMS NECESSARY PROVIDED THAT THE RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ARE RESPECTED.
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION SHOULD BE RESERVED IN SO FAR AS POSSIBLE FOR THE END OF THE PRESENTATION TO AVOID INTERRUPTING THE SPEAKER, DISRUPTING THE TIMEKEEPING, PROCESS, AND DUPLICATING GROUND, THE SPEAKER MAY COVER.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION SHALL BE PERMITTED TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER AND SHOULD NOT BE RULED OUT OF ORDER BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER UNLESS THE MEMBER HAS MADE ABUSIVE, DEROGATORY, OR RUDE REMARKS.
[00:40:01]
NO MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION SHALL BE LIMITED IN HIS OR HER DEBATE ON ANY ISSUE EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HERE IN UNLESS THE MEMBER ENGAGES IN ABUSIVE, DEROGATORY, OR RUDE COMMENTS.ALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION SHALL ACCORD THE UTMOST COURTESY TO EACH OTHER TO SEE THE EMPLOYEES AND ITS PUBLIC MEMBERS APPEARING BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION AND SHALL REFRAIN AT ALL TIMES FROM RUDE AND DEROGATORY REMARKS REFLECTION AS TO INTEGRITY, ABUSIVE COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS AS TO MOTIVES AND PERSONALITIES.
THE CITY MANAGER MAY SPEAK TO ANY MANNER ON WHICH HE OR SHE OR SHE HAS INFORMATION FOR THE CITY COMMISSION.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TO THE EVENT WITH THE MAYOR PRESIDING OFFICER FAILS TO ACT, ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION MAY MOVE TO REQUIRE THE PRESIDING OFFICER TO ACT, ENFORCE THE RULES AND THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY COMMISSION MEMBERS; PRESIDENT THAT TIME SHALL REQUIRE THE PRESIDING OFFICER TO ACT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MEL YODER.
>> MEL YODER, KINGS POINT IN TAMARAC GETTING ANY COMMISSIONERS MADAM MAYOR.
I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY MOTOWN IN THE PARK ON FRIDAY.
I WANT TO COMPLEMENT THE CITY IN EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH PROVIDING A VERY ENJOYABLE EVENT.
AT THE LAST MEETING, VICE MAYOR GALLON REQUESTED THE CITY ADOPT AN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT.
VICE MAYOR GALLON STRESSED THE NEED FOR THE ACT BECAUSE OF ALLEGED PREVIOUS CORRUPTION WITHIN THE CITY AND THAT SUCH AN ACT WOULD HELP STOP FURTHER CORRUPTION.
HE PATTERN HIS REQUEST AFTER THE AMERICAN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT.
ANTI-CORRUPTION IS A GREAT SOUNDBITE THAT IS DESIGNED TO GRAB THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION.
BUT ANTI-CORRUPTION IS DEFINED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK WITH.
ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT THEIR WEBSITE.
THEIR FOCUS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION IS ON POLITICAL DONATIONS, LOBBYING, AND FIXING OUR BROKEN ELECTIONS.
BUT ALL VICE MAYOR GALLON'S EXAMPLES WERE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVANTS DEMANDING OR TAKING MONEY OR FAVORS IN EXCHANGE FOR SERVICES, SOMETHING THAT WASN'T MENTIONED.
ANOTHER AREA OF CORRUPTION THAT'S NOT MENTIONED IN THE ACT AND WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT DURING THE LAST MEETING; IS POLITICIANS MISUSING PUBLIC MONEY OR GRANTING PUBLIC JOBS OR CONTRACTS TO THEIR SPONSORS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, A SPOUSE THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH AN ORGANIZATION TRYING TO GET A CONTRACT FROM THE CITY OR A COMMUNITY LAYS ON WHOSE ORGANIZATION WOULD BENEFIT FROM ASSOCIATION WITH THE CITY.
CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT COMMISSIONERS HAVING ASSOCIATION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN VARIOUS GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMPANIES SEEKING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY.
I BELIEVE THAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE RESIDENTS FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND CITY EMPLOYEES TO BE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY DISCUSSION OCCURS, TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH ANY AND ALL ASSOCIATION WITH OR INVESTMENT IN ANY GROUP, ORGANIZATION, OR COMPANY COMING BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
FAILURE TO BE TRANSPARENT IN THESE MATTERS SHOULD HAVE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER A QUESTION; I HEARD COMMISSIONER BOLTON ASK OF SOMEONE AT THE LAST MEETING.
WHERE DO I GET ALL MY INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS FROM? WELL, I'LL LET YOU KNOW MY SECRET.
I READ A LOT, I INVESTIGATE TOPICS I'M INTERESTED IN BOTH THE PRO AND THE CON.
THE REAL SECRET UNLIKE SEVERAL OF THE COMMISSIONERS, I ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION AND LISTEN DURING THE COMMISSION MEETINGS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DR. DARCY SCHILLER.
>> GOOD EVENING, AND MAYOR, WONDERFUL SPEECH.
I UNDERSTAND MY QUESTIONS IS GOING TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M SORRY. DARCY SCHILLER, KINGS POINT.
>> I'VE REALIZED MY QUESTIONS CANNOT BE ANSWERED AT A COMMISSION MEETING, BUT THE COMMISSION, PARTICULARLY BOLTON, WON'T TALK WITH ME BECAUSE I'M NOT IN HIS DISTRICT.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY COMMISSIONER WON'T SPEAK TO PEOPLE IN WOODMONT.
THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE WORKS FOR THE CITY.
YOU SHOULD BE WORKING FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND I DON'T THINK THE CITY SHOULD BE AS FRAGMENTED AS IT IS.
I HAVE ASKED BOLTON TO TELL ME WHAT HE DOES BECAUSE MY TAXES PAY HIS SALARY AND HE REFUSES TO ANSWER.
I ASK BOLTON WHO DECIDED AND I KNOW YOU CANNOT ANSWER
[00:45:01]
TO PAY THE SINGER AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY $3,000 THAT HAD TO BE APPROVED AND A PURCHASE ORDER PUT IT IN.I WANT TO KNOW AND AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION IF THAT WAS A DEPARTMENTAL RECREATION COMMISSION DECISION.
MY OTHER QUESTION IS AND AGAIN, YOU CAN'T ANSWER, IS WHEN DO I GET ANSWERS? WHEN DO THE CONSTITUENTS IN TAMARAC RECEIVE ANSWERS FROM THE COMMISSIONS WHETHER YOU ARE OUR INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER OR IF YOU WORK FOR THE COUNTY.
GALLON SAYS HE NEEDS ADDITIONAL AIDES TO DO HIS DIRTY WORK.
WHEN DID RESEARCH, RETURNING PHONE CALLS, READING CONTRACTS BECOME DIRTY WORK? ISN'T THAT BLATANT DISDAIN AND DISRESPECT FOR MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE CITY EMPLOYEES? I FEEL IF ADDITIONAL HOURS ARE APPROVED WITH TAXPAYER MONEY, WE SHOULD KNOW WHAT HE DOES DURING HIS WORKING HOURS.
THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE BEING ON HIS CELL PHONE DURING COMMISSION MEETINGS, SO THAT HE HAS NO TIME TO DO ANYTHING ELSE UNLESS IT'S SELF-SERVING.
WESLEY HERIN, OUR CITY ATTORNEY CONTINUES TO DISPLAY MISOGYNY BY NOT INTERFERING WHEN BOLTON AND GALLON ARE RUDE TO OUR FEMALE MAYOR.
CLEARLY HE FEELS ENTITLED IN HIS POSITION TO DENIGRATE WOMEN AS HE STILL HAS YET TO APOLOGIZE TO ME.
BUT I REALIZE HIS GRANDIOSITY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WOMEN.
THE MAYOR REPEATEDLY SAID THIS EVENING THAT THE CITY IS TRANSPARENT, AND I'D LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT.
HOWEVER, IT'S QUITE THE CONTRARY.
BOLTON AND GALLON WORK VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CITY OPAQUE.
WE'VE GOT ELECTIONS COMING UP, DEBRA PLACKO POSITION IS UP, GALLON'S POSITION IS UP, AND IN A FEW YEARS, HOPEFULLY SOONER WE'LL GET RID OF BOLTON.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I REALLY BELIEVE THE CITY COMMISSION SHOULD ANSWER THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
>> THANK YOU. CYNTHIA JOHNSON.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND ALL OUR COMMISSIONERS, MY NEIGHBORS AND FELLOW BUSINESS PARTNERS.
I'M CAUGHT A LITTLE OFF GUARD.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS ON THE LIST TO SPEAK.
BUT I DO WANT TO REPRESENT THE BOARD, THE TAMARAC NORTH LAUDERDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHICH IS WHY I'M HERE.
I WANTED TO SAY HELLO AND THANK YOU.
ALSO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH INVOLVEMENT FROM OURSELVES AND ALSO FROM OUR COMMISSIONERS AND MAYORS. THANK YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK BUT DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO SIGN UP? EXCELLENT, NAME AND LOCATION.
>> NATASHA BRITAIN, HOLLY COURT, DISTRICT 4.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, COMMISSION EMPLOYEES, WHAT HAVE YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY A BRIEF JUST THANK YOU FOR WHAT ALL YOU GUYS DO.
YOU GUYS ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I ASK THAT YOU GUYS CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF TAMARAC.
WE ALL LIVE HERE, WE ALL SHOULD GET ALONG AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
ONE CONCERN THAT I DO HAVE, MY NEPHEW PLAYS SOCCER FOR THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
I THINK IT'S LIKE THE 8-10-YEAR-OLD RANGE.
I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SEND AN EMAIL TO THE I GUESS THE FOLKS WHO ARE OVER THE SPORTS DIVISION, IF YOU WILL, SO I FORGOT TO SEND AN EMAIL.
THEY HAD A MAKE-UP GAME ON A SCHOOL NIGHT AND ONE OF THE REFS WAS OUTRAGEOUS IN HIS BEHAVIOR.
THEY WERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER ON A MONDAY NIGHT, A SOCCER GAME.
IT HAD TO BEEN ABOUT 8:20 AND EACH QUARTER IS MAYBE 15 MINUTES AND HE LITERALLY STOPPED A BYSTANDER OR A PARENT WHAT HAVE YOU AND WAS TRYING TO REPRIMAND THIS WOMAN GOING ON FOR FIVE MINUTES.
ALL THE CHILDREN WERE ON THE FLOOR JUST WAITING.
KEEP IN MIND, IT'S A MONDAY NIGHT, SCHOOL NIGHT, THESE ARE ELEMENTARY AGE KIDS.
THERE WAS NO REASON FOR HIS BEHAVIOR.
I JUST WANTED TO COMPLAIN AND SEE WHAT'S THE PROCESS AS TO WHAT THE REFS, THEIR POWER, I GUESS THAT THEY HAVE BECAUSE HAD IT MAYBE BEEN LIKE ON A WEEKEND,
[00:50:05]
MAYBE IT WAS OKAY BUT HIS BEHAVIOR WAS JUST UNACCEPTABLE.I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT KNOWN AND IF YOU'RE A REF, I UNDERSTAND YOU DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, BUT AS A BYSTANDER, AS SOMEONE WATCHING THE INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT OUT OF ORDER.
>> THANK YOU AND GREG WARNER IS IN THE BACK-END WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH YOU, PLEASE.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.
WE WILL NOW GO TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[4. CONSENT AGENDA]
CITY MANAGER GUNN, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS?PLEASE REMOVE ITEM TR 13709, GEOTHERMAL POOL HEATERS.
STAFF WILL BRING IT BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SEEING THERE'S NO OTHER CHANGES, I'LL TAKE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PLACKO, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER VILLALOBOS.
CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY 5:0.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING,
[6a. TO2493 - Lifting Zoning in Progress by adopting changes to Chapters 2 and 10 of the Land Development Code]
TO 2493, LIFTING ZONING IN PROGRESS BY ADOPTING CHANGES TO CHAPTERS 2 AND 10 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE TITLE FOR THE RECORD.
>> YES, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.
THIS IS AN ORDINANCE TO CITY COMMISSIONERS, CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA.
LIFTING ZONING IN PROGRESS BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CITY TAMARAC CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE 10 ENTITLED QUASI-JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS, BY SPECIFICALLY AMENDING SECTION 2-369 ENTITLED QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC CODE OF ORDINANCES TO DELETE SITE-SPECIFIC LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENTS FROM THE LIST OF DESIGNATED QUASI JUDICIAL MATTERS.
AMENDING CHAPTER 10 TO THE CITY OF TAMARAC COULD'VE BEEN ORDINANCES ENTITLED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE BY AMENDING ARTICLE 5 ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING SECTION 10-5.2 ENTITLED SUMMARY TABLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES, BY SPECIFICALLY AMENDING TABLE 10-5.1 ENTITLED SUMMARY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES, CHANGING THE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING FORMAT FOR SITE-SPECIFIC COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS FROM QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS TO STANDARD PUBLIC HEARING.
AMENDING SECTION 10-5.4 ENTITLED APPLICATION-SPECIFIC REVIEW PROCEDURES BY DELETING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY COMMISSION TO HOLD A QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING FOR SITE-SPECIFIC LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS TO ENSURE CONSISTENT APPLICATION OF THE CODE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE FOR SUPREME COURT RULINGS.
PROVIDING FOR SOME CLARIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. SEEING THAT THIS IS AN ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING, WE DON'T HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS, SO WE WILL MOVE TO ANY DISCUSSION BY THE COMMISSION.
SEEING NO DISCUSSION, CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> WELL YOU TURNED IT OFF, SO I THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE. VICE MAYOR.
>> QUESTION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY.
WHY ARE WE MAKING THIS CHANGE?
AS WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY INFORMED THE COMMISSION SINCE MY TENURE AS YOUR CITY ATTORNEY, IS THAT THESE TYPES OF ITEMS ARE LEGISLATIVE IN NATURE, PURSUANT TO BINDING PRECEDENT OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT AND A NUMBER OF CASES, ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE WHEREAS CLAUSES OF THE ORDINANCE IN QUESTION.
>> WHEN DID THE SUPREME COURT MAKE THAT RULING?
>> I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL RULING WAS IN 1997.
>> OUR CURRENT CODE DOES NOT REFLECT THE RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT?
>> IN MY OPINION, NO, IT DOES NOT.
>> THAT'S ALSO THE OPINION OF THE SPECIAL COUNSEL?
>>SO WE HAD LEGAL LAWS ON OUR BOOKS?
>> IT COULD BE PHRASED THAT WAY. YES.
>> THAT IS SOMETHING YOU BROUGHT UP WHEN YOU ARE NOT ON THE DAY; IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THERE WERE VARIOUS HEARINGS THAT WE HELD ON A QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTER THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HELD IN A QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTER PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL?
[00:55:05]
>> THAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE THE CASE.
BEYOND THAT, I WOULD REFRAIN FROM MAKING ANY SPECIFIC COMMENTS BECAUSE AT LEAST WITH A PARTICULAR ITEM IS THE SUBJECT OF PENDING LITIGATION ON THIS PRECISE ISSUE.
BUT WE BELIEVE AS STAFF, THAT THE APPROPRIATE THING MOVING FORWARD IS TO CHANGE THE CODE TO REFLECT THE DECISIONS OF FLORIDA SUPREME COURT.
>> IS IT TRUE THAT CERTAIN THINGS ARE NOT NECESSARILY ILLEGAL OR THAT THINGS WERE NOT LEGAL, THEY WERE JUST NOT IN COMPLIANCE?
>> TECHNICALLY SPEAKING THE HEARINGS WERE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT YOUR CODE SAID AT THE TIME.
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT THAT PROVISION IN YOUR CODE ULTIMATELY IS OR ISN'T ENFORCEABLE.
AGAIN, [OVERLAPPING] MY POINT IS THAT MOVING FORWARD, IT IS MY ADVICE AND MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT THE APPROPRIATE THING TO DO IS TO CHANGE THE CODE TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT ANY TYPE OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT IS LEGISLATIVE IN NATURE, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT HAS RULED SINCE 1987.
>> I RESPECT YOUR OPINION BUT WE WERE IN LEGAL COMPLIANCE FOR THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WERE SET FORTH IN THE CITY AND THEREFORE, THE REST OF IT IS IN A LITIGATION RIGHT NOW TO DETERMINE ANYTHING FURTHER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I'D REFRAINED FROM ANY FURTHER COMMENTS.
>> CORRECT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I SUGGEST THE COMMISSION REFRAIN FURTHER.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO CATCH OFF ADMITTEDLY.
[LAUGHTER] BLAME ABOUT IT TRYING TO GET YOU OFF ON IT.
CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO 6B TO2494,
[6b. TO2494 - Amending Section 10-5.3(J)(5)(b)(ii) to change the word “two-thirds” to “majority”]
AMENDING SECTION 10-5.3J5BII TO CHANGE THE WORD TWO-THIRDS TO A MAJORITY.CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE TITLE FOR THE RECORD.
>> MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION THIS IS AN ORDINANCE TO CITY COMMISSIONERS, CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA.
AMENDING CHAPTER 10 TO THE CITY OF TAMARAC CODE OF ORDINANCES AS ENTITLED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, AMENDING ARTICLE 5 ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING SECTION 10-5.3, AND TITLED COMMON REVIEW PROCEDURES BY SPECIFICALLY AMENDING SECTION 10-5.3J5BII, REPLACING THE TERM TWO-THIRDS WITH MAJORITY OF DECISION MAKING BODY PERMITTED TO GRANT A WAIVER OF THE ONE-YEAR TIME LIMITATION REQUIRED FOR RECENT MIDDLE OF A SIMILAR OR SAME LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY DENIED, PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SEPARABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND PLEASE.
CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YOU ONLY PUT IT ON AFTER I CALL ROLL.
>> YES, YOU DID. I WATCHED YOU.
I DID WATCH YOU. YOU PUT IT ON AFTER I CALL THE ROLE.
>> I WASN'T WATCHING YOU. I JUST PUSHED THE BUTTON.
>> COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR GALAN, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY WHY THIS IS BEING PROFFERED.
>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION VICE MAYOR.
APPROXIMATELY MONTH AND A HALF AGO, THERE WAS A WORKSHOP WHERE SEVERAL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE WERE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE COMMISSION FOR CONSENSUS AND THIS IS ONE THAT WE WERE DIRECTED TO MODIFY.
IT REALLY JUST CLARIFIES THAT INSTEAD OF IT BEING A NUMERICAL VOTE, IT'S JUST BY MAJORITY.
IT'S THEORETICAL THAT THERE COULD BE LESS THAN FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE DEPENDING UPON WHO IS ATTENDING A PARTICULAR COMMISSION MEETING ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY BUT THAT'S THE PRIMARY GENESIS BEHIND IT.
WE DID ASK AT THAT WORKSHOP WHETHER OR NOT THE TIME FRAMES THEMSELVES WANTED TO BE MODIFIED AND AS I RECALL AND THE STAFF RECALLS,
[01:00:01]
THERE WAS NO DIRECTION IN THAT REGARD SO THIS IS THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S BEING CHANGED.IT'S SOMEWHAT OF A CLEANUP BUT IT IS YOUR ORDINANCE TO DO WITH THE COMMISSION TEAMS APPROPRIATE.
>> SO BY CHANGING IT FROM TWO-THIRDS TO MAJORITY, DOES THAT MEAN THAT VOTES CAN PASS WITHOUT THERE BEING A QUORUM?
>> NO, THERE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO BE A QUORUM.
>> CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> EXCELLENT, WE'RE MOVING ON TO 10A SECTION 2-34K2,
[10a. Section 2-34(k)(2) - Voting Procedures]
VOTING PROCEDURES REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER VILLALOBOS. COMMISSIONER.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEFORE THAT, CAN I GET PERSONAL TIME OF PRIVILEGE TO ASK THE CITY MANAGER A QUESTION?
>> CAN WE MOVE FORWARD WITH CONSENSUS IF THERE'S NO BACKUP INFORMATION ON AN AGENDA ITEM THAT PARTICULAR COMMISSIONER PUTS ON THE AGENDA THAT DOES NOT GET PRESENTED AT THE MEETING WITHOUT THE BACKUP.
THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO COME PREPARED AN ITEM BEING PRESENTED TO US AT THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION MEETING THEN SCRAMBLES US TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE WANT TO PROCEED.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN ANSWER OR CITY ATTORNEY CAN ANSWER?
AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE RECENTLY INSTITUTED THIS FORM THAT ASKED FOR THE SPECIFIC BACKUP TO ACCOMPANY WHATEVER THE AGENDA TITLE IS.
SO IT'S AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMISSION.
I'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL OF YOU ABOUT THE DESIRE TO HAVE THE BACKUP INFORMATION WHEN IT'S ORIGINALLY PRESENTED UNTIL THIS IS AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE A MORE COMPLETE PACKAGE WHICH PROVIDES CONSISTENCY AND TRANSPARENCY FOR THE PUBLIC.
>> EXCUSE ME. I'M JUST GOING TO ASK FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED.
WAS THE POINT OF THE QUESTION THAT IF THERE'S NO BACKUP INCLUDED THEN WE WEREN'T HEARING THE ITEM BECAUSE I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAD THESE RULES PUT IN PLACE.
IT WASN'T HAVING US TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS BEING PRESENTED AND THAT THE AUDIENCE WHO IS ATTENDING OR WATCHING WOULD HAVE THE BACKUP TO KNOW WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED, THAT WAS THE WHOLE PURPOSE.
IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FULL BACKUP PROVIDED, THEN IT WASN'T GETTING ON THE AGENDA. IS THAT WHAT YOU WERE?
>> YES. I JUST WOULD ADD TO EVERYONE'S COMMENTS THAT, IT IS CONCEIVABLE AND FORESEEABLE, FRANKLY, BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCE THAT ITEMS CAN BE PLACED ON AN AGENDA PURELY AS DISCUSSION ITEMS. THERE ISN'T NECESSARILY ANY APPROPRIATE BACKUP MATERIAL.
BUT ULTIMATELY THAT'S FOR THE COMMISSION TO, ONCE THE ITEM IS PRESENTED TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION, IF YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION OR NOT TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> I KNOW THIS IS KIND OF WORKSHOP-ISH, BUT THEN IF I MAY DO A REQUEST IN THE FUTURE, IF THERE ANY ITEMS THAT COME BEFORE FROM THE COMMISSION TO YOU CITY MANAGER, THEN THERE'S AN ITEM THAT IS ON YOUR LIST HERE.
IT SAYS, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NECESSARY BACKGROUND INFORMATION OR ATTACHMENTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE AS BACKUP FOR THE PUBLICATION AND IT'S LEFT BLANK.
THEN MAYBE NOT ONLY LEAVING IT BLANK, THERE SHOULD BE A STATEMENT UNDERNEATH.
THERE ARE NO BACKUP ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION SO THAT AS A COMMISSION OR ANYBODY WATCHING AND WANTING TO REVIEW THE AGENDA, DO NOT HAVE TO GO SEARCHING TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MIGHT BE PRESENTED TO US.
THESE FORMS WE REQUEST ARE FILLED OUT BY THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOUR STAFF, BUT IF WE SEE SOMETHING COME THROUGH, WE'LL CONFIRM AND WE'LL EDIT THE FORM AS NEEDED.
>> WE'RE GETTING CONSENSUS THAT IF AN ITEM IS PRESENTED WITHOUT BACKUP, IT CANNOT BE PRESENTED UNLESS BACKUP IS PROVIDED.
>> I DON'T THINK WE NEED CONSENSUS ON THAT.
I THINK THAT THE CITY MANAGER ALREADY HAS IT IN HER POWER AND PURVIEW, IT WAS ALREADY DISCUSSED AND DETERMINED.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD START FOR AT LEAST WE HAVE THE FORMS FILLED OUT.
[01:05:04]
BUT YES, SEEING THAT THERE'S FORMS FILLED OUT, BUT THERE'S NOT AN INDICATION OF WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE MORE INFORMATION IN HERE ARE NOT, YET IT STILL IS.IT'S JUST A WORKING THROUGH OF THIS FORM FOR THE NEXT TIME.
>> BACK TO MY ITEM. THE REASON I'M BRINGING THIS UP IS SOME OF YOU MAY NOT KNOW, BUT LAST YEAR WE VOTED ON THAT THE MAYOR WILL VOTE LAST.
WHAT I'VE NOTICED ON THIS COMMISSION IS THE POLITICAL GAME THAT COMES WITH THE MAYOR VOTING FIRST, I DO SEE THE BENEFIT FROM IT.
AS LEADERS, WE SHOULD PUSH FIRST, WE MAKE THE FIRST DECISION AS THE MAYOR, NOT SPECIFICALLY MAYOR GOMEZ, BUT THE MAYOR'S ROW SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIRST SAY IN IT.
I STRONGLY FEEL THAT WE EITHER COMPROMISE ON EITHER THE MAYOR VOTING LAST.
WE COMPROMISE ON A RANDOM SITUATION WHERE EVERYONE IS PUT ON A ROTATION LIKE THE REST OF THE COMMISSION OR THAT PERHAPS PRESENTING SOMETHING TO THE CLERK WHEN IT'S VOTING TIME.
OTHERWISE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONTINUAL CONFLICTS WITH POLITICAL GAMES.
WHEN THERE'S EITHER A MAJORITY FOR ITEM OR WHETHER IT'S A YES OR A NO.
I HAVE SEEN THAT PLAYED OUT MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THAT ACTION THAT WE TOOK LAST YEAR.
I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO COME INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT EITHER ONE, THE MAYOR VOTES LAST, HE OR SHE FOR THE FUTURE OR THAT WE ARE GETTING A ROTATION BASIS OR THAT WE PROVIDE THE CITY CLERK WITH OUR VOTES AND SHE READ IT OUT LOUD.
JUST PRETTY MUCH THREE OPTIONS.
FIRST OPTION IS LEAVE THE MAYOR TO VOTE LAST.
SECOND OPTION WOULD BE ROTATION, EVERYONE.
THIRD OPTION IS WE SOMEHOW PRESENT OUR VOTING AND THE CLERK READS IT OUT LOUD.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO JUMP IN ON ONE THING AND ASK FOR PROCEDURAL.
I THINK THE LAST SUGGESTION WHERE WE PRESENT THE CLERK WITH OUR VOTES WOULD WIND UP BEING MORE OF A NON-SUNSHINE THING.
I DON'T KNOW IF A CITY ATTORNEY OR CITY CLERK, I DON'T THINK THAT PARTICULAR ITEM IS AN OPTION.
I THINK I WOULD LIKE THAT ANSWER BY EITHER ONE OF THE TWO PROFESSIONALS IN THAT CATEGORY.
THEORETICALLY AS LONG AS THE PIECES OF PAPER ARE MAINTAINED AS PUBLIC RECORDS IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS.
THAT COULD BE A SYSTEM BUT AS I MENTIONED BEFORE.
WHEN BALLOTS, FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION ARE USED, BECOMES CUMBERSOME BECAUSE EVERYONE WOULD THEN HAVE TO PASS THEM DOWN TO THE CLERK FOR THE CLERK TO TO LOOK AT THEM, READ THEM AND DOCUMENT THAT'S THE VOTE OF THE PARTICULAR COMMISSIONER IN QUESTION AND SO THAT THE PUBLIC RECORDS REFLECTS THE PROPER VOTE. THAT'S MY OPINION.
>> CITY CLERK, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO ADD?
>> I CONCUR WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY.
IT WOULD BE A LITTLE CUMBERSOME TO DO THAT, AND I WOULD WONDER IF THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SECRET BALLOT.
>> CONSIDERING THAT IT'S A LITTLE BIT OFF.
THEN THE TWO OPTIONS ON THE TABLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE IS EITHER ONE, THE MAYOR VOTES LAST AS THE MAYOR'S ROW HAS BEEN FOR DECADES OR THAT WE ALL VOTE ROTATIONALLY.
>> THANK YOU. I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHY THIS IS AN ISSUE IF THE MAYOR DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
I RECALL THE ORIGINAL DISCUSSION, [NOISE] AND THE MAYOR VERY CLEARLY SAID AS A COURTESY, SHE VOTED LAST, BUT SHE HAD NO PROBLEM VOTING FIRST IN MY MIND, OUT OF RESPECT, THE MAYOR SHOULD VOTE FAST.
BUT IF THE MAYOR HAS AN ISSUE WITH IT, THEN I BELIEVE SHE SHOULD OR COULD OR WOULD SAY SO.
>> WELL, I GUESS SINCE IT IS ABOUT ME, I'LL JUMP IN.
I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP.
I WILL SAY THAT I AGREE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER VILLALOBOS.
I TOO HAVE SEEN THE GAME-PLAYING THAT HAS HAPPENED
[01:10:04]
SINCE WE CHANGED TO WHERE WE MADE THE MAYOR GO FIRST.WE WENT THROUGH ALL OF THE RESEARCH TO SEE WHAT OTHER CITIES DO AND TO SEE THAT WE MADE TAMARAC BECOME ONE OF THE FEW THAT WOULD HAVE THE MAYOR VOTE FIRST.
IT WAS EXPRESSED ON THE GOOD SOUND BITE OF IT SHOWS LEADERSHIP IF THE MAYOR VOTES FIRST.
BUT IN THEORY, WHAT HAS HAPPENED, I BELIEVE, OVER THE PAST YEAR, IT ACTUALLY HAS SHOWN GAMESMANSHIP.
I DO HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH YOU.
THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD SUPPORT GOING BACK TO VOTING LAST, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM ROTATING.
IT IS TRADITIONALLY THROUGH MOST OF THE CITIES THAT WE INVESTIGATED THROUGHOUT BROWARD COUNTY AND I THINK OTHER COUNTIES AS WELL THAT THE MAYOR DOES THE LAST.
THAT IS MY RESPONSE. I WOULD BE HAPPY GOING BACK TO IT BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME UNFORTUNATE GAME PLAYING WITH ME GOING FIRST AS MAYOR, VOTING FIRST.
>> THEN MAYBE LET'S DO A ROTATION.
WE'RE ROTATION WOULD SEEM TO BE FAIR.
>> CITY ATTORNEY, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SAY. YOU'RE GOOD.
CITY CLERK, ANYTHING THAT YOU WISH TO SAY? COMMISSIONER BOLTON, ROTATION?
>> OKAY. WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO DO ROTATION.
AT THIS TIME WITH CONSENSUS TO DO ROTATION, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY STAFF, YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO REVISE SECTION 2-34 K2 ACCORDINGLY, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. NOW, MOVING TO ITEM 10B, DIRECTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO ESTABLISH A TRAVEL SOCCER TEAM REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR GELIN. VICE MAYOR?
>> I WANT TO MOVE ITEM 10B AND C TO THE FIRST COMMISSION MEETING IN APRIL.
I DON'T HAVE ANY ITEMS TO PRESENT TONIGHT.
OKAY, SEEING THAT ITEMS 10B, AND C ARE NOW MOVED TO THE FIRST COMMISSION MEETING IN APRIL.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE SEEING YOU THIS EVENING.
MEETING ADJOURNED. [LAUGHTER]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.