First 2017 Council Meeting on Thursday, January 5th at 7PM

Happy 2017! The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, January 5, at 7pm in City Hall. There are quite a few items on the agenda covering a broad range of subjects so be prepared for a lengthy meeting. (Note – Ordinance 3, 2017 and Resolution 12, 2017 should be of significant interest and concern to those running for the Council in the March 14 election).

Announcements/Presentations includes an FDOT presentation on three alternatives for the I-95/Northlake Blvd and I-95 and PGA Blvd interchange modifications.

Consent Agenda includes:

• A Purchase Award for 2017 Model Year Vehicles for the Fire Rescue Department, Information Technology Department, Public Services Department, and Unified Services Department as replacement vehicles. This is a piggyback with the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Contract for the purchase of Model Year 2017 Motor Vehicles and is in the amount of $273K.
• Agreements with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections to conduct the March 14 elections and as a member of the canvassing board, as done in prior elections.
• Approval of an agreement with the Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. for the 2017 Honda Classic PGA Golf Tournament to provide a public safety grant for off-duty Police and Fire Services and related staff services, and the use of specific portions of Mirasol and PGA National Parks for various parking facilities and general operations.

City Manager Report – lists an update on Sober Homes

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• First readings of Ordinance 1 and 2, 2017 regard Kennedy Homes requesting a Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to change the future land use designation of a 12.50-acre site from Residential Low (RL) to Residential Medium (RM), capping the gross density of the site to 50 residential units. The property is located on the north side of Hood Road immediately west of Florida’s Turnpike; and rezoning of a 12.5-acre site from Residential Low Density-2 District (RL-2) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) with a Residential Medium District (RM) underlying zoning to allow the development of a 50-townhome residential subdivision for a community to be called Trevi Isle.
• First reading of Ordinance 3, 2017 – This budget agenda item combines several actions. First, it adjusts the starting balance for 2017 to reflect the realities of 2016 – a normal occurrence. Second, and more significantly, it allocates the excess revenue collected last year (1.9M) and the reduction in expenses (2M) to new spending in 2017.  (Note – if the money were to be left in the stabilization fund, it could be used (along with expected sales tax revenue) to reduce millage in the 2018 budget. By allocating it now to new spending, they would deny the Council that will have 3 new members after March 14 the opportunity to decide what to do with the money.)
• First reading of Ordinance 4, 2017 – A request to annex an area of contiguous, compact, unincorporated real property commonly known as Osprey Isles, Carleton Oaks, the Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches, the vacant commercial parcel and the WPB Fire Station #8. The 284.20-acre parcel is bounded on the west by the City of Palm Beach Gardens’ Sandhill Crane Golf Club, to the north and east by Conservation lands (the Loxahatchee Slough), and to the south by Northlake Boulevard. Upon adoption of the Ordinance by the City Council, the City shall forward the Ordinance and referendum language to the Supervisor of Elections to prepare for a referendum of the registered electors within the proposed annexation area. The City shall hold the referendum on annexation at the next regularly scheduled election, March 14, 2017. A majority of votes cast by registered electors residing within the annexation area is required for the referendum to pass.
• First reading of Ordinance 5, 2017 which would dissolve the existing Budget Oversight Committee and replace it with the Budget Oversight Review Board and provide additional powers and duties, including the review of proposed operating and capital improvement budgets, the review of spending plans, the provision of recommendations to City Council, and oversight of the expenditure of the One-Cent Sales Surtax funds. On November 8, 2016, Palm Beach County voters approved a ballot issue to enact a One-Cent Infrastructure Sales Surtax to pay for acquisition or improvements to public infrastructure. The City of Palm Beach Gardens’ estimated share of the tax over ten (10) years is $35.6 million.
• Resolution 4, 2017 modifying the site plan for Gardens Mall for 10,000 square feet of leasable square feet for the Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant and 940 square feet of outdoor seating space. The tenant space is located on the second floor on the south side of the mall in between the anchor tenants Macy’s and Sears department stores. The proposal includes 202 seats in the interior restaurant and 48 seats on the outdoor patio. The main entrance of the restaurant will be inside the mall.
• Resolution 7, 2017 is a petition by Ascend PGA Midtown, LLC requesting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment for Midtown PUD to allow the development of a 63-townhome residential subdivision and a 25,344-square-foot specialty grocery. The property is located on the north side of PGA Boulevard, immediately east of Shady Lakes Drive. The proposed tenant for the building is Earth Fare, specializing in health foods. The new residential subdivision is to be called Pointe Midtown. The subject development will also contain a 13-building, 63-unit residential townhome development, and one (1) clubhouse structure.
• Resolution 12, 2017 outlines the Proposed One-Cent Infrastructure Sales Surtax Projects, and recommends funding the projects via the issuance of a Not-to-Exceed $30,000,000 Capital Improvement Revenue Bond, Series 2017. Other alternatives are discussed. (As with Ordinance 3, 2017, the schedule of the actions needed to accomplish the bond is completed by end of February 2017 – denying the new Council elected in March the ability to influence the decision).
• Resolution 13, 2017 Acceptance of the “Annexation Areas of Interest Study” for future annexation areas and directing the City Manager to implement the “Annexation Study” as policy guidance for the annexation initiative that is consistent with Chapter 171 , Florida Statutes.

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

Community Healing, Roads and Avenir Progress

Note: Not listed on the City’s calendar but of public interest – Vice Mayor Jablin will conduct a ceremony lighting the Menorah for Hanukkah on Wednesday,December 28 at 6pm by the tree at Burns Rd Community Center – all are welcome.

The last City Council meeting of the year was relatively short but covered a range of topics.

Candice Temple, Media Relations Manager, gave a synopsis of November 19th’s Unity Day (Palm Beach Gardens and the Anita Banks Justice for Corey Foundation), and presented a beautiful painting of Corey Jones with wishes posted during the event to Sheila Banks and Terry Banks – Corey’s aunt and uncle. See an image of the painting in Sarah Peter’s article. 

During Comments from the Public:

• I-95 Central Blvd Interchange – Don Mathis spoke in-depth on flaws in the FDOT models and assumptions used for the I-95 Central Blvd Interchange. One specific example he cited were the additional trips modeled for Kyoto Gardens Drive – 2600 new jobs but only 100 extra trips in the morning and 200 in the afternoon? Also the PGA interchange had flaws. Don said that staff has not presented an accurate picture of FDOT’s plans. He is doing this on behalf of several homeowners and by himself. Don provided staff with his documents and staff will review it in the future.
• Gardens of Woodbury (along Shady Lakes Drive) Residents Marty Gronek, David Einhorn and Scott Workman (attorney for Gardens of Woodbury HOA) asked for a wall or better noise abatement and traffic calming measures, as were provided along Shady Lakes subdivision. Mr. Workman thanked Council Member Woods for taking the time to meet with the concerned residents. City Engineer Todd Engle then gave a presentation showing the mature trees that line the road, landscaping plans, and explaining why the oak trees make a wall impractical/impossible.

First Reading of Ordinance 17, 2016 was to establish a Community Development District (CDD) for Avenir. (CDD Definition. A Community Development District (CDD) is a local, special purpose government authorized by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes as amended and is an alternative method for managing and financing infrastructure required to support community development.) This would be in lieu of an HOA. Council confirmed that the CDD area described excludes any of the land area donated to the City of Palm Beach Gardens. For more information see this article.

Consent Agenda Items and 2nd Reading and Adoption Items all passed 5:0.  All on the Council wished everyone Happy Holidays.

The Final City Council Meeting of 2016 will be on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7PM

The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, December 1, at 7pm in City Hall. The agenda is fairly short.

Announcements/Presentations lists December Events and Activities

Consent Agenda includes:

• Several resolutions including Resolution 79, 2016 – leasing an additional Braun Medium Duty Ambulance under a piggy-back agreement through the Florida Sheriffs Association in the amount of $323,708 for a 5-year lease.
• Four Purchase awards:
  • Two-year contract for Annual Fire-Rescue Training with Rescue Training Associates, Inc in the amount of $140K; under openly competed lists NA
  • Roof repairs at Fire/Rescue Station 5 with Garland/DBS Inc in the amount of $248K; under openly competed lists NA
  • Scanning Project – Unified Services Records to scan records stored off-site with MCCi LLC in an amount not to exceed $100K; under openly competed lists NA and does not state piggyback contract however states “The City will be accessing a competitively solicited City of Miami contract to purchase these services.
  • Purchase of two Toro Reelmaster Mowers from TESCO SOUTH, INCORPORATED dba HECTOR TURF for $98K; under openly competed lists NA and states “The mowers will be purchased by accessing a National IPA {Group Purchasing Organization) contract that was competitively awarded to Toro and its dealers for Grounds Maintenance Equipment. The City is a member of the National IPA GPO. By accessing this contract, the City is able to take advantage of volume-pricing discounts available to the National IPA GPO members that would not be available by individually bidding each requirement.”

City Manager Report – no details listed

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• 2nd Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 14, 2016 which was the Budget Amendment for 2016 approved 5:0 on November 3, 2016 and Ordinance 15, 2016, which was the amendment to Chapter 70, Parking, Standing and Stopping regulations approved 5:0 on November 16, 2016.
• 1st Reading of Ordinance 17, 2016 – A request from Avenir Holdings, LLC to establish a Community Development District (CDD) for Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD). “Community Development Districts are a local, special-purpose government framework authorized by Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, and is an alternative for managing and financing infrastructure required to support development of a community. The State of Florida has over 600 CDDs. The City of Palm Beach Gardens currently has one·(1) COD that was approved by the City Council in 2002 for the Old Palm PCD. “

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

Changes to Alton and New Development for the City

Note – The December City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday December 1 at 7pm

There were quite a few items on the November 16, 2016 City Council Meeting – All Ordinances and Resolutions passed 5:0 with the exception of  Playground Equipment for Ironwood Park (pulled from Consent and discussed) – 4:1 ( Council Member Premuroso opposed) and  Resolution 77, 2016 – Appointment to Police Officers Pension Board (Council Member Woods was not present for the vote) – 4:0

The discussion on equipment for Ironwood Park Playground began when Council Member Premuroso pulled the item from Consent and suggested that the neighborhood expected a passive park, and by putting in playground equipment (including a kiddy zipline), the nature of the park had changed. Mayor Tinsley suggested that perhaps the vote be delayed for a month with signage to note what was planned for the site to solicit neighborhood input. But staff seemed to be adamant that the immediate neighbors that were reached were happy with the plans and that it should go forward without further input. Most on the Council supported the active park and the purchase award was approved.

Changes were made to Alton to add a 256-bed Memory Care Assisted Living Facility (Clarity Pointe) as well as a public park, and convert uses in other areas of the property. There was little discussion by Council and no public comment. Immediately upon second reading and passage of the Balsamo property annexation, the property was rezoned (on 1st reading) and will become, upon approval in January, a 97 single-family unit development named Ancient Tree – between Avenir and Sandhill Crane Golf Course. The council welcomed the owners to the City.

Additional development approved included:

• a 2-story bank with professional offices and drive-through ATM located on the south side PGA Blvd. near Military trail and next to the SunTrust Bank.
• the changes to Prosperity Oaks/Brookdale Palm Beach Gardens to add a memory care facility

Art in Public Places was approved for PGA National Commerce Park featuring the work of Peter Garaj. The stainless steel structure is entitled “Hands of Time”

The final discussion of the evening revolved around a long-standing issue between Frenchman’s Creek, the town of Juno Beach, the county’s Property Appraiser and the City with respect to Frenchman’s Creek Beach Club Property Tax (see Palm Beach Post for an overview of the issue from May 2015) .  After debate on whether or not there should be further meetings with the new Property Appraiser, Dorothy Jacks – the council voted to make no changes to the City’s current position, and Mayor Tinsley will inform Frenchman’s Creek.

Next City Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 7pm

The next City Council Meeting will be this Wednesday, November 16, at 7pm in City Hall. There are quite a few items on the agenda.

Consent Agenda includes:

• Purchase award for remainder of contract Mowing and Landscaping services awarded in 2015 – ” Seacrest Services, the vendor awarded under Group A – Common Areas and Parks, and Group B – Medians, is ending its relationship with the City, effective October 15, 2016. The responsive and responsible vendor with the next lowest pricing is Batallan Enterprises, Inc. dba Property Works. This Agreement will assign the Groups previously awarded to Seacrest Services to Property Works. The City will issue a Purchase Order to Property Works to cover the interim period from October 15 through November 15 to maintain continuity of services
• Purchase award for local Courier Services – 5 year contract for $109K renewable for another 5 years – openly competed
• Purchase award for Playground Equipment for Ironwood Park – piggyback for $107K
• Purchase award for Dell Computer Equipment and Accessories – piggyback for $75K

City Manager Report – no details listed

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 8, 2016 – First reading – City-initiated Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR-based) Comprehensive Plan Amendments – “EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Florida Statutes, specifically Section 163.3191 , requires the City to evaluate and appraise its Comprehensive Plan every seven (7) years and amend it accordingly through Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR)-based amendments. Staff has completed the evaluation for the City-initiated amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and Map Series. The amendments are for all elements of the Comprehensive Plan, including: Future Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Infrastructure, Coastal Management, Conservation, Recreation and Open Space, Intergovernmental Coordination, Capital Improvements, Public Safety, Public School Facilities, Procedures for Accomplishing Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements, and Economic Development; and updated Comprehensive Plan Map Series.
• Second Reading and Adoption Ordinances 10, 2016 (Balsamo annexation); 11, 2016 (Brookdale/Prosperity Oaks) and associated resolutions
• Balsamo:
  • Ordinance 12, 2016 – Balsamo Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment – “.. to change the Future Land Use designation of a 96.80-acre parcel from Palm Beach County Rural Residential 1 unit/10 acres (RR-10) to Palm Beach Gardens Residential Low (RL), capping gross density of the property at 97 single-family units
  • Ordinance 13, 2016 and associated Resolution 76, 2016 – First Reading and Public Hearing: A request from Salvatore J. Balsamo Trust requesting to rezone a 96.80-acre parcel from Palm Beach County Agricultural Residential(AR) to Palm Beach Gardens Residential Low (RL-2) with a Planned Unit Development Overlay District (PUD)…
• Ordinance 15, 2016 -Amending Chapter 70. Traffic and Vehicles. at Article Ill. Parking, Standing, and Stopping. at Section 70-62…A need exists to amend and clarify the regulations that govern the use of motor vehicles and the enforcement of parking restrictions in regard to the parking of motor vehicles in swales and off-street parking within the City
• Resolution 72, 2016 – for approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment and Major Conditional Use at the Turtle Beach PUD for a two- (2) story, 9,000-square-foot building with bank and professional office uses and a drive-through ATM. The Turtle Beach PUD is generally located 550 feet west of the intersection at Military Trail on the south side of PGA Boulevard (note: adjacent Sun-Trust Bank)
• Resolution 73, 2016 – to approve proposed artwork for the AIPP requirement for PGA National Commerce Park for Buildings 2 and 3 on Lots 7 and 8, located on Hiatt Drive, north of Northlake Boulevard and west of the Florida Turnpike.
• Alton: 
  • Resolution 74, 2016 – A request for an amendment to the Alton Planned Community Development (PCD) to allow for the conversion of 715 multifamily and 350 apartment units, and 50,000 square feet of neighborhood commercial use to an additional 418 single-family units, 32,000 square feet of Industrial/Research and Development/Biotech use and a 256-bed Assisted Living Facility; provide an 8.44-acre public park on the PCD Master Plan; and modify certain PCD buffers, upland preserve areas, lakes, a roadway cross section, neighborhood district boundaries; revise Condition of Approval Number 3 of Resolution 1, 2010 to allow the provision of the public park; and provide a waiver for a 16-foot-tall perimeter sound wall.
  • Resolution 75, 2016 – A request for a Site Plan and Major Conditional Use approval for a 256-bed Assisted Living Facility on a 6.57-acre site located within Parcel B of the Alton Planned Community Development (PCD)
• Resolution 77, 2016 – Approving the appointment of regular members to the Police Officers’ Pension Fund Board of Trustees.

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

Sober Homes Presentation Fills the Council Chambers

NOTE: There will be a second November City Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 16th.

The Council Chambers were packed at the Nov 3rd City Council meeting with citizens from primarily the Plat 1 area of Palm Beach Gardens impacted by Sober Homes in their community. City Attorney Max Lohman presented a review of the current definitions, statutes/laws and limitations on local community actions with respect to Sober Homes. His presentation can be viewed here (starting at minute 14:30); you can read a copy of the Powerpoint presentation here (you will need software that can open a Powerpoint file). Sarah Peters of the Palm Beach Post covers the Sober Home discussion.  Those making public comment expressed their frustrations as well as dismay at how such rentals were not considered commercial endeavors in residential areas.

The Council began with a presentation honoring former Mayor/Council Member David Levy for his twelve years of service to the City. He was presented with a plaque as well as a crystal gavel and made touching remarks as well.

City Manager Ferris requested that the presentation portion of the Council discussion on the Central Blvd/I-95 interchange be brought to the front of the meeting while the chambers were full. In short, the interchange hs been 18 years in the making. Development orders required a right of way for all impacted subdivisions and new residents had to be informed about the potential interchange. Alton, FPL, Paloma and Cimmaron Cove were all considered in the studies. Staff concluded that they recommended approval as is. During Public Comment which preceded the presentation Elissa Cohen, President of the Paloma HOA, Sandra Abraham also of Paloma and Dave Rebholz of Old Palm all expressed support for a new traffic study, or to put the project on hold. Don Mathis suggested that it’s the PGA/I-95 PGA interchange needed to be factored more into the plans. The Council, when discussing the topic towards the end of the agenda, praised Andrea Troutman, consultant from Pinder Troutman Consulting, the traffic engineer for Palm Beach Gardens, on her clear explanations of the studies and status of the I95/Central Blvd interchange. The Council had several questions for staff which were addressed. In related discussion, FDOT will be having “An Alternatives Public Workshop will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Palm Beach Gardens, 4000 RCA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.” about the Northlake/I-95 interchange. For more details see http://www.95northlake.com/public-notices.php

All Ordinances and resolutions passed 5:0. Other comments made by the public included Jervonte Edmonds of Suits for Seniors, thanking Council Member Marino, plus a member of the City’s Police department for speaking at his Career Day; Kevin Dalton, who owns 3 business in Palm Beach Gardens, suggesting that Central Blvd be renamed for either Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus. (Council replied that Central is a County road). Mr. Dalton also said that he has employed people from 1/2 way homes (eg Sober Homes) and they do have to hand in their cell phone when having their group meetings so perhaps those meetings could be considered ‘treatment’ – which is forbidden in Sober Homes.

Council, during items of Resident Interest and Board/Committee reports commended staff on their outstanding preparation for Hurricane Matthew.

Next City Council Meeting on Thursday, November 3 at 7pm

The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, November 3, at 7pm in City Hall.  There are some new items in addition to those previously on the canceled October agenda.  There will be a second City Council meeting on Wednesday November 16. Note: Last on the Agenda – during Items for Council Action, Discussion is Staff’s Presentation and Council Discussion on the I-95/Central Blvd Interchange. This subject has a lot of public interest and concern. If it is not moved to earlier in the meeting, please stay for the entire meeting or watch the discussion streaming/archived on-line.

Announcements/Presentations:

• Former Mayor/Council Member David Levy will be honored for 12 years of service. This was discussed at a prior council meeting.
• City Attorney Lohman will make a presentation on Sober Homes

Consent Agenda includes:

• Resolution 81, 2016 – Approving and ratifying Article 28, Salary Plan of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)/FloridaPublicServices Union (FPSU) and the City of Palm Beach Gardens, reflecting a 6% wage increase for Fiscal Year 2016-2017.  
• Purchase Award for the City’s Property and Casualty Insurance. Self-insurance was considered but the City decided to continue with conventional coverage for the next 5-year term and to consider self-insurance again in the future. The contract was openly bid and was awarded to the current vendor for about $4.5 million over 5 years, with option to renew for another 5-year term.
• Purchase Award for Emergency Purchase of Mosquito Control Chemicals in the amount of $250K. The chemical is sole sourced by the vendor.

City Manager Report – no details listed

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 10, 2016 is first reading of a Voluntary Annexation of a 96.80-acre parcel located on the north side of Northlake Boulevard approximately three-quarter miles east of Coconut Boulevard, adjacent to the City’s Sandhill Crane Golf Club.
• Ordinance 11, 2016 and Resolution 68, 2016 is first reading for approval of amendments to master plan and planned unit development (PUD) for Prosperity Oaks (aka Brookdale) to allow for the addition of a 39-bed Memory Care facility on the property.
• Ordinance 14, 2016 – Amending the City of Palm Beach Gardens’ budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2015, and ending September 30, 2016.
• Resolution 63, 2016 is for a request for a third tenant wall sign on south elevation of Building D in Legacy Place, for the new Newk’s Eatery
• Resolution 65, 2016 is for a request for site plan approval of a 40 acre commercial retail center in Alton, including a grocery store, fitness center, a home improvement store, a gas station with a carwash, a variety of general retail uses, restaurant uses, a restaurant with drive-through (major conditional use) and a financial institution with a remote drive-through.
• Additional Resolutions for appointments to the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,and the Art in Public Places Advisory Board.

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

Martino: Sober Homes Should be Addressed by the City Council

Do you know what a Sober Home is? If you don’t, you should. The chances are if you live in a single family neighborhood in Palm Beach Gardens you do, or probably soon will. Sober Homes are group homes for people who are recovering from addiction issues, such as, drug and alcohol abuse. While living in the Sober Home these people, who come from all over the country, have stringent rules they must follow and may undergo periodic drug testing. These “homes” are locating in residential neighborhoods at an increasing pace and can pose various and different problems for these neighborhoods.

Sober Living Homes, as they are also known, is a creature that surfaced from an amendment to the Federal Fair Housing Act passed by Congress in 1988 to protect persons with disabilities and families with children and from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which mandates “for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities” enacted in 1990 by Congress. The ADA more or less recognizes addiction as a psychiatric disabling illness. As a compassionate society we must recognize the disease of drug and alcohol addiction and the devastating effects it has on the individual, families, friends, and the community as a whole. However, the combination of these Acts with their amendments, mixed with the bureaucratic interpretive rules that have been written, and add to this associated State legislative and bureaucratic activities, and you have a formidable governmental shield for what is now a National multi-billion dollar industry. Big government, big business and big money, can and often does, lead to fraud, abuse, and bigger societal problems.

For local County and Municipal governments these Federal and State Sober Home mandates present a growing problem of significance. How do local governments maintain the integrity of their neighborhoods, the esteem of their property values, the safety and protection of their residents, the essentials of their governing Charters, and their basic Home Rule powers? The governance of these quality of life issues need to be balanced with the needs of the disabled protected by these Acts. That is the challenge and it’s a daunting one. It’s not an easy task but it’s doable. I would propose a more proactive approach by the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens then is currently being pursued. The following are suggestions …

1. As a local government the City Council should recognize and admit there is a problem and give it a public airing. Identification of Sober Home locations probably would be a good start, if not already available. Possibly, the assimilation of a data base would help to prevent over concentration in any one particular neighborhood. Neighborhood concentration is detrimental to the existing residents, as well as, it defeats the goal of localized non-institutional integration back into society of the addicted because the concentration suggests a semblance of institutionalization. The City Council should request staff to research the problem and report back with interventionist solutions that are non-discriminatory. Consideration of other, Local, State, and National resolutions that have proven successful may be useful. Keep our Federal and State elected officials informed of the City’s concerns and efforts while continuing to insist on their cooperation to lessen the fervor of the problem. Continue the conversation with monthly workshops, updates, including public participation, until reasonable solutions have been realized.
2. To address the problems Sober Homes may present, the City Council should modernize, update and reform all zoning codes, not just single-family areas, by carefully crafting amendments that apply equally to able and disabled people alike. Parking codes, health codes, and safety issues should be updated with equality as the goal while considering Sober Homes in the equation. Zoning code definitions should be reviewed, refreshed, and new ones created, if needed. The Acts discussed above do not preempt local zoning laws but they do prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities, thus, the importance of code equality for both able and disabled persons.
3. Third, work with other local municipalities and the County. Encourage them to take similar steps concerning Sober Homes. This will prevent the problem from being passed on to another jurisdiction. Request the County and State League of Cities organizations to take more vocal stances on the Sober Home issue and to lobby with more emphasis of the urgency of the problem while continuing to research for solutions.
4. Fourth, Sober Homes have economic value and economic consequences, also. The City Council should consult with the business community in seeking solutions. Business oriented organizations, such as, the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Development Board, and the Economic Council could be valuable resources for ideas that can contribute to solving the Sober Home issues. Another positive resource could be the Palm Beach County Task Force that was created to brainstorm for solutions to make Sober Homes’ community assets rather than liabilities.

These are my opinions and suggestions on the burgeoning Sober Home issue. I am sure there are many others. I would encourage the Palm Beach Gardens City Council to give concerted effort to this issue promptly.

Martino: IG – Take a Closer Look at Palm Beach Gardens!

On September 20th the local section of the Palm Beach Post ballyhooed the following headline…

Palm Beach Gardens

Inspector General Report

IG: GARDENS VIOLATED LAW ON CLUBHOUSE

City didn’t record some meetings concerning $4.5 million project.

Well, Mr. Inspector General you might want to take a more in depth look at the Gardens. In my opinion, this is business as usual in Palm Beach Gardens. Transparency is not a virtue or a basis upon which this City Council and its administration practices its authority. As one who regularly attends the once per month Palm Beach Gardens City Council meetings I marvel at the lack of respect and concern exhibited for open government. My sense is that our Council-Manager governance has become subservient to a form of “shadow government” that is exercising power beyond the scrutiny of the public.

Underscoring the above, one only has to study the 2013-14 “baseball stadium fiasco” where the City promoted a $100,000,000 stadium in the middle of prime single-family neighborhoods and the City Council claimed to know nothing. How about the surprise disappearance of 300 units from the Avenir development which was never adequately discussed in public and then its approval? The Shady Lakes Drive extension debacle and its contract cost confusion raise perceptions of silent maneuverings. There is the little matter of the City’s Palm Beach Gardens Municipal Golf course name change to the Sandhill Crane Golf Course without a public meeting or supposed City Council knowledge. The City’s website was renamed without benefit of a public discussion. More recently, both a park and pavilion, City property owned by the taxpayers, were named for sitting City Council members without public notice or meeting. Not for public consumption agenda reviews, development reviews, budget reviews, and who knows what other reviews, are held presumably with individual Council members, where and when is a mystery, choreographed by an unidentified whom, with what questions asked and answered, and with what records kept, is all unknown.

Is there “ill Intent” involved, I hope not. But is there “intent”, I think so. Over the last ten years or so the incumbent heavy City Council has meticulously constructed a crafty façade, a false front government, to give the appearance of transparency, but it is an opaque front. Charter changes have been deceptively presented as good for the City but have put distance between the public and its right to information and participation. Regularly scheduled workshops concerning important developments and City problems have been eliminated. Policy making seems to have matriculated into the realm of the City Administration and away from the dominion of the City Council.

From my perspective, transparency is a fundamental necessity for good government but the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens does not practice it. A City Council that meets together only once per month with its residents in a public meeting is not fostering communication. A City Council that regularly affirms important decisions with little discussion with its constituency and then casts 5 to 0 confirmatory votes is not promoting accountability. A City Council that regularly alludes that all their questions are asked and answered in some clandestine manner is not demonstrating openness. In my opinion, this protocol is not the definition of transparency but it best describes the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens attempt at it.

Update: Second Budget Hearing on 9/22 Increased Ad-Valorem Revenue 8.3% and Changed Impact Fees

Update – All Items in the 2nd Hearing and City Council Meeting on 9/22 passed 5:0.  Public Comment on a non-agenda item was made by Mary Ott regarding the City’s towing contract and her filed protest.

Mayor Tinsley remarked that City Attorney Lohman will be responding to the protest, following protocol.

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The first of two 2016/2017 Budget Hearings was held on 9/8. Most in the audience, however, were there for the presentations of the 9/11 Remembrance Essay Recipient and the Sandhill Crane Juniors Golf Team – Winners of the SFPGA Summer League.  Congratulations all!

City Manager Ferris announced more awards for the one-man Purchasing Department – 2016 Excellence in Procurement award and UPPCC award for Km! Ra – Congratulations! Ferris also showed an animated video of the traffic on 117th Ct – comparing traffic on 8/17/15 vs 8/17/16 highlighting the City’s improvements.

Public Comment included:

• Mark Marciano complementing the City’s sports fields and requesting higher fencing at Gardens Park.
• Jervonte Edmonds of Delray Beach speaking about his innovative non-profit Suits for Seniors – preparing HS Seniors on proper behavior and tips for job interviews. After an 8 week program, Seniors get a nice fitted suit for their job interviews. He currently has a program in Dwyer HS and was asking the Council to participate in Career Day.
• Joe Russo congratulated Keith Bryer on his appointment to Fire Chief.

The Consent Agenda passed 5:0

The first hearing of both the 2016/2017 Proposed Budget and the total Impact Fee Revision passed 5:0. The only public comment was by Fred and Iris Scheibl on the budget – pointing out that this is an 8.3% ad-valorem revenue increase, that this will hit non-homestead properties very hard, and to please consider splitting the difference and giving some relief to the tax-payers. Joni Alias had not planned to speak, but felt she had to counter the comments by the Scheibls, in support of the tax increase. See here for a short article on the increase.

All on the Council supported the budget as did the Budget Oversight Committee. Council Member Premuroso, who also advised the Budget Oversight Committee, spoke about the strategy during the hard times, and the current strategy of 5 years of flat millage based on revenue projections. He did not mention, however, that the Ad Valorem revenue expected in 2017 is significantly higher than projected, and almost matches the ad-valorem taxes projected for 2018…  The following chart is from page 51 of the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Budget. 

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The second hearing for the Proposed Budget and the Impact Fee Revisions will be held on September 22 at 7pm. See the agenda here for any changes. Expect it to be a short meeting. The Consent Agenda includes one Purchase Award for a 3-yr contract/lease for a fleet of golf carts with GPS for Sandhill Crane Golf Club. The item was competitively bid and is valued at $330K.

NOTE: There will be an FDOT Hearing on the Central Boulevard I-95 Interchange on Wednesday, September 28th at City Hall.  See the Notice.

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