HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 011603 WorkshopCITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
January 16, 2003
The January 16, 2003 Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 6:12 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal
Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
ROLL CALL: The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were found
to be in attendance: Mayor Jablin, Vice Mayor Sabatello,Councilmember Russo,
Councilmember Clark, and Councilmember Delgado.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / PRESENTATIONS:
Blue Ribbon Panel: Report on Canal Restoration and Maintenance – Mayor Jablin thanked
the Committee for their hard work. Chair Linda Monroe explained that the Committee had
worked to find a fair and equitable way to pay for restoration of the canal system and for
ongoing maintenance of the system. Chair Monroe recognized each member of the
committee by name. Terry Lewis presented the proposed recommendation. Two separate
items were addressed: (1) Funding initatives for the central City restoration; and (2) ongoing
maintenance for the central City system. For restoration, the Committee recommended a
special assessment district to levy non -ad valorem assessments throughout the entire City,
not to a xceed $15 p er b enefit a nit. A 11 p roperty w ithin t he C ity w ould b enefit. T his
assessment would be for a period of ten years or less. (2) A second assessment district was
proposed for maintenance that would continue in perpuity, which would tax each benefit
unit approximately $63 annually. The money would be dedicated for the stated purpose and
could not be used for anything else. Options were to create the assessment units by
ordinance or give the residents the chance to vote on their creation in a referendum, or to
leave the status quo and pay from general revenue. Councilmember Russo indicated that the
math did not work, to which the response was that the restoration cost might be only $5 per
unit —that the numbers had not been completely worked out. Councilmember Russo
indicated if he was satisfied after the public hearing process that the majority of residents
favored this plan then he would vote for it, otherwise he would want it to go to referendum.
Mayor Jablin commented people were not always willing to tax themselves and this was a
fair and equitable plan, and he believed there would be overwhelming support from the
public. Mr. Lewis advised that each property owner must be notified by mail of the proposed
assessment and public hearings. Councilmember Clark commented that residents wanted
this problem fixed and agreed this solution was a good one. Vice Mayor Sabatello asked if
this had been reviewed by the City Attorney. City Attorney Rubin indicated he was
comfortable with the concept but had not looked at the details. Vice Mayor Sabatello asked
if a million dollars worth of work could be done in a year. Mr. Lewis responded the whole
ten million could be bonded so that the work could be done in 18 months; however, that
would disrupt the system and only $1 million worth of work could actually be done.
Councilmember Delgado indicated the time frame was very important and this work should
not be delayed, and reported the budget committee for the House of Representatives was
considering drainage dollars for the City. Mayor Jablin commented that alternate methods of
funding such as state funds would only reduce the assessment amounts. Mayor Jablin asked
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS WORKSHOP MEETING, 1/16/03 2
that at the regular meeting of the City Council following this meeting, the City Council form
a consensus that this was the way to proceed and direct staff to implement this plan.
Councilmember Russo asked if the dollars could be borrowed at a low interest rate in order
to do the work more quickly. Mr. Lewis responded that would be required to go to
referendum, but by doing it by ordinance, then the whole amount could be bonded. Each
Councilmember during their comments thanked the committee for their work. Thanks were
expressed to staff and by the committee to Chair Monroe.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adj ourned at approximately 7:15
p.m.
APPROVAL:
ATTEST:
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PATRI_CIA SNIDER
CITY =C� =JERK