HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 052997CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
MAY 29, 1997
The May 29, 1997, Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:30
P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located
at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and
began with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL The Deputy City Clerk called the roll, and the following elected
officials were found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo,
Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilwoman Linda Monroe,
Councilman Eric Jablin and Councilman David Clark.
MUNICIPAL COMPLEX Kevin Radigan of Architects Design Group made a presentation to
the City Council of the design for the proposed Municipal
Complex. Mr. Radigan stated that at the last meeting with the City
Council, the Council was in agreement with the overall plan and
asked ADG to work through the design a little more with Parks and
Recreation. Parks and Recreation has agreed to the proposed plan
with the 8 baseball diamonds, 5 soccer courts and the other
elements surrounding these fields. The plans have been updated to
reflect the latest thinking regarding the police and the municipal
city hall, as well as the configuration of the fire department. Mr.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97
Radigan stated that the new plans reflect the thoughts of the City
Council. Mr. Radigan stated that the project would be bid and
ready to begin on the baseball diamonds in June, 1998. Mr.
Radigan reviewed the amendments to the plan with the City
Council. Councilwoman Monroe suggested, and the Council
agreed, to consider arched window designs for the building. Mr.
Radigan presented a model of the proposed building and the
Council asked for more "roundness" to the building so it wouldn't
appear as square in design. A discussion ensued about the use of
space in the lobby and the Council Chambers. The Council felt
that something had to be done to reduce the effect of the length of
the building.
In response to Mr. Radigan, the Council agreed that they agreed
with the general proposed design, with the few amendments
N
mentioned this evening. Mr. Radigan stated that he would get cost
estimates and should be able to present samples of materials to the
City Council in about one month.
City Manager Herakovich stated that staff has had several meetings
in the last few weeks to review new interior designs to minimize
the use of the floor for new staff and to maximize the idea of one-
stop permitting with the Growth Management Department. In
response to the City Manager, it was the consensus of the City
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5129197 3
Council that they did not want to be involved in the layout of the
interior offices.
It was the consensus of the City Council to move the July 3, 1997,
Regular Meeting to Wednesday, July 2, 1997, because of the July
4th Holiday. City Manager Herakovich stated that a resolution
would be prepared for the next Council meeting to change the date
of the July 3, 1997, Regular Meeting.
City Sign Proposal Mark Hendrickson, City Forester, made a presentation to the City
Council re: the proposed City welcome signs. Mr. Hendrickson
stated that he has met with DOT and received their comments, and
has reviewed proposed locations. Councilwoman Monroe stated
she did not like the proposed location at the southeast corner of
PGA Boulevard and Military Trail.
Hank Skokowski stated that the sign evoked the kind of quality
that was evident in the landscaping in front of the Gardens Mall
and BallenIsles and some of the elegance in a statement of quality.
Mr. Skokowski stated that he believed that the design of the sign
was a concept that imaged the quality of development in the City
of Palm Beach Gardens. Mr. Skokowski stated that intentionally
the word "Welcome" was left off the sign as it was a little too
cliche. Mr Skokowski did not think that golf was all the City was
about and felt that if the Council wanted a slogan it could be
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 4
incorporated into the sign, however, felt the open space in the City
was important to incorporate into the sign. Mr. Skokowski
suggested that since this was a City sign it should be located in the
right -of -way and not need to adhere to the 15 foot setback that
private signs were required to do.
Councilman Clark stated he liked the design presented this
evening, stating that he liked the columns and the way the design
integrated the leaves /foliage. Vice Mayor Furtado did not like the
banner across the top of the sign. It was the consensus of the City
Council that the design of the sign was moving in the right
direction, including the proposed material. It was determined that
the letters for the City of Palm Beach Gardens would be 4 -1/2
inches in height. The City Council agreed that it would be a good
idea to produce a full size replica of the proposed sign to put at a
location to see if there were any comments from the residents. The
cost of the proposed sign would be approximately $13,600 per
sign. The City Council discussed the possibility of future
developments paying the cost for the City signs. It was also
suggested that the City Council use the Art in Public Places monies
to construct and locate the signs. Councilwoman Monroe stated
she would like to see the sign placed at the turnpike entrance into
the City because she felt it was the one place in the City where the
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5129197 5
out of towners would see the sign. Councilman Clark stated that
the B &E Committee evaluated that location and felt that there was
so much going on at that intersection, the City sign would not be as
noticeable. Mr. Hendrickson outlined his research in why the
location across from the turnpike exit/entrance on PGA Boulevard
would be a good location, and the City Council agreed. Mr.
Hendrickson was directed to contact the DOT for their input and
approval for the location of the sign at the turnpike entrance /exit.
Councilman Clark stated that the B &E Committee felt that less
expensive signs could be installed at the borders of the City that
would let people know they were within the City limits, and that
the proposed more expensive signs could be located in key
locations. It was decided that two mock signs would be placed in
the City, one with a logo and one without, to see the preference.
ITEMS BY MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
Vice Mayor Furtado Vice Mayor Furtado, referencing the Northlake Reliever Road,
stated that she took the liberty of calling Randy Whitfield and
asked him if he could run the miles if Congress ran all the way to
ALA instead of ending at Northlake Boulevard. If the difference in
the numbers were significant, Vice Mayor Furtado asked for
Council support to ask for the money to be used on the Northlake
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 6
Reliever be expended to extend Congress Avenue. There were no
objections from the City Council, and Vice Mayor Furtado stated
she would continue this issue with Mr. Whitfield.
Councilwoman Monroe Councilwoman Monroe discussed the Campbell property that had
once tried to annex into the City, stating that the owner now had a
petition before the County Commission. The owner was now
trying to work out a deal between Seacoast Utility and the City of
West Palm Beach so that West Palm Beach would provide the
water across into the City area. Councilwoman Monroe stated that
if the City was serious about hoping to draw an equestrian
community and to keep the densities low, it would be a drawback
to bring West Palm Beach water into the City area.
Councilwoman Monroe stated that if any Council members knew
any of the County Commissioners or anyone on the Land Use
Advisory Board they should discuss this issue with them and let
them know that the City is against the proposal. City Manager
Herakovich pointed out that it would be less expensive for West
Palm Beach to bring the water to the area then it would be for
Seacoast Utility.
Councilman Clark Councilman Clark stated he received a telephone call from a
resident today who was fully in support of the Council's decision
not to change the Code to allow parking on the swales. The
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 7
resident asked if the City could let people know about the parking
regulations via the CityLine and mention that blocking the roadway
by parking on the pavement was also illegal. Councilwoman
Monroe stated that she if the Code was being enforced by the
Police Department then it should be citywide. Mayor Russo stated
that during the next 30 days anyone parking illegally should be
given warnings and advise the residents through the CityLine that
as of a certain date, tickets would be issued.
Vice Mayor Furtado Vice Mayor Furtado stated that the Council decided that the
RV /Boat Task Force would reconvene to discuss certain issues.
Vice Mayor Furtado stated that the deadline was approaching
concerning commercial vehicles and nothing has been done as of
this date.
Mayor Russo stated that the City Council decided that it could not
have different laws in different sections of the City and, therefore,
the City had to either allow commercial vehicles or not allow
commercial vehicles. Mayor Russo stated that he thought the City
Council decided that it would keep the laws that were presently on
the books regarding commercial vehicles. Vice Mayor Furtado
stated that if that is the decision, then Code Enforcement needed to
enforce the Code with all those in violation. City Manager
Herakovich stated staff was researching areas in the City where the
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 8
commercial vehicles could be parked and would have a report for
the City Council at the June 19 Regular Meeting.
Mayor Russo Mayor Russo stated he was upset with the altercation that took
place on the baseball fields last week. Mayor Russo felt that the
City needed to look at the whole baseball league program run by
the PBGYAA, Mayor Russo felt that he spoke with the president
of the baseball program and 3 members of the YAA on this issue
and was told that the extent of the altercation was out of the
ordinary, however, the cause of the problem is constantly in
existence on the field because of the competitiveness of the
parents.
City Manager Herakovich stated that the City can require that all
volunteers using City fields to go through youth sports training,
however, enforcing that with a volunteer organization is very
difficult.
Councilwoman Monroe asked if most baseball programs in cities
were run by a non - profit organization. City Manager Herakovich
stated no, most were not run by non - profit organizations.
Councilwoman Monroe asked why the City wouldn't take over the
program or at least administer the program. The Council agreed
and felt that staff should at least look at the possibility of
administering the baseball program.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 9
Councilman Jablin Councilman Jablin stated he was honored to go to the Special
Olympics and participate. Councilman Jablin stated that the event
would be hosted in the City again next year and encouraged all
Council members to get involved.
CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Herakovich thanked the City Council for the
opportunity of attending the Florida City managers Conference.
Ms. Herakovich stated she had some information that she would be
sharing with the Council regarding telecommunications planning
that she obtained at the conference. Ms. Herakovich stated that she
also attended discussions re: disaster recovery, sustainable
communities, legal issues in personnel, and training of personnel.
The PGA National traffic study regarding the gates has been turned
in and is now at the engineer's office for review.
City Manager Herakovich stated that the Bascom Palmer Institute
site plan may be back before the City Council because more than
5% of the project elevations may be amended.
Staff attended several meetings this week concerning different
regional issues affecting the City. Last week Jupiter Farms there
was an access meeting for Donald Ross Road and was attended by
approximately 300 residents, with 250 against the extension and 50
for the extension. There was also a meeting with the District
Commissioner re: abandonment of a 2 -lane road between Crystal
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 10
Pointe and Frenchman's Landing, which would be coming before
the City Council in the future.
Councilwoman Monroe asked the City Manager to get the traffic
count report received by BallenIsles for Gardenia and Military
Trail.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:32 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/29/97 10
Pointe and Frenchman's Landing, which would be coming before
the City Council in the future.
Councilwoman Monroe asked the City Manager to get the traffic
count report received by Ballenlsles for Gardenia and Military
Trail,
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:32 P.M.
APPROVAL i R. Russo
Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado
i
Councilweixan Linda Monroe
&o ncilmari Eric lablin
Councilman David Clark
ATTEST:
Cindy Harvey, Deputy City Clerk`-