New City Council to be Sworn In on Thursday, April 6th at 7pm

A new City Council takes the reins on Thursday, April 6th at 7pm when term-limited Mayor Tinsley, Vice-Mayor Jablin and Council Member Premuroso step down and are replaced by newly elected Matthew Lane, Rachelle Litt and Mark Marciano. Council Members Maria Marino and Carl Woods were seated in 2016. While there is a light agenda, active residents may want to attend to see the transfer to the new council, swearing in and election by the council of the new Mayor, Vice Mayor and any discussion of future actions. This will happen right after the meeting is called to order and the roll call is taken.

Announcements/Presentations: National Congenital Diagphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month

Consent Agenda includes 3 Purchase Awards:

• Emergency Equipment for Police Vehicles – Piggyback/Access Contract for $116K – ” Each year the City purchases new police vehicles to replace the vehicles that are scheduled for replacement. The new replacement vehicles are not sold with installed sirens, light bars, etc. The City must purchase these items and their installation elsewhere.”
• Bunker Gear for Fire/Rescue Department – Piggyback/Access Contract for $114K
• Renovation and Repair of Splash Playground at Burns Rd Community Center – Piggyback/Access Contract for $130K. The splash playground is not currently in operation and must be repaired prior to re-opening.

City Manager Report – no details listed

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 12, 2017 and related Resolution 22, 2017 – Business Center at the Gardens – which passed 5:0 on First Reading.
• Ordinance 13, 2017 – a City-initiated Amendment to Chapter 78 – Land Development Regulations, to provide for the inclusion of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles into the City’s Land Development Regulations. CPTED has been a part of development reviews since 1998 but was never codified into the regulations. The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) approved this on March 7, 2017 7:0 and recommended approval by the Council.

Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting here.

Rachelle Litt wins the Group 5 Runoff

Congratulations to the winner in the Group 5 runoff election, Rachelle Litt, who won the race by 16 points, 58% to 42% over challenger Joe Russo.

The newcomers, including Ms. Litt, Dr. Mark Marciano and Matthew Lane, will be sworn in at the next Council meeting on April 6. The Mayor and other Council officers will be selected at that time.

Turnout for the race was 5235 – 13% of registered voters, and 83% of the turnout on 3/14. As runoffs go this was respectable as in the last March runoff in 2004, only 59% of the original voters returned to cast their ballot.

Group 5 Runoff
Strong Litt	Weak Litt	Very Close	Weak Russo	Strong Russo
Click the precinct on the map for vote totals.

1186	1426	196	14	132	64	67.3
1188	869	65	7	39	26	60.0
1189	75	17	23	0	17	0.0
1190	3166	248	8	112	136	45.2
1192	1476	160	11	94	66	58.8
1194	2023	390	19	264	126	67.7
1238	1667	288	17	195	93	67.7
1240	2479	341	14	231	110	67.7
1242	2490	459	18	290	168	63.3
1244	1544	200	13	118	82	59.0
1246	2380	282	12	168	112	60.0
1247	221	50	23	6	44	12.0
1248	1488	226	15	133	93	58.8
1250	61	3	5	3	0	100.0
1252	2355	797	34	356	441	44.7
1254	454	63	14	48	15	76.2
1260	1320	164	12	107	57	65.2
1266	478	5	1	1	4	20.0
1268	293	9	3	3	6	33.3
1272	1911	196	10	116	80	59.2
1274	1589	186	12	94	92	50.5
1280	396	39	10	25	14	64.1
1284	2290	153	7	86	67	56.2
1288	37	3	8	2	1	66.7
1290	2114	216	10	127	89	58.8
1292	67	9	13	5	4	55.6
1296	732	38	5	22	16	57.9
1324	1288	62	5	32	30	51.6
1326	553	77	14	45	32	58.4
1340	11	1	9	0	1	0.0
1352	2200	198	9	114	84	57.6
1360	883	94	11	47	46	50.5
1372	157	4	3	4	0	100.0
TOTAL	40513	5239	13	3019	2216	57.7

Vote in the Group 5 Run-Off Election on Tuesday March 28th!

Congratulations! 14% of us turned out for our City Council Elections on March 14th. But we’re not done. There is a run-off election for Group 5 between Rachelle Litt and Joe Russo on Tuesday March 28th. One of these WILL be on the Council – so it’s up to you to vote again! I’ve linked to their profile answers above, and if you want to do more research – look at responses from our forum here: Candidate Forum Synopsis with Videos for each question.

The polls are open from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday March 28th. There will be no lines! Here are the polling locations. Here is your sample ballot.

You’re active residents – please encourage your family, neighbors and friends to vote too!

Here is a detailed analysis of the March 14th election results. Congratulations to Group 1 winner Mark Marciano and Group 3 winner Matthew Lane.  And thanks to all the fine folks who gave of themselves to run for the Council.

We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do.

An Analysis of the 2017 PBG Council Election

The March 14 municipal elections in Palm Beach Gardens yielded a pair of winners – Dr. Mark Marciano in Group 1 and Matthew Lane in Group 3. No candidate got a majority in the four way race in Group 5, so Rachelle Litt and Joe Russo will meet in a runoff on 3/28.

In Group 1, the seat currently held by Bert Premuroso, Dr. Marciano performed strongly in most areas of the city, winning by 33 points with 66% of the vote. A long time participant in city government, Mark served on the budget committee for quite a few years and is a regular at city council meetings. His challenger, Michael Paolercio, a newcomer to city politics came closest in Frenchman’s Reserve and Creek, where he lives.

In Group 2, the seat currently held by Eric Jablin, Matthew Lane avoided a runoff in the three way race by capturing 50.2% – a majority by 13 votes. Matthew, who entered the race over a year ago has also been a regular at council meetings and is active in many local civic organizations. Of his two challengers, Quicken Loans founder and past Senate candidate Ron Berman did well in the Gardens last fall, but was a newcomer to city issues and that may have come across. Challenger Katie Gettinger has been active in local issues and a regular at council meetings, but her lightly funded campaign did not do any direct mail or put up signs, possibly limiting her exposure to the voters.

In Group 5, the seat currently held by Mayor Marcie Tinsley, Pharmacist Rachelle Litt and tech enterpreneur Joe Russo won 37% and 34% of the vote respectively, advancing to the runoff election on 3/28. Of the others in this four way race, challenger Kevin Easton, who has run for Council several times before and was a principal in advancing term limits in the Gardens, polled 9% while retired Attorney George Wicker won 20%. Mr. Wicker did especially well in BallenIsles (where he lives), getting 51% of the vote there, 41% of his total vote count. Mr. Wicker also won Frenchman’s Reserve and Creek by 12 votes over Rachelle Litt.

Group 1

---

Group 1
Strong Marciano	Weak Marciano	Very Close	Weak Paolercio	Strong Paolercio
Click the precinct on the map for vote totals.

Precinct	Registered	Votes Cast	Turnout %	Marciano	Paolercio	Marciano Margin
1186	1428	238	17	167	66	71.7
1188	867	68	8	41	26	61.2
1189	73	15	21	3	12	20.0
1190	3158	346	11	225	111	67.0
1192	1474	187	13	134	51	72.4
1194	2024	620	31	316	296	51.6
1238	1668	348	21	218	124	63.7
1240	2483	404	16	289	106	73.2
1242	2488	531	21	378	121	75.8
1244	1539	254	17	175	70	71.4
1246	2377	305	13	166	132	55.7
1247	221	51	23	9	40	18.4
1248	1488	259	17	169	82	67.3
1250	61	14	23	6	7	46.2
1252	2349	1010	43	544	332	62.1
1254	454	66	15	51	11	82.3
1260	1320	186	14	127	54	70.2
1266	479	5	1	2	3	40.0
1268	294	11	4	7	4	63.6
1272	1912	256	13	171	77	69.0
1274	1590	237	15	159	58	73.3
1280	396	47	12	26	21	55.3
1284	2287	184	8	135	42	76.3
1288	37	3	8	2	1	66.7
1290	2114	258	12	196	58	77.2
1292	67	24	36	22	2	91.7
1296	733	45	6	25	19	56.8
1324	1287	82	6	55	26	67.9
1326	553	79	14	61	17	78.2
1340	11	1	9	1		100.0
1352	2202	222	10	145	68	68.1
1360	882	116	13	71	41	63.4
1372	156	6	4	5		100.0
TOTAL	40492	6478	16	4101	2078	66.4

Group 3

---

Group 3
Strong Lane	Weak Lane	Very Close	Weak Berman/Gettinger	Strong Berman/Gettinger
Click the precinct on the map for vote totals.

Precinct	Registered	Votes Cast	Turnout %	Berman	Gettinger	Lane	Lane Margin
1186	1428	238	17	58	25	149	64.2
1188	867	68	8	18	27	22	32.8
1189	73	15	21	8	3	1	8.3
1190	3158	346	11	100	85	146	44.1
1192	1474	187	13	39	35	107	59.1
1194	2024	620	31	181	50	341	59.6
1238	1668	348	21	95	33	207	61.8
1240	2483	404	16	125	49	221	55.9
1242	2488	531	21	130	75	303	59.6
1244	1539	254	17	62	38	135	57.4
1246	2377	305	13	79	119	102	34.0
1247	221	51	23	40	2	7	14.3
1248	1488	259	17	72	75	103	41.2
1250	61	14	23	3	2	9	64.3
1252	2349	1010	43	417	90	394	43.7
1254	454	66	15	11	2	48	78.7
1260	1320	186	14	49	41	88	49.4
1266	479	5	1		1	4	80.0
1268	294	11	4	4	5	2	18.2
1272	1912	256	13	74	69	105	42.3
1274	1590	237	15	66	73	87	38.5
1280	396	47	12	13	12	20	44.4
1284	2287	184	8	51	36	87	50.0
1288	37	3	8			3	100.0
1290	2114	258	12	65	47	142	55.9
1292	67	24	36	4	6	9	47.4
1296	733	45	6	19	17	9	20.0
1324	1287	82	6	28	22	32	39.0
1326	553	79	14	16	17	43	56.6
1340	11	1	9	1			0.0
1352	2202	222	10	59	46	106	50.2
1360	882	116	13	29	35	50	43.9
1372	156	6	4	2	2	2	33.3
TOTAL	40492	6478	16	1918	1139	3084	50.2

Group 5

---

Group 5
Strong Litt	Weak Litt	Very Close	Weak Russo	Strong Russo
Click the precinct on the map for vote totals.

Precinct	Registered	Votes Cast	Turnout %	Easton	Litt	Russo	Wicker	Litt/Russo Margin
1186	1428	238	17	20	127	61	24	67.6
1188	867	68	8	13	22	23	10	48.9
1189	73	15	21		2	13		13.3
1190	3158	346	11	32	119	153	31	43.8
1192	1474	187	13	10	70	73	28	49.0
1194	2024	620	31	53	186	132	198	58.5
1238	1668	348	21	17	161	104	54	60.8
1240	2483	404	16	17	206	132	43	60.9
1242	2488	531	21	25	242	169	77	58.9
1244	1539	254	17	17	104	110	20	48.6
1246	2377	305	13	59	111	97	35	53.4
1247	221	51	23		3	40	8	7.0
1248	1488	259	17	31	104	89	35	53.9
1250	61	14	23	2	6	2	4	75.0
1252	2349	1010	43	11	172	307	515	35.9
1254	454	66	15	4	30	21	10	58.8
1260	1320	186	14	42	69	58	16	54.3
1266	479	5	1			4	1	0.0
1268	294	11	4	1	2	3	5	40.0
1272	1912	256	13	72	76	84	22	47.5
1274	1590	237	15	37	71	110	15	39.2
1280	396	47	12	7	19	14	5	57.6
1284	2287	184	8	11	89	61	18	59.3
1288	37	3	8			2	1	0.0
1290	2114	258	12	21	107	93	32	53.5
1292	67	24	36		5	15	1	25.0
1296	733	45	6	12	21	9	3	70.0
1324	1287	82	6	10	19	44	8	30.2
1326	553	79	14	8	41	27	3	60.3
1340	11	1	9			1		0.0
1352	2202	222	10	25	88	86	21	50.6
1360	882	116	13	18	41	37	20	52.6
1372	156	6	4	3	2	1		66.7
TOTAL	40492	6478	16	578	2315	2175	1263	51.6

You Passed Term Limits – Now Vote on March 14th!

Almost 80% of the Gardens’ voters in 2014 passed Term Limits. Over 16,000 of us voted for it. So now – it’s time to repeat that kind of voter turnout on Tuesday and select 3 new members for our City Council, rather than the abysmal turnout numbers, (3500-5000 voters) typical in our Municipal Elections. Our local government impacts all of us daily; think about safety, traffic, parks, taxes, ordinances, regulations, policies and practices.

We have good candidates – but they’re not identical in experience or outlook and you have more than enough information to make an informed decision. If you haven’t had an opportunity to meet the candidates or research them, then please check out our

• Candidate Profiles
• Candidate Forum Synopsis with Videos for each question
• Martino Minute – Educate Yourself, Pick Your Favorite and Vote on March 14th!

The polls are open from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday March 14th. There will be no lines! Here are polling locations. Here is your sample ballot.

You’re active residents – please encourage your family, neighbors and friends to vote too!

Is it Architecture or Art, Plus Council Goodbyes

This, the last full Council meeting for three of the members, began with heartfelt thanks and goodbyes from Council Member Premuroso, Vice Mayor Jablin and Mayor Tinsley during Items of Resident Interest. See Sarah Peter’s article here.

Comments from the Public also were related to their upcoming departure, with former Mayor Joe Russo, Tom Cairnes of the PGA Corridor, Joseph R Russo and Joanie Elias all thanking the departing council and recounting memories and accomplishments.

Resolution 30, 2017 sparked the most fireworks at a Council meeting in quite awhile. Mayor Tinsley had asked that the item be moved to immediately following 2nd reading and adoption of Ordinance 9, 2017 and its associated Resolution 20, 2017 which approved the Gardens Corporate Center PUD – with two eleven story office buildings and a three story garage for the NE corner of PGA Blvd and Alt A1A. The corporate center was approved 5:0 with pyramids (shown in the picture). The controversy arose over the applicant’s request to consider the two pyramids atop the office buildings as art, to meet the AIPP (Art in Public Places) requirement for the complex. The City requires that 1% of the cost of the $40 million project be alloted to AIPP. The cost of the two pyramids atop the buildings come out to almost $1 million, thus over twice the amount needed to meet the AIPP requirements. However staff disagreed strenuously that the pyramids were an intrinsic part of the buildings and in the approval of related waivers (eg height) and were NOT art. The disagreement began immediately with a request by the developer’s representative to postpone the Resolution 30, 2017 to the May City Council meeting. This would mean that an entirely new Council would be hearing the request, while the current Council – which had been involved with the project and just approved it, would have no say. After hearing arguments on both sides, Council Member Woods wanted to postpone to the May meeting, and Council Member Marino also wanted postponement as well. Vice Mayor Jablin made a motion to not postpone the discussion. The motion passed 3:2 with Marino and Woods voting nay.

Both the developer and staff then made their presentations. The developer made his case based on lack of functionality of the pyramids, that the Corporate Center’s site was not visible to the public while the pyramids would be seen by those driving in any direction, and that they were designed by an artist. Staff reiterated that the building approvals were obtained with the pyramids there, that one of the requirements of AIPP is that the artwork be unique (but the buildings are inspired by almost identical building pair in Miami where the pyramids were not counted as art), and that a 2007 ordinance specifically rejects architectural features as art. After much discussion, the Council voted 5:0 to reject the applicant’s request. Council Member Woods did offer compromise suggestions saying that perhaps the developer could do something art-related with the water wall. However staff was quick to point out that the water wall itself was not art and that an art element would have to be added. But that is for a future discussion with the new council.

All other Ordinances and Resolutions passed 5:0 with little discussion. Kathryn Gettinger made comments regarding Ordinances 7 and 8 2017 raising her concerns about the regulations with respect to wheel stops and parking on the grass. George Wicker, on the board at Ballenisles spoke in favor of Resolution 21, 2017 amending documents for the development.

There were no City Manager and City Attorney reports.

2017 PBG Council Candidate Forum Synopsis

On February 28, PBG Watch, along with the Palm Beach County Tea Party, the Republican Club of the Northern Palm Beaches, the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches, and the North County Democratic Club hosted a candidate forum for the City Council election.

Moderated by WJNO Radio Host Brian Mudd, 9 candidates for three seats answered questions on a variety of current issues. The questions were drawn from a list of 18 in-depth topics that were provided to the candidates before the event.

The candidates are:

Mark Marciano	Michael Paolercio	Ron Berman	Kathryn Gettinger	Matthew Lane
Group 1		Group 3
Kevin Easton	Rachelle Litt	Joe Russo	George Wicker
Group 5

Present for the forum was current Councilpersons Maria Marino and Carl Woods, and Former Gardens Mayors Eric Jablin, David Levy, Joe Russo, Mike Martino, Linda Monroe, and Walter Wiley..

The meeting was kicked off by PBG Watch Co-founder Iris Scheibl, who introduced the leaders of the other sponsoring groups including Mel Grossman, President of Palm Beach County Tea Party, Mary Therese Delate, President of the North County Democratic Club, Marilyn Parmet, President of the Republican Club of the Northern Palm Beaches, Fran Hancock, President of the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches and Fred Scheibl, co-founder of PBG Watch who introduced moderator Brian Mudd. Timekeeping duties were performed by Barbara Grossman of the Palm Beach County Tea Party.

Below you will find a summary of the event, with the questions that were asked, and a link to a video of that section of the forum.

Next City Council Mtg on Thursday March 2nd

The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, March 2nd, at 7pm in City Hall.  This meeting will be the last full meeting for 3 of our Council – Mayor Tinsley, Vice Mayor Jablin and Council Member Premuroso. The elections are on March 14 and the new members will be seated at the April meeting. Reminder – Tuesday, February 28th is our Council Candidate Forum . See our detailed candidate profiles and our Voters’ Guide with links to additional information.

Announcements/Presentations: none listed

Consent Agenda includes:

• Resolution 10, 2017 – Lease for the Engine 6 and Engine 7 Replacements from Ten-8 Equipment, Inc. and financed through Leasing 2, Inc. The lease term is for seven years, with a one-year delay in start of payments and the total cost is $1,323,476.
• Resolution 29, 2017 – A Resolution in opposition of HB 7005 (2017), titled Economic Programs. HB 7005 repeals specified economic programs, such as Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI}, Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation (Visit Florida), and the Quick Action Closing Fund. Additionally, it transfers all duties, functions, records, pending issues, existing contracts, administrative authority, administrative rules, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations and other public funds related to the programs in EFI and Visit Florida to the Department of Economic Opportunity.
• Purchase Award – for Community Services Department for Tires and Related Services – a piggyback/access contract for 2 years for $300K
• Purchase Award – for Fire/Rescue for Public Safety Uniforms, openly bid for 5 years, with option to renew for 5 years, in the amount of $379K.
• Purchase Award – for Golf Department for Lighting for the Golf Course Driving Range – a piggyback/access contract for $192K

City Manager Report – no details listed

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Second Reading and Adoption of the following Ordinances (and accompanying Resolutions as applicable):
  • Ordinance 8, 2016 which had first reading Nov. 16, 2016 – EAR BASED AMENDMENT – changes to the Comprehensive Plan elements
  • Ordinance 1 and 2, 2017 – Trevis Isles
  • Ordinance 7, 2017 – Land Developement Regulations amendment
  • Ordinance 8, 2017 – Property Maintenance Standards (Chapter 79) amendments
  • Ordinance 9, 2017 – Gardens Corporate Center PUD ‘replacement’
  • Ordinance 10, 2017 – Budget Amendment for FY2017 – An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016/17 budget to record the issuance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Public Improvement Bond, Series 2017, and projected One-Cent Infrastructure Sales Surtax revenue from January 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017.
• New Business
  • Resolution 21, 2017 – A request from the Ballenlsles Community Association to amend the side setback standard for screen enclosures and patio decks for residential properties in Parcel One, the Coral Cay neighborhood, of the Ballenlsles Planned Community Development (PCD).
  • Ordinance 12, 2017 – First Reading for Business Center at the Gardens – Rezoning, Planned Unit Development (PUD) Site Plan, and Major Conditional Use Public Hearing and Consideration for Approval: A request from Riverside Drive Investors, LLC to rezone a 3.44-acre parcel of land from Light Industrial (M1A) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay with an underlying zoning designation of M1A, along with Site Plan approval for an 18,650-square-foot laboratory/research and development building, and Major Conditional Use approval for a three story, 99,183-square-foot self-storage building.
  • Resolution 24, 2017 – A request from Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club, Inc. to amend the Planned Community Development (PCD) Master Plan to modify the existing configuration of the golf course to construct a new short-game course and reconfigure certain areas of the upland preserve within the Frenchman’s Reserve PCD. Frenchman’s Reserve PCD is located on the east side of Alternate A1A at the intersection of Hood Road and Alternate A1A.
  • Resolution 23, 2017 – A request from Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club, Inc. for approval to amend the Site Plan for the existing Frenchman’s Reserve Clubhouse site to allow a 3, 128-square-foot expansion to the existing fitness center and spa; the construction of a new 1,590-squarefoot one-story tennis center building; a new 6,750-square-foot one-story restaurant building; a new 1,975-square-foot golf teaching facility; updates to the clubhouse architecture; an additional porte-cochere; a new splash pad; and associated modifications to the parking lot.
  • Resolution 30, 2017 – A request from Gardens Corporate Center, LLC for approval of two pyramid-shaped building rooftop architectural elements located at the top of two proposed 11-story professional office buildings in the Gardens Corporate Center Planned Unit Development (PUD) Phase 2 to serve as Art in Public Places. The applicant is requesting that the rooftop elements be considered AIPP. Staff does not agree, says that those elements are integral to the architecture of the 2 buildings (approved in Ordinance 9 and related Resolution above) and recommends DENIAL of Resolution 30, 2017 as presented.

Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting here.

“Artistry”, Art, Live Theater and $30 Million Bond Awarded to PNC Bank

This month’s agenda was long and so was the City Council Meeting – however all was completed within about 3 hours and all items were passed 5:0 except for the Second Reading of Ordinance 3, 2017 which passed 3:2, as it did on First Reading.  Mayor Tinsley and Council Member Premuroso both voted against, citing that their concerns and comments were unchanged from last month.  A brief summary follows of key discussion items.

Presentations:

City Attorney Lohman gave an overview of a draft ordinance on how to deal with reasonable accomodation for disabilities. While applicable to Sober Homes, the ordinance would apply to all and would entail a set of procedures, annual recertification and associated regulatory costs. The State Legislature is also proposing bills as part of their Sober Homes Task Force. See Sarah Peters’ article: How a new rule could help gardens keep tabs on sober homes. 

Items of Resident Interest:   Council Member Marino (and the rest of the Council) was pleased that in his annual presentation to the PGA Corridor Association, Dr. Hank Fishkind praised and supported the Council’s decision to go for a $30 million bond at this time, citing low interest rates.

City Manager Report:   City Manager Ferris summarized two golf-related events and then gave examples of Code Compliance success stories, and in the case of those unable to afford to bring their properties up to compliance, the coordination of volunteers to help achieve it.

Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Resolution 14, 2017 awarded the issuance of the $30 million bond to PNC Bank National Association. Their proposal was the most competitive of those submitted. Finance Administrator Allan Owens also reiterated Dr. Fishkind’s endorsement of bonding the sales tax revenue. The 3 year spending requirement was summarized once again.  Municipal Bonds are tax exempt and any funds remaining at the end of the 3 years can’t be invested at higher yields than gotten from the bonds.  Resident Kathryn Gettinger asked about the specificity of the list of projects and what happens if the County land can’t be purchased. Mayor Tinsley confirmed that the list of projects identified last month were the projects to which the money would be allocated and that progress was being made on the County’s land. Mr. Owens, in replying to a similar question also said the list was solidified but the specific costs for each project could and would be adjusted as actual costs came in.  
• Ordinance 10, 2017 placed the proceeds of the bond into a single capital improvement fund to be applied to the projects codified last month, with the addition of the Tennis Center.
• The most major modification in Ordinance 7, 2017 fixing the ‘glitch’ list on the Land Use Regulations, last updated in 2013, was a new section on Valet Parking. There was discussion among the council members on how quickly to implement and enforce the new regulations. Most felt that the proposed date of October, 2017 would allow the affected centers and businesses to be informed, apply and conform to the changes.
• First reading of Ordinance 9, 2017 repealed the original plans for the project from 2001 for the Intersection of PGA and Alternate A1A and introduced the new plans for 2 Eleven Story professional office buildings with a 3 story parking garage in between. The Council praised the artistic nature of the buildings and the picture here shows the view of the buildings from the PGA Flyover.  
• Speaking of art – Resolution 17, 2017 now permits the PGA Multiplex Cinema to have live entertainment. While no new dining options are planned, other than the usual movie theater concession choices, the owner does plan to come forward in the future to seek wine and beer licensing. Two of the six theaters will be used for live entertainment performances (such as musicals, comedians and small plays) with matinee and evening shows.
• Art (in Public Places) was also discussed in Resolution 19, 2017 which approved the latest Artistic Sculpture by Mark Fuller to be placed on Donald Ross parkway buffer adjacent to Alton PCD. The only modification made to the Ordinance was to have the sculpture lit from dusk to dawn. The stainless steel sculpture is of an Ethane Molecule.
• Resolution 18, 2017 approved “Artistry”, which is the new 469 Single Family home community as part of the Alton PCD. Homes will range from $750K-$1.5 Million on the Parcel G site west of I-95.

Next City Council Mtg on Thursday, Feb. 9th at 7pm

The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, February 9th, at 7pm in City Hall. Thursday’s agenda is once again very long. Is it because staff and every developer in the Gardens is rushing to get their 2017 business accomplished by March, while they still know who will be on the Council? Nevertheless it will be difficult to complete in the usual time. Residents and businesses may want to read Ordinances 7 and 8 described below.

Announcements/Presentations includes a presentation by City Attorney Lohman called ‘reasonable accomodation request’. No additional detail is provided.

Consent Agenda includes:

• A Purchase award for Emergency Debris and Disaster Recovery Services, openly competed and of unknown value for 5 years. “The City’s current contract for Emergency Debris and Disaster Recovery Services expired December 31, 2016. A replacement contract is needed to allow the City the ability to provide debris management and recovery services during emergency events. These services are provided under strict guidelines mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that allows for reimbursement for proper and appropriate charges. This is a contingent contract with an unknown dollar value that will only be activated in the event of an emergency such as a storm, hurricane, wildfire, etc.”
• A Piggyback/Access contract with Macmillan Oil for Gasoline/Diesel for 3 years in the amount of $2 million.
• Two Braun ambulances that were leased under Resolution 101, 2012 are due for replacement in January 2018. The manufacturer needs one year in advance to manufacture and deliver the ambulances, so the procurement action must take place a year in advance. The total cost for the two vehicles is $647K.
• Those following high-speed rail may be interested to read a resolution in support of “Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act”. ” The public purpose and intent of the “Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act”, SB 386 (2017) filed by Senator Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne) and HB 269 (2017) filed by Representative Marylynn Magar (R-Hobe Sound), is to give the State of Florida and local governments some regulatory control over high-speed passenger rail systems insofar as such authority is not preempted by federal laws or regulations.

City Manager Report – no details listed

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Second Reading and Adoption of: Balsama Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment; Balsamo Rezoning; Ordinance 3, 2017 – Budget Amendment with over $3 million in new spending taken from Budget Stabilization Reserve Account; Redefinition and recreation of the Budget Oversight Review Board (to include the Sales Tax Surtax).
• Resolution 14, 2017 Authorizing the issuance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Public Improvement Bond, Series 2017, in an amount not-to-exceed $30,000,000 to finance construction of certain infrastructure projects, (which were discussed and approved in Resolution 12, 2017 in the January meeting, spending 85% of the $30 million bond covering the $35 million expected 10-year revenue from the Infrastructure Sales Surtax in 3 years.) “Signing of the Bond documents is scheduled for February 27, 2017, with funding to occur on February 28, 2017.”
• Ordinance 10, 2017, First Reading of a Budget Amendment directly related to Resolution 14, 2017. “This amendment records the $30,000,000 par amount of the Bond as Other Financing Sources and the estimated Costs of Issuance in the amount of $65,000, as reflected on Exhibit “1” attached to the Ordinance. This budget amendment further establishes the initial Capital Improvement Budget for the infrastructure projects to be funded with the Tax in the amount of $29,935,000, which is the net amount deposited into the Fund after deducting the Costs of Issuance”….the City of Palm Beach Gardens’ share of the sales tax surtax “would be $3,123,250 annually, or approximately $260,000 monthly. Accordingly, this budget amendment records $2,340,000 of Tax Revenue for the period from January 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017 (9 months X $260,000 = $2,340,000), as reflected on the attached Exhibit “1 “. These funds will be held in Designated Reserves to be used for debt service payments on the Bond that will begin in FY 2018.
• Ordinance 7, 2017 A City-initiated request to amend various sections of the City’s Land Development Regulations, Chapter 78. Note – while much of this ordinance is described as cleanup in nature – there are new sections (such as for valet parking, parking and storage of portable units) and changes to existing (such as for garage sales, what defines artwork, landscaping, signage, parking (spaces, striping, bumpers), as well as changes to definitions. These modifications were approved by the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board on January 10, 2017. However businesses, HOAs and residents should probably skim to see if impacted.
• Ordinance 8, 2017 – An amendment to Chapter 79. Property Maintenance Standards. The amendment has modifications to almost every paragraph of the existing chapter. Since this impacts every property in Palm Beach Gardens – everyone who has property should read it.
• Ordinance 9, 2017 – the applicant is requesting a total repeal of previously approved plans for Gardens Corporate Center PUD (the NE Corner of PGA Blvd and Alt A1A) for 2 six-story buildings and a six-story parking garage and replacing the plans with 2 eleven-story buildings and a three-story parking garage between them.
• Resolution 15, 2017 – A request for approval from Ballenlsles Country Club, Inc. for a Site Plan Amendment allowing modifications to the Clubhouse Site Plan to provide for a 23,287 -square-foot expansion of the existing clubhouse, and an additional one- (1) story, 2,997-square-foot administration building located on the Clubhouse site (Parcel 28) of the Ballenlsles Planned Community Development (PCD)
• Resolution 16, 2017 – The subject request is to modify the approved Corporate Center at the Gardens Planned Unit Development (PUD) Master Signage Program and request a waiver for an additional tenant wall sign to be located on the north elevation of Building A. The site is located on the northwest corner of Northcorp Parkway and RCA Boulevard, immediately east of Interstate 95.
• Resolution 17, 2017 – A request from Arctic Holdings, LLC requesting an expansion of an existing Major Conditional Use to allow live entertainment in the existing multiplex cinema building in the Loehmann’s Plaza, located on the southwest corner of PGA Boulevard and RCA Boulevard, east of Interstate 95. Here is Sarah Peters’ story on this from last month.
• Resolution 18, 2017 – The subject petition is a request for a Site Plan approval to construct a 469 single-family unit residential neighborhood on the 206-acre Parcel G neighborhood district within the Alton PCD. The neighborhood will be a gated residential subdivision with a clubhouse and amenities and 61 acres of upland preserve areas with accessible trails.
• Resolution 19, 2017 – Alton PCD is requesting approval of a “Gateway” art piece to be located along Donald Ross Road within 55-foot PCD Buffer easement on Parcel B of the Alton PCD. The piece will be located on the south side of the meandering sidewalk along Donald Ross Road, just east of the pedestrian bench. The proposed art piece is a “ball and stick” sculpture representation of the Ethane molecule.

Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting here.  

« Previous Page — Next Page »