HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 123071WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
December 30, 1971
The Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens was
called to order by Mayor DeLonga at 8:00 P.M. Thursday, December 30,
1971 and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The
Meeting was held at City Hall at 10500 N. Military Trail.
ROLL. CALL: Roll was called by the City Clerk, present were: Councilman James,
Councilman Orr, Councilman Kiedis, Vice Mayor Wiley and Mayor DeLonga,
City Manager, Robert Carlson and Attorney Brant were present.
CENTRAL FIRE Vice Mayor Wiley reported to the Council on the status of the location
STATION REPORT:
of the Central Fire Station that the Steering Committee met with the
Architect and reviewed plans and considered traffic at the intersection
of Military Trail for signalization problems and access problems plus
the eventuality of Military Trail being 4 laned and which would then
require a significant change in set back. Because of this the
Committee investigated another site and recommended to move the
building easterly and combine the driveway to the Fire Station with
the current access road to the Municipal Complex. The previous
location was more near the corner of Military Trail and almost in the
center of this parcel of land. In evaluation consideration was given
to the number of trees involved and the safety standards, signalization
and recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission. All these
recommendations said, "get away from the intersection."
Recommendations of the Committee were to locate the station on the
,test side of the present entrance road to the Complex and facing
Burns Road. He stated that the Committee recommends that the entire
shell for the Station be built and also the members of the Volunteer
Fire Department have indicated willingness to assist in the finishing,
such as painting, landscaping etc. in order to reduce the costs.
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OFFICE OF THe- MAYOR
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710600 N 7dILITARY TRAIL PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA 33.103 62 7200
December 30, 1971
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:Ir. John D. MacArthur
Colonnades Leach Hotel
Palm !,each Shores
Riviera Beach, Florida 33404
Dear Mr. MacArthur: I
1 am enclosing, for your reference, a copy of my letter to the Cite
Council regarding the proposed Palm Beach Gardens Central Fire Station.
You can undoubtedly recall your prior association with the City
Councils of Palm Beach Gardens, specifically in 1964 when the City
purchased its first 200 gpm pumper, and in 1965 when the second used
pumper was purchased, Horace Miller, then Vice Mayor of Palm Beach
Gardens, said at the time that "the purchase of the old pumper is a
step in the City's program aimed at providing better fire protection
so residents can get lower fire insurance rates,"
The Gity has continually updated and expanded its fire protection
capability, however, we still do not have a class 8 rating. The
addition of the new fire station will not allow a rate reduction, unless
we can provide an emergency water supply, usually provided by incorp-
oration of an elevated tank in the system. With an emergency water
supply, the new station will be a step toward a class 6 rating and a
further reduction in rates. A comparison of typical, homeowner insurance
rates indicates that a $10 per year reduction is possible between our
current rating and class 8 for a $25,000 home, j
I read in the local newspaper that you are expanding; the Utility 0rv1n6,
Palm Leach Gard ns, It is my hope that you are also considering t��c
incorporation of emergency water provisions so we can realize the lower
insurance rates we started towards back in 1965.
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Yours truly, i
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Walter H. Wiley
Vice Mayor, City of PBG
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�. WHW /cg
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10300 N MILITARY TRAIL PALM BEACH GARDENS. FLORIDA 3340,4 622 -1200
December 30, 1971 JAMES C OLLON3A N, BYO•
WALTER H YlkL EY Ili, VICE AA YOA
JOHN L ORR JR . C0tiNCll'1AN
E CRAIG JAMES. COUNCILMAN
JOHN KIEDIS COUNCILMAN
Mayor & City Council
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Gcntler.,cn:
I The Central lire SLOtion Steering Committee has completed the prei I.i-,na_y I,
plans for the proposod Palm Beach Gardens Fire Station, and is hvi�-lv
submitting same for your acceptance for construction bidding. Thy l,utiain);,
to be bid in phases, is designed as a complete facility with a bay .in•;
sized for a ladder truck and four pumper size trucks, plus the neceas.lr^
training, maintenance, storage, locker, control room, and rquipmvlt Arr.ls.
The bid pleases are established to allow options to complete the purtLutb o)
the structure as they are needed or deemed economically feasible. The sit(.'
location on Burns Road at the access road to the existing Municipal Comple 'Ll,
was selected only after evaluation of five locations, and has been coordi
nated with Palm Beach County for traffic signalization and road improvements
at the intersection of Military Trail and Burns Road. This building and
site, in our estimation, will provide excellent fire protection for the City
Ot I *Atilt 1;r,lrh G.Irdon•. for many ye.lr:,.
As often happens when a projeat such as this is planned, questions are
raised relative to need and cost. Perhaps the following will answer some
of these concerns. Palm Beach Gardens is located geographically in what j
is now known as Palm Beach County Old Dixie Fire District No. 2. ..'.I). No.J2
actually surrounds Palm Beach Gardens with their station located on the south
side of the City. F.D. No. 3 'is to the northeast of the City, with their 1
station practically within the City at U.S. 1 and PGA Blvd. Our proposed
station is located centrally to both of these County District Stations, and
also within the City.
The Palm Beach Gardens Volunteer Fire Department was organized on Oct. 8, 11963
with 23 members, and is currently manned at a 35 member limit, plus the 201
Junior Firemen, The 1971 Fire Department equipment inventory exce,ds 560,(00,
not including the 2z ton brush truck and 800 gallon tanker which wsre built
by the Volunteers and added to the Fire Department during 1971, most of which
is stored outdoors, or in temporary portable buildings. Each Volunteer has
a portable Plectron FM radio to receive fire alarm information, these radio;
being; purchased by funds raised mostly by the Volunteers through f-ind �raisi,1g
programs, bottle collections and barbeques. Over 3000 hours have :)eun con -,"
tributed by the Volunteers in 1971 in fighting fires and for trainin ;_
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Mayor & City; Council -2- Decembcr 30, 19-Iii
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Cooperative assistance agreements have been established with all neighbor-
ing Fire Departments, and our Volunteers have received many commendations
for their assistance in fighting fires outside the City, We have received
assistance in return with brush fires, and also for the fires at tae lfolido'y
Inn and the RCA facility.
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If we assumo!, for comparison only, that the responsibility of Palm Beach
Gardens fire protection is given to Old Dixie Fire District No. 2, and than
the current level of protection is unchanged, the cost would be:
1971 Fire Protection Budget
City of Palm Beach Gardens $17,284.00
Old Dixie District No. 2 177,268.00
Combined Total $194,552.00
The col.r,,incd; tax base is an Proximately $191 million, or an cquivai -nt milla�,e
o1: 1.016. At this rate, the, City would be assessed $102,478. Tiii . viould h':
$85,194 more than we now pay for the same protection.
The cost cf Elie bond issue for the proposed Fire Station, if used , -n its full
amount of $210,000, world be X270,000 including principal and inte-est, or k
$27,600 per year average over the term of the bonds. If we assume the Volun-
teerb will continue their service to the community, and that the F-r('- Stati'm
... is built, tliq City Budget for fire protection plus the cost of the boad iss'le
would bo $44,284. More important is the fact that the City is con'inually
RLr 1 t11; Lo 110I1I ovv lire' protvc till i I, Which Will Ili low Iowcr IollI Wd-I tll mr,'
ance ratan. 'Construction of the Ftre Station will be a major step Lvwnrd- c
this goal.
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Yours truly, - -
A V
Walter H. Wiley
Vice Mayor City of PEG -
Fire Station Steering Committee
WHW/cg
cc: PBG Volunteer Fire Dept.
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Workshop Meeting December 30, 1971 Page 2
Mr. Paul Twitty, Schwab & Twitty Architects, Inc. presented the plans
for the Fire Station and explained the various phases of the building
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and alternate possibilities. f
Vice Mayor Wiley reviewed his letter to the Council on the research of
of fire control from the Palm Beach Gardens Volunteer Fire Department.
He advised the Council of the letter written to Mr. John D. MacArthur
asking that consideration be given to provide an emergency water supply
in order to reduce the homeowners rate on insurance. (letters attached).
CRIME RATE
Mayor DeLonga deviated from the agenda to discuss the article in the
DISCUSSION:
Post Times on crime rate in the County, which had rated the City of
Palm Beach Gardens first. He also asked Chief of Police, Herb Pecht, for
his statistics and records. Chief Pecht stated that we are in a
better position than any other City and these are just numbers. Mayor
DeLonga suggested that any help in solving the problem will be welcome,
and that if anyone would like to have their possessions numbered and
stamped they should contact the Police Department.
SHUFFLEBOARD
Mr. Carlson stated that a meeting was held December 22, 1971 for the
CANOPIES:
opening of the bids on the Shuffleboard Court Canopies and the bids were
turned over to Howard Searcy for his recommendation, which he presented
by letter and recommended that Murphy Construction Company be awarded the
bid of $6950 for the canopies. Mayor DeLonga left this was too much
money for just the canopy and asked for any other suggestions from Mr.
Searcy. He informed the Council that the canopies could be installed at
any time after the courts were completed. Mayor DeLonga suggested
rejection of the bids on the canopies at the Regular Meeting and
authorize Mr. Carlson to investigate a lesser costing canopy. Council
agreed to proceed with the construction of the shuffleboard courts and
to reject bids.
PLANT DRIVE
Mr. Devine's report to the Council of December 27, 1971 was discussed.
IMPROVEMENTS:
Mr. Carlson stated he had no information as to the schedule of work to
Workshop Meeting December 30, 1971
Pag e 3
be done at Plant Drive. Mayor DeLonga stated he was somewhat concerned
on the lack of progress at Plant Drive and would like to see some
effort put into it, as he had seen no progress. Mr. Carlson informed
the Council arrangements were being made to schedule other projects
of the Public Works Department so that after January 3, 1972 full
time would be devoted to Plant Drive Improvements. Plans were being
received for preliminary design and cost of material from Florida
Pump Supply Company for the actual irrigation system of the entire
park. Mr. Herb Faulkner presented to the Council a sketch for the
baseball fields as needed for the Youth Athletic League. Mr. Kiedis
stated that in conferring with Lou Oxnevad regarding improvements
and irrigation, Mr. Oxnevad offered that there was a well driller,
John Say, who would donate to the City, Green's Masters, which will
control the dispersment of the water and had 7 or 8 of them and has
volunteered to acquire for the City the 419 Bermud springs and he
said he sees no reason why we should buy any sod at all and to sprig
the entire field, and if sprigged within the next couple of weeks the
grass would be grown in time to meet the opening of the baseball
season. Estimates on well drilling had been received by Mr. Carlson:
one at $5.00 a foot on a 411 well with a 10 horse centrifugal pump.
Mr. Carlson agreed to contact Mr. Say and was instructed by the Council
to obtain 3 quotes on a well. Council agreed to the softball field
being constructed, and 80 foot base paths, 3 rubbers and some
artificial type covering for the foremost rubbers.
LIGHTING OF Mr. Carlson reported on the costs received for the lighting system
PLANT DFi I VE
BALL PARK: for a full size baseball park and football field as proposed by Gee
and Jensen, Engineers, as follows:
Workshop Meeting December 30, 1971 Page 4
Southeastern Prestressed Concrete, Inc. 8 - 80 foot poles $10,400.00
Koppers Company, Inc. 8 _ 80 foot 7,194.80
creosote poles
Peninsular Electric Distributors 142 Quartz flood 4,686.00
lights
Mr. Carlson informed the Council the cost of lighting the ball fields
would probably run at $22,000 and that he was waiting for other
estimates to come in.
Mayor DeLonga also stated that some time consideration may be given to
putting the new lighting system on the new property east of the City
Complex on a new field and only upgrade the baseball lights presently
installed. Councilman Orr suggested using the shorter poles on the
baseball field alternately with new taller ones. Councilman Kiedis
will continue to pursue the lighting plan with consideration to use the
present short poles around the baseball field. Vice Mayor Wiley
suggested using a combination of the two, the short ones at the base-.
ball field and the higher for football in order to keep the cost down.
COMMUNITY Mr. Woody Dukes, Recreation Director, reported that he had contacted
SCHOOL PROGRAM:
various communities on whether they had Community School Programs and
found that few of them had the Program. He informed the Council that Dr.
Eissey and Mr. Neal could not attend this meeting but would be asked
to attend the Regular Meeting for discussion. The itinerary of the
schedule of the events at the Palm Beach Gardens High School was to be
in the mail today.
Attorney Brant stated he had been in contact with the legal
department of the Palm Beach County School Board, Attorney Jackson, and
as Mr. Dukes had pointed out what programs are operating in the County
are very flexible, and there is no hard and fast format and was
advised the School Board has nothing to do with this, but vested in the
local principal and the formal contract between the City and School
Board is merely a general framework together with the proposed
Workshop Meeting December 30, 11971 Page 5
amount of money, the maximum that the City wishes to appropriate each
year. Insofar as scheduling and programming, the key man is the
principal of the High School and what priority he would give the
Community School Program. Council felt the Community should have first
priority in the use of the facilities at the School after regular
school activities.
WATER TANKER
The Volunteer Fire Department requested Council to consider allotting
FOR FIRE
DEPARTMENT:
$650.00 for the completion and maintenance of the water tanker. Council
felt that the title to the vehicle and the maintenance of the tanker
should be retained by the City in order that it be covered by the City
insurance program. Mr. Carlson will consult with the insurance carrier
on the insurability of the Tanker. Council felt that there would be no
problem in expending the $650.00 contingent upon the title to the City
and the insurability.
CITY OFFICES
Mr. Carlson reported that the Finance Office was moved to the City
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Clerk's area and the Building Department moved to the west wing and the
Public Works Department will move to the west wing on Monday, and that
Mr. Dukes had placed the City trophies in the new case in the Assembly
Room. He stated that the fence at the Public Works yard had been
completed and the area will be cleaned up and a hedge planted.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
a. Recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to change the
zoning of Kelly Brothers property on Prosperity Farms Road and
FGA Boulevard from R -5 to C -2 was approved and will be acted on at
a Regular Meeting and Public Hearing.
b. Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board prohibiting any
family dwelling in all commercial zoning was discussed. Attorney
Brant was asked to prepare the Ordinance for a modification to the
existing zoning ordinance.
and Parks Department Budget to the Public Works Department for the
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Workshop Meeting December 30, 1971 Page 6
SIGNALIZATION
Council considered the recommendation presented by the Office of the
OF ELLISON WILSON
ROAD:
County Engineer on signalization of Sr -S -74 and Ellison - Wilson Road.
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Council was in accord to acknowledge receipt of the report and to inform
the County Engineers Office that there are other locations in
preference for signalization.
FLORIDA LEAGUE
Council considered the request from the Florida League of Cities for
OF CITIES:
the City's annual membership dues and decided that we would not join
this year as there were no funds appropriated in the Budget. Council
will reconsider this next year at Budget sessions.
APPRECIATION
A letter of appreciation and thanks to George Martin, Jr. of the Police
TO POLICE
DEPART T:
Department from Mr. Fenton for his assistance and courteous
consideration was read by Mayor DeLonga.
ORDINANCE #1
Amending Chapter 4 of the Code adding a section permitting horses on
certain public streets and requiring dogs to be on a collar and leash
was discussed. Council agreed to add a section regarding defecation
by animals and no cats shall roam the City, and 4 day retention for
animals picked up by the Police Department, and no dogs will be
allowed in parks. Ordinance to be placed on first reading Thursday,
January 6, 1972.
WILDLIFE
Council authorized Attorney Brant to prepare an Ordinance declaring
SANCTUARY:
City to be a Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary to be read on first reading
Thursday, January 6, 1972.
ITEMS BY CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK:
Mayor DeLonga stated Mr. Carlson had been authorized to advertise for
a Recreation Maintenance man, and did so, but there was no response to
that particular position. Mr. Carlson reported that an application
had been received from a very capable and qualified man who could do
both parks maintenance and work with the Public Works Department.
Mr. Carlson requested transfer of funds of $6250 from the Recreation
and Parks Department Budget to the Public Works Department for the
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Workshop Meeting December 30, 1971 Page 7
purpose of employing an additional maintenance man. After
consideration Council felt that the transfer of the funds was
unnecessary at the present time. They approved the recommendations
made by the City Manager and authorized him to fill the position.
REMODEL PUBLIC City Manager recommended that a feasibility be authorized to determine
WORKS COMPLEX:
whether it would be more economical to remodel the building at 3704
Burns Road as a Public Works Complex or to build a new building and
raze the old building. He stated he had talked with Mr. Twitty,
Architect and he adivised Mr. Carlson that this report would take
probably 36 hours and would cost $20.00 per hour, for a complete study.
Mr. Carlson asked that Council consideration be given for this in the
near future. Mayor DeL.onga suggested Council take this under
advisement and which was approved.
COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING PETITIONS:
Council agreed to protest to the County Planning and Zoning Board on the
petition to construct a Service Station at the corner of Military Trail
and Northlake Blvd. Council had no objections to the change of zoning
on parcel located on the north side of Lake Park West Road bounded on
the east by Silverthorne Road and on the west by Sunrise Drive. The
petition for a change of zoning from R -iAA to R -2A Multiple family
dwelling on the west side of Lake worth and South side of State Road
703 was discussed and Council preferred that the City Planning and
Zoning Commission make their recommendations. The time element would
not allow these petitions to go to the City Planning and Zoning
Commission prior to the County Planning and Zoning Meeting of January
6, 1972 and Mr. Carlson will contact the County Board and ask them to
permit the City to enter their objections or recommendations at the
meeting scheduled for January 20, 1972 with the Board of County
Commissioners and thus giving the City Planning and Zoning Commission
Workshop Meeting December 30, 1971 Page 8
time to consider the petitions at their meeting of January 12, 1972.
PALM BEACH Vice Mayor Wiley made objections to the blackout of the Orange Bowl
CABLE TV:
L./ football game and also stated the reception being received from the
Palm teach Cable TV was not satisfactory and Council agreed that the
cable company should be notified and request action. Mr. Carlson
requested that all complaints be referred to his office. Vice Mayor
Wiley suggested that a poll be conducted through the newsletter to
check up on the services being performed by the franchised cable
company. Attorney Brant stated there was no legal problem, and Council
was only receiving data.
ADJOURNMENT. Motion for adjournment at 12 :30 P.M. and accepted.
James C. DeLonga, Mayor
Thelma Compton, City Clerk
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