HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 052793CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
MAY 27, 1993
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 Monroe, Councilman Jablin, Councilwoman
Furtado and Councilman Clark.
PRESENTATIONS
METROPOLITAN
PLANNING
- ^GANIZATION
Ronnie Blackshear, Senior Planner for the Metropolitan
Planning Organization, addressed the City Council explaining
the MPO was currently conducting transit studies in Boca
Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens,
Riviera Beach and Jupiter. The six studies commenced in
April and the projected final completion date was November,
1993. The agency was also examining the five year history
of Co -Tran. Mr. Blackshear briefly reviewed the three
routes which run through Palm Beach Gardens. Mr. Blackshear
stated the scope of the survey, which began in April, had
the goal to alleviate single occupancy vehicle trips and
thereby reduce congestion on roadways. Other objectives
were: develop a shuttle system which would serve the area in
an efficient manner and link with the existing system,
rTTY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93 PAGE 2
develop an operations program which would support the
shuttle system, and develop shuttle buses that would be
supported by the municipalities. Mr. Blackshear stated the
agency was collecting data from all municipalities'
Comprehensive Land Use Plans, 1990 census data, etc. A
steering committee had been formed in which the cities have
representatives who provide input and ongoing support, and
give feedback to their boards. Another objective was to
involve the City Council and the general public as to what
was taking place. Councilwoman Furtado expressed concern
that few people knew where and what time the buses ran.
Mr. Blackshear stated Co -Tran does not have a marketing
program in place at this time.
Councilwoman Furtado suggested the schedules be printed in
the local papers as a public service.
Mr. Blackshear stated a sample survey of residents completed
three years ago to provide data input for the transportation
model and to gauge public interest in public transportation.
SEACOAST UTILITY
AUTHORITY Rim Bishop, Executive Director of Seacoast Utility
Authority, addressed the City Council stating Mike Anderson,
Finance Director, was also available to answer any Council
questions.
Mr. Bishop stated that Seacoast, a water and sewage utility,
was classified as a special district by the Department of
Community Affairs in Tallahassee and serves Palm Beach
riTY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93 PAGE 3
Gardens, North Palm Beach, Lake Park, Juno Beach's southern
section, and the unincorporated areas between Silver Beach
Road and Donald Ross Road. Seacoast Utility Authority was
created under Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes by an
interlocal agreement between the above entities. Seacoast
owns and operates three water and two wastewater plants
serving 25,000 meter services and receives no assistance
from city or county taxes. Seacoast was originally formed
as a unit of the MacArthur Foundation; in 1978, it
consolidated the previous utilities. It continued to
operate as a private entity until 1988. In August, 1988,
Seacoast Utility Authority was formed and the physical
assets were eventually transferred to public ownership, now
known as Seacoast Utility Authority. At that time, the
rates were increased by 10% and there have been no increases
since. The operation of the Authority is governed by a five
member board with members being appointed by the respective
Councils or Commissions of the cities which Seacoast
service. The Board meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month
at 3:00 p.m, and all meetings are open to the public.
Mr. Bishop stated the duties of the Board are similar to
those of the City Council. The Board establishes policies,
rules, rates, engage consultants, hire and fire the
executive director, and are authorized to borrow money for
the operation and to enter into agreements. Mr. Bishop
stated that due to the wealth of public sector management
rrTY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93 PAGE 4
experience on the board, he frequently calls upon the Board
to assist with day to day administrative decisions. Board
membership requires an average of b hours per month. The
fees paid are $300 per month for members and $400 per month
for the chairperson. Mr. Bishop stated some members retain
the compensation and some turn the funds back to the
municipality. Mr. Bishop stated Palm Beach Gardens holds a
45% voting share in Seacoast. The rules relating to voting
shares are reviewed every three years.
Mr. Bishop stated construction had begun on a $3 million
reclaimed water recycling system. Mr. Bishop summarized
various upgrades of the systems and the phase out of others.
Looking ahead, Mr. Bishop stated major areas of concern
W were: 1) utilization of the reclaimed wastewater delivery
system and finding partners for the program, 2) continued
access to available fresh water resources to meet the
growing demand for drinking water in our area; 3) keeping an
eye on the costs of emerging technologies required to meet
stringent drinking water quality requirements; and, 4)
achieving a better public understanding of water supply
issues. Mr. Bishop stated they wanted the public to know
where their water come from, how it relates to other natural
systems, such as wetlands, and the many definitions of the
word "pollution ".
Mr. Bishop briefly discussed the costs to the end -user for
v participating in the reclaimed program and the possibility
rTTY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93 PAGE 5
of the Macarthur Foundation using the program for
BallenIsles .
In response to Vice Mayor Monroe, Mr. Bishop stated the
numbers should all reflect the same usage per person per day
and they are currently working on this area. Vice Mayor
Monroe requested an analysis of the water situation after
the next ten years. Mr. Bishop stated if population grew
beyond what was projected, an alternate resource would have
to be found, and reverse - osmosis was the most obvious choice
for a treatment process (de- salinization process). Mr.
Bishop stated Seacoast would be prepared to pay the costs of
constructing required facilities when the time came.
- SOLUTIONS
Resolution
44, 1993 Mayor Russo stated Resolution 44, 1993, was requesting a
reduction in the current speed limit on Military Trail
within the city limits and initiate procedures to install a
traffic signal at Gardenia Street and Military Trail.
Vice Mayor Monroe suggested the engineering staff report to
the Council re: legalities, ramifications and their thoughts
before creating a Task Force to deal with this problem.
Councilwoman Furtado suggested the committee be formed and
obtain the materials and information from staff.
There was a consensus of the City Council to withdraw
Resolution 44, 1993.
Resolution
—, 1993 Per a consensus of the City Council, Resolution 55, 1993,
r?TY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93 PAGE 6
creating a Space Allocation Committee, was amended to
provide for seven members and to insert the "Police Chief,
Public Works Director and City Manager" in the number 1, 2
and 3 slots. Resolution 55, 1993 will be placed on the
6/3/93 Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
Resolution
56, 1993 Per a consensus of the City Council, Resolution 56, 1993,
creating a committee to review the City Sign Code, was
amended as follows:
Section 1, add "if necessary" at the end of Section 1.
Section 3, add "Joe Blair" as Merchant Association Member.
Resolution 56, 1993 will be placed on the 6/3/93 Regular
Meeting Consent Agenda.
c..,solution
57, 1993 Per a consensus of the City Council, Resolution 56, 1993,
creating a Charter Review Committee, was amended as follows:
1. 3rd WHEREAS, add "efficient" before "procedures" and
delete "and efficiency" after "procedures ", and delete "for
the next ten (10) years." after "City ".
2. Section 1., change "nine (9)" members to "seven (7) ".
3. Section 2., line 5, change "Five (5)" to "Four (4) ".
4. Section 3, #5., add "or the" after "Lee Evett ".
5. Add "Ben Bennewitz" as the 7th member.
Resolu -:ion 56, 1993 will be placed on the 6/3/93 Regular
Meeting Consent Agenda.
C -Y COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93 PAGE 7
ITEMS FOR
LAND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS Rich Walton, Director of Planning and Zoning, addressed the
City Council stating the Planning and Zoning Department was
at a point where they felt they had a new draft of the
Zoning Regulations which was in compliance with Chapter 163,
F.S.
After discussion, the City Council felt the regulations
needed more work. The Council felt the review process
should be expedited, giving staff more input.
There was a consensus of the City Council for Planning and
Zoning to return to Council in 60 days to review the
framework they had worked on and ascertain they were moving
in Council's direction.
GOLF COURSE
REPORT The Acting City Manager reviewed the report submitted by
Colin Wright of PGA National Golf Club re: Palm Beach
Gardens Municipal Golf Course. The City is waiting for a
second report from PGA of America before deciding on
solutions to existing problems.
MILITARY TRAIL
TASK FORCE Per a consensus of the City Council, Tom Celantano, Milton
Stern, Barry Merman and Dennis Foltz were appointed to serve
on the Military Trail Task Force. This item will be placed
on the 6/3/93 Agenda for workshop.
ITEMS BY THE MAYOR
"ND COUNCIL
SUMMER SCHEDULE Per a consensus of the City Council, Regular Meetings only
C "'"Y COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93
COUNCILWOMAN
FURTADO
ITEMS BY THE
CITY MANAGER
PAGE 8
will be held during the months of July and August. Should a
Workshop Meeting need to be scheduled, it would be held on
the Tuesday before the Regular Meeting.
The budget meetings will be held the last week of July.
Mayor Russo stated he would attempt to schedule Ray Liberti,
a FAU professor knowledgeable about "growth management ", for
a meeting in June.
Per a request by Councilwoman Furtado, Attorney Brant stated
Murray Hudson of Hogg, Allen, Norton & Blue, had agreed to
discuss pending legal cases with the Acting City Manager,
Councilman Clark and himself.
Mayor Russo expressed concern regarding staff contacting
legal counsel directly, without first reviewing same with
Attorney Brant.
Councilwoman Furtado requested a copy of the health report
compiled regarding the high number of sickness of employees
be reviewed and acted upon.
Per a recommendation by the City Attorney, the City Council
directed staff to prepare a Unity of Title for the
Prosperity Oaks Retirement facility and nursing home for the
Consent Agenda at the 6/3/93 Regular Meeting.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was
adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
rITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 5/27/93
APPROVAL
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VICE MAYOR MONROE
XA M. RIEF
D PUT CITY CLERK
PAGE 9
C IL N JA I
COUNCILWOMAN FURTADO
COUNCILMAN CLARK