HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 100698 with RABCITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL
AND
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING
OCTOBER 6, 1998
The October 6, 1998, Joint Workshop Meeting of the City
Council and Recreation Advisory Board 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 Dee Schneider called the roll and the following elected
officials were found to be in attendance: Vice Mayor Lauren
Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, and Councilman Carl
Sabatello. Mayor Joseph R. Russo and Councilman David
Clark were absent from the meeting. Also in attendance: City
Manager Bobbie Herakovich, Recreation Advisory Board
. members Susie Kendall, Jim Maynor, Bette Bates, Susan
Miller, and Brain McLaughlin.
David Barth summarized the discussion from the last joint
meeting. Those present had felt the highest priority needs
were a District Park, pedestrian linkages, and neighborhood
parks. Mr. Barth presented a plan to move forward on
multiple fronts using different funding methods. Major
projects identified by Mr. Barth with a different action plan
for each were neighborhood parks to be developed as
opportunities arose, District Park, Gardens Mall Urban Park,
development of Loxahatchee and Frenchman's Forest,
Gateways, right -of -way enhancement, and greenways, trails
and bikeways. Mr. Barth indicated he believed there had
been consensus at the last meeting to move forward with land
acquisition for a District Park to be financed through bonds;
that funding for renovation of existing parks was already in
place and could continue; and that grants could be sought for
right -of -way enhancement, greenways, trails and bikeways.
Mr. Barth indicated these three areas seemed to be the highest
priorities, with the other projects to be developed as grant
opportunities became available, and also indicated that the
• CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING, 10/6/98 2
Gardens Mall project should contain a park setting as well as
a commercial retail setting. A detailed development plan
would be needed for each area with improvements prioritized.
The level of development desired was discussed. Ideas
presented for linkages included using canals as well as
retrofitting current corridors.
Councilmember Sabatello recommended the City take an
aggressive approach to utilize the open spaces at existing
schools as neighborhood parks. Discussion ensued, and
problems previously encountered re: working with the School
Board were discussed. Taking a proactive stance in planning
was recommended, with a typical overlay of the outdoor
space, estimated cost, and benefits for both sides to be
presented to the School Board. Councilmember Sabatello
cautioned against focusing entirely on growth areas.
Councilman Jablin suggested a joint meeting asking Ulysses
Smith to be a facilitator to cut through School Board red tape
. on behalf of the City. Mr. Barth commented the action plans
he had presented were a combination of study and analysis of
existing facilities and future planning for what was desired.
Items were ranked in order of priority. Acquisition of land for
a District Park was rated the most important and funding
possibilities were discussed. There was a discussion
re:existing parks renovation, school parks the Golf Digest
project, and the urban park project, for which a plan was
needed. Funding alternatives for renovation were discussed,
including grants, bonds, and impact fees.
The Burns Road corridor was discussed. Mr. Barth
recommended a template corridor plan be developed to show
to the County, FDOT, etc., in taking a proactive stance to let
those entities know what was desired and to find out if they
had future roadway widening plans. Rights -of -way were
discussed. Mr. Barth explained that easements and existing
rights -of -way might be used while corridors would not require
the acquisition of additional rights -of -way. Vice Mayor
• Furtado suggested that Public Works would have information
on easements. Mr. Barth explained that his plan contained an
interconnecting network system utilizing corridors that would
• CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING, 10/6/98 3
allow every Palm Beach Gardens resident to get to all schools,
parks, and commercial centers.
Ray Colleco, President of Sun Terrace in The Oaks,
questioned whether the restrooms at The Oaks Park were
being discussed, to which Vice Mayor Furtado responded this
workshop discussion was philosophical and not park specific.
Mr. Barth summarized that top priority was renovation of
existing facilities, acquiring a district park, and to work with
the schools to develop school parks. It was also felt that the
City should move forward on the Gardens Mall urban park.
Detailed analysis of the plan for greenways, bikeways, and
trails was needed. Mr. Barth stressed this plan would involve
all departments in the City, since it was open space for the
entire City. The Vice Mayor suggested that rights -of- way and
the Gardens Mall park were projects the Recreation Advisory
Board could work on since their board was task specific.
Comments made by Recreation Advisory Board members
favored school parks. During ensuing discussion, a suggestion
was made to have a joint meeting with the City Council and
the School Board, and placing that on an agenda, also inviting
the principals from the schools. At least one or two
conceptual plans would need to be developed for that meeting.
Councilman Sabatello volunteered to help facilitate
development of plans. Mr. Barth explained his next course of
action would be to develop an action plan for the prioritized
items.
Vice Mayor Furtado questioned what happened to funds when
the whole budgeted amount was not used for a specific item,
to which the City Manager responded that departments had the
ability to use those leftover funds for other items.
Councilman Sabatello suggested a committee of golfers be
established to give input regarding the City's golf course.
Consensus was to look at ideas for a golf course committee.
1J
• CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING, 10/6/98 4
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by
Councilman Jablin, seconded by Councilman Sabatello, the
meeting was j rned t 9: 0 p.m.
APPROVAL:
RWJOSE HR. RUSSO
VICE MA-Y_OR- LAUREN FURTADO
CWAIRMAt!R qqEM ERIC JABLIN
• O ID CLARK
COUNCILMAN CARL SABATELLO
ATTEST:
LINDA V. KOSIER, CMC, CITY CLERK
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