HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 021501CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
February 15, 2001
The February 15, 2001 Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida, was called to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located
at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL: The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were in attendance:
Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice Mayor Eric Jablin, Councilmember David Clark, and Councilmember
Carl Sabatello. Councilmember Lauren Furtado was absent from the meeting.
PRESENTATIONS:
Teamwork Awards - Mayor Russo indicated that Chris Brown's award would be presented at another
meeting. Mayor Russo presented a teamwork award to Chuck Miserendino for computer guidance.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
Resident Survey - Hoyt Owens, the new Public Works Director, was introduced. Assistant to the City
Manager Beth Ingold Love introduced Dr. Robert Hays of Jupiter, who reported the results of the
resident survey. Dr. Hayes indicated the objectives of the survey were to determine the citizens'
most pressing concerns, what the citizens liked and disliked about the City, and citizen satisfaction
when contacting the City's departments. 400 telephone interviews were conducted, and the item of
most concern from choices presented was that growth would adversely tax the capacity of the roads.
The second item was measuring the level of satisfaction of amenities provided by the City, to which
the most satisfaction expressed was the cleanliness of the parks, the availability of medical service,
the feeling of personal safety, and the conditions of the streets and roads. Items of concern in that
same list were school crowding, capacity of the roads, stormwater drainage, nature of growth, jobs,
and affordable housing. Citizen comments indicated they liked the location and convenience of the
City, it's friendly community atmosphere, that it was beautiful and clean, and the small -town
attributes of the City. Dr. Hays concluded that the City's residents wanted a tidy, well- managed,
neighborly community that was easy to navigate and had controlled growth. Recommendations from
the survey were to improve the City's customer communication skills; control growth to the extent
possible; keep the small -town look and feel; think convenience for current residents first and then
the new residents moving in as a result of growth; improve traffic at rush hour; keep working with
the School District to improve capacity; and keep up the good work since appreciation for what the
City does was evident in this survey. Mayor Russo thanked Dr. Hays and requested that City
Manager Ferris review the survey results and provide a report.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Gregory Knight, 309 Riverside Drive, requested more access to the roller hockey rinks for the kids
instead of locking the rinks. City Manager Ferris indicated he would work on this issue and a report
would be provided at the next meeting.
Julia Byrd, 4406 Daffodil Circle, questioned the maximum and minimum dollar amounts allowed
by the City Charter for approving contracts without going out for bids or RFP's; who paid for the
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 2/15/01 2
landscaping and irrigation for the City sign at Arbor Way and Military Trail and who was responsible
for the landscape maintenance; whether the City had recovered the $20,000 interest -free loan
approved for the former City Manager when he was terminated; whether the City was recovering the
$80,000 from the grant writer consultant who did not fulfil his contract; expressed concern regarding
a safety hazard if the hedge at the Lake Catherine trail was allowed to grow; questioned whether the
afternoon City Council workshop meetings were primarily to set the agenda for the night meetings;
and requested reports from the City Council be moved to the beginning of the agenda. Mayor Russo
responded the reports would be moved, that the afternoon workshop meetings were for staff to
respond to any questions from the City Council about the agenda, that the Lake Catherine hedge
would not be allowed to grow higher than it was now, that the $80,000 had been recovered from the
grant writer consultant, that the $20,000 loan was part of the settlement with the former City
Manager, that the landscaping and irrigation for the City sign was provided by the City but would
be maintained by the property owner, and the amount that could be approved without going out for
bid was $10,000. Ms. Byrd questioned the design/build recreation storage facility contract, to which
staff responded that contract had been competitively bid.
Bob Kaplan, 102 Windward Drive, expressed thanks for the work done on the City's internet site,
but expressed concern that it was not easy to find using search engines. Mr. Kaplan suggested the
domain name of PalmBeachGardens.com be purchased from the owner, who was Naples, Florida.
Mr. Kaplan requested the same information be provided on the Internet for the Planning & Zoning
meetings that was provided for the City Council meetings. Staff response was they were working
to make the website more efficient.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilman Clark moved approval of the Consent Agenda with the exception of item (i) -
Resolution 29, 2001 - Mirasol Landscape Buffer and Parkway Plans. Consideration of approving
the perimeter landscape buffers, North -South Parkway landscape buffers, pump house elevations,
and lighting plans for the Mirasol Planned Community Development, which had been pulled and
rescheduled to the March 1, 2001 Regular City Council Meeting. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the
motion, which was approved by unanimous 4 -0 vote. The following items were approved on the
Consent Agenda:
a. Consideration of approving Minutes from the January 16, 2001 City Council Workshop
Meeting.
b. Consideration of approving Minutes from the January 18, 2001 Regular City Council
Meeting.
C. Purchase of Golf Equipment. Consideration of purchasing a green's mower for use at the golf
course at a cost of $15,947.00.
d. Resolution 24, 2001 - Consideration of opposing a High Speed Rail Transportation System
going through the City of Palm Beach Gardens.
e. Resolution 25, 2001 - Traffic Impact Fees. Consideration of Pooling City Traffic Impact
Fees for certain real properties.
f. Resolution 26, 2001 - Funding Reimbursement. Consideration of authorizing a financial
assistance agreement with Palm Beach County to allow for reimbursement of funding for the
preparation of construction plans for streetscape improvements to Northlake Boulevard
between Military Trail and U.S. Highway One.
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g. Resolution 27, 2001 - Zoning in Progress. Consideration of adopting "Zoning in Progress"
for real properties within the City that abut Northlake Boulevard between Military Trail to
the West and Old Dixie Highway to the East; providing for a nine -month time of duration
for "Zoning in Progress" and a three month extension, if needed; providing for notification
to the public.
h. Resolution 28, 2001 - Northlake Boulevard Corridor Task Force. Consideration of entering
into an agreement entitled "Assignment" with the Village of North Palm Beach which
authorizes the City to accept responsibility as agent for the Northlake Boulevard Corridor
Task Force for funding and administering an agreement with Michael Redd and Associates,
P.A., for the preparation of construction drawings for streetscape improvements to Northlake
Boulevard.
j. Resolution 31, 2001— Firefighters' Pension Board of Trustees. Consideration of appointing
Richard B. Beladino to the Board of Trustees of the City's Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund.
k. Resolution 32, 2001 - Loan Agreement. Consideration of authorizing the borrowing of not
exceeding $30,000,000.00 from the Florida Intergovernmental Finance Commission Loan
Program to finance and/or refinance certain capital projects of the City; authorizing the
execution and delivery of a Loan Agreement in connection therewith; authorizing the
issuance of a not to exceed $30,000,000.00 note to evidence the obligation of the City to
secure the repayment of the loan and the note; providing for the term and repayment
provisions thereof; authorizing certain other matters in connection therewith.
1. Resolution 34, 2001 - City Manager Contract.
m. Resolution 35, 2001 - Catalina Lakes Plat Approval. Consideration of approving the Catalina
Lakes Plat.
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution 29, 2000 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
amending Resolution 55, 1998 to allow for the construction of covered parking for 66 existing
approved parking spaces in the Fairway Office Center located within the PGA National Planned
Community District; and providing for an effective date. Planner John Lindgren presented the
request. Neil Merin, representative for the petitioner; spoke on behalf of the petitioner. Phil Lyddon,
representative for the PGA POA, indicated the POA favored the covered parking as proposed.
Councilman Sabatello expressed his opinion that more than 5% soft structure covered parking would
not be appropriate and that he would vote against this request. Councilman Clark moved approval
of Resolution 29, 2000. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by 3 -1 vote.
ORDINANCES:
Ordinance 2, 2001 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
Amending Chapter 74 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Palm Beach Gardens entitled
"Utilities," by creating a new Article IV, Sections 74 -71 through 74 -77, entitled "Water Shortage
Regulations ": providing for severability; providing for conflicts; providing libr codification; and
providing for an effective date. Staff reported this ordinance would provide more enforcement in
addressing the problems by allowing Code Enforcement and police officers to write citations for the
water restrictions issued by South Florida Water Management. Because of such low water levels in
Lake Okeechobee and the aquifer along the Intracoastal Waterway, the City could be in serious
trouble if compliance were not achieved, at which time Phase III restrictions could be instituted.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 2/12/2001 4
Discussion ensued regarding increasing the amount of the fine for the first violation, and it was
pointed out that first offense fines in other municipalities were more harsh than the City's $25 fine.
It was the consensus of the City Council to leave the fines as they were. Councilman Clark made
a motion to place Ordinance 2, 2001 on First Reading by title only. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the
motion, which carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 2, 2001 on First
Reading by title only.
Ordinance 4, 2001 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
providing for the approval of an application from Toll Brother's Development Company, Inc. for
approval of a re- zoning to Planned Community Development Overlay Zoning with underlying
zoning of RL -3 (Residential Low) to allow for a 434.18 Acre, 530 dwelling unit residential
community which includes an 18 -hole golf course and a 45,000 square foot clubhouse facility
located directly east of the intersection of Hood Road and Alternate AlA as more particularly
described herein; providing for conditions of approval; providing for waivers; providing for
severability; providing for conflicts; and providing for an effective date. Senior Planner Edward
Tombari presented the project. The City Council discussed the proposed waivers and Councilman
Clark and Vice Mayor Jablin agreed with the first two waiver requests regarding sidewalks.
Attorney Ray Royce spoke on behalf of the petitioner. Planner Bob Benz with Land Design South,
gave an extensive presentation on the overall project. Greg Stang, Golf Course Architect with the
Arnold Palmer Golf Course Design Company, reviewed the architectural style envisioned for the golf
course. Mr. Benz described the requested waivers for pedestrian pathways and for setbacks in single
family and zero lot line categories. Interim Growth Management Director Steve Cramer explained
that staff did not support consideration of the requested waivers for setbacks and lot coverages for
the master plan but felt it would be appropriate to consider those waivers when considering the
individual site plans. Councilman Sabatello expressed his opinion that the City should give as much
direction to the applicant as possible in the early stages. Mr. Kent Weiland, Landscape Architect,
reviewed the proposed landscaping. The pedestrian walkway, requested to be on only one side of
the spine road, was discussed. Councilman Clark requested there be adequate directional signage
from Alternate AIA to the fire station. Councilman Sabatello commented he agreed with the waiver
requesting reduction from 12' to 8' but believed there should be walkways on both sides of the spine
road; and had no problems with the setback waivers. Mayor Russo requested comparables for
setbacks be provided before second reading. Councilman Sabatello was to meet: with staff to discuss
standards. Councilman Clark made a motion to place Ordinance 4, 2001 on First Reading by title
only. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. The City Clerk
read Ordinance 4, 2001 on First Reading by title only. Mayor Russo complimented the petitioner
on their presentation and on making the neighbors happy.
ITEMS & REPORTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
Vice Mayor Jablin noted the Freedom Shrine had been installed in the Council Chambers, and
reported he had written a letter to Don Kiselewski informing him of the installation. Councilman
Clark reported the Beautification and Environmental Committee members were very pleased with
the shirts provided to them. Mayor Russo reported he and the Vice -Mayor had attended the tree
planting at Lake Catherine Park and thanked those responsible. Mayor Russo complimented the Fire
Department on the recent mock rescue exercise.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 2/12/2001 5
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Vice
Mayor Jablin, carries y=tithe meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
APPROVAL:
VICE
CHAIRMAN PRO T M CARL SABATELLO
'COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK
COUNCILWOMAN LAUREN FURTADO
ATTEST:
CAROL GOLD
CITY CLERK _ \