No Balloons for You! No Waterslide for PGA Resort Either!

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The December Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting had more attendance and resident participation than has been seen in quite awhile. The two agenda items drawing public comment and engendering the most council discussion were the PGA National Resort Core modifications and the Council initiated resolution banning Balloons and Confetti products on City property.

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: As in first reading, Council Member Tinsley recused herself. Everyone else listed their ex partes with the project. Ken Tuma announced that the developers decided to remove the water slide element from the PGA Resort Core plans based on negative feedback from the community. Comments were made by PGA National residents Mike Gansell, Miles Cooley, Judy Torrey, Nancy Hennis, Keith Ahrnoheim, Karen Kantor and Nancy Wieseneck expressing concerns covering noise from the pool and expanded lazy river area, potential development of high rise hotel units, concerns about commercial zoning on their property values, and the need for more pickle ball courts in the community. Matt Moman – a new resident, appreciated the resort’s plans. Planning and Zoning Director, Natalie Crowley, addressed the commercial zoning which already existed on the property and the slightly larger increase in area by the proposed plans. The two ordinances, sans the water slide element and the two resolutions passed 4:0.  See the Palm Beach Post article on the modifications.

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 – generated additional discussion.

• Comment was made by Edward Evans, store team leader for Party City of WBP: He recognized the good intention but the resolution will negatively affect retailers in the area and may not be supported by most consumer constituents. Balloons create joy and are an affordable alternative for decorating and celebrating events. They’re not in the top 10 for cleanup lists. He had emailed the council copies of a balloon fact sheet. He did say it was a good idea to advocate for expanded consumer education.
• Vice Mayor Reed, the initiator of the resolution, countered that the City is committed to sustainable growth and we cannot risk damaging our resources. This is one of the areas where local government can still take a stand. So this is one of the few opportunities where the city can still exert home rule powers. 30 municipalities in FL have already done such a resolution. She also said it wasn’t a ban.
• Council Member Tinsley agreed that balloon can be a hazard to the environment along with a lot of other things on the streets. But there is a fine line, where does government start and stop? She was concerned about some of the wording in the resolution that may place police and/or the city manager in awkward situations. She also said that education on proper disposal could be placed in the city magazine. One can’t ask a retailer to not sell or reduce sale of something that is legally sold. Hospitals don’t allow flowers but do allow balloons – discouraging balloon use would be tough on that too. She wanted to eliminate section 5 and section in regard to city manager and reword to be encouraging and educating.
• Council Member Marciano reiterated his position on resolutions that he’s made in the past. That they don’t have a lot of standing and it just means discouraging use on city property.
• Council Member Woods said he’d be against if it were an ordinance, however trusts the City Manager to do the right thing and doesn’t see police having to enforce this.
• Mayor Litt made it clear that this resolution DOES BAN the use of balloons and glitter on city property. She pointed out that the resolution IS an administrative prohibition on City Property – the parks, outside at the rec center. The resolution will make the prohibition part of the permit process – just like can’t one can’t bring alcohol, one can’t bring balloons or confetti.

Passed 4:1 with Tinsley voting NO.

Also at the meeting:

• A moment of silence for Ryan Rogers
• Mayor Litt thanked all involved with the investigative work in finding the suspect
• A Honda Classic presentation introduced by Charlotte Brzezinkski, Leisure Services Administrator  with respect to Resolution 66, 2021 – an agreement with children’s healthcare charities in preparation for the Honda Classic, which is a boon to community and to the charities.  Ken Kennerly and Andrew George addressed the Council.
• Public Comment:  Resident Paul Lakind – said malls and city buildings are kept too cold; talked about local ways of reducing energy use since he believes climate change is the most serious problem facing our children and grandchildren
  
• City Manager Ferris listed the various Holiday Events (some of which have already occurred at the time of this writing) – see here for upcoming events.
• A somewhat heated discussion by Council Member Woods and the rest of the Council regarding the removal of the water slide.  He was concerned that the decision was made outside of the sunshine via individual phone calls to council members.   He felt that the decision to remove the slide should have been made on the dais.  City Attorney Lohman did not see a sunshine violation, since the council members didn’t discuss the issue amongst themselves.
• Council Member Tinsley suggested that the Council review  the proposed redistricting maps in January to ensure that the City isn’t divided into more than one district..