HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 030101CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 3/1/01
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
March 1, 2001
The March 1, 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, Councilmember
Lauren Furtado, and Councilmember Carl Sabatello.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Russo announced that the Kolter property project had been removed
from the agenda and would be on the March 15 agenda.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
Public Information Report - Assistant to the City Manager Beth Ingold Love announced that City
Line was in the mail; that the next neighborhood program meeting was scheduled for March 8; and
that the City had been awarded a certificate of appreciation for the City's contribution to Census
2000 by the United States Department of Commerce, which was presented to former employee Kim
Glas Castro. Dr. Ingold Love reported GIS employee Melissa Prindiville and Planning and Zoning
Commissioner Craig Kunkle had also worked on this project.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Pat Hughey, 9120 Reed Drive, requested the criteria used for hiring the City Manager, if there was
a probation period and an interim review by City Council, and if so, whether the staff had input.
Mayor Russo explained that Mr. Ferris' record while serving as Interim City Manager had been the
criteria by which the City Council wanted to hire Mr. Ferris as the permanent City Manager. The
interim period of service was his probation period and he would be evaluated after a six -month
period by the City Council. Mayor Russo explained that criteria for the evaluation might change as
a result of a workshop to be held within the next 30 days for the City Council with the City Manager.
Mayor Russo advised that a written job description for the City Manager was available.
Augustin Hernandez, 2639 West Edgewater Drive, discussed the objectives of city urban design.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilwoman Furtado moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Councilman Clark seconded the
motion, which was approved by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The following items were approved on the
Consent Agenda:
a. Consideration of approving Minutes from the January 29, 2001 City Council Workshop
Meeting.
b. Resolution 37, 2001 - Appointing Poll Workers. Consideration of appointing election
officials for the March 13, 2001 General Election.
C. Resolution 38, 2001 - Declaring Rescue Chassis Surplus. Consideration of declaring a
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 3/1/01
surplus asset.
d. Resolution 41, 2001 - Recognizing the accomplishments of Dale Earnhardt.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Ordinance 01, 2001 - Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing open, held on the intent of
Ordinance 01, 2001 - An Ordinance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, amending Article
III of the Palm Beach Gardens Code entitled Police Officers' Retirement Trust Fund; revising
provisions regarding establishment and maintenance of retirement system; revising provisions
regarding statutory compliance; revising provisions regarding normal retirement; revising provisions
regarding disability retirement; revising provisions regarding death benefits; revising provisions
regarding lump sum payment of small retirement income; revising provisions regarding prior police
officer service; adding new provision regarding cost of living adjustments; revising provisions
regarding eligibility to participate; providing for the repeal of any part of the Palm Beach Gardens
Code, any Ordinance or Resolution or parts thereof in conflict herewith; providing for severability;
and providing for an effective date. Jay Spencer, Chairperson for the Police Pension, indicated the
disability issue had been resolved and the change had been noted in the ordinance. Hearing no
further comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the public hearing closed. Councilman
Clark moved Ordinance 01, 2001 be placed on second reading by title only and approved. Vice
Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read
Ordinance 01, 2001 on second reading by title only. Councilwoman Furtado requested a paver brick
be dedicated to Leslie Ferris in recognition of all the work she had done for the Police Pension
Board. Vice Mayor Jablin indicated he had relayed this idea to her husband, and suggested a
presentation be made to him at a later date. Mayor Russo thanked everyone who had worked to
make the new retirement for the Police Department a reality. Bonnie Jensen, Attorney for the
Pension Board, recognized the work by Leslie Ferris and by the other Pension Board members.
Police Chief FitzGerald expressed thanks on behalf of the Police Department.
ITEMS & REPORTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
Councilwoman Furtado commented on the recent letter regarding the Traffic Summit to be hosted
by the City. In regard to pre - summit interviews, the City was not mentioned because these interviews
were in addition to those previously conducted by the City. Councilwoman Furtado reported that
she received a letter regarding the sound walls along I -95 that requested up -front money to get the
sound walls constructed as quickly as possible and before the road widening. Councilwoman
Furtado said the Gardens Neighborhood Association had a speaker at their last meeting who spoke
about a program called "Character Counts," that was supported by the Juvenile Justice Commission.
Councilwoman Furtado indicated she would like the City Council to hear about this program, which
involved setting an example for youth, stressing the importance of character. Councilman Clark
reported he had attended the quarterly meeting of the Intergovernmental Issues Forum where reports
were given on the County's annexation of enclaves policy and on progress at the State level of
possibly amending growth management laws. Vice Mayor Jablin reported that a meeting of the
Quiet Zone Task Force was held and that tremendous progress was being made. He reported
excellent work had been done by staff, which would be submitted to the FRA. Mayor Russo
introduced Charles Wu, the new Growth Management Director who would be on board March 12.
Mayor Russo requested Mr. Wu work on establishing a task force for the neighbors along Military
Trail who were interested in maintaining their property values. Mayor Russo reported receipt of a
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 3/1/01
letter from the attorney for Christ Fellowship Church quoting the Religious Freedom Act and asked
the City Attorney to look into the particular issues and provide a recommendation. City Attorney
Rubin and City Manager Ferris indicated they would research this matter.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Councilman Clark, seconded by Vice
Mayor Jablin, carried 5 -0, the meeting was o ed a •
5 p .
APPROVAL: _
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VIC914AYOOERIC
C STEM ATELLO
CO ILMAN DAVID CLARYy
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COUNCILWOMAN UUMN FURADO
ATTEST:
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CAROL GOLD
CITY CLERK