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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 090401CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2001 The September 4, 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 found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice Mayor Eric Jablin, Councilmember Lauren Furtado, Councilmember David Clark, and Chair Pro Tern Carl Sabatello. RE -ORDER AGENDA: Councilmember Furtado made a motion to move Ordinance 32, 2001 to the front of the agenda. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance 32, 2001 - Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, held on the intent of Ordinance 32, 2001 - Fiscal Year 2001 -2002 Budget - An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, affixing a total valuation of the real and personal property located within the corporate limits of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for the year ending December 31, 2001; establishing a tax rate thereon for said year; levying a tax on said real and personal property for said year; adopting a fiscal budget for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2001 and ending on September 30, 2002, inclusive; appropriating funds for expenditures in accordance with said budget; providing for the repeal of ordinances in conflict herewith; and, providing for an effective date, for consideration of first reading. Mayor Russo requested input from the residents on how they would like the City Council to reduce costs and their feelings on the services provided. City Manager Ron Ferris presented the proposed budget. Sy Fine, Burns Road, stated his question had been answered and he applauded the City for bringing in an in -house engineer. Bob Kaplan, Windward Drive, commented on the presentation and made suggestions for improvement. Mr. Kaplan expressed concern there were fewer policemen than last year and commented that he would be more comfortable with dollar amounts by line item. Police Chief FitzGerald explained the City was a little below the State and national standard of police officers per population, and that crime was up in the City. The City Manager indicated that budget dollar numbers could be provided for 1998 to the present, and offered to schedule a meeting with Mr. Kaplan. Mayor Russo explained that utility fees would naturally increase with each new development. Tom Sosey, Bent Tree, questioned why it was cheaper to bring engineering in- house, to which the City Manager responded the comparison done had shown savings as well as being able to use in -house engineers for more than just Growth Management. Marilyn Jacobs, Bermuda Lake Drive, expressed concern that there was not equity because western residents had to pay add -ons the developer could not pay. Raymond Katz, Sun Terrace Court, indicated he would like to see the art coordinator position extended from part time to full time. John Rose, Holly Drive, indicated the City should be run more like a business, discussed the new fire station, and what could be done with existing staff and facilities to reduce response times CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 9/4/01 2 slightly to hold until the revenue from new development was received. Staff clarified the response time calculations by districts, which did not include call handling time or turnout time that could add up to two minutes. Mr. Rose suggested reducing the number of linear feet proposed for canal work to be done by Public Works. Frank Scaltrito, 4 Via Angelico, indicated that PGA National residents paid twice for drainage, and also suggested postponing some planned services until next year so that new residents could help pay. Mike Martino, Balsam Street, suggested there had not been enough time spent on the budget, with only one workshop, and requested the City not price him out of his home. Mr. Martino indicated residents had been taxed twice for the new fire station and for engineering; that no City should practice deficit spending; that the City Manager should propose which services could be cut; and indicated the increase could be cut 50 %. Mayor Russo indicated the prior budget had been reduced and most of the original allocation for the fire station had been cut. Sam Carsillo expressed his opinion the developers should help defray expenses, wanted to see a comprehensive plan of what improvements were needed in the City, commented on the poor landscaping conditions and traffic jams on Holly Drive, and that the City could not keep digging in the canals without putting in seawalls. Joan Elias, Diamond Head Way in PGA National, indicated the City was going to have raise taxes, and commended the Council for giving the residents new fire station. Joan Altwater, Cypress Hollow, expressed concern with traffic jams impeding emergency vehicles, suggested re- evaluation of homes, suggested paying school crossing guards more so police officers would not have to be used for that, and agreed western communities were paying more for their services. The Mayor explained the difficulty of hiring crossing guards, indicated the value of homes would go up when values in their neighborhoods went up and tax increases were limited to 3 %. The Mayor indicated improvements in the older sections had not been included in this budget, but they were needed. Siro DeGasperis, 7 Governors Court, expressed his opinion the tax increase could not be cut 50% and that if response times were increased; it could mean the difference between life and death. Mr. Bosso wondered what the taxes would have been if the City had not expanded. The Mayor indicated studies showed growth did not pay for itself and past annexations were done to control the quality of the areas. The Mayor explained the current problem was from the lag before the revenue being realized from new development. Adrian Salle, Oaks East, commented inflation must be taken into account when looking at the increased taxes, and that the response time had saved the life of a neighbor. The Mayor requested the tax history chart for the past eight years be provided by staff. Richard Orman, Oak Street, commended staff on the quality of their presentation and the residents for their excellent comments. Mr. Orman was in favor of the new fire station but that it should not be fully staffed for fire suppression, but only for rescue services. Mr. Orman commented on the land use changes being done to the Comprehensive Plan, to which the Mayor responded several had been denied. Gus Constantine, Bedford Avenue, suggested looking at the Department Heads reducing costs and what they could do to improve efficiency. Mr. Constantine commented on lights being left on at the ballpark when no one was there. The Mayor suggested another meeting to discuss such items. Staff reported the problem with the lights at the ballfields was being addressed. A Bay Village Court resident was told he did not live in the City but his suggestions for the budget were heard. Sherry Woods, Ilex Circle North, and President of the Gardenia Gardens Neighborhood Association commented the services CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 9/4/01 3 were very important, agreed with the City not giving tax breaks for incoming industries, and requested more information regarding County -run fire stations. Mrs. Woods favored trimming fat in the budget but not reducing services, and volunteered her services to help. Mrs. Woods commented in her neighborhood there were code enforcement problems but no fines had been imposed. Assistant Finance Director Holly Lusader explained the tax comparison chart for the past ten years, which showed some years when taxes had not been raised. Pat Hughey expressed appreciation for the visuals in the presentation and the number of people in attendance. Another resident commented the City could be run like a business. Hearing no further comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the public hearing closed. A more informal meeting to include residents and staff was scheduled for the next Thursday. Mayor Russo requested the numbers be reduced on canal work unless houses were in danger of flooding, and that Mr. Orman's idea of not fully staffing the new fire station fire suppression but only for rescue services be explored. Councilmember Furtado requested an amount be established for Department Heads to work with and be accountable for. Councilmember Sabatello indicated he wanted levels of service to get better each year, that fat should be eliminated, that a canal report was needed before the $528,000 canal restoration was included in the final budget and that he relied on long -time residents that felt the system worked if the gates were opened, that he was disappointed to hear tonight that crime was up while the number of police were down and requested more information on that matter. Councilmember Clark indicated the crime rate had been published on one day in the Palm Beach Post, agreed there should be plenty of policemen on the street, agreed the canal restoration was needed. Mayor Russo commented the City had overspent each year for the last four years on drainage. Councilmember Sabatello commented the system worked if the gates were properly managed, but during a major storm there would probably be flooding anyway. Councilmember Clark agreed the City should not spend all the money proposed for the canal system but that the Council should commit to making this a priority after receiving the report. Vice Mayor Jablin expressed his opinion that major drainage problems had been fixed but he was not convinced the amount budgeted for this year should be spent. Mayor Russo commented he would not budget for something unless he knew it was needed, so he needed to know if houses would not be flooded. The City Attorney commented the recommended rate could be approved at first reading and lowered later, but a lower rate could not be raised later. The Council indicated they did not support the recommended number but were approving the rate with the understanding it would be cut before final approval. Councilmember Clark made a motion to adopt a tentative millage rate of 6.3685 mills, an increase of 31.8% over the rolled back rate. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Councilmember Clark made a motion to adopt the tentative fiscal year 2002 -2002 budget in the amount of $43,529,785. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion. Councilmember Sabatello verified this was a tentative budget. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Councilmember Clark made a motion to place Ordinance 32, 2001 on first reading by title only. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion. Councilmember Furtado requested detailed information on the police issue and noted a police officer crossing guard should be paid for by NorthMil. The motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 32, 2001 on first reading by title only. CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 9/4/01 4 ITEMS & REPORTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL: The Vice Mayor reported this is the 7" year of operation for Flower Kingdom, who was a good neighbor. Vice Mayor Jablin reported that Garrick Carol, co- founder and managing director of the Palm Beach Gardens concert band, had passed away, and his son was planning to continue his father's dream to bring the concert band to the city plaza for concerts. The Vice Mayor reported also that the father of Jeff Atwater, John Atwater, a decorated war hero and FBI agent for many years, had also passed away. Councilmember Clark reported the third quarterly Intergovernmental Issues Council Forum had met in Lantana but there had been no issues affecting the City; however, unhappiness had been expressed before the meeting regarding the City's deletion of roads from the plans. Mayor Russo reported he also attended the service for Jeff Atwater's father and another for a 35 -year old City resident. The Mayor also reported he attended the economic meeting put together by the Chamber of Commerce and he and the Mayor of Riviera Beach had recommended a more proactive stance. Councilmember Furtado commented 20% of the City's revenue came from commercial enterprises, which could increase to provide a larger portion of the City's tax base. CITY MANANGER REPORT: The City Manager reported the Finance Department had gone out for RFP's on casualty and property insurance, and had negotiated costs on health and dental, resulting in savings to the City. The City Manager reported that payment for occupational licenses and permits would be transferred to the Building Department. Mr. Ferris also reported trees were being installed in the municipal parking lot. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Clark moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Furtado and carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The following items were approved on the consent agenda: a. Consideration of approving Minutes from the August 2, 2001 Regular City Council Meeting b. Resolution 131, 2001 — Termination of a Unity of Title. Consideration of authorizing the Growth Management Director to execute a termination of a Unity of Title for lots 2, 3, 4, and 5 of blocks 12 of the plat of Palm Beach Garden Estates (Plat No. 1). C. Resolution 133, 2001 — Interlocal Agreement for Dispatch Services. Consideration of an Interlocal Agreement for Dispatch Services by and between Palm Beach County and the City of Palm Beach Gardens. d. Resolution 134, 2001 — Character First. Consideration of endorsing the efforts of the International Association of Character Cities to establish a diverse "Character Council" within the community. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance 29, 2001 — Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, held on the intent of Ordinance 29, 2001 - An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, providing for approval of a conditional use for the expansion of a temple including the construction of social hall, future sanctuary with a maximum of 275 seats, kitchen and storage facilities, lobby and restroom facilities, expansion of the educational facilities to accommodate a maximum of 102 students, and future offices, to be located on a 5 -acre site located on the north side of Hood Road, halfway between Military Trail and Central Boulevard, at 4657 Hood Road; providing for conditions of CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 9/4/01 5 approval; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date, for consideration on Second Reading. Growth Management Director Charles Wu called attention to a new condition of approval regarding photometrics. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the public hearing closed. Councilmember Clark moved Ordinance 29, 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 29, 2001 by title only on second reading. Ordinance 28, 2001 — Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, held on the intent of Ordinance 28, 2001 - An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens providing for an amendment of the City of Palm Beach Gardens Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2000, and ending September 30, 2001, inclusive; providing for the repeal of ordinances in conflict herewith; providing for severability; and, providing for an effective date, for consideration on second reading. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the public hearing closed. Councilmember Clark moved Ordinance 28, 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 28, 2001 by title only on second reading. ORDINANCES: Ordinance 36, 2001 — An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, providing for the approval of the application from Mutual Land Development Company for an amendment to the previously approved "Marina Gardens" Planned Unit Development (PUD) by revising the traffic analysis and the condition of approval referencing the build -out date for the 65 townhome units on the 7.6 -acre site located approximately 500 feet to the east of the intersection of Prosperity Farms Road and Idlewild Road, on the south side of Idlewild Road, more particularly described herein; providing for a condition of approval; providing for severability; providing for conflicts; and providing for an effective date, presented for consideration on first reading. Growth Management Director Charles Wu presented the project and answered questions from the City Council. Councilmember Clark moved Ordinance 36, 2001 be placed on first reading by title only. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 36, 2001 by title only on first reading. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Monthly Litigation Report - The City Attorney indicated the report was included in Councilmembers' packets, and highlighted one item, which was a lawsuit filed against the City by the owners of Hilltop Gardens in which the Court had awarded summary judgment in favor of the City. OTHER COMMENTS: The Vice Mayor thanked the Police Department for their participation in Mr. Atwater's funeral service. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Vice Mayor Jablin, seconded by Councilmember Clark, carried 5 -0, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS RE;QULAR MXETING, 9/4/01 6 APPROVAL: � /V - Y � R. RUSSO t °�r ��Q �. VICE ORE LIN CHAIRMAN P . O EM CARL SABATELLO COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK CbUNCIff LWOMAN LAUREN FURTADO ATTEST: �,- a r'�CAROL GQL -U f CITY CLERK,