City Commission Regular Meeting Brief for March 22, 2022

COMMISSION BRIEF FOR MARCH 22, 2022

City Commission Approves Contract Renewal for Management and Testing of Backflow Prevents
The City Commission approved the second renewal of a contract with HydroCorp Inc. to provide management services including testing, repair, and installation of backflow preventers, for the City’s water system Cross Connection Control Program.  In 2016, the City Commission adopted an ordinance establishing a revised Backflow and Cross Connection Control Plan for the City’s potable water system to comply with Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Part of that revised plan was a provision that allows the City to perform the annual testing and record-keeping required for all backflow preventers (BFPs) that protect the City's water system from potential contamination and repair or replace BFPs as needed at the expense of the owner.  Funds are available and budgeted for in the Water and Sewer Fund.  The second and final renewal of this contract was approved with an amount not to exceed $45,000.

City Commission Approves Contract Renewal for Cleaning of Storm Drain Systems
The City Commission approved the renewal of an agreement with A&A Drainage and Vac Services, Inc. to provide storm drain cleaning services.  These systems of inlets, drain pipes, and outfalls need to be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis in order for them to function properly. If left unattended, they eventually fill up with debris resulting in increased frequency of road and property flooding and deposition of debris and contaminants into our lakes and canals. Cleaning is also a requirement under our municipal stormwater system permit from the State of Florida.  The term of the contract with A&A Drainage and Vac Services, Inc. was for an initial period of three years, expiring on April 23, 2022.  The City Commission has now approved a two-year renewal under the same terms and conditions as the initial contract period.  The current fiscal year budget includes $40,000 for these services, and a purchase order in the amount of $30,000.00 for cleaning services was issued in January 2022 (under the initial term of the contract).  No additional purchase order is anticipated to be issued in the current fiscal year.

City Commission Approves Extension of Agreement with ARPA Administrator
The City Commission approved the extension of on an agreement with Horace McHugh to administer the programs and initiatives proposed for funding by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.  The City Commission approved the initial agreement on December 14, 2021, which was set to expire on March 31, 2022.  The City Commission has now approved an extension of the agreement through the current fiscal year.  The hourly rate is $60 per hour (without benefits), with an estimate of $70,000 through the end of the fiscal year. These are eligible ARPA administrative costs that qualify for funding from the City’s ARPA allocation. The City of Cooper City is scheduled to receive a total of $17,930,000 of ARPA-related funds, of which the first tranche of $8,965,280 has already been received.   Staff has reviewed the project guidelines and developed a preliminary list of projects to be considered by the Commission.  ARPA funds will allow the City to undertake projects beyond the City’s regular operations and, therefore, beyond the annual budget's routine staffing allocation. As such, additional staffing and/or consulting services will be required.   There are approximately 60 programs and initiatives recommended for consideration.  There is no ability to absorb this work within the organization without additional assistance.

City Commission Authorizes the City Manager to Provide Higher Pay to Part-Time Employees
The City Commission approved a motion to authorize the City Manager to increase the hourly wage by up to five (5) dollars per hour, by means of a COVID-19 stipend, for part-time employees (not earning benefits).  This approval will be in effect as the City conducts a compensation study, which will be brought to the City Commission for review.  This approval is pursuant to a legal review.

Discussion Items of Note
The City Commission discussed two items related to traffic control.  One discussion focused on the potential for adding a stop sign at the intersection of Morris Cooper Avenue (SW 90 Avenue) and SW 51 Street.  Staff recommended, and the City Commission agreed, that the City make a formal request to Broward County for a traffic study of the location, which will provide data and ultimately help make a determination on the need for a traffic calming device at the proposed intersection. 

A second discussion centered on the potential construction of a round-a-bout at the juncture of Hiatus Road and NE Lake Boulevard.  The City Commission has directed staff to proceed with engaging with MAP (Mobility Advancement Program) Broward to pursue penny surtax funding for this potential project. 

More Information
For more information related to items on the March 22, 2022 agenda, please visit the City’s website at: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=c51c03b9b0ff40868f8c815e7bd29ca1&ip=true.

The next City Commission Regular Meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2022 at 6:30 PM at Cooper City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328.