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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Council Agenda 012298 SpecialAll those wishing to address the City Council need to complete the necessary form (supply located in back of Council Chambers) and submit same to the City Clerk prior to the meeting being called to order. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS JANUARY 22, 1998 6:30 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCF I(. ROLL CALL: Mayor Russo, Vice Mayor Furtado, Councilwoman Monroe, Councilman Jablin, Councilman Clark III. PRESENTATIONS I. Neighborhood Initiative Task Force Final Report by Dr. Richard Orman and City Staff. IV. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: (Please submit request card to Clerk prior to this Item) V. ADJOURNMENT In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Statute 286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact James Waldron, Jr.. no later than 5 days prior to the proceeding at telephone number (407) 775 -8255 for assistance; if hearing impaired, telephone the Florida Relay Service Numbers (800) 955 -8771 (TDD) or (800) 955 -8700 (VOICE), for assistance. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Council, with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT Submitted September 1997 As the Neighborhood Initiative Task Force begins its second six -month tenure — having recently been extended by the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens — task force members herein submit this Final Report to the City Manager. This report catalogues and summarizes task force recommendations and provides specific suggestions for making improvements in some of the older neighborhoods of the City. The July NITF meeting served as the culmination of previous discussions regarding task force members' views of specific capital improvements. Task force members devoted the July meeting to establishing capital improvement priorities as had been suggested by the Council Liaison to the task force. Based on task force members' own beliefs and observations of the City's older neighborhoods as well as input received from several neighborhood surveys conducted, public comments during NITF meetings and individual neighborhood meetings, NITF members established a list of priorities to which, they believe, the City needs to turn its attention. The recommendations are provided in summary format in Attachment A. Task force members agreed on the following list of priorities for capital improvements: • Sidewalks • Drainage: valley curbs, swales, canals • Street Lights • Traffic Controls In making recommendations to the City, task force members had as their goal the continuance of the City's goal of ensuring safety, functionality and aesthetics, i.e., components critical to maintenance of the City's infrastructure. Also included in this report as Attachment B is the table summary of surveys conducted by task force members, the results of which contributed to the recommendations made in capital improvements. The survey information will also serve as a resource when task force members begin the process of prioritizing noncapital improvement or "operating" items. The final attachment, Attachment C, contains the summary notes from the July 241' 1997 NITF meeting which may be used as a reference, or if further explanation is needed, for the items listed under the summary of recommendations for capital improvements (Attachment A). In conclusion, task force members would like to extend their appreciation to the City Council for its vote of confidence and willingness to extend the task force another six months. In the next several months, task force members plan to discuss and prioritize noncapital improvement items as well as to establish plans for implementing a "neighbors helping neighbors" component of the initiative. Attachment A NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE TASK FORCE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT RFCOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY I. Sidewalks (A) Recommendations for this first priority: • City to give priority to the list of sidewalks, as identified in the memo from Chief Fitzgerald, used by children traveling to school: Lilac Street Plant Drive Gardenia Drive Crestdale Street Arbor Way Burns Road Riverside Drive Holly Drive ** *Plus the completion of the MacArthur Bridge walkway (similar to the one on Holly). provide sidewalks in those areas as determined by City staff where there is an elderly population, with Meridian Way (north/south) as an example of this priority. complete the missing links in those areas where gaps exist, such as Arbor Way and the southeast comer of PGA Blvd. and the Turnpike. (B) School Bus stops — where determined to be a priority by City staff and where neighborhood acceptance exists. H. Drainage: valley curbs, swales, canals (A) Valley Curbs — placed on curvi - linear portions of streets, starting with the older neighborhoods first. (B) Swales — restructuring (as opposed to just maintenance) of all City swales. (C) Canals — follow the City's five -year plan to restructure canals with the goal of functionality and beautification; also review all canal maintenance responsibilities to bring equity in so far as taxation if concerned. ** *Also, City to consider storm water utilities fee to fund canal restructuring. Attachment A M. Street Lights (A) Priority — the placement of street lights where residential collectors' streets intersect with major arterial roads (eg., PGA Blvd. and Hickory Drive). (B) Gaps — City to establish areas where street lights are needed with the goal of having maximum spacing between lights of 250 - 300 feet. (C) Wattage — City to examine where low wattage exists and remedy. IV. Traffic Control (A) Stop Signs — the following intersections are in need of stop signs: • Bayberry and Butternut • Riverside and Lighthouse — 4 way • Holly and Ironwood — 3 way • Riverside and Camellia • Crestwood and Applecrest — 3 way * ** Request that the Police Dept. prepare list of additional recommendations for stop signs. (B) "Children at Play," or "Handicapped Children" signs — Cityline to include an article to alert resident that City will provide these signs if they are needed. (C) "School Zone" Sign — expand area included in "school zone" on Riverside Drive. Attachment B TABLE SUMMARY - NITF SURVEYS TOP TEN CONCERNS PER NEIGHBORHOOD RATINGS ISSUES I TRAFFIC PL. 1 PB Sq. I i PL. 6 GOLF -N ' GOLF -S PL. 3 &5 PLA - - SPEED,SIGNS,NOISE 1 -NOISE 3 -SPEED 3 1 6 1 5 SPEED I I 19 -SIGNS I I SPEED I � speed I l osiGNS I CRIME WATCH / 2 4 4 1 COMMUNITY POLIING 2 ! 3 I SIDEWALKS 3 I I 10 I I I I I 8 UNLEASHED/ I I I I I I I I UNATTENDED PETS 4 6 S 8 6 9 I LAWNS - MAIN- l"ENANCE I 5 11 S 1 4 I SHRUBBERY 6 I& STREI✓-i- LIGHTING I 6 I 7 9 I �; I 5 I 5 2 I COMMERCI �" I � I I 5 8 i 3 I 3 I 8 I VEHICLES I BOAT/RV PARKING 1 8 1 2 Boats 1 6 1 2 1 4 1 9 1 1 1 6 RVS (PLAYGROUNDS 1 9 1 8 I I I 9 TV INTERFERENCE/ ERFERENCE/ CBS 10 f PER SONAL VEHICLE I I I 4 7 I I I I PARKING - LAWNS (street) TRASH - BEFORE DUE OUT 6 9 I CANAL/DRAINA E IMPROVEMENTS 7 2 1 4 I NOISE - SUNDAYS/ I I I I I I I HOLIDAYS 9 ` I NEED FOR HOME I I ( I I I I I OWNERS GROUP 10 I TRAFMC LIGHTS I I I 1 I I I I INSECT SPRAYING I 8 I I -95 BUrrER WALL I I I 2` I I I I I � i SUMMARY NOTES NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE TASK FORCE JULY 24, 1997 The July 24`h 1997 NITF meeting was called to order by Dr. Orman at 7:00 p.m. Members in attendance included Dr. Orman, Bill Beville, Barbara Davis, Pat Hughey, Lynn Huber, Jim Watt, Robert Angelino, and Richard Fox. Also in attendance: Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado and Staff Liaison Beth Ingold. NITF members unanimously approved the minutes from the July 10, 1997 meeting. Dr. Orman asked for any changes to the agenda for the July 24`h meeting. Bill Beville asked about the availability of parking at the area by the ballfields on MacArthur Blvd. when strip malls are built. Dr. Orman suggested that this item be raised again under the discussion of capital improvement items for consideration. Dr. Orman asked that a brief staff report be included in this meeting's agenda. Under Chairman's Report, Dr. Orman reported to task force members on his presentation of the Interim Report to City Council. He reported also that Council discussed the continuation of the task force. Dr. Onnan further discussed the operating plan that he had previously presented to task force members and explained that the concept of different codes for different neighborhoods is a concept that has been carefully considered by the state legislature, supported by the League of Cities, and that Rep. Eggelletion would be more than willing to meet with the NITF to discuss this concept further and to discuss the legislation as it was passed. He added that the clause of "effective protection" of neighborhoods by deed restrictions does allow for the implementation of the concept of different codes. Dr. Orman pointed to Miramar as one of the cities that has successfully implemented this concept. Task force members then discussed that Council will formally extend the NITF through resolution. Task force members asked Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado to elaborate on the wishes of Council in its decision to extend the task force. The Vice Mayor said that the extension is for six months in order to provide the opportunity for the NITF to complete some of its tasks. She mentioned specifically the idea of "neighbors being involved with helping neighbors." Jim Watt said that when he was asked to participate on the task force he was told that this would be for only a limited time. Vice Mayor Furtado suggested that task force members who could not commit to another six months provide or suggest the name of someone else to serve on the NITF. Dr. Orman added that Council also be asked to appoint members to represent the neighborhoods that did not have representation during the first six months. Bill Beville suggested that alternates also be appointed as backup. Robert Angelino also suggested that task force members attempt to get more neighbors involved in the task force meetings for the purpose of receiving more input. Dr. Orman made a motion for task force members to extend appreciation to Council for its vote of confidence by extending the NITF and to appoint members to represent Plats 3 and 5. Members unanimously agreed. Under Staff Report, Staff Liaison reported on an article on the task force that appeared in the Jupiter Courier and in the City's quarterly newsletter, Cityline. In response to a question raised at the last task force meeting concerning repeat speeders, staff reported that the Police Department asked that observers note the date, time and tag number, and, if possible, the name. While the Police Department can't issue citations on that basis, the Department will send an officer to the home, which is sometimes more effective. Staff further reported that Code Enforcement staff have attended training on a program for the distribution of funds to assist neighbors in need. As an example, under this program, a family of two could receive $8,000 for improvements if household income is at or below $24,000. Code Enforcement staff are asking NITF members to identify neighbors who could benefit from this program. Code Enforcement staff are willing to present information about this program at a future NITF meeting. Staff also noted that "Paint Your Heart Out" program applications were still available, however, in response to a question from Pat Hughey, staff noted that the application period had, in fact, expired for this program. Vice Mayor Furtado reported, in referencing an issue that had been discussed at an earlier meeting, that Campus Drive (from RCA to PGA) is another street where the speed limit may not be what it should be. Jim Watt added that at the intersection of MacArthur and Northlake there is a sign that does not permit a right turn on red and that the sign should not be there when school is not in session. Bob Angelino noted that the placement of the sign is also a problem. Dr. Orman moved to the next item on the agenda, reminding the group that at the last meeting he had asked task force members to separate capital improvement items from the operating or non - capital improvement items in order to complete the task, at this meeting, of ranking capital improvement recommendations. Dr. Orman suggested that ranking groups of items as opposed to individual items might be a better way to proceed. He suggested that since the group has more definitive information about sidewalks, that topic be discussed first with the goal of recommending a policy for sidewalks that be presented to Council. He further suggested that the group could then move to other items that could be grouped together. Once dealing with items that can be easily grouped, Dr. Orman suggested further that task force members then prioritize any items that remain. He noted that at the last meeting, task force members had made the recommendation that the improvements (walkway) to the MacArthur Bridge be considered the first priority capital improvement item. Task force members then discussed the priority of sidewalks. Dr. Orman reviewed the recommendation made by task force members that the sidewalks identified on the map be considered by Council by giving priority to those sidewalks that serve the schools. Dr. Orman then asked for input from task force members regarding the recommendations to Council on sidewalks. Rick Fox suggested that the Council prioritize on the basis of the age of the neighborhoods. Pat Hughey asked if the Council had already decided on priorities. Vice Mayor Furtado said that there were some areas, such as Meridian, that were already scheduled. She also reminded task force members that the City is looking to acquire the piece of land on Plant Drive and Lilac to expand our park area and that this be considered an area for sidewalks since it's regularly used as a cut through by school children. She added it was also an area targeted by the Police Department as a priority for sidewalks. Bill Beville suggested that the letter from Chief Fitzgerald concerning the list of sidewalk projects related to school children's travel (eight areas) be used for prioritizing and for suggesting capital improvements. Bob Angelino noted that the group should make the recommendation on sidewalks as already discussed, then move to another criterion, second to school walkways, to use as a means of prioritizing sidewalk recommendations. Bill Beville then read the sidewalk recommendations made by the Police Chief. Lilac Street, Plant Drive, Gardenia Drive, Crestdale, Arbor Way, Burns Road, Riverside Drive, and Holly Drive. Bill Beville made a motion, seconded by Rick Fox, that this list (based on the June 24`h letter from Chief Fitzgerald) be the first priority for recommendations on sidewalks. The list is more specifically described in the Pubic Works' sidewalk linkage plan. The completion of the MacArthur Bridge walkway (similar to the one on Holly Drive) was also added to the list. The motion passed unanimously. Bob Angelino then suggested that the group consider the comments from the public (made at the last meeting) and on that basis make a recommendation to include those areas where there is an elderly population. Vice Mayor pointed out that this area (Meridian) is already approved. Bob Angelino said that the suggestion should be made as a policy statement for future prioritizing — that areas frequented by the elderly be considered the next priority for sidewalks, with Meridian (north/south) as an example of that priority. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Orman asked for other priorities for sidewalks. Jim Watt suggested gaps as the next priority for sidewalks. He made the motion that City staff review situations where there are gaps in sidewalks and complete the missing links. Members voted unanimously for this third priority. Dr. Orman reminded the group of another gap — at the corner of the Turnpike and PGA. Dr. Orman also noted one clarification as it relates to the issue of sidewalks /schools. He noted that there are many areas, such as Larch Avenue, that children use in getting to school and that streets with school bus stops at the end of them, such as Larch, be considered 1 -B to the first priority of sidewalks. Lynn Huber noted that she doesn't feel there is a need for sidewalks in these areas because a lot of parents walk or drive their children to the bus stops at these locations. She added that many children have not been taught how to walk down the road; they instead walk with their backs to the traffic. She suggested that perhaps we could get the Police Department involved in the first couple of weeks of school, where the kids are congregating and tell them where they should be standing and how they should be walking down the street in relation to the traffic. She added that the people who live along Larch do not want sidewalks. Vice Mayor Furtado suggested that this item be considered as part of a discussion on community policing and neighbors helping neighbors. After further discussion, task force members agreed to recommend this item as a priority where determined to be needed and where neighborhood acceptance exists. (i.e., 1 - B will pertain to school bus stops in the City that, if improvements have to be made, then they are prioritized under 1 -A as a top priority for schools). Members approved this item. Task force members next moved to the issue of drainage, specifically valley curbs and swales. After some discussion, task force members decided to rank drainage as the second priority which would include the specific items of valley curbs and swales. Members voted unanimously. Jim Watt asked what has been heard from Public Works. Vice Mayor Furtado reminded members of the Five Year plan of Public Works. She also told members of the grass- eating carp soon to be introduced into the canals. She further suggested that this group suggest which swales are the worst, etc. Bob Angelino suggested that some areas of Riverside are really bad. Jim Watt suggested that the group recommend that the City follow Public Works' five -year plan for completing the swale work as outlined in that plan. Bill Beville added that part of the problem is that people have things planted in the swales. Vice Mayor Furtado suggested naming specific areas where the swales present a real problem, such as Applecrest, the other side of Bamboo, Riverside Drive, from Lighthouse to MacArthur. Dr. Orman pointed out that all areas have specific areas where standing water is a constant problem, such as the two -story house on Hickory. Jim Watt noted that perhaps the problem is not so much the swale but the area where the swale water empties into or is ultimately supposed to be. In some areas, he noted, the swales are to move the water to canals. Pat Hughey noted that she had talked to Bob Patty concerning the regular maintenance of swales. She remembers that the City, perhaps ten years ago, planted trees in the swales. The point is, she said, that the City has not maintained the swales and now residents are paying double for it, by not being able to park in the swale area and by the lack of maintenance of the swales. Vice Mayor Furtado suggested that the task force recommend that the City go through the each plat and check the elevations and, where there are problems, correct them. Dr. Orman said that Public Works told him that every plat needs to have that done and that it would be five or six years before they could get that accomplished. Therefore the task force might want to consider recommending that the older areas be considered first for swale improvement. Lynn Huber added that neighbors in her area, on Hickory Drive, have corrected the problem themselves by digging ruts through the high thatched lawns that makes the water flow better. The problem, she added, is that the older lawns have the thatch which causes the water to clog and this leads to water standing in the driveways. Task force members unanimously recommended the restructuring of the swales, as opposed to swale maintainance. Regarding the recommendation of valley curbs, task force members recommended that valley curbs be placed on curvi- linear portions of streets, starting with the older neighborhoods first. Task Force members next dealt with the issues of canals. Dr. Orman mentioned that the state of canals in the City makes them a liability to households, as opposed to the asset that they could be. Task force members recommended making canals as a third part of the second priority, drainage. Vice Mayor Furtado explained that part of the problem with canals was that landscaping grass was planted too close to the canals and that grass clippings, pesticides and fertilizer have contributed to the problem. Dr. Orman said that while that is true, the City has neglected to maintain the canals for years. Vice Mayor Furtado concurred, noting that for twenty years before the current council came on board in 1993, the canals had never been maintained or dredged. That is when Bob Patty instituted his five -year plan, in 1994. The primary concern of the canals, she noted, has to be function. Dr. Orman added that there ought to be a five -year plan to reconstruct the canals to preserve the drainage function and to beautify the waterways. Jim Watt said that the recommendation also be added that the City needs to do whatever needs to be done to get the favorable rating by FEMA regarding flood insurance. Vice Mayor Furtado said this issue has already been addressed. The City gets a three or four percent now. Dr. Orman added that the Council actively consider a drainage utility fee to fund these expenses. Dr. Orman asked that to this priority be added that the task force recommend that Council consider storm water utility as a funding mechanism. Jim Watt added that he does not think it's fair that some people have canals behind their house yet all of our tax dollars go to keep up those canals, i.e. the City canals; then others have canals that Northern takes care of. He said that this does not represent an equitable tax situation. He suggested that either the City take care of all the canals or put them all under Northern. Dr. Orman explained that, from unit to unit, Northern provides a different level of service, with BallenIsles probably having the highest level of service, followed by PGA, etc. In Northern units of development, you pay for what you get and the annual assessment is relative to the level of service received. Jim Watt made a motion that the City review the canal situation to bring equity in so far as the taxation of city residents and canal maintenance is concerned. Members unanimously supported this motion Task force members next voted unanimously to make the issue of street lights as the third priority. Dr. Orman asked for input on this issue. He noted that there is no street light at PGA and Hickory Drive. Jim Watt suggested a motion that a top priority be for the placement of street lights where residential collectors' streets intersect major arterial roads. Bill Beville added the motion that the City establish areas where street lights are needed with the goal of having a maximum spacing between lights of 250 - 300 feet. The motion passed unanimously. Barbara Davis added that the issue of low wattage needs to be examined as well. Task force members recommended that the City examine this issue and upgrade /increase wattage when needed. Task force members next examined the issue of traffic control to include several parts: stop signs, children at play, etc. signs, and school zones. Vice Mayor Furtado noted the traffic signs that are now displayed in lime green colors, noting that these signs show up. Task force members listed the following intersections as in need of stop signs: • Bayberry and Butternut • Riverside and Lighthouse — 4 way • Holly and Ironwood — 3 way • Riverside and Camellia • Crestwood and Applecrest — 3 way Members also discussed MacArthur Blvd and Lake Catherine but some members were opposed to this and this was therefore left off the list. Pat Hughey added that task force members also ask that the Police Department prepare other recommendations for stop signs. Task force members voted unanimously to present to the City Manager the stop signs mentioned above and the request for an additional list from the Police Department. Lynn Huber recommended that, instead of task force members indicating streets of handicapped children or signs indicating children at play, an article be included in the next issue of the Cityline which indicates to residents that such signs are available from the City. Expanding school zones was also recommended for inclusion in the task force's recommendations. Specifically, task force voted to recommend an expansion of the school zone area on Riverside Drive. Task force members decided to save operating issues or areas of concern for the next NITF meeting. Members decided to hold the next NITF after Council approves the resolution extending the task force for another six months. Members decided to reconvene September and at that time take up the issue of operational items. The meeting was adjourned.