Next City Council Meeting on Thursday, August 6 at 7pm
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, August 6, at 7pm at City Hall.
Presentations:
- None listed
Consent Agenda includes:
- Resolution 36, 2015 – Approving the plat for Church in the Gardens Planned Unit Development (PUD) – the City Council had approved rezoning and site plan amendments in July 2014
- Resolution 37, 2015 – Design/Build of Tactical Training Center – this is a Purchase Award/Contract for $1.5 Million – competitively bid
- Purchase Award of a 3 year contract to Blue Cross/Blue Shield for Group Health Insurance valued at $5.63 Million – competitively bid
- Purchase Award of a 1 year contract to Symetra Life Insurance for Stop Loss Insurance valued at $367K/year – competitively bid
- Purchase Award of $318K for Construction of Sewer Connection and Lift Station – under an existing contract
- Purchase Award for Targetry Package for Tactical Training Center – piggyback/access contract – valued at $1.082 Million.
- Purchase Award for Contract Labor Services for Sandhill Crane Golf Course for 3 years – for $360K – competitively bid
Editorial Comment – Note that the total value of the contracts under the Consent Agenda for this meeting is over $9,000,000!
Public Hearings and Resolutions include:
- Resolution 31, 2015 – Alton PCD (AKA Briger) Community Design Elements
- Resolution 33, 2015 – A request from Ballenlsles Community Association to consolidate approved property development standards and amend select property development standards for all residential communities within the Ballenlsles PCD
- Resolution 34, 2015 – FPL PUD Amendment for Ryder Substation to allow construction of a Wireless Telecommunications Tower and related structures
- Resolution 26, 2015 – Updating Fees and Charges for Fiscal Year 2015/2016
- Resolution 28, 2015 – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds
- In 2014 Palm Beach Gardens population passed 50,000 which qualified it as a new entitlement community for HUD grants. Prior to 2014, the City had an inter-local agreement with Palm Beach County.
The agenda (with links to full detail) can be found here. Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting.
See a summary of the July City Council Meeting as well as the latest Martino Minute on the PBG Watch website.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope you can make it. If you can’t make the meeting try and watch live-streaming or on-demand.
Martino: Council Should Add a Budget Workshop in August
In my last “Martino Minute” presentation I began a discussion on opinions that I have concerning the City of Palm Beach Gardens budget process. I would like to continue with some further observations critiquing the City Council’s involvement, or lack thereof, in the budget process.
The most obvious premise about any budget is that it needs to be funded with money. The City of Palm Beach Gardens budget monies are partially raised from various fees, non-City taxes, assessments, and so forth. However, the major budget funding source is from property taxes imposed on residents and business property owners, or the people.
If the people constitute the government it stands to reason that the people are entitled to know how the thought processes of their elected representatives lead to actions on the people’s behalf, particularly when it comes to creating a budget. This is inherent and basic to open government. From my observations while attending various City Council meetings, this City Council is simply is not measuring up to the people’s needs and expectations, particularly when it comes to communication, openness, and accountability.
The City Council of Palm Beach Gardens meets for general business meetings only once per month. Workshop meetings are a rarity. Being kind that is woefully inadequate. It degrades the opportunity for communication, openness, and accountability. Last year there were only two publicly scheduled budget meetings held both of which are required by law. These meetings were perfunctory and sterile with little input by the City Council as to the rationalization of the budget content. No publicly scheduled workshop meetings were held that I was aware of for the City Council to give policy direction or ask any pertinent questions concerning the budget. It should be acknowledged that there is an unelected, volunteer Citizens Budget Committee that holds a series of open meetings to make budget recommendations to the City Council, whose work I appreciate and applaud. The public hearings did little to recognize this committee’s efforts.
The City Council needs to and should hold more publicly scheduled workshop type meetings in general and more particularly concerning the City’s budget. Is this micro-managing? No, not in the least! The people need to know how their government is spending their money. It’s important to know personnel costs are approaching 50% of the general fund budget. It’s important for the people to hear the policy directions given and the questions asked by the elected officials of the administrators and what the answers are or aren’t. It’s simply elected officials doing the “people’s business” in the light of day and not the dark of the back room.
If they are listening, I would encourage the City Council to publicly schedule at least one public workshop meeting on the budget in August other than the regular August 6th meeting. Further, I would recommend the establishment of a tax millage rate for the 2015-16 fiscal year at the rollback rate of approximately 5.4729 inclusive of debt service or, perhaps, something even less.
One can always wish and hope.
Martino: Time for Significant Tax Relief
It’s that time of year again when the Palm Beach Gardens City Council begins determining how to budget for the City’s needs, wants, and desires. In my opinion, this is the most important and compelling component of the voter’s trust bestowed upon the elected Council members.
From my prospective, the City Council’s participation in preparing the 2015-16 budget for the City should be open, transparent, and communicable with the public. The Council should be the influencing, instructing, and guiding instrument in the budget’s preparation and not the Administration. In order to facilitate a more open budget process I would advocate for…
- More scheduled budget workshop meetings in the light of the Council chambers with the public in attendance. This should be the norm and not the exception.
- Department heads make their budget presentations at these scheduled workshop meetings so the public can hear the concerns of the Council members and the answers to those concerns.
- All, full and part-time, positions of City employment and their concurrent salaries be presented and discussed in public including the City Council’s salaries and benefits.
The contemplated and reported operating property-tax rate (millage rate) of 5.8075 presently proposed for the 2015-16 fiscal year is far from tax relief of any significance. That is a mere, measly, and miserly reduction of only .024 from the current 5.8315 millage rate. I would strongly encourage the City Council to consider satisfying the need, want, and desire of Gardens taxpayers for significant tax relief.
In conclusion, there is still opportunity to substantially and significantly reduce the 2015-16 millage rate as the budget process unfolds to finality. Council members have expressed a desire to do just that. Will they “walk the talk” as the saying goes? Only time will tell.
Briger Deed Restrictions Irks Council
While not on the agenda for the July 1, 2015 City Council meeting, the topic of the Briger Tract deed restrictions surfaced as a theme several times during the meeting. All on the Council were troubled by the less than thriving Scripps spin-off results and the deed restrictions which seem to be interpreted more narrowly than the Council thinks is required. While the ideal situation would be to have bio-tech companies fill the zone, the Council all felt that technology companies with high-paying jobs, should qualify for inclusion. Otherwise, many of the occupants of the residential areas in the tract will have to commute, thus creating traffic issues. And the area will remain under-utilized. See the Palm Beach Post’s summary of the discussion here.
Resolution 27, 2015 set the maximum operation millage to a flat 5.67 and set the first public hearing to September 10, 2015. The Council directed staff to come back in September with as low a property tax rate as possible. Council member Russo said he wanted to see homesteaded property owners pay not a dollar more. Council member Premuroso was still working on the amount millage should be lowered. Council member Levy pointed out that the working assumption had been that property valuations would increase by 3% this year. Since the valuations increased 7.8% he felt the delta should be given as tax relief to the property owners. See the Palm Beach Post summary of the discussion here.
Kayla Abramowitz, the 13 year old winner of the National Young Entrepreneurs Acaemy (YEA!) Saunders Scholarship, was introduced by Beth Kigel, President and CEO of the Chamber of Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce. Kayla’s non-profit has received local and national awards. Mayor Jablin also presented her with a placque.
Public Comment included a brief update by resident Barbara Grossman on marine issues with All Aboard Florida raised by Martin County, and safety and code enforcement issues with property on Flax Court raised by residents Robert Mandeville and Gary Pitchford.
The City Manager report included:
- An update by Fire Chief Michael Southard on the brush-fire at Central Blvd and 117th, describing the evacuation of the campers at Timber Trace to the Emergency Operations Complex, and explaining the plans for containing the fire.
- An update by City Manager Ferris on the Drainage Projects in Gardens, Mirasol and Lilac Parks – completed on time and on budget.
- Candice Temple, Media Relations Manager, described the City’s new website. The Council expressed some consternation when noticing that the City’s Municipal Golf Course had been renamed to ‘Sandhill Crane Golf Course’ without any input or vote on their part. Ms. Temple replied that it was a marketing decision, but the concensus was that such decisions should get Council review. Otherwise, they were please with the new look and feel of the website
All Ordinances and the Consent Agenda passed 5:0
City Attorney Max Lohman said that he’d filed papers against the PGA Waterfront Project and that a hearing on the Sunset and 40th Terrace eminent domain proceedings had been set for around Labor Day weekend but that the rest of the project up to the property line was proceeding on target.
Since the City Manager’s performance, contract extensions and salary were already discussed in April, the Council moved to have the text of that discussion put into the record to satisfy the annual evaluation requirements.
Next City Council Mtg on Wednesday July 1st
The next City Council Meeting will be this Wednesday, July 1, at 7pm at City Hall.
Presentations
- Recognition of Kayla Abramowitz, 13, winner of the National Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Saunders Scholarship
Consent Agenda includes
- Two Purchase Awards – EMS THIRD PARTY BILLING SERVICES AND REPORTING – taking the option to renew for 2 years the existing contract for just third party billing services, estimated at $200K; reappoint Kevin M Wagner as Code Enforcement Special Magistrate for an additional 3 year term, for $17K
Public Hearings include:
- Second reading Ordinances 7, 2015 and 8, 2015 aligning the March Municipal Elections with the Presidential Preference Primary date and adjusting key dates accordingly
- Second reading of Ordinance 10, 2015 which transfers approximately $5.5 Million from the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserve Account.
- Resolution 27, 2015 – setting the maximum proposed millage rate and the dates for the September Budget Hearings.
- “The City is required to file with the County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector a proposed millage rate that will be sent out on the Notice of Proposed Taxes in August. The proposed operating millage rate is 5.67, and debt service is .1375, for a total millage of 5.8075, which is less than the current year total rate of 5.8315….Once the tentative millage is filed with the County, these rates can be lowered at the budget hearings, but they cannot be increased.”
- NOTE – while the above statement is true – the proposed maximum operating millage rate is unchanged from the current 5.67 mills and it is only the debt service that has declined. If the millage rate remains at this point in September – it will represent a TAX INCREASE, hitting those in non-homesteaded properties the hardest, as property valuations for Palm Beach Gardens have increased 7.8%.
Items for Council Action/Discussion
- City Manager Evaluation
The agenda (with links to full detail) can be found here. Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting.
See a summary of the June City Council Meeting as well as the latest Martino Minute on the PBG Watch website.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope you can make it. If you can’t make the meeting try and watch live-streaming or on-demand.
Martino: Tinsley – Thrown Under the Bus
Have you been thrown under the bus lately? No, that’s good! Neither have I. But in my humble opinion, Palm Beach Gardens City Councilwoman, Marcie Tinsley, has seen the tire tracks of the City Council bus run over her dedication and hard work, not once but twice. In a sometimes not so subtle way, her cohorts on the City Council, Messrs. Eric Jablin, Joe Russo, David Levy, and Bert Premuroso, at recent Council meetings have thrown Tinsley under the bus.
As the City Council bus made its only scheduled April 2015 Council chamber stop, City Council members, Eric Jablin, Joe Russo, David Levy, and Bert Premuroso threw the lone female member Marcie Tinsley’s attempt at elevating herself to the ceremonial positions of Mayor or Vice-Mayor under the bus. In a unanimous vote the Council voted to appoint Eric Jablin as the new Mayor. In a 4 to 1 vote with Tinsley voting for herself, her fellow Council members elected Levy as the new Vice-Mayor for the coming year. I must note here that Premuroso, who nominated Tinsley, did not vote for Tinsley, his nominee. Why? In defense of herself, Tinsley expressed her desire to be elevated and honored as Vice-Mayor and/or Mayor, as all of her cohorts had been, citing her dedication and arguing her hard work in office as being equal to her counterparts. Her points were valid. But regardless of her rationales the bus kept rolling. Her fellow Council members stepped on the accelerator while patronizing her with political double-speak telling her she was qualified but that Jablin and Levy’s experience was more valuable and necessary for continuity. The tires of the bus left their tracks.
On its route for June 2015, the City Council bus made its single stop for the month. Again, instead of allowing Councilwoman Tinsley a seat on the bus, her fellow Council members closed the doors, as they coaxed her under the bus once more. Messrs. Jablin, Russo, Levy, and Premuroso would not validate her ticket, a District Park Report, which the Council seemingly authorized in September of 2014. Their recollection of the authorization was fuzzy and left Councilwoman Tinsley perplexed. No matter, the bus kept rolling. Without a formal policy resolution to consider, without a motion or vote of concise policy intention that I could ascertain, the City Council simply verbally instructed Council member Tinsley to advise County officials that the County should retain ownership of the property and assemble a multi-purpose District Park at its expense. It is important to note that this District Park which will exist in the middle of Palm Beach Gardens would be open to use by all residents of other municipalities, such as, Riviera Beach, Lake Park, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, and Jupiter, as well as, all County residents. More tire tracks in the wake of a City Council, which as a body is often dysfunctional and communicably challenged.
From my perspective, by their actions and comments, Councilwoman Tinsley’s fellow Council members have disrespected her efforts on behalf of the residents of the City. She deserves better. She is right in saying she merits an opportunity to be Mayor or Vice-Mayor. Not that it’s of any consequence but for the record I would have voted for her for either position. As far as the District Park issue is concerned it is my considered opinion that City Council has erred again. Palm Beach Gardens does not need a County District Park on this particular piece of property in the middle of prime residential neighborhoods, just as we did not need a baseball stadium on this same Central Boulevard property. In my opinion, the City should negotiate for the outright purchase of the property and comprehensively plan its use to suit Palm Beach Gardens residents.
Finally, by virtue of her being elected on two occasions to the City Council by substantial margins, Councilwoman Tinsley not only deserves a seat on the City Council bus, but because of the voters’ trust she owns one.
“BUILD TODAY FOR TOMORROW’S NEEDS WITH TODAY’S MONEY”
Much of the public comment and discussion at the June City Council meeting was directed at Ordinance 10, 2015, and spending plans for the proposed PBG Golf Course Club House; 11 people spoke in favor. But before Finance Director Allan Owens began, City Manager Ferris gave a presentation about the uniqueness and forward thinking approach of the City. He recounted all the cases in the last 15 years, where the city ‘went big’and built not for current needs, but future needs – listing the PGA Flyover, Burns Rd Gym/Aquatic Center (cat 5 ready), Burns Road widening, Emergency Operations Center, Kyoto Gardens Drive (4 lanes instead of 2), and Mirasol Park.
He used the mantra, reworded a little bit differently each time “build today for the needs of tomorrow with today’s money“. Of course the money he was talking about using was most of the balance of the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserve Account. Those of you who attended the 2015 Budget Hearings in September, may recall that the Council was initially aghast at then Mayor Premuroso’s suggestion that $500K of the fund be returned to the residents as a millage decrease (it was still a tax increase since property values had risen). Nine months later, however, the outlook (and the Council’s attitude) was quite different as they approved 5:0 the spending down of the reserve fund as follows:
To summarize, the recommended transfers contained in Ordinance 10, 2015, which
impact General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserves, include the following:
1. Supplemental appropriation for Golf Course Clubhouse $2,288,544
2. Additional payment towards unfunded public safety liabilities $1,392,761
3. Supplemental appropriation for City Park $1,200,000
4. Supplemental appropriation for Police Tactical Training Facility $575,000
Total Transfers From Budget Stabilization Reserves $5,456,305After the above transfers are made, the current General Fund Budget Stabilization
Reserve Account will total $462,005. Unassigned General Fund Reserves are
unaffected, and will remain at $23,066,106.
Only Council Member Premuroso expressed concern that the fund was being almost totally depleted.
Next month the Council will likely set the 2016 maximum millage (assume it will be unchanged from current) and direct staff to reduce it prior to final budget and return some $$ to the taxpayers. At last night’s meeting Premuroso said he wanted a cut of 10-12 points; Council members Russo and Tinsley also expressed their desire to lower millage. While Council member Levy did not say so last night, he was quoted in the Palm Beach Post last week expressing the same sentiment. Mayor Jablin did not comment on millage – however 9 months ago at the budget hearings, when he opposed the minor millage decrease, he did want to look at the possibility of a bigger tax rate cut this year. We’ll be watching and so should you!
The Palm Beach Post covered the Golf Club House discussion here.
All Ordinances and Resolutions passed 5:0
The final discussions and City Attorney report were also of interest:
Citizen Survey Results – Council member Tinsley suggested that there be some form of local transit – perhaps akin to Molly’s Trollies in WPB. She had done some research on alternatives, but in general the rest of the Council was cool to the idea – until/unless Palm Beach Gardens got a Tri-Rail station. Mayor Jablin’s opinion was that only tourists/visitors would be interested in this option. However all welcomed any private enterprise or the Chamber, if they wished to provide such a service.
North County Park – Council Member Tinsley had been the focal point to review options of the North County District Park (currently owned by the County near the PBG Tennis Center). She discussed what had occurred up until now at the County level, and discussion with District 1 Commissioner Hal Valeche. The Council was also cool to pursuing any aspect of the park and suggested that Hal ‘run with it’. Mr. Ferris did summarize by saying that anything the County proposes would have to have final approval by Palm Beach Gardens – with security, maintenance, traffic issues all impacting the City. The Council anticipated that such a park would be met with similar concerns and opposition as did the proposed Baseball stadium proposed for the site and they were not looking for trouble.
City Attorney Lohman gave an update on the PGA Waterfront project. The Developer went to the County with their updated proposal, and reviewed it with several groups and municipalities, but specifically excluding Palm Beach Gardens. While the City did attend the Board of County Commissioner (BCC) Meeting and express the City’s concerns, they were ignored. Two major issues that the City has are 1) failure to include a right turn lane on PGA Blvd onto Ellison Wilson 2) inability of the PB Gardens Fire/Rescue ladder truck to be able to physically enter the property. The latter is key as historically 50% of all calls to the site were responded to by PB Gardens Fire/Rescue. Lohman requested and received a 5:0 motion to let him proceed with a writ to challenge the approval of the project so that the City’s objections could be heard by the County.
SR7 Extension Design Project Public Meeting on June 3rd
FYI – for those of you impacted by or wanting to know more about the proposed State Route 7 Extension, click here to see the flyer that was circulated to local elected officials along with the meeting notice.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public meeting regarding the SR 7 Design Project. | |
Date: |
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 |
Time: |
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
Place: |
South Florida Fair Grounds |
Expo Center, Gate 8, Building 10 |
|
9067 Southern Boulevard |
|
West Palm Beach, Florida 33411 |
The meeting will follow an open house format. The purpose of this meeting is to present the design concepts for this project to the public. There will be no formal presentation. Representatives from the FDOT and the project team will be available to answer questions. Maps, drawings, and other information will be available.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.
Next City Council Meeting on Thursday, June 4th at 7pm
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, June 4 at 7pm at City Hall.
Presentations
- There will be a presentation on Project Bruin (which is on the Consent Agenda)
Consent Agenda includes
- Project Bruin – which is requesting $350,000 from the Quick Action Closing Fund – in exchange for a Capital Investment of $1,895,000 by 12/31/16 and retaining 473 existing employees and creating 178 new jobs with an average wage of $83,000.
- Two Purchase Awards – One for annual asphalt milling and resurfacing services for 2015 in the amount not to exceed $558,370, which is a piggyback on a competitively bid contract with the Village of Wellington; the second is also a Piggyback on a Miami/Dade contract for Employee Benefits Consulting Services in the amount of $210,000.
Public Hearings include:
- 2nd reading of Ordinance 4, 2015 (Replacing Chapter 62) and Ordinance 9, 2015 (Replacing Chapter 70) and it’s related Resolution revising schedules and fees related to Chapter 70
- Ordinances 7 and 8, 2015, 1st Reading – related to a temporary change in the Municipal Election date for 2016 (in order to coincide with the March 22 Federal Presidential Primary Election) and adjusting the Candidate Qualifying Period, affected by the change.
- Ordinance 10, 2015 transfers approximately $5.5 Million from the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserve Account, leaving a balance of $462K, and using the transfers for: Supplemental appropriation for Golf Course Clubhouse, Additional payment towards unfunded public safety liabilities, Supplemental appropriation for City Park, Supplemental appropriation for Police Tactical Training Facility. Unassigned General Fund Reserves are unaffected, and will remain at $23,066,106
- Resolution 11, 2015 – Seacoast Banking Center signage changes
- Resolution 20, 2015 – Church in the Gardens – Art in Public Places approval of a seven and one-half (7 %) foot tall statue of Jesus Christ Ascending to Heaven.
- Resolution 24, 2015 – a site plan amendment to allow for the build out of Phase II of the La Posada Senior Assisted Living Facility
Items for Council Action/Discussion
- The two items that were on the May Agenda and not discussed are once again on the agenda – Citizen Survey Results and North County District Park.
The agenda (with links to full detail) can be found here. Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting.
See a summary of the May Council Meeting as well as the latest Martino Minute on the PBG Watch website.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope you can make it. If you can’t make the meeting try and watch live-streaming or on-demand.
No to All Aboard Florida Bonds; Yes to everything else
All council members were present. Mr. Russo commented he may not be able to stay the entire meeting due to medical problems at home.
Council chambers were filled for the Frenchman’s Creek and Frenchman’s Reserve presentation. Jane Feinstein and Mik Fernanandi presented their arguments against All Aboard Florida (AAF), mentioning the lack of transparency with AAF and DOT. Noise, vibrations, expected slower response times and possible hazardous waste issues with the expected increase in freight trips were also discussed. They requested the council write a letter objecting to the issuing of bonds. There are claims that peoples’ rights have been violated because many people have objected to the “bullet” train but that AFF and the DOT said “no local residents have objected.” They mentioned that a Jupiter and PBG resident have filed lawsuit.
Ali Soule, representative for AAF, spoke for 3 minutes after that presentation in favor of AAF. Two other people spoke in favor of AFF. 5 residents voiced their opinion against AFF. It was a hot topic and the Mayor had to quiet the crowd several times. A motion was made and accepted to send a letter out against issuing the bonds.
Fl. Representative Pat Rooney gave an update on the latest legislative session noting that they ended 3 days early. No progress was made on the budget and there is a special session scheduled to meet again 6/1/15 through 6/20/15 to discuss the budget and the expansion issues with Medicare/Medicaid. Mr. Rooney also spoke about the 750K funding for the C17 canal. Legislation on sober homes is also being discussed
The annual Audit report was given by Marcum LLP. Their representative, Enrique Llerena gave the report noting there were no deficiencies and noted that the staff did a great job providing the information.
City Manager proclaimed May 24 Sherri Pla day. The African American Golfers Association acknowledged Sherri as their 1st award recipient for her involvement in promoting golf.
The Consent Agenda was approved 5-0.
Ordinance 4, 2015 repealing and rewriting Chapter 62 (regulations that govern the use of city streets, swales, right of way and public places) was passed 5-0.
Ordinance 9, 2019 repealing and rewriting Chapter 70 (traffic and vehicles) also passed 5-0. Note that Resolution 19 is a companion item and will require council action on the 2nd reading next month.
Ordinance 5, 2015 (2nd reading) 10 year water supply facilities work plan was passed 5-0.
Ordinance 6, 2015 (2nd reading) Mirasol club renovations passed 5-0. The companion item Resolution 16, 2015 for additional parking also passed 5-0.
Resolution 18, 2015 to allow a 2000 sq. ft. restaurant and drive thru to be build had some 5 residents that spoke against the resolution. The Brocks changed the hours of operation after council expressed concern. The resolution passed 5-0.
Resolution 17, 2015 Appointment of regular members to the Police pension board passed 5-0 after all persons mentioned were approved by council.
Resolution 21, 2015 Eminent domain of 8511 40th Terrace North for a utility water line was combined with Resolution 22, 2015 the eminent domain to acquire a parcel of land at 8342 Sunset Drive. Todd Engle presented a slide show on the reasons for the taking. Carol Courtney spoke at the public comment. She noted that there were several very old trees, one in particular that was estimated by arborist to be approximately 250 years old. Carol stated she had spoken to the city forester and the day before and he said he was not aware of the issues with the trees. Michelle Ball spoke about the close proximity of the cul-de-sac to her home. Kevin Easton spoke about the problems in communication and the attempts to get all interested parties, like the city forester, fire chief, etc. to meet on site to develop a plan that works best for the neighborhood. Kevin requested to show some slides presenting his ideas to tweak the current design to save the trees and keep the “gardens” charm that he has enjoyed since purchasing his home (1989.) That request was denied. Council instructed the City Engineer to work with Mr. Easton to see if his proposals could be incorporated and to try and save the trees. The Council passed both resolutions 5-0.
The council meeting concluded at 10:30.