HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 101179CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
OCTOBER 11, 1979
The Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens was called
to order by Mayor Samuel Laurie at 8:00 P.M. in the Assembly Room, 10500
North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and opened with the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL: The roll was called by the City Clerk and present were: Mayor Laurie,
Vice Mayor Kiedis, Councilman Feeney, and Councilman Martino. Attorney
William Brant and City Manager John Orr were also in attendance. Council-
man Dick Aldred was not in attendance.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
In response to the complaint of Mr. Alex McFedders of 294 Cherry Street, PBG,
the Council reiterated that the problem he is experiencing with a barking dog
in his neighborhood is an administrative matter and it should be taken up
with the City Manager.
Mrs. Linda Monroe, Chairman of the City's B & E Committee, addressed the
Council commenting on the lack of bicycle paths on Military Trail and the
danger in bicyclists, particularly children, having to cross back and forth
on Military Trail at certain locations in order to ride on the paths.
Mr. Samuel Carsillo, 10063 Dahlia Avenue, PBG, addressed the Council re:
the proposal of the School Board that they be permitted to levy up to two
additional mills without a referendum election; Florida Power & Light Com-
pany's fuel adjustment charge being an injustice to its users; the location
of a full- service Post Office in PBG, the development of a City -owned library;
the replacement of the Fire Chief's vehicle; the sodding of the median on
Holly Drive; and the repair of the damage done by the hurricane to City
streets.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
When the "PGA National" project went through the DRI (Development of Regional
Impact) process, certain requirements were placed on the project, which are
called out in the Development Order. These requirements included the
donation of funds for additional school facilities and for Northlake Boule-
vard construction.
City Council Workshop Meeting, 10/11/79
Page 2
Mr. Mike Rosen, Project Manager for the "PGA National" addressed the
Council re: the drafts they prepared of Memorandums of Understanding
between (1) the P. B. County School Board, the City, and the PGA National
Venture, Ltd., the developer, setting forth the procedure for the col-
lection, deposit, disbursement, and accounting of funds required from
the PGA National Venture, Ltd., for additional school facilities; and
(2) the City and PGA National Venture, Ltd., setting forth the procedures
for the collection, deposit, and disbursement of funds contributed by
PGA National Venture, Ltd., for Northlake Boulevard construction.
It was noted that the Development Order outlines that the monies to be
donated for additional school facilities are for schools in "the north
county area ". Mr. Rosen assured the Council that they will convey to
the School Board their and the City Council's strenuous feelings re:
the location of these school facilities being in the City of Palm Beach
Gardens, where the PGA National will impact; and the school(s) being
developed in a timely manner. The City Manager was requested to be in
attendance at the meetings) of the Palm Beach County School Board
when this Memorandum of Understanding is being discussed /considered.
These Memorandums of Understanding will be considered for adoption by
the Council, subsequent to these procedures being consummated.
PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO ORDINANCE 12, 1978, VISION ONE PUD
Per the petition of Mr. L. J. Brodd and Mr. C. A. Jones of C & Sea Proper-
ties, Inc., Jupiter, Fla., the Council at their Regular Meeting of June 15,
1978, adopted Ordinance 12, 1978, which created the "Vision One" Multi -
Family Planned Unit Development on a 11.47 -acre tract of land located along
the west side of N. Military Trail at Burns Road in Plat 2 of PGA National
Golf Club Estates.
In December, 1978, Mr. Jones was no longer a partner in the development of
this project; and its construction has been intermittent to this date.
Mr. Donald Kiselewski, Engineer, addressed the Council re: the modifications
to this PUD Mr. Brodd would like the Council to consider as follows:
1. Changing 5 of the 28 townhouse fourplexes J .e., buildings 10 -14) to have
3- bedroom rather than 2- bedroom units, which necessitates the rotation of
3 of these buildings and slightly moving back 2 of these buildings to
maintain 20' clearances between the buildings.
City Council Workshop Meeting, 10111179
Page 3
2. Changing the parking arrangements. The adopted plan provides for two
10' x 20' parking spaces per unit on turf - block. Mr. Brodd proposes to
increase the parking spaces within the same ground space by converting
them to 9' x 22' spaces and changing the style of parking from turf -
block to finger parking (i.e., alternating 4' strips of grass with 5'
strips of concrete), which also meets the requirements of SFWMD for
water retention.
3. Modifying the residuary requirement of 24' -wide roads to 20' -wide roads
by eliminating the 2' -wide Miami curbing on both sides of the roadway in
the areas where there isn't any parking, thus allowing more swale area,
perculation, and greenery.
As representative of Mr. Brodd, Mr. Jim Boyd of Osterman Associates addressed
the Council stating that Mr. Brodd desires to complete the project; however,
the feasibility analysis their firm was employed to prepare indicates that
the project is not financially feasible unless they can make some changes
that will compensate for some of the losses that have been sustained. The
lack of progress in the development of this project has caused it to go into
a dire financial stress.
Mr. Boyd conveyed that Mr. Brodd's loan from Biscayne Federal Savings and
Loan for the development of the first eight buildings has been approved but
not funded. Once fum*d, which is expected within two weeks, they will be
completed. The funding for the rest of the project is under negotiations.
Per the request of the Council, Mr. John Wurzburger, an Officer of Biscayne
Federal Savings and Loan and the administrator of the subject loan, gave the
following synopsis re: the financing of the Vision One project.
Biscayne Federal Savings and Loan initially agreed with and placed a loan
with Mr. Jones of Jupiter and Mr. Brodd of Wisconsin for $1,200,000 for the
construction and improvement of the 1st 8 buildings defined as Phase I of
the Vision One Project. The loan was designed with Mr. Jones as the local
partner. Mr. Jones was the original contractor and he is still on the note.
The loan for the first 8 buildings was placed in November, 1978; and sales
were made, deposits were taken, and construction commenced.
When it came time to put in the underground utilities, Mr. Brodd no longer
has his partner, Mr. Jones, and he no longer had the financial backing he
thought he was going to have, so he went to Biscayne Federal for additional
financing. Biscayne Federal has approved and placed of record an additional
mortgage in the amount of $700,000 for the purpose of completing the first
8 buildings.
City Council Workshop Meeting, 10/11/79
Page 4
Biscayne Federal has further agreed with Mr. Brodd that if he met certain
criteria with respect to the completion of the first S buildings, they would
entertain his application for financing for the remainder of the development.
This criteria includes: (1) complete the buildings, close the transactions
with the purchasers who have valid contracts, and repay to Biscayne Federal
the monies advanced toward the construction of the first 8 buildings; (2)
he become the owner of the balance of the land as set forth to be done
December 1, 1979, and own that land free and clear, so Biscayne Federal can
put the let mortgage on it; and (3) he retain a professional engineer, and a
professional general contractor to be on site daily to see to the proper
construction of these units and to their compliance with the City; and to
see that its flow of construction is what is necessary to complete it in
a timely manner. Thus, their new agreement was reached and shortly there-
after, Mr. Brodd retained Osterman Associates, Licensed Engineers and
Licensed Contractors.
When a purchaser goes to close on his townhouse and he proves to Biscayne
Federal Savings and Loan that he has paid the deposit represented on the
contract, they will be accordingly credited. All valid contracts and valid
deposits will be honored by Biscayne Federal.
If Mr. Brodd chooses to disconue the development of the project, the first
eight fourplexes will be completed in accordance with the specifications
on which the building permits were issued.
Several members of the audience, who have contracts for the purchase of these
townhouses, asked several questions re: the proposed amendments to and the
completion of this project.
Mr. C. A. Jones, a member of the audience, addressed the Council relating
that his name is still on the loan with Biscayne Federal; and that he is
aware of developers that will construct this project to its completion.
Members of the Council did convey to Mr. Boyd that they were not in favor of
the "finger parking" proposed.
The Council requested that Mr. Brodd be in attendance at their November 1,
1979, meeting to discuss the modifications requested to be made to the PUD
and his intentions re: the completion of the project. In the interim, the
City Engineer will be requested to evaluate the changes proposed, to include
the differences in cost.
City Council Workshop Meeting, 10/11/79
Page 5
The Police Chief's, the Fire Chief's, and the Director of Public Works'
comments re: the narrowing of the streets by deleting the Miami curbing
will also be requested.
Mr. Wurzburger offered to contact the City Manager if the funds for the
development of the first 8 fourplexes are not available by the end of this
month and explain the delay; and to be in attendance at the November 1, 1979
meeting.
RECREATIONAL The Council acknowledged receipt of a communication dated September 26, 1979,
T97R =NTS from Recreation Director Steve Henning re. the development of the 3 -acre
DES AT
ES/ parcel of land located adjacent to the northeast corner of the Garden Lakes/
Square PUD on Military Trail, which was donated to the City by the developer
of that project, Mr. Otto DiVosta.
Mr. DiVosta will be requested to implement those improvements to this parcel
outlined in Ordinance 18, 1977, which created the Garden Lakes /Square PUD.
The Council was in favor of the recreational improvements proposed by the
Recreation Director at a total cost of $2,515.00; however, they suggested
that more reasonable backboards be purchased.
y PARTIAL ASSIGN- A Resolution consenting to PGA Communications Systems, a joint venture
T between Palm Beach Cable TV Company and National Communication Corporation,
EXCLUSIVE FRAN-
MTfn__-_PMY operating a cable television system in the PGA National Resort Community in
3ER accordance with the City's Ordinance 22, 1967, will be considered for
VICES AT PGA
NATIONAL adoption by the Council at the Regular Meeting of October 18, 1979.
RESOLUTION 19, The Mayor will send communications to the Town of Lake Park and the Village of
T77�E7FRESS North Palm Beach advising them that the City has executed an agreement with
NT NT TO AC- William R. Hough and Company for the preparation of a Financial Feasibility
BOAST Study on the acquisition of Seacoast Utilities, Inc.; and subsequent to the
UTILITIES, INC.
City's receipt of this study, a Tri -City Meeting will be held to discuss it
and the City's Resolution #19, 1979, which requested these sister municipal-
ities concurrence, by Resolution, with the City's intent to purchase this
utility company.
The Mayor will send a communication to Bankers Life & Casualty Company
advising them the City has engaged the firm of William R. Hough and Company
to provide the City a preliminary study on the acquisition of their utility
firm, Seacoast Utilities, Inc.; and requesting their cooperation with the
City's consultant, so that this study may be accomplished expeditiously. A
rough draft of this communication will be submitted for the Council's review/
approval prior to it being sent to Bankers Life & Casualty Company.
City Council Workshop Meeting, 10/11/79 Page 6
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Laurie acknowledged receipt of communications from:
LOUIS OXNEVAD 1. Louis Oxnevad, member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. resigning
from this advisory board of the City.
JOHN CAPORINI 2. John Caporini, President of the PBGYAA, re: upgrading the electrical
system at Plant Drive Park.
REPORTS: Vice Mayor Kiedis reported on the Planning and Zoning Commission's Meeting
VICE MAYOR of October 8, 1979, and the Zoning Board of Appeals' Meeting of October 9,
KIEDIS 1979.
ITEMS BY THE CITY MANAGER:
STATUS OF The City Manager was requested to provide the Council a report on the status
G+IATEA7ME GOLF /
FIT1V17fTIIRE of the waterslide /miniature golf course the City, per the petition of Mr.
COURSE Ted Bartlett, approved for development as a "conditional use" on the south
side of Northlake Boulevard at MacArthur Boulevard.
PURCHASE OF The Council was in favor of the recommendation of the City Manager that the
SWEEPER FOR
PW DEPT. City purchase from Asphalt Sealcoating Company a combination sweeper /vacuum
cleaner for $2,400 - monies to be taken from the Council Contingency Account.
ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
COUNCILMAN In response to Councilman Martino's inquiries, the City Manager advised the
MARTINO bids for the expansion of the City's basketball courts at Plant Drive Park
have been advertised for the City's receipt by November 1, 1979; the City's
Engineer has been requested to prepare a traffic study and drainage plan for
the area of the Muncipal Hall, which encompasses 40 acres on the northeast
corner of Burns Road and Military Trail; a meeting will be held Monday,
October 15, 1979, re: the Inter -City First Aid Squad; and the City's Depart-
ment Heads have been requested to submit their recommendations re: the con-
servation of energy.
VICE MAYOR Vice Mayor Kiedis requested that the Norfolk Island Pine and Acacia Tree
KIEDIS located on the south slope of the municipal hall, which were severly damanged
by "Hurricane David ",be removed.
COUNCILMAN Councilman Feeney proposed that the Council consider an ordinance imposing a
FEE EY road impact fee on new residential construction in the City, y, with the monies
received to be used for the maintenance of the City's interior streets.
The City Manager was requested to have a title search performed on the lands
of Air Force Beach located on Singer Island for the purpose of learning, for
certain, what municipality these lands lie within.
City Council Workshop Meeting, 10/11/79
Page 7
The Police Department will be requested to provide a report re: the quantity
of police cars that were on duty on the third shaft during the last 30 days.
Councilman Feeney suggested that the City's Beautification and Environmental
Committee consider interspersing plants with flowers in the medians on Holly
Drive and MacArthur Boulevard.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 P.M..
MAYOR LAURIE COUNCILMAN ALDRED
V CE MAYOR KIEDIS COUNCILMAN FEEN�Y
COUNCILMAN MARTINO
j CITT CLERK