[00:00:01]
>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
[CALL TO ORDER]
AND WELCOME TO OUR MAY 14TH MEETING.IT IS CURRENTLY 7:00 PM AND WE'RE GOING TO CALL THIS WONDERFUL MEETING TO ORDER. CITY CLERK.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MAYOR GOMEZ?
>> GOOD EVENING. VICE MAYOR DANIEL?
>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, IF EVERYONE WILL PLEASE STAND, COMMISSIONER KRYSTAL PATTERSON WILL LEAD US IN A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> THANK YOU. FOR OUR CITY MANAGER REPORT,
[2. CITY MANAGER REPORT]
WE'RE GOING TO 2A, OUR FEDERAL LOBBYIST, VALERIE MASSOLO FROM THE FERGUSON GROUP, IS GOING TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.SHE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SKY. HI, THERE?
I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPDATE.
SOME OF THE THINGS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON, DC.
WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO BEGIN WITH.
AS YOU KNOW, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ISSUED QUITE A FEW EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON POLICY, AND ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
I HAVE PULLED OUT ABOUT A DOZEN THAT I THINK YOU OUGHT TO FOCUS ON.
IF YOU WANT TO GO MORE IN DEPTH THAN WHERE WE'RE GOING.
TODAY, THE FERGUSON GROUP PUTS OUT EVERY FRIDAY, A SUMMARY OF THE NEW EXECUTIVE ORDERS AS WELL AS UPDATES ON THE EXISTING ONES.
THE FIRST ONE IS PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.
IT CAME OUT ON JANUARY 20, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT RECOGNIZING DOCUMENTS PUT OUT BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN TERMS OF CITIZENSHIP.
WHILE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CAN CONTINUE ISSUING SUCH DOCUMENTS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THEIR LEGAL VALIDITY, AND WILL NOT EXTEND FEDERAL PROTECTIONS BASED ON THEM.
THIS EO, WHICH IS SHORT FOR EXECUTIVE ORDER, APPLIES TO PERSONS BORN IN THE US, WHO MEET THE ABOVE CRITERIA AND WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FEBRUARY 19TH, BUT IT'S FACED NUMEROUS LEGAL CHALLENGES.
IT'S STILL IN FLUX, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON.
THE SECOND ONE IS PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS.
THIS ONE REALLY FOCUSES ON VOTER REGISTRATION ID.
IT MAY SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ADMINISTER FEDERAL ELECTIONS.
THE STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE TO RECORD THE TYPE OF DOCUMENT USED, SUCH AS A US PASSPORT, A REAL ID, MILITARY ID, OR OTHER VALID FEDERAL OR STATE ISSUED PHOTO ID.
NON COMPLIANCE BY A STATE OR LOCALITY COULD RESULT IN THE WITHHOLDING OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ELECTION SECURITY, AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO COORDINATE WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OVERSIGHT ENTITIES AS THEY REVIEW VOTER DATABASES FOR FRAUD AND OTHER IRREGULARITIES.
THIS ONE, TOO, FACES LEGAL CHALLENGES, WHICH MAY DELAY, LIMIT OR EVEN PREVENT IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EO, BUT UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, DEFINITELY KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
THE NEXT ONE IS PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION.
THIS INSTRUCTS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO EVALUATE AND UNDERTAKE ANY LAWFUL ACTIONS TO ENSURE THAT SO CALLED SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS WHICH SEEK TO INTERFERE WITH THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS DO NOT RECEIVE ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT TAMARAC CONSIDERS ITSELF A SANCTUARY CITY, BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THAT IS THE TYPE OF ACTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE THAT DO CONSIDER THEMSELVES THAT.
[00:05:04]
THE FOURTH IS DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY, EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EO ESTABLISHING CLEAR LANGUAGE AND POLICIES, RECOGNIZING TWO SEXES, MALE AND FEMALE.
THE IMPACT OF THIS EO COULD EXTEND TO INTERACTIONS WITH STATE AND LOCAL ENTITIES THAT RECOGNIZE GENDER IDENTITIES BEYOND MALE AND FEMALE.
INDIVIDUALS WITH NON BINARY MARKERS ON THEIR LEGAL DOCUMENTS, SO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT COME FROM THE STATE OR THE LOCALITY.
THEY MAY FACE DISCREPANCIES WHEN APPLYING FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION, WHICH WILL NOW RECOGNIZE ONLY MALE OR FEMALE.
THE POLICY MAY ALSO CREATE CHALLENGES IN FEDERAL DATABASES USED BY STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO INCONSISTENCIES IN IDENTIFICATION RECORDS.
THE FIFTH, DELIVERING EMERGENCY PRICE RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND DEFEATING THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS, THIS MEMORANDUM ESSENTIALLY CRITICIZES PREVIOUS POLICIES FOR PROMOTING EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND IMPOSING RESTRICTIVE REGULATIONS ON ENERGY AND HOUSING AND MANDATING A SHIFT TOWARDS ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
IT REPEALS CLIMATE RELATED REGULATIONS.
IT COULD CONFLICT WITH STATE AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS AND POTENTIALLY DIMINISH FUNDING FOR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS.
THE EO MARKS SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND PLANNING.
STOP ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
MOVING ON. NUMBER 6, PROTECTING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REFERRED TO THE PROTECTION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT AS FOUNDATIONAL TO MAINTAINING ALL OTHER RIGHTS HELD BY AMERICANS.
THE EO AND SUBSEQUENT PLAN OF ACTION COULD FORCE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADJUST OR REALIGN YOUR POLICIES WITH NEW FINDINGS OR GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICIES AND REGULATIONS.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY NEED TO INCREASE LEVELS OF COORDINATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUR CURRENT POLICIES MEET THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS SET FORTH BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
THE NEXT ONE, ACHIEVING EFFICIENCY THROUGH STATE AND LOCAL PREPAREDNESS.
THIS ONE WAS SIGNED ON MARCH 18.
IT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BY EMPOWERING THEM TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE AND CENTRAL ROLE IN NATIONAL RESILIENCE AND PREPAREDNESS.
IT EMPHASIZES THAT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS ARE THE PRIMARY OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS.
NOT LATER THAN JUNE 16, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL DEVELOP A NATIONAL RESILIENCE STRATEGY, WHICH IS GOING TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS TO ENHANCE RESILIENCE.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO INVEST THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANS TO ALIGN WITH THESE CHANGES.
AGAIN, THEY GO INTO EFFECT IN MID JUNE, WHICH WILL LIKELY IMPACT HOW YOU APPROACH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AND READINESS.
IN SUMMARY, THE EO SHIFTS A LOT MORE RESPONSIBILITY TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR MANAGING RISKS AND BUILDING RESILIENCE, WHILE PROVIDING YOU WITH CLEAR GUIDANCE AND FEDERAL SUPPORT.
HOPEFULLY, THAT'S IN TERMS OF FUNDING TO ENHANCE YOUR PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS.
THE NEXT IS PROTECTING AMERICA'S BANK ACCOUNT AGAINST FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE AND THIS BASICALLY DIRECTS THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT TO UPDATE GUIDANCE AND ENHANCE THEIR SYSTEMS TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE PAYMENTS MADE ON BEHALF OF AGENCIES FOR THINGS LIKE GRANT PROGRAMS OR THINGS LIKE THAT, GO THROUGH A PRE CERTIFICATION VERIFICATION TO PREVENT IMPROPER PAYMENTS.
IN A NUTSHELL, THIS COULD DELAY DIRECT FINANCIAL PAYMENTS MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO YOU NOT BEING QUITE AS TIMELY AS THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST, SO JUST BE AWARE OF THAT.
THE NEXT ONE HAS TO DO WITH DEI.
IT'S RESTORING EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND MERITOCRACY AND THIS CALLS FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE AGENCY HEADS TO IDENTIFY AND REPEAL 50 EXISTING RULES THAT IMPOSE WHAT THEY'RE TERMING DISPARATE IMPACT LIABILITY.
THEY WANT TO ASSESS CURRENT CASES AND PROCEEDINGS AND TAKE ACTION TO ALIGN THEM WITH THE NEW POLICY.
THIS COULD AFFECT CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS BY CHANGING HOW THEY'RE ALLOWED TO PROMOTE FAIRNESS AND PREVENT DISCRIMINATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING.
IN THE PAST, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OFTEN LOOKED AT PATTERNS LIKE WHETHER CERTAIN GROUPS WERE BEING LEFT OUT OF JOBS OR HOUSING OR SERVICES TO TRY TO FIX UNFAIR OUTCOMES.
EVEN IF NO DISCRIMINATION WAS MET.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOW DISCOURAGING THIS APPROACH.
UNDER THE NEW ORDER, THE FOCUS WILL BE ON WHETHER SOMEONE INTENDED TO DISCRIMINATE, NOT JUST WHETHER THERE IS DISCRIMINATION.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FEDERAL FUNDING THAT YOU WILL NO LONGER BE PRIORITIZING
[00:10:05]
THOSE TYPES OF THINGS OR YOUR APPLICATIONS WILL NOT SCORE WELL.THAT ONE IS ALSO IN THE MIDST OF LEGAL CHALLENGES AND SO WE WILL SEE WHAT THE IMPLEMENTATION ULTIMATELY TURNS OUT TO BE, BUT AS YOU ARE WRITING YOUR GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP THE STEP IN MIND.
THE 10TH IS COMMENCING THE REDUCTION OF THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY.
THIS EO BROADLY DIRECTS SEVERAL AGENCIES ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BEGIN PROCEDURES TO ACCOMMODATE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN FORCE. WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THIS.
THIS WAS STARTED ON FEBRUARY 20TH.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPECT, AND YOU'VE ALREADY EXPERIENCED A NEAR IMMEDIATE CESSATION IN ACTIVITIES BY ENTITIES NAMED IN THE EO, SUCH AS THE COMMITTEE ON LONG COVID, THE HEALTH EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND MORE.
THIS TWO HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO LEGAL CHALLENGES, WHICH ARE STILL PENDING.
THE NEXT ONE IS PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION.
THIS ONE ESTABLISHES A JOINT HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE IN ALL STATES NATIONWIDE.
THE COMPOSITION OF THIS TASK FORCE WILL ALSO INCLUDE REPRESENTATION FROM RELEVANT STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
IT INSTRUCTS THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO AUTHORIZE STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.
AS THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY DETERMINES ARE QUALIFIED TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN RELATION TO INVESTIGATION, APPREHENSION, OR DETENTION OF ALIENS IN THE UNITED STATES, UNDER THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
IT INSTRUCTS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO EVALUATE AND UNDERTAKE ANY LAWFUL ACTIONS TO ENSURE THAT SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS WHICH SEEK TO INTERFERE OR ANY JURISDICTIONS, WHICH SEEK TO INTERFERE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, AS JUST STATED, THAT THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS.
FURTHER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY WILL EVALUATE AND UNDERTAKE ANY OTHER LAWFUL ACTIONS CRIMINAL OR CIVIL THAT THEY DEEM WARRANTED BASED ON ANY JURISDICTIONS PRACTICES THAT INTERFERE WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL LAW.
FINALLY, THE EO INSTRUCTS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO IMMEDIATELY REVIEW AND IF APPROPRIATE, AUDIT ALL CONTRACTS, GRANTS OR OTHER AGREEMENTS PROVIDING FEDERAL FUNDING TO ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING OR PROVIDING SERVICES EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO REMOVABLE OR ILLEGAL ALIENS AND IF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE FOUND DOING SO, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PAUSE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL FURTHER FUNDS PURSUANT TO SUCH AGREEMENTS, PENDING THE RESULTS OF THE REVIEW.
THAT ONE IS ALSO SUBJECT TO LEGAL CHALLENGE.
THOSE ARE THE DOZEN OR SO EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT I WANTED TO IDENTIFY AND HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU TODAY.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THEM?
>> WELL, I'M NOT SEEING ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSION, SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP.
>> NOW THE LIGHT IS LIT, COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
>> YES. NOW MY LIGHT IS LIT, MADAM MAYOR.
I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION ON THE TOPICS THAT MISS VAL SPOKE ABOUT.
HOWEVER, I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
WE HAVE TWO LARGE WATER PROJECTS BEING PROPOSED IN THE CITY, THAT IS THE EASTSIDE EXPANSION AND THE WATER PLANT PROJECTS.
YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT WE LOBBIED FOR THESE IN WASHINGTON WITH THE CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK.
BUT IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE'S A $50 MILLION POT OF FUNDS THAT ARE SET ASIDE FOR OUR AREA THAT HAS NOT BEEN TAPPED INTO YET.
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THESE FUNDS CAN ADDRESS STORMWATER, WASTEWATER, CLEAN WATER, AND DRINKING WATER PROJECTS.
DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THESE FUNDS, AND CAN YOU ADDRESS WHY THE CITY HAS NOT APPLIED FOR OR RECEIVED ANY OF THESE FUNDS?
>> WELL, I'M IMAGINING YOU'RE PROBABLY REFERRING TO THE WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007, WHICH AUTHORIZED FUNDING FOR DRINKING WASTEWATER, CLEAN WATER, AND STORMWATER PROJECTS.
DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR? IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE, PRIORITIZING WASTEWATER TREATMENT, WATER SUPPLY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION.
[00:15:05]
IT AUTHORIZED THOSE ACTIVITIES, BUT IT DID NOT APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THOSE ACTIVITIES.FUNDING MUST COME THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS, WHICH ARE EARMARKS, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING.
WE REQUESTED AND RECEIVED FUNDING FOR THE WATER DISTRIBUTION PROJECT FROM LAST YEAR AND THEN THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A $25,000,000 REQUEST INTO OUR CONGRESSWOMAN AS OUR TOP PRIORITY FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
SO I'M IMAGINING THAT MUST BE WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO?
>> NO, IT IS NOT, BUT SINCE YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY OUT, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS TO THAT END.
AS FAR AS THE EARMARK PROJECTS, HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT CITIES WILL THRIVE OR NOT THROUGH THIS NEW ERA OF NO EARMARKS?
>> WE'RE NOT IN AN ERA OF NO EARMARKS.
>> EXPLAIN. WE'RE STILL IN EARMARKS.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS HAVE DISAPPEARED, OR IS IT STILL THERE?
>> NO, THE PROCESS IS STILL IN PLACE, AND WE ARE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN IT.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WHILE I WOULD PULL UP AN EMAIL FROM OUR CONGRESSWOMAN ADDRESSING THAT THESE ARE NO LONGER THE CASE IN WASHINGTON.
>> I'M SURE THAT I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT I'LL WAIT FOR YOU TO POST IT.
>> WELL, AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE FERGUSON GROUP IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE OUR LOBBYISTS.
IF THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ASK FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT, AND WE SHOULD POSSIBLY BE WORKING WITH OUR NEW LOBBYISTS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AUDIENCE HERE WAITING FOR THEIR GRADUATION.
>> I'M BEING ASKED WHEN THE CONTRACT BEGINS, MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S COMMUNICATION.
>> NO, WHEN IS THE FERGUSON'S GROUP CONTRACT UP BECAUSE, I ASSUME THEY ARE STILL OUR LOBBYISTS AT THIS MOMENT.
>> BECAUSE PIGGYBACKING ON WHAT, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
I THINK YOU TOLD US THAT EARMARKS WEREN'T BEING APPROVED FROM THE LAST SET OF REQUESTS WE PUT IN.
>> WHAT I TOLD YOU IS THAT LAST YEAR'S EARMARKS ACROSS THE NATION, EVERY CITY, EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ANYONE WHO RECEIVED AN EARMARK IN LAST YEAR'S FISCAL YEAR, ALL OF THOSE WERE WIPED OUT WHEN CONGRESS PASSED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION FOR THAT YEAR.
THE LETTER THAT THE CONGRESSWOMAN SENT TO THE CITY WAS SAYING JUST THAT, THAT THE EAST SIDE WATER DISTRIBUTION PROJECT THAT WE HAD AN EARMARK IN FOR ONE MILLION AND CHANGE WAS WIPED OUT WITH ALL THE REST OF THE EARMARKS.
THIS YEAR, THE EARMARKS PROCESS REMAINS UNCHANGED.
ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND EVERYONE ELSE IS REQUESTING EARMARKS THROUGH THE REGULAR PROCESS.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, OF THE 200 SOMEWHAT EARMARK REQUESTS THAT THE CONGRESSWOMAN RECEIVES, IT APPEARS THAT YOUR EARMARK, WHICH WE REQUESTED, WHICH WE ADVOCATED FOR, IS ONE OF THOSE.
WHETHER I'M A SHORT TIMER OR NOT, I AM STILL WORKING FOR THE CITY AND TRYING TO DO THE BEST FOR YOU AS ALWAYS.
>> I'VE ASKED STAFF TO GET THE EMAIL FOR US.
I'M TRYING TO FIND IT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO PROLONG THE MEETING, BUT I'M TOLD WE'RE GETTING THE EMAIL IN SHORT ORDER.
>> I CAN ASK A QUESTION IN THE TIME FRAME.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
IN REFERENCE TO THE DEI EXECUTIVE ORDER, YOU MENTIONED, YOU TALK ABOUT CITIES WHO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT FOLLOW THE LINE OF DEI.
THEY WOULD NOT MOVE TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE, THEY WOULD MOVE TO THE BACK OF THE LINE.
CAN YOU EXPOUND ON PROGRAMS? IS IT CITIES THAT HAVE PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN DIVERSITY PROGRAM? WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU SAID IF CITIES HAVE DEI PROGRAM, THEY WOULD NOT GET PREFERENCE FOR GRANTS?
>> IT IS ANYTHING THAT THE CITY HAS IDENTIFIED AS HELPING TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD.
[00:20:06]
IT'S TYPICALLY MARGINALIZED GROUPS.IT WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER FOR ME TO SEND YOU A LIST OF THE THINGS BECAUSE IT'S A WIDE RANGE OF THINGS.
THAT'S WHY I PULLED IT OUT SO THAT YOU WERE AWARE OF IT.
I'M GLAD YOU'RE ASKING A QUESTION ABOUT IT.
I'D LOVE TO SEND YOU THE EXACT LANGUAGE SO YOU CAN SEE IT FOR YOURSELF AND SEE HOW IT LINES UP WITH THE CITY'S PROGRAMS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM BECAUSE THE CITY DOES HAVE AN EXISTING DEI COMMITTEE.
I JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NOTHING THAT PROHIBITS OR PREEMPTS OUR COMMITTEE FROM DOING THE WORK THAT IT'S CURRENTLY DOING, AND IF THERE'S ANY REQUIREMENT FOR US TO HAVE TO ADJUST THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY'RE CONDUCTING BUSINESS.
>> THERE MAY BE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ARE AND WHAT PROGRAMS THAT COMMITTEE IMPACTS, BUT IT MAY BE SOMETHING YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO.
I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DETAILS ON YOUR COMMITTEE OR WHAT IT DOES.
>> COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, AT THIS TIME, I BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE WORK IS CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW.
IF ANYTHING CHANGE, I WILL LET THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION KNOW.
>> THANK YOU. I SAW ONE OF THE MEMBERS RECENTLY, AND SHE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE NAME, AND I DIDN'T THINK THAT THERE WAS ANY REASON WHY WE WOULD CHANGE.
>> WELL, STATE LAW HAS NOT REQUESTED ANY CHANGE IN TERMS OF NAME, BUT IF ANYTHING CHANGE, I'LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW.
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION AS WELL.
>> THAT'S A WOMAN'S COMMITTEE AS WELL.
VAL, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THAT'S GEARED TOWARDS EMPOWERING WOMEN.
IN ADDITION TO THE DEI BOARD DEALING WITH DIVERSITY, WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING THAT FALLS UNDER THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER AS WELL?
IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD CONFER WITH YOUR CITY ATTORNEY ON BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ALL THE DETAILS OF YOUR COMMITTEE.
>> VAL, LETTER IS MARCH 25TH, 2025.
IT SAYS, "I'M WRITING TO INFORM YOU THAT AN UNFORTUNATE DEVELOPMENT REGARDING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS, DESPITE OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO SECURE CRITICAL FUNDING RESOURCES FOR INITIATIVES LIKE YOURS, THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN CONGRESS HAS DECIDED TO ELIMINATE ALL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUESTS DURING THE RECENT VOTE TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025." I BELIEVE MY QUESTION IS, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING OUR FEDERAL LOBBYING CORE.
HOW DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT THE NEW LOBBYISTS COMING IN WOULD WORK UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES? ARE THEY GOING TO PICK UP PROJECTS FROM YOU, OR IS IT THAT ALL THE PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON CAN NO LONGER BE BECAUSE OF THIS LETTER THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE CONGRESSWOMAN?
>> LIKE I MENTIONED, THE LETTER IS IN REGARD TO LAST YEAR'S FISCAL YEAR, AND IT PERTAINED TO THAT.
THE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST THAT WE SUBMITTED AND THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED WITH THE CONGRESSWOMAN BACK IN MARCH IS PART OF THIS NEW FISCAL YEAR.
WE HAVE SUBMITTED THAT, SHE'S ACCEPTED IT.
SHE HAS FORWARDED IT ONTO THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. YOU'RE IN GREAT SHAPE.
YOUR NEW LOBBYIST SHOULD PICK UP EXACTLY WHERE WE LEFT OFF.
WE WERE HANDING THE BATON IN ITS FULL FORM.
ALL YOUR WORK HAS BEEN DONE, ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS FINISH IT UP.
>> BECAUSE OF WHAT THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, QUOTING THE LETTER FROM CONGRESSWOMAN MCCORMICK, BECAUSE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON, WHERE THEY WIPED OUT ALL OF THE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, DO YOU SUSPECT THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN IN FUTURE YEARS?
>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN PREDICT THAT.
WE DIDN'T PREDICT THAT FOR LAST YEAR.
THE REASON THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR IS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T COME TO ANY AGREEMENT ON PASSING ALL THE BILLS, SO THEY DID A CONTINUING RESOLUTION, WHICH FUNDS ALL OF THE AGENCIES UNTIL THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
[00:25:05]
IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN THIS YEAR, THEN, BY DEFAULT, IT WOULD WIPE OUT ALL OF THE PROJECTS IN THE BILL.DO I ANTICIPATE THAT HAPPENING? NOBODY COULD TELL YOU WHETHER THAT WAS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S BEEN NO APPROPRIATIONS BILLS THAT HAVE EVEN STARTED BEING MARKED UP.
>> GOT IT. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, MA'AM.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, VAL, OR WHOEVER YOU ARE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR EVENING.
>> YOU'RE MOST WELCOME. THANK YOU.
>> WHERE ARE YOU, DEAN? THEY YOU ARE.
SORRY. DO YOU WANT US UP [INAUDIBLE] WHILE YOU DO THIS? IF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE WELL, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE DEAN TWIGGER COME FORWARD AND ANNOUNCE THE GRADUATES, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND PLEASED THAT WE ARE HAVING MR. CASEY HARLAND, THE LEGISLATIVE AIDE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAN DALY'S OFFICE, HERE WITH US.
I SAW HIM SOMEWHERE. THERE YOU ARE.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE RUBY GARCIA FROM SENATOR ROSALINE OSGOOD'S OFFICE HERE AS WELL, AND I KNOW I SAW HER.
THERE SHE IS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE, BOTH OF YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
I'M DEAN TWIGGER, THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE CITY.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF PARTICIPATING IN AND HELPING OUT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
THE CITY'S BEEN RUNNING TAMARAC UNIVERSITY SINCE SPRING OF 2007.
ALTOGETHER, IT'S BEEN ABOUT 14 YEARS.
[INAUDIBLE] IT'S BEEN A LONG PROGRAM.
PERFECT. [APPLAUSE] BUT WE'RE REALLY PLEASED.
WE HAD ANOTHER WONDERFUL YEAR WITH 27 GRADUATES TONIGHT.
WE'RE REALLY HAPPY THEY CAN PARTICIPATE AND HOPEFUL THEY'VE LEARNED A LOT OF VALUE FROM [INAUDIBLE] PROGRAMMING.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
AS I CALL YOUR NAME, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE.
SANDRA BROWNS IS NOT HERE TONIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO STILL [INAUDIBLE] CONGRATULATIONS.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] STEPHANIE [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] JANELLE [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] JUAN TASIO. [APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS. JAMES CLARK.
[APPLAUSE] YVONNE [INAUDIBLE]. [APPLAUSE] TIFFANY COUNIHAN.
[APPLAUSE] VANESSA [INAUDIBLE]. [APPLAUSE] RAFAEL GARCIA.
[APPLAUSE] SHARON [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] JESSICA MOSS. JESSICA COULDN'T [INAUDIBLE] TONIGHT, SO WE EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AS WELL. LOU-MAY NELSON.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE] COME ON UP.
[00:30:07]
CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. LAUREN OGDEN.[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS. KIMBERLY PETERS.
[APPLAUSE] RANDY [INAUDIBLE]. [APPLAUSE] SANDRA SCAVO.
[APPLAUSE] AVIVA [INAUDIBLE]. [APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS.
ANN IS NOT HERE TONIGHT? STEWART WEBSTER.
[APPLAUSE] THEN DANA PAUL WHARTON AND LINDA WHARTON.
[APPLAUSE] FORTY-THREE YEAR [INAUDIBLE] ANNIVERSARY.
IF YOU COULD COME BACK INTO THE CENTER HERE WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER PICTURE DOWN THE MIDDLE. COME ON BACK OVER.
>> I WOULD IMAGINE ACCEPTING LIKE THAT.
>> OUR GRADUATES, SOME OF THEM WILL BE STAYING, AND SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO ENJOY THE REST OF THE EVENING AND CELEBRATE THEIR BIG GRADUATION.
WE WILL NOW MOVE FORWARD TO OUR PROCLAMATIONS.
THIS FIRST PROCLAMATION THAT WE'RE PRESENTING THIS EVENING WAS REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER KRYSTAL PATTERSON, AND THIS IS REGARDING NECROTIZING FASCIITIS AWARENESS.
THIS IS GOING TO BE PRESENTED TO ERICA JAMES.
[00:35:03]
BECAUSE WE DON'T DO THAT, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS AT A WORKSHOP. PLEASE DON'T CAUSE A SCENE.>> IS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH WHY I COULDN'T [OVERLAPPING]
>> BECAUSE THIS IS THE PROCEDURES WE'VE BEEN DOING.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE PROCEDURES, AND WE WORKSHOP THEM, AND THIS IS HOW THEY ARE.
IF WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THEM IN THE FUTURE, VERY HAPPY TO DO SO.
BUT WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MEETING.
IT IS UNPROFESSIONAL. THEREFORE, TO NOT TAKE AWAY ANYMORE [OVERLAPPING]
>> ATTORNEY, CAN YOU CLARIFY, PLEASE WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH ME PRESENTING MY OWN PROCLAMATION.
>> COME ON. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
>> YOU PUT ME IN THE POSITION LIKE I'M DOING SOMETHING WRONG WHEN I'M FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES.
>> THERE'S NO ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO THE REQUEST MADE BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
>> THE ISSUE IS THERE, SINCE IT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BY THIS COMMISSION OR OTHER COMMISSIONS AND PROCEDURES WERE IN PLACE.
I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT HAD I BEEN ASKED RESPECTFULLY, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYONE TO TRY TO MAKE A POLITICAL SCENE.
>> THIS PROCLAMATION BEEN READ BY [INAUDIBLE] COMMISSION BEFORE?
WE HAVE NOT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
>> BASED ON MY RECOLLECTION, IT HAS.
>> ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, APPRECIATE THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FOOLISHNESS.
BECAUSE IT REALLY IS FOOLISHNESS, AND UNFORTUNATELY, SORRY.
MAYOR, HERE'S A SIMPLE RESOLUTION.
I'M ABOUT TO HANDLE THIS, BUT THANK YOU. I'VE GOT THIS.
>> YOU ALLOW THE MAJORITY COMMISSION MAKE THAT DECISION.
YOU ALLOW THE MAJORITY COMMISSION VOTE ON IT.
>> THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE HANDLE THINGS.
IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE TALK TO ME IN ADVANCE.
>> REALLY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S UNBELIEVABLY INAPPROPRIATE AND NOT NECESSARY.
WE'RE HERE TO ENJOY THE EVENING.
WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE PEOPLE AND IF THIS IS SUCH A BIG DEAL, ENJOY.
>> WHEREAS, NECROTIZING FASCIITIS, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS FLESH EATING DISEASE, IS A RARE BUT EXTREMELY SERIOUS BACTERIAL INFECTION THAT SPREADS RAPIDLY AND DESTROYS SOFT TISSUE, MUSCLE, AND FAT AND WHEREAS EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS ARE CRITICAL TO SURVIVAL AS THE DISEASE CAN PROGRESS QUICKLY, OFTEN REQUIRING EMERGENCY SURGERY, AMPUTATION, AND INTENSIVE CARE.
WHEREAS APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH NECROTIZING FASCIITIS, WILL SURVIVE MAKING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND MEDICAL EDUCATION VITAL COMPONENTS IN SAVING LIVES AND REDUCING COMPLICATIONS.
WHEREAS MANY PATIENTS FACE DELAYED DIAGNOSIS DUE TO THE RARITY OF THE DISEASE AND RAISING AWARENESS AMONG BOTH THE PUBLIC AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS CAN LEAD TO EARLY RECOGNITION AND BETTER OUTCOMES, AND WHEREAS SURVIVORS OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS, LIKE THE COURAGEOUS INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY, LIKE MS. ERICA JAMES, A 10 YEAR SURVIVOR, HAVE ENDURED MULTIPLE SURGERIES, LONG HOSPITAL STAYS, AND THE CARE OF MULTI DISCIPLINARY MEDICAL TEAMS, DEMONSTRATING IMMENSE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS, AND WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT TO UPLIFT THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT INCREASE RESEARCH, FUNDING AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF RARE DISEASES, SUCH AS NECROTIZING FASCIITIS.
NOW, THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC BROWER COUNTY, FLORIDA, WE DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY 2025, NECROTIZING FASCIITIS AWARENESS MONTH.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> I COULD SAY A LITTLE SOMETHING. HELLO, EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS ERICA JAMES, AND AS COMMISSIONER PATTERSON SAID, I AM A TEN YEAR SURVIVOR OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS.
I HAD SIX SURGERIES, A 21 DAY HOSPITAL STAY.
I'M ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES, SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WAS AWARE OF WHAT THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS RARE, AND IT BASICALLY ATTACKS THE BODY, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DIAGNOSED TIMELY IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES.
THANK YOU AGAIN, CITY OF TAMARAC.
THANK YOU TO MY SUPPORT THAT'S HERE WITH THEIR PERFIL ON, [APPLAUSE] MY FAMILY, AND THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRENGTH. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PHOTO.
[00:40:40]
THIS NEXT PROCLAMATION WAS REQUESTED BY MYSELF FOR ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH, AND I AM VERY PROUD TO PRESENT IT TO PASTOR JOSEPH H. KIM.[APPLAUSE] WHEREAS, INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER DESCENT HAVE MADE A PROFOUND, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS IN 1978, THE UNITED STATES BEGAN CELEBRATING ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY AND TURNED THE CELEBRATION INTO A MONTH LONG EVENT IN 1992.
AND WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS WHO HAVE SURMOUNTED DAUNTING OBSTACLES AND SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO OUR COUNTRY'S ECONOMY, EDUCATIONAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS, RS, LITERATURE, MEDICINE, AND SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS.
WHEREAS DURING AAPI HERITAGE MONTH, WE COMMEND AND APPLAUD THE DETERMINATION, HARD WORK, AND PERSEVERANCE OF ALL ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS WHO CONTINUE SERVING AS A VOICE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND WHEREAS AAPI HERITAGE MONTH COMMEMORATES THE UNIQUE JOURNEY OF ALL AAPI, IMMIGRANTS AND CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THEIR DISTINCTIVE LIFE EXPERIENCES, CULTURES, AND TRADITIONS.
WHEREAS, PASTOR JOSEPH HAKSU KIM, WAS BORN IN SEOUL SOUTH KOREA IN 1970 AND IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER.
HE ATTENDED PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN BRONX, NEW YORK, AND PURSUED HIGHER EDUCATION IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK AND CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
PASTOR KIM PROUDLY SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY DURING 1995-1998, AND WAS STATIONED IN BAMBERG, GERMANY.
AFTER BEING HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY, HE WENT TO ASHBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN WILMORE, KENTUCKY, AND THEN SERVED LOCAL CHURCHES IN KENTUCKY AND GEORGIA.
PASTOR KIM THEN MADE HIS WAY TO TAMARAC TO BECOME THE FULL TIME ASSOCIATE PASTOR AT THE SOUTH FLORIDA GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH, AND A VERY PROUD RESIDENT.
EVERY SATURDAY FOR FOUR YEARS, PASTOR KIM AND THE CONGREGATION SERVE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS WITH FOOD DRIVES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I'M MICHELLE J. GOMEZ, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, ALONG WITH THE CITY COMMISSION, JOINING IN RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING PASTOR JOSEPH H. KIM'S ACHIEVEMENTS, THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS AND HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH.
[APPLAUSE] WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY A FEW WORDS?
>> WELL, GOOD EVENING. I WANT TO THANK GOD FOR THIS RECOGNITION, AND I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE WONDERFUL LEADERSHIP OF THE MAYOR MICHELLE GOMEZ AND COMMISSIONER MAURIE, AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND ALL THE CITY WORKERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND I AM PLANNING TO BE THERE TO CELEBRATE THE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK TOMORROW, AND COMMISSIONER MAURIE INVITED ME.
I'M GOING TO BE THERE WITH MY CHURCH MEMBERS, THANK YOU.
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF TAMARAC TOGETHER FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
THIS NEXT PROCLAMATION WAS REQUESTED BY MYSELF FOR HAITIAN AMERICAN MONTH.
I AM VERY HONORED TO ASK MR. ADRE DONIS, THE VP OF HAITIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TO JOIN UP HERE AS WE DO THIS PRESENTATION TO DELANOR ILIS.
[00:45:05]
COME ON UP. [APPLAUSE] I DO IT EVERY YEAR, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS.>> GIANNI. HE'S RACING DOWN THAT RUNWAY. YEAH, HE IS.
I MEAN, IT'S OKAY. IT'S A START. HOW ARE YOU? WHEREAS HAITI IS CREMINI COUNTRY OCCUPYING THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA, WHICH IS SHARES WITH THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
WHEREAS HAITIAN AMERICAN MONTH, A MAJOR CELEBRATION WITH PARADES AND CULTURAL AND ATHLETIC EVENTS OBSERVED IN MANY CITIES IN HAITI, SINCE 1930S IS AN EXPANSION OF THE HAITIAN FLAG DAY ON MAY 18, WHICH COMMEMORATES THE ADOPTION OF THE BLUE AND RED NATIONAL FLAG BY THE HAITIAN CONGRESS IN 1803.
HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH IS A CELEBRATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF HAITIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE, WHICH WAS FIRST CELEBRATED IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS IN 1998.
WHEREAS HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HAITIAN DISPARA AND THE LOVERS OF THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE ITS RICH CULTURE, DISTINCTIVE ART, AND DELICIOUS FOOD, AND TO LEARN THE TRADITIONS OF HAITI AND ITS PEOPLE.
WHEREAS HAITIAN AMERICANS HAVE MADE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AMERICAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY IN MANY FIELDS ACROSS BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS FROM ACADEMIA TO THE ARTS, TO BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING CHARLES EL RESIN, THE FIRST BLACK COLLEGE PROFESSOR IN THE UNITED STATES, EUGENE BALLARD, THE FIRST BLACK AMERICAN MILITARY PILOT, JOHN JAMES ALBON, PAINTER AND NATURALIST, RALPH GILES, CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER OF SAN HELIAS, WHO DESIGNED THE 2005 CAR OF THE YEAR CHRYSLER 300 AND NAOMI OSAKA TENNIS STAR.
WHEREAS SOUTH FLORIDA IS HOME TO THE LARGEST HAITIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS DELANA ELLIS WAS BORN IN HAITI, MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES 45 YEARS AGO.
HE IS MARRIED TO ALORES FOR OVER 51 YEARS.
EXACTLY. [APPLAUSE] HE'S A PROUD FATHER OF FOUR DAUGHTERS, ONE SON, AND SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN.
IN 1981, DELANOR WAS HIRED BY THE LEGAL AID SERVICE OF BROWARD COUNTY, WHERE HE WORKED AS A SENIOR PARALEGAL INTERPRETER FOR THE HAITIAN POPULATION OF BROWARD COUNTY AND BECAME PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR LEGAL AID SERVICES ASSISTING CLIENTS TO COLLECT OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT DURING COVID BEFORE RETIRING AFTER 42 YEARS OF SERVICE.
DELANOR WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE TO ESCAPE EVICTION, UTILITY CUTOFFS, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL, KEEPING THEIR DIGNITY.
DELANOR WAS A RECIPIENT OF THE COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AWARD IN 2024.
DELANOR IS A CO PASTOR OF PHILADELPHIA HAITIAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
NOW, THEREFORE, I'M MICHELLE J. GOMEZ, PROUD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, ALONG WITH THIS COMMISSION, JOIN IN RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING DELANOR ELIE ACHIEVEMENTS, THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HAITIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, AND HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS HAITIAN AMERICAN MONTH IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER MEMBERS, CITY STAFF, AND DISTINGUISHED GUEST, THE RESIDENT OF TAMARAC CITY.
I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE DEARLY.
AT THIS MOMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY WIFE, [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, THE LAST ONE OF FIVE CHILDREN, DANIEL YULIS [INAUDIBLE], AND MY BELOVED NEPHEW, RICK YULIS, WHO IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER IN BART COUNTY, AND I'M GLAD THAT THEY ARE HERE WITH ME TODAY.
[00:50:33]
>> [OVERLAPPING] [APPLAUSE] THIS NEXT PROCLAMATION WAS ALSO REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF AUTHORI DUBO, IS HE HERE? FEDERATION. WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO DOCTOR COLE.
WHEREAS, ON APRIL 20, 2006, PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH PROCLAIMED THAT MAY WOULD BE JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, CAPPING A HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT BY AN IMPRESSIVE GROUP LED BY JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH COMMUNITY LEADERS.
WHICH EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ AND SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER.
WHEREAS JAHM RECOGNIZES THE MORE THAN 360-YEAR HISTORY OF THE JEWISH CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY FROM HISTORY, SPORTS, ARTS, MUSIC, AND ENTERTAINMENT, TO MEDICINE, BUSINESS, SCIENCE, GOVERNMENT, AND MILITARY SERVICE.
ACROSS THESE FIELDS, MANY JEWISH AMERICANS HAVE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THIS NATION'S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND LIBERTY.
HAVING HELPED BRING ABOUT PROGRESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF THIS NATION'S VALUES AND CHARACTER.
WHEREAS MANY JEWISH WOMEN AND MEN MADE LIFELONG COMMITMENTS TO CONFRONT THE ENEMY OF AMERICA'S NOBLEST GOALS, RACISM, AND OPPRESSION.
THEY FOUND SOLIDARITY IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, LGBTQ RIGHTS, AND IN STRUGGLES WHICH OFTEN MIRRORED THE STORY OF THE EXODUS AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE AGES.
MANY JEWISH PEOPLE FOUND AMERICA'S BEST VALUES IN EACH OF THESE CAUSES AND A DEMAND FOR FAIRNESS, EQUALITY, AND JUSTICE.
WHEREAS THE RISE OF ANTI-SEMITISM DEMANDS THAT AMERICA KNOWS THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST.
WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS AN URGENT IMPERATIVE TO CONTINUALLY COMBAT PREJUDICE BEFORE IT FIRMLY TAKES ROOT.
THIS IS A RE-EMERGENCE OF VIOLENCE AND ANTI-SEMITISM MUST STOP.
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR HATE IN OUR COUNTRY.
WE MUST RECOMMIT THROUGH ACTION AND SOLIDARITY THAT AN ATTACK ON ONE FAITH IS AN ATTACK ON THE FAITH FOR ALL.
WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT MAY 2025, OVER 100 ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE US COME TOGETHER TO HELP AMERICANS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND CELEBRATE THE VIBRANT AND VARIED AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE FROM THE DAWN OF OUR NATION TO THE PRESENT DAY AND SHOW THAT EDUCATION BRINGS UPON UNDERSTANDING, WHICH BRINGS UPON UNITY FOR ALL OF US TO BE ONE.
WHEREAS TODAY, MAY 14, 2025, MARKS THE 77TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, WHICH WAS MAY 14, 1948, CELEBRATED ISRAEL AS YOM HAZMAT WHEN THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL WAS ESTABLISHED AND QUICKLY GRANTED DIPLOMATIC RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS DOCTOR COLLET AMI EMIGRATED TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM ISRAEL IN 1990.
SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF PHYSICAL ONE, A CUTTING-EDGE OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE WITH LOCATIONS IN PLANTATION AND TAMARAC.
SHE IS A TENURED FACILITY FACULTY MEMBER AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE'S PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT PROGRAM.
DOCTOR EMITT EMPLOYS HOLISTIC, EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS RESTORE OPTIMAL FUNCTION, MANAGE PAIN, AND FEEL EMPOWERED IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY.
SHE IS COMMITTED TO USING HER EXPERTISE TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND SPREADING HER INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SELF-HELP IN PHYSICAL THERAPY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I'M MICHELLE JA GOMEZ, VERY PROUD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAMARACK, ON BEHALF OF THIS COMMISSION.
TO JOIN IN RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING DR. CALETA MET'S ACHIEVEMENTS, THE CULTURE, HERITAGE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE JEWISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY, AND PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY.
>> JUST TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU, MICHELLE GOMEZ, DE MAYO, I WANT PERSONALLY TO THANK YOU BECAUSE WITHOUT YOUR HELP, WE COULDN'T DEVELOP OUR SECOND OFFICE HERE IN TAMAC.
[00:55:02]
[APPLAUSE] AS YOU SAID, ANTI-SEMITISM IS A SERIOUS THING, AND I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALSO DEVELOP MY BUSINESS HERE IN TAMARA.THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE]
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF TAMARAC ON BEHALF OF THE COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM MOVEMENT FOR TAKING A STAND AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM AND ALL FORMS OF HATRED.
[APPLAUSE] MOVING RIGHT ALONG, WE ARE GOING TO ANOTHER CELEBRATION OF HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH, AND THIS PROCLAMATION IS HONORING JEFF MANAS, AND THIS WAS REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
>> WHEREAS HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH IS A TIME TO HONOR THE CULTURE, RESILIENCE, AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HAITIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS WHO EXEMPLIFY THOSE VALUES THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.
WHEREAS JEFFY MONDESER, A PROUD FIRST-GENERATION HAITIAN AMERICAN AND RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, HAS SPENT HIS LIFE UPLIFTING HIS COMMUNITY THROUGH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, MENTORSHIP, AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION.
WHEREAS JEFFY IS CO-OWNER OF RANDY'S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS THAT HAS SERVED AS BOTH AN ECONOMIC ENGINE AND CULTURAL HUB, SHARING HAITIAN CUISINE AND TRADITION WITH GENERATIONS OF PATRONS.
WHEREAS AS THE FOUNDER OF JEFFY VAN LLC, JEFFY CHAMPIONS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES BY PURSUING PUBLIC SECTOR CONTRACTS AND ADVOCATING FOR INCLUSION IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT.
WHEREAS JEFFY ACTIVELY SERVES ON LOCAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, USING HIS VOICE TO SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS THAT BENEFIT RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS ALIKE.
WHEREAS HIS WORK REFLECTS A DEEP AND CONSISTENT COMMITMENT TO FAMILY, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND THE CELEBRATION OF HAITIAN IDENTITY, MAKING HIM A RESPECTED LEADER AND ROLE MODEL IN HIS COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF TAMARA, BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA.
WE DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE JEFFY MONDESER FOR HIS LIFELONG CONTRIBUTIONS TO CULTURAL PRIDE, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, AND PROCLAIM THAT HE EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF HAITIAN HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE.
>> WOW. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
I'M TRULY HONORED AND HUMBLED WITH THE PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU, MAYOR GOMEZ, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE COMMISSION WELL.
I WAS RECENTLY AT A WORKSHOP FOR SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, AND THE GUEST SPEAKER WAS IRV MAGIC JOHNSON.
ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS THAT HE TOUCHED ON WAS, IF YOU INTEND ON SERVING, GOING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, MAKE SURE THAT THE PERSON AT HOME BUYS IN BECAUSE YOU WILL BE SHARING YOURSELF WITH THE COMMUNITY.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE I'D BE REMISS LIKE MY FELLOW HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH RECIPIENT, NOT TO MENTION MY WIFE OF 25 YEARS.
FOR WITHOUT 25 YEARS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET THERE.
51. I JUST WANTED TO TELL MY WIFE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR UNWAVERING.
JUST LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO US AND OUR FAMILY, AND HAVE MY TWO BEAUTIFUL KIDS, AS WELL.
COME UP, PLEASE. PUT THEM ON MY SIDE.
[APPLAUSE] BOTH OF THEM ATTEND SCHOOL HERE LOCALLY
[01:00:01]
IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC AT BETHLEHEM JUNIOR ACADEMY.THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE COMMISSION.
THANK YOU, STAFF. ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I MADE IN MY LIFE WAS WHEN I DECIDED TO MOVE INTO THE CITY.
>> THIS NEXT PROCLAMATION IS FOR BUILDING SAFETY MONTH, REQUESTED BY TONY PACIS, OUR CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL.
[APPLAUSE] PLEASE, SUPER BIG FOR ME.
WHEREAS OUR JURISDICTION IS COMMITTED TO RECOGNIZING THAT OUR GROWTH AND STRENGTH DEPENDS ON THE SAFETY AND ESSENTIAL ROLES OF OUR HOMES, BUILDINGS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAY, BOTH IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND WHEN DISASTER STRIKES.
WHEREAS OUR CONFIDENCE AND RESILIENCE OF THESE BUILDINGS THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY IS A THE DEVOTION OF DILIGENT GUARDIANS, BUILDING SAFETY, AND FIRE PREVENTION OFFICIALS, ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, BUILDERS, TRADE PEOPLE, DESIGN PROFESSIONALS, LABORERS, PLUMBERS, AND OTHERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WHO WORK YEAR-ROUND TO ENSURE THE SAFE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS.
WHEREAS THESE GUARDIANS ARE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, A NONPROFIT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER LOCAL, STATE, TERRITORIAL, TRIBAL, AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT THE HIGHEST QUALITY CODES, TWO PAGES.
STANDARDS TO PROTECT US IN THE BUILDINGS WHERE WE LIVE, LEARN, WORK, AND PLAY.
THESE MODERN BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS INCLUDE SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HAZARDS, SUCH AS HURRICANES, SNOWSTORMS, THANKFULLY, NOT YET HERE IN FLORIDA.
WE NEVER KNOWS, TORNADOES, WIND, WILDLAND FIRES, FLOODS, AND EARTHQUAKES.
WHEREAS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH IS SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL TO REMIND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CRITICAL ROLE OF OUR COMMUNITIES, LARGELY UNKNOWN PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, OUR CODE OFFICIALS, WHO ASSURE US OF SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, AND AFFORDABLE BUILDINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR PROSPERITY.
WHEREAS GAME ON, THE THEME FOR BUILDING SAFETY MONTH 2025 ENCOURAGES US ALL TO GET INVOLVED AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT BUILDING SAFETY ON A PERSONAL, LOCAL, AND GLOBAL SCALE.
WHEREAS EACH YEAR IN OBSERVANCE OF BUILDING SAFETY MONTH, PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE ASKED TO CONSIDER THE COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE PUBLIC BUILDING SAFETY OR BUILDING SAFETY, RESILIENCE, ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AT HOME, AND IN THE COMMUNITY, AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ESSENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDED TO ALL OF US BY LOCAL, STATE, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, AND FEDERAL BUILDING SAFETY, AND FIRE PREVENTION DEPARTMENTS IN PROTECTING LIVES OF THE AND PROPERTY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHELLE J. GOMEZ, VERY PROUD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAMAR, ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMISSION, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH, AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO JOIN US AS WE PARTICIPATE IN ALL BUILDING MONTH SAFETY ACTIVITIES.
VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.
I DON'T KNOW WHO DOES THE PLANNING OF THIS, BUT BUILDING SAFETY MONTH HAPPENS TO BE RIGHT BEFORE OUR HURRICANE SEASON.
I'M GOING TO STEAL A LITTLE THUNDER FROM OUR FIRE CHIEF.
HE ALWAYS SAYS, HAVE A PLAN AND BE SAFE.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AND WE'LL BE TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.
>> ON A LITTLE SIDE NOTE, I ASKED ONE OF OUR TU GRADUATES, WHEN WAS THE BEST THING THAT THEY FOUND GOING THROUGH TU.
[01:05:01]
THEY REALLY ENJOYED LEARNING ABOUT THE PERMIT PROCESS AND WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO, AND THEY WERE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND HELP EDUCATE EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO NEED A PERMIT FOR YOUR CABINETS.TU IS WORKING. TU IS DEFINITELY WORKING, AND ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME. THANK YOU.
>> THIS NEXT ONE, OUR LAST PROCLAMATION FOR TONIGHT IS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK PROCLAMATION REQUESTED BY MUSTAFA ALBASSAM, OUR PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR.
WHEREAS, PUBLIC SERVICES PROFESSIONALS FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES AND SERVICES THAT ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
WHEREAS, THESE INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES COULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITHOUT THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS, WHO ARE ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, AND EMPLOYEES OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REBUILDING, IMPROVING AND PROTECTING OUR NATION'S TRANSPORTATION, WATER SUPPLY, WATER TREATMENT, AND SOLID WASTE SYSTEMS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZENS.
WHEREAS IT IS A PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE CITIZENS, CIVIC LEADERS, AND THE CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF AND MAINTAIN A PROGRESSIVE INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.
WHEREAS THE YEAR OF 2025 MARKS THE 65TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND CANADIAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION.
THIS YEAR THE THEME OF PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IS PEOPLE, PURPOSE, AND PRESENCE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHELLE J. GOMEZ, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, ON BEHALF OF THIS COMMISSION, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 18 THROUGH 24, 2025, AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC, AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND CANADIAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, AND CEREMONIES DESIGNED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, PROFESSIONALS, ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, AND TO RECOGNIZE THE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE TO PROTECTING OUR NATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER, FOR RECOGNIZING NEXT WEEK AS A PUBLIC WORKS WEEK.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND DEFINITELY APPRECIATE TO ALL THE STAFF FOR SERVICING OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. THANK YOU.
>> APPRECIATE IT. EVERYBODY GOING HOME, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
GET HOME SAFELY. YOU KNOW YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO STAY.
BASEBALL. SORRY. BASEBALL'S GOING ON, SO SOME OF THE KIDS GOT TO GET GOING.
WE UNDERSTAND. GOOD LUCK. WIN BIG.
NOW TRYING TO FIND ALL THE PAPERS.
BSO MONTHLY UPDATE, WE ARE NOW GOING TO ASK ACTING CAPTAIN PALMAR TO PROVIDE THE UPDATE,
[01:10:05]
AND HE IS ALREADY AT THE PODIUM.MADAM VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER.
MY REMARKS ARE JUST IN SUPPORT OF OUR TAMARAC STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL NUMBER 2, WHICH IS TAMARAC IS SAFE, AND PEOPLE KNOW IT.
JUST A QUICK SYNOPSIS OF THE NOTES I'D PROVIDED.
THE MONTH OF APRIL SAW 3,700 PLUS CALLS FOR SERVICE, FOR THE YEAR, WE'RE UP TO ALMOST 16,000, AND OF WHICH 40% OF THOSE HAVE BEEN SELF INITIATED BY OUR DEPUTIES.
SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN OF THOSE, I BELIEVE IN THE MONTH OF APRIL, WERE PARK WALK AND TALKS, WAS OUR GUYS GETTING OUT OF THE CARS AND INTERACTING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THE MONTH OF APRIL SAW 91 PART 1 CRIMES.
AGAIN, THE LEAD CRIMES CONTINUE TO BE THEFT, SHOPLIFTING, AND CAR BURGLARY.
OVERALL, FOR THE YEAR, CRIME IS DOWN 11.7%.
UNFORTUNATELY, VIOLENT CRIME IS UP NEARLY 40%, AND PROPERTY CRIME IS DOWN 18%.
WE'RE LOOKING INTO WHY THE AGGRAVATED BATTERIES, AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS, AND ROBBERIES ARE UP, AND WHAT WE CAN DO.
PERCENTAGE WISE, THOUGH, THAT IS SOMETIMES JUST A COUPLE OF CASES THAT ARE CAUSING THAT TO JUMP.
WE HAD A NUMBER OF NOTABLE ARRESTS.
OUR GUYS CONTINUE TO DO A GREAT JOB.
THERE WAS A CONVENIENCE STORE SHOPLIFTER WHO THREATENED THE CLERK, TRIGGERING A ROBBERY.
DEPUTIES QUICKLY LOCATED HIM IN THE AREA.
WE USED THE LPR TO LOCATE AN ABSCONDED SEX OFFENDER OUT OF WISCONSIN THAT HAD AT ONE POINT RESIDED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE RECORDED WITH WISCONSIN PROBATION AND PAROLE.
WE'RE ABLE TO LOCATE THAT PERSON IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
WE HAD A BURGLARY OF A BUSINESS WHERE THE SUBJECT ACTUALLY STOLE THE ENTIRE CASH REGISTER FROM THE STORE WITH SOME ITEMS. WE WERE ABLE TO USE THE LPRS TO LOCATE THE SUSPECT AND ULTIMATELY, DETAINED TWO SUSPECTS.
WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY HAVING A QUICK RESPONSE, WE HAD A BURGLARY OF BUSINESS WHERE THE PROPERTY OWNER WAS WATCHING THE VIDEO, COORDINATED WITH OUR GUYS.
WE GOT THE BUILDING SURROUNDED, PERSON TO COME OUT AND SURRENDER, COORDINATED WELL WITH NORTH LAUDERDALE AND MARGATE, A GREAT BURGLARY IN PROGRESS WITH THEM.
SUBJECTS DETAINED AN AGGRAVATED BATTERY SUBJECT THAT WAS DOMESTIC BATTERY SUBJECT THAT WAS LOCATED USING LPR.
THE CITY'S INVESTMENTS INTO LPR ARE HAVING POSITIVE REWARDS.
THE MONTH OF APRIL SAW 821 CITATIONS, YEAR TO DATE, 3,600, SO WE'RE UP OVER 2024 YEAR TO DATE.
MY COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM HAD FIVE WELCOME HOME INITIATIVES, WHERE OUR DEPUTIES AND CSAS ARE GREETING PEOPLE AS THEY COME INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, PROVIDING THEM WITH HANDOUTS AND FLYERS.
OUR CSA, BARRY BERHOW, YOU KNOW HIM WELL, HELPED LEAD US TO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN RAISING OVER $2,000 FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS.
BARRY IS GREAT,. IF YOU DON'T KNOW THEM, HE USUALLY WORKS THE FISH BOWL OVER HERE AT CITY HALL.
HE'S AN INSTITUTION, IF I MAY SAY, IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
WE HELPED TO HONOR FLIGHT ON APRIL 5.
THEY PICK UP HERE AT CITY HALL AND GO TO THE AIRPORT, SO WE HELPED ASSIST WITH THEM.
WE CONDUCTED A CAREER DAY AT ALAZHAR SCHOOL.
WE PARTICIPATED IN MULTIPLE TAMARAC CITY EVENTS, AND THE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RISE EVENTS AND MONTHLY BREAKFAST. UPCOMING EVENTS.
WE HAVE MORE WELCOME HOME INITIATIVE, SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DEPUTY JENNIFER MARION AND OUR TEAM.
ON MAY 17TH, WE HAVE THE SHRED A THON HERE AT KINGS POINT, WHERE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BRING YOUR UNUSED UNWANTED OR EXPIRED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS OR DOCUMENTS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO BE SHREDDED SO THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE IDENTITY THEFT.
BRING THOSE DOCUMENTS BETWEEN 10:00 AM AND 1:00 PM AT KINGS POINT.
WE'LL ALSO BE DOING ANOTHER HONOR FLIGHT ASSIST ON SATURDAY MORNING AS WELL.
THIS COMING MONDAY, WE'RE DOING COFFEE WITH THE COP AT THE DUNKIN DONUTS AT 10201 WEST COMMERCIAL WEST [INAUDIBLE] IF YOU WANT TO COME OUT, HAVE A COFFEE OF THE COP AND GIVE US SOME INSIGHT, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU ON MONDAY MORNING.
JUST SOME LITTLE ADVANCE NOTICE FOR JUNE 21ST, WE HAVE THE SENIOR SAFETY SUMMIT AT THE TAMARAC COMMUNITY CENTER, AND THEN DOWN THE ROAD, OCTOBER 4TH, OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUMMIT AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AS WELL.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE COMMISSION AND CITY MANAGER FOR THE NINE NEW PERSONNEL THAT WE WERE GRANTED.
I'M VERY THRILLED TO REPORT BACK TO YOU THAT ALL NINE OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE FILLED.
THREE OF THOSE DEPUTIES ARE ALREADY WORKING IN THE FIELD, AS YOU KNOW.
FOUR JUST GRADUATED THE POLICE ACADEMY THIS PAST THURSDAY, AND THEY'RE JOINING THE OTHER TWO IN IN-HOUSE POST ACADEMY TRAINING.
TWO OF THE OTHERS ARE OBVIOUSLY CERTIFIED, SO HOPEFULLY, GETTING THEM OUT ON THE ROAD QUICKER, HOPEFULLY.
IF NOT, ALL SIX, HOPEFULLY, BY THE END OF MONTH OF OCTOBER, IF NOT EARLIER.
WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL MY STATEMENTS.
ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE THEM.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. QUESTION FOR YOU,
[01:15:02]
CHIEF THROUGH THE MANAGER.I SAW TODAY ON THE NEWS THAT THERE WAS A SITUATION IN ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN MY COMMUNITY, YARDLEY SPECIFICALLY.
I THINK THERE WAS SOME BURGLARIES, AND I DIDN'T REALLY CATCH THE MEATS AND POTATOES OF THE STORY, BUT I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED, OBVIOUSLY.
THAT'S A GATED COMMUNITY, SO I WASN'T SURE WHY THERE WOULD BE THAT LEVEL OF THEFT HAPPENING IN YARDLEY OR THAT TYPE OF THEFT, AND I WASN'T CLEAR IF IT WAS CAR THEFT OR A HOME ENTERING SITUATION.
COULD YOU JUST, I GUESS, PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY?
>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
WE HAD HOME CLEANER, MAID, IF YOU WILL, THAT HAD MULTIPLE CLIENTS AND YARDLEY AND A COUPLE OF THE OTHER KINGS POINT COMMUNITIES.
SHE USED HER ACCESS AND PRIVILEGE TO ACCESS THE VICTIM'S HOMES, AND IN THE PROCESS GAVE ACCESS TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO CAME WITH HER, INCLUDING, I BELIEVE HER HUSBAND, WHO WOULD THEN, AT OTHER TIMES RE-ENTER THE APARTMENT AND COME AND STEAL ITEMS. WE RECOVERED A VAST AMOUNT OF ITEMS, SOME OF WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO REUNITE QUICKLY, AND OTHERS THAT WE ARE STILL TRYING TO IDENTIFY.
IF ANYBODY SUFFERED ANY THEFT OF JEWELRY, COINS, PERSONAL ITEMS LIKE THAT, FROM ESPECIALLY THE KINGS POINT AREA, BUT THERE'S POSSIBLE VICTIMS ALL OVER NORTHWEST BROWARD COUNTY AND OTHER PLACES THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT DETECTIVE DANNY POLO AT OUR OFFICE, 954-720-2225, OR JUST CONTACT THE BSO DISTRICT OFFICE, AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO TRY TO CONNECT YOU TO SEE IF MAYBE SOME OF YOUR AIR LOOMS ARE ABLE TO BE RECOVERED.
>> THANK YOU. I COULD SEE WHERE SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN.
OBVIOUSLY, I'M CONCERNED WITH THAT HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.
I'D LOVE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO FURTHER EDUCATE AND PROVIDE FOR SOME, I DON'T KNOW, SOLUTIONS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE PARTNER WITH KINGS POINT, JUST TO PROTECT, OBVIOUSLY, THE INTERESTS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.
GENERALLY, THE SENIORS ARE GOING TO USE THE SAME VENDORS, THEIR FRIENDS USE THAT PERSON.
IT COULD BECOME PRETTY UGLY, SO I JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
LET'S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON WHAT MECHANISMS, WHAT MEASURES WE CAN PUT IN PLACE TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE, I THINK, IN TERMS OF JUST WORKING TOGETHER DIRECTLY WITH THE KINGS POINT LEADERSHIP, MAYBE THE HOA PRESIDENTS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW AWARE THE COMMUNITY IS EVEN OF WHAT HAPPENED, BUT PERHAPS THERE ARE FOLKS THAT DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.
OBVIOUSLY, I'M NOT A PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER PARTIES SUBJECT TO THE INVESTIGATION, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE ON HIGH ALERT.
>> YES, MA'AM. OUR DETECTIVES WORK ON THAT TO TRY TO FIND OTHER LEADS IF THERE'S ANY OTHER CONNECTED PARTIES, AND I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
WE'LL SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> YES. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
WE'RE WRAPPING UP OUR DISTRICT MEETINGS THIS MAY, AND DISTRICT 1 AND DISTRICT 2 MEETINGS ARE NOW COMPLETE.
I HOPE YOU DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH THE MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS, AND CITY LEADERSHIP AT THE REMAINING MEETINGS.
THESE UPCOMING MEETINGS ARE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT KEY DISTRICT PROJECTS AND CITYWIDE INITIATIVES.
WE HAVE DISTRICT 3 MEETING COMING UP ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 21ST, AT WOODMONT COUNTRY CLUB.
THEN ON THURSDAY, MAY 22ND AT COLONY WEST FOR DISTRICT 4.
REASONS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A MAILER WITH MEETING DETAILS, INCLUDING A QR CODE AND A LINK TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS OR TOPIC SUGGESTIONS.
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE CITY'S WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND GET INVOLVED.
HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP THIS MONTH IN TAMARAC.
WE HAVE A LOVELY EVENT COMING UP TOMORROW, HONOR THE STRIPE, THURSDAY, MAY 15TH AT TAMARAC VILLAGE.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST EVENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HOLDING IN THE NEW AMPHITHEATER IN TAMARAC VILLAGE.
THEN WE HAVE FARM SHARE DISTRIBUTION, AND THEN A NUMBER OF OTHER EVENTS.
CAPTAIN JUST TALKED ABOUT THE BSO EVENTS COMING UP THIS WEEKEND.
ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND ON OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR, ALL OF THESE EVENTS ARE IN GREAT DETAIL ARE LISTED.
JUST A POINT OF INFORMATION THAT CITY FACILITIES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, MAY 26TH, IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY.
I HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT VETERANS PARK
[01:20:02]
BEGINNING AT 10:30 AM AS WE HONOR AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO SERVE.OUR NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, MADAM MAYOR IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 AT 9:30 AM, AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
WE ARE NOW GOING TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND THE RULES OF THE ROAD ARE ABOVE MY HEAD.
[3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION]
BASICALLY, IT'S PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, STATE YOUR ADDRESS.
IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE PROVIDING YOUR ADDRESS, PLEASE STATE THE CITY AND WHERE YOU LIVE.
THEN IF WE'RE HAPPY WITH WHAT PEOPLE SAY, WE DO YEAH.
THEN WE DO THUMB DOWN IF WE'RE NOT HAPPY.
THIS WAY, WE DON'T INTIMIDATE ANYBODY BECAUSE WE MAY NOT ALL AGREE WITH WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY, BUT WE KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL AND COURTEOUS, AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL BAD.
FIRST ON MY LIST, I HAVE HYACIN HARLEY COMING TO THE PODIUM.
DID YOU WANT REGULAR PARTICIPATION, JUST 6A?
>> BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, YOU GO NOW.
IF IT'S ON THE AGENDA, YOU GO ON THE SPECIFIC ITEM.
I SEE DR. DARCY SCHILLER IS LINING UP HER MOBILE.
I ONLY SEE YOU FOR 6A AND 7A, BUT I PRESUME YOU WANT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TOO.
WHILE SHE IS GETTING READY TO COME DOWN TO THE PODIUM, I HAVE KATE JOHNSON ON DECK, THEN FOLLOWED BY MARK HOGAN.
>> HE'S COMING. JAMES IS COMING.
HI, DARCY SCHILLER KING'S POINT. COUPLE OF THINGS.
NOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE TIME, OF COURSE, BUT IT'S 8:20, AND WE HAVE SPENT OVER AN HOUR ON PROCLAMATIONS AND GRADUATIONS AND THANKING THIS AND THANKING THAT.
ON THE MORNING COMMISSION MEETINGS, WE DO THE SAME THING FOR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE CITY OF TAMARACK.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE TAMARAC CITY BUSINESS, AND IF THAT CAN ALL BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT DAY, THAT THE COMMISSION CAN HONOR THESE PEOPLE AND THE PROCLAMATIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY, AND IT'S ALMOST 8:30.
MY SECOND THOUGHT, I LOVE DABBLING IN CRAFTS AND COLOR.
THIS ROUND OF ARTWORK IN THE CITY, ALTHOUGH NICELY DESIGNED, IS MAUDLIN.
THE COLORS ARE SO DEPRESSING: BLACK, GRAY, DARK, BLACK, DARK GRAY, NAVY BLUE, WHERE YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE IT DURING THE DAY.
IT WAS FUN WHEN YOU HAD THE CLOWNS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, AND ALL BRIGHT COLORS.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT'S SO MAUDLIN.
IT'S LIKE, WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING THE ARTWORK? IT'S LIKE, MORE DEADLY THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
THE LAST THING, WHICH I FULLY DON'T UNDERSTAND, SO.
EXCUSE ME FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING THE RULES.
BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY YOU CANNOT ANNOUNCE THE PERSON MAKING THE PROCLAMATION AND ALLOWING THEM TO READ IT.
NOW, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THE RULES, BUT I COULD UNDERSTAND THAT THAT WOULD STILL HIGHLIGHT YOU AS THE MAYOR AND THEN GIVE THE PERSON MAKING THE PROCLAMATION.
BUT AGAIN, I DON'T THINK IT BELONGS IN THIS CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
I THINK IT SHOULD ALL BE MOVED ASIDE TO A DIFFERENT DAY, AND I'LL HOLD THE REST OF MY COMMENTS TO MY ISSUES AT HAND. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. KATE JOHNSON IS COMING UP.
MARK GOGGIN IS AFTER HER, AND THEN I DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY ELSE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATE, PATTY LYNN.
>> KATE JOHNSON MAINLAND'S FOUR. GOOD EVENING.
I AGAIN WANT TO DISCUSS THE 400-METER RUNNING TRACK PROPOSED AT TAMARACK PARK FIELD.
AFTER I SPOKE ABOUT THIS ISSUE LAST TIME, I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT ALL THE BACKGROUND MATERIALS AND WATCHED THE DISCUSSION AGAIN.
THAT CAUSED ME EVEN MORE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
I UNDERSTAND FROM THE PRESENTATION THAT WE WILL LOSE BOTH BASEBALL DIAMONDS, AND IT WILL COST BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE MILLION TO RENOVATE AND RESTRUCTURE THE PARK.
ONLY ONE MILLION OF THAT IS COVERED BY A GRANT THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST TO RENOVATE THE RESTROOM FACILITIES AND PARKING LOT.
[01:25:02]
THE TRACK IS USELESS FOR EVENTS, EXCEPT AS A PRACTICE TRACK.THE INCOME WOULD BE ALMOST NON-EXISTENT TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOST REVENUE WE CURRENTLY GAIN FROM ITS USE.
ACCORDING TO THE PRESENTATION, INCOME IS CURRENTLY OVER $40,000 FOR ITS USE AS BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FIELDS AND A SOCCER CAMP.
IT CURRENTLY SERVICES OVER 3,000 CHILDREN AS IT STANDS.
IT WAS PRESENTED THAT THE CAMP COULD NO LONGER USE THE FIELD, AND IT IS QUESTIONABLE IF THE BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, AND CRICKET GAMES COULD BE FIT INTO THE CURRENT SCHEDULE AT THE SPORTS COMPLEX.
ALL OF THIS NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE OVER 3,000 CHILDREN CURRENTLY USING IT.
WE HAVE MILLENNIUM NEARBY THAT HAS A FULL 200-METER TRACK FOR USE IN JPT THAT HOLDS TRACK MEETS AT THEIR 400-METER TRACK.
FROM THE DISCUSSION, I LEARNED THAT MILLENNIUM IS WILLING TO DO A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND THEIR TRACK AND ALLOW IT FOR PUBLIC USE.
WHY IS THAT NOT BEING CONSIDERED? WHY DO WE NEED A NEW TRACK WHEN THERE IS A VIABLE OPTION CLOSE BY? THE $5 MILLION PRICE TAG WILL OBVIOUSLY BE MUCH GREATER WHEN CONSIDERING OTHER UPGRADES.
I KNOW ONE COMMISSIONER SAID WE WILL WORRY ABOUT THAT LATER, BUT THAT IS NOT GOOD FIDUCIARY STEWARDSHIP.
YOU NEED TO CONSIDER THE ENTIRE PROJECT NOW BEFORE DECIDING TO BEGIN.
I ASKED LAST TIME HOW MANY CHILDREN WOULD BE DISPLACED IF THIS GOES FORWARD, AT LEAST 3,000.
HOW MANY WOULD USE THE TRACK? UNKNOWN. IT SEEMS THIS IS BEING RUSHED THROUGH, AND I'M NOT SURE IT'S THE BEST.
MY REQUEST IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING A DUAL-TRACK, PUN INTENDED, PROPOSAL.
ONE, PUTTING THE TRACK AT THE TAMARACK PARK WITH ALL THE UPGRADES NEEDED TO MAKE IT USABLE, INCLUDING BATHROOMS AND PARKING, AND TWO, THE COST FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH MILLENNIUM.
A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS IS NEEDED TO COMPARE BOTH BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE.
THERE'S NO NEED TO RUSH THIS THROUGH.
>> THANK YOU. AS MARK GIN IS COMING TO THE PODIUM. PATTY LYNN'S NEXT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISH TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION? SEEING NONE, THEN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WILL BE CLOSED AFTER PATTY LYNN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MARK ORGAN FROM EAST TAMARACK.
UNFORTUNATELY, OUR COMMISSIONER DISAPPEARED.
IT'S HIS DISTRICT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT.
A NUMBER OF MY NEIGHBORS IN TAMARACK LAKE SOUTH ASKED ME TO BRING THIS UP TO YOU.
IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED YOU TO CONSIDER AS A CITY, AND GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE COMMISSIONERS.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, WE USED TO HAVE OASIS NURSING HOME ON THE NORTH SIDE OF COMMERCIAL, 2888 COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW, THAT'S BEEN SOLD.
THEY WERE MAKING IT INTO APARTMENTS.
I AND A LOT OF MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN TIMING HOW LONG IT TAKES US TO GET OUT OF THE COMMUNITY ONTO COMMERCIAL.
EXAMPLE TONIGHT TO GET OUT, CROSS COMMERCIALS, EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC TO COME HERE, TOOK 20 MINUTES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY OUT OF THE EXIT.
GOING EAST DURING RUSH HOURS IN THE MORNING WHEN I HAD TO BE AT NORTH BARLEY HOSPITAL FOR SEVEN WEEKS EVERY DAY.
IT TOOK 15 TO 20 MINUTES JUST TO PULL OUT AND GO EAST ON COMMERCIAL.
WITH THE ADDED TRAFFIC COMING FROM THESE NEW APARTMENTS ONTO COMMERCIAL.
WE NEED THE CITY TO WORK WITH FORT LAUDERDALE ABOUT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THERE AT 2,800 IN THE AREA OF 28TH AVENUE, TO MAKE IT EASY.
IF THEY COULD PUT ONE IN DOWN AT 3,700 FOR AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, THEY NEED TO BE DOING IT FOR ALL THESE HOMES AND APARTMENTS ARE GOING UP.
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE KILLED AT THAT INTERSECTION.
UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF OUR PAST BOARD MEMBERS WAS KILLED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
BECAUSE THE CARS COME OFF AT 31ST AVENUE, GO SPEEDING AROUND THE BEND, AND SMASH INTO THE CARS AS THEY'RE COMING OUT.
WE NEED THIS TO BE LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEBODY ELSE GETS KILLED IN THAT AREA. THANK YOU.
>>THANK YOU. THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER, I BELIEVE OUR PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR MUSTAFA,
[01:30:02]
IS GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.>> I'M HERE. PATTY LYNN, MAINLAND'S EIGHT TAMORAC.
APPRECIATE THE CITY DOING THE HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION.
I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE LONG LINES.
PEOPLE TRY AND GET AWAY WITH DUMPING STUFF, BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT STUFF, AND I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT.
TAMARAC UNIVERSITY DID REAL WELL. I WAS HAPPY.
SEEMS LIKE ONE OF US FINALLY WENT THROUGH.
I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR LOBBYIST AND THE DEI THING, AS WELL AS THE RUTH BADER GINSBURG COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, BECAUSE PART OF OUR WORK IS DESIGNATED TO COMPARE SALARIES BETWEEN THE WOMEN AND MEN IN THE CITY OF TAMARACK, AND YOU'RE DOING VERY WELL.
BUT I THINK THE FACT THAT WE'RE PRESCRIBED TO DO IT MAY BE A PROBLEM.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS ALL WHITE MEN, AND THAT LEAVES MOST EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM OUT, ME INCLUDED.
WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN INDIVIDUALLY TO SEE THAT WE PROTECT EVERYBODY.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING.
AS FAR AS THE PROCLAMATIONS AND LONGEVITY AWARDS, THAT IS CITY BUSINESS, MAN, THAT'S REALLY COOL SEEING WHO STAYS WITH THE CITY.
WE HAVE TONY, WE HAVE MUSTAFA HERE TONIGHT GETTING A PROCLAMATION.
THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THOSE OF US WHO COME HERE BECAUSE THEY DO GOOD WORK, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL OF THEM MOST OF THE TIME. THAT'S OKAY.
AS FOR THE PROCLAMATIONS, THAT'S SOMETHING THE COMMISSION DECIDES.
HOWEVER, YOU DON'T DECIDE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROCLAMATIONS.
YOU KEEP YOUR ACCEPTED PRACTICES.
IF YOU DON'T WANT IT LIKE THAT BEFORE THIS MEETING STARTED, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED.
IT'S JUST NOT KOSHER, AND YOU DON'T DO THOSE THINGS.
IF YOU WANT TO READ THE PROCLAMATIONS, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS IN ADVANCE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS NOW CLOSED.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO COMMISSION REPORTS.
[4. COMMISSION REPORTS]
COMMISSIONER BOLTON, DISTRICT 1.>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
I DON'T HAVE A REPORT EXCEPT THAT I'M ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO ATTEND HONOR THE STRIPE TOMORROW.
IT'S GOING TO BE A SHORT EVENT BECAUSE THE FIREFIGHTERS AND OUR BSO PERSONNEL HAS TO GO BACK ON THE ROAD AND THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ENTER CALLS AND SO FORTH.
IT IS GOING TO BE AN EXCELLENT EVENT, ACCORDING TO REGISTRATION SO FAR.
JUST ABOUT 200 PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED TO BE THERE.
THE NUMBERS ARE RISING TREMENDOUSLY.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THERE ON TIME BECAUSE IF YOU ARE STUCK IN COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE COMING FROM THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN, IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE YOU ABOUT ONE HOUR TO GET THERE ANYWAY.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE THERE ON TIME AND THAT YOU COME EXPECTING A WONDERFUL EVENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SERVICES TEAM, WHO'S BEEN WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VENUE IS IN TIP-TOP SHAPE FOR TOMORROW'S ON THIS TRIPE EVENT.
IT WILL BE AT THE TAMAC AMPHITHEATER, 9141 WEST COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD.
I KNOW THAT THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED BEFORE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A PLUG TO THAT, EVENT.
OF COURSE, I KNOW THAT IT IS HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH.
I WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WONDERFUL COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, DISTRICT 3, ON BECOMING THE FIRST HAITIAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO SERVE THE CITY OF TAMARACK.
I KNOW THAT SHE'S HALF ITALIAN, HALF HAITIAN.
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE CLAIMS MORE, BUT SHE IS A STRONG HAITIAN WOMAN.
SHE'S SUCH A SHINING STAR ON OUR COMMISSION,
[01:35:02]
AND WE WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL HELLO TO HER TONIGHT FOR BEING SUCH A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL, EVEN IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY.HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COMMISSIONER WRIGHT.
I KNOW SOMETIMES YOU'RE NOT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT YOU ARE STILL RIGHT, REGARDLESS.
I'M PROUD TO SHARE THE MONTH OF MAY WITH YOU.
I KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT GEMINI AS MYSELF WITH DOUBLE PERSONALITIES, BUT I'LL BE CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY HOPEFULLY IN CHARAD.
>> WELL. COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR ME JUST TO ADDRESS THE LAST COMMENT THAT WAS MADE FIRST.
I THINK THAT I THINK THAT THE ATTORNEY MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT, IN FACT, THERE IS NO POLICY THAT SPEAKS TO HOW WHO READS A PROCLAMATION.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, I'M THE LAST PERSON ELECTED HERE, AND THE LAST TIME I READ A PROCLAMATION, I READ IT MYSELF.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE MAYOR, I AGREE THAT REALLY, AS WE CONSIDER, EVEN RUTH GATORSBURG AND DEI AND JUST THINGS THAT WE EXPLORE AS A COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO JUST FAIRNESS ACROSS THE BOARD, JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS DONE A PARTICULAR WAY, DOESN'T MEAN IT ALWAYS HAS TO BE DONE THAT WAY.
EVERY PROCLAMATION THAT I REQUESTED TODAY WAS A REQUEST THAT I MADE.
EVERY PROCLAMATION THAT WAS WRITTEN WAS WRITTEN BY ME.
IT WOULD ONLY BE APPROPRIATE THAT I WOULD READ MY PROCLAMATION.
WITH THAT SAID, I HAVE NO DISRESPECT TO THE MAYOR, BUT AGAIN, THERE IS NO LAW THAT WAS BROKEN, AND THERE IS NO WRITTEN POLICY.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT EXPLICITLY CLEAR FOR ANYONE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONCERNED.
I AGREE IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE, AND I HOPE THAT MOVING FORWARD AS WE CONTINUE TO DISCUSS HATE AND FAIRNESS, AND ALL OF THESE WORDS THAT WE AGAIN, CONTINUE TO GOVERN OURSELVES ACCORDINGLY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THIS COMMUNITY.
THAT SAID, I WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE.
ALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO JOIN ME TOMORROW, MAY 15, AT COLONY WEST FOR BREAKING BARRIERS IN SMALL BUSINESS.
IT IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.
WE WILL HAVE A HOST OF PROFESSIONALS, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, SEVERAL PANELS, FIRESIDE CHATS, AND SOME AMAZING SPEAKERS, JUST TO SHARE HOW YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL, HOW YOU CAN SCALE, HOW YOU CAN DO BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
I THINK IT WAS FREE, BUT FOR SAKE OF BETTER TERMS, IT'S ALMOST SOLD OUT, I THINK.
IF YOU HAVEN'T REGISTERED YET, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND DO SO.
I WANT TO SEE YOU TOMORROW AT 11:00 AM.
I THINK THE MANAGER DID ALREADY DISCUSS THE DISTRICT 3 TOWN HALL ON MAY 21ST AT WOODMONT COUNTRY CLUB, 6:30.
BEFORE I CLOSE OUT, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE EVA LIBEWITZ, THROUGH A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE, IF WE CAN.
>> MS. LIEBOWITZ, I UNDERSTAND, PASSED MAYBE A WEEK OR TWO AGO.
SHE WAS IN HER 90S, A RESIDENT OF THE GRANVILLE COMMUNITY IN KINGS POINT, THE BELOVED RESIDENT HERE IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC, I BELIEVE THAT SHE MIGRATED FROM NEW YORK NOT LONG AGO.
SHE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY HER HUSBAND, JOE, I BELIEVE IT IS, AND HER FAMILY MEMBERS.
THAT SAID, THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M DONE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, VICE MAYOR.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR THE FEW THAT REMAIN, THAT STAYED TO HEAR OUR UPDATES IN THE COMMISSION MEETING.
JULY 12TH, WE WILL HAVE OUR SENIOR CITIZEN EXPO.
I THINK IT'S THE FIRST WE'VE HAVE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FITNESS CHECK.
WE'LL HAVE SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT STROKE AWARENESS, WHAT TO DO.
WE'RE WORKING ON BRINGING BACK THE MOBILE DRIVER'S LICENSE.
IT WAS SUCH A HIT SO THAT ANYONE WHO NEEDS, IF YOU'RE A SENIOR, AND I'M INCLUDING 50 AND OLDER, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE ON THIS DAY FROM 10:00-4:00 P.M.
ALL YOUR NEEDS BE MET IN ONE PLACE IF THAT'S AT ALL POSSIBLE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME FUN, SOME MUSIC WHILE YOU GET ALL THE WORK DONE, ALL THE SCREENING DONE THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE.
I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE ME TO ADD, TO THIS DAY OF OUR SENIOR EXPO, PLEASE BY ALL MEANS, EMAIL ME, AND WE'LL WORK AND HAVING IT THERE,
[01:40:01]
SO YOU COULD JUST COME OUT AND GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED DONE, IN ONE LOCATION ON ONE DAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.ALSO, SOMEONE CAME UP AND WAS TALKING ABOUT THE TRACK.
FIRST OF ALL, I'LL ECHO WHAT THE MAYOR SAID, I THINK MY FIRST YEAR HERE THAT NOTHING IN GOVERNMENT MOVES FAST.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS BEING RUSHED BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE NOTHING IS EVER RUSHED IN GOVERNMENT, IT ALWAYS GO AT A SLOW PACE.
AS FAR AS TRACK IS CONCERNED, NOTHING IS EVER RUSHED.
NOW, ONE OF MY PLATFORM IS ALWAYS BEEN GET MORE IN TAMARAC FOR OUR CHILDREN, FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THAT BEING SAID, A SPORTS THAT'S A GATEKEEPER FOR ALMOST ALL SPORTS IS TRACK AND FIELD.
OUR CITY NEEDS A TRACK, A TRACK THAT WON'T HURT OUR KIDS OR ADULT KNEES, BECAUSE THE TRACK THAT'S AT MILLENNIUM IN CASE YOU DID NOT KNOW, IS CONCRETE.
IF YOU'RE A RUNNER, I AM LEARNING ALL THESE THINGS, THE CONCRETE IS HARD, ON YOUR KNEES, ON YOUR ANKLE, AND IT CAUSE INJURIES.
REALLY, NOT EVEN THE STUDENTS AT TAMARAC USING IT.
IF YOU ARE A TRACK AND FIELD PERSON, EVERY TRACK YOU RUN ON FROM AGES SIX TO 60 THAT IS COMPETITIVE IS 400, SO IT HAS TO BE 400.
MILLENNIUM DOES NOT HAVE THE SPACE FOR 400.
SO I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHO YOU WOULD SPEAK TO.
I JUST DON'T WANT ERRORS TO GO OUT THERE WITH MISINFORMATION, BECAUSE THIS WILL NOT BE A MISINFORMATION THING.
IT'S A GREAT THING FOR OUR CITY.
IT'S A GREAT THING FOR OUR DISTRICT.
AS FAR AS THE BASEBALL DIAMONDS.
THE BASEBALL DIAMOND, AT TAMARAC PARK IS NOT UTILIZED.
AS YOU KNOW, MY KIDS PLAY BASEBALL, IT IS NOT UTILIZED.
WHEN THEY RENT BASEBALL DIAMONDS, THEY RENT THE ONE AT THE COMPLEX. YOU KNOW, WHY? BECAUSE THEY'RE WELL DONE.
THE ONE AT TAMARAC PARK IS DAMAGED, SO NO, THEY'RE NOT RENTED OUT.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 3,000 KIDS THAT WILL BE IMPOSED? YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TAMARAC ACADEMY.
TAMARAC ACADEMY AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING CORAL SPRINGS, HAS 3,000 PARTICIPANTS.
THEY ONLY USE TAMARAC PARK AS THEY ONLY USE TAMARAC PARK AS A TEMPORARY LOCATION BECAUSE THEIR ORIGINAL LOCATION, AND THEY WERE THERE UP TO LAST WEEK, IS A KNOB HILL THE SPORTS COMPLEX.
PLEASE DO NOT PUT MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN OR NEEDS, YOU COULD ASK ME PERSONALLY, AND I WOULD GLADLY ADDRESS THEM.
BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT TRACK.
I WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT, THE KIDS WILL LOVE YOUR SUPPORT.
THE ADULTS WILL LOVE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S A LOT GO GOES ON HERE, OBVIOUSLY, BUT I'M GOING TO BACKTRACK TO SOMETHING THAT CAME UP TONIGHT.
THERE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN A CERTAIN ATTORNEY IN PLACE WHEN THIS COMMISSION OR PRIOR COMMISSION DISCUSSED HOW WE DO PROCLAMATIONS.
IT WAS DETERMINED BY PRIOR COMMISSION, WHICH IT IS IN WRITING THEN.
IT'S THROUGH MINUTES, AND THOSE ARE THE PROCEDURES IN WHICH WE FOLLOW AND THAT IS WHAT IS FOLLOWED.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM IF ANYBODY ON THE COMMISSION WISHES TO READ THEIR PROCLAMATION, MY ISSUE IS THE BLIND SIDEING THIS, WHEN IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING.
PART OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE AS A COMMISSION THAT I HOPE WILL BE RESOLVED EVENTUALLY SOONER THAN LATER, IS COMMUNICATION.
IT DOESN'T HURT, IT'S NOT SUNSHINE.
SAY, HEY, I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS.
FINE. IF WE HAVE AT OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING, WE WANT TO CARVE OUT THE MIDDLE OF IT A LITTLE BIT OF A CONVERSATION TO SAY, CAN WE NOW MAKE A CHANGE? I DO NOT CARE.
FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT HAPPY THAT I DID THE HAITIAN AMERICAN PROCLAMATION, I'VE BEEN DOING THE HAITIAN AMERICAN PROCLAMATION, THE JEWISH AMERICAN PROCLAMATION, AND THE ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER PROCLAMATION FOR YEARS.
IF SOMEBODY WISHES TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME OR ANYBODY WISHES TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME AND SAY, HEY, THIS YEAR, I WANT TO DO IT. GOOD. GO FOR IT.
LET'S SHARE IT. WE ARE ONE COMMISSION.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ONE LOVE.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT THE BUSINESS FOR THE CITY.
ALL THESE THINGS ARE NOT HARD, WE JUST NEED TO COMMUNICATE.
SPEAKING OF COMMUNICATION, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE HEARD IN THE RESPECTS THAT I'M VERY HAPPY TO HEAR WHAT THE VIC MAYOR DANIEL IS GOING TO BE DOING.
I'M NOT SURE IF SHE SAID JUNE 12TH OR SHE SAID JULY 12TH.
ALONG THAT NOTE, ON JULY 14TH, I HAPPEN TO BE DOING WHAT WE'RE CALLING A GAME CHANGER WITH PAP SMEAR COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING AND OTHER KINDS OF SCREENING AND BLOOD MOBILE AND ALL THIS GOOD STUFF.
HOSPITAL DOCTORS AT TAMARAC PARK FROM 9:00 TO NOON.
[01:45:04]
MY FLYER IS NOT YET OUT, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT.GET CHECKED AT DOCTOR DANIELS, VICE MAYOR'S EVENT.
ANYTHING THAT YOU MISSED OUT OVER THERE, COME OVER TO OURS, AND WE'RE GOING TO END OURS WITH A 30 MINUTE FREE WORKOUT SESSION TOO.
BASICALLY, GOING BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY, THAT I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF DOING FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
APPRECIATE THE CHAMBER BREAKFAST, WHERE I GOT TO GIVE THE STATE OF THE CITY FOR THE CHAMBER.
IT WAS ANOTHER GREAT EVENT WITH TAMARAC FIRE RESCUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RED CROSS, INSTALLING FIRE SMOKE DETECTORS IN NINE COMMUNITIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HEROES.
THERE WERE WOODLANDS RESIDENTS, AND THERE WERE, OF COURSE, BSO AND FIRE RESCUE WHO HELPED A LADY IN THE WOODLANDS WHO UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING THROUGH, HER CAR WENT RIGHT OFF OF A HILL AND INTO THE CANAL IN FRONT OF WOODLANDS AND COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET HER OUT TO SAFETY.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, THAT WAS NOT AN EXPERIENCE THAT ANYBODY EXPECTED ON THAT EARLY MORNING.
MOVE WITH THE MAYOR IS THIS SATURDAY AS WELL.
COME MOVE WITH THE MAYOR, WHICH IS A FREE EVENT AT 10:35 AT TAMARAC PARK FOR BAR FITNESS THIS MONTH, BECAUSE WE CHANGE IT EVERY MONTH, AND IT FLOATS ON THE CALENDAR OF WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE.
THEN YOU CAN GO SPREAD YOUR PAPERWORK AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
I'D LIKE TO THANK SERENDIPITY WOMEN'S, MENTAL HEALTH CENTER FOR THEIR TEAM TALK, FOR ADULTS AND TEENAGERS, LEARNING HOW TO COMMUNICATE.
AS I SHARED WITH THEM, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD GO FOR ALL OF OUR LIVES, BECAUSE COMMUNICATION IS BODY LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION IS NON VERBAL.
COMMUNICATION IS ALSO VERBAL AND IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE, WHERE WE TRY TO DO THINGS IN 140 CHARACTERS, NOT ALWAYS THE BEST.
IF YOU EVER USE THE VOICE RECOGNITION, IT SOMETIMES CHANGES YOUR THINGS, AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'VE ACTUALLY SAID.
BROWARD COUNTY COUNCIL, BROWARD NEXT WAS A VERY INFORMATIVE MEETING, THEY ALSO PRESENTED, I AM THE CHAIR OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE OF BROWARD COUNTY, WHERE WE WERE ALSO DISCUSSING CHANGING SOME OF THE THINGS AND MODERNIZING BROWARD NEXT, WHICH IS OUR LAND USE DEVELOPMENT CODE AND HOW WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS IN TIME.
I'M GOING TO END IT WITH I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT RIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING TONIGHT, I WAS TOLD BY FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES THAT I WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE 2025 HOMERULE HERO, AND SO I'M VERY HONORED BY THAT.
THANK YOU. ON THAT NOTE, WE'LL SEE YOU ALL SOON, AND I'LL JUST END IT THERE. THANK YOU.
>> ACTUALLY, WE ARE NOW GOING TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
CITY MANAGER, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS FOR ITEMS THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING?>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER PATTERSON?
>> MADAM MAYOR, IF I MAY, CAN WE PULL 5C AND 5D? I AM THE SPONSOR OF BOTH OF THOSE RESOLUTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
>> FIVE C, TR 14262 AND 5D, TR14263 HAVE BEEN PULLED.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS TO BE PULLED? SEEING NONE, I WILL TAKE A SECOND TO THE MOVING OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED.
>> I HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT.
CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. VICE MAYOR DANIEL.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES 5-0 AS AMENDED.
>> EXCELLENT. WE'RE NOW AT 5C TR14262.
[5.c TR14262 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, expressing support for Senate Bill 696 and House Bill 675, which will assist lowincome seniors who own a homesteaded condominium unit by providing a grant of up to $2,500 to help pay condominium assessments; urging members of the Florida Legislature to support these bills; directing the City Clerk to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Broward County Legislative Delegation and any other interested parties; and providing for an effective date.]
CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE TITLE FOR THE RECORD.>> ITEM 5C, RESOLUTION CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF TAMARAC EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 696 AND HOUSE BILL 675, WHICH WILL ASSIST LOW INCOME SENIORS ON HOMESTEAD CONDOMINIUM UNIT BY PROVIDING GRANT UP TO 2,500, TO HELP PAY CONDOMINIUM ASSESSMENT, URGING MEMBERS TO FULLY SUPPORT THESE BILLS, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION, PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, I HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS.
ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, YOU WISH TO SAY ANYTHING ON THIS ITEM?
>> THANK YOU. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING,
[01:50:03]
WHEN I SPONSORED THESE RESOLUTIONS THAT, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, AS WE ALL KNOW, THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN BACK AND FORTH ABOUT SOME OF THE RECENT CONDO LAWS AND CONDO ASSESSMENTS, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AS IT PERTAINS TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.WE DID ANTICIPATE THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME CHANGES.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WERE SOME SENATE BILLS AND HOUSE BILLS PROPOSED TO ASSIST SENIORS.
OBVIOUSLY, I THINK WE ALL REALIZED THAT THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH REGARD TO PAYING THESE CONDO ASSESSMENTS.
I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT THESE BILLS DID NOT PASS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DID NOT PASS, RIGHT, ATTORNEY?
THEY MAY OBVIOUSLY BE BROUGHT UP NEXT SESSION.
>> MY OBJECTIVE BY BRINGING THESE RESOLUTIONS WAS TO HAVE MY COLLEAGUES SUPPORT IN URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THESE BILLS.
OBVIOUSLY, I THINK IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL THAT OUR SENIOR POPULATION WOULD BE IN RECEIPT OF $2,500, TO HELP PAY CONDO ASSESSMENTS.
I WANTED TO PULL THIS ITEM AND THE SUBSEQUENT ITEM.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT ONE SEPARATELY.
BUT I WANTED TO JUST SEE, A, WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD STILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE URGING, ATTORNEY.
THEN B, I DID HAVE AN ALTERNATE PROPOSAL, AND MAYBE WE COULD DISCUSS THIS.
I DO KNOW THAT WE SHOULD BE PREPARING THE BUDGET HERE SOON, MANAGER.
I DID SPEAK WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE A WHILE BACK. RANSOM NUMBERS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S ABOUT 177, FULLY DISABLED VETERANS IN THE CITY OF TAMARAC AND THERE'S ABOUT A NUMBER NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM THAT, FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS IN OUR CITY ACCORDING TO THEIR RECORDS.
I WANTED TO SEE IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THE MONEY FROM THE LEGISLATURE, HOW WE COULD POTENTIALLY AS A CITY TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BUDGET AND IDENTIFY DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST BOTH OUR FULLY DISABLED VETERAN COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS OUR LOW INCOME SENIORS, WHO MIGHT BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY CONDO ASSESSMENTS.
I'M NOT LOOKING AT A NUMBER AT $2,500, BUT I DO THINK EVEN IF WE WERE TO CONSIDER THE NON-AD VALOREM TAXES, WHICH ARE SOMEWHERE AROUND $400.
WE HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH A $3,000,000 RESERVE.
I'D LIKE FOR THE STAFF TO LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS ON HOW WE COULD POTENTIALLY ASSIST SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION WITH SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.
>> CITY ATTORNEY, SHE ASKED, YOUR OPINION ON WHETHER WE SHOULD GO THROUGH THEM AS IS OR NOT, WAS THE FIRST.
>> THE FIRST ANSWER, YES, I THINK YOU SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS RESOLUTION AND SEND TO THE LEGISLATOR, BECAUSE THESE ISSUES MAY COME UP EVERY YEAR, AND IF YOU ESTABLISH SUPPORT EARLY, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT MAY HAPPEN.
WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH BOTH OF THEM.
>> WITH THAT SAID, DEFINITELY UNLESS THE COMMISSION HAS ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> YES, PLEASE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.
WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS AS A COMMISSION.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE ALREADY PUT FORTH AS OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, AND WHAT WE HAVE OUR LOBBYISTS WORKING ON.
I'M NOT SO SURE IT IS WISE FOR US TO GO FORTH WITH SUPPORTING BILLS THAT ARE NOT IN EXISTENCE ANYMORE, BECAUSE ON THAT PART OF THE LEGISLATION THEY GOT PULLED.
THESE AREN'T GOING TO BE PUT BACK ON.
IF ANYTHING, TO SUPPORT THIS IN THE FUTURE WOULD BE FINE, BUT I DON'T THINK AS WRITTEN, IT LOOKS VERY WELL ON US.
AS FOR COMMISSIONER PATTERSON'S IDEAS OF SUPPORTING AND FINDING A WAY AND MONEY, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID NOT GET TO EXPRESS DURING MY REPORT IS I ACTUALLY HAD A MEETING TODAY AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BROWARD COUNTY, WHERE IT ACTUALLY HAS WAYS OF CREATING ENDOWMENTS FOR CITIES TO BE ABLE TO HELP WITH PROGRAMMING FOR THINGS IN ITS CITY.
MAYBE DURING OUR FINANCIAL DISCUSSION, WE CAN SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE, BECAUSE IF WE'RE ABLE TO PUT AWAY $1 MILLION SOMEWHERE, I'M JUST THROWING OUT A NUMBER.
IT CAN GROW TO THAT TIME AT ANY TIME.
BUT AN INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN AN ENDOWMENT THAT IS MANAGED BY A PUBLIC NONPROFIT COULD FIGURE OUT A WAY.
I'M JUST SAYING THERE ARE WAYS.
>> BUT I THINK GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE, BECAUSE I THINK COMMISSIONER PATTERSON HAD PUT SAME ISSUE UP TO CITY MANAGER AND DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
>> NO. I SAY GREAT MIND THINK ALIKE, AND THERE'S NO COMPETITION.
>> IT'S BASICALLY A STRATEGIC WHEN WE'RE FINISHING.
[01:55:02]
>> YOU INTERRUPTED ME LIKE I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG.
>> IF THIS IS, SOMETHING WE CAN ALL TALK ABOUT DURING FINANCIAL PLANNING, THEN WE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAXIMIZE, WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP OUR POPULATION.
AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST THESE RESOLUTIONS EXCEPT TO THE RESPECTS OF, THEM SPECIFICALLY BEING IN SUPPORT OF BILLS THAT DO NOT EXIST.
THAT IS MY ONLY ISSUE WITH THIS.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT. WE HAVE A MOTION SECONDS UP TO THE COMMISSION.
>> I DIDN'T THINK YOU DID. COMMISSIONER PATTERSON?
>> I WOULD SAY THEN BE IT RESOLVED, I'M OKAY WITH NOT MOVING FORWARD WITH THEIR URGING.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO HERE LOCALLY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE.
THEN WE OBVIOUSLY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THROUGH OUR LOBBYISTS WHAT COMES UP IN THE NEXT SESSION.
BUT I DEFINITELY, AND ECHOING WHAT YOU JUST SAID MAYOR, I MET WITH THE BROWARD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE AN ITEM THAT SHOULD BE COMING BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON MAY 28, REGARDING THE SAME.
>> EXCELLENT. I'M GOING TO CLARIFY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH THESE RESOLUTIONS AS WRITTEN, CORRECT?
>> I'M OKAY WITH YEAH, DISSOLVING THE ITEM 5C.
>> WE NEED A MOTION TO WITHDRAW 5C. MAYOR I GO AHEAD.
>> AS IT WAS COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, WHO PUT THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR?
>> MOTION TO WITHDRAW 5C AND 5D.
>> COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, THAT'S A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU. WE DON'T NEED TO DO?
[5.d TR14263 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, expressing support for House Bill 1361 and Senate Bill 1464, which seek to expand programs connecting veterans and their families to certain services, benefits, and support; urging members of the Florida Legislature to support these bills; directing the City Clerk to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Broward County Legislative Delegation and any other interested parties; and providing for an effective date.]
>> MAYOR THE CLERK, I THINK SHE WANTS A VOTE.
>> MAYOR GOMEZ WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I BELIEVE I NEED TO CALL FOR A VOTE.
>> I'M STILL THINKING WE SHOULD HAVE JUST SAID NO TO THE FIRST ONE AND GOT IT OVER WITH BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE MOTION THAT HAS SUPERSEDED, WHICH WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.
ANYHOW, BOTTOM LINE IS CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES FIVE TO ZERO.
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE'RE MOVING ON TO 6A, TR 14265.
[6.a TR14265 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, Reauthorizing and Adopting New Economic Development Incentive Program Guidelines attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, Through Fiscal Year 2027 in an Amount not to Exceed Three Million ($3,000,000) Dollars for the Implementation and Administration of Four Economic Development Incentive Programs; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing for an Effective Date.]
CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE TITLE FOR THE RECORD.>> ITEM 6A, RESOLUTION CITY COMMISSIONER CITY OF TAMARAC, REAUTHORIZE AND ADOPT A NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM GUIDELINES THROUGH FISCAL YEAR, 2027, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION ADMINISTRATION FULL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM, PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
I HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT.
A FULL PRESENTATION OF THIS ITEM WAS DELIVERED AT THE STAFF AGENDA REVIEW WORKSHOP ON MONDAY.
KENNETH LOPEZ, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR IS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE A SYNOPSIS OF MONDAY'S PRESENTATIONS SHOULD THE COMMISSION DESIRE, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
IN THE INTERIM, I WILL OPEN THIS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND I SEE THAT WE HAVE HYACINTH HARLEY IS COMING FIRST.
THEN WE HAVE DR. DARCY SCHILLER WILL BE SECOND.
BEFORE I FORGET BECAUSE I DID.
NAME, STATE YOUR CITY, AND THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU.
>> SURE. NAME IS HYACINTH HARLEY, RESIDENT IN NORTH LAUDERDALE.
I AM A VOLUNTEER AMBASSADOR FOR THE TAMARAC NORTH LAUDERDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHICH IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING 6A TO THE TABLE.
I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS.
NOW, I JUST WANT TO SHARE SOME SMALL BUSINESS FACTS.
99.9% OF ALL US BUSINESSES ARE CLASSIFIED AS SMALL BUSINESS.
SMALL BUSINESSES EMPLOY 46% OF ALL US WORKERS.
SMALL BUSINESSES ALSO CONTRIBUTE A LARGE PORTION OF THE TOTAL DOMESTIC GDP, IT'S ABOUT 45-51%, AND THAT'S NEARLY SIX TRILLION DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
[02:00:02]
YOU MIGHT HEAR THAT I'M NOT FROM HERE, BUT I HAVE BEEN VISITING FOR 27 YEARS BEFORE MOVING TO THE AREA TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO.WE'RE ALL BEARING WITNESS TO THE CHANGING FACE OF TAMARAC.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CITY, BUT IT DEMANDS THAT WE EVOLVE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S METAMORPHOSIS.
ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF DOING THAT IS INVESTING IN OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
THREE KEY FACTS: SMALL BUSINESSES HOLD THE PROMISE OF SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY AND UNTAPPED POTENTIAL, SMALL BUSINESSES OFFER OPPORTUNITY FOR EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD WEALTH, AND SMALL LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES CAN SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF DIVERSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO MEET THE NEEDS AND INTEREST OF NEARBY RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE BETTER ATTUNED TO THE LOCAL MARKET.
HOW DO WE AS A CITY BEST SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY? I'D LIKE TO THROW OUT SOME PROPOSALS HERE THAT WE CULTIVATE A SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM.
DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT OFFER TEMPORARY AND MICRO SPACES FOR RETAILERS.
CREATE A SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR BUILDING THAT OFFERS SPACE TO WORK, TO LEARN, TO NETWORK, AND TO GROW.
OFFER A ROBUST BUSINESS STARTUP PROGRAM TO ENSURE BUSINESSES ARE OFF TO THE BEST START.
ENLIST ESTABLISHED BUSINESS OWNERS AS MENTORS.
NOW, IT'S A GREAT PROJECT IN DETROIT, CALLED THE MOTOR CITY MATCH.
THEY HAVE SOME FANTASTIC RESULTS.
THEY CREATED 174 NEW BUSINESSES, SERVED OVER 2,000 BUSINESSES, AND THEY'VE GOT A COMMITMENT FROM OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OF 102 MILLION.
I JUST WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS QUESTION.
MY QUESTION TO YOU IS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHEN WE SPEAK OF TAMARAC'S ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, WHAT TANGIBLE SUCCESSES WILL WE POINT TO? WHAT'S YOUR VISION FOR MAKING IT A REALITY?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, THEN AFTER DR. DARCY SCHILLER, THEN PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE CLOSED ON THIS ITEM.
>> DARCY SCHILLER, KINGS POINT.
MY QUESTION IS VERY SIMPLE, AND I'M GOING TO COMBINE SIX AND SEVEN, BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS COMPLETELY, BUT I WAS AT THE WORKSHOP MEETING THE OTHER DAY, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHERE WE'RE GETTING THESE THREE MILLION DOLLARS FROM? IF IT'S GOING TO BE COMING FROM TAXPAYER MONEY, DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE MILL REVENUE IS GOING TO INCREASE? I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE GETTING ALL THIS MONEY.
I GUESS THAT'S MY BASIC QUESTION. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR AND TEAM WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS BY THE COMMISSION? COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR KENNETH.
QUESTIONS FOR KENNETH, PLEASE.
CAN YOU HEAR MY FAKE BRITISH ACCENT? I KNOW YOURS IS REAL.
>> KENNETH LOPEZ, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
>> THANK YOU, KENNETH. FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME TO THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THE COUNTY WHEN THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS WERE BEING ROLLED OUT.
I KNOW HOW HARD COMMISSIONER ROGERS, MY FORMER BOSS, WORKED ON THAT WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ON WHICH YOU WERE A TEAM MEMBER.
I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR MOVE TO TAMARAC AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
>> I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR YOU ON THE PROGRAM.
FIRSTLY, CAN PLAZA OWNERS ACCESS MULTIPLE LOANS FOR MULTIPLE PROPERTIES, CONSIDERING SOME PLAZAS ARE OWNED BY THE SAME PERSON?
WITH THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT, WHICH IS THE GRANT THAT'S DIRECTLY FOR PLAZA OWNERS, IF THEY DO OWN MULTIPLE PLAZAS IN THE CITY, THEY CAN APPLY FOR IT.
[02:05:02]
MULTIPLE GRANTS FOR THE SAME PLAZA THROUGH THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT PROGRAM.>> MANY PLAZAS ARE OWNED BY THE SAME INDIVIDUAL OR THE SAME COMPANY, SO I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE ONE PLAZA OWNER OR ONE COMPANY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF, LET'S SAY, FOUR DIFFERENT LOANS OR FOUR DIFFERENT $250,000 LOANS, GETTING OFF WITH A MILLION DOLLARS, FIXING ALL FOUR OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
I THINK THAT WE SHOULD LIMIT IT TO NOT JUST THE PLAZA, BUT TWO PLAZA OWNERS AS WELL.
ANOTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION AS WELL IS WITH THE APPLICATIONS, WHEN THEY COME IN, WHEN THEY'RE REVIEWED, WE'RE GOING TO PRIORITIZE THOSE PROJECTS THAT HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECT.
THEY'RE BEING EVALUATED AND REVIEWED, NOT JUST BY THE APPLICANT THAT COMES IN AND GIVES THE APPLICATION, BUT WE'RE PUTTING THOUGHT INTO WHERE WE WANT THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO GO.
IT'S ALSO ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED FUNDS, BUT WE ARE PRIORITIZING THE AREAS THAT WE SEE.
WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A CLUSTER OR A PROGRAM THAT'S BENEFITING JUST ONE PARTY AS OPPOSED TO THE ENTIRE CITY.
>> IS IT BASED ON NEED AND HOW WILL BUSINESS OWNERS DEMONSTRATE THEY HAVE AN ACTUAL NEED?
>> THE PROGRAM, AS IT STANDS IS THAT WILL COME IN WITH A PROPOSAL OF THE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY WISH TO MAKE TO THE PLAZA.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE LOOKING TO ASSIST THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WITH PLAZAS THAT ARE BLIGHTED OR OUTDATED OR HAVE BEEN SEEN TO REALLY NEED SOME TLC.
THOSE ARE THE PLAZAS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE THESE PLAZA OWNERS TO HELP.
WITH THE OUTREACH THAT WE DO, WE'LL GET THAT INFORMATION TO THE PLAZA OWNERS AND WORK WITH.
>> I WAS AT THE WORKSHOP ON MONDAY.
WONDERFUL PRESENTATION, BY THE WAY.
>> DID SOME RESEARCH AS WELL, YESTERDAY AND THIS MORNING.
THERE'S A PART OF THE BACKUP THAT SAYS THAT THEY'LL PAY BACK IN FULL AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY MANAGER IF THEY HAVE CONTINUED VIOLATIONS. SPEAK TO THAT POINT.
>> PART OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INCENTIVIZE THE PRIVATE INVESTMENT OF PLAZA OWNERS TO REHABILITATE, RENOVATE, IMPROVE THE EXTERIOR OF THEIR FACADE.
BUT IT'S A WAY TO ENCOURAGE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY, AS WELL AS THE PLAZA OWNER.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR PLAZA.
IN DOING SO, WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTIES.
THERE ARE SOME CAVEATS OR SOME RESTRICTIONS.
IF THEY RECEIVE THE GRANT FUNDING, FOR INSTANCE, THEY CANNOT SELL THE PROPERTY WITHIN TWO YEARS OF RECEIVING THE GRANT REIMBURSEMENT.
THEN ANOTHER RESTRICTION IS THEY NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY.
WE WANT TO BE FLEXIBLE IN THE SENSE OF, A PLAZA OWNER THAT'S UNDER THIS GRANT, IF THEY RECEIVE A VIOLATION, WE'LL GIVE THEM THE TIME THAT THEY'RE USUALLY ALLOWED TO FIX OR RESOLVE THE VIOLATION, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO SAY, HEY, WE'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU.
BUT IF WE SEE A CONTINUED DECLINE IN THE PLAZA, WE DON'T WANT THAT.
THE INTENT OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT PLAZA OWNERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAINTAIN IT OVER TIME.
>> YOU'RE DOING WELL, AND PLEASE STAY THERE, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MS. CALLOWAY.
>> WHEN RESIDENTS OR BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE A VIOLATION ON THEIR PROPERTY, WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR THEM TO FIX THOSE ISSUES?
>> WELL, FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNER, IT'S A CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.
THE PROCESS ENTAILS A TIME PERIOD FOR ABATEMENT.
IF IT'S NOT ABATED WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD, THEN IT GOES BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE, AND IF IT CONTINUES TO BE IN VIOLATION, THEN THERE'S A LIEN PROCESS THAT ATTACHES TO THE PROPERTY IF THAT IS THE GIST OF WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.
>> VERY WELL. YOU WOULD SEE HOW THIS SECTION OF THE PROGRAM DIFFERS FROM THAT PROCESS.
IT SAYS, PAY BACK IN FULL AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY MANAGER.
AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE CITY MANAGER,
[02:10:02]
WE HAVE A LOVE LOVE RELATIONSHIP, I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO LOOK AT THIS.I THINK THAT IT SHOULD GO TO THE MAGISTRATE.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE A CITY MANAGER?
BUT I THINK WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO ACHIEVE IS MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY AFTER FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED.
SO IS THAT WHAT THE PROVISION IS? YES. KENNY AND I TALKED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE AGREEMENT, AS IT IS NOW WOULD BE FOR TWO YEARS, BUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND SEE IS CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, CONSISTENT WITH THE CODE EVEN AFTER THOSE TWO YEARS.
WE WERE THINKING ABOUT A WAY WHERE WE CAN STILL BE SOMEWHAT PUNITIVE FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD AFTER THE TWO YEARS THAT PASSED FOR A PERIOD LONGER THAN TWO YEARS FOR THE PROPERTY TO CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED.
>> KENNETH. MOST OF THE PROGRAMS BEING PROPOSED TONIGHT PRIORITIZE CERTAIN INDUSTRIES FOR GRANT FUND CONSIDERATION.
PLEASE EXPLAIN WHETHER THIS IS AT THE EXCLUSION OF OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES OR WHETHER ALL BUSINESSES, REGARDLESS OF THE INDUSTRY WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY.
>> THERE IS ONE PROGRAM, THE SMALL BUSINESS MICRO GRANT, THAT DOES HAVE A PRIORITIZATION MECHANISM, BUT IT'S NOT TO EXCLUDE.
IT'S ONLY IF FUNDS ARE LIMITED.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE'RE DOWN TO $2,500 LEFT IN THE FUND, AND WE RECEIVE TWO APPLICATION, ONE FROM A NON-PRIORITY OR ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT PRIORITIZATION STATUS.
IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THOSE TYPES OF BUSINESSES, AND ONE THAT IS WE'LL PRIORITIZE THAT.
I'LL SPEAK IN MORE DETAIL IN REGARDS TO THAT PRIORITIZATION STATUS.
IT'S ONE BASED OFF OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR EXPRESSION OF WANTING TO ATTRACT RESTAURANTS.
THEN THE OTHER IS PRIORITIZING THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF BUSINESSES THAT CREATE HIGH PAYING JOBS.
THESE SECTORS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY BROWARD COUNTY'S GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE ALLIANCE, WHICH IS THE BUSINESS ARM OF THE COUNTY.
THEY'VE IDENTIFIED THESE SECTORS AS SECTORS THAT CREATE HIGH PAYING JOBS.
THE REASON FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH WE WANT TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE CITY, WE REALLY WANT TO INVEST IN THOSE THAT WILL HELP KEEP THOSE HIGH PAY JOBS IN THE CITY AND HELP DEVELOP THE FUTURE WORKFORCE HERE.
>> ON MONDAY, I LOOKED AT THAT LIST, MR. LOPEZ, AND I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THAT LIST BECAUSE TAMARAC MAY NOT HAVE THE LEVEL OF THOSE BUSINESSES IN OUR CITY.
REALLY AND TRULY, THOSE PEOPLE MAY NOT APPLY FOR THE GRANTS.
IF I SIT ON THE AIRPORT BOARD, THE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT AND THEY DON'T NEED THE MONEY.
>> COMMISSIONER BOLTON, IF THEY DON'T APPLY, THEN WE'LL CONTINUE TO OFFER THE GRANT TO THOSE WHO DO.
AGAIN, IT'S NOT TO EXCLUDE THOSE BUSINESSES THAT DO APPLY.
WE WILL AWARD WHOEVER APPLIES ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVE BASIS.
THIS IS JUST ONLY IN THE PREDICAMENT, IF THERE'S FUNDS LIMITED.
WE WOULD EXTEND THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE TYPES OF BUSINESSES THAT WE FEEL WILL CREATE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE CITY.
BUT I THINK FROM THE GET GO TONIGHT, I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THAT RED TAPE.
I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE OPEN TO EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO APPLY.
BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE MONEY WILL JUST SIT THERE.
IT'S SET THE PREROGATIVE OF MY COLLEAGUES.
MR. LOPEZ, CAN YOU TELL ME HOW THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE MARKETED? HOW WILL THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY KNOW ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE FUNDS AND PROGRAMS?
>> COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE ON THE LAST THING.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE AT LEAST ELIGIBLE ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES.
I DON'T WANT TO GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT, THAT IT WILL BE OPEN TO ALL BUSINESSES WHO APPLY.
THERE IS A LIST OF INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES, BUT ALL THOSE THAT AREN'T ON THE PRIORITY STATUS LIST WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY.
>> BEFORE YOU GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION, TELL ME JUST FOR THE RECORD, SAY WHAT THE PRIORITY LIST IS.
>> THE PRIORITIZATION BUSINESSES OR THE INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES?
>> GIVE ME JUST ONE SECOND WHILE I PULL IT UP.
>> THEY'RE IN MY BACKUP AND I COULD READ IT, BUT I HAVE 48 SECONDS, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEND IT READING.
[02:15:03]
>> CORRECT. ONE, THE PRIORITY STATUS WILL BE SHOWN IN RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES AND KEY TARGET INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS AVIATION AND AEROSPACE, FINANCIAL SERVICES, GLOBAL LOGISTICS, HEADQUARTERS, LIFE SCIENCES, MANUFACTURING, MARINE INDUSTRY, AND TECHNOLOGY.
THESE INDUSTRIES, AGAIN, HAVE BEEN CITED BY BROWARD COUNTY'S GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE ALLIANCE AS INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE SHOWN GREAT NEED FOR JOBS AND HIGH PAYING JOBS AT THAT.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT BROWARD COUNTY FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, THAT WOULD WORK.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT TAMARAC, FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, IT DOES NOT WORK.
I WAS AT BROWARD COUNTY WHEN THIS WAS BEING ROLLED OUT.
AGAIN, AND OUR OFFICE IN COMMISSIONER RAJA'S OFFICE, WE DID WELL, WE WERE THE FIRST OFFICE TO ACTUALLY EXHAUST FUNDS.
I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS, AND IT WORKED IN BROWARD COUNTY, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THESE INDUSTRIES WILL WORK IN TAMARAC.
>> IN REGARDS TO MARKETING, WE WANT TO TAKE A APPROACH OF 30 DAYS TO REALLY MARKET THESE PROGRAMS. WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES, GOING BUSINESS TO BUSINESS, LETTING THEM KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THE TAMARAC OR LAUDERDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALSO THROUGH OUR WEBSITES.
WE'LL ALSO BE PROMOTING THIS PROGRAM THROUGH OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE, WWW.TAMARAC.EDO.COM.
APART FROM THAT, WE'LL ALSO BE RELYING HEAVILY ON THE COMMISSIONERS TO REALLY PROMOTE THIS PROGRAM IN YOUR DISTRICTS, IF YOU CAN.
APART FROM THAT, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF REALLY GETTING THE WORD OUT.
BUT ALSO, WITHIN THESE 30 DAYS, WE WILL PREPARE TO ACCEPT THE INFLUX OF APPLICATIONS THAT WILL COME IN BY OUTFITTING OUR WEBSITE WITH THE APPLICATION PORTALS NEEDED TO ACCEPT THOSE APPLICATIONS, AND ALSO WORK ON THAT MARKETING MATERIAL TO HAND OUT, THOSE FLYERS, THOSE GRAPHICS, AND ALL OF THAT.
>> ANOTHER PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT I'M NOT KEEN ON IS I GET THIS 100 BUSINESSES WILL RECEIVE $2,500. THAT IS GREAT.
I THINK THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE INCREASED.
THE LAST PROGRAM THAT WE DID NOT WORK WITH THE PLAZAS.
I WILL COME BACK WITH THAT AFTER MY COLLEAGUES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
>> COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. KEN, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT, YOUR WORK.
ECHOING, COMMISSIONER BOLTON SENTIMENTS.
BROWARD COUNTY BASED ON POPULATION IS LARGER THAN 12 STATES.
IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT FROM A CITY PERSPECTIVE, EVERY CITY IS DIFFERENT AND GRANULAR.
GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND GOVERNMENT THE MOST.
I THINK THOSE INDUSTRIES DEFINITELY FOR A WIDE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE.
I THINK, FOR ME, THIS IS LIKE A COPY OF THE BROWARD COUNTY, IN READING THE BROWARD COUNTY MICRO BUSINESS GRANT.
IT'S LIKE WORD FOR WORD. I ALSO LOOKED AT OTHER CITIES.
I SAW IN BOYNTON, THEY GIVE $10,000 FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND STUFF LIKE THAT, AND 2,500 FOR MARKETING AND SERVICES LIKE THAT.
I THINK FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, I THINK IT'S DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF THOSE SERVICES.
02,500 CAN'T DO MUCH FOR SOMEONE WHO OWNS A PRODUCTION BUSINESS, IT DOESN'T GO A LONG WAY, WHEREAS A SOLO ENTREPRENEUR.
02,500, THEY CAN BUY MARKETING, THEY CAN PAY FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ADS, THEY CAN PAY FOR MARKETING.
I THINK THIS IS COOKIE CUTTER.
HAS TO HAVE SOME MORE MEAT INSIDE OF IT.
I THINK YOU SHOULD STUDY MORE OF THE TAMARAC BUSINESSES, SEE WHAT THE BUSINESSES IN TAMARAC, SPECIFICALLY DOOR TO DOOR AND SEEING WHAT THEY NEED.
I GO TO A BARBER SHOP AND THE OWNER ALWAYS ASKS ME, HOW DOES HE MARKET HIS BUSINESS, HOW DOES HE DO DIFFERENT PROMOTIONS, STUFF LIKE THAT.
JUST VISITING DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.
I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND TAMARAC SPECIFICALLY AND PUT STUFF IN THERE.
YOU ALSO MUST NOT BE A PART OF A NATIONAL CHAIN.
I HAVE A BUSINESS OWNER WHO OWNS A FAST SIGN BUSINESS.
IT'S PART OF A NATIONAL BRAND.
A LOT OF FRANCHISEES MIGHT HAVE NATIONAL FLAG, BUT THEY'RE OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS, INDEPENDENT PEOPLE WHO ARE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS.
THOSE PEOPLE MIGHT NEED, YOU KNOW, FUNDING AS WELL.
BASED ON YOUR LANGUAGE, IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE EXCLUDED BASED ON WHAT I SEE IN YOUR STOCK.
I THINK ON MONDAY FOR THE 100,000, YOU REFERENCE YOU MIMIC ORLANDO AND TAMPA AND HOW THEY'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU MENTIONED ON MONDAY, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA AND THE DOWNTOWN ORLANDO CRA, I TOOK INSPIRATION FROM THOSE PROGRAMS, BUT IT DOESN'T DIRECTLY MIRROR EITHER OF THEM.
IN REGARDS TO THE NEEDS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THE PLAZAS WAS TO
[02:20:05]
BREATHE LIFE BACK INTO THE THROUGH THE ATTRACTION OF DESTINATION TYPE BUSINESSES.IF YOU LOOK AT DOWNTOWN ORLANDO'S RETAIL PROGRAM, IT'S DESIGNED ONLY TO ATTRACT RETAIL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE CITY OF TAMPA, IT'S ONLY DESIGNED TO ATTRACT RESTAURANTS.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS IN TAMARAC, WHICH ARE TO ATTRACT THESE TYPES OF USES TO THE PLAZAS TO REINVIGORATE AND TO BREATHE LIFE IN THEM.
IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF GRANT FUNDS, IT'S COMPARABLE.
HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF THE STRUCTURE OF HOW THEY ORIENT THEIR FUNDING, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH SQUARE FOOTAGE DOWNTOWN ORLANDO DOES, OR IT'S THROUGH A SECTION OR DISTRICT OF THEIR CRA, LIKE THE CITY OF TAMPA DOES.
OURS IS ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS ON A ONE-TO-ONE MATCH BASIS FOR THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT/INTERIOR BUILDOUT GRANT.
>> INTERESTINGLY, FROM MY BIRTHDAY, I WAS IN NAPLES LAST NIGHT.
I WENT TO WATCH A SUNSET CRUISE IN THE GULF OF AMERICA.
I RENTED A BOAT, AND I WENT OUT AND SAILED THE BOAT.
I ALSO HAD DINNER AFTER, AND I WENT TO THE SOUTH OF FIFTH.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED IN NAPLES.
IT'S A VERY UNIQUE STRIP IN NAPLES THAT'S DESIGNED FOR THAT COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE RESTAURANTS, THEY HAVE BUSINESSES.
OBVIOUSLY, SOME EFFORT WENT INTO TAILORING THAT SPECIFIC AREA TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY.
I SAW A LOT OF RESTAURANTS THERE THAT ARE NOT FRANCHISES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THAT SPECIFIC COMMUNITY.
I'M TRYING TO SEE THE $10,000 THAT YOU'RE OFFERING AS AN ENTERTAINMENT INCENTIVE.
>> IT'S NOT 10,000. IT'S UP TO 100,000.
>> UP TO 100,000 THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GET DESTINATION BUSINESSES.
YOU'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT UNIQUE BUSINESSES THAT WOULD COME IN AND SPICE UP THE PLAZAS AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
IN TERMS OF THAT MONEY, THAT SEEMS LIKE THAT CAN GO IN THE START UP SECTION AS WELL.
>> IN TERMS OF THAT GRANT, THE INTENT IS TO REDUCE THE BARRIER OF ENTRY FOR SOME OF THOSE BUSINESSES COME IN.
SERVES AS A WAY TO LEVERAGE THIS INCENTIVE IS A WAY TO ATTRACT, AS WELL.
WELL, THE THING ABOUT TAMARACK THAT MAKES US UNIQUE FROM OTHER PLACES THAT THE PLAZAS THAT WE HAVE ARE NOT ONLY OUTDATED ON THE EXTERIOR, BUT THEY'RE OUTDATED ON THE INTERIOR AS WELL.
A LOT OF TIMES WHY YOU DON'T SEE THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, LIKE OUR NEIGHBORING PARTNERS IS BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO EMPHASIZE PROGRAMS THAT WILL SHOW THE PUBLIC THE TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECT.
YOU CAN'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT WITH THE INTERIOR OF A STOREFRONT.
THE INTENT OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INVEST BACK INTO THE PLAZAS, SO THAT WAY WE CAN REDUCE THE BARRIER OF ENTRY FOR, LET'S SAY, A RESTAURANT THAT'S COMING IN AND MAYBE DOESN'T WANT TO INVEST $200,000 INTO A BUILDOUT.
BUT IF THEY SEE THAT THERE'S A REIMBURSEMENT IN IT, AND THESE AREIMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE PERMANENT TO THE PLAZA.
IT NOT ONLY CREATES THAT LONGEVITY GOING FORWARD IF THIS RESTAURANT SUCCEEDS OR NOT.
THE NEXT RESTAURANT CAN COME IN WITH AN EASIER BURDEN AS WELL.
AN EXAMPLE, WHEN I WORKED AT THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, I MET THE WONDERFUL OWNERS OF ARUN'S INDIAN KITCHEN RIGHT DOWN ON COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING TO EXPAND AND GET A SPACE.
BUT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A TURNKEY PLACE.
THEY'RE NOT LOOKING FOR A SPACE THAT'S NOT OUTFITTED FOR A RESTAURANT.
WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT IT REALLY CREATES A BARRIER OF ENTRY FOR SOME OF THESE PLACES THAT WANT TO MOVE IN TO THESE PLAZAS, BUT THEY'RE NOT OUTFITTED.
BOTH EXTERNALLY OR INTERIORLY OR ON THE INTERIOR WISE.
>> FOR INSTANCE, 2031, SOMEONE WANTS TO OPEN A RESTAURANT CALLED THE MAYOR'S CAFE.
A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO, YOU CAN HANG OUT AND DRINK, AND THAT PERSON WANTS TO LOOK FOR SEED CAPITAL AND MONEY. DOES THIS QUALIFY?
THEY WILL PUT IN THE MONEY FIRST, AND THEY WILL GET A REIMBURSEMENT UP TO THAT AMOUNT.
IT'S UP TO 100,000, BUT IT'S A DOLLAR PER DOLLAR.
WHEREVER THEY PUT IN, THE CITY WILL PUT IN ACCORDINGLY UP TO THAT THRESHOLD.
THESE ARE, AGAIN, PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SPACE.
THESE WILL STAY WITH THE PLAZA FOR THE LONGEVITY OF WHILE THE PLAZA IS THERE.
IT'S MEANT TO INVEST BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND INTO THE PLAZAS IN THE CITY SO THAT WAY FUTURE TENANTS CAN COME IN AND THEN SEE IT AS AN EASIER WAY TO MOVE IN WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND ANOTHER 200,000 FOR RESTAURANT BUILDOUT.
IF THEY COME IN AND THE RESTAURANTS ARE ALREADY BUILT OUT BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS TENANT WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE THE INCENTIVE.
IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER AS A CITY TO ATTRACT THAN THE TYPES OF RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES WE WANT TO SEE.
THAT JUST RESTAURANTS, OTHER USES, AS WELL, THAT REALLY SPICE UP THESE BUSINESSES.
I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THE YOGA STUDIOS, THE PAINT AND SIT PLACES, THE DINING, THE SHOPPING, THE BOUTIQUES, THESE TYPES OF USES THAT REALLY DRIVE SPENDING, DRIVE FOOT TRAFFIC, AND KEEP PEOPLE IN THESE PLAZAS SHOPPING AND WALKING AROUND.
[02:25:04]
IT BRINGS VISIBILITY TO CURRENT TENANTS, AS WELL AS ATTRACTS FUTURE TENANTS TO THE AREA.GREAT THING ABOUT THAT PROGRAM, AS WELL, IS THAT THE PLAZA OWNER CAN APPLY FOR IT AS WELL, AS WELL AS THE TENANT.
THE PLAZA OWNER, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A TENANT THAT QUALIFIES AND THAT FALLS INTO THOSE TYPES OF USES, AND IT SHOWS PROOF THAT THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO THE SPACE, THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR THAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM, AS WELL AS A TENANT WHO RECEIVES AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER.
BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT TO BE MAKING CHANGES TO THE INTERIOR OF A SPACE WITHOUT THE PROPERTY OWNER BEING OKAY WITH IT.
THIS IS A WAY TO CONTINUE THAT INVESTMENT AND THAT GROWTH.
>> MAKES SENSE. BUT I'M TRYING TO THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO INVEST THIS MONEY AND WANT TO ATTRACT PEOPLE IN THESE BUSINESSES ON A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, NOT JUST THE PLAZAS, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY TAMARAC IS ATTRACTIVE.
SOMEONE HAS PAID 36 MILLION FOR THE PLAZA ON THE UNIVERSITY AND OUR COMMERCIAL.
THE PUBLICS UP THE STREET ON PINE ISLAND, I THINK SOMEONE PAID LIKE 40 MILLION.
OBVIOUSLY, TAMARAC PLAZAS ARE ATTRACTED TO INVESTORS, AND NATURALLY, THE MARKET FORCES ARE GOING TO FIX THOSE THINGS.
BUT I'M TRYING TO THINK IF WE'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT THESE ENTERTAINMENT TYPE BUSINESSES.
I READ THROUGH THE ORLANDO AND TAMPA, HOW THEY TRY TO ATTRACT UNIQUE BUSINESSES.
I DON'T SEE HOW THIS WOULD WORK WITH THAT.
I UNDERSTAND THE PLAZA PART OF IT.
BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS AN INNOVATIVE IDEA AND THEY WANT TO COME TO TAMARAC AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THE HELP.
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN WHO OWNED THE BUSINESS HERE WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED.
I DON'T REM THE BUSINESS NAME, BUT HE SAID IN MIAMI, THEY OFFERED HIM UP TO 500,000 TO BRING HIS BUSINESS TO A HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI, WHEREAS TAMARAC DIDN'T OFFER ANY INCENTIVES.
IF WE WANT TO ATTRACT THE ENTREPRENEURS AND THE CREATIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THESE INDUSTRIES, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING SHARK TANK STYLE.
>> YOU CAN BE MARK CUBAN AND HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER THE BUSINESSES.
I DON'T SEE THAT INSIDE OF THIS.
I UNDERSTAND THE PLAZA PART OF IT.
I GET THE PLAZA SECTION PART OF IT.
IF WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE JOBS AND DO THESE TYPE OF THINGS, I THINK IT HAS TO BE MORE AS COMMISSIONER BOLTON MENTIONED, 02,500 IS NOT ENOUGH.
>> NO. I THINK WE'RE MIXING UP A LITTLE.
>> NO. IT'S TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
YOU SHOULD LOOK AT BOTH OF THEM, SEE HOW THEY INTERTWINED AND HOW THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER AS ONE.
>> THE REASON FOR THESE DIFFERENT INCENTIVE PROGRAMS IS THEY SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF THE CITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM SPEAKS TO THE NEEDS OF TRYING TO BRING OUR PLAZAS BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT PLAZA. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS.
>> NO. I'M JUST STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING AGAIN TO THE END.
FROM THE FIRST PROGRAM TO THE LAST PROGRAM.
THERE'S PROGRAMS THAT DEAL WITH COMPLIANCE.
THERE'S PROGRAMS THAT DEAL WITH THE SUPPORT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.
THERE'S PROGRAMS THAT DEAL WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE FACADE OF THE PLAZAS THAT THE SMALL BUSINESSES MOVE INTO.
A LOT OF THE PLAZAS THAT WE HAVE HAD VACANCY RATES AND THEY'RE NOT BEING FILLED.
AND SO WHAT HAPPENS IS IT CREATES A BARRIER FOR THESE BUSINESSES TO COME IN WHEN THERE IS A SPACE, BUT IT'S NOT OUTFITTED.
FOR EXAMPLE, I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF LAVINIA CAFE, THE CUBAN RESTAURANT THAT JUST MOVED IN.
THEY HAD GRASS WALL ALL THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING, ALL THROUGHOUT THEIR SPACE TO CREATE FOR AN ATTRACTIVE, MODERNIZED FEEL.
IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU SEE AT A LOT OF THESE TRENDY RESTAURANTS OR THESE TRENDY PLACES.
WELL, BECAUSE THE BUILDING WAS SO OLD AND IT DIDN'T HAVE UPDATED SPRINKLERS, THEY HAD TO TAKE IT ALL DOWN BECAUSE OF THE FIRE HAZARD.
NOW, IF THEY HAD A PROGRAM SUCH AS THIS, THEY COULD FINANCE THAT AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A MODERN SPACE AND CONTINUE TO ATTRACT TENANTS AND GET THAT VISIBILITY AND BE ABLE TO GET THAT INSTAGRAM SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.
>> THE REASON FOR THESE PROGRAMS IS THAT, AGAIN, THEY SPEAK TO THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE DIFFERENT NEEDS TO THE CITIES.
IT'S NOT JUST TO IMPROVE A PLAZA, BUT IT'S TO REALLY HELP HOLISTICALLY THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE.
A LOT OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE IN THESE PLAZAS, AND THEY'RE SUFFERING FROM LACK OF VISIBILITY.
>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT START. I THINK WE GOT TO PUT SOME MORE EFFORT INTO [OVERLAPPING]
>> I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT.
YES, IT'S MARRIED HEAVILY AFTER BROWARD COUNTY, BUT WE HAVE EXTENDED IT TO BE OPEN TO STARTUPS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT BROWARD COUNTY DOESN'T DO.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT NOT ONLY ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF STARTUPS, BUT ALSO EXISTING BUSINESSES AS WELL.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M SAYING. A PERSON WHO OWNS A BUSINESS THAT DOES 900K PER YEAR COMPARED TO A STARTUP IS A WELL ESTABLISHED BUSINESS.
THEY'RE GOING TO NEED MORE CAPITAL, MORE MONEY, MORE THINGS THAN SOMEONE WHO'S STARTING UP.
YOU'RE LUMPING THE 2,500 WITH THE STARTUP PROGRAM WITH THE MICRO GRANT.
>> NO, THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE PROGRAMS. THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT IS ONLY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, THERE'S ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, SO THEY NEED TO HAVE A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES,
[02:30:02]
THEY NEED TO HAVE A NUMBER OF INCOME.IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE TO HELP THOSE BUSINESSES IN NEED.
THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT AND A TENANT INTERIOR BUILDOUT GRANT CAN APPLY TO LARGER COMPANIES AS WELL AS SMALLER COMPANIES THAT NEED HELP WITH THAT INTERIOR SPACE.
>> I HEAR THAT, BUT I'M SAYING, YOUR 2,500 IS FOR REGULAR BUSINESSES UP TO A MILLION BUCKS AND IT'S FOR STARTUPS ONLY. ISN'T THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO. IT'S $2,500 FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES THAT HAVE BEEN INCURRED WITHIN 120 DAYS.
>> HOW MUCH IS FOR STARTUP? ISN'T IT THE SAME 2,500? THAT'S WHAT I'M READING?
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING TO YOU. SOMEONE WHO HAS AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS DOING 900K PER YEAR MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE MONEY IN TERMS OF CAPITAL COMPARED TO SOMEONE WHO STARTED A SMALL BUSINESS.
SOMEONE IN AN ONLINE BUSINESS COMPARED TO SOMEONE WHO HAVE 19 EMPLOYEES, MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE MONEY THAN SOMEONE WHO'S A SOLO ENTREPRENEUR.
WHILE THERE'S A RISE IN SOLO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, I'M JUST SAYING THAT TAKING THAT AND MAKING IT FOR EVERYONE, IT SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE TAILORED TO THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF BUSINESSES.
LOOKING AT BOYNTON'S PROGRAM, THEY HAVE 2,500 FOR MARKETING AND 10,000 FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, EQUIPMENT, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
I HAVE A FRIEND WHO OWNS A CHIROPRACTOR IN [INAUDIBLE] AND SHE HAS GOT 25,000 FROM THE CITY, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND NOW SHE'S USING THAT EQUIPMENT TO MAKE MORE MONEY.
THE 2,500, I THINK IT'S A GOOD START, BUT YOU HAVE TO DELVE DEEPER, AND I THINK IT WAS GOOD FOR BROWARD COUNTY.
BROWARD COUNTY IS BIGGER. IT'S BIGGER THAN 12 STATES.
I THINK FOR TAMARAC, WE HAVE TO PUT A LITTLE MORE MEAT INSIDE OF IT FOR IT TO BE A LOT MORE EFFECTIVE.
>> UNDERSTOOD. WE CAN WORK ON THAT, INCREASING THAT AMOUNT IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU, KENNY.
I THINK IT'S SUPER AWESOME THAT THE CITY IS ENTERTAINING SOME OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST OUR BUSINESSES.
OBVIOUSLY, AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES.
EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING, RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND THE LIKE.
CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY FOR ME WHAT THE TOTAL SUM APPROPRIATION IS FOR EACH PROGRAM?
FOR THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM, THERE'S AN ALLOCATION OF 100,000.
FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS MICRO GRANT, THERE IS AN ALLOCATION OF 250,000.
FOR THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT, THERE'S AN ALLOCATION OF 1,500,000.
FOR THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT/INTERIOR BUILDOUT, THERE'S A ALLOCATION OF 1,150,000.
DO YOU WANT ME TO BREAK THAT DOWN IN THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT WE EXPECT FOR EACH PROGRAM?
>> FOR THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM, WE'RE ESTIMATING ABOUT 10 PROJECTS.
THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT THAT WILL BE PAID BACK TO SMALL BUSINESSES IS 200,000 IF THE MAX IS UTILIZED.
FOR THAT 100,000 ALLOCATION, WE'RE EXPECTING A DIRECT IMPACT OF ABOUT $200,000 INJECTED BACK INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY TO THE UTILIZATION OF SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.
FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS, MICRO GRANT IS 250,000, 400 BUSINESSES TO RECEIVE $2,500, WHICH IS MONEY RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES HERE THAT ARE IN NEED AND COULD PAY FOR THEIR RENT OR COULD PAY FOR EQUIPMENT, INVENTORY, OR PREVIOUS EXPENSES THAT THEY'VE DONE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AS WELL.
THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT, WE'RE ESTIMATING ABOUT FOUR PROJECTS.
WE HAD TWO PROJECTS CURRENTLY AND NOW WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE RECEIVED A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT.
I DON'T FORESEE FOUR BEING A CHALLENGE BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY HAVE SEEN INTEREST FROM ABOUT THREE PLAZAS ALREADY ASKING ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
WITH THIS, WE ADDED A SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION COMPONENT.
IF ELIGIBLE AND IF THERE IS AN AVAILABILITY OF FIRMS READY TO TAKE ON THE WORK BETWEEN 20 OR 30% OF THESE PROJECTS, THE COSTS WILL BE SET ASIDE AND SPENT WITH LOCAL, SMALL, WOMEN, AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.
WE'RE ESTIMATING A DIRECT IMPACT OR AN INJECTION BACK INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY BETWEEN 560,000-840,000.
THAT'S JUST ESTIMATING FOUR PROJECTS AT THE LOWEST RANGE,
[02:35:01]
WHICH IS A MAX OF 350,000.THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT INTERIOR BUILDOUT GRANT, WE'RE EXPECTING ABOUT 11 COMMERCIAL SPACES THAT WE'LL TRANSFORM AND IN ORDER TO ATTRACT 11 NEW BUSINESSES THAT WILL INVIGORATE AND BREATHE LIFE INTO THE PLAZAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE FROM A CODE ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT BETWEEN THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM AND THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT?
>> THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM AND THE COMMERCIAL FACADE.
THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT IS FOR THE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS OF THE PLAZA.
THESE ARE FOR CAPITAL EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS ISN'T INTENDED TO COVER VIOLATIONS, BUT IF VIOLATIONS ARE COVERED UNDER THEIR PLAN AND IT IS A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT, WE WILL WELCOME IT.
THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT AS WELL, SO THEY WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT WITHIN TWO YEARS, AND THEN 50% OF THAT PROJECT COSTS WILL BE REIMBURSED AND IT'S FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES.
WE HAVE A LIST OF THE ELIGIBLE EXPENSES COVERED UNDER THAT PROGRAM FOR EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS.
IN TERMS OF THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM, THIS IS FOR PLAZA OWNERS THAT ARE MAYBE AREN'T ABLE TO DO THIS TRANSFORMATIVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND DOLLAR PROJECT.
MAYBE THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO GET BACK TO NET ZERO IN TERMS OF BRINGING THEIR PROPERTY BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.
WE'VE HEARD FROM MANY PLAZAS RECENTLY THAT OUR APPROACH TO COMPLIANCE HAS BEEN A BIT HEAVY HANDED.
THE INTENT OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO CREATE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AND A PROGRAM-DRIVEN APPROACH TO WORK WITH THE PLAZA OWNER TO GET THEM TO RESOLVE THEIR VIOLATIONS BY INTRODUCING THEM TO DEPARTMENT STAFF THAT THEY WILL WORK WITH AND MAKING THEM AWARE OF THE PROCESSES THAT THEY NEED TO FOLLOW.
IT'S A MORE OF A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO GETTING THEM BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.
A LOT OF TIMES WE SEE PLAZA OWNERS THAT ARE UNDER THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT BEING ISSUED VIOLATIONS FOR ITEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER THEIR PLAN TO COVER.
THEY'RE ABIDING BY DIFFERENT REGULATIONS OR GUIDELINES, BUT OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE, AND SO THAT PROVIDES A SOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PLAZA OWNERS.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS REALLY FOSTERS THAT COLLABORATIVE APPROACH ONCE AGAIN AND BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT TRUST WITH THE PLAZA OWNERS AND SHOW THEM THE CITY IS WILLING TO WORK WITH THEM.
THERE'S A TIERED-BASED REWARD SYSTEM FOR TIMELY COMPLETION OF THEIR PROJECT AND ALSO FOR SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION.
>> HAS THE CITY IN THE PAST HAD A FACADE GRANT PROGRAM?
>> WHAT WAS THE SUCCESS RATE IN TERMS OF DATA STATISTICS?
>> WE HAVE TWO COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANTS.
THE INITIAL TARGET, IT WAS THE FIRST GO AROUND, THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT. THOSE TWO PROJECTS.
ONE OF THEM IS APPROACHING COMPLETION.
THE OTHER ONE WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH IN TERMS OF HELPING THE PLAZA OWNER GET THROUGH SOME FINANCIAL ISSUES THAT THEY'RE HAVING AND SEEING HOW WE CAN FACILITATE THEM THROUGH THE REST OF THE PROGRAM.
>> THE REASON FOR MY LINE OF QUESTIONS IS BECAUSE FOR ME PERSONALLY, WHEN I LOOK AT THIS COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM AND THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT PROGRAM, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE DUMPING A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE PLAZAS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY DATA TO SUPPORT THAT US DOING THAT IN THE PAST WAS SUCCESSFUL.
I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BIFURCATE THE TWO.
I THINK IT'S TWO SEPARATE THINGS.
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES, I BELIEVE, IS DIFFERENT FROM HELPING PEOPLE RECOVER FROM CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS.
>> THE PURPOSE OF THESE PROGRAMS, THEY'RE MULTIVARIATE IN NATURE, SO THEY'RE CREATED TO CREATE MULTIPLE EFFECTS.
ONE EFFECT IS THE BEAUTIFICATION OF OUR PLAZAS BECAUSE THAT DRIVES FOOT TRAFFIC.
THAT'S WHERE THE MOST OF OUR BUSINESSES GET THEIR BUSINESS FROM.
MOST OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE IN THESE PLAZAS.
>> BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS, THE LOWER OF THE ALLOCATION IS GOING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS, AND WE CONTINUE TO WANT TO SUPPORT OUR SHOPPING PLAZAS.
I THINK I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE THERE.
TYPICALLY SPEAKING, A GRANT RECIPIENT CANNOT HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS.
IN OUR CASE, WE'RE SAYING, HEY, COME BECAUSE YOU HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SELLING RIGHT NOW.
FOR ME, I TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF ISSUE WITH THAT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IF WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT
[02:40:02]
A FACADE AND WE'RE GOING TO SAY THAT THERE'S NO CODE ENFORCEMENT MATTER.REALLY, A FACADE, ARE WE JUST SIMPLY SAYING, WE WANT YOU TO MODERNIZE YOUR BUILDING OR ARE WE SAYING THAT THERE ARE CODE ENFORCEMENT MATTERS WHICH IS WHY YOU NEED TO COME AND APPLY FOR THIS FACADE PROGRAM.
>> THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS.
IT'S REALLY TO SEE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE.
WHEN YOU SEE A BLIGHTED OUTDATED PLAZA WITH HIGH VACANCY RATES, AND IT'S EMPTY, AND IT'S DEAD, THE PURPOSE AND THE INTENT OF THAT PROGRAM IS TO REVITALIZE AND IMPROVE IT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THE TENANTS THAT ARE THERE TO GET VISIBILITY, TO DRIVE TRAFFIC, AND TO INCREASE SPENDING.
THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THAT PROGRAM.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE AESTHETICS PIECE, BUT FROM A REALITY STANDPOINT, I WAS JUST DOING MY NAILS THE OTHER DAY, AND THE NAIL SHOP OWNER SAYS TO ME, EVERYONE'S ROOF IS LEAKING.
WELL, AESTHETICALLY, SURELY, THERE'S PROBABLY NO VIOLATIONS ON THAT PLAZA FOR A LEAK ROOFING BECAUSE WE'VE GIVEN THEM PERMITS TO INSTALL TENNIS COURTS ON THE INSIDE OR WHATEVER IT IS, BUT EVERY BUSINESS INSIDE THAT PLAZA IS STRUGGLING.
MY QUESTION IS, AGAIN, FROM A FACADE STANDPOINT, WE'RE SAYING WE WANT YOU TO LOOK NICE, BUT THE REASON WHY PERHAPS SOME OF THESE SHOPPING PLAZAS ARE NOT OCCUPIED IS NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LOOK NICE, OR IT'S NOT AESTHETICALLY PLEASING.
IT'S BECAUSE THAT THEY'RE LEASING FROM SLUM LORDS AND BECAUSE, IN A LOT OF CASES, THERE IS NO SIGNAGE.
THERE IS NO VISIBILITY FROM THE ROADWAY.
I'VE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF OUR WALMART IN MY DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SIGNAGE, THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE GRANDFATHERED INTO CERTAIN THINGS.
WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, I DON'T BELIEVE IS POSITIVELY IMPACTING OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
IS TWO SEPARATE THINGS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE.
I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO PULL $3 MILLION TO ADDRESS ISSUES, WE NEED TO BIFURCATE THEM AND DEAL WITH THEM SEPARATELY. LET ME FINISH. I'M SORRY.
FROM A SMALL BUSINESS STANDPOINT, $2,500 CAN BARELY GET ONE MARKETING.
YOU CAN BARELY GET MARKETING WITH $2,500.
FURTHER, IT SAYS THAT EQUIPMENT IS INELIGIBLE.
THE DRY CLEANER THAT I GO TO, HIS EQUIPMENT IS FALLING APART.
WE HAVE BUSINESSES IN OUR CITY THAT ARE DOING THE BEST TO SURVIVE.
THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.
I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT GRANTS AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER PROGRAMS, WE NEED TO HELP PEOPLE SUSTAIN.
WE NEED TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF HELPING OUR BUSINESSES SUSTAIN, GETTING THEM THE EQUIPMENT.
THERE'S NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T FUND EQUIPMENT IF THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.
>> BUSINESS EQUIPMENT IS ELIGIBLE.
>> I READ SOMETHING UNDER THIS MICRO GRANT THAT SAID IT WAS INELIGIBLE.
I THOUGHT I ALSO READ SOMETHING THAT SAID THAT HOME-BASED BUSINESSES WERE ALSO INELIGIBLE.
>> HOME-BASED BUSINESSES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, BUT THEY ARE EXCLUDED FROM SOME EXPENSES SUCH AS COMMERCIAL RENT, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THE RENT OF A HOME, AND ALSO COMMERCIAL LIABILITY INSURANCE, AS WELL AS SECURITY SYSTEMS. THEY ARE EXCLUDED FROM SOME OF THOSE, BUT INVENTORY AND SUPPLIES, BUSINESS EQUIPMENT, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, AND ALL PURCHASES MADE UNDER A BUSINESS NAME CAN QUALIFY UNDER THIS PROGRAM.
>> THEN MY LAST POINT WITH THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
THERE'S NO BUSINESS THAT HAS A 50-50.
IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AGAIN, SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE WANT TO ATTRACT BUSINESS, WE'RE HELPING YOU BUILD OUT.
WHAT IF THEY DON'T NEED A BUILDOUT? THEY'RE JUST NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DOLLARS.
WHAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE 50%? A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR MATCH IS PRETTY EXORBITANT.
IT'S NOT COMPARABLE ACROSS OUR COUNTY, AND I THINK WE JUST NEED TO REVISIT THAT A LITTLE BIT SO THAT WE COULD HELP PEOPLE A LITTLE MORE.
>> I ALSO WANTED TO JUST TOUCH ON A LITTLE BIT ON THE PROGRAMS. I KNOW THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT SPEAKS MORE TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
THE MECHANISM THAT'S IN PLACE FOR THESE PROGRAMS IS TO INJECT MONEY BACK INTO THE ECONOMY BY CREATING SMALL BUSINESS JOBS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES.
YOU LOOK AT A COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT THAT HAS A PROJECT THAT MAYBE COST 700,000 FOR THAT MAX OF 350,000, WHICH IS A 50-50 MATCH.
>> IT'S A REIMBURSEMENT, BUT IN THIS PROJECT, YOU MIGHT HAVE LANDSCAPING, YOU MIGHT HAVE PAVING AND MILLING, YOU MIGHT HAVE SIGNAGE.
YOU MIGHT HAVE LIGHTING OR ELECTRICAL WORK.
THOSE ARE ALL JOBS THAT ARE GOING TO BE SET ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
WITHIN PLAZA OWNERS, UTILIZING THIS GRANT, NOT ONLY DO WE BEAUTIFY THE PLAZA,
[02:45:02]
BUT WE CREATE JOBS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.THAT'S WHY I SAID THAT AMOUNT, WHICH WAS, I THINK, 560-800 AND SOMETHING, IS GOING BACK INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY BY PAYING THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES TO REALLY PERFORM THE SCOPES OF WORK WITHIN THESE PROJECTS.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO CONFUSE THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT WITH THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM, BECAUSE ONE IS TO ADDRESS THE VIOLATIONS.
THE INTENT IS NOT TO ADDRESS VIOLATIONS.
THE INTENT IS TO TRY TO CREATE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE WITHIN THESE PLAZAS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY HELP TO ATTRACT THE BUSINESSES THAT WE WANT TO SEE.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO VICE MAYOR NOW.
IT WAS VERY DETAILED AND TRANSPARENT.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU PUT IN.
>> LET ME START WITH A POSITIVE.
WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSES OF 2,500, I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO MORE AND I LIKE THE BAILOUTS, SO MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN WORK ON.
I THINK THOSE TWO THINGS ARE POSITIVE.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF BUSINESS OWNERS IN MY DISTRICT WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF HELP.
IS THERE A WAY THAT THEY CAN IMMEDIATELY GET HELP? IF SOMEHOW WE COULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I'D GREATLY APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEM HELP.
>> WE CAN SEE WHAT WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO IF IT'S NOT THROUGH THE CITY, THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND WE CAN LEVERAGE THE RESOURCES OF OUR PARTNERS TO AID IN HOWEVER WAY WE CAN.
YOU CAN JUST DIRECT THEM TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WE'LL TAKE IT FROM THERE.
>> COULD WE GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, PLEASE? THANK YOU.
I AM VERY MUCH SO AGAINST REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR.
IF YOU HAVE CODE VIOLATION, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD PUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO YOUR PLAZA.
WE SHOULD REWARD THOSE THAT I'VE BEEN DOING WELL. IT'S MY TAKE.
>> ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT AND THOSE APPLYING? [OVERLAPPING]
>> TO HELP OUT WITH THE CODE LIKE THAT.
>> NO. THE INTENT IS NOT TO HELP OUT WITH THE CODE.
THE INTENT OF IT IS TO DO THOSE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGES.
IF THEY HAVE VIOLATIONS AND YOU WANT TO MAKE IT SO THAT PLAZAS THAT DO HAVE VIOLATIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD USE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT SAYS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA HAVE ACTIVE CODE VIOLATION ELIGIBLE FOR RESOLUTION UNDER THIS PROGRAM.
THAT WAS ON THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
>> FOR THE COMMERCIAL PERSPECTIVE?
>> IN THE BACKUP COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM.
>> WELL, THAT'S DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT.
THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY IS THAT 100,000.
>> IS THAT 100,000 FOR THE BUILDOUT?
>> NO, THAT COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM, WE'RE ALLOCATING $100,000 FOR ONE OF THE THREE TIERED REWARD SYSTEMS. THE FIRST TIER IS JUST SIMPLY WE WORK WITH THE PLAZA.
IF THEY COMPLETE THEIR PROJECT IN A TIMELY MANNER ACCORDING TO THE TIMELINE THAT THEY SUBMIT, THEN WE WILL WORK WITH THEM, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO NORMALLY TO TRY TO REDUCE OR SETTLE THEIR FINES.
THE SECOND-TIER REWARD IS BASED ON SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION.
IF THEY UTILIZE SMALL BUSINESSES FOR THE PROJECT COSTS, THEN WE REIMBURSE 20% OF THEIR PROJECT COSTS UP TO 5,000.
IF THEY USE 100%, THAT MEANS 100% OF THEIR PROJECT COSTS GOES TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE CITY, THEN WE REIMBURSE THEM 50% UP TO 10,000.
THEY WILL NEED TO PUT IN 20,000 OF A PROJECT COST FOR GETTING THEIR VIOLATIONS RESOLVED AND THEY WILL NEED TO SPEND THAT MONEY WITH SMALL BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THAT 10,000.
>> THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE BETTER, BUT I STILL FEEL LIKE IF YOU DO WRONG, YOU GET A REWARD BECAUSE YOU ARE GETTING A REWARD.
IT SOUNDS GOOD, BUT TECHNICALLY, YOU'RE GETTING A REWARD.
I FEEL LIKE, NOT FEEL LIKE THE NUMBERS TELL IT, THE BULK OF THESE THREE MILLION IS GOING TO HELP PLAZAS, WHEREAS THE BULK OF THE TAX REVENUE THAT WE GET IS FROM RESIDENTS.
I FEEL LIKE THE BULK OF THE MONEY THAT WE'RE GIVING BACK TO BEAUTIFY OUR PLAZA SHOULD MORE GO TO RESIDENTS THAT ARE STARTING A BUSINESS OR RESIDENTS THAT CURRENTLY OWN A BUSINESS, BUT IT SHOULD GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO GENERATED THAT MONEY.
NOT TO A PLAZA OWNER WHO HAS HAD
[02:50:04]
AMPLE TIME TO FIX HIS OR HER PLAZA.EVEN THOUGH WHAT WE PUT IN PLACE MIGHT APPEAR AS PUNITIVE, THIS IS THE MOST WORK I HAVE SEEN DONE IN MONTHS TO PLAZAS IN TAMARAC.
KUDOS. ALMOST EVERY PLAZA I DRIVE BY IN TAMARAC, EITHER THEY'RE FIXING THE PARKING LOT, THEY'RE PAINTING.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO REWARD BAD BEHAVIOR.
WE'RE GOING TO NULLIFY EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE.
THE MOST WORK I HAVE SEEN DONE, I'VE BEEN IN HERE OVER A DECADE, THE MOST WORK IN PLAZAS.
>> THE CALLS THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM COMMERCIAL PLAZA OWNERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT ISN'T INTENDED TO RESOLVE VIOLATIONS.
THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S INTENDED TO DO AND IT'S SEPARATE FROM THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY PROGRAM.
>> ANYWAY, ALL I'M HEARING IS PLAZA, $3 MILLION SHOULD NOT GO TO PLAZA.
IT SHOULD GO TO BUSINESS OWNERS, RESIDENTS, THOSE PEOPLE WHO PAY TAXES, WHO GOING TO MAKE OUR CITY LOOK BETTER BE BETTER, NOT PLAZA OWNERS WHO HAVE OWNED THEIR STUFF FOR YEARS AND HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT COLLECT RENT AND BRING DOWN OUR CITY.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, CODE ENFORCEMENT, WHOEVER IS ON THESE PLAZAS, BECAUSE THE IMPROVEMENT IS BEING SEEN VERY NOTICEABLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE REVAMP IT THAT ALL THIS MONEY IS NOT GOING TO JUST SUPPORT PLAZA, BUT MOST OF THE MONEY SHOULD GO TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE STARTING BUSINESS OR PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING TO OUR CITY TO START IN BUSINESS, BUT I THINK IF YOU'RE A RESIDENT AND YOU HAVE A BUSINESS HERE, YOU SHOULD GET DOUBLE THE MONEY, BECAUSE YOU'RE RECYCLING THAT MONEY WITHIN THE CITY.
I WOULD LIKE THAT PART OF EVENT, BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS.
>> CITY MANAGER, YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?
>> MADAM MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO OFFER THAT IF IT'S THE DESIRE OF THE CITY COMMISSION, THAT MAYBE WE CAN HAVE ANOTHER MEETING OUTSIDE OF THIS AND TO WORK OUT THESE DETAILS BEFORE WE BRING THIS PROGRAM BACK TO YOUR APPROVAL.
>> ACTUALLY, I WAS GOING TO HAVE MY COMMENTS AND DO A MOTION TO TABLE AT A TIME CERTAIN THAT THERE COULD BE A WORKSHOP ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS.
JUST BEFORE I DO THAT, I'M GOING TO SAY MY COMMENTS AND THEN I'LL OPEN IT UP TO MY REQUEST.
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MAYOR.
>> WORKSHOP. CAN WE GET CONSENSUS TO SEE IF YOU WANT TO BRING BACK THE WORKSHOPS?
>> WELL, THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER ARRANGEMENT.
>> CAN WE LOOK INTO THAT, CITY MANAGER?
>> AS NEEDED, I THINK WE CAN CALL THE WORKSHOP AND WE DO HAVE ONE OR TWO SCHEDULED FOR JUNE.
>> I MEAN WITH THE COMMISSION LIKE IT WAS DONE BEFORE.
>> HOW THE WORKSHOPS WERE DONE BEFORE, HOWEVER, WE CAN BRING IT BACK TO GET CONSENSUS FROM US IF WE WANT TO REVISIT THAT?
>> IT'S THE COMMISSION'S CALL.
IF YOU ALL CHOOSE TO BRING IT BACK, YOU CAN.
>> THAT COULD BE AN ITEM DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT MEETING, PLEASE, PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, AND WE WILL PUT THIS FORTH PER PROCEDURE AND ASK FOR IT TO BE DISCUSSED.
I DO THINK IT'S A GOOD START. I REALLY DO.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAD WE HAD A WORKSHOP ON, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRAINSTORM AND PULL THIS APART, AND MAYBE NOT BE WHERE I ALREADY SAID THAT TELEGRAPH THAT I'M GOING TO GO.
BUT SINCE I'M GOING TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS IN THE INTERIM, DO YOU HAVE PLANS? I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE PUT IN PLACE.
I DO UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE MONEY TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT PAID ATTENTION TO THEIR PROPERTY, BUT AT THE SAME TOKEN, ON THE HISTORICAL DATA FOR THIS RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE SOME OF OUR PLAZAS WHO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT MADE THEIR TENANTS PAY.
WHEN THEY HAVE NOT MADE THEIR TENANTS PAY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE OF COVID AND ALL THE AFTERMATH AND THE ECONOMY AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN, SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO AND THAT'S WHY THEY NEED HELP.
I THINK THAT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH IS NOT WHAT I SUPPORT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION EACH SEPARATE THING.
I KNOW THAT WE ARE BEING MORE RESTRICTIVE, BUT I ALSO FEEL THAT I HAVE ONE SMALL BUSINESS, THAT I'LL MOVE OUT OF ONE PLAZA, BECAUSE THE EXPENSES WERE SO HIGH, SHE MOVED INTO ANOTHER PLAZA.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CAN'T START THEIR BUSINESS BECAUSE THAT LANDLORD HAS FINES.
[02:55:04]
WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW? THAT TENANT NOW NEEDS TO START PAYING RENT.WHILE I APPRECIATE OUR ABILITY TO TRY TO WORK SOMETHING, I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO BE RECONSIDERING SOME OF THAT BECAUSE WE'RE HURTING THOSE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HELP AT THE SAME TIME.
I DON'T KNOW. I'VE ASKED FOR NOTICES TO THE REALTORS.
I'VE ASKED FOR NOTICES TO THE LANDLORDS BECAUSE IF I'M THAT BUSINESS THAT JUST MOVED INTO THAT PLAZA, IF I WAS DOING IT ON MY OWN, THEN IT'S A LITTLE CAVEAT EMPTOR, BUT MY LANDLORD SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME.
NOW I'VE JUST MOVED MY BUSINESS FROM ONE AND I'M GOING INTO ANOTHER SITUATION.
I'M A VERY SMALL BUSINESS. I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY BUSINESS, BUT I'M TENACIOUS.
I'M GOING TO TRY AND $2,500 NOT PAYING THE RENT.
I'D LIKE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IN OUR WORKSHOP ON THIS OF WHAT WE COULD DO TO TRY TO HELP ON THAT AS WELL, BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE ALSO SOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE PUTTING IN THIS PROGRAM WHERE WE CAN GIVE THEM A NOTICE AND THEY CAN LEVERAGE AND GET A LOAN.
SOME OF THIS REIMBURSEMENT IS VERY HARD IF YOU'RE A STARTUP COMPANY, AND YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THAT MONEY, AND YOU NEED THAT 10,000 NOW.
IT WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE I HAVE FIVE. YOU HAVE FIVE.
GIVE ME 10. THEN I CAN REIMBURSE YOU.
I COULD PAY YOU BACK. IT COULD BE A LOAN AGAINST MY BUSINESS.
THERE COULD BE SOME OTHER CREATIVE WAYS TO DO THIS TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES VERSION.
THEN WE CAN FIGURE OUT ABOUT REPAYMENT AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF FOR SOME OF THE HIGHER ASPECTS.
I'VE LISTENED TO MY COLLEAGUES.
I AGREE WITH MUCH OF IT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
SOME OF IT IS TAXPAYER-BASED, SOME OF IT, I BELIEVE, ARE SOME OF THESE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS HAVE COME FROM OTHER PROGRAMS. I THINK WE'VE GOT WINN DIXIE, WHICH WE STILL CALL WINN DIXIE UNTIL SUCH TIME WE START CALLING IT AS BRAVO OR IDL OR WHATEVER IT IS.
THAT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS.
I KNOW THAT THE PLAZA ON UNIVERSITY THAT HAS THE BREAKFAST, THAT I'M ABOUT TO CALL IT THEIR NEW BREAKFAST.
THEY'RE GOING FORWARD WITH IT.
THERE WAS ANOTHER PLAZA THAT WAS AWARDED IT.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES, WHAT THEY FOUND OUT, THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO DO IT UNDER THE PROGRAM.
>> THEY ACTUALLY CONTACTED US AND THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND DO IT.
>> WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM THE PLAZA OWNERS SAYING, HEY, WE'RE INTERESTED IN THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT SPECIFICALLY, BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO DO IMPROVEMENTS AND WE'RE HOPING TO TRY TO GET THE CITY'S HELP IN DOING SO.
>> EXACTLY. ALSO, AS WE THINK ABOUT PLAZAS, THE PLAZAS ARE THE HOUSES FOR THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE'VE GOT THE FLORIST, WE'VE GOT THE CURTAINS PLACE, WE'VE GOT THE COOKIE BAKERY PLACE.
WE'VE GOT THIS POSTAL SERVICE PLACE.
THERE'S VARIOUS PLACES THAT THEY NEED TO HELP.
WE HAVE ONE RESTAURANT THAT HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE THE LANDLORD COULDN'T HELP THEM WITH SOME OF THE LEAKS THAT WERE COMING INTO THE BUSINESS, WHICH AN EXISTING BUSINESS WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE KITCHEN AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF THAT THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH.
BUT ALSO, IT COMES DOWN TO SOME OF THESE OTHER PLAZAS THAT ARE BEING REFURBISHED, OUR NEW PLAZA OWNERS THAT ARE INHERITING THE SINS OF THE FATHER, SO TO SPEAK.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST.
AGAIN, IT'S NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ALL AND I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS TO SUCH TIME THAT WE CAN HAVE A WORKSHOP AND TABLE THIS TO A WORKSHOP IF THERE'S ANY SUPPORT. SEEING NO SUPPORT.
>> WAS THAT A SECOND OR NO? BECAUSE I HAD A MOTION TO TABLE.
>> NO. I'M SAYING I HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
>> THEN THERE'S NO SUPPORT FOR THE MOTION TO TABLE.
THEN, COMMISSIONER BOLTON, WE FIRST CITE COMMISSIONER PATTERSON BEFORE YOU.
COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES, THEN COMMISSIONER BOLTON. COMMISSIONER PATTERSON?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MY COLLEAGUES FEEL ABOUT IT, BUT I WONDER IF WE COULD JUST AMEND THE AMOUNT FOR A SMALL BUSINESS MICRO GRANT TO $5,000 AT A MINIMUM AND BIFURCATE THAT PROGRAM AND THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT BUILDOUT PROGRAM, APPROVE THOSE ITEMS TONIGHT AND THEN WE CAN ADDRESS OR MAYBE HAVE SOME SPECIAL SESSION TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA AND COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT.
>> YOU'RE IN YOUR TWO MINUTES.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE THAT MOTION.
NOW I'M GOING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYONE ON THE BOARD THAT WOULD SECOND THAT.
[03:00:01]
>> WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE ITEM.
COMMISSIONER BOLTON WOULD HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FRIENDLY AMENDMENT SUPPORTED BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT IN ORDER TO BIFURCATE THIS INTO AMENDING THE WHOLE MOTION TO JUST BEING SUPPORTING MICRO GRANTS TO 5,000.
YOU HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
IT'S EITHER WE CANCEL THE FIRST MOTION AND CALL IT.
>> I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF APPROVING IT AS IS.
>> I WOULD MOTION TO WITHDRAW MY SECOND TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
>> YOU WEREN'T. COMMISSIONER WRIGHT WAS SECOND TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
COMMISSIONER BOLTON MADE THE MOTION.
EITHER WE CAN HAVE THE MOTION AND IT WILL EITHER PASS OR FAIL.
IF IT FAILS, WE CAN COME BACK WITH OTHER ALTERNATIVES.
IF YOU'RE AMENDING THE MOTION, WE CAN ASK THE MAKER OF THE MOTION AND THE PERSON WHO SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT.
>>> WHATEVER IS APPROPRIATE, BUT I'M NOT I CAN'T SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
>> WHY DON'T WE JUST CALL COMMISSIONER BOLTON, HE STILL WISHES TO SPEAK FOR HIS TWO MINUTES.
WE'LL THEN CALL THE ROLL ON THIS ONE.
IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
>> I'VE GOT COMMISSIONER BOLTON AND THEN VICE MAYOR DANIEL.
>> I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER PATTERSON IS CORRECT.
I THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT I'D LOVE TO DO TOO.
MAYBE WE CAN ALSO INCREASE THE PROJECT COUNT TO TRY TO HELP AS MANY BUSINESSES AS POSSIBLE.
THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT PART OF IT, YOU SAID IT WAS A MATCH?
>> IT'S A 50-50 MATCH UP TO 100,000.
IF THEY PUT IN 50,000 FOR NECESSARY INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE PERMANENT TO THE SPACE, WE WOULD PUT IN ANOTHER 50,000.
IF THE TOTAL PROJECT IS 100, THEN THEY'D BE REIMBURSED AT 50%.
>> I DON'T THINK I APPRECIATE THAT SECTION, AND I'M FOR THAT SECTION, BUT I'M NOT FOR THE 50-50 MATCH.
I THINK THAT SMALL BUSINESSES, THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THEIR BUSINESS IF THEY HAD THE MONEY.
THEY WOULD ALSO GO AND GET LOAN IF THEY COULD GET A LOAN.
I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND I CAN TELL YOU IT'S HARD.
IT'S NOT EASY. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALSO PASS THAT SECTION, BUT NOT WITH THE 50-50 MATCH.
I THINK WE SHOULD JUST GO STRAIGHT TO HELPING THEM WITH MONEY.
>> JUST O I'M UNDERSTANDING, JUST SO THE 100,000 FLAT, SO WE CAN OR A CERTAIN AMOUNT UP TO 100,000, MAYBE BASE IT OFF OF WHAT THEIR PROPOSAL, SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
>> YEAH. THEN THIS WOULD BE FOR TENANT IMPROVEMENT INTERIOR BUILDOUT.
THIS IS NOT TO THE LANDLORD, THIS IS TO THE TENANT.
>> GO THROUGH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT AGAIN.
>> FOR THIS, YOU NEED TO BE ONE OF THE BUSINESSES IN THOSE SECTIONS THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE DINE-IN, SHOPPING, LIFESTYLE OR ENTERTAINMENT SECTORS.
THEN APART FROM THAT, YOU'LL MEET THE REST OF THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, WHICH IS BASICALLY YOU NEED TO HAVE A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT AND SOME OTHER DOCUMENTS IN TERMS OF BEING REGISTERED IN THE CITY AND IN THE COUNTY, ET CETERA.
>> ONE MORE THING, COMMISSIONER.
THERE'S AN ELIGIBLE EXPENSES LIST.
IT WON'T BE FOR ANYTHING THAT'S TEMPORARY OR DECORATIVE IN NATURE.
THESE ARE PERMANENT STRUCTURAL THINGS.
THINGS LIKE LIFE SAFETY, WINDOWS AND DOORS, DRYWALL, FLOORING, LIGHTING, HVAC, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT COULD HELP REALLY IMPROVE THE SPACE.
>> JIM, IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THESE ARE OBVIOUSLY TO HELP WITH THE TENANT, BUT THESE ARE THE KINDS OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT WOULD STAY WITH THE PLAZA.
THEY ARE PLAZA IMPROVEMENTS THAT ALSO ASSIST OR HELP WITH THE INCOMING TENANT.
MOSTLY, ALL LANDLORDS MAKE TENANTS PAY FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS.
THEY SOMETIMES WILL GIVE A BREAK ON THEIR RENTS,
[03:05:01]
BUT THEY MAKE THE TENANTS PAY FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS.IT IS STANDARD IN COMMERCIAL LEASES, AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NEGOTIATED.
THAT'S WHY WHILE IT MAY BE SAID, IT'S FOR THE LANDLORD, BUT IN ORDER FOR THE TENANT TO DO THEIR WORK, THEY NEED THE MODIFICATION, AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.
COMMISSIONER BOLTON, YOU STILL HAVE YOUR MINUTES.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. BEING A BUSINESS OWNER, I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I'M GOING TO DO ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERIOR OF MY BUSINESS, THEN THE IMPROVEMENTS IS GOING TO STAY WITH THE LANDLORD.
I CAN'T EVEN BUY AN AC UNIT AND THEN TAKE IT WHEN I'M LEAVING. THEY KEEP IT.
[LAUGHTER] IT'S ABSURD, BUT I UNDERSTAND IT.
NO 50-50 MATCH, BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT 25% OF WHATEVER WE'RE AWARDING TO THEM SHOULD GO TO RENT AND NOT JUST IMPROVEMENTS, BECAUSE LET'S SAY SOMEBODY FIXES THE INSIDE OF THEIR BUSINESS, AND THEN THE NEXT MONTH CAN'T PAY THE RENT.
THEN THEY LEAVE THE PLACE TAJ MAHAL TO THE NEXT PERSON THAT COMES IN. YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING?
>> A PORTION OF IT SHOULD GO TO RENT, A PORTION OF IT SHOULD GO TO IMPROVEMENT AND NO 50-50 MATCH FOR THAT SECTION.
>> THANK YOU. I'M IN AGREEMENT, AND I THINK WE ALL ARE WITH HELPING THE BUSINESS GOING FORTH.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE MORE THAN 2,500.
I THINK IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, YOU SHOULD GET DOUBLE WHATEVER A NON-RESIDENTS GET.
IF WE RAISE IT TO 5,000, THEN IF A RESIDENT START UP A BUSINESS IN TAMARAC OR HAVE AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS IN TAMARAC, THERE SHOULD BE 10,000.
I THINK THE BULK OF THIS THREE MILLION SHOULD GO TO THE BUSINESS OWNER IN SOME FORM.
OR AT LEAST 50% OF THIS THREE MILLION IF WE'RE ALLOCATING THREE MILLION.
IF WE'RE AGREEING TO ALLOCATE THREE MILLION, AT LEAST 50% OF IT SHOULD GO TO SMALL BUSINESS, BECAUSE REALLY, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
IF YOU OWN A PLAZA FOR THAT LONG, OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE MAKING A PROFIT OR YOU WOULD SELL, OR DO SOMETHING ELSE OR FIX IT UP.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD, COMMISSIONER DANIEL, IS THAT THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT IS FOR EXPENSES THAT THEY'VE ALREADY.
>> BUT WE COULD CHANGE THAT, CAN'T WE?
BUT JUST THE LOGIC BEHIND THAT IS SO THAT A BUSINESS OWNER DOESN'T COME TO US AND SAY, HEY, I PURCHASED A PRINTER FOR 5,000, AND THEN WE GIVE THEM 5,000, AND THEN THEY RETURN THE PRINTER AND USE THE MONEY ON LOT OF TICKETS FOR WHATEVER IT IS.
>> KNOWING THAT, SET UP STIPULATION TO NEGATE THAT FROM HAPPENING.
>> THAT WAS THE MECHANISM THAT WE USED.
>> I TOLD YOU YOU DID A GOOD JOB.
I'M JUST IN DISAGREEMENT WITH SOME OF THE ITEMS, BUT I THINK YOUR JOB WAS THOROUGH AND VERY TRANSPARENT.
KNOWING THAT, AND YOU PROBABLY KNOW A LOT MORE THAN I DO OF WHAT PEOPLE DO TO SCAM, THEN PUT UP WHAT DO YOU CALL THOSE GUARD RAILS TO PREVENT THOSE FROM HAPPENING.
>> AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO HAS RENTED AND HAD LEASES AND ALSO WORKED ON LEASES.
I THINK THAT YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, AND I THINK THAT YOU'VE HEARD A LOT FROM HERE.
I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DOING ON THE FLY, SETTING A MOTION, SAYING, LET'S CHANGE THIS, LET'S CHANGE THAT, AND THEN NOT KNOW THE EFFECT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE $3 MILLION AND OTHER THINGS.
I AM ASKING FOR A MOTION TO TABLE UNTIL SUCH TIME THIS COMMISSION CAN HAVE A WORKSHOP ON THIS ITEM TO REALLY FLUSH THIS OUT AND DO A PROGRAM THAT WE CAN ALL SUPPORT.
CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THEY ALL ARE IN NEED, SO WE CAN WORKSHOP QUICKLY. CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION FAILS, 3-2.
>> LET'S DO IT ON THE FLY. WHOSE MOTIONS UP? COMMISSIONER PATTERSON?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD GO BACK TO MAKING A MOTION TO BIFURCATE THE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY, COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT TO A WORKSHOP.
WE CAN DISCUSS THOSE ITEMS SEPARATELY.
I THINK THAT WE TAKE THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT.
WE INCREASE THAT AMOUNT TO $5,000.
WE TAKE THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT, INTERIOR BUILDOUT.
IT'S $100,000 REIMBURSABLE GRANT FOR THE ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS CURRENTLY LISTED.
TO ALSO INCLUDE FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT.
I THINK I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THERE WAS SOMEWHERE WHERE I SAW EQUIPMENT NOT BEING INCLUDED, BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S A NUMBER OF OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OLD EQUIPMENT,
[03:10:02]
AND THIS WILL HELP THEM SUSTAIN IF WE WERE TO INCLUDE EQUIPMENT.THAT WOULD BE THE MOTION THAT I WOULD HAVE ON THE FLOOR TODAY.
>> COMMISSIONER, IF I JUST MIGHT ADD, COULD WE REMOVE THE PRIORITIES TO THE INDUSTRIES FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS MICRO GRANT SECTION? I THINK IT WAS GEARED TOWARD AVIATION AND ALL THE LIST OF THINGS THAT I THINK WE SHOULD JUST HAVE IT OPEN TO BUSINESSES.
WHATEVER YOU'RE REGISTERED IN TAMARAC, YOU CAN APPLY.
>> I WOULD LIKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
WE WANT TO THEN INCLUDE PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL GOLF COURSES, COUNTRY CLUBS, MASSAGE PARLORS, ADULT ENTERTAINMENT, HOT TAB FACILITIES, SUN TIME FACILITIES, RACE TRACKS, OTHER FACILITIES USED FOR GAMBLING, AND OTHER STOREFRONT, WHICH ARE PRINCIPAL SALE OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGE, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUG PRESENTS LIKE WE'RE GETTING RID OF THIS.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE I'M ON THE-
>> WELL, DOES OUR CODE CURRENTLY PREEMPT US, OR DO WE ALLOW FOR THESE USES IN THE CITY CURRENTLY? IF THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY APPROVED USES, THEN I COULD UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE LISTED.
BUT IF ANY OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY APPROVED USES FOR OUR ZONING CODE, THEN I THINK THAT WE-
>> I THINK WHAT THE COMMISSIONER IS REFERRING TO IS THE BOTTOM LIST, THE ONE THAT HAS THE PRIORITY FOR CERTAIN INDUSTRIES.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT HE'S ASKING TO NOT HAVE A PRIORITY LIST AND THAT WE [OVERLAPPING] COMMISSIONER BOLTON, AM I CORRECT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. YOU VERBALIZED IT WELL, I WAS INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO REPEAT IT.
I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE LIKE TO MUDDY UP WHAT I TRY TO SAY.
BUT AGAIN, TO REMOVE THE PRIORITY LIST THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT YOU HAVE TO BE AVIATION AEROSPACE, FINANCIAL SERVICES, GLOBAL LOGISTICS, HEADQUARTERS, LIFE SCIENCES, MANUFACTURING, MARINE INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY.
WE'RE JUST REMOVING THE PRIORITY LIST.
>> IF YOU CAN ADD LIKE VICE MAYOR MENTIONED THE 10,000 FOR TAMARAC RESIDENTS IF THE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE RESIDENTS OF TAMARAC, I THINK WE SHOULD ADD THAT AS WELL.
ALSO, I THINK PEOPLE PURCHASING EQUIPMENT SHOULD GET A LITTLE MORE MONEY IN TERMS OF, I'M LOOKING AT THE ONE IN BOYNTON, AND THEY OFFER 2,500 FOR HOME-BASED BUSINESSES.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED, MARKETING AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF, BUT THEY ALSO OFFER TEN GRAND FOR EQUIPMENT PURCHASES BECAUSE THAT REQUIRES MORE MONEY.
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT AND 2,500 FOR MARKETING WEB DESIGN, PRINT TV.
I THINK WE SHOULD DO 5,000 FOR THAT STUFF AND ADDITIONAL 10,000 FOR BUSINESS EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY, BECAUSE THOSE BUSINESSES REQUIRED MORE COMPARED TO SOMEONE WHO'S RUN A SERVICE BUSINESS.
>> I'D LIKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
I'M A HOME BUSINESS, I'M A COTTAGE INDUSTRY, AND I'M BAKING.
NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IN MY HOUSE.
I'M NOT TRYING TO BE FACETIOUS.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T, AND IF IT'S WHAT THE WILL OF THE GROUP WANTS, IF IT'S NOT MENTIONED, THEN WE HAVE TROUBLE.
MY QUESTION IS, WHEN WE'RE SAYING THE SMALL HOME BUSINESSES, ARE WE INCLUDING THE NEW KITCHEN AND THE HVAC AND THE AC AND THE ALARM SYSTEM OR STUFF THAT GOES IN TO A BUSINESS THAT'S IN A BUSINESS PLAZA THAT'S NOT IN A HOME?
>> WELL, I THINK THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED ANYTHING WITH THE CODE WE STILL FOLLOW THE CODE.
I'M JUST SAYING IF YOU OWN A PRINT SHOP ON COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD AND YOU HAVE A STOREFRONT, YOU CAN GET 10 GRAND MORE.
I'M NOT SAYING TO OPEN A KITCHEN IN YOUR HOUSE AND YOU GET 10 GRAND.
THAT THINK YOU'RE TWISTING IT.
>> I'M JUST SAYING THAT HOME-BASED PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHO WORK FROM HOME, PEOPLE WILL CONSULT ON PEOPLE ATTORNEYS.
YOU CAN GET FIVE GRAND BECAUSE YOUR BUSINESS DOESN'T REQUIRE AS MUCH CAPITAL, AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO OWNS A STOREFRONT THAT HAS MANUFACTURING AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE ANYTHING.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT PERSON WHO ALREADY HAS THAT BUSINESS EXISTING SHOULD GET A LITTLE MORE MONEY BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE MORE IN TERMS OF MANUFACTURING AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO OWNS AT-HOME SERVICE BUSINESS WHO ARE DOING CONSULTANCY.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.
>> NO. I'M NOT SAYING BUILD A BIG SHOP IN YOUR HOUSE.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT EXISTING BUSINESSES, IF YOU'RE A HOME BASE, YOU DO CONSULTANT IN YOUR HOME BASED BUSINESS, YOU QUALIFY AS A HOME BASED BUSINESS BUSES IN THE CODE.
BUT IF YOU HAVE A BIGGER BUSINESS THAT PRODUCES STUFF, YOU'RE GOING TO REQUIRE MORE MONEY.
I'M SOMEONE THAT WORKS IN TECHNOLOGY.
WE ALSO OWN A FACTORY IN BOYNTON, 50,000 SQUARE FEET.
REQUIRES A LOT MORE MONEY TO RUN A FACTORY AND PRODUCE JOBS THAN SELLING ONLINE.
WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES. ONE IS A ONLINE COMPANY, AND ONE IS A LOCAL COMPANY.
THE ONLINE COMPANY AND WE PAY FOR IS DEVELOPERS, MARKETERS, THAT'S SCATTERED ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.
THAT'S A LOT OF DO TO SERVICE, WHEREAS IN BOYNTON, IT'S 50 PEOPLE IN A FACTORY THAT SHOWS UP EVERY DAY,
[03:15:02]
500,000 FOR EQUIPMENT. YOU REQUIRE MORE.THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.
FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND A BUSINESS EXECUTIVE, I'M THINKING OF THE BUSINESS PERSON WHO HAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BUSINESS.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. I'M NOT OBJECTING TO THAT.
I JUST WANTED CLARIFICATION BECAUSE I HEARD HOME-BASED BUSINESSES INCLUDING CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND THAT'S WHY I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS IN A HOME-BASED BUSINESS THAT ARE IN HERE THAT ARE SAFEGUARDS FROM PEOPLE JUST SAYING THAT THEY'RE DOING CERTAIN THINGS AND USING THE MONEY FOR THOSE GUIDE RAILS THAT WERE SAID. THAT'S ALL.
>> ELON MUSK STARTED PAYPAL IN HIS BEDROOM. THE REST IS HISTORY.
PEOPLE WITH HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, THEY START SMALL, THEY GROW.
WE STILL WANT TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR DREAM.
THERE'S A RISE IN SOLAR ENTREPRENEURS ACCORDING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP.COM.
>> THERE'S A RISE IN SOLAR ENTREPRENEURS, WE'RE DOING SIX AND SEVEN-FIGURE BUSINESSES.
WITH AI WITH THE ADVENT OF TECHNOLOGY, THERE'S THESE PEOPLE WHO CAN RUN A COMPANY THAT MAKE A LOT OF MONEY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ECONOMY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE BUSINESS.
WE HAVE TO MOVE PAST A WAY OF THINKING AND THINKING THAT IF YOU'RE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS, YOU WANT TO BUY A BAKING MACHINE.
NO. YOU CAN MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, SELLING STUFF ONLINE WITH A HOME-BASED BUSINESS.
I'M JUST SAYING, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THOSE ENTREPRENEURS. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I THINK MS. HYACIN MENTIONED THAT, HAVING A INCUBATOR WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME, THEY CAN WORK AS A BUSINESS, WE'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT EVERYONE.
IT'S A NEW GENERATION, AND WE'RE THINKING AHEAD FOR OUR BUSINESSES.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THOSE AMENDMENTS, SO WE CAN HAVE THAT IN IT.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S GOING TO PASS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL BUSINESSES ARE COVERED.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
THOSE INDUSTRIES WE SHOULDN'T BE LIMITED TO THOSE INDUSTRIES BASED ON BROWARD COUNTY.
BROWARD COUNTY IS A STATE AND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE, AND WE'RE MAKING LAWS AND PROVIDING STUFF FOR THE BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED.
ONE DAY, WE WANT TO HAVE A STEVE JOBS THAT START OF IN TAMARAC VILLAGE, AND BUILD A BIG COMPANY THAT CREATES JOBS HERE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE.
>> GOT YOU. COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR, ACTUALLY, CITY MANAGER.
WHATEVER YOUR TITLE IS AT THIS MOMENT, BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED A RESTROOM BREAK. CITY MANAGER.
>> I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT, AS WE CHANGE NUMBERS, WE NEED TO ALSO ESTABLISH [OVERLAPPING].
>> AMOUNTS FOR THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
THEN AND TALLY HIM UP SO WE STAY [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHAT IS YOUR REQUEST? YOUR REQUEST IS THAT JUST SAID WE MAKE [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF WE CHANGE THE MICRO GRANT AMOUNT TO $10,000, FOR EXAMPLE, WE NEED TO ESTABLISH THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S SET AT $250,000.
ARE WE CHANGING THAT, OR ARE WE KEEPING IT THE SAME?
>> I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD INCREASE THE $3,000,000 BECAUSE THIS IS COMING FROM GENERAL FUND, AND I'M ALREADY A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE USING TAXPAYERS DOLLARS FOR THIS.
THE PLAZA FACADE THING AND THE COMMERCIAL, WHATEVER IT IS, THE OTHER TWO PROGRAMS THAT IS NOT THERE, REDUCE IT BY THE AMOUNT THAT WE INCREASE IT FOR THE OTHER PROGRAMS. BECAUSE I HEARD THE VICE MAYOR SENTIMENTS AS WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT I WOULD WANT TO GIVE MONEY TO SOME WALL STREET COMPANY THAT OWNS A PLAZA IN TAMARAC.
REDUCE THAT AMOUNT. I JUST WANT TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE MENTION TO [OVERLAPPING] JUST HOLD ON.
JUST WANT TO MAKE MENTION TOO THAT THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT INTERIOR BUILDOUT SECTION AS WELL, SHOULD NOT JUST BE FOR TAMARAC BUSINESSES, BUT ANY BUSINESS IN BROWARD COUNTY CAN APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM IF THEY'RE MOVING TO TAMARAC AND OPENING A BUSINESS IN TAMARAC.
I THINK THAT GIVES AN INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE THEIR BUSINESS IN TAMARAC.
IF I'M IN LAUDERDALE LAKES, AND I WOULD LOVE TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION? I WOULD ELIMINATE TO BROWARD COUNTY.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME HERE AND ON A BUSINESS [OVERLAPPING].
>> I UNDERSTAND. GLOBALLY. BY THE WAY, I'M NOT GOING TO TRINIDAD FROM MY BIRTHDAY.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, AND I HAVE AN INSIDE JOKE ON THAT.
I'M SURE YOU KNOW MY INSIDE JOKE TOO, MAYOR. STIFF LIKE THAT.
IF THERE'S A BUSINESS THAT IS ANYWHERE, AND I HEAR THAT TAMARAC IS GIVING OUT $100,000 FOR TENANT BUILDOUTS.
YOU KNOW WHAT? I WOULD LOVE THAT WOULD GIVE ME THE INCENTIVE TO GO AND ACTUALLY MOVE MY BUSINESS TO TAMARAC.
IF I WERE NOT A COMMISSIONER, I'D MOVE MY BUSINESS FROM NORTH LOBBY TO TAMARAC JUST TO DO IT.
SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? JUST MAKE SURE THAT IS IN THERE.
OF COURSE, HYACIN, MAKE SURE THAT YOU MOVE TO TAMARAC AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM [LAUGHTER].
[03:20:07]
>> CITY ATTORNEY, YOU WISH TO SAY SOMETHING?
>> JUST WANTED TO EMPHASIZE MAN YOUR COMMENT IS A $3,000,000 CAP.
HOW YOU GUYS SHIFT IT IS UP TO YOU GUYS.
>> CITY CLERK. YOU HAVE A LOT THAT'S BEEN SPINNING TOWARDS YOU.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT IT IS THE MOTION THAT IS BEING REQUESTED?
>> MADAM, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO REPEAT, OR COMMISSIONER PATTERSON TO REPEAT, BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT SEEN.
>> LET'S GO STEP BY STEP BECAUSE COMMISSIONER PATTERSON MADE ONE MOTION, AMENDED BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, AMENDED BY COMMISSIONER BOLTON, AMENDED BY THE VICE MAYOR.
LET'S JUST GO DOWN THE LINE SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE ARE PUTTING IN THE MOTION IS UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTABLE, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> I AM MAKING A MOTION TO BIFURCATE COMMERCIAL PLAZA RECOVERY AND COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT FOR A WORKSHOP FURTHER DISCUSSION.
FURTHER, TO APPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS MICRO GRANT AT AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF $10,000.
>> I SAID 10,000 TO RESIDENTS THAT ADDITIONAL FIVE.
>> SO $5,000 AND AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 IF YOU ARE A TAMARAC RESIDENT, OR TAMARAC-BASED BUSINESS.
>> I THINK A BETTER WORDING IS $10,000 FOR RESIDENT-OWNED BUSINESSES AND $5,000 FOR NON-RESIDENT-OWNED BUSINESSES.
>> OVERALL GRANT OF MINUS HALF, $500,000.
>> WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE SMALL BUSINESS TOTAL AGGREGATE AMOUNT TO $750,000.
THE ALLOCATION PER BUSINESS WILL BE $5,000 FOR NON TAMARAC BASED BUSINESSES AND $10,000 FOR TAMARAC.
>> NON-TAMARAC RESIDENT-BASED BUSINESSES AND 10 FOR THE OPPOSITE.
REGARDING THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, WE WANT TO ELIMINATE THE 50/50 MATCH.
WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE THE PRIORITY LIST.
WE WANT TO INCLUDE FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT IN THE ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS LIST. [OVERLAPPING]
>> ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, NOT HOME-BASED BUSINESSES.
UNLESS THE HOME-BASED BUSINESS.
PER OUR CURRENT ZONING CODE IS AN ALLOWABLE USE.
IF THERE IS AN ALLOWABLE USE IN A HOME-BASED BUSINESS, MAYBE IT'S A DAYCARE, AND THEY NEED TO DO SOME BUILDOUT. I DON'T KNOW.
BUT IF THERE IS A HOME-BASED BUSINESS WITH AN ALLOWABLE USE THAT REQUIRES ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT, WE WANT TO PERMIT THAT.
>> NO, I'M JUST SAYING WHATEVER THE CODE CURRENTLY SUPPORTS.
>> THE THING IS, THE STATE HAS SUPERSEDED SOME OF OUR RULES ON THE CODE AND ALLOW CERTAIN THINGS OF OUR HOME-BASED BUSINESS.
THERE'S A NEIGHBOR WHO DOES SOME CAR WORK OUT OF HIS HOME.
THERE'S ANOTHER NEIGHBOR THAT DOES HAIR AND HAS REDONE SOME PLUMBING IN THEIR HOME.
IT MAKES IT HARD TO JUST [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK THE 100K SHOULDN'T BE TOWARDS HOME-BASED BUSINESS.
I THINK THAT SHOULD BE TOWARDS HIGH STREET BUSINESS.
THAT'S A BRITISH WORD, IF YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS.
[LAUGHTER] RETAIL BUSINESS THAT'S COMING TO THE CITY.
WE WANT TO SPORE ENTERTAINMENT AND RESTAURANTS AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
I THINK THAT 100K. SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE BRINGING PHYSICAL BUSINESS [OVERLAPPING].
>> YEAH. BRICK AND MORTAR BUSINESSES.
>> AT THE SAME TOKEN. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO HOME-BASED BUSINESSES GETTING ASSISTANCE FOR SOME CAPITAL NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO THEY [OVERLAPPING].
>> JUST NOT FURNITURE, NOT FIXTURES.
THE PRECAUTIONS THAT WERE ALREADY IN THERE, I THINK NEED TO STAY FOR HOME-BASED, BUT NOT SAYING A HOME-BASED BUSINESS THAT IS A NEED FOR STARTUP SUCH AS SUCH THINGS.
>> SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT HAVE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS AS YOUR DOMICILE ADDRESS, BUT YOU MIGHT BE DROP SHIPPING AND SELLING PRODUCT.
YOUR ADDRESS MIGHT BE WHEREVER YOU LIVE, BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE INVENTORY THAT YOU PURCHASE SOMEPLACE ELSE.
[03:25:01]
THOSE HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, BECAUSE YOU'RE SITTING AT HOME, BUT BUSINESS IN THE WORLD NOW IS GLOBAL AND IT'S OPERATED DIFFERENTLY.YOU MIGHT BE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS, BUT YOU MIGHT PURCHASE INVENTORY SOMEPLACE ELSE, YOU MIGHT USE THAT MONEY TO PURCHASE INVENTORY AND SELL ON LAND. [OVERLAPPING]
>> SO I'M NOT OPPOSED TO HOME-BASED BUSINESS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE.
IT WAS JUST THE FIXTURES THAT GO INTO A HOME THAT CHANGES THE HOME STRUCTURE AND ACTUALLY STAYS WITH THE HOME AS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TENANT IMPROVEMENTS.
THAT TENANT IMPROVEMENT DOESN'T STAY WITH THE LANDLORD. YOU'RE THE LANDLORD.
THAT BECOMES YOUR PROPERTY, AND WE'VE NOW REDONE YOUR BATHROOMS. WE'VE NOW REDONE THE KITCHEN, WE'VE NOW DONE THE HVAC.
THAT'S WHY I'M JUST SAYING, I WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULD NEED TO KEEP THOSE HIGH-TICKET ITEMS AS PRECAUTION IN THERE AS A RESTRICTION.
BUT STILL ALLOW ASSISTANCE TO HOME-BASED BUSINESSES.
>> I'M GOING TO TRY THAT ONE MORE TIME.
TENANT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE THE 50/50 MATCH.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE ALLOCATION AT 100,000 PER APPLICANT.
WE WANT TO ELIMINATE THE PRIORITY LIST.
WE WANT TO INCLUDE RENT AS AN ELIGIBLE USE OF FUND AS WELL AS FURNITURE.
>> TWENTY FIVE PERCENT, SORRY.
I THINK COMMISSION SAID 25% RENT.
>> SORRY, MISS. WITH 100,000, SHOULD IT NOW GO TO 50,000 SINCE IT'S NOT A MATCH? JUST ASKING.
>> THEY MIGHT NEED 100,000 TO GET [OVERLAPPING], AND THEY CAN BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE IT AND GET A LOAN.
I KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO GET THIS AND I HAVE THIS PROOF FROM THE CITY.
I'M GOING TO THE BANK BECAUSE BANKS ARE STARTING TO LEND AGAIN, AND BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY IF THEY HAVE A HIGHER AMOUNT.
BUT IT'S AN UP TO 100,000, NOT ACTUALLY [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU'RE NOT GUARANTEED 100,000. IT'S NOT [OVERLAPPING]
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION AS WELL, I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO ADD EVENT TYPE BUSINESS.
I SEE IN INFO OUT OF DALE TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH ON THE BEACH.
THEY GIVE MONEY TOWARDS EVENT.
IF SOMEONE WANT TO BRING A GOLF TOURNAMENT TO COLONY WEST, MAYBE A BIG GOLF TOURNAMENT THAT'S GOING TO BRING PEOPLE, WE CAN [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK THAT'S A SEPARATE GRANT.
>> IT'S A NICE IDEA TO BRAINSTORM AT THAT OTHER MEETING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EVENTUALLY.
SINCE WE'RE ADDING TO IT, I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT IN THERE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO BE STRICT WITH 25%, BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY CAN AFFORD TO PAY THEIR RENT, YOU DON'T WANT TO TIE THEIR HANDS.
>> IS THE RENT IN THE BUILD OUT?
>> UP TO 25% FOR [OVERLAPPING].
>> COMMISSION BASS, CAN YOU FINISH THE MOTION?
BUT REMEMBER, THERE'S A LOT TO GO IN THIS.
THIS IS NOT LIKE JUST PER SE [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS TRYING SO WE ALL LOSING A FRAME OF MIND.
DID I COVER EVERYONE? I THINK SO.
>> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IT'S 100K PER APPLICANT UP TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> 100K PER APPLICANT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE TAKING UP THE 50/50 [OVERLAPPING] IT'S FOR THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT SLASH INTERIOR BUILDOUT OF COMMERCIAL SPACES, BUT ALSO OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, IS THAT RENT TO?
>> WE ALSO WANT TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS AVAILABLE TO RELOCATE NEW BUSINESSES IN IOWA CITY?
>> I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT OF CLARIFICATION, AND IT'S A GOOD POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TENANT BUILD OUT SECTION, AND THERE SHOULD BE NO FUNDS GOING TO FOR TENANT IMPROVEMENT SECTION 2 HOMES.
THAT SHOULD BE ON THE SMALL BUSINESS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MAYOR.
IT'S ALSO AN INTERIOR BUILDOUT, WHICH I BELIEVE THE GUIDELINES CURRENTLY CALL FOR RELOCATIONS CURRENTLY, DOES IT?
>> FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE RELOCATING, LET'S SAY THEY'RE OPENING.
YOU'RE COMING INTO A COMMERCIAL PLAZA OR COMMERCIAL SPACE, AND YOU'RE DOING A COMPLETE BRAND NEW BUILDOUT, OR YOU'RE AN EXISTING TENANT THAT NEEDS TO DO SOME INTERIOR BUILDOUT, BUT MAYBE IT'S NOT AS EXTENSIVE AS SOMEONE WHO'S JUST COMING IN.
YOU CAN PICK AND CHOOSE SOME TYPES OF. [OVERLAPPING]
>> KEYWORDS FOR THE HOME-BASED BUSINESS HERE, WHICH IS NOT IN A PLAZA.
>> I THINK JUST TAKE OUT THE HOME BASE FOR THAT PART. [OVERLAPPING]
>> FOR THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT SECTION.
>> NO HOME BASE. BUT THE MICRO GRANTS 5,000.
BUT IF YOU'RE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS IN TAMARAC, YOU'RE GOING TO 10,000 FOR THE HOME BASE.
[OVERLAPPING] WE CLEAN THAT PART OUT.
>> THEN ALSO TOO IT'S ALSO GOING TO HELP WITH THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY RENT UP TO 25% AS PART OF THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT INTERIOR BUILDOUT AS WELL.
THIS IS ONLY GOING TO BE FOR BUSINESSES NOW COMING INTO THE CITY.
[03:30:04]
>> BUT THEN THAT WORD INTERIOR IS MESSING WITH MY MIND BECAUSE WHAT IF A BUSINESS WANTS TO PUT UP A SIGN, LIKE THEIR LIGHTED SIGN OUTSIDE? OR WHAT IF THEY WANT TO REPAVE THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> COMMISSIONER, I THINK. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE OUTSIDE OF THE. WE HAVE TWO WORDS, TENANT IMPROVEMENT, AND YOU HAVE A SLASH INTERIOR BUILD.
>> JUST REMOVE THE INTERIOR BUILD-OUT. [OVERLAPPING].
THEY CAN PAVE THE OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUSINESS.
>> THERE'S SOME ELIGIBLE EXPENSES.
SOME OF IT INCLUDE THE SIGNAGE ON SIGNS INCLUDED.
BUT AS FAR AS, PAVING AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
>> THAT'S THE LANDLORD. UNLESS IT'S WRITTEN IN THEIR LEASE THAT SAYS, YOU CAN TAKE IT AND DO IT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO, BUT THERE ARE SOME BUSINESSES THAT ARE STAND-ALONE, AND THE PERSON OWNS THE PROPERTY.
IT'S A SMALL BUSINESS, AND I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPLY TO REPAVE THE OUTSIDE OF.
>> ISN'T THAT ALSO PLAZA BECAUSE IF IT'S MY OWN BUSINESS AND I HAVE FREESTANDING.
I'M A THREE-ACRE LOT, AND I HAVE ALL THIS PLACE, AND IT'S JUST ME.
I'VE GOT 110 ISSUE. SO IS THAT CIRCUMVENTING? I'M JUST ASKING. DOES THAT CIRCUMVENT IF I'M USING THE TENANT BUILDOUT SECTION FROM BEING PART OF THE FACADE PARTING AWAY FROM OTHER PLACES.
>> CAN'T OVERLAP, LET'S SAY IF YOU'RE AN AUDIT BODY SHOP AND YOU HAVE, STAND ALONE BUILDING, AND NOW YOU'RE UTILIZING THE INTERIOR BUILDOUT GRANT TO DO SOME EXTERIOR THINGS SUCH AS LIKE THE PAVING OR LET'S SAY, MAYBE EVEN POTHOLES THAT YOU HAVE IN THE PARKING LOT OR WHATEVER IT IS.
IT CAN'T OVERLAP WITH THE COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO DO THOSE EXACT SAME IMPROVEMENTS.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEAUTIFICATION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT.
WE HAVE BUSINESSES, AGAIN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FACADE THAT ARE OLD, THEY JUST ARE NOT AESTHETICALLY PLEASING, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES.
SO WE COULD, HAVING SOMEONE PLANT TREES AND ADD FLOWERS OR TURN A BUILDING FROM YELLOW TO WHITE, ISN'T NECESSARILY A CODE ENFORCEMENT MATTER.
IT'S JUST BEAUTIFICATION AND ENHANCEMENT.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES.
THAT'S WHY I ASKED THAT QUESTION EARLIER.
>> WE DO HAVE A SEPARATE GRANT THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ALREADY IN PLACE.
IT'S CALLED THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT DO AESTHETIC IMPROVEMENTS.
THAT'S ALREADY IN PLACE AND AVAILABLE.
>> IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR A BUSINESS.
>> BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW THEY CAN COUPLE THAT ONTO IT, SO THEY CAN APPLY FOR BOTH AND MAYBE BE ELIGIBLE FOR MORE ASSISTANCE.
>> BUT THAT'S WHY WE BIFURCATED THE TWO COMMERCIAL PROGRAMS. MAYBE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE WORKSHOP, YOU CAN BRING THAT ONE TOO, AND WE CAN KIND OF REDISCUSS ALL OF THAT.
BUT FOR SAKE OF THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE.
>> BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF A BUSINESS IS NOT A PLAZA BUT A STANDALONE BUSINESS.
THERE'S SMALL BUSINESS, A NONPROFIT, PER SALON, WHATEVER IT IS.
>> THAT'S THE QUESTION. ARE WE ALLOWED TO DO NONPROFITS? I THINK IN HERE SAID WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO NONPROFIT.
THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO ASK THAT QUESTION.
IS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION BECAUSE IF IT'S NONPROFIT OR NOT.
>> I LISTEN, MY CHURCH IS NOT IN TAM RACK.
I DON'T HAVE A BRANCH OF CHURCH IN TAM RACH OR WHATEVER IT IS, AND I DON'T OWN A KIWANIS CLUB.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.
BUT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD INCLUDE NON-PROFITS.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN THEIR NON PROFITS.
>> SOME CLARIFICATION. I THINK WE SAVE FOR PROFIT BUSINESS.
I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP IT THAT WAY.
ONE THING TO THINK ABOUT, IN A NEIGHBORING CITY, A VERY POPULAR RESTAURANT.
THE PERSON ACTUALLY PURCHASED THE BUILDING, AND THEY'RE OPENING THE RESTAURANT IN THEIR BUILDING.
WHAT IF SOMEONE PURCHASE A BUILDING, DIFFERENT ENTITY, AND THEN WANTS TO OPEN A DIFFERENT ENTITY, WOULD THEY QUALIFY AS WELL? BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO COME WITH BUSINESS IDEAS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO PURCHASE A BUILDING, THAT MIGHT HAVE ENOUGH CAPITAL, AND THEY MIGHT WANT THAT 100-KEY.
SOMEONE MIGHT BUY A BUILDING AND THEN WANT TO OPEN A RESTAURANT.
THE RESTAURANT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BUSINESS THAN THE ACTUAL PROPERTY.
>> COMMISSIONER, I'M A PASTOR AS WELL, THERE'S SUCH A THING AS CHURCH OWNED BUSINESSES.
THERE'S SUCH A THING AS YOU HAVE A CHURCH THAT A STANDALONE BUILDING.
[03:35:05]
LET'S SAY, FOR INSTANCE, PASTOR ALEX WALDO.HE HAS A NICE BUILDING IN TAMARAC. HE'S A NONPROFIT.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT HE WOULD APPLY IF HE'S NOT REACHED OUT TO ME FOR APPLICATION, WHATEVER IT IS.
BUT IF THAT BUILDING NEEDED SOME FIXING OR IF HIS PARKING LOT NEEDED SOME REPAVING, I THINK THAT HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPLY.
I PRAY EVERY DAY. I PAY MY TITHES.
I THINK THIS WAS BUSINESSES, AND FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES.
SO I THINK NONPROFITS WHILE IT SONGS ARE NOBLE.
I THINK THIS IS THIS IS FOCUSING ON SMALL BUSINESSES.
THAT COULD BE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE.
>> I THINK IF WE ADD NONPROFITS, WE'RE THEN NOW OPENING IT UP TO ALL OF OUR HOAS.
SO THEY CAN FIX THEIR POOLS, THEY CAN FIX THEIR CLUBHOUSES.
YOU DO IT FOR ONE NONPROFIT. YOU DO IT FOR ALL.
THE POINT OF THIS PARTICULAR ITEMS IS TO ASSIST OUR BUSINESSES AND BRINGING BUSINESS TO OUR CITY.
THIS IS NOTHING AGAINST RELIGION.
IT IS NOTHING AGAINST OUR HOAS AND OUR COAS, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO HELP OUR BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW.
I THINK AT ANOTHER TIME, WE CAN THINK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.
>> DO YOU NEED TO RE-READ TO YOU, OR YOU GOOD?
>> ACTUALLY, WAIT A SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON OF THE MOTION.
DID I GET A SECOND? COMMISSIONER WAIT A SECOND.
>> I THINK WE ALREADY HAD THE MOTION.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WE'RE JUST DOING A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION. THERE'S NO NEW MOTION.
I ALREADY VOTED. COMMISSIONER PATTERSON DID NOT.
>> I UNDERSTAND. FALL BACK. MOVE ON.
>> THANK YOU MOTION PASSES FIVE TO ZERO.
>> THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I HAVE BEEN BEGGED BY PEOPLE FOR A BREAK.
IF OUR RECORDS REFLECT CORRECTLY, WE ARE NOW UP TO ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING SEVEN A.
[7.a TO2591 - An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, adopting the First (1st) Budget Amendment to the City of Tamarac operating budget, revenues and expenditures, the capital budget, and the financial policies for the Fiscal Year 2025, by increasing the total revenues and expenditures by a total of $2,895,924 as detailed in Attachment “A” attached hereto and summarized in Attachment “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein; providing that the 1st Amendment is being adopted in the same manner as the original budget and serves as the new adopted budget: providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.]
>> Z2591. CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE TITLE FOR THE RECORD.
>> ITEM 78. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF CITY OF TAMARAC, ADOPTING THE FIRST BUDGET AMENDMENT OF THE CITY OF TAMA OPERATING BUDGET REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES, THE CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE FINANCIAL POLICIES OF FISCAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 BY INCREASING TOTAL REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES BY A TOTAL OF $2,895,924.
REFLECT AN ATTACHMENT A AND B, INCORPORATED HEREIN, PROVIDING THAT THE FIRST IS BEING ADOPTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS ORIGINAL BUDGET, SERVE AS A NEW BUDGET, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, PROVIDING FOR SALABILITY, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE THE DESIRE TO RUSH THROUGH THIS, BUT, A FEW SECONDS OF LETTING ME SAY MOTION AND A SECOND WILL BE GREAT.
SO I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PATTERSON, AND I HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BOLTON.
KRISTINE COULD USE OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORS AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
SHE GAVE A PRESENTATION THAT WAS DELIVERED AT THE STAFF AGENDA REVIEW WORKSHOP ON MONDAY.
I'M OPENING UP PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I BELIEVE DOCTOR DARCY SCHILLER IS GONE FOR THE EVENING.
I HAVE KATE JOHNSON, AND THEN MARK GOGGIN.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING THAT NO ONE ELSE WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AFTER MR. GOGGIN PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SEVEN A WILL BE CLOSED.
>> SORRY, I JUST GOT A BLOOD SUGAR DROP.
HAVING READ THE BACKUP MATERIALS, IT APPEARS THAT $170,848 OF THAT REQUEST IS FOR TWO NEW COMMISSION AIDES.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF TWO ADDITIONAL AIDS.
ARE THESE IN ADDITION TO THE MANY LIAISONS THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE MAYOR ALREADY HAVE?
[03:40:05]
I WOULD LIKE CLARITY, AS I'M SURE OTHER RESIDENTS WOULD, HOW MANY AIDES WERE THERE BEFORE THESE TWO NEW POSITIONS WERE ADDED IN JANUARY, ALONG WITH ADDING ADDITIONAL LIAISONS AT A WORKSHOP WHERE THE PUBLIC WASN'T OPEN TO SPEAK AND NEVER BROUGHT UP AT A COMMISSION MEETING.HOW MANY LIAISONS DOES EACH COMMISSIONER HAVE? WHAT ARE THE HOURS PER WEEK THAT EACH COMMISSIONER HAS FOR LIAISONS? HOW MANY LIAISONS IN TOTAL WORK FOR THE COMMISSIONERS? HOW MANY AIDES WORK FOR THE COMMISSION? WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST FOR ALL OF THESE POSITIONS THAT HELP THE COMMISSIONERS DO THEIR JOB THAT MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE DOING SOME OF? BY THE WAY, YOU VOTED ON THESE POSITIONS BEFORE DETERMINING IF IT WAS IN THE BUDGET, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T BUDGETED FOR BECAUSE YOU'RE NOW ASKING FOR THE MONEY FOR AN ADJUSTED BUDGET.
I UNDERSTAND BUDGETS OFTEN NEED TO ADJUST, BUT POSITIONS SHOULD BE STABLE AND NOT ADDED AFTER THE BUDGET IS SET UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY, AND THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU WANT NEW POSITIONS, THAT DISCUSSION SHOULD TAKE PLACE DURING BUDGET WORKSHOPS BEFORE VOTING ON THE BUDGET, NOT ADDING IT JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE DECIDED. THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO JOIN ON WHAT KATE SAID.
WHERE IS THIS MONEY COMING FROM? IS EVERYBODY AWARE WHAT OUR FRIENDS AND ENEMIES UP IN TALLAHASSEE ARE DOING? THEY'RE LOOKING AT CUTTING MONEY THAT'S GOING TO RUN THE CITIES IN A YEAR OR TWO. WHERE WERE YOU GOING TO CUT? YOU KEEP ADDING POSITIONS, SPENDING MORE MONEY.
THEY'RE GOING TO CUT THE TAXES ON THE PEOPLE, WHICH CUTS THE MONEY COMING TO THE CITY TO DO THE JOB.
THAT'S GOING TO MEAN, WHERE ARE YOU CUTTING? WE CAN'T CUT POLICE.
WE NEED THEM. THEY'RE REQUIRED.
WHAT WE NEED TO CUT IS SOME OF THESE EXTRA PEOPLE AROUND YOUR POSITIONS.
ALSO, YOUR SALARIES WENT UP AGAIN THIS YEAR.
WHY? WE HAVE THIS BUDGET CUTS.
IT'S GETTING TIGHT ON EVERYBODY.
THE MONEY NEEDS TO BE STOP SPENDING AND SAVE SOME WHEN THIS THING GOES THROUGH THAT WAS IN THE PAPER THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING FOR.
HOW MUCH IS THE CITY GOING TO LOSE IF THIS BILL GOES THROUGH? THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER WAS TALKING ABOUT IT, THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COUNTY WAS TALKING ABOUT IT.
BUT WE DON'T HEAR THE CITY TALKING ABOUT IT.
YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.
I'M NOT SEEING ANYBODY FROM THE COMMISSION WISHING TO SPEAK.
SO I WILL. IF YOU WOULD, KRISTINE, WOULD YOU PLEASE MISS GODS, PLEASE COME DOWN TO THE PODIUM.
>> CHRISTINE AJ, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU. WHAT'S BEEN CHANGED FROM THE LAST TIME WE HAD THIS MOTION HERE, AND IT FAILED?
>> WE PUT MORE DETAILS IN REGARDING EACH PEM, BUT NOTHING ELSE HAS CHANGED.
>> WHEN YOU SAY MORE DETAILS, DID YOU TELL US EXACTLY HOW ITEMS ARE BEING SPENT?
>> WE PUT IN DETAILS REGARDING WHEN ITEMS WERE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION BECAUSE WE HAD ACTED ON THOSE APPROVALS FROM THE COMMISSION IN BUDGET WORKSHOPS OR VIA RESOLUTION.
SO WE PUT THAT DETAIL IN JUST TO CONVEY THAT THESE ITEMS HAD PRIOR APPROVAL, AND WE HAD ACTED ON THAT APPROVAL FOR HARD SPENDING, AND THEN THIS IS JUST LIKE HOUSEKEEPING FOR THE COMMISSION TO APPROPRIATE THE DOLLARS.
[03:45:02]
>> SO THESE ITEMS THAT WERE CHANGED THAT WERE VOTED ON OR APPROVED BY CONSENSUS AT WORKSHOPS, ARE THOSE DETAILS IN THE BACK OF HOW MUCH THE MONEY IS AND WHERE IT'S GOING FOR?
>> SO THE ITEMS, YOU SAID THAT THERE WAS SOME HOUSEKEEPING BASED ON THE LAST MEETING.
THERE WERE TWO ITEMS THAT IT STATED THAT THEY WERE APPROVED AT A COMMISSION WORKSHOP JANUARY 6? ONE HAD ANOTHER DATE? WAS THE BACKUP OF THOSE PRESENTATIONS INCLUDED FOR NUMBERS FOR US TO SEE?
>> SO THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION, I SEE THAT THERE WAS JUST A REMOVAL OF TWO WORDS, AND NOTHING ELSE WAS INCLUDED.
THAT WAS APPROVED BY WHAT CAME ON AS AN OTHER AND THEN BECAME A RESOLUTION.
WAS THERE ANY DETAILED BACKUP FOR WHAT THAT PROGRAM IS FOR?
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. CITY MANAGER, DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THOSE DETAILS? I KNOW, I ASKED FOR WHAT THE PLAN IS.
SO HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING, WHAT IS GOING FOR.
IT'S $925,000 THAT WE KNOW WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM.
BUT THE OTHER MONEY, THERE'S NO DETAIL ON IT.
ONE OF THEM WAS A RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED WITHOUT ANY DETAIL OF HOW THAT MONEY WAS GOING TO BE SPENT.
SO HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR IS ACTUALLY ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER, OR MIGHT NOT BE TOO MUCH MONEY TO COVER?
>> MADAM MAYOR, $30,000 IS THE MONEY THAT WAS ASKED TO FUND THAT PROGRAM, AND THAT'S WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BOARD.
>> WHERE WAS THAT MONEY ASKED FROM?
>> THAT MONEY IS TO COMPLETE THE COMMISSION'S DIRECTION BY THAT RESOLUTION TO FUND THOSE TWO PROGRAMS, FIT ZONE AND THE GREEN INITIATIVE.
>> WHERE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BE USED FOR?
>> THAT DESCRIPTION IS EXACTLY WHAT'S IN THE RESOLUTION 2025-020.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THAT BECAUSE WE AGREE THAT FITNESS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND HOLISTIC POINT OF VIEW, ALIGNS WITH THE CITY INITIATIVES, RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF INITIATIVES, THAT THEREFORE, WE SUPPORT THIS WELLNESS INITIATIVE, AND WE HEREBY EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE INITIATIVE, AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS INITIATIVES FOR PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, MENTAL WELLNESS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IN INITIATIVE.
CITY MANAGER DESIGNEE AUTHORIZED TO DO ALL THINGS TO EFFECTUATE THIS RESOLUTION IS THE ONLY THING WE HAVE.
ARE YOU SAYING THERE IS NOT A BUSINESS PLAN OR SOME OUTLAY OF WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING TO AND HOW WE GET TO THE NUMBER OF $30,000?
>> YES, WE DO, MADAM MAYOR, BUT BUDGET AMENDMENTS ARE NOT THE PLACE FOR THOSE DETAILS.
THOSE ARE DETAILS THAT ARE PART OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT IS FOR ALLOCATING THE FUNDING FOR THIS EXPENDITURE.
IF YOU LIKE THOSE DETAILS, WE CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE THEM TO YOU, BUT THEY NORMALLY DON'T BELONG TO THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.
>> THESE ARE RESOLUTIONS THAT NEVER HAD MONEY PLACED IN IT, AND SO THEREFORE IT WAS A BLANK CHECK THAT WAS JUST AGREED TO AND NOW IN A BUDGET AMENDMENT, AND YOU'RE ASKING US TO APPROVE SOMETHING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO AND HOW IT'S BEEN SPENT.
PLUS, YOU CAN'T SAY IT'S A PROCUREMENT ITEM WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE ADVERTISING FOR EVENTS TO HAPPEN.
OBVIOUSLY, THINGS HAVE BEEN PROCURED.
I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THE DETAILS OF HOW THIS MONEY IS GOING TO WORK, YET I CAN'T SEEM TO RECEIVE IT BECAUSE NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE IT.
>> MAYOR, THERE'S NO SECRET ABOUT HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT OR WHERE IT'S GOING, BUT IF YOU FOLLOW THE PROCESS, THE FIRST STEP WAS TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND THE COMMISSION DID APPROVE THAT RESOLUTION.
THE SECOND STEP WAS TO FUND CONTENTS OF THAT RESOLUTION.
THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT IS FUNDING THAT RESOLUTION.
NOW YOU'RE ASKING FOR THE DETAILS IN TERMS OF WHERE THAT $30,000 IS GOING.
WE CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE YOU THAT INFORMATION.
>> WHY WOULD I APPROVE MONEY TO GO BE SPENT? EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE US.
WE KNOW HOW MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT.
WE'VE BEEN TOLD HOW MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT.
BUT YOU WANT US TO BASE IT ON A BLANK RESOLUTION THAT SAYS WE WANT TO SUPPORT SOMETHING WITHOUT A BLUEPRINT, WITHOUT AN IDEA, AND TELL US THAT THAT IS SMART FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY HERE?
>> THE AMOUNT OF DETAIL FOR THAT ITEM IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER ITEM UP THERE.
>> IT HAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF DETAIL AS THE OTHER ITEMS IN THAT.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME THAT ALL THE BUDGETS AND THE AMI AND THE NINE MILLION PLUS THAT HAS ACTUAL STUFF THAT WE'VE WORKED SHOPPED AND TALKED ABOUT AND VOTED ON WHERE WE KNOW HOW MUCH THESE THINGS ARE IS THE SAME AS HAVING A RESOLUTION THAT SAYS, WE WANT TO SUPPORT SOMETHING?
>> I'M SAYING THAT SAME AMOUNT OF DETAIL IS INCLUDED AS BACKUP INTO THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT LIKE ANY OTHER ITEM.
[03:50:04]
BUT THE DETAILS IN TERMS OF WHAT THOSE ITEMS OR WHAT THOSE DOLLAR AMOUNTS ARE GOING FOR ARE DETAILED IN THEIR ORIGINAL REASONS.>> BUT WE WERE PRESENTED A BUDGET.
WE WERE PRESENTED WITH ITEMS TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST BEFORE WE APPROVED THOSE ITEMS. ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM OR ITEMS, BECAUSE NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S NOT JUST FITNESS ZONE, YOU'RE NOW ADDING WELLNESS.
BUT IT DOESN'T SAY THAT. YOU'RE NOW SAYING IT'S NOW FOR TWO PROGRAMS VERSUS THE ORIGINAL ONE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S BEING SPENT FOR.
WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE SAME PROGRAM IS.
>> I'M SAYING THIS IS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED AND THIS IS THE MECHANISM TO FUND THAT PROGRAM THROUGH A BUDGET AMENDMENT.
FURTHER DETAILS IN TERMS OF HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT ARE PART OF OUR FINANCIAL RECORDS AND WE CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE ITEMS.
>> I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IF WE WE'RE TRYING TO BE SMART ABOUT OUR MONEY, WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE SPENDING IT ON BEFORE WE JUST SAY YES.
I HAPPEN TO DO A MOVE WITH THE MAYOR ONCE A MONTH.
I'VE DONE IT FOR FOUR YEARS NOW, APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS, EVEN WITH THE T SHIRTS THAT I BOUGHT OR THE TOWELS THAT I BOUGHT THAT HAVE LASTED OVER THOSE FOUR YEARS AND PAYING FOR THE PEOPLE, THE INSTRUCTORS, IF I'VE REACHED $6,000, AND I'LL JUST GO HIGHER ON $8,000 ON THAT ESTIMATE.
YOU'RE NOW ASKING THIS COMMISSION TO APPROVE A FITNESS ZONE WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION OR A WELLNESS OR WHATEVER THE OTHER ONE IS THE GREEN INITIATIVES, WITHOUT AN IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE SAYING YES TO AND JUST SAY YES TO $30,000.
I'D BE HAPPY TO SAY YES, IF I KNEW WHAT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON.
BUT IT SEEMS THAT I CAN'T GET THAT INFORMATION DESPITE HAVING ASKED FOR IT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.
THEREFORE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I'M JUST GOING TO SAY.
>> MADAM MAYOR, I CAN ASK OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO YOU TOMORROW.
>> I'M NOT VOTING TODAY ON SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD AND COULD HAVE HAD BEFORE HAND, THAT I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.
>> AS I SAID, THAT INFORMATION TRADITIONALLY IS NOT PART OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BACKUP DOCUMENTATION.
>> I'LL ACCEPT THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TOKEN, WE KEEP SAYING FROM THE DAYS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THE SAME WAY WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE.
HEY, I'LL USE YOUR LOGIC RIGHT BACK AT YOU.
WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT THE SAME WAY, JUST BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PUT IT IN BEFOREHAND, KNOWING THIS IS A NEW EXPENDITURE, AND NOBODY'S EVER SEEN ANYTHING OR MAYBE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME WHO'VE SEEN IT, BUT SOME OF US HAVEN'T AND WE HAVE ASKED FOR IT AND IT DIDN'T HAVE TO MAYBE GO IN HERE, BUT THIS IS A PUBLIC EXPENDITURE THAT WE ARE DOING.
THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WE WERE USING IT FOR AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE SAYING YES FOR FOR WITHIN A YEAR OF THIS EXPENDITURE.
ACTUALLY, IF IT'S FY 25, I'LL TAKE MY NEXT TWO MINUTES.
IF IT'S FY 25. THAT MEANS WE'RE ONLY USING IT FOR.
WE'VE GOT LEFTOVER, WE'LL JUST SAY MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER.
SO WE'RE SPENDING $30,000 IN FIVE MONTHS? THAT'S THE BUDGET ANALYSIS THAT WE'RE DOING HERE FOR THE AMENDMENT? AGAIN, I HAVE NO PROBLEM BEING SUPPORTIVE OF ITEMS, BUT IF I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEM, I AM NOT GOING TO WRITE A BLANK CHECK, NOT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
I WILL JUST SAY AGAIN, I COULDN'T SUPPORT IT LAST TIME BECAUSE I HAD NO INFORMATION.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED OTHER THAN ADDING TWO OR THREE WORDS AND REMOVING TWO WORDS DOES NOT MAKE THIS SOMETHING THAT I CAN SUPPORT.
THERE YOU HAVE IT. VICE MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTION. WITH THE TWO AIDS, I KNOW WE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH AT WORKSHOP, THE REASON WHY, SO I WON'T EVEN GO BACK INTO THAT.
BUT I THOUGHT IT'S A TEMPORARY POSITION.
IF THERE'S BUDGET CUT, TEMPORARY GOES, SO THAT WOULD ANSWER SOMEONE'S QUESTION.
BUT THE AMOUNT ALLOTTED TO IT SEEMS A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT WORKSHOP. ALMOST DOUBLE.
>> YES, THIS AMOUNT FOR TWO AIDS, BUT IT INCLUDES SALARY AND IT INCLUDES THE BENEFITS AS WELL.
>> BECAUSE I THOUGHT WHEN WE DISCUSSED THAT WORKSHOP, BENEFIT WASN'T INCLUDED BECAUSE IT'S A TEMPORARY.
>> WELL, THE CITY HAS TO PAY FACA TAXES AS WELL.
>> VICE MAYOR, ALL BENEFITS ARE INCLUDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
>> BECAUSE WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT, IT WAS ALMOST HALF WHAT'S BROUGHT UP HERE.
WITH THE FIT ZONE THAT THE MAYOR IS ASKING FOR, SHOULDN'T THAT JUST GO ON TO PARK AND RECS? WHY IS IT HERE?
>> THIS IS A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND THIS IS WHERE THE FUNDING OCCURS.
>> BUT SHOULDN'T IT JUST BE PART OF PARK AND REC BUDGET BECAUSE THEY DO THEIR OWN THING?
[03:55:03]
>> IT COULD, IT WOULD, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS THE MECHANISM FOR US TO FUND THAT PROGRAM FIRST AND THEN WHEREVER THE FUND GOES, IT'S THE NEXT STEP.
BUT AT THIS STAGE, WE'RE JUST ALLOCATING THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVED.
>> I STILL THINK THAT SHOULD BE BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE PARK AND REC STUFF HERE ON A REGULAR, BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S IT FOR ME.
I JUST WANT THE RECORD RECORD TO REFLECT THAT WHEN WE HAD THE AID DISCUSSION, OBVIOUSLY, I SAID I DID NOT WANT ADDITIONAL AIDS BECAUSE I KNOW THE COST WAS GOING TO ADD UP WHEN TAXIS, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND ALL THAT STUFF.
I KEPT THE EXISTING PERSON WHO WAS THERE.
UNFORTUNATELY, NO GOOD DEAL GOES UNPUNISHED BECAUSE I GOT ATTACK IN THE MEDIA.
I JUST REPLACED MY LIAISON WITH SOMEONE WHO WAS A LIAISON AND I GOT ATTACKED FOR HIRING AN AIDE.
I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO MY FRIEND COMMISSIONER BOLTON, BECAUSE HE GOT ROPED INTO THAT ARTICLE, AND HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT SITUATION.
OBVIOUSLY, I KNOW THE COST WAS GOING TO BE HIGH, WHICH IS WHY I WASN'T SUPPORT OF GETTING THE AIDES.
I THINK WE HAVE TO FIX THE STAFFING IN THERE TO GET THAT UP TO DATE.
I THINK LAST YEAR, WE INCREASED IT FROM 29 HOURS TO 32 HOURS, WHICH I SAID IT WAS I THINK WAS A GOOD FIT FOR US AS A TEAM FOR PEOPLE TO ASSIST AND HELP US.
I WAS OPEN TO INCREASING THOSE HOURS A LITTLE MORE.
JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE BUSY LIVES AND GROWING CITY.
I HAVE NOT VOTED FOR THE BUDGET, SINCE IT'S COMING IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE I TRY TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, GOING BACK TO ONE OF THE RESIDENTS SAID.
WE OBVIOUSLY IN TALLAHASSEE THEY'RE TRYING TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES.
IT'S A MOVEMENT THAT'S HAPPENING.
WE HAVE DOGE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THEY'RE LOOKING INTO CITIES, ESPECIALLY IN BROWARD COUNTY, THEY'RE LOOKING AT OUR CITY.
SO WE HAVE TO BE EVEN MORE PRUDENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE MONEY IN THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
SOME OF THIS MONEY IN HERE, OBVIOUSLY IS INFLOWS.
IT'S NOT THREE MILLION GOING OUT.
ISN'T THE 231 TIMES FOUR? ISN'T THAT MONEY COMING INTO OUR COFFERS?
>> YES. I'M GOING TO LET CHRISTINE, BUT WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE LIKE, $925,000, FOR EXAMPLE, IT'S AN INCOMING AMOUNT.
>> WE HAVE THE BUDGET, THE EXPENDITURE AS WELL.
>> THE EXPENDITURE. THEN WE HAVE THE SOFTWARE THE METER READING.
I THINK IT'S NOT IN THERE AS WELL TO GET PROGRAM GOING.
>> THAT WAS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION BY THIS COMMISSION AND THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL 744,000 OVER WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN PRIOR YEAR.
THAT'S WHY THAT ONE HAS APPEARED HERE.
IT WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
NOW THE COMMISSION NEEDS TO APPROPRIATE THE DOLLARS.
>> OBVIOUSLY, THE FIT ZONE. I VOTED FOR THE RESOLUTION I SUPPORTED.
SOMETHING THAT I SUPPORTED, BUT LIKE THE MAYOR MENTIONED, NO COST IS IN THERE.
GO TO THE VICE MAYOR'S POINT, I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT AS A PARK IN A RECS INITIATIVE SIMILAR TO MOVE WITH THE MAYOR.
I DIDN'T EXPECT WERE TO HAVE 30 GRAND IN THERE, BUT THINGS OPERATE DIFFERENTLY.
>> JUST APPOINTED CLARIFICATION, THOUGH, PARK AND REC DOES NOT DO MY MOVE WITH THE MAYOR.
THAT IS MY INITIATIVE, SO IT'S NOT IN THEIR BUDGET, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
I JUST MEANT AS AN INITIATIVE, I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL COSTS WE WERE MAKING A BUDGET AMENDMENT AS AN INITIATIVE.
BUT AGAIN, I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE TO SUPPORT IT.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO VOTE TO SUPPORT SOMETHING BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING PAID UNTIL YOU VOTE TO SUPPORT.
JUST KNOW THAT THEIR INVOICE IS NOT BEING PAID WHILE WE PLAY AROUND WITH THIS.
BUT TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT YOU SAID, THE REASON FOR THE AIDE WAS THAT ONE AIDE WAS SERVING THREE COMMISSIONER, ONE WAS SERVING THE MAYOR, AND ONE WAS SERVING COMMISSIONER ELVIN.
THAT WAS A PROBLEM AND COMMUNICATION WAS BAD.
SOME PEOPLE WERE BEING TREATED BETTER, SOME WASN'T AS POLITICS, I GUESS. THAT'S WHY.
I WOULD HAVE GLADLY KEPT RAS, BUT COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, BEAT ME TO IT, SO THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE HER.
I HAD TO HIRE SOMEBODY IN YOU WHO HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT LEARNING CURVE AGAIN.
THIS IS WHY IF YOU WANT MORE BACKGROUND, YOU COULD WATCH THE WORKSHOP, BECAUSE WE SPOKE AT LENGTH.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED SO THAT WE CAN BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
YOU'D BE SURPRISED. YOU THINK THIS IS A PART TIME JOB.
I THOUGHT IT WAS TO COMMISSION MEETING, BUT IT IS SO NOT A REGULAR PART TIME JOB.
[04:00:05]
>> ANOTHER POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THE PERSON WHO ASSISTED ME WAS ASSISTING ELVIN AS WELL, COMMISSIONER VILLALOBOS. S.
>> IT WAS GETTING TWO PEOPLE ASSISTED.
>> YES, SO PLEASE, I JUST PUTTING IT BACK ON THE RECORD.
I'VE ALWAYS SHARED ALLAN WITH.
>> MYSELF, MR. WRIGHT, AND BOLTON HAD ONE WHO WAS BRAND NEW?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. LISTEN, EACH OF US HAS AN AIDE, PERIOD.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, YOU HAVE THE MOST EXPENSIVE AID.
IF YOU DON'T WANT RAS, YOU CAN ACTUALLY HIRE SOMEBODY ELSE FOR A CHEAPER RATE.
DON'T SAY YOU DIDN'T HIRE AN AIDE.
YOU ACTUALLY HAVE RAS, WHO IS ACTUALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE AIDE THAT WE HAVE.
IT'S APPLES AND BANANAS AND POTATOES AND YAMS, WHATEVER IT IS, WHATEVER MAKES YOU SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.
I'M FINE WITH THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.
LAST TIME I DID NOT VOTE YES ON IT BECAUSE THE MAYOR SAID THAT THERE WERE THINGS, NOT GIVING DETAILS.
THERE WERE THINGS IN THERE THAT SHE COULD NOT SUPPORT, AND SHE JUST MOVED ON.
I DON'T LIKE TO VOTE ON THINGS THAT NO ONE SAYS, HEY, THIS IS WHY I'M NOT VOTING ON THIS.
OBVIOUSLY, SHE'S NOT HAPPY WITH A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS THE WELLNESS OF SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT AND GAIN WEIGHT AND BE HEALTHY AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODIES.
THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT IS FINE.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S GOING TO BE 3-2.
YOU GET TO EAT YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO TONIGHT.
BUT JUST KNOW THAT IF I WANTED TO BE PETTY, I COULD REMOVE YOUR AID FROM THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT SINCE YOU'RE BEING SOO PETTY.
>> BUT AGAIN, IT'S NOT IT'S NOT BEING PETTY.
THIS IS A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO HAVE THE CITY MOVE FORWARD.
THIS IS HOW WE MOVE THE CITY FORWARD, SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD. IT IS WHAT IT IS.
I YIELD MY TWO MINUTES TO KRISTINE IF SHE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING, NOT TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
THEY ALREADY TOOK THEIR TIME UP.
I THINK IT'S LATE, WE NEED TO GO HOME, SO YOU CAN CALL THE QUESTION WHEN YOU'RE READY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUT COMMISSIONER WRIGHT HAS HIS TWO MINUTES, AND NARRATIVE IS JUST WHAT IT IS, IT'S PEOPLE'S NARRATIVES. GO AHEAD.
WE WERE SHARING ROSS, SHE WAS OVERWORKED.
WE NEEDED TO DO SOME DELEGATION.
OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS AN OPEN POSITION, SOMEONE CAME AND SOMEONE LEFT.
BUT WHEN YOU CAME TO ME WITH THIS PROPOSITION, DIDN'T I AGREE THAT I WANT TO KEEP ROSS?
>> OBVIOUSLY, I'M BEING ACCUSED THAT SHE'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE, BUT SHE WAS ALWAYS PART OF THE TEAM.
I DID NOT APPROVE OR SAY I WANT SOMEONE ELSE.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE DISCUSSION, I AGREE THAT THE SENIOR COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH GETTING THAT THIRD PERSON, BECAUSE I THINK BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE AND ALL THAT STUFF, HE SHOULD BE INVOLVED, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HIRE THREE ADDITIONAL AIDES, ELSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE MONEY.
TO COME AND ACCUSE ME AND SAYING THAT I HAD THE HIGHEST AIDE, WHEN I WAS BEING A TEAM PLAYER.
OBVIOUSLY, ROSS TRAINS EVERYONE.
SOMETIMES I CALL HER, SHE DOESN'T ANSWER.
SOMETIMES I SHOW UP, SHE'S NOT THERE.
SOMETIMES SHE'S TALKING TO ME AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS COME IN, SHE DOESN'T TALK TO ME.
TO GET ACCUSED AND DOING ALL THIS STUFF, AND I'VE BEEN A TEAM PLAYER BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE.
IF I DECIDED TO BRING SOMEONE NEW, ALL THE NEW PEOPLE THAT COME IN WOULDN'T HAVE SOMEONE TO TRAIN IN.
YES, BUT TO ACCUSE ME OF DOING THAT WHILE I WAS BEING A TEAM PLAYER, IT'S FALSE.
I AGREE, DR. DANIELS, YOU'RE A BUSY PROFESSIONAL, YOU HAVE KIDS, YOU SHOULD HAVE SOMEONE TO HELP YOU AND ASSIST YOU.
NO, I'M SAYING I DO RESOLVE WE SHOULD HAVE AIDES.
>> CLARIFICATION, WE ALL HAVE AIDES.
>> WHAT I'M SAYING, I AGREE, PEOPLE ARE WORKING AND PEOPLE HAVE OTHER CAREERS, AND THE HELP THE AIDES [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT THAT'S NOT THE REASON FOR THE AIDE.
THE REASON FOR THE AIDE IS TO CONDUCT CITY WORK, TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT FOR THE RESIDENT.
>> I KNOW, AND I SAID WE'RE ALL BUSY AND THE AIDE CAN HELP US MITIGATE ALL OUR BUSY LIVES THAT WE HAVE.
>> BUT WE'RE BUSY BASED ON WHAT? BUSY FOR THE CITY WORK?
>> NO, I'M SAYING WE'RE BUSY, WE HAVE OTHER CAREERS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING.
SO I UNDERSTAND THE NEED OF HAVING AN AIDE.
I'M NOT IN ROSS' OVERWORK, AND I'M NOT AGAINST THAT.
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION. YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE POINT, COMMISSIONER, THAT YOU DON'T HAVE AN AIDE, AND YOU HAVE A AIDE.
[04:05:03]
YOU HAVE THE MOST EXPENSIVE AIDE. YOU DO HAVE AN AIDE.>> THAT'S YOUR OPINION. HE'S GOT HIS OPINION. YOU'VE ALL EXPRESSED IT.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, YOU'VE GOT 15 SECONDS LEFT FOR YOUR TWO MINUTES, AND THEN WE'RE CALLING THE QUESTION, UNLESS COMMISSIONER PATTERSON HAS SOMETHING THAT SHE WISHES TO SAY.
SHE'S NOT FORCED TO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. PLEASE PROCEED.
>> I AM SAYING I DID NOT WANT TO HIRE ADDITIONAL AIDE FOR MORE MONEY.
I AGREE IN SPLITTING TWO AIDES PER PERSON AND ONE FOR THE MAYOR.
THAT WAS MY ORIGINAL DISCUSSION, AND THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION, I DID SAY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HIRE AIDES.
IF WE DON'T HIRE AIDES, THEN I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE ILIAN WITH THE MAYOR.
IF WE WANT TO GET RID OF AIDES, [OVERLAPPING] WE CAN DO THAT TONIGHT.
WE CAN GET RID OF THE AIDES AND I CAN SHARE MY AIDE WITH THE MAYOR.
YOU WANT TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, LET'S BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
BUT DON'T HAVE THIS SOUND BYTE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE AN AIDE.
YOU DO HAVE AN AIDE, AND YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LIAISON THAT IS ALSO BILLING.
>> CITY ATTORNEY, DO YOU WANT TO STEP ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE JUST JUMP OVER [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'VE GOT THE CITY CLERK, SHE'S BEEN DIRECTED TO CALL THE ROLL.
>> GO AHEAD AND CALL THE ROLL. I ASKED HER FIVE MINUTES AGO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> CALL THE ROLL. FOLLOW THE MAYOR'S DIRECTION.
>> CITY CLERK, IT'S NOT ON YOU.
>> SORRY, I THOUGHT YOU SAID MADAM MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES 3-2.
>> MOTION PASSES ON FIRST READING, AND NOW WE'RE UP TO OUR LAST ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
[9.a TO2589 - An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida, amending the City of Tamarac Comprehensive Plan in its entirety, including amendments to the future land use element and future land use map, the transportation element, the housing element, the infrastructure element, the conservation element, the recreation and open space element, the intergovernmental coordination element, the capital improvements element, the education element, the economic development element, and the private property rights element; additionally providing for the inclusion of an urban design element and implementation/administration element; authorizing the appropriate city officials to take administrative action to transmit the City of Tamarac 2040 Comprehensive Plan inclusive of the supporting data and analysis and all associated tables, exhibits, and maps attached hereto as Exhibit “A” to the State Land Planning Agency housed within the Department of Commerce and other reviewing agencies as required by Florida Statute 163.3184(3) ; providing for severability; providing for conflicts; and providing an effective date.]
PUBLIC HEARING ON FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE 9A-T02-589.CITY ATTORNEY, PLEASE READ THE TITLE FOR THE RECORD.
>> ITEM 9A, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION CITY OF TAMARAC, AMENDMENT THE CITY OF TAMARAC, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS TO THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT, FUTURE LAND USE MAP, THE TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT, THE HOUSING ELEMENT, THE INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT, CONSERVATION ELEMENT, THE RECREATION OPEN SPACE ELEMENT, THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT, THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT, EDUCATION ELEMENT, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT, AND THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS ELEMENT, ADDITIONAL PROVIDING FOR THE INCLUSION OF AN URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION, ADMINISTRATION ELEMENT AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATE CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION TO TRANSMIT THE CITY OF TAMARAC 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, INCLUSIVE OF THE SUPPORTING DATA, ANALYSTS AND ALL ASSOCIATED TABLES, PROVIDED FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU.
>> BEFORE I CALL A MOTION ON THIS ITEM, WE'RE AT 11:22.
>> MOTION TO EXTEND UNTIL THE LAST ITEM IS HEARD.
>> YOU HAD A SECOND. CALL THE QUESTION, CITY CLERK.
>> APPARENTLY, YOU WANT TO STAY HERE UNTIL 02:00 TOMORROW MORNING AND WE'RE NOT INTERESTED.
>> WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR RUDENESS AND YOUR BEHAVIOR.
>> I'M NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR RUDENESS AND YOUR BULLYING TOO.
>> I AM ASKING FOR A PROPER MOTION. [OVERLAPPING]
I'M GOING TO BULLY YOU IN PUBLIC.
>> COMMISSIONER BOLTON, LET'S GET THIS ITEM OVER WITH.
>> DO I HAVE A SECOND TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO FINISH THIS ITEM?
>> YOU HAD A SECOND, YOU JUST WEREN'T LISTENING.
>> YOU CAN'T MAKE THE MOTION AND THE SECOND.
>> I MADE A MOTION AND THE COMMISSIONER BESIDE YOU SECONDED IT.
DID YOU NOT? OR YOU'RE GOING TO BACK HER UP ON A LIE?
>> YES, YOU DID. HE'S RIGHT BESIDE YOU AND YOU DID NOT HEAR THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO FOCUSED ON ME.
>> I CAN'T HEAR OVER YOUR BELLOWING.
>> YOU'RE TO FOCUSED ON YOUR OPPONENT NEXT YEAR. GO AHEAD.
>> CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES 5-0.
>> WELCOME TO THE CITY OF TAMARAC.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THIS ITEM.
>> SO MOVED. IT WAS SAID ALREADY.
>> I HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM, A SECOND ON THIS ITEM.
MS. CALLOWAY, OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, DELIVERED A PRESENTATION AND BACKGROUND NEEDED ON THE CHANGES ON THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON MONDAY AT STAFF'S REVIEW WORKSHOP AND IS AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
WE ALSO HAVE JEROME ROSS, MADISON HERMIDA, AND SCARLETT HAMMONS, OUR CONSULTANTS FOR THE CORRADINO GROUP WHO WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION.
AFTERWARDS, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS. PLEASE PROCEED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD EVENING, I'M SCARLETT HAMMONS WITH THE CORRADINO GROUP.
[04:10:02]
WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO GIVE A FIRST READING FOR THE UPDATE TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH YOUR STAFF FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND WE'RE HERE AT FIRST READING.
IT WILL EVENTUALLY BE TRANSMITTED TO LOCAL AGENCIES AND STATE AGENCIES FOR THEIR REVIEW, AND WE'LL BE BACK IN FRONT OF YOU FOR SECOND READING IN A FEW MONTHS.
I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND START WITH WHY WE'RE DOING THIS.
THE STATE HAS STATUTES THAT GOVERN ALL THINGS ABOUT COMPREHENSIVE PLANS.
IT COVERS WHAT TOPICS SHOULD BE COVERED AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED UNDER EACH TOPIC.
IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE CITY TO GO BEYOND AND INCLUDE ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS, WHICH IN TAMARAC HAS CHOSEN TO DO.
THE STATE CONSTANTLY UPDATES THE LAWS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLANS, AND FOR THAT REASON, REQUIRES ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO EVALUATE THEIR PLAN AND MAKE UPDATES IF NEEDED TO COMPLY WITH THE STATE LAWS.
THIS IS A REQUIREMENT THAT IS DUE EVERY SEVEN YEARS, AND THE STATE SETS THE SCHEDULE FOR THIS EVALUATION AND UPDATES, AND CITIES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY.
THIS UPDATED PLAN REPRESENTS A CAREFUL EVALUATION BASED ON ALL CHANGES TO STATE LAWS SINCE THE LAST UPDATE, AS WELL AS ADDRESSING MODERN ISSUES AND CONCERNS TO PROVIDE A PATH FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND CHANGE BASED ON EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY INPUT AND VALUES.
THIS PROCESS INVOLVES SEVERAL STEPS CENTERED AROUND PUBLIC OUTREACH.
WE STARTED WITH THE KICKOFF MEETING.
WE WENT INTO DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT.
WE REVIEWED THE EXISTING PLANNING DOCUMENTS, REGULATIONS, POLICIES, GOALS, AND INITIATIVES.
THEN WE CONDUCTED COMMUNITY VISIONING PROCESS, AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SLIDES THAT GO INTO SOME OF THE EXTENT THAT WE DID OUR VISIONING PROCESS.
WE WENT INTO AMENDMENTS FOR FUTURE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT BASICALLY LOOKED AT POPULATION PROJECTIONS AND FUTURE NEEDS OF THE CITY.
THEN WE WENT INTO DRAFTING THESE GOALS AND UPDATES.
TODAY, WE'RE HERE BEFORE YOU TO START THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PROCESS.
WITH THAT, WE'LL GO THROUGH A FEW SLIDES OF WHAT OUR PUBLIC OUTREACH WAS.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MADISON HERMIDA.
I'LL SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
THIS WAS AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS, AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY REMEMBER.
WE CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SEVERAL WORKSHOPS, POP-UP EVENTS, SURVEYS, AND CHARRETTES, TO GATHER INPUT ON COMMUNITY PRIORITIES AND CHALLENGES IN ORDER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SHARED VISION.
AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS, WE RECEIVED VALUABLE INPUT FROM RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS.
THE TOP COMMUNITY PRIORITIES INCLUDED ATTRACTING MORE JOB AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, LEVERAGING TAMARAC'S DESIRABLE LOCATION, AND POSITIONING IT AS A DESTINATION, EXPANDING SHOPPING AND DINING OPTIONS, PRESERVING SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS, AND REVITALIZING AGING BUILDINGS.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO OBSERVE COMMON CONCERNS INCLUDING TRAFFIC CONGESTION, FLOODING AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, DIMINISHING NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER WAS A CONCERN, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY.
BOTH PRIORITIES AND CONCERNS HAVE INFLUENCED OUR PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS AS THEY REFLECT THE COMMUNITY'S VALUES AND OVERALL ASPIRATIONS.
THE VISIONING PROCESS IS A CRITICAL FOUNDATION TO ANY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
IT ENSURES THAT LONG TERM POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS ARE SHAPED BY NOT JUST DATA, BUT BY THE VALUES, PRIORITIES, AND THE SHARED VISION OF THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.
FROM THE CITY'S STRATEGIC PLAN, THE CITY PLANS TO MAINTAIN GOALS THAT EMPHASIZE A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE AND BELONGING, PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY AND CONFIDENCE, SUPPORT PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC STRENGTH, PROMOTE CULTURAL RICHNESS AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES, ADVANCE INNOVATION AND CONNECTIVITY, AND CULTIVATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
IN A SECONDARY PROCESS, ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WERE THEN REVISED TO BETTER REFLECT WHAT RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS TOLD US WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO THEM, ESSENTIALLY CONNECTING THE DOTS OF WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY VERSUS THE CONTENTS OF THE EXISTING PLAN.
AS A RESULT, MAJOR CHANGES TO THE PLAN INCLUDE NEW POLICIES THAT SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE CITY, STRENGTHEN MOBILITY STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE WALKABLE BIKE FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOODS, SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSERVATION GUIDELINES TO PROTECT THE CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES, EXPANDING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY INITIATIVES, AND A NEW FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE HIGH DENSITY URBAN CENTERS AS APPROPRIATE.
[04:15:01]
THESE CHANGES REFLECT THE DIRECT LINK BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS AND THE POLICIES THAT SHAPE THE CITY'S FUTURE. WE'RE SWAPPING.>> YES, AT A HIGH LEVEL, THERE ARE FIVE MAJOR THEMES THAT CAN SUMMARIZE THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THIS DOCUMENT.
WE LOOKED AT LAND USE AND ZONING AMENDMENTS.
WE ADDRESSED TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY.
RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY IS ADDRESSED THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT, AS WELL AS TOPICS ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AS STATED EARLIER, THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS LEGALLY REQUIRED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC TOPICS.
THEY ARE ALSO ALLOWED TO GO BEYOND.
SOME OF THE OPTIONAL ELEMENTS IN THIS PLAN INCLUDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION, AND URBAN DESIGN.
WE ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE UPDATED THE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHICH IS A STATE REQUIREMENT.
NEXT, WE'LL GO THROUGH BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH OF THE ELEMENTS.
THE FIRST ONE BEING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE ELEMENT.
THIS ELEMENT INCLUDES FOUR OBJECTIVES TO GUIDE THE CITY ON IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN.
THIS IS TO ADMINISTRATIVE THE PLAN BASED ON CHAPTER 163, AGAIN, A FLORIDA STATE REQUIREMENT, TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE ALONG WITH DEMANDS IN THE FUTURE, AND PERIODIC UPDATES TO THE PLAN, AGAIN, AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE, AND TO COORDINATE THESE UPDATES OF THE PLAN WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
>> JEROME ROSS, THE CORRADINO GROUP.
OF ALL THE ELEMENTS, ONE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS YOUR FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT.
IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPS GUIDE WHERE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN THIS CITY IS GOING TO BE DIRECTED.
AT TAMARAC, AT THIS POINT, ALMOST EVERY PARCEL IS UTILIZED.
SO HAVING POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES THAT HELP DIRECT THE GROWTH INTO PRIORITIZED AREAS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITIES IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT THAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS PLAN.
WE ALSO WANTED TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENTS, AND WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW DENSITY AND INTENSITY WOULD OCCUR ALONG MAJOR THOROUGHFARES AND CORRIDORS.
NEXT ON WOULD BE THE TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT.
THIS ELEMENT TIES PRETTY HEAVILY WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE DIRECTING THE FUTURE GROWTH IN THE CITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION AND ROADWAY FACILITIES TO ACCOMMODATE THIS NEW GROWTH IN THE FUTURE, WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING THE EXISTING SYSTEMS IN PLACE.
THIS INCLUDES MAINTAINING A HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE.
WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION NEAR TRANSIT ORIGIN DEVELOPMENTS, AND WE ALSO WANT TO DO MICRO-MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS IN VISION ZERO PRINCIPLES, WHICH VISION ZERO ESSENTIALLY SAYS IF THERE IS A SINGLE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN DEF ON A ROADWAY, IT IS A FAILED SYSTEM.
WE WANT TO MOVE TOWARDS ELIMINATING THAT.
THERE'S CURRENTLY A HOUSING CRISIS WITHIN SOUTH FLORIDA.
THE AFFORDABILITY RATINGS ARE INCREASINGLY BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER TO ACHIEVE.
SO WE WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THE BROWARD COUNTY LAND USE AMENDMENTS IN THE CURRENT PLAN TO INCREASE DENSITY AND HAVE DENSITY BONUSES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.
WE ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF ADUS.
CURRENTLY, IT IS PERMITTED WITHIN THE CITY, BUT A LOT OF HOAS ARE AGAINST IT.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AS PART OF THE POLICIES TO EDUCATE HOAS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF ADU IS INCLUDED.
WE ALSO WANT TO INCLUDE NEW FRAMEWORKS TO REDUCE LOT COVERAGE, LOT SIZE, IF THEY ARE, THINGS OF THE NATURE THAT LIMITS THE FLEXIBILITY AND TYPE OF HOUSING UNITS THAT YOU CAN DEVELOP WITHIN A CITY TO ENCOURAGE MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS WITHIN..
>> OUR NEXT ELEMENT IS INFRASTRUCTURE.
THIS ESSENTIALLY SETS LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS FOR SEWER, SOLID WASTE, STORMWATER CONTAINMENT, AND WATER.
THIS IS ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED THROUGH OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ELEMENT, WHICH PROVIDES THE RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN THESE FACILITIES AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT ARE SET WITHIN THIS ELEMENT.
THE PRINCIPLES ARE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS FOR CONSERVATION OF ALL RESOURCES, INCLUDING PRESERVING SOILS, WILDLIFE, LAKES, FLORA, FAUNA, AND ALL NATURAL FEATURES.
THE NEXT ONE IS RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE.
THIS ELEMENT ADDRESSES PARK PLANNING WITH SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
[04:20:03]
JUST TO NOTE THAT THE CITY REQUIRES A LEVEL OF SERVICE OF THREE ACRES OF PUBLIC PARKS PER 1,000 RESIDENT WITHIN THIS ELEMENT.NEXT, WE MOVE TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION.
THIS ESTABLISHES THE BASIS FOR EXECUTING INTERLOCAL PLANNING SERVICES.
TAMARAC MAINTAINS RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CITIES, BROWARD COUNTY, INCLUDING THE MPO, SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, ALL ADDRESSED WITHIN THIS ELEMENT.
THIS ELEMENT INCLUDES POLICIES TO ENSURE PROJECTS ARE IN PLACE TO ENSURE LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS THAT ARE SET WILL BE ACHIEVED, AND IT STRETCHES OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.
IT SETS STANDARDS FOR PROJECT PRIORITIZATION FOR DEBT LIMITS AND DIVERSE FUNDING.
THE EDUCATIONAL ELEMENT DESCRIBES COORDINATION WITH BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO PROVIDE A WELL ROUNDED EDUCATION FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
THIS INCLUDES A WIDE RANGE OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
>> THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT FOCUSES ON CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR TAMARAC RESIDENTS, WORKFORCE, AND ENTREPRENEURS.
IT SUPPORTS A VIBRANT BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT BY PROMOTING TARGETED INDUSTRIES LIKE TECHNOLOGY AND AVIATION AND REINFORCING TAMARAC'S UNIQUE IDENTITY THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATION.
TO STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL ECONOMY, THE CITY WILL INVEST IN JOB CREATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
REDEVELOPMENT OF UNDERUTILIZED AND AGING COMMERCIAL AREAS IS A KEY PRIORITY, POTENTIALLY THROUGH CRAS, TAX INCREMENT FINANCING, AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES.
THE ELEMENT ALSO ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DEFINED DOWNTOWN DISTRICT WITH COHESIVE DESIGN AND WALKABILITY TO BUILD A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE.
WHAT DID I DO? THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS ELEMENT IS A REQUIRED COMPONENT OF EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
IT'S A NEW ADDITION TO THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY FLORIDA LEGISLATOR IN 2021 THROUGH HOUSE BILL 59 TO ENSURE THAT PROPERTY OWNERS ARE FAIRLY CONSIDERED IN LOCAL PLANNING DECISIONS.
IT DOES NOT OVERRIDE EXISTING PLANNING AND ZONING LAWS, BUT IT DOES REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO EXPLICITLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND BALANCE THESE RIGHTS WHEN MAKING LAND USE DECISIONS.
THE URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT IS ALSO A NEW ADDITION TO THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND IT AIMS TO FOSTER A VIBRANT, SMART, AND SUSTAINABLE TAMARAC THROUGH INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND HIGH QUALITY DESIGN.
IT PROMOTES DURABLE BUILDING MATERIALS, RESILIENT ARCHITECTURE, AND FORM BASED CODES THAT ENHANCE THE CITY'S VISUAL IDENTITY.
KEY PRIORITIES INCLUDE CREATING CONNECTED, WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH GREENWAYS, ACTIVE CORRIDORS, AND MICRO MOBILITY OPTIONS.
STREETSCAPES WILL BE UPGRADED TO REDUCE UTILITY CLUTTER, HIGHLIGHT GATEWAYS LIKE PINE ISLAND ROAD AND UNIVERSITY DRIVE, AND INTEGRATE BEAUTIFUL FUNCTIONAL LANDSCAPES LIKE TREE CANOPIES, PUBLIC ART, AND CIVIC SPACES.
>> CURRENTLY, OBVIOUSLY, WE WERE AT THE CITY COMMISSION PRESENTATION.
LAST WEEK, WE DID THE PLANNING BOARD PRESENTATION.
ONCE WE COMPILE THE COMMENTS PROVIDED FROM THEM AND FROM YOU ALL, WE WILL THEN MOVE ON TO SUBMITTING THE DOCUMENT TO ALL THE CORRESPONDING AGENCIES SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, BROWARD COUNTY, AS WELL TO RECEIVE THEIR COMMENTS.
ONCE WE HAVE PROCESSED THOSE, WE CAN BEGIN THE FORMAL ADOPTION PROCESS THIS SUMMER.
THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES WILL LAUNCH AFTER THAT.
>> FOR ME? NO. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BEFORE WE GO TO THE COMMISSION, IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ANY QUESTIONS AS PUBLIC COMMENTS? IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
TO THE COMMISSION. I'M NOT ASKING ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> NO, MS. CALLOWAY. QUESTION FOR YOU.
>> TELL ME WHY WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
[04:25:04]
STATE LAW, THERE'S A GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT 1985 THAT SAYS ALL MUNICIPALITIES ARE MANDATED TO PLAN APPROPRIATELY FOR GROWTH.
IN MY PRESENTATION ON MONDAY, I TRIED TO GIVE SOME BACKGROUND TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT TAMARAC HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN GROWING SINCE 2010 CENSUS.
WE'RE GETTING YOUNGER, AND WE EXPECT IT TO GROW BY 15-20% IN THE NEXT 10-15 YEARS.
WE HAVE TO APPROPRIATELY PLAN FOR IT.
STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT IT MUST HAVE CERTAIN ELEMENTS AS DISCUSSED BY THE CONSULTANTS.
THERE ARE REQUIRED ELEMENTS WHICH OUR PLAN HAVE, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE SOME OPTIONAL ELEMENTS, WHICH ARE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT, THE IMPLEMENTATION, AS WELL AS THE DESIGN ELEMENT.
>> WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CURRENTLY, RIGHT?
>> THIS IS AN UPDATE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?
>> IT'S A SIGNIFICANT UPDATE, YES.
>> WHEN YOU SAY SIGNIFICANT UPDATE, IT MEANS THAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, WE'VE SIGNIFICANTLY UPDATED THIS PLAN, AND NEW DEVELOPMENT IS GUIDED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS WELL.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. IT IS GUIDED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMISSION AND THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WE WANT TO HAVE SMART GROWTH.
WE WANT TO PRESERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THE WAY THEY ARE, AND WE WANT TO CONCENTRATE GROWTH ON THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES, SO ULTIMATELY CAN BE SUPPORTED BY MASS TRANSIT OR TRANSPORTATION.
PRIMARILY, THAT'S WHAT THIS PLAN DOES, PARTICULARLY THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT.
>> THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WOULD SET UP THE CITY FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT LIKE NEW CITY HALL, BUILDING ON GOLF COURSES, SHOPPING CENTERS, PLAZAS, AND THAT SORT, RIGHT?
>> WELL, IF THE GOLF COURSES ARE NOT ON THE RIVER.
DON'T CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON.
>> THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL GUIDE AND FOCUS GROWTH ON OUR MAJOR THOROUGHFARES, PRIMARILY COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD, 441, UNIVERSITY DRIVE, AND STATE ROAD [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S WHERE WE'D BE CONCENTRATING GROWTH, AND SMART GROWTH MEANING THAT THERE'S SOME DESIGN CRITERIA JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S SOME COMPATIBILITY, BUT PRIMARILY ON THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES.
IF A GOLF COURSE IS NOT ON COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD, NOT ON 441 OR ANY OF THESE OTHER USES, THEN THEY WON'T BE IMPACTED.
BUT IT WILL ALSO ASSIST WITH THE REVITALIZATION OF THE PLAZAS AS WELL, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME OUTDATED PLAZA THAT ARE ON OUR MAJOR THOROUGHFARE.
>> MAXINE CALLOWAY ESQUIRE, TELL ME, WHEN A DEVELOPER IS IN FRONT OF US, AND THEY'RE GOING TO LET'S SAY, ASK FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT TO BE PASSED.
YOU'RE GOING TO SAY TO US, THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SUPPORTS THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THOSE ARE GOING TO BE YOUR WORDS AS A COMMUNITY TO DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
>> I DO BECAUSE A PART OF WHAT I AM TASKED TO DO AND MY STAFF IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT IS CONSISTENT AND COMPATIBLE WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
IF IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PLAN, YES.
THAT'S THE ANALYSIS THAT I DO AS A PART OF THE MEMORANDUM THAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET. YES.
>> IF A COMMISSIONER OR A MAYOR WHO IS DUMB, AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT ANYBODY HERE IS DUMB, BUT LET'S SAY SOMEBODY DID NOT READ THE EXTENSIVE UPDATES TO THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND JUST BLINDLY PASSES IT TONIGHT, AND THEY DID NOT READ IT, AND THEY MISSED A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT THEY PERHAPS DON'T AGREE WITH, WHEN A DEVELOPER IS IN FRONT OF THEM, YOU'RE GOING TO SAY, WELL, COMMISSIONER, REMEMBER, ON SUCH AND SUCH A DATE, YOU PASSED THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND THIS DEVELOPMENT IS SUPPORTED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THEREFORE, I THINK THAT THIS IS WHY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS RECOMMENDING SUCH AN ITEM.
THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY TO US, CORRECT?
>> MY RECOMMENDATION MUST BE BASED ON THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, ABSOLUTELY.
THIS BODY HAS AMENDED IT IN THE PAST.
IT HAS HAD SEVERAL AMENDMENTS SINCE 2008.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THIS BODY ALSO HAVE GONE AGAINST RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I HAVE MADE, ALTHOUGH I'VE SAID IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE PLAN.
>> WHEN THIS BODY GOES AGAINST RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU HAVE MADE AND SAY NO TO CERTAIN DEVELOPERS, THEY SUE US, CORRECT?
>> IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY WOULD.
>> BUT THEY HAVE IN THE PAST. YES?
>> YES, THAT HAS HAPPENED, AND THAT CAN HAPPEN. YES.
[04:30:01]
>> COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO BE SCRUPULOUS AND READ THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LONG BEFORE THE MEETING, NOT JUST BROWSING THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UP HERE NOW, THEY HAVE TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS, RIGHT?
>> MS. CALLOWAY [INAUDIBLE] IS NOT IMPORTANT.
IT'S HIS OPINION, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER IT.
>> I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT A CITY COMMISSION IS LIKE A COURT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEMS.
>> QUIET. I HAVE TWO MINUTES, RECLAIMING MY TIME.
WE ARE PRESIDING OVER MATTERS, AND SO IF WE DON'T DO OUR HOMEWORK AND JUST BLINDLY SAY YES TO A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT SOMEBODY DID NOT READ, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD OUR FEET TO THE FIRE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO SAY, ON MAY 14TH, TWO DAYS OR ONE DAY AFTER A CERTAIN PERSON'S BIRTHDAY, YOU VOTED ON THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS WHAT YOU'RE BASING YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON.
>> IT'S YOUR GUIDE AND VISIONARY DOCUMENT. IT'S YOUR POLICY.
>> I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS, SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.
WHEN YOU'RE GETTING READY TO DO BIG THINGS, INCLUDING THINGS THAT I WILL NOT AGREE WITH, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE BASED ON THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
ALL I'M SAYING TO COMMISSIONERS, SOME OF THEM, WHO DON'T READ THEIR BACKUP, BUT READ THEIR BACKUP ON THE FLY HERE, AND THEN VOTE YES ON AN ITEM BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SUPPORT SOMEBODY ELSE, I'M SAYING THAT BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU VOTE FOR.
THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
IT WAS VERY NICE, VERY LOVELY, VERY THOUGHTFUL. WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
>> GOOD. YOU'VE SURVEYED RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, WHO DID YOU SURVEY? WHO DID YOU GO TO?
>> I THINK MADISON CAN SPEAK LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH. MADISON.
>> I CAN ASSIST WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER.
>> I WANT TO ASK THE CONSULTANT.
>> I JOINED THE PROJECT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT MADISON HAS BEEN WITH THE PROJECT FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.
>> WALK THROUGH THE ENGAGEMENT.
>> SORRY, JUST GOING BACKWARDS.
WALKING YOU THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ENGAGEMENT.
WE DID AN INITIAL KICKOFF MEETING WITH STAFF TO SET EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT WE WANTED THE WORKSHOPS TO LOOK LIKE.
WE DECIDED WE DO MEETINGS IN EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT THE COMMUNITY WAS WANTING IN EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL AREAS.
>> BY THE WAY, THESE PICTURES ARE FROM THE HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS EXPO THAT I ASKED STAFF TO PUT, SO THIS WAS NOT YOUR [INAUDIBLE]
>> WE HAD A MOUNTAIN OF PICTURES, BUT IT WAS EDITED JUST TO HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE.
>> YOU JUST USED MY PICTURE. GO AHEAD.
>> WE CONDUCTED TABLING EVENTS AT DIFFERENT OUTDOOR MARKETS.
WE USED A SOFTWARE CALLED VERA VOICE TO TAKE, I THINK IT WAS CALLS, RIGHT?
>> IT'S A SOFTWARE THAT JUST TAKES IN.
SOMEONE CAN RING IN AND JUST SAY THEIR RESPONSE AND CONCERN ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OR WHAT THEY WANT TO ENVISION.
THESE WORKSHOPS INVOLVED THESE MASSIVE POSTERS WHERE EVERYBODY WALKED AROUND AND PUT STICKY NOTES ON THE THINGS THAT THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.
THAT WAS WHERE WE DREW A LOT OF INFLUENCE WHILE DEVELOPING THE PLAN.
I DON'T KNOW. DID I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
>> [LAUGHTER] A LITTLE BIT. TO THE TAMARAC MINIONS OR THE TAMARAC 5 AKA, I MIGHT SOUND RUDE AND I MIGHT SOUND LIKE,
[04:35:01]
OH MY GOD, HE'S JUST GOING OFF THE ROCKERS AND HE'S CRAZY.BUT REALLY AND TRULY, YOU WANT TO COME AND COMPLAIN ABOUT ITEMS AFTER THE FACT.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
THANK YOU FOR GOING OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US AND TALKING WITH US INDIVIDUALLY.
I KNOW THIS IS AN ITEM ON FIRST READING.
I KNOW THAT IT'S SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CHANGES THAT MAY HAPPEN ON OUR SECOND READING AS IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS AND GOES TO THE STATE AND COMES BACK DOWN AROUND THROUGH THE COUNTY AND WHATEVER HAPPENS.
THERE IS AMPLE TIME FOR ANY MODIFICATIONS OR ANY PUBLIC DISCUSSION THAT NEEDS TO BE HAD BY THAT SECOND READING. CORRECT?
>> THANK YOU. IT TAKES CARE OF SOME TRANSPORTATION ITEMS THAT ARE IN HERE, SOME PARKING ITEMS THAT ARE IN HERE.
ALL THAT KINDS OF THINGS, WHICH POSSIBLY PEOPLE BE WAITING FOR FOR AFTER EVERYBODY ELSE'S INPUT VERSUS SAYING IT AND WAITING BECAUSE IT STILL NEEDS TO BE TRANSMITTED FIRST.
IF WE DO ANYTHING NOW THAT COULD DELAY THE TRANSMITTAL, IT'LL TAKE EVEN LONGER. CORRECT?
>> THANK YOU, VERY KINDLY. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
>> I'M LATE FOR MY SECOND TWO MINUTES.
>> I'M GOING TO GO TO COMMISSIONER PATTERSON AS SHE HAS NOT HAD HER FIVE, AND THEN COMMISSIONER BOLTON UNLESS ANYBODY ELSE WISHES TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
DO WE HAVE A DEADLINE BY WHICH WE NEED TO APPROVE THE DOCUMENT? MADAM DEPUTY MANAGER, WHAT'S OUR TIME FRAME IN TERMS OF APPROVAL OF THE COMP PLAN?
>> WELL, WE STARTED THIS PROCESS IN 2023.
IT'S OUT OF COMPLIANCE CURRENTLY, SO TRANSMITTAL IS NECESSARY AT LEAST TO GET TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
I WOULD SAY THE TIMING IS IMMINENT IN TERMS OF GETTING THIS DONE.
WE'VE BEEN AT THIS NOW FOR TWO YEARS.
>> WE HAVE HAD SOME CHANGES WITH STAFFING, WITH OUR CONSULTANT, BACK AND FORTH REVIEW.
WE MADE SURE THAT WE INCLUDED A VISION AND EXERCISE WITH WHICH THE CONSULTANT TALKED ABOUT.
WE DID DISTRICT MEETINGS IN EACH DISTRICT SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW.
WE DID HAVE A ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT, AND THEN WE HAD THE REVIEW BACK AND FORTH IN TERMS OF ALL THE CHANGES.
IT WAS EXPECTED TO BE A LENGTHY PROJECT, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT CULMINATED INTO.
>> IT WAS A PRETTY SUBSTANTIVE BOOKLET, AND I ONLY JUST GOT IT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.
OBVIOUSLY, BEING THE NEWEST PERSON ON THE BOARD, I CARE ABOUT READING AND KNOWING WHAT WE'RE APPROVING.
THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK PLACE BEFORE I WAS EVEN ELECTED.
WHERE WOULD WE STAND IN THE EVENT WE TABLE THIS ITEM TONIGHT?
>> WELL, AS THE CONSULTANT MENTIONED, THIS IS FIRST READING.
IT'S WHAT'S CALLED TRANSMITTAL.
THIS IS WHEN WE TRANSMIT TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR THEIR COMMENTS.
WE TRANSMIT TO ALL OUR JOINING CITIES.
SO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, LAUDERDALE LAKE, SUNRISE, AS WELL AS THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE, WE TRANSMIT ALSO TO BROWARD COUNTY.
YOU STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENTS AT THAT TIME, AS WELL.
THEN IT COMES BACK TO YOU IN 30 DAYS IS THE REVIEW PERIOD AND THAT'S WHEN WE LOOK AT IT AGAIN ON SECOND READING AND INCORPORATE ALL THE COMMENTS AND CHANGES THAT WE RECEIVED FROM ALL THE REVIEW AGENCIES.
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU DIDN'T GET ONE NOW FOR YOU TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN TO PROVIDE COMMENTS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
IN TERMS OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES, TYPICALLY, WHEN WE APPROVE AN ITEM ON FIRST READING, WE TYPICALLY WOULDN'T MAKE ANY SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OR SOMETHING OF THAT MAGNITUDE. IS THIS DIFFERENT?
BUT OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH A COMP PLAN AMENDMENT PROCESS, YOU ARE SUBMITTING THE FIRST READING TO THE REVIEWING AGENCIES, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE COMMENTS, AND THOSE COMMENTS GENERALLY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED, IF IT COME BACK TO THE CITY, YOU HAVE THE STATE REVIEWING AGENCY, YOU HAVE BROWARD COUNTY.
OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE'S CHANGES IN BETWEEN THAT, GENERALLY WE WILL HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THEM.
IN TERMS OF CHANGES AT THE COMMISSION LEVEL, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT COMES UP,
[04:40:02]
AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT IF IT COULD BE CHANGED, AND IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE OVERALL SCOPE, BECAUSE IF YOU MAKE CHANGES, THE POSSIBILITY YOU MAY HAVE TO GO BACK FOR A SECOND REVIEW IF IT'S THAT SUBSTANTIVE, BECAUSE THE REVIEWING AGENCY IS GOING TO TAKE IT AS IS.IF WE MAKE WHOLESALE CHANGES, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE REVIEWING AGENCY.
>> WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT, PEOPLE CAN MAKE CHANGES TO THE COMP PLAN, MOST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMP PLAN IS THE GOVERNING DOCUMENT OF THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION.
IT'S A PRETTY BIG DECISION THAT WE WOULD MAKE IF WE WERE TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
>> LET ME ADD THAT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS COMMISSION CAN BE ASSURED, OBVIOUSLY, CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REVIEW IT.
YOU HAVE TO CONSULT, YOU HAVE THE CITY MANAGER OFFICE.
I THINK ONE MAJOR REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW IS THAT YOUR LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR COMP PLAN.
IF YOUR LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH YOUR COMP PLAN IS GENERALLY INVALID.
YOU DON'T HAVE CHANGES THAT AT THIS POINT AND MISS CALLOWAY, LAND WHICH CONTROL GENERALLY THE ZONING IS WITH THIS PROPOSED COMP PLAN IS CONSISTENT.
ALSO, IF THERE NEED TO BE A CHANGE TO MAKE IT CONSISTENT, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT.
THE MAJOR AREA, AND THEY COULD GO BACK AND DISCUSS IT WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR COMP PLAN, THE MAJOR ELEMENT IS THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP ELEMENT, WHICH BASICALLY TELL YOU HOW MUCH DENSITY, INTENSITY YOU COULD HAVE.
WHAT'S THE AREA THAT OBVIOUSLY, AS MISS CALLOWAY INDICATED, THAT YOU WANT TO PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT? IF YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON THAT AREA, THAT'S THE AREA THAT'S REALLY THE MAJOR AREA.
>> MISS CALLOWAY, THROUGH THE MANAGER. THANK YOU.
CAN YOU BRIEFLY SPEAK TO THE CHANGES IN THE COMP PLAN RELATIVE TO THE LAND USE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE MAJOR CHANGES IN THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT, WE INTRODUCED SOME STRONG POLICIES, IN SUPPORT OF BROWARD MX.
BROWARD COUNTY ALSO IS DOING SOME UPDATES TO THEIR PLAN, AND THEY HAVE FOCUSED DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT ON THE MAJOR QUARTER.
WE ADOPTED THAT POLICY WHICH SUPPORTS ATTAINABLE HOUSING OVER A CERTAIN DENSITY.
WE DID NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE MAP BECAUSE WE WANT THAT TO BE MARKET-DRIVEN.
THE MAP REMAINS AS IS, BUT WE HAVE SOME STRONG POLICIES SUPPORTING SMART DEVELOPMENT ON MAJOR CORRIDORS.
WE HAVE SPELLED OUT MAJOR THOROUGHFARES, AND THEN WE ADOPTED BROWARD COUNTY'S POLICY AS WELL THAT WILL HELP US WITH SOME DENSITY BONUS ON THOSE THOROUGHFARES.
WE PRESERVE EXISTING COMMUNITIES, AND SO WE SAID FOR SMART GROWTH, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ESTATE COMMUNITIES OR RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES ARE PRESERVED AND THAT WHEN WE GROW, WE'RE GROWING ON OUR MAJOR THOROUGHFARE.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT.
IN THE HOUSING ELEMENT, WE DID SOME POLICIES THAT PROMOTED ATTAINABLE HOUSING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING OUR DEFICIT.
WE DO HAVE A DEFICIT FOR MARKETING AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING IN TAMARAC, AS ESTABLISHED BY BROWARD COUNTY'S 10-YEAR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN, AND SO WE MADE SOME STRONG POLICIES IN THE HOUSING ELEMENT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE MEETING THAT GAP, AND WE WERE PROVIDING ATTAINABLE HOUSING.
WE CLEANED UP ALL THE OTHER ELEMENTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT, ONCE AGAIN, WAS FOCUSED ON REVITALIZING THE PLAZAS, MAKING SURE THAT THOSE COULD BE REPURPOSED, AND IF THEY ARE REPURPOSED, THEY COULD BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIXED DEVELOPMENT, MOST OF OUR MAJOR PLAZAS ARE ON OUR MAJOR THOROUGHFARES.
I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE THE MAJOR CHANGES.
>> WHAT POLICIES WERE IMPLEMENTED FOR ATTAINABLE HOUSING?
>> WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD OPPORTUNITIES WHEN WE HAVE MARKET RATE AND WE'RE DOING THAT NOW, BUT WE JUST INCLUDED THAT IN THE PLAN.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE LAST DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS APPROVED FOR THE FORMER CHARTER PROPERTY, WE DID INCLUSIONARY ZONING, WHERE FOR MARKET RATE, WE ASKED THE DEVELOPER TO PROVIDE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT WAS THE FIRST PROJECT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME UNITS.
I THINK WE RECEIVED EIGHT UNITS OUT OF THE TOTAL OVER 200 UNITS.
WE WANT TO CONTINUE FOR OTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
WHEN THERE'S A MARKET RATE THAT IS COMING FORWARD, WE'RE ABLE TO GET A FEW UNITS FOR ATTAINABLE HOUSES,
[04:45:01]
SO WE CAN PROVIDE FOR THAT POPULATION.THOSE ARE SOME OF THE POLICIES WE INCLUDED THERE.
>> MISS CALLOWAY. REMEMBER SOME YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE UPDATING, I THINK OUR ZONING MAP OR THAT STUFF? YOU CAME BEFORE THE COMMISSION AND YOU SAID, LET'S PUT CHURCHES ALONG COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD.
I WAS ADAMANTLY AND VEHEMENTLY AGAINST IT.
>> NO, WE HAD A CONVERSATION, BUT I THINK OUR RECOLLECTION IS A BIT DIFFERENT.
AT THE TIME, YOU HAD THE CONVERSATION.
>> WHAT YOU DID WAS PUT CHURCHES ALONG COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD.
>> NO, WE DID NOT. WHAT WE DID WAS TRY TO TAKE CHURCHES OUT OF OUR PLAZA, AND WHEN YOU CAME ON THE BOARD WE REACHED A COMPROMISE.
>> YOU DISTRIBUTED THEM ALONG COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD.
>> NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED, COMMISSIONER.
>> WE REMOVED THE CHURCHES OUT OF THE PLAZAS, BECAUSE THEY ARE NON-FOR-PROFIT AND THEY DON'T GENERATE TAX.
WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO MAKE SURE CHURCHES, AND THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE 20%, NO MORE THAN TWO CHURCHES IN COMMERCIAL PLAZA.
THAT IS THE CURRENT COMPROMISE THAT WE REACHED, AND THAT STARTED WITH NOT HAVING CHURCHES IN PLAZAS.
>> AFTER I REACHED OUT TO NATIONAL LAWYERS AND THEY CONTACTED THE CITY OF TAMARAC THAT WHAT YOU WERE DOING WAS NOT LEGAL YOU WERE CHALLENGED.
>> NO. WE LOOKED AT NORTH LAUDERDALE.
>> THEY WERE ALSO CHALLENGED, BECAUSE OF MY CALLS.
>> BUT WE REACHED A COMPROMISE.
WE STARTED WITH NOT PUTTING CHURCHES IN PLAZA, AND THEN WE REACHED A COMPROMISE AT YOUR REQUEST THAT WE DID AND SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE THE 20%, NOT MORE THAN TWO IN ANY.
>> YOU DON'T THINK THAT THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CAN BE CHALLENGED?
>> NO. ANY DOCUMENT CAN BE CHALLENGED, COMMISSIONER, I'M NOT SAYING THAT ANY DOCUMENT CAN'T BE CHALLENGED.
>> MISS CALLOWAY JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, I ASSUME THAT WAS A CODE ISSUE, NOT A COMP PLAN ISSUE?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. THAT WAS A CODE AND WE WERE DIRECTED AT THE TIME.
ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE DIRECTING APPROPRIATE BUSINESSES IN THE PLAZA.
REMEMBER, YOU HAD JUST JOINED THE COMMISSION AND YOU WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE PROTECTED AND WE REACHED A COMPROMISE.
AT THE TIME, WE HAD ABOUT 69 CHURCHES IN THE CITY BECAUSE WE DID AN ASSESSMENT, BUT THAT WAS THE COMPROMISE WE MADE.
>> BETWEEN 2016 AND NOW, HOW MANY COMPREHENSIVE PLANS HAVE WE LOOKED AT?
>> OUR LAST PLAN WAS ADOPTED IN 2008.
IT'S VERY OLD AND NEEDED TO BE UPDATED SO WE HAVE PATCHED IT SINCE 2008 AND DID SEVERAL AMENDMENTS, BUT IT HAS NOT HAD A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE.
THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THIS TIME.
>> IF A COMMISSIONER OR A RESIDENT WERE TO SAY, I DON'T WANT THIS BUILDING ALONG COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD IT'S GOING TO BLOCK MY VIEW.
THIS WOULD BE THE TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DEVELOPMENT IS BLOCKED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> BECAUSE WE'RE NOT THAT GRANULAR.
WE HAVE NOT DONE ANY MAP AMENDMENTS.
>> COMMISSIONER, WE ARE BEING SMART, WE'RE NOT TOUCHING THE MAP.
>> I DON'T AGREE WITH YOUR MAP, THAT'S ANOTHER STORY, YOU KNOW THAT.
>> IT MEANS IF A DEVELOPER IS INTERESTED IN BUILDING INTENSE HIGH DENSITY ON COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD OR ANYWHERE ELSE, THEY WOULD NEED A REZONING THAT WOULD COME BEFORE YOU.
THEY WOULD NEED A LAND USE AMENDMENT BECAUSE THE WAY WE DID IT, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE PD WAS A CONTROLLING ZONING DISTRICT THAT WOULD SUPPORT THIS INTENSITY.
THEY WOULD HAVE CERTAIN STEPS THAT THEY WOULD STILL NEED TO COME BEFORE YOU AND YOU WOULD GET OPPORTUNITIES TO DETERMINE IF YOU WANT THAT PROJECT.
WE DIDN'T AMEND THE MAP AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THERE ARE STEPS THAT DEVELOPERS WOULD NEED TO GO THROUGH, PRIMARILY A REZONING IF THEY WANT TO ACCESS THE PD ZONING DISTRICT, AND THAT WOULD COME BEFORE YOU.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO A SITE PLAN.
THOSE ARE QUASI-JUDICIAL IN NATURE, AND THAT WOULD COME BEFORE YOU.
THE BURDEN IS DIFFERENT AND YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS THEM BY THEIR MERIT INDIVIDUALLY.
THIS IS NOT A BLANKET COME BILL ALL UP AND DOWN COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
>> I'M NOT STUPID. YOU'RE NOT TALKING TO A CHILD, YOU'RE TALKING TO ME.
MISS CALLOWAY, IF WE VOTE YES ON THIS, THE COURSE HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE BARN, AND THEN IT'S TRANSMITTED AND WE GET COMMENTS BACK.
BUT IF WE PULL IT BACK AND LOOK AT IT, AS A WHOLE, AND AS A COMMISSION, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WHAT IS TRANSMITTED IS WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO BE COMMENTED ON. YES?
>> ABSOLUTELY, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE'RE OF THE IMPRESSION THAT WHAT'S CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE BEEN DIRECTED TO DO,
[04:50:01]
WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF YOU.THAT'S WHAT'S CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT.
>> IT'S HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH, I WANT TO SAY TO OUR FIRST HAITIAN AMERICAN LAWYER, HANS OTTINOT.
YOU ARE A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL.
WE LOVE YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
YOU DESERVE TO BE HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MISS CALLOWAY, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.
IS THERE ANY PENALTY IF WE DELAY FROM TODAY?
>> BUT WE'RE OUT OF COMPLIANCE.
>> WE'RE OUT OF COMPLIANCE, YES.
>> EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR FOR YEARS AND THE COMMUNICATION IS INCORPORATED IN THIS DOCUMENT, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S WHAT'S IN THIS DOCUMENT.
>> IF WE NEED TO MAKE CHANGES, EVEN IF THERE'S SOME PART SUBSTANTIVE, WE'VE BEEN MAKING CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2008, WITHOUT HAVING TO TRANSMIT IT TO THE STATE, CORRECT?
>> WHENEVER WE MAKE A CHANGE, WE DO HAVE TO TRANSMIT IT.
IF IT'S TEXT IN NATURE, WE DO HAVE TO TRANSMIT IT, BUT WE ALWAYS TRANSMIT IT.
>> WE TRANSMIT IT, BUT BY SECOND READING, IT'S ALREADY HANDLED, CORRECT?
>> WELL, IT'S A FLUID DOCUMENT.
YES, IN THE PAST, WE HAVE MADE AMENDMENTS AND THOSE AMENDMENTS, IF THEY'RE NOT SMALL SCALE, IF THEY'RE TEXTS IN NATURE, WE ARE REQUIRED TO TRANSMIT, AND THEN WE BRING IT BACK. WE HAVE DONE THAT.
FOR YOUR LARGE AMENDMENTS, THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS THE WOODLANDS AMENDMENT.
THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT TO THE MAP AND TO THE PLAN AND WE TRANSMITTED THAT.
AS YOU RECALL, WE HAD TO WAIT, AND THEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SECOND READING, AND IT WAS ADOPTED.
>> BUT THOSE ARE SPECIFIC ITEMS AND NOT ON A GENERAL SCALE RIGHT NOW.
IF THERE'S NO REAL ISSUE WITH WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE REVIEWED OR PARTIALLY REVIEWED OR WHATNOT.
BECAUSE I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO PARKING.
I STILL THINK THAT WE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH IN PARKING AND ALL THAT STUFF, BUT THOSE THINGS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.
>> THAT'S IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
>> EXACTLY. THESE ARE WHAT WE TAKE CARE OF WHEN THEY COME TO US VERSUS THIS OVERVIEW IS WHAT WE NEED.
>> THESE ARE YOUR BROAD POLICY.
AS MENTIONED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
ULTIMATELY SOMETIME NEXT YEAR, ONCE THIS PLAN IS ADOPTED, THEN I WOULD HAVE TO UPDATE THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THIS PLAN.
>> THAT COMES BEFORE US. [OVERLAPPING]
>> POINT OF ORDER. THE MAYOR ALREADY HAD 5 MINUTES.
YOU'RE GIVING HER ANOTHER 5 MINUTES.
>> DON'T WORRY I'M NOT EVEN GETTING TO MY TWO. I KNOW YOU'RE SO HIPPED.
>> THAT'S HER TWO. IT SHOULDN'T BE FIVE.
SHE SPOKE ALREADY. YOU'RE TALKING.
>> IT WILL BE TWO WHEN IT GETS TO NUMBER 3.
YOU ALREADY HAD YOUR 5 MINUTES.
>> I SPOKE MY 5 MINUTES AND I HAVE MY TWO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I CAN COUNT TO SEVEN.
SINCE WE'RE NOT DOWN TO THREE, WE'RE FINE.
WHATEVER MAKES HIM HAPPY? I DON'T CARE.
>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY.
>> I DON'T CARE, AS I JUST SAID.
BASICALLY, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THIS IS A GOOD PACKAGE.
YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN IT ON ALL THAT HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND IS OPEN TO CONTINUED CONVERSATION IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT THERE BEING A PROBLEM. CORRECT?
>> POINT OF ORDER, CITY ATTORNEY, YOU DID REVIEW THIS DOCUMENT, CORRECT?
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IT CLEAR.
>> THANK YOU. CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> I'M NOT FINISHED WITH MY CLARIFICATION.
>> THE POINT OF CLARIFICATION IS ONE QUESTION IT'S NOT A WHOLE DIALOGUE.
>> NO. THE CONSULTANTS WORKED VERY HARD ON THIS.
I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR HARD WORK PAYS OFF.
HOWEVER, MISS CALLOWAY, THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE CITY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AT ABOUT 10% OF THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES 5-0.
GET HOME SAFELY. MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.