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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 071599it • CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 15, 1999 The July 15, 1999, Special Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 6:30 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. 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 Lauren Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, Councilman David Clark and Councilman Carl Sabatello. PRESENTATIONS Planning Discussion Nancy Graham, representative for WCI, commented they would contribute $2500 toward the consultants' fee to develop the PGA • Corridor, and explained that there was money available to take care of all traffic plans and the City Council must decide what was wanted. City Manager Herakovich explained that concepts had been prepared by staff and stressed the importance of a theme for the City. Developer Dan Catalfamo expressed willingness to work with the City. Growth Management Director Roxanne Manning discussed implementing the vision for the City by re- writing the zoning code, creating a sense of identity for the City, and teamwork. Four topics were slated for discussion: linkages, gathering spaces, land uses, aesthetics. A City Center zoning overlay was suggested. Consultant David Barth discussed linkages, and explained that at the present time there were very few east -west and north -south main roads; sidewalks that did not connect, bike paths that were not marked, and roadways that did not connect. Growth Management Director Manning commented that the purpose of the overlay grid was to give a developer ability to provide more ingress /egress into their development. Mayor Russo announnced that this discussion would continue during the regulat City Council meeting immediately following the adjournment of this Special Workshop Session. ADJOURNMENT At 7:00 P.M., a motion was made by Vice Mayor Furtado, IS seconded by Councilman Clark and unanimously carried to adjourn 2 • the meeting. CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JULY 15, 1999 The July 15, 1999, 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. 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 Lauren Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, Councilman David Clark and Councilman Carl Sabatello. PRESENTATIONS Planning Discussion Consultant David Barth continued the planning discussion from the workshop meeting and presented concepts for linkages which had been used in other cities. Mr. Barth commented that land uses were impossible to separate from linkages and discussed the current pattern. Building/street relationships were discussed. Different types of urban gathering spaces were presented, as well as examples of themes in cities were presented. The Growth Management Director described a lack of certainty in the current process. Principal Planner Kim Glas Castro presented a staff suggestion to expand on the PGA Corridor overlay. Members of the City Council recommended that focus be on linkages, feeling that other items would fall into place The Vice Mayor commented that the City would never have a central center such as those found in older northern cities, and suggested a city center with linkages provided from PGA Boulevard to smaller centers. Councilman Clark recommended putting a plan into place for the future to encourage evolution away from present conditions. The Mayor agreed linkages were the answer, and questioned how to establish linkages in closed communities. Planning and Zoning Commission members who were present commented on the • importance of parking availability, and expressed concern that a .l 0 0 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 3 predetermined grid could limit development ideas. Discussion ensued regarding whether Palm Beach Gardens had enough thoroughfare roads, that people did not want 6 traffic lanes with delays, and questioned where linkages would go. Suggestions were made that instead of one city center zone there could be several, and that a study regarding what the City could offer in public gathering places could be done. It was pointed out that 50% of the PGA corridor was not yet developed, but was on the verge of being developed; and the question was posed as to whether the City should now become proactive in establishing its character. Other suggestions and comments were land use by density - that focus should be on where to connect major parcels - that DOT would dictate some of the roadway linkages; that the City should be ready to work hand in hand with developers; that the visioning process, the planning forum held several years ago, and the PGA overlay had already been established as a basis for this suggested overlay; that emphasis needed to be on pedestrian linkages; that linkages should be specified for pedestrians but the City should not design for the developers; that things should be included to encourage gathering places along the way; and that the existing character did not need to be changed. It was pointed out that the dominant existing component was landscaping, and focus should be on maintaining landscaping and creating linkages, and not limiting creativity. Mr. Channing commented that the City should not mandate forums, and should think in abstract terms of what gathering places and linkages really were; and stated that P &Z was prepared to insist on great architecture, planning, design, and landscaping. The Mayor commented that Planning & Zoning had done a great job, and without the MacArthur Foundation, Planning & Zoning would be the first set of eyes in examining applications. Nancy Graham commented that WCI wanted to provide linkages from their developments to other sites, and had worked very closely with Mr. DiVosta to develop a linkage plan from Donald Ross Road down Military Trail to the mall. Mayor Russo questioned how to achieve traffic concurrency and also better planning. Commissioner Karen Marcus encouraged enhancing sections of PGA Boulevard that were already developed by using pavers, benches, and other items, and instead of building one tall building, to build two shorter buildings with linkages. Commissioner Marcus encouraged the City to look at the intersection at the mall and the courthouse, and to consider walkways over the highway. Commissioner Marcus stated that the County was willing to work with the City to reduce traffic lanes and provide landscaped CITE' COUNCEL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 4 medians. Mayor Russo indicated that he would like to continue working with the County to pool resources. Nancy Graham commented there was an urgency to work on these issues, with which Mayor Russo agreed. Mayor Russo expressed concern regarding the concept of a public gathering site in the mall and felt that creating a public gathering place in the middle of a group of office buildings might not work well. It was suggested that the City explore moving DMV while Mr. Catalfumo was still in the design stage of his project. The need for a pedestrian link to the mall site with the M28 site was noted. Councilman Sabatello commented that it was important that large property owners present conceptuals for planning sessions in order to fast track. Dan Catalfumo reported developers' hands were tied by having to show the City separate parcels, and that they needed to be able to present the whole concept of everything in one master plan to show how traffic would be affected. Commissioner Marcus commented that one project at a time was the process everyone had agreed to; that the County still had jurisdiction over roadways and needed to be consulted before Northern on drainage, and that timing and taxing issues would need to be considered. Commissioner Marcus indicated that as projects • start coming through the process one by one, capacity would be used up and that the County needed to know soon if the City desired a change in the CRAWLS designation to increase trips, because it was such a lengthy process. Mayor Russo commented he did not want to change the designation without first seeing offsetting benefits. Councilman Sabatello indicated he was in favor of meeting traffic performance first and then following with good planning to meet traffic problems. The Mayor suggested looking at less traffic with a lower designation. Growth Management Director Roxanne Manning commented staff was receiving good direction on the large issues; to look at the issues, and direction to work with the County and the engineers to try to bring this together in some successful way. Principal Planner Kim Glas Castro requested further exploration of developing a sense of identity in the core area of the City Center by setting more specific guidelines of what was expected from developers so that they would have guidance, with flexibility to design their structures using materials for the concept they were trying to promote, and that one means of doing this was to develop a pattern book containing graphic, user - friendly examples. Ms. Glas- Castro suggested that an item that could be included in the pattern book of design guidelines was a streetscape pattern with a common type of light post with matching benches and trash receptacles which might be used in the core area. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 5 • Use of similar signage styles was suggested as another way to create a sense of identity in certain areas. Similar landscaping throughout the core area and other areas of the City could be used, and other areas might utilize different styles of street furniture and/or signage to establish a different feel. Consensus was to proceed with development of this concept of design for the overlay and to include the major landowner in the process. Mayor Russo requested frequent workshops with the landowner, staff, and a City Council representative in order to move forward quickly. Growth Management Director Manning expressed her opinion that the overlay could be included in the zoning revisions, and agreed that a schedule for workshops could be ready at the next City Council meeting. Mayor Russo requested that a designated time for petitions be placed on future agendas. Councilmember Sabatello volunteered to be the City Council representative for the workshop meetings. The Regular Meeting was reconvened following a short break. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Russo stated the announcements were as posted. is CITY MANAGER REPORT The City Manager announced that driveways were being poured and swales were being replaced in Garden Woods; and that in doing restorations it had been discovered that there could be an opportunity to seek additional flood mitigation for which staff was currently researching costs; that telephone problems experienced during the past week had been corrected; that Freedom House had been cited with two notices of violation; and that recent awards received by a police officer and paramedics would be recognized at the next City Council meeting. PRESENTATIONS Dr. Patricia Bidol -Padua Dr. Bidol -Padua explained she would like to meet individually with members of the City Council and senior staff to determine what was needed to increase productivity and morale of elected officials and staff working together. Dr. Bidol -Padua commented that she was an organizational development consultant and also facilitated and mediated complex issues; and described her recent successful efforts with the Palm Beach County Equestrian Task Force Economic Summit. Dr. Bidol -Padua explained that she was highly skilled, knew how to customize, and that her goal would be to improve the situation within the City, however, would not know • how to do that until she had met with the City Council and senior CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 6 • staff individually, after which she would provide a report of options. Councilman Sabatello expressed his opinion that the first two steps to be accomplished would be to assess the relationship between the City Manager and Department Meads in order to institute improvements, after which the relationship between the City Manager and the City Council should be assessed. Dr. Bidol- Padva advised that the diagnostic process would take approximately two to two and one -half days, and that her price for the City was well below her normal fee. Council members expressed opinions which included the desire not to go on a fishing expedition, that it was very important to establish goals, that the City Council worked well together but at times there was some negativity, that the diagnostic process was important, and that the scope of the study should not be too broad. Dr. Bidol - Padva advised that trends would be made public but specific information would be kept confidential, and stressed that honesty on the part of those being interviewed was imperative and that clear goals that could be followed must be established. Direction to the City Manager was to move forward. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Siro DeGasperis Mr. DeGasperis, President of PGA National Property Owners, described an unsigned, undated letter which had been received by PGA National residents related to the Golf Digest petition and concerns that were made public by some of the residents at the June 22, 1999 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. Mr. DeGasperis advised that attempts were being made to find out who had been the author of the letter so that he could respond to it properly and reported that so far things had been going well in working with the City regarding issues concerning Golf Digest. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Chair Furtado moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The following items were approved on the Consent Agenda: 1. Approval of Minutes of City Council 7/1/99 Regular City Council Meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes of City Council 7 /8/99 Workshop City Council Meeting. 3. Resolution 73, 1999 - Consideration of Approval of Plat for • Parcel 6A of BallenIsles. 4. Resolution 74, 1999 - Consideration of Approval of Plat for CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 7 • Parcel 24 of Ballenisles. 5. Resolution 89, 1999 - Consideration of Approval of Support of Little Acorns Children and Family Programs. 5. Resolution 90, 1999 - Consideration of Approval to Ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Police Benevolent Association for Officers, Sergeants, and Communications Operators Unit. PUBLIC HEARINGS Proposed Change to Regional DRI Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, duly advertised 6/2/99, postponed from Regular Meeting of 6/17/99, and held on the intent of the Notice of Proposed Change for the Regional Center DRI (Use Conversion). There were no comments from the public. Councilman Jablin made a motion to continue the Notice of Proposed Change for the Regional Center DRI (Use Conversion) to the August 5, 1999 Regular City Council meeting. Councilman Clark seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. . Resolution 72, 1999 Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, duly advertised 6/7/99, postponed from the Regular Meeting of 6/17/99, continued to 7/15/99 Regular Meeting of the City Council, and held on the intent of Resolution 72, 1999 - Consideration of Approval of a Sign Variance for Gardens Park Plaza. A representative from Urban Design Studio spoke on behalf of the petitioner requesting a sign variance for five existing ground signs so that they would be in conformity. Staff recommended approval of the variance. Patrick Koenig, Manager of the shopping center provided a history of the existing signage and expressed his opinion that petitioner had cooperated with the City in the past. City Council members expressed their opinion this was a pollution issue. The City Attorney provided legal advice. Councilman Jablin made a motion to continue the Public Hearing for Resolution 72, 1999. Councilman Clark seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Councilman Jablin made a motion to reconsider the motion to continue the Public Hearing for Resolution 72, 1999. Councilman Clark seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. • Councilman Clark made a motion to continue the Public Hearing CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 S for Resolution 72, 1999 to the August 19, 1999 Regular City Council meeting. Councilman Jablin seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Ordinance 22, 1999 Staff presented the petition. Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, duly advertised 7/1/99, and held on the intent of Ordinance 22, 1999 - Providing for Approval of an Amendment to the City's Code of Ordinances re: Automobile Dealerships, for Consideration of Second Reading and Adoption. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the public hearing closed. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Ordinance 22, 1999 upon Second Reading by title only. Vice Mayor Furtado seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 22, 1999 by title only on Second Reading. Ordinance 23, 1999 Mayor Russo declared the public hearing open, duly advertised 7/1/99, and held on the intent of Ordinance 23, 1999 - Providing for Approval of an Amendment to Ordinance 20, 1997, to Provide for • Minor Changes in the Elevations and Floor Plan of Building A, B, abd C in the Christ Fellowship Church Planned Unit Development; Providing for Conditions of Approval, for Consideration of Second Reading and Adoption. Staff presented the petition. Comments were made by the Petitioner's attorney, Alan Ciklin. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the public hearing closed. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Ordinance 23, 1999 upon Second Reading by title only. Councilman Jablin seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 23, 1999 by title only on Second Reading. RESOLUTIONS Resolution 87, 1999 Staff presented Resolution 87, 1999 - Consideration of Approval of Concurrent Processing for PGA National DRI Notice of Proposed Change Application, an Amendment to the Planned Community District and Amendment to Site Plan within a PCD. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 87, 1999. Councilman Jablin seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 9 • ORDINANCES Ordinance 30, 1999 Staff presented Ordinance 30, 1999 - Providing for Amendment to the Code of Ordinances by Amending Section 78 -2, Section 114 -4, Section 114 -9, Section 114 -36, Section 114 -42 and Section 114 -43 (Subdivisions). Councilman Clark made a motion to place Ordinance 30, 1999 on First Reading by title only. Councilman Jablin seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 30, 1999 by title only on First Reading. Ordinance 31, 1999 Staff presented Ordinance 31, 1999 - Providing for Amendment to the Code of Ordinances by Amending Section 118 -38, Section 118- 39, Section 118 -42, Section 118 -43, Section 118 -45, Section 118- 47, Section 118 -48, Section 118 -50, Section 118 -213, Section 118- 214, and Section 118 -473 (Development Review). Councilman Clark made a motion to place Ordinance 31, 1999 on First Reading by title only. Councilman Jablin seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 31, 1999 by title only on First Reading. Ordinance 32, 1999 Staff presented Ordinance 32, 1999 - Providing for Annexation of .22 Acres of Land Located on the South Side of Idlewild Road, 1/4 Mile East of Prosperity Farms Road. Staff commented that this parcel was known as Marina Gardens or Soverel North. Councilman Clark made a motion to place Ordinance 32, 1999 on First Reading by title only. Councilman Jablin seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 32, 1999 by title only on First Reading. Ordinance 34, 1999 Staff presented Ordinance 34, 1999 - Providing for Amendment to Ordinance 30, 1990, which Approved a Conditional Use to Allow an Increase in the Maximum Occupancy at the Site known as "Christ Fellowship" and Amendment to the Approved use of the Residence Building to a Youth Center. Alan Ciklin, Attorney for the petitioner, provided the history for this request and expressed the petitioner's agreement with conditions of approval. Concern was expressed by City Council that concurrent use of the new and old facilities could occur. Attorney Ciklin explained that the City's parking requirement would be exceeded, commented on traffic • issues, and stated all City Code requirements had been met. The CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 10 • septic tank issue was discussed and the City Engineer explained that this issue had not yet been resolved and would be worked out. Attorney Ciklin stated petitioner would work with staff to come up with an acceptable condition to assure adequate sewer capacity. Mayor Russo requested information as to when petitions with health and safety or other issues were or were not moved forward. Vice Mayor Furtado made a motion to place Ordinance 34, 1999 on First Reading by title only. Councilman Clark seconded the motion. Motion carried by 4 -1 vote, with Councilman Jablin opposed. The City Clerk read Ordinance 34, 1999 by title only on First Reading. ITEMS & REPORTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL Issues & Priorities The City Attorney advised that everything possible was being done to obtain receipt of the Surety Bond from WCI, and that the bond was expected to be received the next day. It was the consensus of the City Council that if the Surety Bond was not received within the next three weeks then the moritorium should be extended. The City Engineer explained there were ongoing applications which had been caught in the moritorium process and halted, which were not a part of the WCI process; and that the WCI applications had been listed in the forbearance agreement in the order that they were to be processed. Mr. Lindahl explained that the some of the applications not associated with WCI should be processed first, which the County did not seem to understand. Discussion ensued. The City Council agreed that the scheduling of applications as listed by staff was appropriate. Mayor Russo commented he was very concerned about relaxing the traffic standards and getting more traffic as opposed to relaxing the standards and getting less traffic, and stated the City Engineer would have to be relied upon regarding this issue. The City Engineer explained that it did not make sense to impose extreme limitations when there were other answers, and that there were conferences recognizing this which would be working on solutions in the near future, and that the Intergovernmental Coordinating Council could also work on these types of issues. In reference to the Issues and Priorities report from the City Manager, Councilman Sabatello stated a report date was needed for item 9, and questioned Item 11, to which the City Manager responded the June 28 date shown should have been July 18. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 11 Councilman Sabatello questioned whether the language used in the RFP listed in Item 12 had been changed, to which the City Manager responded that the language had been changed to make it better and that the City Attorney's office had provided input. Vice Mayor Furtado stated at the last meeting she had requested privatization be added to the Issues and Priorities List, to which the City Manager responded that would be added. The Vice Mayor also requested looking into getting a different grant writer for the City. The City Attorney reported that the possibility of establishing a foundation had been researched and a final report had been issued. Mayor Russo requested addition of either a foundation or fund- raising to the Issues and Priorities list. Vice Mayor Furtado asked that Principal Planner Steve Cramer be requested to obtain a copy of the Boca Tree Assessment, which could provide a revenue stream. BUDGET HEARINGS The dates of September 16 and September 30 were established for budget hearings. The Vice Mayor requested the that the fee structure for the City Engineer's services be provided before the budget hearings, and also requested discussion regarding some budget items before the budget hearings. August 25 was announced as the Town Meeting for residents and September 7 as the Neighborhood Task Force meeting. Mayor Russo requested a presentation regarding utility taxes, as a possible source of revenue. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT City Attorney Post reported on the Vavrus litigation, stating that as of her last report the City had been successful in their Code Enforcement action and Circuit Court action against Mr. Vavrus. Shortly after that Mr. Vavrus' attorneys had met with the City Attorney, City staff, and Vaysus ranch management personnel to seek settlement. A plan of how to move forward was formulated; however, Mr. Vavrus had not followed through on any of the items outlined and several days later had filed multiple appeals with the Florida District Court of Appeals as to the Code Enforcement action and Circuit Court ruling. The City Attorney advised that the injunctions to prevent further clearing remained in place. . Councilman Sabatello asked what could be done regarding Freedom House, to which the City Attorney responded a Code CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 12 Enforcement action had been filed for illegal use of a commercial operation in a residential district. In response to concerns regarding rumors of an ACLF on Holly Drive, the City Manager explained that the City had received no application for an ACLF on Holly Drive, and that ACLFs were allowed in residential neighborhoods and obtained licensing from the State and came to the City only for site plan issues. The City Manager explained that Freedom House was not an ACLF and described the purpose of an ACLF. The City Manager explained that the City would need to check to see if the State had issued a license, and that any site improvements were the responsibility of the owner and not the taxpayers. Mr. Rose, 4401 Holly Drive, expressed concern regarding the rumor of an ACLF on Holly Drive, and questioned another type of home regarding which the City Attorney stated she would provide a report to the City Council. Mayor Russo requested if the City received information that there was in fact an ACLF on Holly Drive that Mr. Rose be notified. The City Attorney reported that Code Enforcement had allowed Freedom House until September 30 to come into compliance. Mayor Russo asked for information regarding when applications could move forward and could not move forward, and indicated he did not want any applicant treated differently than any other. Councilman Sabatello commented that he was comfortable moving an application forward that had complicated drainage issues so long as the last sign-off was the City Engineer. The City Manager stated staff would prepare a report on all the issues for City Council. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 7/15/99 13 • ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Councilman Jablin, seconded by Councilman Clark, carried 5 -0, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 p.m. APPROVAL: J u ZRRUSSO e�:q k.",— Lc- E u,�,- --rte 'k -- VICE MAC?? LA-UREN 3'URtADO CHA PRq( TEMERIC JABLIN UNCILMAN D CLARK COUNCILMAN CARL SABATELLO ATTEST: A KOSIER, CIVIC, CITY CLERK