Next City Council Meeting on Thursday, July 10th at 7pm
Reminder – PGA Waterfront Workshop, tomorrow, Tuesday July 8th at 6pm
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, July 10th at 7pm at City Hall.
Here are some highlights:
- Consent agenda: Resolution 45, 2014 provides a grant/tax refund incentive of up to $36K to Medytox Solutions, Inc., providing the company moves its headquarters to Palm Beach Gardens and creates 60 new full-time jobs.
- Public Hearings (regular agenda) includes:
- Resolution 38, 2014 – which sets a proposed max millage for the 2014/2015 budget. This rate can be lowered at the September budget hearings. Note that while millage would be slightly lower, this would still represent a 6.14% increase in property taxes!
- Resolution 42, 2014 which changes the charges and fee schedules for the upcoming year
- Resolution 48, 2014 – would allow a Special Referendum to be placed on the November ballot should Palm Beach Gardens Needs Term Limits meet all necessary schedules and petition criteria.
- Appointments to the Art in Public Places (AIPP) and Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) boards
- 2nd Reading on several ordinances and associated resolutions including prohibition on dog/cat retail sales, zoning changes, and amendments to the Palm Beach Gardens Police Officers’ Retirement Plan
- Under items for Council Action/Discussion is the annual City Manager Evaluation – postponed from June’s meeting, and a discussion of Gas Station Signage.
The agenda (with links to full detail) can be found here.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope you can make it.
Next City Council Mtg on Thursday June 5th
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, June 5th at 7pm at City Hall.
There is a very full agenda this week – here are some highlights:
- Presentation by FDOT on their plans to improve western PGA Blvd
- Consent agenda: includes a plat change for the Mandel JCC property; a resolution by the Council opposing a complete closure of western PGA Blvd in order to raise the roadway; various purchase awards, and a contract with Mark Fuller to design, create and install 3 proposed artistic bus shelters using AIPP (Art in Public Places) funds previously approved by the Council
- Public Hearings (regular agenda) includes first readings on: a site plan approval for a 360-dwelling unit town-home and single-family residential neighborhood in the Briger Tract; an Ordinance which would prohibit puppy mills and the retail sale of dogs and cats within the city limits; an amendment to the PGA Corridor overlay to allow for micro-brewery/brew pub; a resolution describing a non-ad valorem assessment collection for the installation of potable water lines in Sunset Drive and 40th Terrace and a resolution amending the city budget for the associated water and street improvements; a resolution re-establishing the Budget Oversight Committee. There are additional first and second readings on the agenda.
- Under items for Council Action/Discussion is the annual City Manager Evaluation
The short form of the agenda can be found here, and the full agenda can be found here.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope you can make it.
Next City Council Meeting on May 1st at 7pm
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, May 1st at 7pm at City Hall.
On the agenda: second reading of Ordinance 6, 2014, which reduces the number of petitions required to place a citizen-initiated referendum on the ballot; first reading of Ordinance 7 (amending certain sections of the Northlake Boulevard Overlay Zone); and first reading of Ordinance 9. 2014 (Amending the City of Palm Beach Gardens Police Officers’ Retirement Plan).
Also on the agenda is a presentation of the 2013 Annual Audit Report.
The short form of the agenda can be found here, and the full agenda can be found here.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope you can make it.
City Council Meeting Thursday April 3rd
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, April 3rd at 7pm at City Hall.
Election results and appointment of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor along with Board Appointments will be first on the agenda. Presentations will include an All Aboard Florida update, DOT PGA Blvd and Beeline Highway, and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) award.
Two issues of long term importance to residents that arose from last month’s meetingwill be on the agenda:
- Ordinance 6, 2014 – will reduce the number of petitions required to introduce a citizen-initiated ballot question to 10% from 15% of registered voters voting in the last general election. This is not technically a Charter change, but a modification to the enabling ordinance about elections. It only requires that the Council pass it and will not be on the November ballot. The topic arose as a result of a lawsuit served on the city by the group Palm Beach Gardens Needs Term Limits. This item is on the Regular Agenda
- Charter Review Committee – under Items for Council Discussion and Action, there is a chart of the history of prior committees and actions taken/not-taken as a result of their deliberations. Those of you who have served or participated in prior charter reviews may know how members were selected.
Residents of Sunset Drive and 40th Terrace will be especially interested in Resolution 26, 2014: City Council consideration of certain infrastructure improvements for properties along Sunset Drive, 401h Terrace North and Brenna Lane pursuant to the City Neighborhood Improvement Assessment Program (NIAP) and adoption of an associated special assessment.
Tony Doris of the Palm Beach Post has written an overview of the upcoming meeting here with comments by council member Russo.
The short form of the agenda can be found here and the full agenda/long form here.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope to see you there.
City Council Meeting Thursday, March 6
Thanks to all who came to the PBG City Council Candidate Forum. If you weren’t able to make it, please read the synopsis here. And please vote on March 11!
The next City Council Meeting will be this Thursday, March 6th at 7pm at City Hall.
Consent Agenda:
At the February City Council Meeting, the Council unanimously voted to give Vice-Mayor Jablin authority to speak on the Council’s behalf at the recent MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) meeting, taking a position against the proposed Northlake/Beeline Flyover. Part of the discussion was to make sure that the Council’s vote was followed by a formal resolution to be voted upon at the March 5th meeting. Note that this item (Resolution 19, 2014 – OPPOSITION TO STATE ROAD 710 AND NORTH LAKE BLVD URBAN INTERCHANGE) will not be voted upon as a separate resolution but lumped in with all other items on Consent, unless it is moved to the regular agenda by a council member prior to the meeting or at the meeting. Thus – if you wish to speak for or against the Council’s position – please do so at ‘Comments From the Public’, which occurs on the agenda prior to approval of the Consent Agenda. There are several other items on the consent agenda.
Regular Agenda:
The Regular Agenda includes Second Readings of Ordinances (and an associated Resolution) already passed unanimously by the Council in its February Meeting.
New on the agenda is Resolution 14, 2014 “Approving and ratifying a collective bargaining agreement with the Police Benevolent Association for Police Officers, Sergeants, and Communications Operators employed by the City’s Police Department for Fiscal Years 2013-2016.”
The PBA has already voted in favor of ratification of the agreement. Along with other items, the agreement provides for a new Salary Plan and adjustments to starting salaries. “Additionally, all employees will receive a 2.5% increase to base salary effective October 1, 2014, and October 1, 2015. These proposed salary increases will cost a grand total of approximately $1,040,333.” Modifications to the Pension Plan were also made, consistent with the City’s strategies and goals “by maintaining the current pension plan with some pension benefit adjustments for the future, continuing to reduce the City’s unfunded pension liability”. Click on the resolution number above if you wish to read the resolution and full contract.
Items for Council Discussion and Action: 40th Terrace and Sunset Drive status update.
The short form of the agenda can be found here and the full agenda/long form here.
City Council Mtg on Thursday, February 6th at 7pm
Dear active PBG residents:
The February Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6th at 7pm at City Hall.
Early in the agenda will be several presentations that should be of interest to residents. These include the Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce Branding Initiative*, presented by President and CEO Beth Kigel, the city’s Annual Crime Report, and the Honda Classic Marketing Initiative.
Consent Agenda: *The Chamber is requesting $5K in funding for the initiative
Regular Agenda:
- 2nd reading for Ordinance 1, 2014 which was the Budget Amendment to 2014 passed in January, and for Ordinance 4, 2014 and related Resolutions for Gables PCD modifications, also passed in January.
- 1st reading for Ordinance 2, 2014 which makes a small scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the parcel located on the northeast corner of Northlake and I-95 (formerly Capital Lighting) annexed into the City in November 2013.
- 1st reading for Ordinance 3, 2014 which rezones the same parcel as in the ordinance above, on the northeast corner of Northlake and I-95.
- 1st reading for Ordinance 5, 2014 and associated Resolution 11 – rezoning request and site plan waiver by the owner of Northlake Sunoco gas station and carwash, located on the the northwest corner of Northlake and I-95.
Under the Items for City Council Action/Discussion is 40th Terrace and Sunset Drive Infrastructure Improvements Survey – update and discussion.
The short form of the agenda can be found here and the full agenda/long form here.
As you know – the City will be having Elections for Groups 3 and 5. The City website does not have this prominently displayed on the first page yet – however the Clerk’s page does have an Elections Page here.
SAVE THE DATE February 25th at 6PM at the Gardens Branch of the Palm Beach County Library for our Candidate Forum co-sponsored by PBGWatch and several other groups. Go here for more details and let your groups know about this forum which is open to all.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope to see you there.
January City Council meeting on Thursday, January 9th at 7pm
Dear active PBG residents:
The January Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, January 9th at 7pm at City Hall.
Early in the agenda will be several presentations that should be of interest to residents – covering a financial condition assessment of the City, a 2013 investment update, a report on the economic impacts of the Honda Classic and a description of the 2014 Legislative Priorities by the City’s lobbyist to Tallahassee, Ballard Partners.
The Stadium is not on the agenda, but residents may speak on it during public comment. It was suggested in an article in the Palm Beach Post that Councilman Russo might bring up the proposed location for a vote – but more recent articles suggest otherwise.
Ordinance 19, 2013 is back on the agenda. You might recall that several residents questioned whether it was appropriately noticed last month and pointed out that the ordinance referenced a non-existent paragraph in the City’s land development regulations.
Also on the Agenda:
- Ordinance 1, 2014 is “An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2013/14 budget to adjust fund balance carryovers to actual amounts and to carry forward amounts committed from the FY 2012/2013 budget for outstanding purchase orders and open projects that cross fiscal years.”
- Ordinance 4, 2014 and associated Resolutions 6, 2014 and 7, 2014, related to amendments to the Gables Planned Community (PCD), which is located on the west side of Jog Road, south of Northlake Blvd and north of the Beeline Highway. The ordinance also discussed an assisted living facility to be located on the property.
- Resolution 5, 2014 is “a request for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment affecting 16 parcels of land within Bent Tree PUD to reduce the rear building setback from 65 feet to 55 feet. Bent Tree PUD is approximately 56 acres in size and located on the east side of Central Boulevard, approximately 0.3 miles north of PGA Boulevard.”
- Resolution 3, 2014 pertains to the use of Art in Public Places funding for St. Marks Episcopal Church and School expansion related to stain glass windows.
For those who make it to the end of the meeting… it was suggested by resident Steve Tarr, at last month’s meeting, that the Council consider Broadcasting City Council Meetings. The topic is on the agenda under items for City Council Action/Discussion.
The short form of the agenda can be found here and the full agenda/long form here.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope to see you there.
Final City Council Mtg of 2013 – Ordinance 16/19 back for 2nd reading!
The December Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, December 5th at 7pm at City Hall.
The Council asked City Manager Ferris to come back with more details on the status of the proposed Stadium. While not listed on the agenda, it is possible that his response would fall under the City Manager Report.
- Ordinance 16, 2013 and Ordinance 19 are back for second reading. If you recall – many residents believed that the proposed stadium was the reason that this change was being made now – although staff and the Council stated that the stadium could be accomplished without these modifications. From our summary of the October meeting:
Ordinances 16 and 19 were presented as a single item, since both are necessary in order to accomplish the waiver criteria and 25% set-aside capability. Director of Planning and Zoning Natlie Crowley presented the ordinances and credited Councilwoman Tinsley’s questions from the September meeting and her involvement with the team in making it a better and more solid set of proposals. Public comment included – Vito DeFrancesco who was concerned that the comp plan changes could jeopardize wetlands and historic properties. Responses by Councilman Levy and affirmation by Ms. Crowley were that there were federal and state regulations that would prohibit such actions. Barbara Grossman related the proposed changes to Seven/50. Iris Scheibl was concerned that the criteria would allow almost any project to be approved, whether there were mitigation requirements for governmental entities as there were for private developments and finally – asked if the stadium project be completed without these ordinances. Mike Peragine seconded the question on the stadium. Answers given were that the comp plan changes were not required for the stadium, that they could be applied to other upcoming projects, and that mitigation would still be possible with the comp plan changes. The Council’s vote was 5:0. The Comp Plan change will now go to Tallahassee, where after approval, the two Ordinances will once again appear for 2nd Reading, most likely in the November time-frame.
- Ordinance 20, 2013 is set for Second Reading. This item was on the November agenda; rezoning to allow a CVS pharmacy on the NE corner of Military Trail and Northlake.
- Also on the agenda under Items for Council discussion and action is ‘Neighborhood Improvement Assessment Program for 40th Terrace North and Sunset Drive.
The short form of the agenda can be found here and the full agenda/long form here.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope to see you there.
Next City Council Meeting is this Thursday, November 7th at 7pm
We hope you had a chance to attend the Open House on the proposed Stadium.
November’s City Council meeting will be held this Thursday, November 7th at 7pm at City Hall. It is possible that many people will be attending to comment about the stadium during “Comments by the Public”. If you are on facebook and haven’t read recent articles related to the stadium – we’ve linked to several on the PBG Watch facebook page.
The agenda is not a long one – there are several resolutions on the Consent Agenda as well as proclamations. One item on the Consent Agenda (Resolution 68, 2013) involves a Borland Center request for 20 additional events in the next year. If you live in one of the adjoining communities – take a look at it and make public comment if you have any issues.
Also on the agenda is 2nd reading of Ordinance 18, 2013 which is the annexation of the Capital Lighting property and 1st reading of Ordinance 20, 2013 which will allow for a CVS to be located at the NE intersection of Northlake and Military Trail. Appointments will also be made to various boards:
- Recreation Advisory Board
- Art in Public Places Advisory Board
- Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board
- Budget Oversight Committee
The full agenda can be accessed here – with each section linked individually.
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope to see you there.
Set-aside waivers on the agenda for October 3rd PBG Council Meeting
The October City Council meeting will held this Thursday, October 3rd at 7pm at the city hall. It is not a very long agenda but does have two key proposed ordinances that you should review and which are .pdf attachments to this email.
Ordinance 16, 2013 has returned to the agenda with modifications and now added to the agenda is Ordinance 19, 2013 which coupled with Ordinance 16, 2013 allows the City to waive the 25% environmental set aside for government developed projects meeting one or more of the stated criteria.
Modification proposal in Ordinance 16, 2013 states:
“The City shall provide for relief from the requirements of this policy for publicly owned lands upon which environmentally significant lands and/or listed species are located through the Land Development Regulations. Any such regulations shall establish criteria that the proposed public development must meet in order to qualify for relief from this policy.”
and from Ordinance 19, the criteria:
“The City Council has the authority to grant waivers based on the specific criteria set forth in Section 78-158 of the City’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs). The proposed amendment allows the City Council to waive the City’s 25% environmental set aside pertaining to viable uplands for publicly owned lands. In order to provide relief, the request must satisfy one (1) or more of the following criteria in addition to the requirements of the existing waiver criteria contained within Section 78-158:
(1) The proposed development fulfills a critical government infrastructure need.
(2) The proposed development will have a substantial and beneficial economic impact through revenue generation and job creation.
(3) The request demonstrates that granting the waiver will result in a development that makes a significant contribution to the city’s recreational and/or park space needs.The subject petition is being processed concurrently with a City-initiated Comprehensive Plan amendment (Ordinance 16, 2013), which is a proposed amendment to Policy 6.1.4.5 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Ordinance 16, 2013 establishes that the process for receiving a waiver from the City’s 25% environmental set aside requirements is done through the LDRs.”
One could ask – what is driving the need for these modifications? Is it the Stadium? Is there another project coming up? Couldn’t almost any government project fit under criteria 1, 2 or 3? Why should criteria be waived for government projects when developers are required to provide mitigation when getting waivers? I don’t know the answers, do you?
Some other ordinances on the agenda are:
- Second reading of Ordinance 17, 2013 – regarding rezoning for the Chase Bank to be located near the intersection of PGA Blvd and US 1
- First reading for Ordinance 18, 2013 – a voluntary annexation of the land formerly housing the Capital Lighting Building and parking lot
- Resolution 53, 2013 – Art in Public places modification for Waterford Hotel – also located near the intersection of PGa Blvd and US 1
The short form of the agenda can be found here and the long form here
We get the government we deserve – and it’s up to us to watch what they do. Hope to see you there.