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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 101493CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS OCTOBER 14, 1993 7:30 P.M. The Workshop Meeting 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 Monroe, and Councilman Clark. Councilwoman Furtado arrived at 7:48 P.M. Councilman Jablin arrived at 8:32 P.M. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Russo stated that the announcements were as posted on the City's Bulletin Board. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PGA GRANT /MILITARY TO I -95 LANDSCAPING City Manager Herakovich introduced Mark Hendrickson, City Forester, who brought the Council up to date on the 1993 PGA Boulevard Florida Highway Beautification Grant of $60,675.00 which will be forfeited if not used in 1993. City Forester Hendrickson presented a proposal which would use $37,854.30 (reimbursable cost) of the Grant monies. The City's in -kind contribution is $38,860.00, of which $13,000.00 would be paid to an outside contractor to construct a sidewalk. The modified landscaping plan incorporates the new construction at the intersection of PGA Blvd & Military Trail & underground CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, WORKSHOP MEETING, 10 -14 -93 2 & overhead utilities which were not shown on the original conceptual plan. The biggest change is the addition of palmetto clusters which were added to the plan to conform to the Parkway System conceptual plans. The City does not have approval for the median landscaping yet, however no problems are anticipated. Vice Mayor Monroe expressed concerned with trees in a straight line 20 feet apart, and suggested they be staggered, if possible. Vice Mayor Monroe was also concerned that the State Department of Transportation may make other changes without the City's knowledge. After discussion of maintenance costs, it was the consensus of the Council that the hotels that now maintain the landscaping be asked to continue, which would reduce maintenance costs for the City. It was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the landscaping. PGA STREETSCAPE/ MILITARY TRAIL TO TURNPIKE City Manager Herakovich stated the PGA Streetscape plan west of Military Trail to the Turnpike was included in the City's comprehensive plan, but was never adopted by the Council. The widening of PGA Boulevard was required by the Ballenisles Development Order, and Northern Palm Beach County Water Control District and Ballenisles were requested to inform the City of lighting plans and to scale down the streetscaping plan to be more economical. Also, the residents of Gardens of Woodberry have CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, WORKSHOP MEETING, 10 -14 -93 3 requested the City's assistance in asking that an 8 -foot wall be included in the landscape design to provide a safety barrier between the widened street and the back yards of homes that back up to PGA Boulevard. Ray Ludwig, past President of the Gardens of Woodberry, spoke at the request of Councilwoman Furtado and gave his opinion that a solid wall was needed to stop a vehicle from hitting these homes in case of an accident. At the request of Mayor Russo, Jerry Johnson of 5029 Diane Lane in Palm Beach Gardens, current President of the Gardens of Woodberry Homeowners Association asked the City Council to use their influence to protect the homes along 2100 feet of PGA Boulevard which will have drastically reduced footage between the 6 -lane street and the homes. Since residents did not know the widened road would be so close to their homes, Vice Mayor Monroe requested research by Staff to compare roadway plans that existed when citizens conveyed land for right -of -way to plans being used now, to determine whether the plans are still like the original, and exactly what was shown on them, or whether any changes have been made that these residents did not know about. City Manager Herakovich stated that Northern, the financier for BallenIsles, has a bond issue under which BallenIsles residents would pay for the landscaping. Mayor Russo stated he had a concern that the BallenIsles development would be asked to fund a wall CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, WORKSHOP MEETING, 10 -14 -93 4 that was not technically a part of their road improvements. Rich Walton stated the Petitioner had agreed, as part of the construction on the road, to provide a landscape program of the same palate that currently exists in front of The Gardens Mall, from Military Trail to the Turnpike. An additional condition within the BallenIsles Development Order required BallenIsles to landscape the South side of PGA from Central west to the Turnpike, per the Streetscape Program when it is adopted. This landscape program would be finalized for Phase II development. Councilman Clark suggested some landscaping costs might possibly be traded for cost of constructing the wall. It was the consensus of the Council that the original design of the Streetscape and Beautification Program, using a more xeriscape planting, would be appropriate and City Manager Herakovich was instructed to continue negotiations with BallenIsles and Northern Palm Beach County Water Control District, asking them to help create the design, which would be subject to final approval by the City Council. Ted Rondowski, a resident of Gardens of Woodberry since 1984, expressed his concerns with the lack of safety and probable drop in property values and recommended the Council mandate BallenIsles and MacArthur Foundation to build the wall. Marilyn Slater, 5214 Nutmeg Drive, stated she was told by a representative of Northern Palm CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, WORKSHOP MEETING, 10 -14 -93 5 Beach County Water Control District that a barrier would be constructed, and can provide the name of the representative. It was the consensus of the Council that the City do whatever it can to remedy the situation and requested the residents provide the Council with any information that would help. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LANDSCAPING CODE Mark Hendrickson, City Forester, asked for clarification and direction on the pruning code as it relates to topiary trimming of trees. Councilman Jablin felt there would be only two main reasons why topiary trimming would be allowed: (1) in a constraining situation such as under a power line, or (2) to make an architectural statement. It was the consensus of the Council that the code be amended to read under section 153.20 ( F ) (3), "If other than the normal expected tree canopy shape is desired by the owner of said tree(s), the desired shape and size shall be indicated on the approved site plan;" that Hatracking would be defined as "to flat -cut the top and sides of a tree" instead of only the top; and in the case of existing trees that have been trimmed in a rectangle before the code was adopted then pruning may continue in the same shape; however, in the amendment now being proposed, this would not be allowed unless it was a part of the design approved up front and intended as an accent and not the total landscape design. Since the CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, WORKSHOP MEETING, 10 -14 -93 6 intent of the City was for trees to look like trees, a resident could request that their site plan be amended. CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT Tom Baird, Chairman of the Charter Review Committee, reported recommendations of the Committee to address areas of concern and modernize the Palm Beach Gardens Charter. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the Committee's recommendations were acceptable, with the following clarification and changes: Article IV, Section 4 -1: The term of office of council members shall commence on the first scheduled regular meeting of the city council. Article IV, Section 4 -4, VACANCY: An individual who did not wish to run for election could be appointed to fill a vacancy. Article VI, Section 6 -1, shall clarify and establish the responsibilities of the City Manager, clarify and emphasize that the City Manager is responsible to the Council. The City Manager must designate in his or her absence an Acting City Manager by doing so in writing. A period of one year residency is required. An annual performance review establishes salary benefits. Goals and objectives which the City Manager is required to establish are included in the contract between the City Manager and the Council; which also establishes the City Manager's authority for appointment and removal of CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS, WORKSHOP MEETING, 10 -14 -93 7 J Department Heads, i.e., the annual reappointments and removals of Department Heads will be the responsibility of the City Manager but the selection of a new Department Head must be ratified by the City Council. In Section 6- 1, D, last sentence, insert a comma after city employees then add the word "policywise ". In Article VI, Section 6 -2 (b): After "The city attorney shall be the chief legal officer of the city responsible for all legal affairs of the city," insert "the City Manager." In Section 6 -2 (b) (3) remove the word "such ". ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER ITEMS FOR UPCOMING AGENDAS City Manager Herakovich requested direction from the Council as to the order of items for upcoming agendas. Vice Mayor Monroe asked that Northern Palm Beach County Planning Forum be placed on the next regular council meeting agenda since the City of Palm Beach Gardens needed to appoint one of the three resident representatives to the new steering committee, and that resident representative needed to be notified of their appointment so they can attend the November 17, 1993 meeting. A City Council member and an alternate from the City would also be appointed as representatives. It was decided that the Workshop on Policy Statement would be placed at the end of the agenda for the next regular council meeting and if there was not sufficient time to CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS WORKSHOP MEETING 10 -14 -93 8 do it, it would be discussed at a workshop meeting. For review of the City Attorney proposals, a summary sheet will be furnished by the City Manager with every proposal so the City Council would be able to determine the top candidates they wish to interview . It was the consensus of the City Council to schedule a workshop meeting for October 28, 1993, and to place on the agenda for the next regular Council Meeting, City Attorney Proposals, North County Planning Forum, visionary workshop, zoning code, LDR's and Comprehensive Plan Amendments. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:26 P.M. APPROVAL / �YOW( �' VIIE MAYOR MONROI3 7 EXA M. RIEF, bEPUTY CITY CLERK 1 CCIkAYW F DO COUNCILMAN JWW1&1W