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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`-