HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 042795CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
APRIL 27, 1995
The Workshop 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.
ROLL CALL The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and present were Mayor Russo, Vice
Mayor Furtado, Councilwoman Monroe, Councilman Jablin, and Councilman
Clark.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Russo stated that there were no announcements. Councilwoman Monroe
expressed the gratitude of the City Council for the volunteer work done by
residents.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
VISIONING UPDATE /COMP
PLAN EVALUATION AND
REVIEW PROCESS City Planner Kim Glas— Castro reviewed the visioning map prepared by staff
which illustrated land uses considering Abacoa, environmental acquisitions,
future road extensions and interchanges, etc., and recommended that the Blue
Ribbon Committee provide input for further mapping and strategic policies for
implementation. Discussion included the fact that approximately 75% of the
map showed very low density and more industrial/commercial land was needed
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/27/95
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to support the City's future needs. Suggestions included providing more
affordable housing than would be available in the Abacoa development, types of
industrial businesses that might locate near the slough, possible development
along Donald Ross Road by industrial /office type businesses. Councilwoman
Monroe pointed out that legally the plan must include a range of housing. The
issue of commercially zoned land along Beeline Highway being too close to the
Loxahatchee Slough was discussed. City Engineer Len Lindahl cautioned that
the area should not disregarded but should be considered for low density
industrial that would be environmentally friendly.
PROPOSALS FOR
MUNICIPAL COMPLEX City Manager Herakovich reported staff had learned that the landowner of a
parcel of land located along Central Boulevard was willing to work with the City
to locate a large district park on the property, and also pointed out that property
proposed for a Municipal Complex at the Central Boulevard location would be
most cost effective if a 25 —acre parcel were purchased to accommodate the City's
present and future operations and to provide adjacent park land. City Manager
Herakovich reported that in regard to the Northcorp location that the County was
no longer contemplating a move to that property, but had re— committed to the
PGA Boulevard site, and asked the City Council to think about whether traffic
would still be an issue if the flyover at Alternate AlA were completed, RCA
Boulevard were improved, and Fairchild were extended from Toys 'R Us around
that whole parcel. The City Manager commented that the types of services
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/27/95
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requested by residents coming into City Hall were often County rather than City
services, so that a Municipal Complex located near County services would be
convenient for residents. City Manager Herakovich explained that although the
Northcorp site was conveniently located across the street from the City's Public
Works Department that the cost of that property was too high to allow further
consideration as a possible site. The City Manager recommended that staff
confer with County officials to determine whether the PGA Boulevard land was
still available at $1 a year, and that staff confer with the Central Boulevard parcel
landowner to verify appropriate figures; and recommended the PGA Boulevard
location for the City Hall and Police Station, the Central Boulevard location for
a park, and the present municipal location for recreational needs. After
discussion, consensus was in favor of the Central Boulevard site because of its
location near the center of the City, After discussion of financing options,
consensus was that the best option was to go to a referendum and to use bonds
for the funding. Direction to staff was to discuss the Central Boulevard site with
the MacArthur Foundation, to obtain data regarding population breakdown and
traffic counts on Central Boulevard, and to establish timelines for discussion at
the next City Council workshop meeting the second week in May.
PARKS & RECREATION
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN City Manager Herakovich reported the proposed plan was supported by both the
Recreation Advisory Board and the YAA. Sue Miller, Director of Parks and
Recreation, reviewed the proposed master plan. Vice Mayor Furtado questioned
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/27/95 PAGE 4
whether lighting was necessary for T —Ball fields since small children would not
be playing late, and was told that lighting at each field would not be necessary,
however that the complex would be lighted around the perimeter. Director
Miller stated that the proposed plan was for current needs only, and was
requested by the City Council to provide a projection for future needs based on
five acres per thousand residents. Mayor Russo stated that if there was no court
injunction in the legal situation regarding the Lake Catherine fields that work
should proceed immediately. Consensus of the City Council was that staff
should research the most effective use of the 1 -1/2 million dollars presently
available to implement the most urgent portion of the proposed plan and to go
to referendum in November to obtain funding for the balance of the project.
Priorities were established of first lighting the Lake Catherine fields, proceeding
with the parking lots at Lake Catherine, and then to establish roller hockey rinks.
DON BABIN President of YAA Don Babin asked what their organization could do to help.
Mayor Russo suggested that attendance at public information meetings to be held
before the November referendum would be helpful to educate the public
regarding the need for recreation facilities. Councilwoman Monroe suggested
that creative ways needed to be found to bring this matter before the public since
many people would not attend meetings.
DAVE PANAIA Mr. Panaia stressed the need for a commitment on scheduling along with
development of timelines by the President of each sport, working in conjunction
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with the Recreation Department. Mr. Panaia suggested that a brochure
containing all of the facts could be put out by the YAA. Mr. Panaia also
commented on how the proposed Sportsplex would help the City, and requested
that Plant Drive Park be renamed in honor of Hap Walsh. Councilwoman
Monroe requested that any literature be reviewed by the City Manager.
City Manager Herakovich expressed appreciation for all of the volunteer hours
donated. The City Council expressed their commitment to work with the
different recreation groups.
JERRY BERGMAN Mr. Bergman inquired regarding the dimensions of the high school field and its
funding requirements; and was informed that funding was estimated at $10,000
or under.
DEBBIE HUTTON Ms. Hutton requested that the baseball field at Plant Drive Park become a
priority; Mayor Russo stated that reassessment would need to be done to
determine its priority.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, motion was made by Councilwoman
Monroe, seconded by Vice Mayor Furtado, and unanimously approved to
adjourn the meeting at 9:25 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/27/95
APPROVAL ✓
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MArR JOE RUSSO
VICE MAYOR LAUREN FURTADO
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COUNCILWOMAN LINDA MONROE
COUNCILMAN EI C J LIN
COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK
ATTEST:
CINDY HARVEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
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