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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 102695ROT J, CAI J, ANNOUNCEMENTS RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION 118, 1995 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS OCTOBER 26, 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. The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and present were Mayor Russo, Vice Mayor Furtado, Councilwoman Monroe, Councilman Jablin and Councilman Clark. Mayor Russo stated the announcements were as posted on the City's bulletin boards. Resolution 118, 1995 - Consideration of approval of an amendment to the North Corp Center Site Plan within the NorthCorp PCD, to allow the installation of additional satellite dishes. Planning and Zoning Director Walton reviewed procedure for this amendment, and explained that it had been determined according to the City Code to be a minor amendment. Attorney Dominick Lioce, representing the property owner CTB Realty Venture XVI, Inc., reviewed parking for the parcel and explained that with the inclusion of Lot 8 there would be more than sufficient parking, and reviewed planned roadways. Councilman Clark made a motion to approve Resolution 118, 1995. Vice Mayor Furtado seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote of 5 -0. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1995 PAGE 2 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION- HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES Lucy Unsworth explained that she represented Gold Coast Commuter Services, which was a regional program created in 1988, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, which now worked closely with Municipal Planning Organizations. Ms. Unsworth reviewed HOV systems throughout the United States, and explained that those lanes were considered a separate system similar to Tri-Rail and transit, and that the establishment of a HOV system had been a requirement of the funding for I -95. Ms. Unsworth commented that Florida's interstate policy now mandated that there be five lanes in each direction with one of those five lanes designated HOV, and that no HOV system would be put into place until that construction had been completed, which alleviated fears that one of the three existing lanes would be made HOV. Ms. Unsworth explained that the HOV lanes would extend up from Broward County and would end at PGA Boulevard, that eight lanes would continue north to Okeechobee Road, where the lanes would be reduced to six; and that the projected construction date from the south to PGA Boulevard was the year 2020. Discussion ensued regarding possibilities of obtaining priority because of the Abacoa project and because of the necessity of widening Bums Road, which could not be done until the I -95 bridge was widened. Ms. Unsworth explained that the Federal Highway Administration disbursed funds according to requests from each state, and that involving local legislators would help in obtaining priority. Mayor Russo requested that staff research the matter and CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1995 PAGE 3 report back to the City Council. Vice Mayor Furtado explained that the MPO had changed the priority of widening 1 -95, and would widen and construct noise walls from south and north to the middle, rather than from south to north. NPDES City Engineer Lindahl explained that Palm Beach Gardens was required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( NPDES) federal permit addressing water quality, and that the unfunded permit would affect the City's budget, require staff time, and add thousands of dollars to land development project costs. The City Engineer explained the permitting procedure, described a portion of the volume of work involved, explained the environmental policing and the severe penalties involved, and explained that any changes would need to come from the federal level. City Engineer Lindahl reviewed the issues to which comments must be addressed, expressed concern that once the permit was issued that the document would rule and that it contained many items which could adversely affect the City and the City Councilmembers. Mr. Lindahl advised the City Council of proposed comments for recommended changes, which were endorsed by the City Council. FLOOD FOLLOWUP The City Council discussed ways of informing the residents of the reasons for the recent flood after reports had been received from all involved agencies. It was the consensus of the City Council to send a letter of explanation to residents affected by the flood and to schedule a review at a City Council meeting of the actions taken and changes which would be instituted, and answer questions from the public. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1995 PROPOSED SITES FOR MUNICIPAL COMPLEX/ POLICE STATION PAGE 4 Architect Mark Marsh reviewed the items established through the Blue Ribbon Committee and other committees and workshops, as well as the Comprehensive Plan requirements, and explained that a town center needed to be established identifiable both as an area of City government and as a civic gathering place. Mr. Marsh stressed improved quality of services with upgraded facilities to respond to citizens` needs, and careful response to traffic patterns. Mr. Marsh presented a series of slides depicting examples of municipal facilities in other cities, and explained that three options had been developed for the proposed municipal complex. Option 1. The original concept utilizing the area on the west side of the existing property, demolishing the City Hall and building a new facility. Option 2: Purchase of the existing church site south of Burns Road to be utilized for a new police station, and constructing a new City Hall at the northernmost edge of the existing site, with parking, a training center, and the existing fire station in between the new City Hall and the new police station. Mr. Marsh explained that the major drawback to this option was the separation caused by Burns Road; however, creative design could overcome that perception. Mr. Marsh recommended linkage through plaza areas and pedestrian walkways, and a water feature to demonstrate the importance of the City Hall. Mr. Marsh also explained that police response could be hampered by Burns Road traffic and lack of curb cuts on Military Trail. Discussion CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1995 PAGE 5 ensued regarding possible different scenarios for this parcel. Option 3. This option used a full 15 —acre site to show how it might be utilized without having to design around a park, as in options 1 and 2 where Gardens Park limited the space for design. Jeff Ornstein reported that the Blue Ribbon Committee had voted to recommend to the City that the existing site be used. Vincent Pappalardo urged that this project be started as soon as possible since construction costs had increased 10 %, or approximately $1,000,000, since the report by the Space Allocation Committee a year ago, and also because in his opinion, some City departments were operating in violation of fire and other codes. Vice Mayor Furtado commented that the church property had just become available and that the March 1996 referendum had been the first feasible election for which this matter could be scheduled. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to stay at the existing location rather than moving municipal facilities to another location. A time line was reviewed, which projected completion two years after selection of a design consultant for the project. Discussion ensued regarding the cost of an option of accelerating the selection process, which Mr. Ornstein estimated to be 15% of the design professional's fee. Discussion regarding using the services of a team of residents which would include members of the former Space Allocation and Building Committee to produce the design, along with their cost figures presented to the City Council a year ago with a percentage added for increased costs, and requiring that construction be CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1995 PAGE 6 contained to that figure, so that voters could be assured of the cost of the project. The City Council agreed that the site plan should utilize only that land which the City owned, and that if the church property became available at a later date that recreational facilities could be relocated there. Mayor Russo requested that an agenda item be scheduled as soon as possible to retain a consultant to provide a marketing package for education of the voters. CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Herakovich announced another town meeting scheduled for November 13 regarding the PGA Amendment to DRI at the PGA Resort, City Manager Herakovich reported several thousand dollars had been realized from the recent City auction, and that since the demand for Harley Davidson motorcycles was so great that they had been sold for almost the same price for which the City had purchased them. City Manager Herakovich reported that the Town of Jupiter had requested budget information from the City regarding Fire Rescue services and an organizational chart, which would be provided. The City Manager announced the Florida League of Cities would hold their 35th Annual Legislative Convention November 16 -17 in Tampa where training would be provided on how to lobby and how to identify issues which would affect the City, such as NPDES discussed earlier in the meeting, which would be an unfunded mandate. The City Manager reported that FEMA had not yet responded to the Governor's request for aid for this area, and urged staff and the City Council to contact state and federal legislators to encourage the President to honor the request. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1995 PAGE 7 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilwoman Monroe, seconded by Councilman Clark, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 10:04 P.M. APPROVAL. MAY JOE RUSSO VICE MAYOR LAUREN FURTADO COUNCILWOMAN LINDA MONROE COUNCILMAN EJ3 CABLIN KAZ49�4 *60 COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK ATTEST: CINDY HARVEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK