City of Margate Meeting Minutes Mayor Tommy Ruzzano Vice Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz Commissioners: Antonio V. Arserio, Anthony N. Caggiano, Joanne Simone City Manager Cale Curtis City Attorney Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman City Clerk. Jennifer M.. Johnson  57901 Margate Boulevard Margate, FL33063 954-972-6454 www.margatef.com  Regular City Commission Meeting  Wednesday, September 18, 2024  7:00PM  Commission Chambers and Zoom.us Webinar ID: 883 60788488  tps.luso2webzoom.us/8350788488  CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL  Present: 3- Commissioner Anthony N. Caggiano, Commissioner Joanne Simone and Mayor  Tommy Ruzzano  Not Present: 1- Commissioner Antonio V. Arserio Absent: 1- Vice Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz  COMMISSIONER ANTONIO' V. ARSERIO arrived at 7:52pm.  MOMENT OF SILENCE-INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  A. ID2024-303 LAUREN GRACEI ROBINSON, 1ST GRADE, PHYL'S. ACADEMY  1) KESENIATIONG)  A. ID2024-202 MARGATE 50 YEARI RESIDENCY AWARD  MAYOR TOMMY RUZZANO explained that there was no Margate 50 Year Residency but he was recognizing Marion Marini who would be 100 years old on Friday.  Discussion ensued.  ATHLETES OFTHE) MONTH  B. ID2024-201 BASEBALL: ANGELO MANZI, 7YEARS OLD (City of Margate Baseball, River  Bandits)  City ofA Margate  Page1  Printed on 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting PROCLAMATIONIS)  Meeting Minutes  September 18,2024  D. ID2024-316 NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 15- OCTOBER 15,  2024 (presented tol Fire Chief Roberto Lorenzo) This Item was heard before Item 1)C.I ID: 2024-280. FIRE CHIEF ROBERTO LORENZO spoke on this Item.  MAYOR RUZZANO stated that Commissioner Joanne Simone was awarded a Gold  Certificate of Excellence.  EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION FOR YEARS OF SERVICE  C. ID2024-280 STEPHEN M. SIMMONS, POLICE OFFICER POLICE DEPARTMENT - 20  YEARS  2) PUBLIC DISCUSSION  MAYOR RUZZANO explained the protocol fors submitting comments to Public DONNA L. FELLOWS said that there was a disgraced City Commissioner. She COMMISSIONER. JOANNE SIMONE interjected Ms. Fellows' discussion and was CITY ATTORNEY, DAVID N. TOLCES, read the Code of Conduct for City Commission MAYOR RUZZANO said that he would not stop people speaking their minds. ELSA. J. SANCHEZ congratulated and thanked Commissioner Simone and saidt that she was always there fori the residents. Shet thankedi the Margate Police Department and singled out Police Sergeant Schwartz and Police Detectives, Shapiro and Irelan, pertaining to ani issue at Paradise Gardens III. She thanked Fire ChiefL Lorenzo and Fire Marshal Scholl pertaining tol his excellent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. COKESBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MARGATE, PASTOR, REV. LUCAS BONATES, introduced his Administrative Assistant, Danielle Welsh Morales. He explained that he wanted tol bring back a pumpkin patch tol his church and sought support and ideas from the City to make this ab big community event. MAYOR RUZZANO indicated that literature was provided toi the City Commission before the meeting had started which contained: a detailed list of what the Cokesbury United COKESBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MARGATE, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, DANIELLE WELSHI MORALES, repeated the information provided by Rev. Bonates to bring back the Cokesbury Pumpkin Patch to Margate and encouragedi the public to attend. Sher requested signage to be erected ont the main City streets and sought sponsorship from the City in terms of advertising on their social media or City  Discussion.  referenced property taxes.  conçerned: about personal attacks on City Commissioners.  meetings.  Methodist Church of Margate was looking to do.  City of Margate  Page2  Printed on1 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  page. Shes said that they wanted to give back tot the community.  Discussion ensued.  JULIE. JONES questioned whether charity contributions go to a 501(c)(3) or was itr made payable to a resident. She said that she was receiving enormous things sent to her telephone pertaining tot the election and saidt that the Mayor's office needed to! be LAUREN BERACHA discussed receiving feedback for a lack of respect for people's MR. KRALJIC read a statement expressing his concerns on the messaging from the City Commission which was discussed two meetings ago pertaining to parking on sidewalks. COMMISSIONER, ANTHONY N. CAGGIANO, discussed hurricane preparedness. COMMISSIONER SIMONE forewarned of a potential storm for this weekend. She thanked the senior management of Department ofE Environmental and Engineering Services (DEES) and Waste Water team for assisting int the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Disposal event. She advised the public to be safe and well MAYOR RUZZANO was in favor of members of the public speaking their piece. He explained that the Mayor's role was nota a ceremonial position. He expressed thats staff did a great job on the budget which went smoothly. He highlighted that the City's taxes would not be raised but they could findi increases pertaining to the Broward County (BC) School board and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). He thanked the MAYOR RUZZANO advised thatt the Trunk or Treat event would be moved to the Margate Sports Complex on October 26th. He congratulated Commissioner Simone on her CITY ATTORNEY TOLCES said thath he would be attending the International Municipal Lawyers Association annual conference in Orlando where he hoped to speak ont the  respected.  property from the City Commission placing election signs.  3) COMMISSION COMMENTS  hydrated.  Chief of Police Palma for some pins.  accolade.  affordable housing crisis in Florida.  4) CITY MANAGER'S REPORT  CITY MANAGER CALE CURTIS thanked all the Department Directors and their staff for theirt time and efforti in assisting with the! budget process ands said thatt they have done an excellent job of clearly communicating the goals and objectives oft the same which! had made a vasti improvement. He highlighted tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony scheduled  for the newly appointed, Chief of Police Palma.  5) CONSENT AGENDA  Items listed under Consent Agenda are viewed tol be routine and the recommendation will be enacted by one motion int the forml listed below. If discussion is desired by the Commission, the item(s) will be removed from the Consent  Agenda and will be considered: separately.  City ofl Margate  Page 3  Printed on 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  A. D2024-288 MOTION - APPROVAL OF CITY COMMISSION MINUTES: AUGUST 21, 2024  REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING @ 6:30PM, AUGUST 21, 2024 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING @ 7PM AND SEPTEMBER 9, 2024  CITY COMMISSION: BUDGET HEARING  APPROVED  AI motion was made by Commissioner Simone, seconded by Commissioner Caggiano, that this Minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following Yes: 3- Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone and Mayor Ruzzano  vote:  Not Present: 1- Commissioner Arserio Absent: 1- Vicel Mayor Schwartz  6) RESOLUTIONS)  A. ID2024-299 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, AWARDING  CONTRACT ENTITLED "WATER MAINS IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 2B - US 441& ROYAL PALM BLVD INTERSECTION" TO PABON ENGINEERING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $650,000.00; PROVIDING FOR A PUBLIC Ar motion was made by Commissioner Simone, seconded by Commissioner Yes: 3- Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone and Mayor Ruzzano  PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR. AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Caggiano, that this Resolution, should be approved.  Not Present: 1- Commissioner Arserio Absent: 1- Vice Mayor Schwartz  B. ID2024-306 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE MEMORANDUM OF  UNDERSTANDING WITH THE MARGATE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("MCRA") PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION RATE FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY ON BEHALF OF THE MCRA PURSUANT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MCRA ANDTHE CITY OF MARGATE, FORI FISCAL YEAR2024-25 Ar motion was made by Commissioner Simone, seconded by Commissioner Caggiano, that this Resolution, should be approved. Yes: 3- Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone and Mayor Ruzzano  Not Present: 1- Commissioner Arserio Absent: 1- Vice Mayor Schwartz  C. ID2024-309 RESOLUTION  APPROVING EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND SALARIES  FOR EMPLOYEES APPOINTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION; PROVIDING  City ofA Margate  Page 4  Printed on1 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  FOR AMENDMENT AND EXECUTION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS; Ar motion was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by Mayor Ruzzano,  PROVIDING FORI EFFECTIVEDATE. that this Resolution, should be discussed.  MAYOR RUZZANO said that they should all receive the increases but believed that the Fire Chief's salary should be bumped up to $200,000 and questioned the salary oft the CITY CLERK, JENNIFER M. JOHNSON, informed that Coconut Creek's City Clerk's  City Clerk's position in Coconut Creek. salary was $175,302. Discussion ensued.  Ar motion to amend was made by Mayor Ruzzano, to move the Fire Chief to $200,000 which would be a: 3% increase andi the City Clerk go to $176,000.  COMMISSIONER, ANTONIO V. ARSERIO, joined the City Commission meeting via Zoom at7 7:48pm. He said that he was not expecting ar round up on the salary numbers and asked ift this could be effective after the Cost ofl Living Adjustment (COLA). COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO concurred with Commissioner Arserio request.  Discussion ensued.  CITY ATTORNEY TOLCES advised that whatever increase they proposed, ini theory, could goi into effect after October 1st asi ity would be captured within any increase. Commissioner Arserio entered the City Chambers at 7:52pm and Commissioner  Discussion ensued ont the COLA increase. Caggiano temporarily left the City Chambers.  Discussion ensued.  A motion to amend was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by Mayor Ruzzano, to provide for adjustments and benefits as provided in the Exhibit to the Resolution with the provision to move the Fire Chief to $200,000 and the City Clerk to $176,000, with no Cost ofl Living Adjustment (COLA) on October 1st, 2024  for Fire Chief and City Clerk.  COMMISSIONER SIMONE explained that at the last City Commission meeting when they appointed the new Chief of Police, thei idea was thrown out by one City  City of Margate  Page 5  Printed on 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  Commissioner fori the Fire Chieft to puti in for ar new contract and that all thep people that the City Commission hired should also puti ini for new contracts and raises and thati itv was not vetted. She believed thati it was not a standard operating procedure and that itv was not discussed att the Budget Workshop or Meetings and referenced political posturing ands said that giving 10% increases to employees without any evaluations was wrong. She also said that those employees were hired and fireda att the will oft the City Commission and believed thatt they should have annual contracts andt thatt they should! be reviewed annually before making any raises. She also explained that had this Item been discussed at their Budget Meeting, then she would probably have votedf for itb butr not how itv was currently presented, especially withouti information. She emphasized that both City Clerk. Johnson and Fire Chief Lorenzo were both doing af fantastic, job. She also indicated that whent the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) disbanded, the Assistant City Manager and the City Manager would be applying for a CRA: stipend. She apologized thats she could not vote fori this Item. She was aware that the City was looking into doing a comparative salary on alli the employees to ensure that Margate was competitive with neighboring cities. She advised that this Item should bel brought up next year when they hadt the salaries available for staffr members. COMMISSIONER ARSERIO explained that the City had top talent and that they wanted to ensure that they retained employees, whether itv was receiving bonuses or parental leave. He said that ift they did not remain competitive with other cities, they were going to see employees leave and that he was all about payinge equal to what cities ofas similar size were paying. He said that although the CRA would sunset, the responsibilities would still be there and that they would bei in the midst of a downtown development. He thought thati ift they did not keep that stipend, those staffr members would probably leave where it could be difficult tot findr replacements att that current salary and also referenced ther new Chief of Police's salary. Hei indicated that currently, the salaries suitedt those positions, that Margate was one of the few full serviced cities and the responsibilities that they have were much greater than many other City Managers and Department heads. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO referenced that there was no respect for not putting this Item into the budget wherei ito could have been discussed. He concurred with Commissioner Simone's comments and that they received noi information that this Item was going to be placed prior tot today andi that they should have receivedi this in advance. CITY MANAGER CURTIS expressed thatt this discussion was very uncomfortable for everybody including the Directors that were present. He said thatt the staff putt this together which was appropriate to come before the City Commission. He indicated that the only way that an amendment could! be made was for that mechanism to be utilized at  Discussion ensued.  a City Commission meeting. Discussion ensued.  JULIV VAN DERI MEULEN commented on the conduct displayed and that they were embarrassing thep people who were receiving the raise. She advised that Human Resources needed to be present to support the City Commission. MS. FELLOWS commented on the pending salaries, COLA increases and severance  packages. Discussion ensued.  City of Margate  Page 6  Printed on 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  The motion carried by the following vote:  Yes: 3- Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Arserio and Mayor Ruzzano  No: 1- Commissioner Simone Absent: 1- Vice Mayor Schwartz  7) ORDINANCES)- SECOND READING A. ID2024-301 ORDINANCE  AMENDING CHAPTER 33- POLICE AND LAW  ENFORCEMENT; OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 1- OFFENSES, MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, ADDING NEW SECTION 33-34PUBLIC CAMPING OR SLEEPING PROHIBITED; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CITY ATTORNEYTOLCES provided a detailed background ont this Ordinance and explained thati ity was a continuation from thel last City Commission meeting sot that they could review the proposed BC Ordinance. He said thati in this revised version of the Ordinance, they included the process for a resident tot file a complaint with the City which MAYOR RUZZANO advised thati it was not something to hurt the homeless people butit was to cover the City. He expressed that they should be courteous ift they see someone  AN EFFECTIVE, DATE  was stipulated onp page 6 starting onl line 13.  going through rought times.  A motion was made by Commission Caggiano, seconded by Commissioner Arserio, that this Ordinance, Second Reading, should be approved.  MARGI PATTIN sought information on the City's plan for their homeless issue and was MAYOR RUZZANO indicated that there was not an answer for the homeless system and that they should assess what other cities were doing! but that it would not be possible to MS. PATTIN said thatt they have nine homeless families int their program at the hotel, two disabled seniors and one veteran, a couple of which, they have! housed for four- six months. She said that the Mayor of Plantation was considering putting a housing facility inac church parking lot. She said thatt there were al lot of options where she already highlighted that Tamarac had purchased beds and that the City of Pompano hada designated homeless outreach specialist that was hired! by their city. She referenced pay raises and suggested that they could utilize some oft thatr money into hiring an external homeless outreach specialist for the City. MAYOR RUZZANO saidt thati they would definitely look into it.  awaiting an update from the City Manager's office. house them all but he would welcome suggestions.  City ofl Margate  Page7  Printed on 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  Discussion ensued.  MS. FELLOWS suggested that some of the City staff needed to visit the people at the hotel and recommended an outreach program in Margate. She explained that she had met al blind gentleman whose house was condemned and that he was relocated to that JULIE. JONES credited Ms. Beracha fori introducing hert tot feeding the homeless and said LAUREN BERACHA expressed her sadness ons seeing people homeless on the streets and ats some centers and highlighted those that had been outpriced from their homes due NICOLE COLLINS questioned what would happen to the people livingi in Laurels and anticipated thatt they would be made homeless. She expressed that she would dedicate ar month's worth of volunteering to work out a solution for this problem. COMMISSIONER. ARSERIO explained that the Ordinance derived from Florida State Governor DeSantis and believedi itv was a political motive without offering a solution. He informed thati ity was both a State and County issue and that BC: should find a way to work itout. He advised thatt the City was not going to arrest anyone andt that Broward Sheriff Office (BSO) Tony saidt that he would do likewise. He would love tol help buts suggested that cities and BC officials would have to come together and brainstorm as if Margate did not comply, they could face litigation. He forewarned" that whilst he wanted tol help the homeless, he did not wantt to encourage others from other cities congregating on  hotel with the assistance of Ms. Pattin. that they needed to do something to help them. to! highi insurance, rent and medical costs.  Margate.  The motion carried as follows: Ruzzano  Yes: 4- Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Commissioner Arserio and Mayor  Absent: 1- Vice Mayor Schwartz  ADJOURNMENT  There being noi further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:33pm.  Respectfully submitted,  Transcribed by Salene E. Edwards  Clerk  Date: lol12/1029  PLEASE NOTE:  Ehes  City ofA Margate  Pages 8  Printed on 10/03/2024 9:41AM    Regular City Commission Meeting  Meeting Minutes  September 18, 2024  Ifap person decides to appeal anyo decision made! by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, the person will need ar record of the proceedings, andf for such purpose may need to ensure thata verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which recordi includes the testimony and evidence upon whicht the appeal ist to be based. Anyone desiring a verbatim transcript shall have the responsibility, at his/her own expense, [Unified Land Development Code- - Section 40.300(C)] Any representation made before any City Board, any Administrative Board, ort the City Commission int the application for a variance, special exception, conditional use or request for any other permit shall be deemed a condition oft the granting of the permit. Should any representation be false ors should said representation not be continued as represented, same shall be deemed a violation of the permit Any person with a disability requiring auxiliary aids and services for this meeting may call the City Clerk's office at One or more members oft the City of Margate Boards may bei in attendance and may participate at the meeting. Members of the public are invited to view this meeting through Zoom using Webinar ID: 883 60788 8488 or can listen via telephone by calling one oft the following phone numbers: US: +13126266799 or +1 9292056099. A copy of the Agenda for this Meetingi isp posted on www.MargateFL.com. and on the main bulletin board outside  to arrange for the transcript.  and a violation oft this section.  (954)9 972-6454 with their request at least two business days prior tot the meeting date.  City Hall located at! 5790 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL33063.  THROUGH THE CITY'S WEBSITE: Go to www.margatefl.com items and see the Zoom meeting information  Go to' "Agendas & Minutes": > Find the respective meeting date and dick" "Agenda Summary" to view the agenda ALTERNATE OPTION FOR VIEWING. AND LISTENING TO THE MEETING THROUGH: ZOOM.US  Instructions:  Topic: "Margate Regular City Commission Meeting"  Enter thei following link to join the webinar: ntps/4s02wep.zcom.uS/8360788488 Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based ony your current location):  Telephone:  US: +13126266799or-+19292056099  City of Margate  Page9  Printedo on 10/03/2024 9:41AM