Next City Council Mtg on Thursday, Dec 2 at 6pm

The December City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 2nd at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Announcements/Presentations: Honda Classic

Consent Agenda:

• Resolution 66, 2021 – Approval of an agreement with the Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. for the 2022 Honda Classic PGA Golf Tournament to provide a public safety grant for Police and Fire Services and related staff services, and the use of specific portions of Parks, as described, for various parking facilities and general operations
• Resolution 67, 2021 – Supporting the Palm Beach County League of Cities’Reevaluation of Lake Okeechobee Operations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act Assessment for the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual.
• Resolution 68, 2021 – Conceptual approval for economic development incentives for Project Arapaima to include an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant and expedited permitting through the City’s Targeted Expedited Permitting Program. Project Arapaima is focused on medical equipment manufacturing and professional training and falls within the medical device/technology targeted industry for the city. “The company is evaluating key positions across the U.S. and determining whether it should expand a prominent division of its company in the City of Palm Beach Gardens….Project Arapaima is requesting an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant in the amount of $120,000 along with expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting Program. The company intends to create 40 new jobs in Palm Beach Gardens over the next three years, with the new jobs having an annual average wage of $100,000. A capital investment of $32 million will occur with the Project within three years to modify an existing building in the City of Palm Beach Gardens.”
• Purchase Award – Fire Department Data Reporting and Analytics Software – First year cost $108K; After the initial one-year term of the Agreement, the City will renew for additional one-year terms to cover the annual software license/subscription. These costs will be budgeted each year and paid by the Information Technology Department.
• Purchase Award – Local Courier Services – Openly Competed – 5 year contract with no option to renew – $135K

Public Hearings, Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Ordinances 13,14/2021 and companion Resolutions 60,61/2021 – Second Reading and Adoption – “modifications to approximately 2.08 acres within PGA National, immediately adjacent to the PGA Resort Core: change the land use designation from Golf (G) to Commercial (C); change the zoning designation from Planned Community Development (PCD) Overlay with underlying “golf uses” to Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay with underlying “hotel, recreational and incidental facilities related thereto”; and amend the PGA National Planned Community Development (PCD) Master Plan to transfer and reallocate the subject 2.08 acres from “Golf Courses” to the “PGA National Hotel & Clubs” parcel. The request also includes an amendment to the PGA Resort Core Planned Unit Development (PUD) Site Plan to include the additional 2.08 acres within the PUD boundary to modify existing facilities and provide new amenities”
• Resolution 69, 2021 – initiated by the City Council – Prohibiting the use of balloons and confetti products on public property, directing City Administration to negotiate “No Balloons and Confetti Products” provisions in applicable City contracts, and encouraging all residents and retail businesses within the City to reduce or eliminate the use of balloons and confetti products.

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

PGA Station Development Dominates Nov. Council Mtg

Several development projects were covered during the very long Nov 4 City Council meeting.

PGA Station was viewed by the council (and the developer) as integral to the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District within the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Resolution 62, 2021 outlined approval of a PUD Amendment to modify the uses on Pods Band C, including a new 8-story, 396-unit multi-family building with a 606-space parking garage on Pod B, modify Building 9 on Pod B, and revise Pod C to include a new 200,000-square-foot, 8-story office building with a separate 998-space parking garage that includes 7,049 square feet of retail space along the north and west facades of the parking garage. The PUD is 30.03 acres, located on the south side of PGA Boulevard, east side of RCA Boulevard, and west side of Alternate A1A. The Council was impressed with fact that 10% of the units proposed within the 396-unit apartment building are proposed to be provided at 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to meet workforce housing requirements. Staff has been working with the developers for over two years and are pleased with the outcome.  The resolution passed 5:0.

Northlake Square – 7 Eleven – Ordinance 12, 2021 and associate Resolution 58, 2021 passed 5:0. Public Comment was made by resident Ramona Bean, requesting clarification on the level of the EV charging stations (answer: Level 3). Brian Seymour also added that the developer is trying to see if AIPP (art in public places) can be placed on site. They are also waiting on permitting from the county for the planned right turn lane onto the property.

PGA National Resort – Ordinances 13/14, 2021 and associated Resolutions 60/61, 2021 – Council Member Tinsley recused herself from the deliberations due to her husband being a shareholder in WCI – who is doing the landscaping and traffic for the project. Two of the council members live in PGA National (Mayor Litt and Council Member Marciano) and they had slightly differing opinions of the proposed water slide and its impact on the golf course or its necessity. However the Ordinances passed on first reading 4:0.

Panther Pods 13 and 14 – Avenir’s Panther National was discussed in depth at a recent council meeting and on the agenda were Resolutions 55/56, 2021 – site plan approval for for a 27-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 26.82 acres and for a 52-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 41 .68 acres. The Council appreciated the clean, modern look proposed and the design book which specifically showed types of homes NOT permitted in the subdivisions. Passed 5:0. The golf course is already under construction and should be completed by the end of the year. A limited number of outside (the club) memberships will be allowed so the course will get some use before the homes come online in 2022.

Also covered at the meeting:

• Weiss School – CubeSat   update- the projects are no longer confined to the Weiss School. As a result of Covid, and the use of video conferencing, there was no need to limit participation to just the school. While the bulk of the participants are in Palm Beach County, students across the country are involved. They have incorporated as a 501C3, are raising their own funds and seeking grants.
• Police Chief Shannon recognized his team as 2021 1st Place Winner of the Florida Traffic Safety Challenge.
• Public Comment was made by Adrianne Pugh (sorry if mispelled) in support of the Proclamation on Family Court Awareness Month, and for the organization on which she is a board member – Families Against Court Travesties.
• Mayor Litt pulled the item highlighting the Proclamation on Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and proposed a new fund with dollars already in the Budget set for sponsorships. She proposed seeding the new “Housing Opportunity Program” with $5K. The fund would pays 1st and last months rent to move individuals from transitional housing into permanent housing. The council approved 5:0.
• City Manager Ferris reminded everyone about the Veterans’ Salute Celebration on Nov 11 at 11am at Veterans Plaza; enjoy a concert featuring the Florida National Guard 13th Army Band which will begin performing at 10am. He also said that the new date for activation of the new Bayhill traffic signal is 11/16.
• City Attorney Lohman gave an update on the continuing trial of the City vs PBC over Mobility Fees, which is underway.