HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 090794CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
September 7, 1994
The Special Regular Meeting of the City Council of the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to
order by Mayor Clark 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 City Clerk called the roll and present were Mayor
Clark, Vice Mayor Monroe, Councilman Russo, and
Councilwoman Furtado. Councilman Jablin arrived at
7:42 P.M.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Clark announced that the purpose of this special
meeting was to the first Public Hearing on the
1994/1995 Fiscal Year budget, as advertised by the
Property Appraiser's office by way of proposed
property tax bills. Mayor Clark stated additional
announcements were posted on the City's Bulletin
Boards.
ITEMS BY MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
COUNCILWOMAN FURTADO Councilwoman Furtado provided an update on the
activities of the Lake Catherine Task Force, and
reported Police Officer Mike Rispoli was working with
the residents to resolve the vandalism; City Engineer
Len Lindahl was working on the proposed narrowing of
MacArthur Boulevard; City Forester Hendrickson was
working with the residents to show them types of
vegetation that would provide sound buffering; and a
group of Lake Catherine residents planned to attend a
softball game at Jupiter's fields to observe the
lighting. Councilwoman Furtado stated contact had
been made with the MacArthur Foundation to request
that a pathway for schoolchildren be deeded to the
City from Silverthorn to MacArthur Boulevard so that
elementary school children would not have to walk
along Northlake Boulevard. The task force would be
ready with a report presenting solutions for
consideration at the next regular City Council
meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
ORDINANCE 18, 1994 Mayor Clark declared the public hearing open, which
was duly advertised for First Public Hearing by the
Property Appraiser's Office via Proposed Tax Bills,
and held on the intent of Ordinance 18, 1994, Levying
a tax on real and personal property located within the
corporate limits of the City of Palm Beach Gardens for
year ending 12/31/94; affixing a total valuation
thereon and tax rate thereon for said year; Adopting
a Fiscal Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning 10/1/94
and ending 9130/95, inclusive; appropriating funds for
expenditures. Mayor Clark announced that, "At this
hearing the taxing authority will amend and adopt a
tentative budget, recompute the proposed millage rate,
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/7/94
PAGE 3
and publicly announce the percent, if any, by which
the recomputed proposed millage exceeds the rolled -
back rate. We will also adopt the tentative millage
and budget. If the millage rate tentatively adopted
exceeds the proposed rate as was presented in the TRIM
notice sent out by the property appraiser, each
taxpayer within the jurisdiction shall be notified of
the increase by first -class mail at the expense of the
taxing authority." City Manager Herakovich informed
those in attendance that the City Department Heads and
assistants who had contributed to the proposed budget
were present to answer any questions, and explained
that the budget showed a fairly stablized tax rate for
the next five years; a lower millage rate than last
year; improved the existing service level; provided
for infrastructure repairs; created a canine program;
provided for a 5 -year drainage plan; created more
equitable user fees; reduced the golf course subsidy;
and set aside a large amount to pay for two consent
degrees. The City Manager reported items that were
not accomplished in the tentative budget were that no
acquisition of land for parks, recreation or public
works space had been made, and no money had been put
aside for bond referendum for a police station;
however, encumbered funds were available for rental
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/7/94
PAGE 4
space to be used for portables to move some staff
while feasibility studies were conducted on the
existing City Hall to see how cost effective it would
be to renovate. City Manager Herakovich reported that
the City would receive $100,000 from Palm Beach County
allocated for recreation, which would be used to light
ball fields, etc.
Councilman Russo requested the Police Chief report on
effectiveness of adding new officers in last year's
budget. Police Chief FitzGerald explained that
thirteen new police officers were hired during the
past year, presently 3 vacancies exist, and 3 officers
were absent on medical leaves. He reported that in
1993 the total reported calls which were responded to
by the Police Department were 67,505, while in 1992
there were 44,047, for an increase in calls during one
year of 23,458. Reported crimes in 1992 were 10,764,
and in 1993 8,122, for a decrease of 2,642. Chief
FitzGerald attributed this decrease to the cooperation
of the residents and the direction of patrol officers
back into the neighborhoods and into business
districts. He stated that when he and Assistant Chief
O'Rourke arrived in October 1992 the philosophy of the
police department had been very heavy traffic
enforcement and little neighborhood and business
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/7/94
PAGE 5
district patrol. Under the new philosophy of
community policing, officers stop and get out of their
cars or ride bicycles, and try to address the quality
of life and what was important in particular
neighborhoods. The Chief stated that large dogs
running loose was a priority in his neighborhood. He
explained that the new officers had not yet spent
enough time out in the field in specialized units to
evaluate the impact of the addition of those officers
or the performance of the Police Department. Chief
Fitzgerald reported the Department had been working
hard to overcome mistakes that had been made in the
past and were doing the best job they could for the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, and stated he had complete
confidence in the direction established. False alarm
problems were being addressed so that officers could
spend more time solving problems for the residents.
In response to Vice Mayor Monroe, Assistant Chief
O'Rourke reported that in the 8 -month period January
to August 1993, reported calls were 38,536, which
increased to 66,604 in the same 8 -month period during
1994, total crimes of 5,614 during that same period
last year fell to 5,443 this year, and that there were
102 less traffic accidents, but 549 more citations
issued.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/7/94
PAGE 6
Fire Chief Arrants gave an update on the
accomplishments of the 1 -year EMS program. In
response to Councilman Russo's concern over the higher
budgeted amount for the Planning and Zoning
Department, staff explained that code enforcement had
been moved to that department. Savings to the City on
the new trash contract was reported to be $330,000.
Councilman Russo requested Finance Director Olson
provide a breakdown of the amount of reduced overhead
and the grant programs for the final Budget Hearing.
There being no comments from the public, Mayor Clark
declared the Public Hearing Closed. Motion was made
by Councilwoman Furtado to adopt the tentative budget
and the tentative millage rate. Motion was seconded
by Councilman Jablin, and unanimously carried. Mayor
Clark clarified that the tentative millage rate was
4.0748 mills. Finance Director Olson announced this
year's rolled -back rate was 4.077, the operating
millage rate was 4.0209, for a decrease of 1.376% in
the rolled -back rate.
ITEMS FOR COUNCIL
ACTION
PROPOSED GOLF RATES,
INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP Brahm Dubin, Palm Beach Gardens Golf Club Manager,
explained that the proposed rate changes would give
preference to Palm Beach Gardens residents by the sale
of annual pre -paid green fee permits at $700 single
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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/7/94
PAGE 7
and $1,200 family; with non - resident rates of $900
single and $1,500 family. Mr. Dubin stated he felt
very comfortable in meeting the expenses of the golf
course with these rates. Councilman Russo made a
motion to approve the proposed Palm Beach Gardens Golf
Club rates as submitted on their proposal and also to
approve the pre -paid green fee. Motion was seconded
by Vice Mayor Monroe and unanimously carried.
CITY MANAGER City Manager Herakovich reported that application for
$300,000 had been made for the second year
alternative fuel grant for a fueling station, under
which the City hoped to increase to 50+ the number of
vehicles converted to use compressed natural gas.
It was the consensus of the City Council to approve
submittal of the recycling grant application of
$37,855 made through the Solid Waste Authority which
would include funds for mulching to reduce vegetative
yard waste; funds for Earth Day, public information
brochures, picnic tables, benches, car stops, and
poured cement containerized areas.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, motion was
made by Councilman Russo, seconded by Councilwoman
Furtado, and unanimously approved to adjourn the
meeting at 8:42 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING, 9/7/44
APPROVAL ; a, �% �4-44 �/��/ar —// —o
MAYOR DAVID CLARK
VICE MAYOR INPA NNROt
COU�CI -vim
COUNCIL ERIC J
COUNCILWOMAN LAUREN FURTADO
ATTEST:
,--,LINDA V. KOSIER, CMC, CITY CLERK
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