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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 024272WORKSHOP MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS FEBRUARY 24, 1972 The Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens was called to order by Mayor DeLonga at 8 :00 P.M., Thursday, February 24, 1972 and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL: Roll was called by the City Clerk. Present were: Councilman Orr, Councilman Kiedis, Councilman James, Vice Mayor Wiley and Mayor DeLonga. Mr. Carlson and Attorney Brant were present. INTRODUCE Mayor DeLonga introduced the two candidates who have filed for CANDIDATES: Councilman Seat #5 for the General Municipal Election of March 21, 1972, Mr. Gordon J. Dunbar and Mr. E. B. Shearin, Jr. REPORTS: Mr. Carlson reported to the Council that Mr. Sam Browns term on the Merit System Board expires on March 24, 1972. Mayor DeLonga requested Mr. Carlson to contact Mr. Brown on whether he would serve another term if he was appointed. v RESIGNATION Mayor DeLonga acknowledged the resignation of Jack Hanson of the 9MREATION ADVISORY 9 =D: Recreation Advisory Board. He is presently an employee of the City. A list of persons who have volunteered for Boards will be forwarded to the Recreation Advisory Board for consideration. OPENING RECREATICN Woody Dukes, Recreation Director, reported that the official ROOMS: opening of the Recreation Rooms at the Complex would be held on Sunday, February 27, 1972, between the hours of 2 and 5 P.M. and a dance has been scheduled. COMMUNITY SCHOOL Mr. Dukes reported that to date he had received 20 forms from the PROGRAM: residents of the City showing interest in certain classes for the Comminity School Program. A model of the handball courts was shown by Mr. Dukes for the Council +s consideration. He explained the Procedures of the game and gave an approximate cost of between 10 and 12 thousand dollars for two courts, back to back. Mayor DeLonga thanked Mr. Dukes and stated consideration of the courts / Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 2 would be discussed in the future. ORDINANCE: Discussion of an amendment to the Chapter 14 of the Municipal Code - Health and Sanitation requiring persons employed in certain classifications to have ID Cards was deferred to another Workshop Meeting as Chief Pecht was unable to attend this evening. MDRATARIUM Mayor DeLonga commented that " I don't think I have to rind the DISCUSSICN: Council that we are responsible for the Health and Saf4Aty of the People in the Community and the economical operation of the City. We should always keep that foremost in our minds. We are also responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Community. In a community there are certain basic services that the people must have in order to survive, one of them is food, water, clothing, shelter and of course the other is medical services. I think we might take under advisement the idea of adding single and duplex dwellings to the moratorium ordinance. This would be in essence -- tightening up on our ordinance. Another thing that we might considez is that rather than have the Council consider the granting of variances, that we are acting upon the advice of the Health Depart - m ent and perhaps we should have the Health Department determine what variances may or may not be granted based on the information they have available. I would like to hear the feelings of the members of the Council relating to the possible modification of the Ordinance. I think you all have available to you the minutes of the last meeting with the representatives of the Health Department and also the Public Service Commission, which were taken by Mr. Carlson. I also called Mr. Baker this week to determine if there has been any change in the situation and thus far there has been no change in the situation, and basically rem ins as it was at our last meeting of the Health Department officials. Any comments of the Council ?" i Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 3 VICE MAYOR WILEY: "I think that the Council still is in the driver's seat, you might say and that we have our moratorium still in effect. I think if any variances are granted at all we should control it and not pass this to the Health Department. I do feel however though and I use one of Mr. Lukin's comments. He stated that "he would stake his professional reputation on the plant not being able to handle one bucket more of sewage." In our first meeting when Larry Lukin was here we discussed the situation regarding churches, hospitals, municipal buildings, etc. and he tried to develop a train of thought that certain types of buildings did not necessarily increase the load of the hydraulic capacity of the sewer plant, in that for instance, if people went to church they weren't really living there, they were coming from one place of the Community to another and that the sanitary facilities there were more of a convenience. Consequently he could see the addition of Sunday School buildings with toilet facilities being a logical exception because of not over loading or adding to the hydraulic capacity. I agree with him and I think we should allow a permanent variance for any existing church that would like to expand its facilities. Also I think from a personal standpoint and for a concern for the welfare of the citizens our Hospital that we have in the City has indicated to us that they cannot provide emergency room treatment facilities because of the economics or the inability to provide a staff. Also, that, such as the Fire Station the Health Department has indicated to us that these are things of eminent need and I feel right now that we should control any variances that are granted and will argue very strongly to allow variances for the hospital, churches and municipal buildings." COiAVCILMM KXEDIS: "I feel pretty much the same as Walt except that I don't quite feel the way he does about having the City be the governing body on Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 4 controlling the variance. I think the Health Department is wise enough if variances should be granted." COUNCILMAN ,LAMES: "The Health Departments reaction right now to request for an expansion of a Public facility of any kind would probably be looked on unfavorably. If for instance we were to take the building code that we have and modify it to include single family and duplexes then the only thing that the moratorium ordinance would do in effect would be support it. I don't think it would have a whole lot of strength behind it, because that just lays the whole thing on the Health Departments back. I do think we are in this thing with the Health Department at their recommendations and guidelines." MAYOR DELONGA: "I want the Council to decide whether you want to modify this moratorium or not to modify moratorium to permit the Health Depart- ment to grant variances. Two basic questions: Number 1. Does the Council want to modify the Ordinance, by granting exceptions in the �- Ordinance? Number 2. Do we want to modify the Building Code to add single and duplex dwellings to it so that a building permit has to be approved by the Health Department ?" ATTORNEY BRANT: "Using the hospital as an example if the Health Department said go ahead, under our present Ordinance I feel the Council wouldn't have the power, or the Building Official to issue the permit." Representatives Mr. Garris and Mr. Kelemen from Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital made comments to the Council and gave reasons for the need of expansion of the facility. The main reasons given were for the need of diagnostic area, an emergency room with medical staff coverage and 20 suites for doctors office facilities, and 9 more rooms or 18 beds. They suggested that a letter be forwarded to the Health Department giving the Council's opinion saying that the Council support the Hospitals rational and should the Health Department allow for additional sewage, the City could issue a permit Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 5 Council felt that the recommendations should come from the Health Department and not the City. Councilman Orr suggested that the Health Department give us a letter of recommendations and their feelings, so that we would know how the City stands prior to giving any permits. MOTION: Vice Mayor Wiley motioned that: "the City Council authorize a letter from the City Manager to the Health Department, the text in essence, that the City Council requests the Health Department's comments on a proposed revision to the City Building Moratorium Ordinance, wherein the Ordinance would allow exceptions for hospitals, churches, etc. to expand in order to allow improved service to the Community, and demand a response: Motion seconded by Councilman Kiedis. Vote 5 ayes and no nays. Mr. Carlson was instructed to prepare the letter with a copy to Mr. Kelemen. SHUFFLEBOARD Mr. Carlson presented a summary of the estimated cost of canopies CANOPIES: for the shuffleboard courts. After discussion of the various costs Council was in agreement that Mr. Munsell, Building Official, draw up plans for the canopies with an estimated cost, and for an approval by the City Engineer, Howard Searcy, to present to the Council. LIGHTING AT BALL Mr. Carlson presented the plans prepared by Mr. Howard Kuhns, for PARK: the lighting of the Plant Drive Ball Park, along with cost estimates. Mayor DeLonga stated that the Youth Athletic Association had volunteered to donate 4 concrete poles and will notify the City in writing. Councilman Kiedis was authorized to contact Mr. Kuhns for the suggested adjustments to the proposed plans. Estimated total cost would be $31,000.00 with some exceptions. Council authorized Mr. Carlson to go out for sealed bids on the lighting of the ball park with the specifications to be prepared by Mr. Howard Kuhns. Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 5 EMPLOYEES REVIEW Council authorized Attorney Brant to prepare a resolution to adopt FORM: the Employees Review Form as recommended by the Merit System Board, which will be acted on at the next regular meeting. COST OF COUNTERS: Mr. Carlson presented an estimated cost for installing counters in the City Hall in accordance with original plans and specifications. These would be installed in the City Clerks area and Public Works and Building Officials area. The estimated cost would be $310.00 and build them with City labor. Mr. Carlson stated this would be charged to building maintenance fund* Approved by the Council. STREET NAMES: Mr. Bill Haythorne stated to the Council that the street marker on his street had been changed from Lakespur to Larkspur. He stated that the people on the street should be poled if the name of the street is to be changed, and recommended that until a resolution is passed to change the name, it should be Lakespur. Mr. Carlson stated some of these were changed by request of the Beautification V Committee, but he will make certain that this is corrected to Lakespur and also will check other street names. CONTRACTOR FOR Council discussed the question of the contractorts certification FIRE STATION: for the building of the Fire Station. Attorney Brant explained that Serraes Construction has a limited licensed in the County and holds licenses in the County, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Lake Park, Lake Worth, Highland Beach and there is not a limit on his qualifications to building but on the territory in which he can build. He stated he did not have an absolute opinion in view of the special acts we are operating under, and our Building Department has been using the reciprocity system in issuing occupational licenses. Council felt that reciprocation with West Palm Beach should be established. He stated he had talked with the head of the County enforcement board, and found Mr. Serraes has extremely excellent recommendations insofar as business dealings and his Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 7 abilities, and an excellent background. Attorney Brant suggested to the Council as to what reaction would come about by the next to the lowest bidder, if a question is raised so far as the legality of the City granting a license to Serraes Construction Company and this would be where the consideration should be given; or for the City to set up some requirement like going back to the reciprocity rule, or to consider those holding limited licenses who can demonstrate proficiency to perform their work. Motion by Vice Mayor Wiley to grant Serraes Construction Company, Contractors, a license and then a building permit for the purpose of building the Central Fire Station, based on his reputation and qualifications in the County and neighboring municipalities. Seconded by Councilman Orr. Mayor DeLonga stated that prior verbal approval to issue the permit from the Health Department for sanitary hook -up for the Fire Station had been received and Mr. Carlson reported that if we have issued the permit written approval was expected in answer to the request for sanitary hook -up. Attorney Brant stated�Mr. Lukin, in his opinions could give us permission to hook -up to the septic tank but not to the sanitary service. Vice Mayor Wiley repeated the motion that the City of Palm Beach Gardens is going to issue a license to Serraes Construction Company to do contracting business with a building permit to construct a Central Fire Station. Voting on the motion was unanimous. Attorney Brant was instructed to prepare a reciprocity Ordinance for issuing occupational licenses. DISCUSSION BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL: Mayor DeLonga stated he had talked to Dr. Eissey on a few things. He informed the Mayor that he had talked to Mr. Ralph Brown, Director of Maintenance and that it looked favorable to get the 4 Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 8 tennis courts at the School paved and he had stated he had no objection if the City Manager or the Recreation Director started the negotiations with Mr. Brown, directly, by calling him at telephone nuwher 685 -0050. Mayor DeLonga requested that the Jaycees Community Survey should be returned to him by the first of March. Paving of the section of Burns Road at the point of the sewer connection will be scheduled as requested. VICE MAYOR WILEY: Vice Mayor Wiley suggested Change Order #1 and #2 as listed by Schwab and Twi.tty on the Fire Station Building be presented to Council for consideration at next weeks Regular Meeting. Vice Mayor Wiley asked Attorney Brant if it was possible to place items on the ballot of March 21 which would constitute a straw ballot and when would these items have to be determined. Attorney Brant stated this would have to be a Special Election notice of at least 30 days prior to election. CITY MANAGER: City Manager Mr. Carlson reported that he had received an invitation from the Manager of the Utility Company, Jack Schwenke, for the Fire Chief and himself to sit down and discuss fire defenses in Palm Beach Gardens for the purpose of planning some improvements for a possible reduction in the reclassification of the City to the next lower classification. He reported on a letter from Donald Warner who owns property in Blk. 4, Lot 16, Plat 1 on Lighthouse Drive, west of Crocus Court, stating that his property encroaches on the Utility easement and desires to sell and the buyer cannot obtain a mortgage for this reason. South- ern Bell, Palm Beach Utility Company and Florida Power and Light Company have informed Mr. Warner there is no objection to the encroachment of 1331 feet into the existing 6 foot easement on the east side of the property. He requests a disclaimer from the City of Palm Beach Gardens. Attorney Brant Workshop Meeting February 24, 1972 Page 9 expressed opinion that the Council has the power to abandon public utility easements. Council agreed to Mayor DeLonga signing the disclaimer and authorized Attorney Brant to prepare the necessary documents for Regular Meeting March 2, 1972, AWOURNMBNT. Motion for adjournment by Councilman James, seconded by Councilman Orr. Time for the record 11:00 P.M. Thelma Compton, CipEy Clerk