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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 092895ROLL CALL ANNOUNCEMENTS PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1995/1996 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS SEPTEMBER 28, 1995 The Special Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order by Mayor Russo at 7:30 P.M. in the Assembly Room of the Municipal Complex, 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Councilman Jablin called the roll and present were Mayor Russo, Vice Mayor Furtado, Councilwoman Monroe, Councilman Clark, and Councilman Jablin. Mayor Russo stated the announcements were as posted on the City's bulletin boards. 1. Discussion: Millage City Manager Herakovich announced that the budget presented for consideration contained a .731% decrease in the proposed millage rate over the rolled back rate. 2. Public Comments and questions prior to adoption of budget In response to questions by Vice Mayor Furtado, City Manager Herakovich explained that since she had become City Manager there CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 2 had been an increased level of accountability regarding recordkeeping for recreation items; and to now account for funds from several years ago would mean researching uncomputerized records. Mayor Russo requested a report containing analysis of 1990 -91 recreation revenues. The City Manager reviewed the use of cellular telephones by various departments and explained that many of the phones were assigned to EMS and police vehicles, since the present radio system did not allow the luxury of air time for conversations, which should change in the future, possibly reducing that total cost. No comments were offered by the public. 3. Resolution 100, 1995 - Levyinq a tax on non- exempt real and personal property located within the corporate limits of the City for year ending 12/31/95. City Attorney Baird read Resolution 100 in its entirety, after which Councilwoman Monroe made a motion to approve Resolution 100, 1995. Motion was seconded by Councilman Jablin and carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. 4. Ordinance 24, 1995 - Levying a tax on real and CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 3 personal property located within the City for the year ending 12/31/95; affixing a total valuation thereon for fiscal year beginning 10/1/95 and ending 9/30/96, inclusive; appropriating funds for expenditures. Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing open, which was duly advertised 9/13/95 and 9/25/95 and held on the intent of Ordinance 24, 1995 for consideration of Second Reading and Adoption. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing closed. Vice Mayor Furtado made a motion to read Ordinance 24, 1995 on Second Reading by title only and adoption of same. Motion was seconded by Councilman Jablin and carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. The City Clerk read Ordinance 24, 1995 by title only on Second Reading. Mayor Russo commended staff on their work on reducing the budget. PRESENTATIONS: FLORIDA GREENWAY PROCLAMATION City Manager Herakovich read a Proclamation from the State of Florida proclaiming the Palm Beach Gardens Parkway System as an official Florida Greenway, and thanked staff and the MacArthur Foundation for their CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 4 support. PROPOSED CITY FACILITIES SITE PLAN Architect Mark Marsh presented a conceptual plan which separated the City Hall from other municipal facilities, placing it on the present DMV site. The plan proposed a 28,000 S.F. 2 -story building with exposure on PGA Boulevard enhanced by passive open space and linked to the existing and proposed North County Government Complex, with a direct entry from the Toys R Us roadway. At the present site, a new police station adjacent to the existing fire station was proposed. Mayor Russo proposed that the Building Committee reconvene to provide input on this design compared to their original proposal, considering the additional cost for locating City Hall away from other municipal facilities. Jeff Ornstein explained that the Building Committee had determined space allocation needs and had developed a site development plan only for cost purposes. Mr. Ornstein stated that this conceptual plan did fit within the parameters developed by the Building Committee. Discussion ensued regarding possible relocation of the police station across Burns Road on the present church property. Staff was directed to schedule this item for an October 26 workshop meeting for consideration CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 5 of other conceptual plans. CONSENT AGENDA Councilwoman Monroe made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Vice Mayor Furtado seconded the motion which carried unanimously by a 5 -0 vote. The following item was approved on the Consent Agenda: 1. Approval of City Council Special Regular Meeting Minutes of 9/14/95. PUBLIC HEARINGS: ORDINANCE 22, 1995 Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing open , which was advertised 9/13/95 and held on the intent of Ordinance 22, 1995 - Amending Section 157.040 and Title XV entitled "Land Usage" (Surety), for consideration of Second Reading and Adoption. There being no comments from the public Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing closed. Vice Mayor Furtado made a motion to approve Ordinance 22, 1995 upon Second Reading by title only. Motion was seconded by Councilman Jablin and carried by unanimous vote of 5- 0. After discussion, City Attorney Baird clarified that the City would have the option to use the surety when a developer did not complete all improvements. The City Clerk read Ordinance 22, 1995 by title only on Second Reading. ORDINANCE 25, 1995 Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing open , which CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 6 was advertised 9/13/95 and held on the intent of Ordinance 25, 1995 - Amending Chapter 33 of the Palm Beach Gardens Code entitled "Police Department ", specifically, chapter 33.38, Powers of the Board of Trustees, Police Officers' Retirement Trust Fund as it applies to membership, normal retirement date, normal retirement benefits, disability retirement and disability benefit, death benefits and prior police officer service; providing for the amendment of Chapter 33 by creating Section 33.46, entitled "Deferred Retirement option Plan ", for consideration of Second Reading and Adoption. Discussion ensued regarding allowing employees to buy back partial time versus all of their time. Councilman Clark suggested that the Ordinance be passed as presented but monitored to see whether there was a need to make that modification. After further clarifications by staff, and hearing no comments from the public, vice Mayor Furtado declared the Public Hearing closed. Councilwoman Monroe made a motion to approve Ordinance 25, 1995 upon Second Reading by title only. Motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried by vote of 4 -0. Mayor Russo had left the room and was not present for the vote. The City Clerk read Ordinance 25, 1995 by title only on Second Reading. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 7 ORDINANCE 27, 1995 Mayor Russo returned to the meeting. Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing open, which was advertised 9/13/95 and held on the intent of Ordinance 27, 1995 - Providing for Investment Selection, for consideration of Second Reading and Adoption. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Russo declared the Public Hearing closed. After discussion by the City Council, Councilwoman Monroe made a motion to approve Ordinance 27, 1995 upon Second Reading by title only. Motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. The City Clerk read Ordinance 27, 1995 by title only on Second Reading. RESOLUTIONS: RESOLUTION 106, 1995 Councilman Clark Made a Motion to Approve Resolution 106, 1995 - Consideration of Approval of an Investment Policy. Motion was seconded by Councilman Jablin and unanimously carried by a 5 -0 vote. RESOLUTION 107, 1995 Motion was made by Councilwoman Monroe to approve Resolution 107, 1995 - Consideration of an Amendment and Correction to Resolution 52, 1989, which abandoned a portion of the Avenue of the PGA. Motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Furtado and unanimously carried by a vote of 5 -0. RESOLUTION 108, 1995 Milton Stern commented that he had worked with City CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 8 Manager Herakovich and recommended she be provided with this proposed merit increase. Comments made by Council members were very complimentary to the City Manager's performance; and also included suggestions that department heads be involved in a meeting held to establish priorities for the City Manager, that the City Manager and Assistant City Manager be present at a meeting to establish goals for the City Manager, that time lines be set for accomplishment of priorities, that the City Manager was on target- - however the transition from former policy would take more time, and discussed the evaluation process in relation to salary increase. The majority of the City Council agreed to a 4% salary increase. Motion was made by Councilwoman Monroe to approve Resolution 108, 1995 with the blank in Section filled in with the number 4. Motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Furtado and carried by a unanimous vote of 5 -0. ITEMS FOR COUNCIL HOLLY DRIVE SIDEWALK CHANGE ORDER City Manager Herakovich explained that when the old sidewalk had been removed it was discovered that the drainage pipe had collapsed, therefore, a change order in the amount of $18,713.60 was requested for a new pipe. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve the CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 9 change order as requested. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Monroe and carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. GENERATORS PURCHASE The City Manager requested authority to spend $35,000 from Council Contingency for a larger generator to be used at the Riverside Center in the event of disaster and explained that the smaller existing generator would be moved to the Public works department. Motion was made by Councilman Clark to approve the authorization as requested. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Monroe and carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. ARMOR VESTS PURCHASE The City Manager requested authorization to purchase 35 body armor vests from Harrison Uniforms for $15,715, per state contract #680- 850 -95 -1, with monies to be taken from General Operating Supplies. Police Chief FitzGerald explained that the five -year warranty for the present vests had expired and the vests were required by contract. Chief FitzGerald also reported that his research into possible accidental discharges from the type of firearms proposed for purchase by the Police Department had alleviated his concerns. Motion was made by Vice Mayor Furtado to approve the authorization as requested. Motion was seconded by Councilman Clark and carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 10 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: APPOINTMENTS City Manager Herakovich reported that the concept which had been envisioned of in -house engineering within the next 3 to 5 years to save costs would not be feasible if the present increased number of projects continued since the work load had actually increased costs. Councilwoman Monroe requested the time frame for an in -house engineer be left open, and requested dollar amounts for in -house work and for outside work in order to be able to determine when a full -time in -house engineer should be instituted. The City Manager recommended that the number of meetings attended by the City Attorney be increased in his contract and that the number of in -house hours be reduced, and that both the City Attorney and City Engineer contracts be renewed for a one -year period at this time. Mayor Russo expressed concern with the public perception of a City Attorney who was also the attorney for Jupiter in regard to the Abacoa project, and suggested that this issue be explored. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to reappoint both the City Attorney and City Engineer for a one -year period. Councilwoman Monroe requested that staff contact traffic consultants in nearby areas who only did municipal work. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 11 CITY MANAGER REPORT The City Manager distributed copies of a new area newspaper, Gardens Neighborhood News; reported she had met with the General Manager of the new West Palm Beach TV station who was interested in presenting the City Charter and other City - related information in an issues forum; reported that she had attended the Mayors and Managers meeting in the absence of the Mayor and that the Education Advisory Board would be contacted to determine whether they were interested in participating in meeting with education boards of the other municipalities to learn how Boca Raton had been successful in obtaining funding for education. The City Manager reported on the status of two employees with heart problems. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilwoman Monroe, seconded by Councilman Jablin, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 F.M. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, 9/28/95 PAGE 12 J j APPROVAL �, L �YO€t' SEPH R. RUSSO (7� 6') VICE MAYOR LAUREN FURTADO L-,"C OUN :1'T INDA MONROE C IL ERI JABLIN i k�COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK ATTEST: LINDA V. KOSIEERR, CMC, CITY CLERK