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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 110200CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING November 2, 2000 The November 2, 2000, Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:00 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 to the Flag. A moment of silence was observed for John Nedvins, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who had passed away last week. - ROLL CALL: The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice Mayor Eric Jablin, Councilmember David Clark, Councilmember Lauren Furtado, and Councilmember Carl Sabatello. CITY MANAGER REPORT: Engineering Report - City Engineer Lindahl reported City staff had met with representatives from Northern Palm Beach Improvement District to resolve differences in standards for water management tracts and lake maintenance easements and to incorporate the revised standards into the Land Development Regulations. The City Engineer described proposed procedures for approval of secondary uses within the easements while maintaining access to accomplish lake maintenance tasks, not hindering the drainage process, and consolidating littoral zones. Establishment of performance standards for maintenance was suggested. The City Engineer explained the City would begin annual inspections this year of independent structures for which HOA's were responsible. Public Information Report - There were no questions regarding the Public Information Report that had been provided to the members of the City Council. Presentation of the City's Website Assistant to the City Manager Beth Ingold Love provided a demonstration of the City's website and described possible future additions. The upcoming workshop meeting scheduled for November 13 in regard to the linkages plan, and a Neighborhood Program Meeting for November 28 regarding traffic were discussed. Mayor Russo requested the City Council endorse the original lower traffic numbers. Councilwoman Furtado requested the Resolution regarding the turnpike interchange issue be reconsidered until after the traffic planning forum. Consensus was to wait until receipt of more information to make a decision regarding whether to reconsider the Resolution. Councilmember Sabatello suggested a map showing PGA Boulevard traffic be prepared for the upcoming meeting, and noted there would be an opportunity to revisit the traffic issue each year. Councilwoman Furtado announced a grant of $3,885,000 had been received for Burns Road improvements. Finance Director Olson announced funding for the PGA flyover would be received from the County and the City would issue debt that would be repaid from road impact fees. Mayor Russo requested a letter be written to the Nedvins family notifying them the City would like to present them with a plaque for Mr. Nedvins' service to the City when they were ready. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 10/19/2000 2 Growth Management Report - Interim Growth Management Director Steve Cramer reported residents wanted Prosperity Farms Road kept at 2 to 3 lanes from Donald Ross Road to PGA Boulevard, and wanted the County and City to work on a CRALLS request for Prosperity Farms Road. Mr. Cramer announced the City wanted four lanes from PGA Boulevard to the new Mall entrance south of Edgewater Drive, but north of there it was a County Road on which 3 lanes would be acceptable to staff. Special Recreation Needs Committee - Recreation Director Sue Miller announced proposed committee members, which included representatives from the different recreational activities. Priorities established were girls' softball fields, then long and short-range additions to the existing Lake Catherine facility, and how those improvements would fit into the overall master plan of all the parks and recreation facilities, programs and equipment. Mayor Russo reported he had met with representatives from the high school and School Board regarding the ball field adjacent to the high school, and they favored a long -range plan of purchasing a new ball field for the City so that the City could deed the adjacent field to the school. Municipal Complex Change Orders - Consideration of the proposed change orders was delayed to the next meeting. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Susan Daniels - Attorney Daniels requested the help of the City Council to obtain as built plans for the Gardens Mall she had requested September 28. which she indicated were needed in regard to an upcoming administrative hearing on drainage. Staff was to check with Building Official Jack Hanson to attempt to locate the plans. Sam Carsillo - Mr. Carsillo recommended the City Attorney contact the original Mall builder to obtain the information requested by Ms. Daniels. Mr. Carsillo commented he would be unable to attend the traffic meeting on the 28th because of scheduled surgery, complimented staff on the work they were doing, and announced he planned to submit a list of safety hazards, including traffic problems at the new NorthMil Plaza and speeding, following his surgery. Mr. Carsillo expressed his opinion that developers should pay for the new Fire Station. Louis Williams - Attorney Williams announced he had been retained by Councilwoman Furtado because of threatening letters she had received in the course of performing her duty as a City Council member and requested the City defray the cost of her representation, since representation by the City Attorney would be a conflict of interest. Mayor Russo requested information from the City Attorney on this issue. Mr. Williams requested the City's insurance carrier be notified. Councilwoman Furtado indicated she would not be comfortable being represented by the City Attorney, since it was her opinion that would be a conflict of interest. Kevin Bradley - Mr. Bradley, member of the Board of Governors of the Property Owners of PGA National, thanked the City Council for the Ordinance on tonight's Consent Agenda regarding the ability to modernize signage at PGA National. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Clark moved approval of all items on the Consent Agenda except item (b). Vice Chair Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: a. Consideration of approving Minutes from the October 5, 2000 Regular City Council Meeting. C. Resolution 99, 2000 - PGA National Street Signs, Consideration of approving an amendment to the Master Signage Plan for the PGA National Resort Community Planned Community District. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 10/19/2000 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Resolution 47, 2000 - Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, continued from October 19, 2000 City Council meeting, and held on the intent of Resolution 47, 2000 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, granting two variances to the 15 -foot front setback and 300 -foot street frontage requirements for an existing ground sign located at 2700 PGA Boulevard, providing for repeal of resolutions in conflict; and providing for an effective date. Petitioner was not present. Hearing no comments from the public, motion was made by Councilman Clark, seconded by Vice Mayor Jablin, to approve Resolution 47, 2000. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. RESOLUTIONS: Resolution 86, 2000 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, relating to the Construction of Certain Local Improvements within the Proposed PGA Flyover Assessment Area; Determining the Estimated Capital Cost of the PGA Flyover Enhancements; Establishing the Terms and Conditions of the Proposed Special Assessments, Establishing a Public Hearing to consider imposition of the Proposed Assessments and the method of their collection; Directing the provision of Notice; and Providing an effective date. Finance Director Kent Olson reviewed proposed payment of the project costs. Discussion of maintenance costs ensued. Councilmember Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 86, 2000. Motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Jablin, and carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Mayor Russo advised he had voted in favor of the motion but wanted to hear the comments at the public hearing, and expressed concern over the cost and whether it was cost effective. Mayor Russo requested assessment calculations for the year 2003 when Legacy Place would be on the tax rolls. Resolution 100, 2000 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Embankment Easement in Favor of Palm Beach County in Exchange for Compensation in the Amount of $1,982.00; and Providing for an Effective Date. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 100, 2000. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Resolution 102, 2000 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, providing for the Appointment of One (1) Member to the Board of Trustees of the City of Palm Beach Gardens Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund, and Providing for an Effective Date. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 102, 2000 with appointment of Hugh Perry. Councilwoman Furtado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Resolution 103, 2000 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, providing for the Appointment of One (1) Member to the Board of Trustees of the City of Palm Beach Gardens Police Officers' Retirement Trust Fund, and Providing for an Effective Date. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 103, 2000, with appointment of Ken Altman. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. ORDINANCES: Ordinance 30, 2000 - Senior Planner Edward Tombari presented the project for Ordinance 30, 2000 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, providing for Approval of the Application of the Benjamin Private School, Inc., for rezoning of 50 acres of land, located at the Northwest corner of the Intersection of Central Boulevard and an Unnamed Future East -West Road as More Particularly Described Herein, from Planned Development Area (PDA) to Public /Institutional (P /I) with a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay, in order to Construct a 187,671 Square Foot Private High School Campus; Providing for Waivers; Providing for Conditions CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 10/19/2000 4 of Approval; providing for Severability; providing for Conflicts; and providing for an Effective Date. Henry Skokowski spoke on behalf of the petitioner. Architect Mike Rossin presented the site plan. Councilman Clark recommended designation of the school for hurricane shelter under the new guidelines unless cost was a significant factor. The Landscape Architect reviewed proposed landscaping. Issues discussed included petitioner's request to have a sidewalk on one side of the road, art in public places, access, stacking, parking, possible shared median installation and maintenance, and staggered schedules with Dwyer High School. It was the consensus of the City Council that sidewalks should be provided on both sides of the roadway. Councilman Clark made a motion to place Ordinance 30, 2000 on First Reading by title only. Vice Mayor Jablin seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 30, 2000 on First Reading by title only. Ordinance 32, 2000 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, providing for Approval of an Application from St. Mark's Church, Inc., for an Amendment and Expansion of a Planned Unit Development by Approving the Construction of a 14,000 square -foot School Building, a 945 square -foot Church Addition, and a two (2) year Time Extension for a Trailer on an 11 acre site, Located at the Northeast and Northwest Corners of Burns Road and Gardens East Drive, as more particularly described herein; providing for conditions of approval; providing for waivers; providing for severability; providing for conflicts; and providing for an effective date. Planner John Lindgren presented the project on behalf of the City. Lance Courtemanche, Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc., agent for the petitioner, provided a slide presentation of the existing school campus and described the proposed architectural elements. Melba Hardy, President of St. Mark's School, presented options to alleviate traffic concerns, and Applicant was requested to provide further information regarding this issue. Staff was directed to research the history and status of the temporary trailer. Harvey Stern, President of The Oaks East Homeowners Association, spoke on behalf of The Oaks East and Sun Terrace, whose only access to the City's roadways was Gardens East Drive, and expressed concerns for which he requested satisfactory responses at the time of the public hearing. Mr. Stern requested monitoring of the school population so that it would not increase again, requested assurance that the traffic analysis had included the widening of Burns Road, and asked for measures to be taken to improve traffic flow. Petitioner was directed to return with a plan for improved traffic flow and to be sure the number of students worked with the traffic analysis. Fred Schwartz, Traffic Engineer for the project, explained there was a total number of students that came to the campus each day, but some were present only in the morning or only in the afternoon, and the traffic analysis had been done for the total number of students that came each day. Mr. Schwartz indicated that petitioner would return with traffic flow option plans. Mr. Stern requested The Oaks East be notified when this item was scheduled again. ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION - Appraisals of Preserve Lands - Finance Director Kent Olson presented the proposal that the City utilize the highest and best use method for appraising properties under Section 118 of the Land Development Regulations. Attorney John Gary representing Dan Catalfumo, owner of a great deal of property which would be affected by this Ordinance, noted 20 -1/2 acres of Mr. Catalfumo's land would be taken for roads under the linkages plan, additional acreage would be designated preserve areas, and the alternative form of mitigation was economically unfeasible for the developers. Mr. Gary advised these properties were being unduly burdened by linkage road requirements, some with additional drainage requirements, and that all were within the area for the PGA Flyover assessment. Mr. Gary stated something must be found to help developers, and suggested the possibility in cases CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 10/19/2000 5 where a linkage road was involved that an alternative mitigation method could be used by paying cash based on the average the County had paid for environmentally sensitive lands they had purchased during the past 3 -5 years, which would be cheaper than highest and best use. During ensuing discussion, it was noted the City was willing to work with Mr. Catalfumo. Councilmember Sabatello did not favor using highest and best method, but rather identifying a large area of land to be mitigated, and using the value of that land as a base, which could fluctuate. Mayor Russo advised discussion on this issue must be discontinued in order to have time for the next agenda item of Items and Reports by Mayor and Council. At the conclusion of the reports, this discussion continued. Rick Greene, representative of DiVosta and Company, expressed concern with the interpretation of "highest and best use" in connection with their property purchased for The Isles project, and requested a lesser number be used. Since time had run out, Mayor Russo announced this item would be scheduled for the next agenda. ITEMS & REPORTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL - Councilwoman Furtado requested drainage issues be added to the next agenda. Councilman Sabatello requested an update on the facilitator and on the search for a new City Manager. Consensus was to do a national search for a new City Manager. The duties of a facilitator were discussed. Direction was that the facilitator's duties would be to go back in the City's history and try to analyze past actions and activities, and then try to help the City develop where they wanted to go from there, which would help the City Council define what they wanted in a City Manager. The City Manager was directed to bring back a list of facilitators for the City Council to review. Councilmember Clark reported he had attended the quarterly Intergovernmental Forum meeting. Councilman Clark announced that a conference call was to be held with municipalities on November 9 regarding the shelter retrofit program between the State and County, which he mentioned in case it was worthwhile for the City to participate. Mayor Russo announced the Chamber of Commerce was taking a leadership role in promoting economic development, and a conference of all North County Mayors would be held on this subject with the possibility of an Economic Planning Forum to follow. Mayor Russo expressed thanks that Officer Wayne Sidey had survived a recent accident. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Vice Mayor Jablin seconded by Councilman Clark, carried 5 -0, - e eeti w adjourned at 11:30 p.m. APPROVAL: 16A S A k. RUSSO VIMMAY CHAIRMAN PRO TEM CARL SABATELLO P OUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 10/19/2000 OUNCILWOMAN LAUREN FURTADO ATTEST: CAROL GOL CITY CLERK n