HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 021306CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
February 13, 2006
The February 13, 2006 Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 9:03 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal
Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, by Mayor
Russo, 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 Russo, Vice Mayor Jablin, Councilmember Levy,
Councilmember Valeche, and Councilmember Barnett.
ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION/DISCUSSION:
Resolution 27, 2006 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida expressing continued support for the Scripps Research Institute locating in Palm
Beach County; committing up to Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) for infrastructure
improvements and concurrency reservation charges for the development of the 70 -acre
Briger parcel to be developed for Scripps Florida on the Abacoa FAU / Briger site; and
providing an effective date. Mayor Russo reported that in his conversation with the
Governor, he had been asked what the City could do in the Scripps matter and he had
explained the things the City had already done regarding economic development. Both the
state and the county were spending a lot of dollars in this process and a lot more than they
had anticipated. Mayor Russo expressed his opinion that the North County cities should be
stepping up and making a contribution, because he believed when Scripps located here these
dollars would be returned ten times over. The City would benefit from quality of life
enhancements, with far superior education and culture, and would also benefit financially,
since he believed commercial buildings would be built quicker and at a higher value, and
North County would be the place to be for biotechnology. The Governor and the County
knew how this cluster could benefit North County; therefore, the City needed to do whatever
they could to bring Scripps to North County. Adopting the proposed resolution would be a
significant step. Mayor Russo reported he had discussed with the City Manager how this
resolution could be easier to understand and the City Manager would speak to this. The
resolution would immediately be sent to the Governor as soon as it was passed and signed.
Mayor Russo indicated he believed North County was the place the cluster would be the best
it could be. City Manager Ferris distributed a new Resolution 27, 2006, and explained that
under Section 4, line 38, the following language had been added: and /or land purchase costs.
So that it now read:
City Council hereby commits to the expenditure of up to $3, 000, 000.00 for infrastructure
improvements, concurrency reservation, and /or land purchase costs for the 70 -acre Briger
parcel provided for Scripps Florida at the Abacoa FA Briger site. The thought was to
broaden the scope as to what the funds could be used for. Sources of the funding that were
being looked at were last year's carry-overs and impact fees of 1.5 million each; or a
combination of ad valorem debt and impact fees —there was a park public safety bond issue
coming up in March to which 1.5 million might be added instead of using carry- overs. A
combination of reserves and ad valorem debt and road impact fees could be used to fund this.
Staff had looked for ways of recouping this money, and the City Manager read a list of
grants from the Department of Commerce, which would be sought as reimbursement. Mayor
Russo advised the County would renegotiate their contract with Scripps after a site was
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS SPECIAL MEETING, 2/13/06 2
chosen, and this resolution would make the City's commitment clear cut. Vice Mayor Jablin
thanked Mayor Russo for his efforts in this matter and expressed his opinion this would be
returned to the City hundreds of times. Councilmember Levy asked the time this money
would be needed. City Manager Ferris responded it would depend on what was needed —if
the county wanted it to go towards purchase of the Briger property it would be an immediate
need, but it could be 18 months or 2 years or more if used for infrastructure or concurrency,
just prior to construction time. Different financing alternatives would be presented to pay for
this as dollars came in, if the North County site was chosen. Councilmember Levy suggested
waiving building fees. Councilmember Valeche commented he liked the first version of the
Resolution because the second one looked like making a direct transfer to the landowner
rather than benefiting the whole project. Mayor Russo clarified this money was going to the
County to offset the cost of this project. Councilmember Barnett agreed everyone wanted the
jobs and the educational opportunities, but did not want to forget recent discussions about
the budget and how certain things would be paid, and wanted to hear a solid plan for this
$3,000,000.00. Mayor Russo responded he believed this $3,000,000 would accelerate the tax
revenues, similar to what had been done with the Honda Classic, and this would continue in
the right direction by increasing land values. Councilmember Barnett expressed her opinion
that the project could be realized without spending this $3,000,000. Councilmember Valeche
expressed his opinion that this would help the City's economic development program in
immeasurable ways; but also thought something should be taken off the budget in the future
as an offset to the debt service. Councilmember Levy indicated he felt more flexibility
should be included. Discussion ensued. Mayor Russo felt it was time to express a leadership
role. Councilmember Levy commented the cost difference between the three proposals
without the $3 million was insignificant compared to the big package, but that was not a
reason to vote against the resolution. Mayor Russo indicated his agreement.
Vice Mayor Jablin moved approval of Resolution 27, 2006 in the revised version.
Councilmember Levy seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote.
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS SPECIAL MEETING, 2/13/06
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, tltw meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
APPROVAL:
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ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK