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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 PAGE 2 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 PAGE 3 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 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 4/27/95 PAGE 5 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 ✓ S t� MArR JOE RUSSO VICE MAYOR LAUREN FURTADO r COUNCILWOMAN LINDA MONROE COUNCILMAN EI C J LIN COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK ATTEST: CINDY HARVEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK PAGE 6