City Commission Meeting

City of Lauderhill City Hall 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Lauderhill, FL, 33313 www.lauderhill-fl.gov Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, March 30, 2020 7:00 PM Attend via phone: Dial 1-929-205-6099 & Meeting ID: 143055145 City Commission Meeting LAUDERHILL CITY COMMISSION Mayor Ken Thurston Vice Mayor Howard Berger Commissioner M. Margaret Bates Commissioner Richard Campbell Commissioner Denise D. Grant Desorae Giles-Smith, Interim City Manager Andrea M. Anderson, City Clerk Earl Hall, City Attorney City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 I CALL TO ORDER II COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (AND RESPONSES TO THE PUBLIC, IF THE TIME PERMITS DURING THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION) III ADJOURNMENT (NO LATER THAN 7:30 PM) I CALL TO ORDER OF REGULAR MEETING Mayor Thurston called to order the Regular City Commission Meeting at 7:00 PM. Mayor Thurston reviewed the emergency guidelines for public meetings that would govern the regular City Commission meetings, in accordance with COVID-19 Center of Disease Control guidelines and the State of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Executive Order #20-69, allowing virtual meetings for official government business, waiving the requirement for a physical quorum to be present. He highlighted the following procedures, as detailed in the backup: • Mayor Thurston was present in City Hall • Vice Mayor Berger, and Commissioners Bates, Campbell and Grant attended the meeting virtually or via conference call • The City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Deputy City Manager and other staff attended the meeting virtually or by conference call from areas of City Hall that were socially distant from each other, from other City locations or their homes • Due to the nature of the meeting and the constraints imposed by appearing virtually, for items pulled by Commissioners from the Agenda for discussion, Vice Mayor Berger would be asked to make the motion for approval, and if he declined, Mayor Thurston would go through the members of the Commission alphabetically to get the motion; once a motion was made, Mayor Thurston would ask each member of the Commission in alphabetical order if they wished to second the motion until the motion was seconded; after a second was obtained, the City Clerk would perform the roll call, and any member of the Commission wishing to speak before the vote should raise their hand if they were appearing virtually, or text IT Director Doug Downs their wish to speak telephonically • For members of the public watching or listening to the meeting, each item would be open to the public as done in past Commission meetings; however, the City in its notice of the subject meeting advised those persons wishing to speak on an agenda item to do so live during public comments or they could leave a comment on the City Clerk’s voicemail at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, and it would be read at the meeting, this included leaving a name, number and address with the message; members of the public could also complete the public meeting comment submission form • The City Commission and staff appreciated the public’s patience and cooperation during what was a difficult and ever changing time. II ROLL CALL City of Lauderhill Page 1 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 Present: 5- Commissioner M. Margaret Bates,Vice Mayor Howard Berger,Commissioner Richard Campbell,Commissioner Denise D. Grant, and Mayor Ken Thurston ALSO PRESENT: Desorae Giles-Smith, Interim City Manager Earl Hall, City Attorney Constance Stanley, Police Chief Andrea M. Anderson, City Clerk III PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG FOLLOWED BY GOOD AND WELFARE IV CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Vice Mayor Berger, seconded by Commissioner Bates, that this Consent Agenda was approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Commissioner Bates, Vice Mayor Berger, Commissioner Campbell, Commissioner Grant, and Mayor Thurston Abstain: 0 V APPROVAL OF MINUTES VI PROCLAMATIONS / COMMENDATIONS VII SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS VIII GENERAL PRESENTATIONS (5 MINUTES MAXIMUM) IX ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS - FIRST READING (NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA) (AS ADVERTISED IN THE SUN-SENTINEL) X ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS - SECOND READING (NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA) (AS ADVERTISED IN THE SUN-SENTINEL) 1. ORDINANCE NO. 20O-03-111: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS; AMENDING SCHEDULE P - DESIGN STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, SECTION 8 - LIGHTING STANDARDS; AND AMENDING ARTICLE III, ZONING DISTRICTS, SECTION 6.9 - LIGHTING STANDARDS, REQUIREMENTS, AND CONSERVATION, SUB-SECTION 6.9.4, LIGHTING CONSERVATION, IS HEREBY AMENDED TO ADD SUBPARAGRAPH (G); PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM City of Lauderhill Page 2 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: ORD-20O-03-111-LDR-Sec 8 & 6.9.4 Lighting Standards.pdf AR 20O-03-111 DRR-Lighting Standards- updated.pdf This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) XI RESOLUTIONS (IF NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA) 2. RESOLUTION NO. 20R-03-68: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO KEYLITE POWER & LIGHTING CORP. TO ALLOW THE PURCHASE OF A FIRE ALARM ALERTING SYSTEM INCLUDING SOFTWARE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $120,000.00, BASED UPON THE BIDS SOLICITED BY BROWARD COUNTY (R1426611P1); PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBERS 190-351-06984 AND 305-21-06984; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-68-PIGGY-Fire Alarm Alert System.pdf AR 20R-03-68 ORIGINAL FILE NOTIFICATION.(002).pdf Keylite Power & Lighting Corp.pdf This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) 3. RESOLUTION NO. 20R-03-69: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PURCHASE FROM DUVAL FORD OF ONE (1) 2020 F-350 4X4 TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,812.00; APPROVING THE PURCHASE FROM COGGIN FORD OF ONE (1) 2020 F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,290.40 BOTH BASED UPON THE BIDS SOLICITED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA (CONTRACT #25100000-19-1); PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $107,102.40 FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 401-933-06420; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-69-PIGGY-TRUCKS-Duval & Coggin Ford.pdf AR 20R-03-69 ORIGINAL FILE NOTIFICATION.(002).pdf DUVAL FORD QUOTE-F-350 COGGIN QUOTE-F-250.pdf City of Lauderhill Page 3 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) 4. RESOLUTION NO. 20R-03-70: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA INDICATING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A SUBJECT TO ANNUAL APPROPRIATION TAX-EXEMPT LEASE-PURCHASE FINANCING ARRANGEMENT TO PAY CERTAIN COSTS OF ACQUIRING AND EQUIPPING VEHICLES AND TO USE A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH FINANCING TO REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES PAID OR INCURRED PRIOR TO THE DATE PROCEEDS OF THE LEASE-PURCHASE FINANCING ARE AVALABLE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-70-Reimbursement Resolution-Equipment Lease.pdf AR 20R-03-70 This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) 5. RESOLUTION NO. 20R-03-71: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE EXISTING JOB POSITION OF AUDIO ENGINEER/TECHNICAL COORDINATOR; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-71-JOB-modification-Audi Engineer.pdf AR 20R-03-71 Audio Engineer-Technical Coordinator 2020.pdf This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) 6. RESOLUTION 20R-03-72: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND BROWARD COUNTY PERMITS NECESSARY TO INSTALL PUBLIC ART ON TRAFFIC CONTROL BOXES AROUND THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-72-traffic box wrap permits.pdf AR 20R-03-72 TrafficControlBoxes.pdf This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) City of Lauderhill Page 4 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 7. RESOLUTION NO. 20R-03-73: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL GRANTING TO CROWN CASTLE SOUTH, L.L.C., AS AGENT FOR BELLSOUTH MOBILITY, L.L.C. ON BEHALF OF VERIZON CONSENT TO MODIFY THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT AT THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY WITHIN ITS EXISTING LEASED AREA LOCATED AT 5455 N.W. 19th STREET/2000 CITY HALL DRIVE (BU 812072), WITHIN THE PARAMETERS AND SPECIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY THE CITY AND SUBJECT TO ALL PERMITTING AND REVIEWS REQUIRED BY THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE LETTER OF CONSENT SUBJECT TO BEING REQUIRED TO MEET THE PARAMETERS AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-73-Verizon Consent Reso.pdf AR 20R-03-73 812072 - Verizon Consent - revised.pdf This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) 8. RESOLUTION NO. 20R-03-74: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL GRANTING TO CROWN CASTLE SOUTH, L.L.C., AS AGENT FOR BELLSOUTH MOBILITY, L.L.C. ON BEHALF OF SPRINT PCS CONSENT TO MODIFY THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT AT THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY WITHIN ITS EXISTING LEASED AREA LOCATED AT 5455 N.W. 19th STREET/2000 CITY HALL DRIVE (BU 812072), WITHIN THE PARAMETERS AND SPECIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY THE CITY AND SUBJECT TO ALL PERMITTING AND REVIEWS REQUIRED BY THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE LETTER OF CONSENT SUBJECT TO BEING REQUIRED TO MEET THE PARAMETERS AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH). Attachments: RES-20R-03-74-Crown Castle Consent Sprint modification 2020.pdf AR 20R-03-74 812072 - Sprint Consent - revised.pdf This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of Consent Agenda for vote tally.) XII QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS (IF NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA) XIII QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING City of Lauderhill Page 5 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 XIV QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, SECOND READING XV UNFINISHED BUSINESS XVI OLD BUSINESS XVII NEW BUSINESS XVIII COMMUNICATIONS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS AT 9:00 PM, OR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ADJOURNMENT, WHICHEVER SHALL FIRST OCCUR. IF AN ITEM OF LEGISLATION IS BEING DISCUSSED AT 9:00 PM, THE CHAIR MAY DELAY THESE COMMUNICATIONS UNTIL AFTER THE ITEM OF LEGISLATION HAS BEEN RESOLVED. City Attorney Hall commented on having a great experience over the last several weeks working with the City’s administration, including all department heads and their staff, in terms of how responsive they were during the COVID-19 crisis. As Governor DeSantis’s executive orders were dispatched, City staff and he worked together to digest the information and disseminate it to the public as soon as possible. Commissioner Campbell urged his fellow Commission members to stay safe, as this was a new experience for everyone, though he was now feeling like a caged animal since he was used to being out and about, but he encouraged Lauderhill residents to observe the precautions. The full length of time for self-quarantining was yet unknown, but it was important for everyone to stay safe, as he hoped the country would eventually overcome the hurdles currently before them. He looked forward to getting back into the community, noting he was in good health and hoped everyone continued to be safe. Commissioner Bates commended Interim City Manager Giles-Smith and her staff for guiding the City Commission, and Lauderhill’s residents and businesses through such a turbulent time. She knew it was not easy for Ms. Giles-Smith, her staff and the Commission to get members of the public to understand the importance of staying inside, stating she too had cabin fever, as it was difficult for her to walk in her neighborhood without being stopped. She urged everyone to stay safe with God’s blessings, encouraging City staff to continue doing good work. Vice Mayor Berger remarked the City’s administrative staff was doing a great job in keeping the City Commission, residents and businesses updated with the many news releases and other information on what the City was doing to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, and this included maintaining a very cooperative relationship with other governmental entities. He felt sure Lauderhill would come through the crisis well, though it could take a while, whether weeks or months. Commissioner Grant echoed thanks to Interim City Manager Giles-Smith and her team, particularly the Police Chief and Fire Chief, who continued to provide daily updates; the information kept her apprised of the situation, so she could keep City of Lauderhill Page 6 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 members of the Lauderhill community informed. Additionally, she encouraged the City Commission and staff, as she knew Ms. Giles-Smith was already doing, to reach out to churches and remind them to urge their members to adhere to the stay-at-home order; a pastor in Tampa was recently arrested for preaching to a packed church. Religious leaders should encourage congregants to adhere to self-quarantining for their own safety. She hoped her colleagues would stay safe in what was a tough time navigating through the process of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, as there were so many unknowns, but there had to be a light at the end of the tunnel, feeling sure Lauderhill would get there. Interim City Manager Giles-Smith echoed thanks to her staff for doing such a great job, going above and beyond the call of duty, expressing appreciation for all their hard work. She commended IT Director Downs for enabling the present meeting to take place in the manner in which it was being conducted, noting it was a historical moment for the City, as this was the first time a Commission meeting took place in this manner. Fire Chief Marc Celetti was doing a great job leading the City in Emergency Operation Center (EOC) activities, along with Police Chief Stanley. She said Interim Deputy City Manager Kennie Hobbs was doing an excellent job to ensure the City was moving in the right direction financially, so the City could purchase whatever was needed to deal with COVID-19. Residents were reminded to visit the City’s website to get information on resources and anything for which they needed help. Ms. Giles-Smith stated, for businesses, the City had a full listing of all grants, loans, resources, etc. they could use; there was information on businesses that should be opened and those that should not, and what they could or could not do during the COVID-19 crisis, so she urged residents and businesses to visit the City’s website. If they were unable to find what they sought, they could call the City at 954-739-0100, and staff would help them the best way possible; if emailing was preferred, emails could be sent to the email address listed. Fire Chief Marc Celetti updated the City Commission on the City’s status in the COVID-19 crisis, as detailed in the backup, highlighting the following: • The information was relative to the last hour • The City was currently aware of six Lauderhill residents testing positive for COVID-19, and they were tracking another 17 cases • The number of general calls had not escalated, but calls for flu-type symptoms had; though the Florida Department of Health website reported only four cases, there was a lag in getting information out • His department ran a protocol on cases triaged by dispatchers, who received information from callers, then his staff gauged their response from that point • The Department engaged a Coral Springs company to find and purchase COVID-19 quick test kits; his staff and he worked with the medical director in doing this, and they were currently working through that process to make the purchase; they anticipated receiving the kits in 14 days; they would initially go to first responders, but they expected to see them more available to general consumers; this would help in pre-diagnosing some conditions, and reducing some of the anxiety; the test kits were, generally, the same test kits available through multiple outlets • Regarding personal protection equipment, (PPE), it was said on the news that emergency responders were unable to get sufficient supplies. However, the logistics division in his department, over the last two weeks, were busy working to City of Lauderhill Page 7 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 gauge having sufficient supplies for the next 30 to 45 days; they asked the Lauderhill vendor that provided uniforms to both the Police and Fire Departments to locate some of the PPE supplies needed, which they did successfully • It was disheartening to see the rising numbers of those infected with COVID-19; the State of Florida had a 1,171 last week, and seven days later, the State was at 5,276, and this was a fluid number. Mayor Thurston noted seeing on the City’s website information about the Fire Department making deliveries to the nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALF), asking Chief Celetti to elaborate. Chief Celetti affirmed this was the case, stating his staff began some two weeks prior to do daily checkups at all Lauderhill ALFs; this was being done for a number of reasons, including the need to see the status of the clients residing at the facilities; they began doing this after direction came from the Governor to lock down ALFs. During their daily queries, they sought to find out the status the PPE they used throughout the day; though they were a business and required to provide those supplies, they were on the lower end of the supply chain. His staff and he put in a mission request to the State EOC, as did other like departments, to acquire supplies on the ALFs’ behalf, and that order was filled in the past weekend, so his staff made the local deliveries; he believed they delivered PPE to ten or 12 ALFs in the City. Commissioner Campbell commended Chief Celetti and his staff for their outstanding work, noting at the last meeting he mentioned larger ALFs were more easily identified, wondering about the efforts being made to contact smaller ALFs in the City to know their status. Chief Celetti indicated his staff and he did a daily call to every ALF in the City, and their inspector visited sites that failed to respond to their calls. The Department of Health initiated an Ambulance Strike Team (AST) through the State EOC, and their sole responsibility was to check every ALF in Broward County, and then move on to the nursing homes. He said they were out in Lauderhill, and his department received reports on a daily basis for all facilities, small to large. The AST provided literature and information on good practices, and they got a census of the patients and their status. Commissioner Campbell asked if the City assessed and made recommendations to smaller ALFs according to their unique circumstances that varied from home to home. Chief Celetti responded his staff and he did not have much control over getting them to take action, but they could advise them, and the AST was taking the lead on that initiative, the goal being for those facilities to do the best they could to meet social distancing requirements, etc. A typical small ALF in Lauderhill was 16 or fewer beds, and the rooms in some were small and housed two persons each, but they were taking steps to create more space but were constrained by building size, while trying to continue to provide appropriate levels of service. Commissioner Campbell questioned if the department visited a site and observed an issue to be addressed, would they alert ALF staff of the need to resolve the City of Lauderhill Page 8 City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2020 matter. Chief Celetti answered yes. As the ASTs were actually in the buildings and doing a complete census of the clients in there, if they saw any issues, they were obligated to notify his department; his staff and he had yet to be notified of any such findings. Interim City Manager Giles-Smith noted it was brought to City staff’s attention that, at present, not all persons diagnosed with COVID-19 were being reported on in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, so there were times when the City’s first responders went out and were caught off guard. Persons who tested positive for COVID-19 should be listed by the Department of Health on the CAD System. When people were known to test positive for COVID-19, she believed the Department of Health took about two hours to post incidents, but when the data source was from a private testing site, such as Quest, those findings were not consistently reported as they should. Her staff was in the process of drafting a letter to Governor DeSantis, asking him to close the information loop, and ensure private sites that tested for COVID-19 reported all persons who tested positive, so they could be placed on the system within that two-hour timespan. In this way, when first responders answered a call, they were informed and better prepared. Mayor Thurston thanked City staff for the great job they were doing during such very difficult times, especially the first responders; first responders in other areas of the country already lost their lives due to COVID-19. The City’s emergency response staff was greatly appreciated for their dedication and hard work they continued to do to keep the City’s residents safe. XIX ADJOURNMENT - 7:29 PM City of Lauderhill Page 9