Next City Council Mtg on Thursday October 7 at 6pm

The October City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 7 at 6pm.   You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Presentations: Funding for countywide mobility by Nick Uhren, Director PBC TPA.

Consent Agenda includes

• Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year Small Enterprises Agreement (County and Municipal Governments) with Environmental Systems Research Institute Incorporated (ESRI) for a Geographic Systems Enterprise License for the Planning & Zoning Department’s GIS Division. Max $152K, This Resolution authorizes the City Manager to execute future license renewals, as is the normal practice with other proprietary software application agreements.
• Resolution 60, 2021: Lease Purchase of a Combination Pumper from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC under a Contract with the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program and Financed by Truist Bank for a Period of 10 Years. Total Contract Price: $876,207.40
• Purchase award – Design and Construction of Aquatics Center DEPARTMENT: Community Services Building at Burns Road Community Center – openly competed – $2.6 million
• Purchase award – Power Store Data Storage Appliance – piggy back/access contract, $97k

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Ordinance 12, 2021 First reading – McPhail Associates, LLLP is requesting approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plan Rezoning of Northlake Square, which encompasses 3.89 acres, as well as a PUD Site Plan and a Major Conditional Use approval for a new convenience store with gas sales and an accessory car wash on 1.76 acres. The property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Congress (old Applebee’s site). Accompanying companion resolution 58, 2021
• Resolution 53, 2021 – Agreement between
  the City and the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, IAFF, Inc., for Fiscal Years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024. Agreement includes: “Starting the first full pay period beginning on or after October 1, 2021 , all employees will receive a wage adjustment to their base salary as a result of being slotted into the current pay ranges, resulting in an average increase of 7.5 percent. In the second and third years of the Agreement, starting the first full pay period beginning on or after October 1, 2022, and 2023, all employees
  will receive a 2 percent market adjustment to base salary, and in addition, a 3 percent increase to base salary up to the maximum for their position. The pay range minimums and maximums for all positions will be increased by 2 percent in the second and third years of the Agreement. The new salary plan eliminates the lump sum payments for those who exceed the maximum salary of their position’s pay range, re-allocating those funds for the first year’s slotting and wage adjustments. The proposed salary increases will cost a total of approximately $2,868,875 over the three-year Agreement, including pension, FICA, and paramedic pay adjustments.
• Several appointments to advisory boards.

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

Flat millage at 5.55 and Outdoor Seating Improvements Passed

The Sept 22 PBG City Council meeting began with remarks by Police Chief Clint Shannon, honoring the four Police Explorers who participated in the annual Florida Association of Police Explorers competition.  Palm Beach Gardens won first overall, as well as placing well in specific challenges.  The City’s team competed against 20 other Explorer Posts from around the state.

Mayor Litt then segued to the topic of the night, the setting of the millage rate and the FY 2021/2022 Budget.  Apparently nerves were struck when the Palm Beach Post questioned sources of funding for the new golf course and/or residents suggested that flat millage in a time of increasing values is a tax increase.  So prior to the actual resolution and ordinance discussions, the Mayor described the City’s various reserves, the use of Cares Act funding, the usage made of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, and how much of what the City accomplished in giving back to business and residents came from the City’s reserves.  The Mayor has posted her commentary on Facebook.

Resolution 36, 2021 – Adopting the Tax Levy and Millage Rate – comprised the bulk of the discussion by Council.  Council Members Tinsley and Marciano, as they did at the first hearing, asked the Council to consider a minor reduction in millage to 5.50 to give back to the taxpayers.  Mayor Litt, Vice Mayor Reed and Council Member Woods again insisted that they were NOT raising taxes*, that they were giving back to the people and businesses that the City determined really needed it in the midst of a pandemic, highlighted the importance of  a ‘stable’ tax rate, and were disappointed that Palm Beach Gardens was not lauded for keeping millage flat, while nearby Lake Park was. (* when property valuations go up and millage remains flat, the $$ you pay in taxes goes up – thus it is a tax increase, however modest).  The vote on the millage was 3:2 with Tinsley/Marciano voting NO.  See the Palm Beach Post article on the discussion in their article entitled “Palm Beach Gardens narrowly passes budget, OKs using federal grant to help build golf course”

Ordinance 8, 2021 – Adopts the Budget for FY 2021/2022 – no further discussion as the issue was not with the Budget.  Vote 5:0

Ordinance 10, 2021 – 2nd Reading and Adoption of the modifications to Outdoor Seating and related parking requirements which passed 5:0 on first hearing. Vote – 5:0

Next month Nick Uhren, Executive Director of the Palm Beach TPA will be giving a presentation about Mobility

2nd Sept City Council Mtg and Final FY 2021/2022 Budget Hearing on Wed 2/22 at 6pm

The final required Budget Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 PBG City Budget will be held on Wed., Sept 22 at 6pm. The first hearing was held on Wed, 9/8. See our summary of the first meeting: “Same Old Budget Hearing But Innovations on Outdoor Restaurant Seating“.  The agenda is fairly short.  If you can’t make the meeting, you can watch it livestreamed or after the fact.

Presentations:

• Palm Beach Gardens Police Explorers – First Place at State Competition – this was postponed from a prior council meeting.

Consent Agenda includes:

• Purchase Award – Property and Casualty Insurance Program – Openly competed – 2yr contract with no option to renew – $3.6 million dollars

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Resolution 36, 2021 – Adopting the tax levy and millage rate
• Ordinance 8, 2021 – 2nd reading and adoption of the budget for FY 2021/2022
• Ordinance 10, 2021 – 2nd reading and adoption of the modifications to Outdoor Seating and related parking requirements which passed 5:0 on first hearing.

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

Same Old Budget Hearing But Innovations on Outdoor Restaurant Seating

The City Council held its first FY 2021/2022 Budget Hearing.  Despite compelling arguments from both Council Members Marciano and Tinsley to slightly lower the proposed millage to 5.50 from 5.55, Mayor Litt, Vice-Mayor Reed and Council Member Woods voted to raise taxes. As has been the same every year, since 2015 – which is the last time millage was lowered, various council members pride themselves on holding taxes flat. Except in rare times of flat or lowering valuations, this is UNTRUE. Flat millage with raising valuations is A TAX INCREASE. Scoffing at the concept of a discussion over savings to the hypothetical house valued at $450K of $20, they seemed to forget that the money comes from the people, and as Marciano said (and has said in the past) – the purpose of the city government is not to be a bank. This is our money. Public comment was made by resident Mary Lynn Manning requesting that the millage be set to the rollback rate. She added that while understanding that the city had no oversight of the schools, that without first rate schools the outstanding city would be lacking. That said – the final vote to keep millage flat was 4:1 with Council Member Marciano voting No. Ordinance 8, 2021, approving the proposed budget on first hearing passed 5:0.

Read Joel Englehardt’s On Gardens Post entitled Palm Beach Gardens Tax Revolt Fails by One Vote, for a blow by blow description of the budget portion of the meeting. Here is also a link to Finance Director Allan Owens’ presentation.

Ordinance 10, 2021 introduced a proposal, presented by Martin Fitts, Principal Planner, planning division, to modernize and streamline the process for outdoor restaurant seating and related parking requirements. The public’s preferences for outdoor dining choices as a result of Covid-19 and different types of dining venues, led the City to review it’s current policies. The current process to request outdoor seating by administrative petition takes about 4 weeks and costs $550. The proposed process would be a permit process costing $150 with more liberal options for the restaurants and their locations. The proposal was met with strong approval by the council. The primary concern was to make sure that restaurants affected by the current procedures expiring on Sept 30 be informed and be allowed sufficient time to qualify under the new permitting process. Planning and Zoning Director Natalie Crowley assured the council that everyone would be informed and she praised Mr. Fitts for his work. The ordinance passed 5:0

Other business:

• Ordinance 9, 2021 passed 5:0 on second reading/adoption – it passed 5:0 on first reading last month
• Charlotte Brzezinkski Leisure Services Administrator announced several honors received by the Parks and Recreation department and specifically called out Wendy Tatum, Director of Tennis & Pickleball and Andi Mohl, Recreation Supervisor – Tennis Business Operations for the Tennis Center’s receiving of a 2021 USTA (US Tennis assoc) Outstanding Facility Award. Also several staff members received the CPI (certified parks and recreation professional designation): Daniel Prieto, deputy leisure services administrator, Andi Mohl, tennis operations manager and earlier (due to covid) Tim Ford, Monette Preston and Ashley Shipman.
• Mayor Litt acknowledged Firefighter Christina Krakowski and Jodi Kalish, Police Officer for their part in the podcast ‘The Woman Effect’ making it in a male dominated industry by/for Palm Beach North Chamber.
• City Attorney Max Lohman said that the city was progressing with its Mobility case with the county – filing answers and counter-claims (the city counter sued county), described some discovery issues and scheduling depositions.
• City Manager Ferris said that the latest interlocal agreement with the County had been submitted regarding the Bayhill/Northlake traffic signal and that the County should give approval and the City was ready to go next week with installing the signal.

The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday September 22 at 6pm – primarily as the 2nd Reading and Adoption of the millage and the FY 2021/2022 Budget.

First Budget Hearing and City Council Mtg on Wednesday, 9/8 at 6pm.

There will be two PBG City Council meetings in September due to the first and second public hearings of the 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Budget approval process. The two meetings will be held on Wednesday Sept 8 at 6pm and Wednesday Sept 22. The change in meeting days are to avoid conflict with other county budget hearings. See our related analysis of the proposed budget “PBG 3.3% Tax Increase Actually Less than Inflation“.  If you can’t make the meeting, you can watch it livestreamed or after the fact.

Presentations include various recognition for Parks and Recreation.

Consent Agenda includes:

• Resolution 52, 2021:  A Resolution approving the plat for National Express Wash Northlake, located on the north side of Northlake Boulevard, approximately 200 feet west of Sunrise Drive
• Purchase Award – Lease of Backhoe and Skid Steers – Piggyback/Access Contract – 3 yrs with no option to renew – total contract – $152K
• Purchase Award – Stop Loss Insurance – “Stop loss insurance is used by the City to support the goals of the self-funded Group Health Insurance Program and to mitigate large insurance claims” – openly competed. One year contract with option to renew 5 times (1x each year) – $560K

Public Hearings – Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 8, 2021 – On July 15, 2021 , Council approved Resolution 29, 2021 , setting the maximum tentative operating millage rate for FY 2021/2022 at 5.55 mills which is the same as last year. The proposed operating millage of 5.55 is 2.3 percent above the roll-back rate of 5.4253. Total sources for all funds are $217,591 ,100, consisting of total estimated balances carried forward of $63,896,629 and projected total revenues of $153,694,471 . Total sources of funds are balanced with projected total expenditures of $153,321,554 and ending reserves of $64,269,546, for a total use of funds of $217,591,100. The second and final public hearing on the budget is scheduled for September 22, 2021.  See our post (mentioned above), as well as Joel Englehardt’s piece entitled “Gardens Budget: What You Pay and Where It Goes “
• Ordinance 9, 2021 – 2nd reading and Adoption – An amendment to Chapter 66. Taxation at Sections 66-59 and 66-60 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. 1st reading passed 5:0 on August 5th City Council Mtg
• Ordinance 10, 2021 – 1st reading – A City-initiated request to amend Chapter 78 – Land Development, Article V – Supplementary District Regulations, Section 78-191 – Outdoor Seating and Section 78-345 – Number of parking spaces required. City Manager Ferris had said awhile back that the city planned to see if changes could be proposed to outdoor seating. “These updates are based on a shift in dining preferences by restaurant guests to dine outside and recognize changes in transportation preferences to include mobility options. Based on these environmental changes, City Staff has identified certain areas within the outdoor seating and parking codes that could be modernized. Additionally, Staff has streamlined the outdoor seating approval process to a permit process, similar to the current Special Event permit process, that is simpler for applicants to apply for, faster on average for review, and more cost efficient than the current approval process. The proposed changes will allow more flexibility for restaurant owners and staff in reviewing and approving outdoor seating within the City.”

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

Downtown Takes Center Stage at Council – but Avenir Close Behind

The bulk of the PBG August City Council meeting was spent reviewing the plans for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens (spanning Ordinances 6/7, 2021 and Resolutions 41/42, 2021), all of which passed 5:0. Richard Slifer, of The Landmark and on its board, made public comment stating that Shopcore (the developer) had excellent communications with the community. He also expressed concerns about future traffic impacts and possible height issues should the remaining buildings be altered.  Both the Palm Beach Post in their article and Joel Englehardt in his OnGardens post covered the discussions and plans in detail.

The other major development project discussed on Thursday (via Resolutions 43/44 2021) was the site plans for Panther National Golf Course and Community in Avenir. The site will feature 218 estate homes on sites ranging from 1/3, 1/2 to 1 acre, along with a Nicklaus designed 18 hole golf course, training facilities with a 9-hole par 3 golf course, club house all with a contemporary look. The site is located adjacent to the reserve area. Both resolutions passed 5:0. Panther National’s website can be found here.

Also in the meeting:

Mayor Litt, at the request of Council Member Marciano, briefly adjourned the meeting so that the City’s youth soccer teams could be honored outside (due to Covid restrictions)

Public Comment was made by the following PBG residents

• Ramona Bean – honored to be appointed to the Palm Beach TPA Citizens’ Advisory Committee (asked by District 1 Commissioner Marino)
• Ernest Damiani – expressed concern about being cited for having a boat in his front yard/driveway and inability for him and others in similar situations to place their vessels behind their well-kept residences. Current code doesn’t even allow for a barrier to be placed around the vessel. He asked for the Council to reconsider. City Manager Ferris said that the current ordinance was passed in 2000 and while many residents were grand-fathered at the time, it is an issue that could be revisited. Mayor Litt requested that it be brought up in a future Council Meeting.
• Joshua Hawthorne discussed a past interaction with the PBG Police, and Mayor Litt’s response was that this was not a Council issue but one to be taken up with the City Manager/staff. Mr. Ferris replied that Mr. Hawthorne will be provided with the public records he requested as well as a complaint form.

The Consent Agenda passed 5:0, along with the Women’s Equality Day proclamation that Vice Mayor Reed had pulled to discuss separately.

City Manager Report:  PBGYY was hosting the under 10 and under 12 Cal Ripkin World Series in the Gardens which was bringing in 1200 people from around the country, and filling over 550 local hotel rooms from August 6-14.

Other business:

• Ordinance 9, 2021 regarding amending Chapter 66 with updates to the Business Tax due to state changes – first reading – 5:0
• Resolution 32, 2021 – annual CDBG Action Plan – passed 5:0
• Council discussion on how they should discuss as a body bringing recognition and awards to the Council and consistency in the writing of letters. Vice Mayor Reed suggested to City Attorney Lohman that confetti and balloon use on city grounds be added to the styrofoam/styrene ordinance.

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.

 

Changes to Downtown and Avenir Master Plans, and Several Status Updates

The June City Council meeting began with a presentation of the “Every one goes home seal of excellence award” from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Palm Beach Gardens Fire/Rescue. At every shift change the focus is on serving our customers, constituencies and then to go home safely.

Public Comment: Resident Ilean Zamlut spoke regarding the Alzheimers and Brain Awareness Month proclamation in the Consent Agenda.

City Manager Report:

• 

  CDBG Resident program status

  Joann Skaria, Planning Manager, AICP – Gave updates on the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Cares Act grants and mortgage/rental assistance. The average grant was about $12k. She also gave updates on the CDBG resident occupied assistance program outlined in Resolution 63, 2020 and plans for Mary’s Circle and Dania Drive.

• James Ippolito, Deputy Chief of Operations, Fire Rescue gave an update on the brushfire at the Avenir Preserve. Fire Rescue was aided by PBC Fire Rescue/Florida division of forestry. Also PBSO provided aerial surveillance by helicopter. There was significant help from the internal fleet department for refueling and addressing vehicle issues. Also used a drone for first 15 minutes to ensure no homes threatened by the fire. But the drone had to go too near to the North County Airport so its use was limited.
• David Reyes, Palm Beach Gardens Community Services Administrator – gave a Hurricane Preparedness Update. The City is ready. He encouraged every resident to create their own emergency plan. There is a new hurricane guide on city website, and he suggested residents sign up for notifications.
• Stephen Stepp, Deputy City Manager gave an update on the request by resident Lisa Wade in the previous month, for assistance in providing a new multi-purpose field for Dwyer HS. Dwyer asked city to partner with them to create artifical turf multipurpose field which is estimated to cost $1.5 million. The group brainstormed: Dwyer is to receive $22 million from the penny sales tax….but none for field. He suggested that school district re-allocate funds by priority – but the principal said the funds were unable to be reallocated. Parents should meet with District 1 School Board Member Barbara McQuinn to ask for assistance with the unsafe field conditions. In the $1.3 billion that the school district what will receive from the tax, over $30 million is allocated for fields. He suggested that parents bring concerns to the oversight board for reallocation. PBG HS now wants the same from the City. All need to go through school district channels.
• City Manager Ferris –
  • Employee health and wellness center – utilization from 90-94% for available appointments. It’s saving money and providing great health opportunities after the relocation of clinic in April. He recognized Sheryl Stewart, HR Administrator who manages the clinic.
  • Bayhill Traffic Signal – the city responded to requests by the County to update the interlocal agreement. The County has not yet responded
  • Temporary Outdoor Seating in Restaurants – city wants restaurants to remove their temporary signs which are starting to look shabby and needed to come down by June 30th when exemptions expire. Then the city will extend the temporary seating throught the summer until Sept 30, during which time they will review existing ordinances to see if the city can become more accommodating to permanent outdoor seating.  See the latest city advisory here.
  • The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser has come out with preliminary property valuations for Palm Beach Gardens (which are used to develop the FY 2021/2022 Budget). While the valuations for residential property were estimated to be 5% higher, 56% of the properties are homesteaded, resulting in an overall valuation increase of 3.21%. Commercial property valuations increased by 3%. The Council was not happy and wondered if it could be appealed. But valuations are preliminary at this point and will be readjusted, as is always done.

Consent Agenda passed 5:0

Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 5, 2021 – Voluntary Annexation – passed 5:0 Second reading and approval
• Ordinances 6/7, 2021 – First Reading – Downtown Palm Beach Gardens Re-zoning – The ordinances were strictly for rezoning. Site plans will be brought before the Council, possibly some time this summer. See this PB Post article for possible plans. Passed 5:0.
• 

  Avenir Master Plan Amendments

  Resolution 27, 2021 – Avenir – revision to the overall master plan: 1) changes to actual plan 2) changes to development standards 3) clean-up items. Moved various economic uses into town center, changed around some roads and ‘driveways’. Passed 5:0

• Resolution 28, 2021 – Westbound turn right turn lane at Northlake and Osprey Isles Requesting $75K for design, permitting- in order to get an estimate of total cost; will be brought back to council for final decision. Total cost probably around $480K. Public comment: Matthew Kamula , President of Osprey Isles HOA urging the council to vote for it! It’s taken 6 yrs to get to this point.

Items for discussion and resident interest:

• City Manager Evaluation – Council was unanimously happy with the City Manager. He’s in his position for 21st year and ready to go another 20.
• Mayor Litt – talked about the city water supply as she’s vice chair of PBC Water Resources task force. She gave an update on a recent workshop and future funding.
• Vice Mayor Reed thanked staff for beautiful job with the Memorial Day video and especially to Lauren Brooks and highlighting her work with Gold Star families.
• Council Member Woods spoke regarding the traffic signal. He suggested that he would rather keep City Attorney Lohman on a legal course to get the light put in. Lohman and Ferris both recommended that Ferris continue to work with PBC Administrator Verdenia Baker. The main objective is the to get the light. Ferris said ‘he feels their frustration’ and is trying to get it done diplomatically.

City Attorney Report: The city got served in the mobility law suit with the county.

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