Artigras Returns to the Gardens and new Par 3 City Golf Course

Highlights from the January 14th City Council Meeting

  • Artigras (Feb 13 and 14) will be held at the North County District Park.  Noel Martinez, CEO and President of Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce briefly described the economic impacts. See “Artigras Moving Back to Palm Beach Gardens“.
  • Covid-19 Vaccinations – Fire Chief Bryer outlined the preparations made by the City for the Jan 15th administration of 200 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to City residents (over the age of 65). The appointments sold out in minutes. He credited the work of Cory Bessette (Division Chief of EMS) with outstanding efforts in staying on top of all things ‘covid-related’ in the Gardens. The City is prepared to administer 200 doses, 6 days a week if there were supply. (Editor’s note – I happened to be on the website when the vaccination appointments went live and was able to make an appointment and receive my first dose on Jan 15. The process was extremely well organized and smooth, the staff was engaging, Chief Bryer was very visible greeting those waiting for their vaccines. Unfortunately, the City has not received any additional doses so far).  For the latest vaccine information from the City, see the City’s Covid-19 Vaccinations page here.
  • Western Golf Course Expansion
    • Casey Mitchell, Director of Golf, presented the plans for a new Par 3 Golf Course and Clubhouse adjacent to Sandhill Crane Golf Course on land deed to the City as part of the Avenir development approvals.  See the Palm Beach Post article here.
    • Resolution 7, 2021 and it’s companion Resolution 13, 2021 were “Authorizing the issuance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Public Improvement Bond, Series 2021, in an amount not to exceed $14,000,000 to finance construction of an 18-hole par-3 golf course and related facilities.
    • Financial details of the bond were presented by Allan Owens, Finance Administrator.
    • There was significant discussion by City Manager Ferris regarding public ‘chatter’ and emails about the expansion. He appeared to be quite irritated with wrong information being circulated and wanted to ‘set the record straight’ outlining references to the intentions for the 115 acre parcel going back to 2013 and citing references to golf course expansion in various meetings with golf course residents, the study for the Sandhill Crane Golf Clubhouse improvements and other discussions over the years. The last reference he made, however, was 2016 – where the parcel was referenced to be used for ‘parks and rec‘.
    • Resident Rob Nanfro, making Public Comment, said that none of this history was included in the Resolution whereas many similar resolutions have included previous actions by staff and Council. PBC Commissioner Maria Marino, speaking as a professional golfer was pleased by the references to her work on the Clubhouse study and was in full support of the Par 3 Course which would be an asset not a liability and augment services already provided, such as a good driving range and other amenities and a practice facility.
    • Both Resolutions were passed with whole-hearted support and discussion by the Council 4:0.
  • Resolution 14, 2021 – Prohibiting the use of polystyrene products on public property, directing City Administration to negotiate “No Polystyrene” provisions in applicable City contracts, and encouraging all residents and retail businesses within the City to reduce or eliminate the use of polystyrene products was passed 4:0. This was the resolution requested by Council after discussion in prior council meetings and the subject was most recently raised by Council Member Reed, and a couple of years previously by Vice Mayor Litt.
January 14***

All other ordinances and the Consent Agenda passed 4:0.

Public Comment

*** There were some last minute technical issues which prevented the secondary camera from recording the presentations from the meeting.  Here are links to the Power-point Presentations made at the January 14th meeting:

January 24, 2021 | Filed Under blog, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

First 2021 City Council Mtg on Jan 14 at 6pm

The first City Council meeting of 2021 will be held on Thursday, January 14 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Highlights:

  • Artigras will be held at the North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens on Feb 13-14, moving from Abacoa. This will be covered under Presentations by North County Chamber of Commerce and described in Resolution 12, 2021 on the Consent Agenda entitled: Supporting the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce’s decision to move ArtiGras to the City of Palm Beach Gardens.
  • Resolution 7, 2021 – Authorizing the issuance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Public Improvement Bond, Series 2021, in an amount not to exceed $14,000,000 to finance construction of an 18-hole par-3 golf course and related facilities. This will be covered under Presentations by staff entitled “Western Golf Course Expansion” and during discussion of the Resolution on the Regular agenda approving the bond for a golf course in Avenir.
  • Elections – there will be an election on March 9, 2021 for City Council Group 2 – the seat vacated by Maria Marino. Candidates are former Mayor Marcie Tinsley and Rob Nanfro.  The contract with the Supervisor of Elections for conducting the election is under the Consent Agenda Resolutions 1 and 3, 2021.
  • Resolution 14, 2021 is being presented to the Council after much discussion at the last City Council Meeting: Prohibiting the use of polystyrene products on public property, directing City Administration to negotiate “No Polystyrene” provisions in applicable City contracts, and encouraging all residents and retail businesses within the City to reduce or eliminate the use of polystyrene products.

Consent Agenda also includes:

  • Purchase award: Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems – openly competed – 5 yr contract with no option to renew – $114K
  • Purchase award: Parks and Grounds Equipment – piggyback/access contract – $71K
  • Purchase award: Swipe Card Access for Fire Rescue Stations 3, 4, and 5 – piggyback/access contract – $140K
  • Resolution 2, 2021 – Project Gator – “The Business Development Board (“BOB”) has approached the City of Palm Beach Gardens (“City”) to request an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant and expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting Program for “Project Gator.” “Project Gator” is focused on designing, developing, and marketing a full line of autonomous air and surface treatment devices and falls within the medical device/technology targeted industry. The company is evaluating key positions across the U.S. and determining whether it should locate its national headquarters in the City of Palm Beach Gardens…..””Project Gator” is requesting an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant in the amount of $300,000 and expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting
    Program. The company intends to create 100 new jobs in Palm Beach Gardens over the next three years, with the new jobs having an annual average wage of $140,000. A capital investment of $7.075 Million will occur with the Project within three years to modify an existing building in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. “
  • Resolution 6, 2021 – Project Branch – “Conceptually approving economic development incentives for “Project Branch” to include an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant and expedited permitting through the City’s Targeted Expedited Permitting Program”….””Project Branch” is requesting an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant in the amount of $165,000 and expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting Program. The company intends to create 55 new jobs in Palm Beach Gardens over the next five years,
    with the new jobs having an annual average wage of $175,000. A capital investment of $550,000 will occur with the Project within five years to modify an existing building in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. “
  • Resolutions 8-10, 2021 – Approving Avenir Site Plan Pods 6-8 respectively.
  • Resolution 4, 2021 – moving the July City Council meeting to Thursday, July 15, 2021

Public Hearings and Resolutions also include:

  • Ordinance 1, 2021 (first reading) – An amendment to the City of Palm Beach Gardens Firefighters’ Retirement Trust Fund. Required due to IRS changes and “the proposed amendment will have no actuarial impact on the cost of the Plan.”
  • Ordinance 2, 2021 (first reading) – An amendment to the City of Palm Beach Gardens Police Officers’ Retirement Trust Fund. Required due to IRS changes and “the proposed amendment will have no actuarial impact on the cost of the Plan.”
  • Ordinance 3, 2021 (first reading) – A City-initiated request to update the 5-Year Schedule of Capital Improvements (Table 9A) and the Palm Beach County School District’s Summary of Capital Improvements Schedule (Table 9B) of the Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with Section 163.3177(3)(a)5.(b), Florida Statutes.
  • Ordinance 14, 2020 (second reading and adoption) – “This Land Development Regulations (LDRs) text amendment is a City-initiated request to amend Section 78-159. Permitted uses, minor and major conditional uses, and prohibited uses. of the City’s LDRs to permit an accessory dental or medical laboratory use to professional office use as a Minor Conditional Use within the General Commercial (CG1) zoning district, subject to the standards outlined in a new Note 0)(47.2)” “On November 5, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 72, 2020, expressing support for the relocation of National Dentex, LLC corporate headquarters and laboratory to the City of Palm Beach Gardens. National Dentex, LLC has expressed its desire to relocate to the Seminole Shoppes site, zoned General Commercial (CG-1 ).”
  • Resoluton 13, 2021 – “Adopting a Policy and Plan for the Expenditure of the Proceeds from the Public Improvement Bonds – Series 2021. – see Resolution 7, 2021 in Highlights. “Through the adoption of Resolution 7, 2021, the City Council has issued $14,000,000 Public Improvement Bonds – Series 2021 (the “Series 2021 Bonds”). The City Council desires to adopt a formal policy and plan that authorizes the City Manager to expend the bond proceeds to construct the capital improvement projects included in the plan and any other supporting or necessary infrastructure he deems necessary and prudent. This proposed policy and plan includes approval of the capital improvement projects to be funded with the Series 2021 Bonds; provides a mechanism to facilitate and expedite the construction of the projects; and amends the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget to reflect the Series 2021 Bonds proceeds and the proposed spending and financing plan, and authorize the City Manager to solicit, negotiate, and execute any and all documents, contracts, and/or legal instruments he deems necessary and prudent to complete construction of the capital improvement projects included in the plan.”

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

 

 

January 10, 2021 | Filed Under blog, council agenda, elections | Leave a Comment 

Styrofoam Use on City Property Dominates Council Mtg

The December City Council meeting was relatively brief, at just over an hour in length. All agenda items passed 4:0 including:

  • Budget amendment – 2nd reading and adoption
  • Expanding alcohol sale hours to begin at 7am from the previous 8a (the subject of much discussion in two prior council meetings) – 2nd reading and adoption
  • Amending Land Development Regulations to add laboratory, dental or medical use to office, professional and business use – driven by National Dentex, LLC plans to move into Seminole Shoppes (formerly Carl’s Plaza) – first reading
  • Site Plan Approval for the Club House at the Regency (The Pearl) at Avenir residential community. For an update on Avenir in general – here’s a recent Palm Beach Post article.

Tony Bedala, Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association President updated the Council on progress in the last year and thanked both staff and the Council for their support. He in turn was honored by the Council and presented with a large photo of the City Park (which action was entirely off screen on the livestream of the meeting).

December 3

City Manager Ferris’s report included:

  • Purchasing Department (and Director) Km! Ra was awarded both an excellence in procurement award in November, and the UPPCCA agency certification award for 7th year in a row in December.
  • The City has filed for around $291K from the Municipal Cares Reimbursement Program (PBC) to reimburse municipalities for ppe/equipment/information covid19 related expenditures not in budget.  See this WPTV piece on the program.
  • The first 2021 City Council Meeting will be on Thursday, January 14.

Public Comment was made by Brendan Rodriguez, President of the Student Government Association for Palm Beach State College, Gardens Campus (2020-21) – thanking the Council and specifically Council Member Chelsea Reed for her involvement with their Panther Talk initiative in the creation of educational videos on Sustainability.

Sustainability dominated the last fifteen minutes of the hour long meeting. Council Member Reed asked that the City adopt a policy eliminating polystyrene or styrofoam products from city property (only). She had previous discussions with City Manager Ferris and City Attorney Max Lohman. The City website recently started a Sustainability web page as well. Vice Mayor Litt and Council Member Marciano were also in favor. Mayor Woods wanted staff input on impacts to the City and he didn’t want a ‘heavy hand’ on how the City serves drinks and take-out at their facilities. City Manager Ferris pointed out that the facilities don’t use styrofoam at all except at the golf course and senior center. He also explained that an ordinance is a law and needs enforcement and fines. After discussion, the Council will leave it to Ferris and Lohman to figure it out whether it should be a proclamation or resolution and they will bring back a proposal for the Council to consider.

December 6, 2020 | Filed Under blog, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

Last 2020 PBG City Council Mtg on Dec 3 at 6pm

The next Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Announcements and Presentations lists a PBGYAA Update by President Tony Badala (Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association)

New Business includes:

  • Ordinance 14, 2020 – First Reading – “A City-initiated request to amend the City’s Code of Ordinances at Section 78-159. The proposed amendment will permit Laboratory, Dental or Medical use as an accessory and Minor Conditional Use to Office, Professional or Business use in the General Commercial (CG-1) zoning district.” This change is being initiated due to desire of National Dentex, LLC to relocate into the Seminole Shoppes site. “The tenant space would occupy approximately 35,000 square feet, divided into 25,000 square feet of professional office and 10,000 square feet of dental laboratory to create dental devices utilizing 30 technology. National Dentex, LLC intends to make a significant capital investment in their corporate relocation to the City, employing highly-paid individuals and training dental professionals from around the world. The City of Palm Beach Gardens aims to address modern and evolving trends in the medical, dental, and laboratory sphere of advancements in technology. This City-initiated amendment serves to acknowledge and encourage National Dentex, LLC and similar office-based corporations with medical or dental laboratory components to develop and grow in the City of Palm Beach Gardens.”
  • Resolution 70, 2020 – A request by Toll Southeast LP Company, Inc. for Site Plan approval for a Clubhouse Facility and associated recreational amenities for the Regency at Avenir residential community (Pod 5).

The Regular Agenda also includes 2nd Reading and Adoption of:

  • Ordinance 11, 2020 – Budget Amendment
  • Ordinance 12, 2020 – Modifying the Hours of Sale of Alcoholic Beverages.

Consent Agenda includes:

  • Purchase Award – Gardens Park Sports Lighting Retrofit to LED – Piggyback/Access Contract – $485K – non-renewable
  • Purchase Award – Installation of Gardens Park Sports Lighting Retrofit – Piggyback/Access Contract – $190K
  • Purchase Award – Public Safety Uniforms (Fire/Rescue) – Openly Competed – 5 year contract with no option to renew – $380K
  • Purchase Award – Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair Services – Openly Competed – 5 year contract with no option to renew – $890K
  • Resolution 67, 2020 – Lease of a John Deere 310SL Backhoe for the Community Services Department’s Public Services Division from Dobbs Equipment, LLC and financed through the Dealer. “The Florida Sheriffs Association, through its Cooperative Purchasing Program, has an existing contract with Dobbs Equipment, LLC that the City can access for the purchase of the new backhoe. The City will access this contract to take advantage of volume discounted pricing and to save on the administrative costs of soliciting its own bid. “…”Three (3) annual payments of $22,996.00, with the first payment due at the beginning of the Lease.
  • Resolution 68, 2020 – The subject request is to allow the Alton Town Center within the Alton Planned Community Development (PCD) to have a total of 41 special events per calendar year of 2021 , 2022, and 2023. The maximum number of events permitted by the City of Palm Beach Gardens Code Section 78-187 for commercial/office plazas with 11 tenants or more is 12 special events per calendar year. This request is effectively increasing the number of special events per calendar year by 29, for a possible total of 41 special events yearly. The proposed allowance does not imply that 41 events are guaranteed take place per year, but rather intends to give the Applicant the ability to hold up to 41 events in a year if desired. This request does not serve to approve any specific special event and does not waive the required permit and subsequent review for each special event. Staff supports the Applicant’s request for additional special events to be held within the Alton Town Center for the years 2021 , 2022, and 2023.

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

November 29, 2020 | Filed Under blog, council agenda | Leave a Comment 

Workforce Housing Study and Proposal Accepted

The November Council Meeting was the first with a complement of four Council Members. The fifth (Group 2) position will not be filled until 2021. (If no one ‘jumps in the race’ by the end of November, former Mayor/Council Member Marcie Tinsley will be automatically deemed to have been elected.) All were present in Council Chambers for the meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, Vice-Mayor Pro-tem Rachelle Litt was ‘voted’ in as Vice-Mayor and various committee memberships that were previously attended by now County Commissioner Maria Marino, were assigned to others on the Council.

November 5

The topic(s) of Workforce Housing – Study and Report, CDBG Cares Act funding, and the updated five year plan for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) were presented as a single presentation by Joann Skaria, Planning Manager, AICP of the Planning and Zoning Dept. The talk covered Resolutions 63, 2020, Resolution 64, 2020 and Resolution 66, 2020 on the agenda.

Workforce Housing – The study covered a lot of possible solutions. Following are those that were recommended by the study and staff. “Staff recommends that upon adoption of this report, the City Council direct staff to proceed with the necessary recommended solutions, Comprehensive Plan Text Amendments, Land Development Regulations Text Amendments, and/ or Standard Operating Procedures, depending on the unique solution, outlining specific parameters and processes in order to move forward with the implementation.” Resolution 66, 2020 passed 4:0.

Workforce Housing Solutions
1. Non-Residential Square Footage Intensity Bonus – Recommended
2 . Residential Density Bonus – Recommended
3. Housing Trust Fund – Recommended
4. Impact Fee Credits – Recommended
5. Waiver of Building Permit Application Review Fee – Recommended
6. Expedited Permitting – Recommended
Page 16 of 17
7. Accessory Dwelling Units (AD Us) – Recommended
8. Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP) – Recommended

Cares Act funding allows the $483K in covid-19 related funding to be applied to housing assistance (rental/mortgage) to residents whose livelihood was directly affected by Covid. The following chart shows the distribution of those funds as passed in Resolution 63, 2020.

 

The CDBG Five-Year plan was approved along with the proposed project for the first year – an infrastructure project (water lines) for Mary Circle and Dania Drive. Resolution 63, 2020 passed 4:0.

All other Ordinances/Resolutions passed 4:0. Of note:

  • Ordinance 12, 2020 – First Reading – documented the change of Alcohol Sales in the City from 8am to 7am
  • Resolution 62, 2020 approved changes to the McDonald’s at Promenade Plaza including two drive through lanes and improved landscaping.

November 9, 2020 | Filed Under blog, council meetings, featured | 3 Comments 

Next City Council Mtg on Thursday Nov 5 at 6pm

The next Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be on Thursday, Nov 5 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Announcements and Presentations: Workforce Housing Study and Report, CDBG Cares Act Amendment and CDBG Consolidated Plan.

This presentation encompasses much of the content of the agenda, covering:

  • Resolution 63, 2020 – An application to submit the City’s Consolidated Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024, Annual Action Plan Fiscal Year 2020-2021, and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.
  • Resolution 64, 2020 – A City-initiated application to submit a substantial amendment to the One-Year Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Program Year (PY) 2019. Adoption of the City’s Workforce Housing Program
  • Resolution 66, 2020 – Consideration for Approval: A City-initiated Resolution to adopt the City’s Workforce Housing Program. The report is included in the resolution which can be read here.  Workforce housing has been a ‘hot’ topic for awhile now and “City staff has been assessing the need for workforce housing policies and solutions in addition to reviewing the existing provisions and accomplishments for several years. For reference, the City’s median household income is $81,508.00 (which equates to a workforce range $48,905.00 to $97,810.00). In 2019, staff engaged Strategic Planning Group to provide support to staff in creation of a Comprehensive Workforce Housing Plan.

Also on the Regular Agenda:

  • Ordinance 12, 2020 – First Reading: The City Council has determined it is necessary to amend the City’s Code of Ordinances at Chapter 6 – Alcoholic Beverages, Section 6.2 – Hours of sale. to expand the hours of sale from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m
  • Resolution 62, 2020 – A request by SRE Holdings LLC 9880 ALT A1A for a Site Plan Amendment to add an additional drive-through lane with a menu board sign and to modify the site’s landscaping and parking lot for the McDonald’s restaurant within the Gardens East Plaza Planned Unit Development (PUD) (a.k.a. Promenade Plaza). The PUD is part of the Gardens East Planned Community Development (PCD) and is generally located east of Alternate A1A on the north side of Lighthouse Drive.
  • Ordinance 11, 2020 – First Reading: This Ordinance amends the FY 2020 Budget in the following areas: 1.) adjusts projected revenues for significant positive variances in building permits and federal grant reimbursements; 2.) adjusts projected revenues for negative COVID-19 impacts on state revenues and electric franchise fees; 3.) records an additional transfer to the Recreation Special Revenue Fund to offset revenue losses caused by the COVID19 pandemic; 4.) revises road impact fee projections taking into account revenues and projects that were transferred to the new Mobility Fee Fund and records a $200,000 transfer from the General Fund to make up for estimated shortfalls resulting from these newly revised road impact fee projections; and 5.) adjusts revenues and expenditures to reflect the accounting entries required to record the capital lease of equipment.
  • Ordinance 10, 2020 – 2nd Reading and Adoption: City-initiated Text Amendment to the Future Land Use element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to incorporate a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) objective and associated policies based on the recommendations included in the City’s TOD Master Plan, prepared by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council.

The Consent Agenda includes:

  • Resolution 69, 2020 – moving the first City Council Mtg in January 2021 to Thursday, January 14, 2021.
  • Resolution 61, 2020 – Approving a Grant of Easement in favor of Seacoast Utility Authority for the installation, operation, maintenance, and service of a public water supply well located at the Lake Catherine Sportsplex.
  • Resolution 65, 2020 – Supporting the Wolfpack CubeSat Development Team at the Weiss School in their mission proposals to NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative.
  • Purchase Award – openly competed – This Agreement created a pool of pre-qualified vendors for future spot-market quotations for minor residential repair and rehabilitation work under the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The contractors included in the pool are available to the City for quotations on work projects at the homes of qualified applicants under the Program. When a project is identified and a Statement of Work developed by the City, the contractors are provided with the information and asked to submit quotations to perform the work. The work is awarded via Purchase Order to the vendor offering the lowest price. – 5 year contract – $700K – no option to renew
  • Purchase Award – The City’s existing Agreements for Professional Services under Florida Statutes Consultants’ Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA) expired on September 30, 2020. A new contract is needed to allow the City to procure these services for current and future projects. Under the CCNA, these professional services must be procured exclusively based on qualifications and not pricing. These services include architectural, engineering, and other professional categories of work. 5 year contract with no option to renew – $5 million.
  • Purchase Award – Each year the City has several construction projects that must be performed to repair and/or maintain infrastructure in addition to its ongoing Capital Improvement Program. This Agreement allows the City to contract at established rates for these miscellaneous public works construction projects. The prices and rates are fixed for the five-year term of the Agreement. Examples of the types of work contemplated include sidewalk repairs, stormwater pipe installation and repairs, road construction, striping of roadways, and Capital Improvement Projects as needed. Openly competed, 5 year contract with no option to renew – $10 million.

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

November 1, 2020 | Filed Under blog, council agenda | Leave a Comment 

Vice Mayor Marino Heads to the County Commission

The October 1, 2020 City Council Meeting was the last for Vice-Mayor and former Mayor Maria Marino who won the County Commission District One seat in August.  The council held a goodbye ceremony coupled with a city-produced short film showing highlights from Ms. Marino’s almost two-terms in office.  Here is the Palm Beach Post coverage.  We of PBGWatch also join in thanking Maria for her contributions to the City and wish her all the best in her new role as County Commissioner.

City Administrator Ferris had one item to report.   The City has undertaken an initiative to implement  ‘Cultural Competency’ training- dealing with racism in the workplace.  Sheryl Stewart, HR Administrator and the department’s consultant – Barbara Cheives, President of Converge and Associates Consulting, made a brief presentation.

October 1

Public comment was made by a resident requesting that the Council consider allowing alcohol sales at 7am instead of at the current 8am ordinance.  He raised the same issues previously discussed by Mayor Woods in September regarding the impact to those heading out early (eg professional fishermen) having to buy beer outside of the Gardens before heading to their respective marinas.  At the end of the meeting during Council Discussion, the Council directed City Attorney Lohman to bring a new ordinance to the Council next month moving in the permitted sales time to 7am.

Other actions included the approvals of the members and alternates for AIPP, Parks and Rec, and PZAB boards.

The Council decided not to appoint someone in the role of council-member in Vice-Mayor Marino’s place but to leave the spot empty until the March 2021 City Election.  There is currently only one person who has opened a campaign so far – former Mayor and Council member Marcie Tinsley.

Should you know of any other potential candidate – election qualification information can be found on the City’s Election site.  Here are some specifics from the site:

Group 2 – To fill unexpired term until March 2022.

Notice of Candidacy:
• Qualifying by Petition begins on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. and ends
on Friday, November 6, 2020, at noon. This is also the deadline for submitting signed
petitions to the City Clerk for verification.
• Qualifying by Filing Fee begins on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. and ends
on Monday, November 30, 2020, at 4:30 p.m.

The next Council meeting will be held on November 5th at 6pm.

 

October 7, 2020 | Filed Under blog, council meetings, elections, featured | Leave a Comment 

Next City Council Mtg on Thurs. Oct 1 at 6pm

The October City Council meeting has a very light agenda. There are no Announcements or Presentations listed at this time.

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

  • Resolution 55, 2020 – Appointment of Regular Members to the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Advisory Board.
  • Resolution 56, 2020 – Appointment of Regular and Alternate Members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
  • Resolution 57, 2020 – Appointment of Regular and Alternate Members to the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board.

The Consent Agenda includes:

  • Purchase Award – Facilities Maintenance Support – Plumbing Services – Openly competed – 5 year contract w no option to renew – $200K
  • Purchase Award – Emergency Repairs to Alternate AlA Roadway at Promenade Plaza – Openly competed – $73K
  • Purchase Award – Roof Replacement for Fire Rescue No. 4 – Piggyback/Access Contract – No option to renew – $211K
  • Resolution 60, 2020 – Purchase agreement with NetMotion for Virtual Private Network (VPN) software. – $26,490.00 FY2021, $68,544.00 Subsequent Fiscal Years (Payments – 3 years) – total cost – $95,034.00. Background: “The City currently uses NetMotion Mobility software to meet the FDLE requirement. In the past, the City has paid for this service annually with a 3 percent increase each year. NetMotion has offered to lock in pricing (no annual increase) if the City signs a three-year agreement. This will result in a savings of approximately $3,000.”

Please check the agenda for any changes or additions prior to the meeting.

September 26, 2020 | Filed Under blog, council agenda | Leave a Comment 

The City’s Second Budget Hearing and Adoption to be held on Sept 24 at 6pm

The only items on the agenda are Resolution 41, 2020 and Ordinance 7, 2020:

“This is the second of two required public hearings on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 . The total of all funds is $182,700,733. The proposed operating millage rate for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 is 5.5500 mills. The proposed operating millage rate of 5.5500 is 2.3 percent above the roll-back of 5.4254.”

On September 10, 2020, the City Council approved Ordinance 7, 2020 on first reading by a vote of 4 to 1.

Since the rest of the Council failed to second Council Member Marciano’s counter-motion to lower the millage to 5.5 on first reading in order to even entertain or discuss the option, expect the meeting to be very short.

The next full meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, October 1 at 6pm.

Check the agenda before the meeting to see if there are any changes.

September 20, 2020 | Filed Under blog, budget, council agenda | 3 Comments 

Hero Officer David Joy Recognized – updated w Both Budget Hearings

At a time when police are under assault (both figuratively and literally) across our nation, it was wonderful to see a member of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department honoring Officer David Joy for his quick action in saving a severely injured vehicle accident victim. “He was recognized by the Palm Beach Gardens City Council, Fire Department, and Police Chief Clinton Shannon on September 10, 2020. Officer Joy was awarded the Police Department’s Life Saving Award and the Fire Department’s Call of the Quarter Award.” Please see the City’s coverage here and CBS 12’s coverage here.   Congratulations, thanks and kudos to Officer Joy!

The first of two FY 2020/2021 Budget Hearings had the annual presentation by Finance Director Allan Owens. While Mayor Woods claimed to have explored a modest cut in the tax rate with staff, he and apparently all on the Council excepting Council Member Marciano, were convinced that the millage should remain flat at 5.55. Marciano, who is more experienced in the workings of the Budget than any other currently on the Council (given his long-time membership on the Budget Oversight Review Board and his time on the Council), once again argued for a modest decrease in the tax rate to 5.50. He recognized and stated that the role of goverment is not to run profits, nor is it to act as a bank. The council and staff and even the Budget Oversight Review Board always seem to find a reason why ‘next year’ is the right year to consider lowering the millage – last year citing hurricanes, and this year citing Covid-19. Council Member Marciano pointed out that even had the millage been lowered last year, all would have been well with the reserves and the City would have been able to make do. His counter motion to consider such a cut was not even seconded for discussion. Thanks to Mark Marciano for standing up for the taxpayers and standing up for his principles. The second reading and adoption will be on Thursday, Sept 24 at 6pm. Note that Mr. Owens added a new chart (shown above) which demonstrated that the ‘ten year’ projections consistently under-estimate what revenues will be. Ordinance 7, 2020 passed 4:1 with Council Member Marciano voting No.

Sept 10

All other Ordinances and Resolutions passed 5:0. Of note:

  • Ordinance 10, 2020 establishing the Transit-Oriented Design District provides for a higher density central core of the city – which was lauded by Council Members Reed and Vice Mayor Marino. See the chart for a description.

  • Resolution 52, 2020 approved a new Learning Experience Daycare to replace the previously approved mixed-used building within the Banyan Tree PUD Phase II. The council expressed concerns about traffic, questioned the time of drop-off (staggered – unlike a school which has a fixed start), and physical protection of the proposed play area from vehicles (approved by the Police department with strategically placed concrete bollards).
  • Resolution 53, 2020 – La Terre at Avenir (Residential Pod 2 – Site Plan #1) – the price of the single family homes for the new subdivision will range from $675K – mid-800k.
  • Old business Ordinances 8/9, 2020 Second Reading and Adoption – once again, Palm Beach County, represented by Khurshid Mohyuddin, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning Dept, made Public Comment objecting to the City’s Mobility Plan.

City Hall will be open for business with the public starting September 21!

The new Tennis Center official ribbon cutting ceremony is targeted for October 1st.

************Update****************

The Second Budget Hearing and Adoption of the Millage Rate and the FY 2020/2021 Budget took place on Thursday, Sept. 24.  Resolution 41, 2020 and Ordinance 7, 2020 passed 4:1 with Council Member Marciano objecting.  At the end of the meeting Council Member Reed spoke briefly about her respect for Marciano’s position;  Marciano countered with his respect for how the council works as a team and his hope to convince them otherwise next year.

September 14, 2020 | Filed Under blog, budget, council meetings, featured | 1 Comment 

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