Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 0502740 REGULAR MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS MAY 29 1974 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens was called to order by Mayor Martino at 8:00 P.M. in the Assembly Roos, 10500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL: Roll was called by the City Clerk and present were: Councilman Feeney, Councilman Kiedis, Councilman Wiley and Mayor !Martino. Vice Mayor DeLonga was absent because he was out of Town. MINUTES: The minutes of the workshop Meeting of April 25, 1974, as amended, were unanimously approved. AGENDA: Mayor Martino announced that two items on the agenda would be deleted from this meeting: under "petitions and communications" the request from David Gibson, Oakbrook Square Shopping Center on a variance for a sign, and under "items for discussion" the recommendation from the M -1 Zoning Committee. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Martino announced the Board of Zoning Appeals would hold a meeting on Thursday, May 9, 1974 to hear a request for a variance for a swimming pool. RESOLUTIONS: Mayor Martino read a letter from Mrs. Hamilton, Chairman of the Beautification and Environmental Committee, reaffirming their recommendation for the appointment of Mrs. Fielden Bowles as a member to that Committee. Councilman Wiley, on behalf of Vice Mayor oeLonga, reiterated his remarks made at the April 25, 1974 meeting, that he requested the consideration of Mrs. Harriet Vogel to fill the vacancy on the B &E Co —i ttee; his reasoning being on a Regular Meeting, May 2, 1974 Page 2 geographical preference. Motion made by Councilman Kiedis, seconded by Councilman Wiley to insert the name Mrs. Fielden Bowles in Resolution #100 1974. Motion unanimously carried. RESOLUTION #109 Resolution #100 1974 appointing a member to the Beautification 1974: — and Environmental Committee and inserting the name Mrs. Fielden Bowles, was read in full by the City Clerk and unanimously adopted by the Council. RESOLUTION #15, Section 1 of Resolution #15, 1974 establishing a reservation system for tennis courts located on the west side of the City Complex, was read by Mayor Martino for the benefit of the audience. Mr. Don Snyder,4Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Board, stated it was not the recommendation of the Recreation Advisory Board 1- or the Tennis Committee, but he had no objection to it personally. Motion was made and seconded to have the City Clerk read Resolution #15, 1974. Vote on motion - Councilman Feeney and Councilman Kiedis voted aye, Councilman Wiley and Mayor Martino voted nay. Mr. Snyder agreed to present the resolution to the Tennis Committee, who were meeting simultaneously in the office of the Recreation Director, and to ask for input from the Recreation Advisory Board for a fulther recommendation to the Council. The Council assured Mr. Dukes, Director, Recreation and Parks that the intent of the resolution was not to interfere with the Recreation Department's program and schedule to use the courts Regular Meeting, May 2, 1974 Page 3 as often as necessary for tennis lessons, the sl—er program etc. Mr. Dukes will prepare an updated report for the Council's review on memberships, the reservation system now being used and any problems that exist etc. Resolution #150 1974 will be placed on the Workshop agenda of May 90 1974 when a full Council would be present. RESOLUTION, #1br Mr. Frank Brutt, Director, Area Planning Board, addressed the 1974: _ _ Council explaining the intent of Resolution #15, 1974s what the 208 plan addresses itself to and the desire of the Area Planning Board to have the Governor designate Palm Beach County as an area of study. Resolution #15, 1974 indicating intent to join other municipalities to develop and implement a plan for a waste treatment management system for the area was read in full by the City Clerk and unanimously adopted by the Council. ORDINANCES: Mayor Martino declared the legal requirement for advertising ORDINANCE #5, Ordinance #5, 1974 by title only had been met. . The City Clerk read Ordinance #5, 1974 amending the Budget Ordinance to authorize the hiring of one additional Police Dispatchem, by title only, on second reading, prior to the opening of the Public Nearing. No one from the Council or the audience spoke for or against the Ordinance. Ordinance #5, 1974 was unanimously adopted by the Council. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: COMMISSIONER Mayor Martino acknowledged receipt of letters from County SENATOR Commissioner Culpepper and Senator Philip D. Lewis agreeing Regular Meeting, May 20, 1974 Page 4 with the concept of Resolution #14, 1974, forwarded to them by the City, regarding the acquisition of beach front lands for public use. PALM BEACH Councilman Wiley referred to an article that had appeared in GARDENS Flk-H TIC the Post Times May 2, 1974 appointing Archie Williams as Athletic .. Director and Larry Hood as the new head coach for Palm Beach Gardens High School, and proposed that letters of congratulations and offering the support and encouragement of the City be sent to these gentlemen. The Council concurred. LETTER OF Mayor Martino, prefaced by the remark that it grieved him UNITHMCN FROM CITY MANAGERt personally to read it to the Council and the residents, read a letter of resignation from the City Manager, George McMahon effective May 310 1974. Mayor Martino stating that the City had been rewarded by Mr. McMahon's efforts, through his honesty, integrity, good judgement, fairness and his outstanding relations with the Community, asked Mr. McMahon to reconsider; that his resignation was not acceptable to him. Councilman Kiedis, Councilman Feeney and Councilman Wiley concurred with the Mayor *s comments and Councilman Wiley moved that the letter of resignation be unacceptable to the City Council and that the Council pursue the maintaining of George McMahon as its City Manager. The motion was unanimously adopted. Councilman Wiley commented that Vice Mayor DeLonga was aware of the letter of resignation prior to his leaving, and asked Mr. Wiley to communicate to the Council and to the public that he was in agreement to ask for Mr. McMahon ►s reconsideration. Mr. McMahon stated he owed the Council no less than to give this further consideration, and he would do that. Regular Meetiag, 14ay 2, 1974 Page 5 CLAIR ANDERSEN: The City Manager acknowledged receipt of a copy of a letter from ERVIN L. KEEL: FRANK GARGIULO: ST. MARY IS Ham,. PITAL: REPORTS: Clair Andersens Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission to Mr. John MacArthur concerning the current study by the P&Z Commission of the desirability and advisability to annex into the City certain parcels of land. The City Manager acknowledged receipt of a letter from Ervin L. Keel regarding the City water problems and read his reply to Mr. Keel, explaining the City had no authority in regulating the privately owned Utility Company nor the authority to grant him the study he requested and referred him to the County Health Department. Mr. McMahon read a letter he had prepared to Mr. Frank Gargiulo, Acting Director of the Palm Beach County Health Dep artmentf addressing the problem the City is experiencing with the waterg and asked Council *s permission to send same. With a few minor changes the Council concurred that the letter be sent with a copy to the Palm Beach County Utilities Company and the Public Service Commission. The City Manager acknowledged receipt of a letter from St. Mary's Hospital advising of their expansion and renovation program and requesting that the Mayor and City Manager serve as Members of the Program Development Council, The Mayor and City Manager agreed to serve. Mayor Martino reported he had attended a meeting of the Ordinance ORDINANCE Review Committee on Wednesday,, May It 1974 with Attorney Brant, REVIEW COMMITTEE: the City Manager and David Runkel in attendance regarding amendments to the Sign Ordinance. As a result of the meeting Attorney Brant will prepare a draft of a revision to the Sign u Regular Meeting, May 2, 1974 Page 6 Ordinance for consideration at the Workshop Meeting May 9, 1974. MA ZONING Mayor Martino reported he had attended a meeting of the M -1 COMMITTEE: Zoning Committee held Wednesday, flay 1, 1974 with the City Manager and Mr. Cunningham, a member of the P&Z Commission in attendance, which resulted in the establishiment of a new zoning classification des6inated as M -1A2, taking in consideration the problems in the area on Burns Road. The City Attorney will prepare a draft of an Ordinance designating this new zoning classification which will be forwarded to the P&Z Commission for their review and necessary procedures. also discussed were comments and deletions regarding the M -1 Zoning as recognized by- the Council and the P&Z Commission. The City Attorney will prepare the recommendation in the form of an Ordinance for a future workshop meeting. MERIT SYSTEM Councilman Wiley xeported he had attended the first hour of the BOARD MEETING: Merit System Board Meeting held Tuesday, April 309 1974, the results of which would be discussed at a later time on the agenda by the City Manager. FIRE CODE Councilman Wiley reported he had also attended that same evening COMMITTEE: the meeting of the Fire Code Committee with Mr. Jacobs, a member 6f the P&Z Board, the Fire Chief, and the City Attorney in attendance. Discussion was held on Ordinance #10, 1973 the Fire Code Ordinance, which was built around the adoption of the 1972 version of the Southern Standard Building Code with amendments. it was determined that the 1973 Southern Standard Building Code with the 1974 amendments provides for the features regarding Sprinkler systems and elevators as provided N Regular Meeting, May 2, 1974 Page 7 in the draft of Ordinance #10, 1973. The Fire Chief and the Building Inspector will review the � latest version of the Southern Standard Building Code and amendments for a recommendation to revise Ordinance #10, 1974 by adopting that Code with modifications as necessary. Councilman Wiley requested the Council to consider retroactivity, the time period if any$ for existing buildings to conform to sprinkler and detection systems. BUDGET The City Manager reported he will present the budget adjustments ADJCJNRENTS : for the Council's consideration at the Workshop Meeting of May 9, 1974. 4 LP,NINiG OF —MLAKE The City Manager reported, at the request of Vice Mayor DeLonga NUR BLVD.: � and in his absence, that the bids were put out for the widening and 4 laving of Northlake Blvd. with an appropriated amount in wind of 1.5 million dollars which according to State Law, if the bids were substantially more they would not be permitted to proceed with the project. The bids came in at 2 million dollars, which was over the anticipated amount, therefore at this time the bid will not be let. Mayor Martino requested the City Manager to relay to the County, the Conncil•s position regarding their concern about the traffic problems on Northlake Blvd. and the Cityts intent to cooperate in any way. project LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE: The City Manager reported the Lighthouse Drive/was proceeding very well, the minor problems had been solved and he had personally inspected the sidewalks that had already been poured. The sidewalks are completed on the northern side of Lighthouse Regular Meeting, May 2, 1974 Page 8 Drive up to and including the bridge abutment and on the southern side about 1/3 of the distance. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSIONz LANDSCAPE Minor corrections were made to the Landscape Ordinance by the ORDINANCE: -- - 111 Council and further discussion, when a full Council is present; will be held at the Workshop [Meeting on May 9, 1974 and the second reading will be held May 161, 1974. MERIT SYSTEM The City Manager reported that the Merit System Board had BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS: approved unanimously all the recommendations made by him and he explained them in detail as follows: 1. A Cost of Living increase for City employees 6f $10.00 per week for 26 weeks for a total package cost of $17,902.26. 2. Proposed upgrading of pay classifications as he felt necessary, to upgrade some positions to establish a higher base for minimum and maximum, stating it was not his intention: to elevate all the personnel to the top level. 3. The creation of three new City job classifications Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, Deputy City Clerk and Executive Secretary. 4. Approval to hire a Police Captain as Grade 34 Range $120324.60 to $ 15,062.64 with the intent to pursue the hiring of the individual being considered at a range of $149000 - $140500. Discussion by the Council followed. Councilman Wiley didntt disagree to the fact that there was a need to expand the dollar range but was concerned that it be ascertained that the job classifications that were not on the list had not changed in Regular Meeting, May 29 1974 MOTION : 5% ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASES MOTION s ADOPTING 3 NEW U JOB CLASSIFICATIONS: Page 9 priority or worth to the City. He asked for a very comprehensive and indepth study and a re-evaluation on a percentage scale of what the jobs are worth to the City. Councilman Kiedis was against a percentage increase. Councilman Feeney was in favor of a percentage increase and proposed that the Council accept the City Manager's recommendation on the upgrading of classifications, the 3 new job classifications and request that the City Manager re- evaluate the Public Works Department by the next Workshop Meeting. Mayor Martino was in favor of granting some tppe of increase to the employees but first wanted an indepth comprehensive study on all City positions. The City Manager advised he had completed a study on the Recreation Department, the Administrative Department, the Fire Department, the Building Department and the Police Department and would do a complete study on the Public Works Department. Motion made by Councilman Wiley, seconded by Councilman Feeney authorizing the City Clerk to prepare a resolution which would modify the range and step chart as adopted; that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Resolution effective May 1, 1974 that the pay scale be adjusted across the board 5% with the exception that a minimum of $7.50 be applied where the percentage would come out less than that figure. Vote on motion - Councilman Wiley, Councilman Feeney and Mayor Martino voted aye, Councilman Kiedis voted nay. Motion carried by a vote of 3 ayes and 1 nay. Motion wade, seconded and unanimously adopted that the City Clerk be authorized to draft a Resolution adoptkng the three (3) job classifications as presented by the City Manager and Regular Meeting, May 20 1974 Page 10 approved by the Merit System Board :with no grade recommended: and that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Resolution. STAFFING OF The recommendation by the City Manager to staff the two positions 2 POSITIONS: 11 1 that of Deputy City Clerk and Executive Secretary was deferred until the City Manager presents the consideration of pay classifications for all City employees. POLICE CAPTAIN: The City Manager further explained his recommendation to hire a Police ChAtain as Grade 349 Range $129342.60 $ 15,062.64 in response to reservations by the Mayor for such a step before the benefit of an indepth study and if the City could afford same. His reasons were unless the position was staffed to set up an adequate training section and an administrative section, the raising of the pay for incoming patrolmen would be without benefit to the Catty. He also stated it was his intention to upgrade the salary of the Police Chief but it would not be necessary to modify the budget as there were unexpended funds on hand to cover the funds needed. MOTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously adopted authorizing the City Manager to hire a Police Captain as Grade 34, Range $121,342.60 to $15,082.64 and further authorizing the City Clerk to draft a Resolution upgrading the current job classification of Police Captain from Grade 32 to 34 and authorizing the Mayor to sign the Resolution. NEWSPAPER The City Manager commented on an article in the newspaper ARTICLE: regarding the Police Department which he considered partially in error and clarified that he had initiated a complete organization study of the Police Department, with the knowledge Regular Meetings May 2, 1974 Pgge 11 \ of the Police Chief, as one of his administrative actions before the election. .._. Mayor Martino agreed that he too was tired of accusations against the Police Department, he could see no jajor problem there and commended the Police Chief for a fine job. ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER: ORGANIZATION The City Manager presented the Council with a copy of a proposed DEPT.: ' organization chart for the Police Department that he had prepared and this item will be placed on the Workshop Meeting agenda May 9, 1974 for further discussion. TRASH HAGS: The City Manager advised because of the City's inability to purchase plastic trash bags, paper trash bags would be available, on a trial basis, for sale to the residents. The price of the bags would be higher, however, they would be stronger, hold more poundage and are made according to government specifications. FIRE DEFENSES: The City Manager reported the Administrative Insurance Services Office, which is the underwriting agent for fire ratings, reviewed the City and were impressed with the operation of the Fire Department and would evaluate the situation regarding the elevated water tower with a written report forthcoming. HOLLY DRIVE The City Manager reported he will present the Council with estimates for construction of the Holly Drive sidewalks and advised the need for engineering design work on the project would be limited. ITEMS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL: COUNCILMAN At the request of Councilman Wiley, the Council concurred that WILEY; Attorney Brant attend the meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals Regular meeting, May 21, 1974 Page 12 on May 9, 1974 because of the complexity of the variance requested. COUNCILMAN The City Manager in answer to a question posed by Councilman xlEnxs :" ' Ki.edis, advised that the construction near the existing water tank was the construction of a new water taitk. MAYOR MARTINO: The City Manager advised Mayor Martino that the road paving project would continue when the estimates were received. Mayor Martino requested that the City manager place as a high priority on the list of projects to be considered, the lighting program for the City& subject to approval by the Council. ADJOtRNMENT. No further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M OA- ;Mayor Mike Martino� Coui:ci]Lman Walte= H. Wiley ice Mayor James 'I.`b Co ilm Kiedis Councilman 11rfk Fvuutey�� Alice Je ' Kersl �� Cit Clerk u