Next City Council Mtg on Thursday August 5 at 6pm

The August City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 5 at 6pm.   You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Consent agenda includes:

• Purchase award – Emergency Medical Services Expendable Supplies (Fire/Rescue) – Piggyback/Access Contract – 10 mos, 33K/mos – $330K
• Purchase award – Janitorial Services for Tennis Center and Golf Club – explanation included for why NA for public bid, 3 year contract – $240K with option to renew for another 3 years
• Purchase award – Automated Building Management Systems – Service Agreement – Sole Source – 5 year contract, no renewal – $130.5 K
• Purchase award – Water Slide for Aquatics Complex at Burns Road Community Center – Piggyback/Access Contract – $145K

Public Hearings – Ordinances/Resolutions

• Ordinances 6/7, 2021 – Downtown Palm Beach Gardens – Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment and Rezoning Second and Final Reading and Adoption Hearing. Passed 5:0 at first reading in June.
• Resolutions 41/42, 2021 – Downtown Palm Beach Gardens – PCD Amendment and Site Plan Amendment Public Hearing and Adoption: A request from Excel Gardens, LLC for a Planned Community Development (PCD) Amendment to the Regional Center PCD to permit residential and hotel components on the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens (DPBG) parcel and update the PCD Exhibit “B” Master Plan map. The request is also for a Site Plan Amendment to incorporate a multifamily residential building with a new parking garage, mixed-use hotel tower, and other DPBG site-related modifications to establish Design Guidelines, and to update the Master Signage Plan
• Ordinance 9, 2021 – An amendment to Chapter 66. Taxation at Sections 66-59 and 66-60 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The Florida State Statute amended Chapter 205 to include Section 205.055 – Exemptions; veterans, spouses of veterans and certain servicemembers, and low-income persons. To reflect the exemptions in the state statute, the implementation of Chapter 66-59 and Chapter 66-60 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Palm Beach Gardens are being amended.
• Resolution 32, 2021 – A City-initiated application to submit the City’s Program Year 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Program (CDBG) funding. The City’s first application was submitted in 2015. “The Annual Action Plan outlines the CDBG activity the City will implement in 2021-2022. The Mary Circle and Dania Drive waterline improvement project will serve to provide new access to a waterline public infrastructure improvement for individuals and families in the area.”
• Resolution 43, 2021 – A request by Avenir Holdings, LLC for approval of the Panther National Master Site Plan. The subject site is approximately 391 acres and is located in the northwestern portion of the development area of the Avenir PCD. The Master Site Plan consists of 218 single-family homes within three residential pods, a private golf course with clubhouse, and parcels for a lifestyle center, a maintenance facility, and a sales center.
• Resolution 44, 2021 –Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD) Site Plan and Major Conditional Use Approval for an 18-hole and nine-hole par-three golf course – a +/- 217-acre private golf course in Golf Course Tracts I and 11 within the Panther National Master Plan located in the residential parcel (Parcel A) of the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD).

Items for Council Action/Discussion: Council Discussion on Possible Policy on Awards and Recognition

Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.

Campus Drive and Aquatic Center Improvements will Impact Residents While Underway

Since it is of immediate impact to residents – Campus Drive will be closing on July 23 – August 6 – in order to put in a roundabout, with future additions to include a new sidewalk on the eastern side of the street, reliever lane for the right turn onto PGA Blvd and a 12′. See City Manager Report section below. Additionally, the Aquatic Complex Renovation project will begin by demolishing the old main pool (built in 1982) and the complex project is projected to be complete by March 2022.

The July City Council meeting began with a few presentations. Council Member Marciano was not present.

Presentations:

• Gary Sypek, Director, Planning at Palm Beach International Airport spoke on planned runway extension, tower and potential new entry road for the North Palm Beach County (General Aviation) Airport. Public comment/input will be sought in early fall. Environmental Assessments are now underway, and completion of the projects are still a couple of years away. See the website for updates and information. Mr. Sypek assured the audience that this airport remains a general aviation airport and will NOT have any commercial, scheduled passenger airlines.
• PBC Commissioner District 1 Maria Moreno  is always interested in comments and anything her office can do, don’t hesitate to contact her.
• State Senator District 30 Bobby Powell gave a post-legislative session update. The spring session very different due to the pandemic and the inability to act with people face to face. Of immediate impact to the City via impacts on Home Rule, in his opinion were recently passed limitations on:
  • code enforcement – people may be afraid to report their neighbor or friend because of fear of retaliation
  • fuel retailers – city won’t be able to ban a gas station
  • preemption of occupational licenses – prohibits local govts from requiring licenses for occupations not already there for state
  • impact fees – provides a limitation on amount local govts can increase impact fees, retroactive to jan 1, 2021
  • PBG request for $300K for storm water maintenance did not make it into the budget.

Council members and staff comments for requests from the legislature:  Council Member Tinsley – Referencing the mobility law suit with the county – asked the Senator to look at strengthening language of statute 163 to allow municipalities for a solution to the issue. Mayor Litt spoke to building requirements as a result of Surfside. City Manager Ferris – appreciates Powells’ advocating for local government – ‘but never fear we’ll be back next year” for the storm water maintenance dollars..

• Cheryl Stewart – HR Administrator and Lauren Ferrara, SR HR Generalist spoke to the City’s Group Health Insurance Plan. Separating the pharmacy plan from the group health insurance plan allows city to negotiate a better agreement and gives the city 100% of pharmacy rebates. Pharmacy represents 25% of employee health care expense.

City Manager Report:

• David Reyes, Community Services Administrator and Todd Engle, City Engineer, gave an update on Campus Drive, Gardens Park, Burns Road Aquatic Center and the new Par-3 Golf Course/Club House/new entry from Avenir at Sandhill Crane.
• City Manager Ferris
  • The City sent 16 personnel went to the Surfside site to assist between 7/5-7/10. It was very difficult and stressful but the personnel performed admirably. The City is no longer involved.
  • Municipalities have been having discussion about building safety and inspections with heightened awareness. While there is no mandatory inspection program in PBC, officials have been communicating and coming up with ideas for solutions. There is no one size fits all solution we’ll need some standard guidance from the legislature with differences for coastal, near-coastal and far-inland structures. The city issued letters to property owners of 24 properties (4 stories or more) to send copies of inspections (structural/electrical identifying deficiencies).
• Mr Reyes and Candice Temple, Public Media Relations Manager, played a video developed in-house highlighting the hurricane readiness teams, with the title “We’re Storm Ready, Are You?”. The video will be put on the website and other social media in the next week or so.

Consent Agenda passed 4:0

Resolution 29, 2021 – The proposed max millage rate for fiscal year 2021/22 will remain flat at 5.55 and the first budget hearing will be on Sept 8. Allan Owens, Finance Administrator presented. Passed 4:0

Resolution 34, 2021 – Master Fee Schedule annual update – most fees stayed the same.   Passed 4:0

Items for discussion:

Vice Mayor Reed – Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) update – Prosperity Road from Northlake to Donald ross will be repaved and a bike lane, not separated, will be put in. Council Member Tinsley reporting on last month’s TPA meeting (attending on behalf of Reed) commented on quiet zones and testing measures – construction underway

City Attorney Report – City Attorney Max Lohman said that the lawsuit between PBC and the city is still underway (re: mobility) and listed key actions happening in mid-August. Mayor Litt said that Boynton is moving ahead with their mobility plan as well.

Next PBG City Council Mtg on Thursday July 15 at 6pm

The next Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be this Thursday, July 15 at 6pm. Highlights include a presentation by State Senator Bobby Powell giving a post-session legislative update, a presentation on runway expansion and other improvements to North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport, and the setting of proposed max-millage rate of 5.550 – which is the same rate as the current year and will represent a tax increase due to increases in property values.

Announcements/Presentations:

• 2021 Post-Session Legislative Update – Senator Bobby Powell
• Gary Sypek, Deputy Director of Airports – Proposed Extension of Runway 14-32 and Related Improvements at the North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport
• Item G, under Consent, Group Health Insurance Plan (self-funded) and Pharmacy Benefits Manager

Consent Agenda includes:

• Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Software as a Service Agreement with Carahsoft Technology Corp. for OpenGov’s Budgeting and Planning Suite, and its Reporting and Transparency Platform for the Finance Department by accessing a State of Florida/National Association of State Procurement Officials – The total cost for the 5-year term of the Agreement will be $444,075.34. The annual software user licensing fee will remain fixed at $74,257.12 for the term of the Agreement.
• Resolution 37, 2021 – Palm Beach Workforce Development Consortium lnterlocal Agreement. Resolution 37, 2021 will be reaffirming, restating and reestablishing the intent to continue the operation of the multi-jurisdictional consortium between Palm Beach County and the municipalities of Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and South Bay.
• Resolution 39, 2021 – Authorizing the City Manager to approve Independent Contractor Agreements (ICAs) for the Recreation and Golf Divisions, as set forth in the Resolution. (This will permit the City Manager to approve contracts for golf professionals that exceed his current purchasing contract limit of $65k, the rationale being that waiting for City Council review/approval represents a hardship to those residents taking lessons from such professionals).
• Resolution 40, 2021 – Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a State Highway Lighting, Maintenance, and Compensation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation.
• Purchase Award – Group Health Insurance Plan and Pharmacy and Pharmacy Benefits Manager – Openly Competed – 3-year contract with 2 3-year options to renew. $1.145 Million for 3 year period.
• Purchase Award – Construction of New Pool – Openly Competed – Contract value – $2,457 Million
• Purchase Award – Life Insurance, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability – Openly Competed – 2 year contract with no option to renew – $411K

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Resolution 29, 2021 – Adopting a proposed maximum millage rate for the City of Palm Beach Gardens for FY 2021/2022, and setting the date, time, and place of the first public budget hearing. Once the tentative millage is filed with the County, these rates can be lowered at the budget hearings, but they cannot be increased. The detailed proposed line-item budget will be distributed to Council and the Budget Oversight Review Board under ****separate cover.... staff recommends the first public hearing be held on September 8, 2021. (****cannot find a link to this yet on the City Website)
• Resolution 34, 2021 – Adopting the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Fees and Charges Schedule. The modified and new fees would take effect October 1, 2021.

Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.