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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 101096CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 10, 1996 The October 10, 1996, Special Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens 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: Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilwoman Linda Monroe, Councilman Eric Jablin and Councilman David Clark. Mayor Joseph Russo arrived at approximately 8 P.M. Upon a request by the City Manager, the City Council unanimously voted to reorder the agenda to hear a report from Public Works Director Bob Patty regarding Holly Drive Landscaping. HOLLY DRIVE LANDSCAPING Public Works Director Bob Patty stated there were a number of trees prepped and ready for planting on Holly Drive before the medians were ready. The project was planned to be completed in four phases. After the plan was received from the Landscape Architects, it was decided that the major trees would be planted and try to get all of the oak trees and palm trees planted with City and County services in an attempt to save money. This part of the project was Phase 1. Phase II would give the City the opportunity to plant the minor trees and canopies so the Council could look at Holly Drive and see how extensive the maintenance would be. If the Council CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 110196 Page 2 approved of what was done after Phase II, Phase III could be eliminated. Phase III would include the planting of extensive under story and mulch beds. The project could then be ended at the phase that would include irrigation, sod and mulch. Mr. Patty stated that staff has been comparing prices with contractors that have done plantings for the Town of Jupiter and Boca Raton and the type of maintenance. Mr. Patty stated that if Holly Drive could be kept at the same maintenance level as Military Trail, then the City could compete and do the maintenance with City staff or contract the maintenance out to a contractor. If Holly Drive is taken to the fourth phase, it would cost more to maintain Holly Drive then it would to maintain PGA Boulevard. City Manager Herakovich stated that staff was prepared to come back to the City Council on October 17, 1996, with Phase II and eliminate the under story and ground cover. The City Manager stated that the Council would have to approve the awarding of a bid on 10/17/96 for the mid -size trees. Once that planting is completed, it is felt that there would be no need for the under story which required high maintenance. The City Manager stated that there have been comments from Council Members and residents as to whether the current trees were planted too close together and staff was prepared to answer those concerns. Vice Mayor Furtado stated there was an oak tree planted in the median across from the high school that is very close to a street light and felt that as the tree began to grow the tree would not give as much illumination. Mr. Patty stated that some of the lights would have to be moved to the side of the road and may have to be done at the City's expense. The City Manager stated that the old lighting system went down the middle of the median and FP &L no longer CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 3 permits lighting in the median. In the reconstruction the City has identified three corner locations where the lighting would be located. In order to minimize that relocation so that the lights would not be located in a resident's yard, a few lights were left in the median. In response to Vice Mayor Furtado, the City Manager stated that the lighting plan would be included in the 10/17/96 City Council packet. Councilwoman Monroe stated that she thought there was a decision to plant live oaks as opposed to laurel oaks. Councilwoman Monroe stated that there is a live oak planted next to the 1 -95 overpass and felt that over the life of the tree it would get too large for that location. Mr. Patty stated that the landscaping plan has been reduced by 25 oak trees and those that have been planted have been spread out to accommodate canopy spread. Mr. Patty stated that there are still 14 trees coming from Earth Day Park to be planted in the remaining two medians on Holly Drive. Councilwoman Monroe stated that she was assured that the trees planted in the median would be bushy and as large as the ones out front. Mr. Patty explained that when these trees are grown in the nursery they are close together and tend to grow more tall than out and once planted on Holly Drive they will spread out. Councilwoman Monroe requested staff look at the oak tree planted next to the I -95 overpass to determine if it is located to close and would require more trimming than it should. Mr. Patty stated the City would have to pay $80,000 a year on high maintenance and felt that if the under story could be reduced the maintenance cost would be reduced by 30 %. Councilwoman Monroe stated that she would like the current planting to be completed and requested a monthly report on the status of the landscaping on Holly Drive. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 4 Mayor Russo arrived at the meeting and stated that he attended a meeting of the Palm Beach County School Board where there were discussions regarding boundary changes. Mayor Russo felt that there should be a law that when a student started at a particular school he should be allowed to finish at that school instead of being threatened with boundary changes every year. Mayor Russo stated that, hopefully, through the efforts of the residents and Commissioner Marcus at that meeting the boundaries for the City's schools will not be changed. Mayor Russo stated that he pledged the City staff to assist, as far as planning was concerned, in an effort to avoid some of the boundary changes. Councilman Jablin stated that this was discussed last night at the City's Education Advisory Board and that the Chairman of that Board was also in attendance at the Palm Beach County School Board meeting. Councilman Jablin stated that Mr. Adams was in attendance at that meeting to voice their opinion that the children attending the schools should be able to continue through completion without interruption. RESOLUTIONS: Resolution 148,1996 City Manager Herakovich stated that Resolution 148, 1996, was on previous agendas and the Councils thoughts have been incorporated into the revised resolution that has been presented for their consideration tonight. City Manager stated that she asked staff for the pros and cons of this resolution, and it was determined that the cons were that the City Council would be included in the process more at an earlier date and would be looking to approve a site in a phase situation. The pros were that it would allow a major attraction for the City to go forward and at this point, staff was comfortable with the resolution as presented. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 5 Councilwoman Monroe stated that she was concerned with the language in the second paragraph of Section 1, which stated, however the City Council may accept and process an application for site plan or which has been submitted concurrent with an application to amend the City's Comprehensive Plan. Councilwoman Monroe questioned whether it was more appropriate to say "to amend the property's Land Use Designation of the City's Comprehensive Plan" or was just "Comprehensive Plan" good enough for this process. Richard Walton, Director of Planning and Zoning, stated that the attorneys have determined that the tern "Comprehensive Plan" would suffice. Councilwoman Monroe requested that the word "to" be added in the 6th line of the second paragraph of Section 1, between agree and Master Plan. Councilwoman Monroe made a motion to approve Resolution 148,1996, as amended, approval of simultaneous processing of applications. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Furtado and unanimously carried. Attorney Steve Mathison, representing Golf Digest, addressed the City Council stating that while this resolution facilitated the filing of their application, wanted to make clear that the golf portion of the project being proposed can go forward simultaneously rather than coming back for another hearing. Mayor Russo stated that the City Council would have to receive a report from staff as to the recommended procedure. Resolution 152, 1996 Richard Walton, Director of Planning and Zoning, stated that the developer for Sunset Cove PUD was requesting to amend the PUD (Parcel 16B) located in the Ballenlsles PCD to allow a new model "F ". Mr. Walton stated that this was the same model approved by the City Council for Parcel 17. Mr. Walton stated that the reason CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 110/96 Page 6 this was being requested was because the present models could not meet the setback requirements. Models "C" and "D" have already been approved for a reduction in setback requirements when the project was originally approved. Vice Mayor Furtado made a motion to approve Resolution 152, 1996. The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and unanimously carried. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Visioning City Manager Herakovich stated that in preparing for this evening's presentation, the Planning staff has informed all members of the Blue Ribbon Committee as well as those residents that have expressed an interest in this item. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that Mr. Ecclestone has agreed to fund the traffic study for the Turnpike Interchange. Mayor Russo asked Kim Glas to explain mixed use so that those residents from BallenIsles that were in attendance this evening could better understand what that particular zoning would mean. Kim Glas, Planner, explained the Visioning process that has taken place over the last two years and added that at the same time the City has also been doing the Evaluation and Appraisal Report. Mrs. Glas stated that the Visioning process was an optional section to the EAR. The EAR had to be adopted by 9/l/96 and the optional Visioning section has to be adopted by the end of 1996. Mrs. Glas stated that the Vision was the ideas from the community and a Strategic Plan was drafted from the EAR/Visioning Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendation, as well as the comments from the community and informal input from the Council. Staff has prepared revisions to the Vision document and map and Mrs. Glas stated that CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 110/96 Page 7 those revisions were part of the Council's packet. Mrs. Glas stated that not all recommendations would be immediately put into the City's Comprehensive Plan, but would be phased in over a number of years. Mrs. Glas explained that some of the items were visionary and staff did not really know how they would be accomplished at this time, but would keep working to try to implement them through the years, and as new technology and planning principles come along those items would be easier to start putting into the plan and formalize into the Land Development Regulations. Mrs. Glas stated that this was not a document that staff wanted to be kept on a shelf, but want the ideas worked into the City's operations. The mission statement was written before the Visioning process was begun and has been put on hold until some of the Visioning goals could be included into the mission statement. Mrs. Glas stated that once there is a formal City mission statement each department would write their goals and objectives to be consistent with the City's statement. Mrs. Glas detailed the minor changes to the visioning document. Mrs. Glas stated that the major change in the vision map was the introduction of a conceptual overlay that was applied on a majority of the City's vacant tracts. The concept of the Mixed Use Overlay was to encourage a mix of uses that create liveable neighborhoods, promote a sense of community and encourage pedestrian/bicycle travel. It is not necessarily the neo- traditional development that is being advocated around the country, but the concept is based on a lot of the same principles. Specific criteria are deemed by the Council to be met, the developer may pursue a mixed use development project, if the criteria are not met, the underlying residential land use and regular PCD/PUD standards apply. One of the criteria would need to be no net CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 110/96 Page 8 increase in traffic volumes on the roadway network over what would be expected from the residential PCD/PUD. Others would be the integration of uses and "walkability ". Mrs. Glas pointed out that a traffic run of staffs recommended land uses has not yet been conducted, however, it was noted that through the EAR analyses the inclusion of proposed city thoroughfares improve traffic volumes over the 2015 network. The Committee's land uses were entered into the traffic model, the numbers were run, and in some areas, the land uses improved the traffic situation and in others it increases volumes over capacity. Mrs. Glas pointed out that the 2015 network did not operate at adopted levels of service to begin with, so it may be desirable to the City to influence traffic volumes through land use designations. Mrs. Glas asked for Council feedback regarding staffs recommendations and further recommended another public input session or an opportunity for the community to review and comment on the "vision" before it was finalized. Mayor Russo and Vice Mayor Furtado stated that they had a major problem with a zoning of "Residential Low" next to the Turnpike. Mrs. Glas stated that the area in question could be incorporated into Ballentsles with the use of a lot of buffering. Mayor Russo stated it would require BallenIsles to amend the PCD, at which time he would be willing to listen to the reasoning, however, felt there was a problem with it being kept outside of Ballenlsles because there would be the Turnpike and the bridge with a lot of traffic. If kept in a "Residential Low" zoning category it would then have houses that would be difficult to sell that would add to a blighted area. Mayor Russo stated that the residents are concerned with the value of their homes. Mayor Russo CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 9 stated that his concern was that if the Council allowed the Residential Low category to happen and it became a problem it would flow back into Ballenlsles. Mrs. Glas stated that staff sees the Residential Low area becoming part of the Ballenlsles project and the commercial area sharing access with the professional office building to the east so that it becomes a transitional professional office plaza. It was determined that this would not require an entrance from the Ballenlslcs community. Mrs. Glas stated that the Meadows Mobile Home Park residents would like the area to remain zoned for mobile home use, however, Mrs. Glas stated that mobile homes were incompatible with the area. Mrs. Glas stated that while that area may not remain zoned in the future for mobile home use, staff felt there was no need to upset the residents by changing the zoning at this time. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that the City Council had discussed that this area could be another area for some semi - affordable housing. Mrs. Glas stated that many people have come into the City asking for areas for more affordable type units, especially adult living facilities and felt that this site may be appropriate for that type of use. Mrs. Glas stated that she thought the future plans for the City would include more liveable communities where you could walk or ride a bicycle to a park or to shopping areas. Mayor Russo questioned why the Committee did not include commercial zoning on Donald Ross Road. Mrs. Glas stated that the Committee thought that while the same thing could be accomplished use, they were afraid that with that strong of delineations the projects would not be integrated and would help to avoid distinct projects throughout the City. Planning Director Richard Walton stated that another concern CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 10 was property rights legislation, feeling that if commercial was put on that land, it could never be changed. Mr. Walton stated that the same end could be accomplished through design criteria. Mayor Russo stated that he did not have a problem as long as mixed use would be allowed on Donald Ross Road. Mayor Russo pointed out that with the stadium and the Abacoa project on the north side of Donald Ross Road, there would be low density residential. Councilwoman Monroe stated that it was important to be good neighbors with a design that would fit the area in terms of attractiveness. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that her concern was with the areas that I -95 went through already had existing homes and could not think of too many people that would want to buy a home knowing that the road is there and is being widened. Vice Mayor Furtado was concerned with what type of uses in terms of housing could be used next to I -95 and the Turnpike. Councilman Clark stated that in Boca Raton they have built homes right up against I -95 that have had no problems being sold. The Council recommended that the triangle below the property in question should also be labeled as mixed use instead of commerce and trade so that the same advantages could be realized. Councilwoman Monroe pointed out that by changing the zoning to mixed use a landowner could not request the City to change the traffic standards to fit property zoned commercial so that if the City did not do so his land could be labeled as undevelopable. Mrs. Glas stated that included in the Committee's recommendation was the adoption of a City Thoroughfare Plan for City roads throughout the vacant areas of the City so that they are not waiting for developers to decide where the through roads would be located. Staff added two roads to this plan. Mrs. Glas compared the Plan to that used CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10/10/96 Page 11 by the County, stating that the City would protect the rights -of -way along these roadways for future roads. Councilman Clark pointed out that the residents on the east side of Prosperity Farms Road were still concerned with Hood Road being extended through their neighborhood with the possibility of a bridge and would not want them to think the City was proposing that by planning for the extension of Flamingo Road. Mrs. Glas presented the parkway overlay and stated that the only change was the extension of Hood Road being a parkway that would provide for the pedestrian pathways for residents to get to the nature center. Mrs. Glas discussed the traffic volumes for some of the proposed roadways and land uses. Vice Mayor Furtado pointed out that the figures did not take into consideration the proposed Turnpike interchange at Northlake Boulevard. Mayor Russo stated he would like to get the Blue Ribbon Committee back together and thought that the only issue was the Ballenlsles issue. Mayor Russo felt that the City Council should meet with the Blue Ribbon Committee to discuss any remaining issues that the City Council or staff would like to resolve. Mayor Russo felt that the residents from Ballenlsles should also be invited to the meeting. Vice Mayor Furtado stated she would like to have the traffic models run so those figures would be available for the joint meeting. Mrs. Glas stated that it would take a while to run the models, and would probably take one week to do one model, however, once the network is set the other models would be done quicker. Mrs. Glas stated that staff would like to have this document completed by the end of December. Mrs. Glas stated that staff just looked at the City limits and did not look at the future annexation area or some CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 12 of the surrounding areas that are part of another municipality's future annexation area. Mrs. Glas asked if the Council would like these elements included in the visioning. Mayor Russo did not feel this was necessary as these areas were taken into consideration during the visioning process. Vice Mayor Furtado agreed with the exception of the parcel on the northeast corner of Military Trail and Northlake Boulevard. Vice Mayor Furtado stated there is an "L" shaped piece of property and the Amoco Station and the strip mall. Vice Mayor Furtado stated there is a move to do something with that area. City Manager Bobbie Herakovich stated that the statutes allow for the involuntary annexation of smaller parcels. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that she saw the potential of cleaning up a nice parcel and pointed out that the City at this time does not have control of that parcel. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that if this was annexed, Code Enforcement could assist in cleaning this area, making the people that own the property more apt to sell. Mayor Russo stated that if the landowners wanted to annex the property into the City and upgrade the center he would be interested, however, as far as annexing the land into the City so it can be sold would not interest him. Mayor Russo, referencing the Westwood Gardens area, stated that the City should not have annexed the area because of some of the problems that existed and did not want to inherit any additional problems. Mayor Russo stated that this area would not affect the vision and most of the area, unless it was a large parcel, would change the vision. Councilwoman Monroe stated she was interested in what was happening across the street, such as the Abacoa development and the proposed commercial section of Ibis. Councilwoman Monroe felt that this was an excellent time 12 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 13 to do something that would facilitate the equestrian area should it come to fruition. Councilwoman Monroe stated there is a need for 100 acres to make the equestrian facility work, however, associated with that area would be the need for a veterinarian, a tack shop, etc. Councilwoman Monroe asked that staff try to determine the number of acres needed for this or perhaps develop some language to be included in the vision document that would state that the number may fluctuate based on what would be needed. Milton Stern stated that the changes requested by the Ballenlsles were appropriate and should be incorporated into the vision document. In response to a question from Councilwoman Monroe, Mrs. Glas stated that the borderline around the conservation area showed a local thoroughfare dividing that connection where Donald Ross Road used to be shown on the County Thoroughfare Plan. Mr. Bob Kaplan, resident of Ballenlsles, addressed the Council stating that he was representing several hundred Ballenlsles residents that have sent letters to the City Council. Mr. Kaplan stated that the developer made a presentation regarding the parcel that abutted the Ballenlsles development. Mr. Kaplan presented slides of the area in question, showing that the entrance to Ballenlsles was developed with beautiful landscaping that lead into a community that was well planned. Mr. Kaplan stated that when the residents in BallenIsles purchased their property the zoning maps of the City showed residential uses surrounding the community and did not show commercial. Mr. Kaplan presented slides of the Ballen1sles entranceway, stating that it was designed to let people know they were entering that community. Mr. Kaplan stated 13 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10/10196 Page 14 that the residents of Ballenlsles agreed that the land at the southwest corner of the community should become a part of the community and developed by Ballenlsles. Mr. Kaplan stated that the residents would like the City to leave Ballenlsles the way they wanted it to be and expected it to be when they purchased their homes. Referencing the Vision document, Mr. Kaplan stated that the document stated that one of the major goals in the vision was to preserve land use patterns and types which currently characterize the City. Mr. Kaplan suggested that the residents of Ballenlsles were asking the City Council to do exactly what the goal states because they did not feel that the corner in question was a commercial site. Mayor Russo encouraged the residents of Ballenlsles to meet with their developer so they could stay informed as to his plans for the total development of the community. Councilwoman Monroe questioned the section of the Vision document regarding the Education System, asking how it fit since there is not a section of the Comprehensive Plan that dealt with education. Mrs. Glas stated that in the present Comprehensive Plan update the City has to provide for siting criteria for new schools. Councilwoman Monroe felt that the areas of diverse learning styles tailored to the learning abilities of the students did not fit in with the City's Comprehensive Plan. City Manager Herakovich stated that the Education Advisory Board put this section together, however, the City has no authority to insure that the selection of administrators of the schools have strong leadership and managerial skills. City Manager Herakovich felt that some of the language should be changed where it discusses the City's input in these areas and should rather include some advisory language. Councilwoman 14 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 15 Monroe asked if the Council agreed on five districts for the City Council. The consensus of the City Council was that the language should read smaller districts instead of five districts. Councilwoman Monroe stated she looked at the fire and police portions of the document and noted that the fire department had many figures on response times, vehicles and personnel, however, the police department has almost nothing with regard to these figures. Councilwoman Monroe expressed her concern that some of these numbers would be placed in the document when it may not be possible because of cost to implement them for 25 years. Councilman Clark agreed that there was too much specificity in the fire department portion of the document. Mrs. Glas stated that this information came from the Fire Chief and that this was their internal policies today. Councilwoman Monroe, referencing the goal on page 13 of the document that stated "to protect the City's character of high quality housing, concentrating on the provisions of units for moderate to high income families ", compared that statement to the one further on the page that stated "rehabilitation of existing units objective to affordable housing ". Councilwoman Monroe felt that something was missing in these statements in that the Committee discussed the high end of the units in the City, yet the DCA required the City to provide for affordable housing. Councilwoman Monroe felt that the title and the objectives did not match. Mrs. Glas stated the Committee saw this community as being for moderate upper and upper income and our affordable units are what we have and the City should not encourage new affordable housing. Richard Walton stated that the Town of Palm Beach went to war with the DCA and 15 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10/10/96 Page 16 was very successful in the end on this issue. Councilwoman Monroe stated that HUD publishes the median income annually for specific areas. Councilwoman Monroe stated she had a problem if a community was established as a high income and a $150,000 home was the City's affordable housing because it did not meet the needs of Palm Beach County. Councilwoman Monroe stated that the City was a broad community and could not rely on other communities to supply the laborers in various jobs such as dry cleaners, drug stores, etc. Vice Mayor Furtado questioned what the City's percentage of affordable housing was at this time and how much more was needed. Richard Walton stated that the DCA was comfortable with the City's current numbers and projections, however, mentioned that the City needed to become a full service community in providing housing types for employees. Richard Walton pointed out that as the children in the community grow up there would not be any affordable housing should they want to move back into the City. Councilwoman Monroe would like staff to run the affordable housing figures based on Palm Beach County median income rather than the City of Palm Beach Gardens median income. Vice Mayor Furtado disagreed, stating that while she wants to be a good neighbor, would rather stay with the City's median income figures. Councilwoman Monroe explained that she did not want to go as low as Palm Beach County's median income, but would like a comparison for the future vision. Councilwoman Monroe stated that she read an article in the newspaper regarding long term provision of waters that discouraged massive development to the west. Councilwoman Monroe stated she did not want the language in the plan to be so strong that the City would encourage massive storage 16 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10/10196 Page 17 areas and requested softer language. Mayor Russo stated that if the City did not want to spend money on economic development why it would be included as a position in the City. City Manager Herakovich stated that the Mayor was referring to the reorganizational structure study that was performed by Griffith and Associates that recommended a position of Economic Development Coordinator. Mayor Russo stated it was also included in the vision document, and expressed his concern that if there was an advisory board formed that did not have any funding, it would serve no purpose. Mayor Russo felt that the North County Economic Advisory Board was sufficient for the time being. City Manager Herakovich stated that the goal should be redrafted so that it would work through the existing economic agencies. City Manager Herakovich stated that the recommendations and the plan needed to have a financial analysis done so the City Council could approve the provisions. Mrs. Glas stated that she would meet with Councilwoman Monroe to review her concerns, meet with the Blue Ribbon Committee, and run the numbers for traffic models. CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Herakovich, referencing the capital improvement list, stated there was an overlay of asphalt scheduled for Bums Road parking lot, however, in assessing the situation and need at that location, there would be a requirement to trim trees along Burns Road and in the parking lot in order to get the required machinery in that area. City Manager Herakovich stated the only alternative would be to concrete the parking lot spaces and asphalt the driving area. City Manager Herakovich state that Mark 17 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10 /96 Page 18 Hendrickson, City Forester, stated that the trees would survive, but there would be concerns from the residents. Councilwoman Monroe asked if this was the only equipment available. City Manager Herakovich stated that along Burns Road there are trees with dead branches because of the equipment that was used and the City's goal was to avoid that problem by trimming the trees. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL Vice Mayor Furtado Vice Mayor Furtado stated there was a problem with the Military Trail and Northlake Boulevard crossing situation because there have been no crossing guards to assist the children going to school. City Manager Herakovich stated that the City has had police officers in cars at that location to assist the children. The City Manager stated that she would look into the problem further and report back to the City Council. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that the City has not taken a stand on the reliever road (Park Avenue extension) that comes in on the south side of Grove Park Elementary School. Vice Mayor Furtado stated there are 283 children from the City that attend that school and have to cross the problem area to get to the school. Councilman Clark felt that this was a County road and the City was limited to solutions to the problems. It was suggested that Vice Mayor Furtado call Commissioner Marcus regarding the problem. Vice Mayor Furtado asked when Burns Road is widened, if it was possible to put a sidewalk in on the south side for the children to use in getting to the Community Center. Mayor Russo stated that this would be a problem when the road is widened. Vice Mayor Furtado stated this addition of the sidewalk would not only accomplish the convenience for the children in getting to the Community Center, but would help 18 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 19 when the road is widened it would give the use of a sidewalk during the construction. The City Manager was directed to research the possibility of installing a sidewalk on the south side of Burns Road. Vice Mayor Furtado also requested a traffic counter at Bums Road and Riverside Drive to determine if a traffic light was needed for this intersection. In response to Vice Mayor Furtado, City Manager Herakovich stated that the County was responsible for RCA Boulevard. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that the road is a mess because they trimmed branches and left them beside the road. City Manager Herakovich stated that the City is working with the County in getting some maintenance in the area and added that the area would look this way for a time while some of the exotics were removed and the work was completed. Vice Mayor Furtado stated that the Recreation Advisory Board has agreed to being more project oriented, but did not feel the Board should be abolished. Councilwoman Monroe Councilwoman Monroe stated that before being elected to the City Council she was always bothered by the Items by the Mayor and City Council portion of the agenda was at the end of the agenda. Councilwoman Monroe stated this City Council changed that back to the front and then moved it back to the end of the agenda. Councilwoman Monroe suggested that this item be placed at the beginning of the agenda and developers be informed that their items would not begin until 8:00 p.m. Councilwoman Monroe felt that this would give the City Council a half hour to discuss items and would limit the time as well. Councilwoman Monroe felt that the residents in attendance at the meetings may want to hear items by the Mayor and 19 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 10 /10/96 Page 20 Council, however, may not want to wait until the end of the agenda. It was suggested that the Council members be limited to the time they can talk, perhaps five minutes. It was further suggested that the first half hour after "Presentations" should be devoted to Council discussions. Councilwoman Monroe felt that the City Manager Report, as well as the City Attorney Report should be included at the front of the agenda. City Manager Herakovich suggested that the section on the agenda labeled "Announcements" is not used as they are legally posted, and that the Council announce some of their items under this section. Staff was directed to research this issue and make recommendations to the City Council. ADJOURNMENT There being r}O� h� busine to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 10 P.M. APPROVAL: / ��r (M or6o ►p R. Russo ra..n' {A <r Vice Ma r Lauren Furtado until an Li a Monroe C�'ltn nc J `in , �uncilman David Clazk l Attest: Cindy Harvey, Deputy City Clerl 20