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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Council 041271I WORKSHOP MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS April 12, 1971 The Workshop Meeting of the City of Palm Beach Gardens was called to `.e order by Mayor DeLonga at 8:00 P.M. at 10,500 Military Trail as the first meeting in the new City Hall. The meeting 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, Vice Mayor Wiley and Mayor DeLonga. Councilman James was absent. REPORTS: Reports for the month of March from the Departments of Public Works, Building, Police, Police Reserve, Recreation and Fire were reviewed by Mayor DeLonga. BOND ISSUE Dr. Eissey, Principal of Palm Beach Gardens High School gave an ex- DR. EISSEY planatory presentation on the bond issue election coming up at the County Election, May 18, 1971. LINK Mr. Pete McCranels of the Link Foundation was present to inform the FOUNDATION: Council of the program and the involvement of drug abusers of the Communities. Council discussed many various questions and Mayor DeLonga stated that Council would give further consideration to their request for a donation. PETITIONS 1. Council will attend the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting 4/20/71 COMMUNICATIONS: and at that time will consider Gerald Dakes proposal. 2. A letter from the Palm Beach County Engineer regarding the 1971 -72 Road Improvement Program was referred to Howard Searcy, City Engineer. 3. Consideration was given to the Civil Air Patrol on their request to use the City Complex for weekly meetings. Council granted them the hail Thursday evening. 4. A letter from Palm Beach Gardens Volunteer Fire Department president, E. B. Shearin, Jr. requesting the Council to consider architects for designing the Central Fire Station was discussed. Council urged all architects who washed to participate be notified. Vice Mayor Wiley was Workshop Meeting April 12, 1971 Page 2 selected to represent the Council in the planning of the Fire Station along with the Fire Chief, Millard Summers and President, ,.� E. B. Shearin as the Committee and report their recommendations to the Council. Mr. Carlson was given authority to pursue the acquisition of land on which to construct a Central Fire Station. 5. Council considered the agreement with the County for Tax Assessment and Collection and were all in favor of motion by failure of the Palm Beach County Utilities Company to install a sanitary sewer line to the property line of the new municipal complex. As a result of their inaction the Council at a Special Meeting held on April 1, 1971, unanimously approved the install- ation of a septic tank at a cost of $ 275.00. The Health Dept. has approved the use of the septic tank with a proviso that the City tie into the sewer line whenever the Utility Company brings it to the property line. You can be assured that the Council took this action only after all other avenues to obtain a proper Vice Mayor Wiley that the City sign the agreement this year for collection and assessing and have Attorney Brant prepare a resolution supporting legislation to leave tax collection optional. Motion seconded by Councilman Kiedis. ACCEPT PAVING FOR Mayor DeLonga read the recommendation from the City Engineer that PHASE #2, TANGLE - WOOD: the City accept the Paving and Drainage for Tanglewood, Phase II. Attorney Brant will prepare a Resolution for the Regular Meeting. CONSIDERATION OF Discussion was held on Ordinance #2 -- "Procedures for declaring ORDINANCE #2 DECLARING EMERGENCY: emergency:' Council voted to amend by adding Section II designating the Vice Mayor in the absence of both the Mayor and the Chief of Police. ITEMS BY MAYOR & Mayor DeLonga: "The Council has instructed the City Attorney to COUNCIL: file a petition with the Public Service Commission due to the failure of the Palm Beach County Utilities Company to install a sanitary sewer line to the property line of the new municipal complex. As a result of their inaction the Council at a Special Meeting held on April 1, 1971, unanimously approved the install- ation of a septic tank at a cost of $ 275.00. The Health Dept. has approved the use of the septic tank with a proviso that the City tie into the sewer line whenever the Utility Company brings it to the property line. You can be assured that the Council took this action only after all other avenues to obtain a proper Workshop Meeting April 12v 1971 rage 3 connection had been exhausted. The President of the Utility Company and also the major stockholder of the Company were u contacted on several occasions with little success. The Council did not feel that it should set a precedent, that other home- owners may be forced to follow, by cutting a County road and making it's own hook -up using City labor and equipment. We also felt that if a Municipal government were to let this matter pass as simply as inconsiderate action by a private utility, that every existing and potential homeowner in our City would be subject to the same or similar inconsiderations. With respect to the improvement or expansion of the existing sewage disposal plant the City has no information available that would indicate that progress is being made or contemplated in either of these areas. It has been six months since the City imposed a moratorium on building and approximately one year since the initial plans for the expansion of the sewage plant was approved by the Health Department. In my estimation this is sufficient time for any Company serving the Public to commit themselves to the future of the City. I would like to recommend that the Council pursue two courses of action. No. 1 -- I feel we should request the Public Service Commission to conduct a study of the Utility Company activities relative to the condition existing in the City to determine if the best interest of the citizens and the Public in General is being served and to recommend what corrective measures can be taken. No. 2 __ I would also like to recommend that the Council authorize a letter to the President of the Utility Company and to the major stockholder to determine if the sewage' water and gas facilties serving the City of Palm Beach Gardens can be purchased and if so the asking price for these facilities as separate items or collectively as a package." Workshop Meeting April 12, 1971 Page A The Council instructed the City Manager to draft a letter to the Utilities Company regarding their plans for improvements and .: expansion, to determine if the Utility Company would consider selling the facilities and if so at what price? Attorney Brant presented a rough draft of his petition to the Public Service Commission and Council approved and recommended that Attorney Brant move on the petition immediately. Vice Mayor Wiley suggested a 3 step phase: 1. Encourage the Utility Company to build. 2. Inquire of County on taking over the Utility on the County Wide System. 3. Or having the City get into the business of Utilities. Mayor DeLonga suggested that Councilman Orr and Councilman Kiedis choose a panelling for the rostrum for the Council Chambers and report to the builder on their choice. Mayor DeLonga recommended that the Council defer any resolution supporting the school bond issue until more information was acquired. The Council agreed unanimously. Mr. Carlson was instructed to write a letter to the owner of the 9.5 acres of land the City desires to buy and personally deliver same to the Vice- President of Royal American Industries with a response requested by April23, 1971 as the application for the participating funds must be in the mail by May 5, 1971. Vice Mayor Wiley suggested items for the archives box and requested copies of same. ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 11 :35 P.M. Thelma Compton, `City Clerk