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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 f. r [JAY l `Fti�S50� VICE MAYOR MONROE XA M. RIEF D PUT CITY CLERK PAGE 9 C IL N JA I COUNCILWOMAN FURTADO COUNCILMAN CLARK