CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE

WORKSHOP MEETING

 

APRIL 18TH 2008

 

MINUTES

 

The North Lauderdale City Commission met on April 18th 2008 at the Municipal Complex.  The meeting convened at 3:32 p.m.

 

1.         ROLL CALL

 

            Mayor Brady

            Vice Mayor Cangemi

            Commissioner Frankel

            Commissioner Moyle

            Commissioner Hilton

            City Manager Sala

            City Attorney Goren

            Deputy City Clerk Donovan

 

City Manager Sala gave an overview of the Workshop in regards to Legislative and budget matters.

 

2.                  PRESENTATIONS---Assistant City Manager Ambreen Bhatty (see attached)

 

Assistant City Manager Bhatty gave a PowerPoint presentation on the past budget cuts and problems from last years legislative session and how it effected the City of North Lauderdale.

City Manager Sala briefed the Commission on how bleak things look at this point and how possibly it could get worse if some of the proposed legislation gets passed this session.

 

Commissioner Hilton questioned how we can provide services when the legislators won’t let us charge for certain services.

 

Commissioner Moyle said it appears the Legislators would like us to move toward a Metro Broward where all services are combined. City Manager Sala said he believes they want a tri-county (Miami, Broward and Palm Beach).

Commissioner Moyle said that was ridiculous because it is three different counties and all totally different.

 

Assistant City Manager Bhatty continued her PowerPoint presentation of the bills that will affect North Lauderdale if they are passed.

 

Vice Mayor Cangemi said the Legislators are really squeezing the Cities and question whether the cities could sue them.

 

City Attorney Sam Goren said it is very hard to sue over State Statues and win.

 

Moyle asked the Commission whether he had permission to speak to the Legislators and Education Commissioner about the Bright Scholarship that they proposed to change. It appears the legislators are basing the money going to those in need instead of the ones making good grades. Also, he wanted to speak against the attendance policy. Commissioners were all in agreement and encouraged Commissioner Moyle to speak on their behalf also.

 

City Attorney Sam Goren requested a shade session on April 29th following the regularly scheduled Commission meeting about a lawsuit with Imperial Estates. Commission agreed to date and time.

 

Assistant City Manager Bhatty passed out a packet for Commissioners on the top issues facing the city and wished all four Commissioner’s heading to Tallahassee next week good luck in convincing the Legislators to allow Home Rule.

 

City Manager Sala thanked the Commission for their input and felt the City had a good argument for Legislators to see the City’s side of the financial impact.

 

Meeting adjourned 5:22 pm

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Pam Donovan

Deputy City Clerk/Public Information Officer