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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: J ►fW CHA SABATELLO MUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK COUNCILWOMAN LAUREN FLIRT -DO ATTEST: r t i C k- R, OLD - - CIT.YCI✓ERK-7,- ^r'