HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 091404A �
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
September 14, 2004
The September 14, 2004 Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 6:03 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 Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were
found to be in attendance: Mayor Jablin, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember
Levy. Vice Mayor Russo was absent from the meeting.
ITEMS OF RESIDENT INTEREST:
Councilmember Delgado reported she and Councilmember Levy and the City Manager had
gone out through the city to assess damage the day after Hurricane Frances and thanked all of
the staff for their incredible job; and thanked Frank at Boulevard Restaurant for providing a
feeding station for all the city workers, and Mr. Valeche for his help there, and described how
neighbors had helped each other. Councilmember Delgado reported power and phone service
had been lost, and thanked Channel 25 and the radio station for getting word out that water
and ice were available. Councilmember Levy commented the public works personnel had
done a great job and the City owed them a party. Mayor Jablin commented many residents
had thanked him and he told them to thank the people who had worked so hard to clean up
the City, and agreed with having an appreciation day to thank everyone who helped.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Ferris reported to date in -house cost for the cleanup was almost $1 million, and
the City Council had early on approved a contract for debris removal with Grubbs Debris
Removal, who had to date picked up about 30% of it- 40,000 cubic yards, costing $800,000.
The total debris removal was estimated at $2 -2 -1/2 million. At this point the total estimate of
storm damage was $60 million. The City had the first distribution site and the first FEMA
sites to open; the software tracking damages was working well, and application would be
made to FEMA for reimbursement. A remarkable achievement had been keeping roadways
open and after 72 hours the vast majority were open. Many public works personnel had
stayed and worked straight through even though their homes were damaged and in two cases
their homes were lost. Councilmember Delgado commented she was liaison to the Florida
House of Representatives, representing Carl Domino, and he had written to the City that
there would be a special session December 4 during which funding would be provided to
reimburse expenses incurred by cities. Mayor Jablin reported he had called FPL several times
to express concerns and reminded everyone they must recognize they had a herculean task
that was statewide, but that they should review their plan to do better if this happened again.
The Mayor reported Grubb and public works deserved a tremendous amount of credit for
their cleanup work. City Manager Ferris commented the city would be preparing the FEMA
paperwork and anything the legislature would do should be done after it was known what
FEMA would do. The City Manager reported no flooding within the city.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Joan Elias, 1009 Diamond Head Way, agreed this city had handled the hurricane very well,
and was amazed the power had been out such a short time since people in Ft. Myers still did
not have power from Hurricane Charley. She advised everyone to be grateful, and thanked
city staff for their efforts.
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 9/14/04 2
Pete Bergel commented even with the plan in place, the leadership of the City Manager had
been invaluable and he should be recognized.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilmember Delgado made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Councilmember
Levy seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 3 -0 vote. The following items
were approved on the consent agenda:
a. Resolution 190, 2004 — Renewal of Preferred Government Insurance Trust. A
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
approving the renewal of Preferred Government Insurance Trust Insurance
Program for Fiscal Year 2004/2005; and providing an effective date.
b. Resolution 193, 2004 — Renewal of Blue Cross /Blue Shield Policy. A Resolution
of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida approving the
renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Policy Number 91062, for Fiscal
Year 2004 /2005; and providing an effective date.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Part I — Non -Quasi Judicial
Resolution 172, 2004 — Palm Beach Gardens Medical Pavilion Sign Waiver. A Resolution of
the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida providing for approval of a
waiver from City Code Section 78 -285, permitted signs, to allow for the installation of a
principal tenant sign on the third floor at the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Pavilion, which is
located within the Regional Center Planned Community District, %2 of a mile West from the
Intersection of PGA Boulevard and Alternate AIA, as more particularly described herein;
providing for a waiver; and providing an effective date. Planner Brad Wiseman presented the
staff report. Mayor Jablin encouraged other buildings to have their signs raised when
vegetation had grown to obscure their signs. Councilmember Delgado suggested the code be
updated to accommodate this situation. Councilmember Delgado made a motion to pass
Resolution 172, 2004. Councilmember Levy seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous 3 -0 vote.
Ordinance 37, 2004 -- Budget for Fiscal Year 2004/2005. (1St reading) An Ordinance of the
City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida adopting a budget for the City of
Palm Beach Gardens for the Fiscal Year commencing October 1, 2004, and ending
September 30, 2005; and providing an effective date. Finance Director Allan Owens
provided the budget presentation. A reduction from the tentative millage rate of 6.04 mils to
6.026 mills was recommended. Mayor Jablin declared the public hearing open. Deputy City
Clerk Ray Ellis read Ordinance 37, 2004 on first reading by title only. City Attorney Tatum
announced this hearing was being conducted in compliance with the Governor's
Supplemental Executive Order issued on September 9, 2004, which allowed the City to hold
their hearing on the same night the county was holding their public hearing but at a different
time. Questions from Councilmember Levy regarding the golf course were answered by the
Finance Director. Mayor Jablin expressed appreciation for the professional way the budget
had been prepared. Hal Valeche asked about increases in revenue and expenditures, which
the Finance Director indicated were projections based on history and looking at future
projects. Hearing no further comments from the public, Mayor Jablin declared the public
hearing closed. Councilmember Levy made a motion to adopt a tentative millage rate of
6.026 mils for Fiscal Year 2004 -2005. Councilmember Delgado seconded the motion, which
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REGULAR MEETING, 9/14/04 3
carried by unanimous 3 -0 vote. Councilmember Levy made a motion to make an
announcement declaring that the proposed rate exceeds the rolled back rate by 9.18 %.
Councilmember Delgado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 3 -0 vote.
Councilmember Delgado made motion to approve Ordinance 37, 2004 on first reading
adopting the tentative budget for FY 2004/2005 and to set the second and final reading for
September 28, 2004 in the City Council chambers at 6 p.m.
ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION /DISCUSSION:
Councilmember Levy commented the most prevalent reason for lost power during the
hurricane was trees falling on power lines and suggested trimming trees to avoid this in the
future. Councilmember Delgado suggested in new projects to clear trees along power lines as
a condition of approval. Mayor Jablin announced Joan Altwater, Cypress Hollow Drive had
submitted a card to speak but arrived late. Ms. Altwater commented she was very impressed
with the way the city had handled the storm damage compared to other cities. Her greatest
concern was raw sewage, and suggested looking at utilities throughout the city regarding tree
trimming and having portable generators available in the event of another storm. Ms.
Altwater thanked elected officials who had helped residents after the storm, and encouraged
the city to address exotic species issues. The City Manager was to bring to Seacoast concerns
that they needed to have more generators. BellSouth was commended for their backup power
systems.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to
APPROVAL:
ATTEST:
MA
was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBER LEVY