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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 030404CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING March 4, 2004 The March 4, 2004 Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:08 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. 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 Clark, Councilmember Russo, and Councilmember Delgado. ITEMS OF RESIDENT INTEREST: Vice Mayor Sabatello requested revisiting the cost of televising meetings through Adelphia, which he reported had been requested by many residents. Mayor Jablin announced the meetings currently could be heard over the telephone by calling 799 -4150. Councilmember Russo requested looking into what happened at Ibis regarding gating the community. Councilmember Russo commented he had been notified of a mailing which indicated the City did not have a clean financial record. Finance Director Owen stated last year's audit report was a clean opinion, an unqualified opinion, and read from page 3 of the audit report the definition of a clean opinion, and stated the mailing contained erroneous statements and figures. Mayor Jablin indicated he was bothered that the mailing contained misstatements regarding the facts of the lawsuit with Mr. Vavrus, and the mailing was obviously political, and he would like to answer the allegations. Councilmember Russo confirmed with the Finance Director that the City had met all guidelines and that the auditors' management letter was issued to help improve the bookkeeping system. The Finance Director noted that two items had been mentioned which could enhance the system, one was to create a policies and procedures manual. The City Manager noted conversion was in process with new software that would interface with the Finance Department. It was clarified that this mailing had been filed with the City Clerk and apparently was going to be mailed to all residents over the weekend. Mayor Jablin introduced Boy Scout Troop 150 whose members were present to fulfill an Eagle badge requirement for citizenship and certified they had met their obligation. CITY MANAGER REPORT: Presentation by staff on the proposed Riverside Youth Enrichment and Recreation Program - Charlotte Presensky, Community Services Division, reviewed the program for children and explained that parent and childrens' programs would be offered out of the Riverside facility. The facility would be renovated to enhance the building. The proposed fees would cover direct costs. Financial Director Owen explained that the program would pay for itself on an operating basis, and startup and renovation costs would be paid from undesignated fund balance, which was financially feasible and would be paid back over a period of years. Discussion ensued. Councilmember Clark made a motion to accept the Staff recommendation to authorize staff to prepare the necessary budget transfers to allocate funds for the startup costs. Councilmember Delgado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Fire Fighters Olympics — Fire Chief Pete Bergel introduced Captain Scott Raynor who previewed the 32nd Annual Fire Fighters Olympics which the City would be hosting this CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 3/4/04 2 year April 27 through June 6, and the benefits to the City and surrounding areas. Costs that would be incurred and the various activities and their locations were reviewed. Any profits would be given to the Leukemia Society. Mayor Jablin thanked Mr. Raynor on an excellent job. Joint Planning Agreement with Palm Beach County regarding_ Scripps Institute - City Manager Ferris announced that on February 10 the Council had approved moving forward with discussions with the County and requested permission to proceed with removing some of the issues that were a concern, such as annexation. The County's issues of concern were reviewed, including fire services; planning, zoning and building; other revenues; timing of development; and governmental facilities. The City Manager announced discussion on these concepts would be held at the County Commission meeting on March 16. Timing of housing, infrastructure, and other concerns were expressed by members of the Council. Mayor Jablin thanked the City Manager for a tremendous job of working with the County on this issue. The City Manager requested permission to inform the County Commissioners of this discussion tonight, and commented the traffic study was the worst case scenario and now the County and City were working to make improvements, which would be a very long process. Councilmember Delgado made a motion to authorize the City Manager to move forward in discussions with the County to address additional issues in order to move forward with the joint planning agreement. Councilmember Clark seconded the motion. Councilmember Russo asked that on the annexation issue the City be as cooperative as possible. Vice Mayor Sabatello asked the City Manager to try to convince the County that the City was on the positive side of this and not a problem, just trying to get as high quality as possible for the City as well as the County. The City Manager assured the Council that with the direction just given him he would express to the County the logic and rationale behind the thinking so the County would understand the City's position. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Tom Sosey, 149 Bent Tree, thanked the Police Chief for enforcing the noise Ordinance in Bent Tree; and commented with the trees having been removed for the Old Palm development the Bent Tree residents now heard all the traffic noise from the Turnpike and I- 95. Mr. Sosey asked that this situation be looked into and volunteered to help in any way he could. City Manager Ferris indicated staff would meet with Mr. Sosey. Councilmember Russo requested this be brought back to the next meeting. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Clark moved approval of the consent agenda. Councilmember Delgado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The following items were therefore approved on the consent agenda: a. Resolution 13, 2004 - Honda Classic/Police Grant. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving a $25,000.00 grant to the Classic Foundation, Inc. to provide City Police services for the Honda Classic Golf Tournament; and providing an effective date. b. Resolution 14, 2004 - Honda Classic /Fire Grant. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving a $20,000.00 grant to the Classic Foundation, Inc. to provide City Fire Rescue services for the Honda Classic Golf Tournament; and providing; an effective date. C. Resolution 41, 2004 - Old Palm PCD Plat 4. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving the Old Palm Plat Four; and providing an effective date. d. Resolution 42, 2004 - Old Palm East Plat. A Resolution of the City Council of the CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 3/4/04 3 City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving the Old Palm East Plat; and providing an effective date. e. Resolution 43, 2004 - Evergrene PCD Plat 9. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving the Evergrene P.C.D. Plat Nine; and providing an effective date. f. Resolution 63, 2004 — Summer Camp Bus Service Award. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida awarding a contract for Bus Transportation Services to Jupiter School Bus Service, Inc.; and providing an effective date. PUBLIC HEARINGS: PART I — QUASI - JUDICIAL — Mayor Jablin outlined the procedures to be followed for quasi-judicial cases. The City Clerk swore in all those intending to offer testimony in any of the quasi - judicial cases. Resolution 45, 2004 — Evergrene PCD Parcel 8. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving two additional single - family model homes on parcel 8 of the Evergrene Planned Community Development (PCD); and providing an effective date. The City Clerk read Resolution 45, 2004 by title only. Planner Brad Wiseman presented the staff report for Resolution 45, 2004 and for Resolution 46, 2004 and answered questions from the City Council. Anne Booth, Urban Design Studios, spoke on behalf of the petitioner. Mayor Jablin declared the public hearing open held on the intent of Resolution 45, 2004. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Jablin declared the public hearing closed. Vice Mayor Sabatello disclosed he had had no ex -parte communication, and stated he was a home builder in Palm Beach Gardens but was not a home builder in Evergrene. The other members of the Council reported no ex -parte communications. City Attorney Tatum advised that additional language for Condition 14 should read: "This device shall remain active at all times for each home regardless of occupancy ". Councilmember Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 45, 2004 with the amendment to Condition 14 as read into the record by the City Attorney. Councilmember Delgado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Resolution 46 2004 — Evergrene PCD Parcel 6. A Resolution of the City Council of the City Of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving two additional single- family model homes on parcel 6 of the Evergrene Planned Community Development (PCD); and providing an effective date. The City Clerk read Resolution 46, 2004 by title only. Mayor Jablin declared the public hearing open held on the intent of Resolution 46, 2004. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Jablin declared the public hearing closed. The Council reported no ex -parte communications. City Attorney Tatum advised that additional language for Condition 16 should read: "This device shall remain active at all times for each home regardless of occupancy ". Councilmember Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 46, 2004 with the amendment to Condition 16 as read into the record by the City Attorney. Councilmember Delgado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. MEMORIAL SERVICE Mayor Jablin reported Lisa Skokowski had called this past week to thank the City Council for everything they had done in tribute to her father, Hank Skokowski. Mayor Jabin thanked everyone also. CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 3/4/04 4 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further bu: APPROVAL: COUNCILMEMBER L,,v y ATTEST: PATRICIA--SNIDER CITY°CLERK ) P.M.