HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 090601CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2001
The September 6, 2001 Workshop 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, Councilmember Lauren Furtado, Councilmember
David Clark, and Chair Pro Tem Carl Sabatello. Vice Mayor Eric Jablin was absent from
the meeting.
DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2001 -2002 PROPOSED BUDGET: Mayor Russo
responded to questions from Rich Sudder of Garden Woods that studies had shown
growth did not pay for itself; however, this City was in a better position than most
because of the high value of homes being constructed. Mr. Sud'der suggested delaying
the new fire station for another year. Councilmember Furtado questioned whether the
station could be staffed only with rescue vehicles. The Fire Chief responded that the
collective bargaining agreement required a minimum of 5 personnel, 3 for fire and 2 for
medical. Robert Davis of BallenIsles requested a short summary of the reasons for the tax
increase and expressed his opinion that unfunded mandates not be allowed. The Mayor
explained that the information on the tax increase was provided on the City's web page
and had been in the newsletter. Mayor Russo reported that a study was in progress to see
if drainage dollars should be bonded so payment could be spread over several years.
Norman Plotsky, Oaks East, read a letter he had written to the Mayor on August 28
expressing concern that residents living on fixed incomes could not cope with the
proposed tax increase. Charlotte Plotsky, Oaks East, suggested bonding for capital
expenditures such as the fire station, and spreading the line item for canal maintenance
over more than one year. Discussion ensued. Staff was directed to bring back
information on borrowing, and Councilmember Sabatello suggested drainage costs be
included. Ms. Plotsky suggested a fixed weir be replaced with a moveable weir in her
neighborhood, and suggested the homestead exemption be raised. Other suggestions
were to pursue federal dollars for drainage and to let the lobbyist handle grants. Robin
Weaver, Riverside Drive, was in favor of doing the drainage work on the canal to correct
erosion, suggested each department be given 4% increase over their last year's budget,
and pointed out advantages to contract over hiring personnel. Tom Sosey, Bent Tree,
requested the City cut back to an increase of not more than 10 %' by making cuts across
the board. Bob Kaplan suggested that presentations to the public begin with broad
objectives, followed by enumerating where increases allocated, and end with a concise
summary. Discussion ensued. Mr. Kaplan expressed his opinion that a police officer
would be more important than a cultural arts employee would. The Police Chief
indicated all positions were being looked at to best utilize staff and that the crime rate
increase was approximately 5 %. Discussion ensued regarding, the number of police
officers in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. City Engineer Clark indicated he
would provide a report on drainage concerns at the next meeting. Linda Hughey, Reed
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS WORKSHOP MEETING, '9/6/01 2
Drive, favored increasing police personnel and asked if NorthMil was paying for a
crossing guard. The Police Chief was directed to look into the NorthMil situation. Ms.
Hughey questioned the reason to fund accreditation before the, fire station was built.
Mayor Russo requested information explaining how accreditatior was being done, and
Councilmember Furtado requested the same explanation for the Police Department. Ms.
Hughey indicated swales and canal work should be separated with the canal work being
done now. It was pointed out that drainage from new developments would not flow
through the older canals, and the developers were being required to make drainage
improvements. The City Engineer explained the canals must be dredged.
Councilmember Sabatello requested separate maintenance figures for canals and for
swales; and noted the money being spent to reshape the banks must be spread over many
years. Mike Martino, Balsam Street, indicated he had provided his budget comments at
the last meeting, that he was impressed by the comments made'by the residents, but that
the City should have provided that information already. Mr. Martino expressed concern
with the tax increase and concern that the reserve accounts had 'been depleted. Mayor
Russo indicated the City would try their best to reduce the increase in taxes. Mr. Martino
indicated past records would show that maintenance to the canals had been done in the
past, and the budget should be specific as to canal maintenance and swale maintenance.
Mayor Russo explained how overspending had happened. Response time calculations
were clarified. Councilmember Furtado requested figures at the next meeting on the golf
course deficit that was paid back each year and the cost of improvements to the recreation
facilities because of flooding and air conditioner leaks. Joan Elias, PGA National,
expressed disappointment that many of these residents had not been present at previous
budget workshops since there had been information explaining the tax increases needed
in the future and that then taxes would level off. Ms. Elias reported deplorable working
conditions in the past due to lack of space, commented that the new facilities had been
necessary, and indicated confidence in staff. Bulent Kastariak, Via Aurelia, suggested a
10 -year plan was needed for each department prepared by teams submitting capital
expense budget items with linkages to other departments to determine how each affected
the others' budgets. He said by doing this, the Council could accomplish the goals set in
the Vision Plan and the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Russo summarized that the
residents seemed to want more detail in future budget presentations. A resident asked
how much money would be generated from raising recreation fees 5% for residents and
10% for non - residents; indicated she was not sure dropping the golf course management
company would save money; and suggested new software for Growth Management was
necessary. The City Manager explained that a plan was needed before purchasing the
software was purchased. Golf course management was discussed. Councilmember
Furtado requested more information on the group insurance and on the lease for
computers. The City Manager responded changing the agent of record would save
$84,000. Councilmember Furtado indicated she had a problem with changing the agent.
John Louie asked if the revised budget would be available before the next meeting.
Mayor Russo explained the budget would presented and voted on at the next meeting,
which would be a public hearing. Harry DeChico, Oaks East, spoke about how Oaks
East had flooded 3 years ago during the 20 -inch rain and the community drained to the
Allamanda canal, which had overflowed and backed up. He related the problem to Bob
Patty, the Public Works Director at that time and Mr. Patty - responded that was a
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS WORKSHOP MEETING,;9 /6/01 3
SFWMD problem that would be fixed in 3 -5 years. The City Engineer commented he
knew of no plans but would investigate, and that some flow to .the Allamanda canal had
been diverted since that time. Discussion ensued. The City Engineer commented there
would be future storms that could not be controlled and flooding would still occur no
matter how much money was spent. The City Engineer verified that he was preparing a
report assessing the whole system of the City including the outlets where the water went,
prioritizing the most important problems, and providing an approximate cost to fix each
problem.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to discuss m?eet ' n b Councilmember Sabatello,
seconded by Councilmember Clark, carriep the ' g was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
APPROVAL:
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