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.