Next City Council Mtg / Final 2015/2016 Fiscal Year Budget Hearing on September 17
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, September 17, at 7pm in City Hall. The only item on the Agenda, other than Consent, is the Second 2015/2016 Fiscal Year Budget Hearing. On Consent is Resolution 42, 2015, allowing the City Manager to apply for and accept a Highway Beautification Grant with FDOT.
See our summary of last Thursday’s City Council Meeting (including the First Budget Hearing) here. It includes links to the powerpoint presentation that Finance Director Allan Owens made, as well.
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
Gardens Budget Splits the Difference with the Taxpayer
The FY2016 Budget for Palm Beach Gardens will be discussed at the first public hearing on September 10.
Property valuations are up significantly this year, and some jurisdictions are reaping large windfalls by leaving their millage flat. The county for example, will see a tax increase of over 9%, which will be their largest budget in history, growing by $61M in new taxes – bigger than the entire budget for PBG.
The Gardens Council is being more responsible than the county and proposes to return some of the valuation windfall to the taxpayer. It should be noted though, that this year’s proposed $51M in revenue is the largest budget to date, exceeding those of the boom years of 2007-2008.
As the included chart shows, when the valuation bubble burst in 2008, PBG increased the millage to maintain flat tax revenue around $50M, then relented in 2009 and let revenue decline below $45M as the economy remained stagnant. Now that there is an increase in valuation (over 6% this year) the proposed millage would be reduced to limit the rise in revenue to just under 5% (on top of 5.3% last year).
If the millage were left unchanged, it would have generated over $52M, so the “extra” $1M (2%) would be returned to the taxpayer.
Compared to the money grab that’s going on at the county, we should be grateful to our staff and Council for their restraint. If you go to the meeting on Thursday, thank them for that, and ask them to stick to the plan. It is still possible to raise the millage (up to 5.67), and some groups may come to lobby for more spending.
First Reading 2015/2016 Budget and Legislative Update on Sept 10
The next City Council meeting will be on Thursday September 10, 2015 at 7pm. This is the first of two City Council meetings in September due to 2015/2016 Budget Hearings. The second reading of the budget will be held on September 17, 2015. I have heard from multiple sources that Fire/Rescue employees plan to attend the Sept. 10th meeting to object to the impasse on contract negotiations – so expect a ‘packed house’.
Announcements/Presentations include a Legislative Update by Senator Abruzzo.
The Consent Agenda includes:
- Resolution 39, 2015 – which is a collective bargaining agreement with SEIU. In accordance with the current three- (3) year contract effective October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2017, between the City and the SEIU/Florida Public Services Union, Article 28, Salary Plan, was open to negotiation for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. The City’s negotiating team met with representatives of the SEIU/Fiorida Public Services Union on June 17, 2015, and successfully reached a Tentative Agreement to provide all bargaining unit members a 3% salary increase effective October 1, 2015.
- Resolution 40, 2015 – approving the plat for the new Fire Station #2
- Purchase award/Independent Contract Agreement for a Tennis Professional worth $65K
- Purchase award for Mowing and Landscaping Services for roughly $1.7 million for 3 years, competitively bid
- Purchase award/contract for Medical Director for EMS, for $135K for 3 years.
- Purchase award for Public Art – Repairs, Maintenance and Conservation for around $300K, for 3 years, competitively bid
The Regular Agenda is comprised of Ordinance 12, 2015 – Public Hearing for First Reading of Ordinance 12, 2015 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Budget with a proposed operating millage rate of 5.55 and a debt millage rate of .1371 for a total tentative millage rate of 5.6871 mills for Fiscal Year 2015/2016. This is a decrease from last year’s millage; the proposed operating millage represents an increase over the roll-back rate (which would be the same revenue as last year) by 4.02%. While homesteaded properties will see a slight decrease or little impact – those with commercial and rental properties and second homes will be seeing a tax increase.
See the proposed budget here and read the Memorandum to Mayor and the City Council. The Budget Oversight Committee report can be read here; it is in support of the proposed budget and millage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Next City Council Meeting on May 7 at 7pm
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, May 7 at 7pm at City Hall. It is a very full agenda with many topics of interest.
Announcements/Presentations includes a Legislative Update by Representative Pat Rooney, the 2014 Annual Audit Report and a topic regarding All Aboard Florida and residents of Frenchman’s Creek and Frenchman’s Reserve.
Public Hearings and Resolutions include amending Chapter 62 (Streets, Sidewalks and Certain Public Places) making property owners share in responsibility of swales/right of way maintenance , amending Chapter 70 (Traffic and Vehicles) The proposed new ordinance would provide the City with a new set of parking regulations and the repeal of Article VI. Dangerous Intersection Safety regarding the use of unmanned image capture technologies. , Revising Schedule of Fees and Charges, amending Donald Ross Village PUD, Condemnation and Eminent Domain Proceedings on 2 parcels (Sunset Drive and 40th Terrace) as well as 2nd reading on several items.
Council Action/Discussion will also include discussion of the Citizen Survey Results and a discussion on 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.
Next PB Gardens City Council this Thursday, April 2nd
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, April 2nd at 7pm at City Hall.
Note that at the beginning of the agenda is the annual ‘Reorganization‘ with the Council voting for Mayor and Vice Mayor. At the end of the meeting, during Items for Council Action/Discussion, the Council will discuss and vote on Extension of City Manager Contract – a subject from last July and September meetings.
The Consent Agenda includes:
- Purchase Award for $110K for aquatic vegetation and exotic species management service – openly bid.
- Purchase award for Tires not to exceed $300K – piggyback award to Florida Sheriffs Association contract; has been doing so for many years
The Regular Agenda includes:
- Ordinance 2, 2015 – Second Reading: An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014/15 budget
- Ordinance 6, 2015 and companion Resolution 16, 2015 relates to expansion of the Mirasol Clubhouse and parking.
- Resolution 15, 2015 is a purchase award to Wesco Turf for $378K for special golf course mowers and specialized turf equipment through an existing State contract.
Items for Council Action/Discussion also includes assigning Council member responsibilities for various internal and external boards.
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 March Council Meeting as well as the latest two Martino Minutes (on the new logo and the Banyan Tree PUD vote) 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.
Project Diamond added on Consent Agenda?
(correction – resolution is resolution 14, 2015 not resolution 15, 2015 – typo)
The next City Council Meeting will be tonight Thursday, March 5th at 7pm at City Hall.
Is United Technologies on Briger tract an appropriate subject for Consent Agenda?
Resolution 14, 2015 (read it here) was added to the Consent Agenda sometime after my email on Monday. Read the Post’s article entitled Sources: Firm eyes Gardens expansion.
“United Technologies is looking to buy property on the Briger tract in Palm Beach Gardens to build a 280,000-square-foot office complex, where the Fortune 500 company plans to move a significant portion of its Carrier Air Conditioning and Otis Elevator subsidiaries into a regional headquarters, according to knowledgeable sources.
Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County are poised to offer major incentives packages to secure the deal for the $115 million complex, which would employ 450 with an average minimum wage of $85,000. ”
By our calculations, approval of this resolution commits the city to over $5M over 10 years at the current combined millage rate of 5.8315 on a $115M project. That consists of property tax forgiveness of $671K per year in the first 5 years and $335K in the next 5, in addition to the direct payment of the “jobs incentive” of $630K.
But “Plans are to buy the site from Kolter Group, which owns the 681-acre Briger tract. But there’s a hitch: The Briger land is one of a number of properties zoned for biotech development in northern Palm Beach County.
A source close to the deal said he believes a technology or headquarters use is permitted on the land. But Jim Mize, the chief assistant county attorney who led the team that wrote the covenants governing the tract, said that the 100 acres now controlled by Kolter are restricted to industries “directly supportive” of biotech research. That restriction doesn’t expire until at least 2021, Mize said Wednesday. ”
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 (which certainly was the case today!)
Next City Council Meeting on Thursday, March 5th at 7pm
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, March 5th at 7pm at City Hall.
The Consent Agenda includes:
- A 5-year contract Purchase Award for Janitorial Services for Parks and Facilities, valued at $372,000. 5 vendors bid on the contract.
- There will also be 3 Proclamations: National Public Procurement Month, Irish American Heritage Month and Ethics Awareness Month
The Regular Agenda includes:
- Ordinance 1, 2015 is intended to amend sign code to regulate human signage. This is Second Reading on the Ordinance which appears to be unchanged from first reading, limiting human signage to 2 consecutive days, 6 times per year. (I encourage those of you who have not read the entire ordinance to do so since it covers rules on all signage from special events, and yard sales to political signage.)
- Ordinance 2, 2015 – An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014/15 budget to adjust fund balance carryovers to actual amounts; re-appropriate amounts committed from the FY 2013/2014 budget for outstanding purchase orders and open projects; and for other purposes. Note the increase in reserves as stated: “After the above transfers are made, the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserves will total $5,918,310 in FY 2015, an increase of $3,254,199 from the originally adopted budget. Unassigned General Fund Reserves are unaffected, and will remain at $23,066,106.”
- Ordinance 3, 2015 – creating specific signage requirements for gas stations in Palm Beach Gardens. This is Second Reading.
- Ordinance 5, 2015 – First Reading; Updates the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan and confirms the availability of water for existing development, new development, and redevelopment at the time of the required Evaluation and Report required by the applicable statute; this should be consistent with the SFWMD’s Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply Plan and the 10-Year Water Supply Facility Plans of Seacoast Utility Authority and Palm Beach County.
- Resolution 13, 2015 – amends the Banyan Tree Planned Unit Development (PUD) at the northwest corner of MacArthur Blvd and Northlake Blvd to allow for three single-story retail/restaurant buildings, one of which would have a drive-thru. There are some opponents to this modification from the adjoining Lake Catherine neighborhood – as described here.
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 February City Council Meeting as well as the All Aboard Florida Workshop on the PBG Watch website.