Hero Officer David Joy Recognized – updated w Both Budget Hearings

---

At a time when police are under assault (both figuratively and literally) across our nation, it was wonderful to see a member of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department honoring Officer David Joy for his quick action in saving a severely injured vehicle accident victim. “He was recognized by the Palm Beach Gardens City Council, Fire Department, and Police Chief Clinton Shannon on September 10, 2020. Officer Joy was awarded the Police Department’s Life Saving Award and the Fire Department’s Call of the Quarter Award.” Please see the City’s coverage here and CBS 12’s coverage here.   Congratulations, thanks and kudos to Officer Joy!

The first of two FY 2020/2021 Budget Hearings had the annual presentation by Finance Director Allan Owens. While Mayor Woods claimed to have explored a modest cut in the tax rate with staff, he and apparently all on the Council excepting Council Member Marciano, were convinced that the millage should remain flat at 5.55. Marciano, who is more experienced in the workings of the Budget than any other currently on the Council (given his long-time membership on the Budget Oversight Review Board and his time on the Council), once again argued for a modest decrease in the tax rate to 5.50. He recognized and stated that the role of goverment is not to run profits, nor is it to act as a bank. The council and staff and even the Budget Oversight Review Board always seem to find a reason why ‘next year’ is the right year to consider lowering the millage – last year citing hurricanes, and this year citing Covid-19. Council Member Marciano pointed out that even had the millage been lowered last year, all would have been well with the reserves and the City would have been able to make do. His counter motion to consider such a cut was not even seconded for discussion. Thanks to Mark Marciano for standing up for the taxpayers and standing up for his principles. The second reading and adoption will be on Thursday, Sept 24 at 6pm. Note that Mr. Owens added a new chart (shown above) which demonstrated that the ‘ten year’ projections consistently under-estimate what revenues will be. Ordinance 7, 2020 passed 4:1 with Council Member Marciano voting No.

All other Ordinances and Resolutions passed 5:0. Of note:

• Ordinance 10, 2020 establishing the Transit-Oriented Design District provides for a higher density central core of the city – which was lauded by Council Members Reed and Vice Mayor Marino. See the chart for a description.

• Resolution 52, 2020 approved a new Learning Experience Daycare to replace the previously approved mixed-used building within the Banyan Tree PUD Phase II. The council expressed concerns about traffic, questioned the time of drop-off (staggered – unlike a school which has a fixed start), and physical protection of the proposed play area from vehicles (approved by the Police department with strategically placed concrete bollards).
• Resolution 53, 2020 – La Terre at Avenir (Residential Pod 2 – Site Plan #1) – the price of the single family homes for the new subdivision will range from $675K – mid-800k.
• Old business Ordinances 8/9, 2020 Second Reading and Adoption – once again, Palm Beach County, represented by Khurshid Mohyuddin, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning Dept, made Public Comment objecting to the City’s Mobility Plan.

City Hall will be open for business with the public starting September 21!

The new Tennis Center official ribbon cutting ceremony is targeted for October 1st.

************Update****************

The Second Budget Hearing and Adoption of the Millage Rate and the FY 2020/2021 Budget took place on Thursday, Sept. 24.  Resolution 41, 2020 and Ordinance 7, 2020 passed 4:1 with Council Member Marciano objecting.  At the end of the meeting Council Member Reed spoke briefly about her respect for Marciano’s position;  Marciano countered with his respect for how the council works as a team and his hope to convince them otherwise next year.