CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE

COMMISSION MEETING

 

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008

 

MINUTES

 

 

The North Lauderdale City Commission met on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the Municipal Complex.  The meeting was opened for the purpose of convening the organizational meeting of the North Lauderdale Recreation Foundation at 6:30 p.m.; the regular Commission meeting convened at 7:02 p.m.

 

 

1.      INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Commissioner Frankel gave the invocation.

 

2.      ROLL CALL –  All present

   Mayor Jack Brady

   Vice Mayor John R. Cangemi

   Commissioner Gary Frankel

   Commissioner Rich Moyle

   Commissioner David G. Hilton

   City Manager Richard D. Sala

   City Attorney Samuel S. Goren

   Interim City Clerk Patricia Vancheri

 

3.      MINUTES – No minutes were submitted for approval

 

4.      PRESENTATIONS

 

a.                  20 Year Service Award to Mayor Jack Brady

 

Commissioner David McLean, of the City of Margate read and presented a Proclamation to Mayor Brady making him an “Honorary Mayor of the City of Margate”.

 

City Clerk Emeritus, Milli Dyer, congratulated Mayor Brady by reading and presenting a poem she had written in his honor.

 

Vice Mayor John Cangemi, read and presented a Proclamation to Mayor Brady from the City of North Lauderdale proclaiming April 5, 2008 as “Jack Brady:” day and indicating that a dedication ceremony will be held for the “Jack Brady Sports Complex” in honor of 20 years of service.

 

Commissioner Rich Moyle read letters of congratulations from the City of Tamarac and the City of Hollywood.

 

Commissioner Gary Frankel presented Proclamations on behalf of the City of Pompano Beach and the City of Pembroke Pines.

 

Commissioner David Hilton read letter of congratulations and Proclamation from the City of Wilton Manors.

 

Mayor Brady addressed everyone and thanked them for their support and the Commission for being a great group of people to work with and thanked his wife for her support.

 

5.      PROCLAMATIONS

 

a.                  Proclaiming the Month of April as Water Conservation Month  (This item was heard earlier between the NLRF organizational meeting and the regular Commission meeting)

 

Clerk read Proclamation proclaiming the month of April as Water Conservation Month in the City of North Lauderdale encouraging residents to conserve the State’s precious water resources  Carole Morris of South Florida Water Management was present to receive the Proclamation from Mayor Brady.

 

6.      PUBLIC DISCUSSION – No one from the Public spoke

 

7.      QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEMS - None

 

8.      ORDINANCES SECOND READING – None

 

9.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

Commissioner Frankel made a motion to read.  Seconded by Commissioner Hilton.

Attorney read:

 

a.                  RESOLUTION – Metro Broward Professional Firefighters (MBPFF) Collective Bargaining Agreement (Copy of Agreement Available for review in City Clerk’s Office)

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, RATIFYING THE METRO BROWARD PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS (MBPFF) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND THEREBY ACCEPTING AND OTHERWISE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, ON BEHALF OF SAID CITY, TO EXECUTE AND OTHERWISE ENTER INTO THAT SAID COLLECTIVELY BARGAINED AGREEMENT, BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE AND THE METRO BROWARD PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTRERS, LOCAL 3080, WHICH AGREEMENT SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON THE SIGNATURES BY THE CITY MANAGER AND PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF NORTH LAUDERDALE REPRESENTATIVE BEING AFFIXED THERETO; AND, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  08-03-5314

 

 

b.                  RESOLUTION - 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant EMW-2007-FO-12407

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS NOT TO EXCEED $72,780.05 FOR THE PURCHASE OF 18 PORTABLE RADIOS FROM MOTOROLA AS PART OF THE 2007 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT WHEREBY 90% OF THE FUNDING ($65,502.04) IS GRANT MONEY WITH THE CITY’S MATCH OF 10% ($7,278.01); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  08-03-5315

 

 

c.                   ORDINANCE – First Reading – Republic Services of Florida DBA as All Service Refuse Contract (Copy of Contract available on website or review in City Clerk’s Office)

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, TO APPROVE THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES OF FLORIDA, L.P. D/B/A ALL SERVICE REFUSE (THE "CONTRACTOR") PROVIDING FOR REFUSE AND TRASH REMOVAL, INCLUDING RECYCLING SERVICES, ALL CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3.9 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

 

d.                  RESOLUTION - Opposition to House Bill 991

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 991, KNOWN AS THE “VOX POPULI – VOICE OF THE PEOPLE ACT”; FINDING THAT HOUSE BILL 991 IS UNNECESSARY AND ITS ADOPTION WILL BE AN ENCROACHMENT ON THE MUNICIPAL HOME RULE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND STATE STATUTES; URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO REJECT HOUSE BILL 991; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR, THE BROWARD LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AS WELL AS ALL MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITHIN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR BROWARD COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  08-03-5316

 

 

e.                  RESOLUTION - Opposition to House Bill 1113

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 1113; URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO REJECT HOUSE BILL 1113; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR, THE BROWARD LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AS WELL AS ALL MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITHIN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR BROWARD COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  08-03-5317

 

Commissioner Frankel moved to approve consent agenda as read.  Seconded by Commissioner Hilton.  All in favor.

 

CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

10.        OTHER BUSINESS

 

a.                  SUBJECT:     Public Hearing for State Revolving Fund (SRF) for Water Plant Capital Improvements

 

City Manager Sala commented that this was a follow up to an item on the last agenda regarding funding of the capital improvements to the water plant and the recommendation for funding is the State Revolving Fund which is a much better rate and savings of a million and a half dollars versus a conventional loan.  Mr. Sala said part of the requirements for the SRF is to have a public hearing.

 

Jim Roberts of the consulting firm of Calvin Giordano, of Fort Lauderdale, and Fred Bloetscher, of Public Utility Management and Planning Services, addressed the Commission.  Mr. Bloetscher explained that a part of the process is a public meeting to provide input in the facility plan.  Mr. Bloetscher gave a power point presentation of the North Lauderdale Water and Facilities Plan, indicating what the goals of the plan are and identification of the needs for the plan.  Mr. Bloetscher indicated that some of the components of the water plant are very aged and at the end of their use and explained some of the needs and issues.  Further he indicated that the SRF program requires that you look at options, and he explained those options.   Mr. Bloetscher also explained the application and clearing house approval process after the public meeting and Commission approval.

 

Public Hearing was opened.  No one from the public spoke.  Public hearing closed.  There was no further discussion on this subject.

 

 

b.                  RESOLUTION – Non-Profit Status for Parks and Recreation

Commissioner Frankel moved to read.  Seconded by Vice Mayor Cangemi. 

Attorney read:

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO SUBMIT BY LAWS, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND A NON-PROFIT APPLICATION TO THE NECESSARY STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES ON BEHALF OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE NORTH LAUDERDALE RECREATION FOUNDATION, INC. AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Attorney Goren indicated that this item was presented earlier and for the record the resolution authorizes the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare and file necessary documents to effectuate the 501(c)(3) and the corporate status.

 

Commissioner Moyle made a motion to approve.  Seconded by Commissioner Frankel.  All yes.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  08-03-5318  PASSED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

11.        REPORTS

 

a.            FY 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

 

Debbie Sears, Finance Director, introduced Antonio Grau, representing the auditing firm, Grau & Associates, who performed the fiscal year 2007 audit.  Mr. Grau said the audit went very well even with the transition of a Finance Director and that Ms. Sears and her staff did an excellent job putting the report together.  Mr. Grau highlighted the key financial activities of the City with regard to the general funds and revenue funds with a power point presentation.  He pointed out how the revenues increased in 2005-2006, and decreased slightly in 2007, and indicated the reason for the drop in revenues and expenditures for 2007 was that the school was eliminated.  Mr. Grau said overall the last three years the City brought in enough money to cover expenditures. He indicated that the City is in good financial condition at this time, but the future is coming upon us as far as real estate taxes and the impact that will have.

 

City Manager Sala said that as we move into next year’s report we will start to see some impact.  He said the figures look great here, but we are one year behind, because it is based on the tax year 2006, and next year will look dramatically different.

 

Mr. Grau concluded the presentation by saying that the audit was clean with respect to the financial statements and there were no findings and that the document was excellent.

 

There was no Commission comment.  Mr. Sala said they will proceed with caution, not knowing what revenue caps will be placed upon us going forward, as far as spending and budget; and the fund balances should be protected.

 

City Attorney Goren commented that this is a clean opinion issued by the auditors and you get this opinion because it is earned in that the accounting methods implemented by the City are impeccable, and a clean opinion is not often given, and it is earned based upon excellence by City staff who did an exemplary job in getting to this point.

 

b.      Fire Station 34 Construction/Opening Update –  (This item was heard earlier between the NLRF organizational meeting and the regular Commission meeting)

 

Mike Shields, Public Works Director, reported that they are slightly behind schedule for opening.  He said they should be opening at the end of March, but FPL and water and sewer issues have delayed it.  He said they are pushing the Grand Opening date back a little sometime late May or the first part of June and he is looking for dates compatible with everyone’s schedule.  Mr. Sala suggested the weekend after Memorial Day weekend; May 31st or the weekend of June 7th.  Also, Mr. Shields reported that they had a commitment date of June 1st from Sun Trust Bank for the additional funding for the fire station.  He reported that even though the fire station was a little over budget from the original concept, cost wise they are on target. 

 

12.        COMMISSION COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Hilton advised that he will be out of town for the next meeting on April 8th, but will be available by telephone conference if necessary.

 

13.        CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

 

a.                  Upcoming Events – Mr. Sala reminded Commission of the Opening Day of Baseball; Dedication of Jack Brady Sports Complex and Dedication of Carl Fusco Park on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

14.        CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS – Nothing to report at this time.

 

15.              ADJOURNMENT – There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Patricia Vancheri

Interim City Clerk