Changes to Downtown and Avenir Master Plans, and Several Status Updates

The June City Council meeting began with a presentation of the “Every one goes home seal of excellence award” from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Palm Beach Gardens Fire/Rescue. At every shift change the focus is on serving our customers, constituencies and then to go home safely.

June 3

Public Comment: Resident Ilean Zamlut spoke regarding the Alzheimers and Brain Awareness Month proclamation in the Consent Agenda.

City Manager Report:

  • CDBG Resident program status

    Joann Skaria, Planning Manager, AICP – Gave updates on the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Cares Act grants and mortgage/rental assistance. The average grant was about $12k. She also gave updates on the CDBG resident occupied assistance program outlined in Resolution 63, 2020 and plans for Mary’s Circle and Dania Drive.

  • James Ippolito, Deputy Chief of Operations, Fire Rescue gave an update on the brushfire at the Avenir Preserve. Fire Rescue was aided by PBC Fire Rescue/Florida division of forestry. Also PBSO provided aerial surveillance by helicopter. There was significant help from the internal fleet department for refueling and addressing vehicle issues. Also used a drone for first 15 minutes to ensure no homes threatened by the fire. But the drone had to go too near to the North County Airport so its use was limited.
  • David Reyes, Palm Beach Gardens Community Services Administrator – gave a Hurricane Preparedness Update. The City is ready. He encouraged every resident to create their own emergency plan. There is a new hurricane guide on city website, and he suggested residents sign up for notifications.
  • Stephen Stepp, Deputy City Manager gave an update on the request by resident Lisa Wade in the previous month, for assistance in providing a new multi-purpose field for Dwyer HS. Dwyer asked city to partner with them to create artifical turf multipurpose field which is estimated to cost $1.5 million. The group brainstormed: Dwyer is to receive $22 million from the penny sales tax….but none for field. He suggested that school district re-allocate funds by priority – but the principal said the funds were unable to be reallocated. Parents should meet with District 1 School Board Member Barbara McQuinn to ask for assistance with the unsafe field conditions. In the $1.3 billion that the school district what will receive from the tax, over $30 million is allocated for fields. He suggested that parents bring concerns to the oversight board for reallocation. PBG HS now wants the same from the City. All need to go through school district channels.
  • City Manager Ferris –
    • Employee health and wellness center – utilization from 90-94% for available appointments. It’s saving money and providing great health opportunities after the relocation of clinic in April. He recognized Sheryl Stewart, HR Administrator who manages the clinic.
    • Bayhill Traffic Signal – the city responded to requests by the County to update the interlocal agreement. The County has not yet responded
    • Temporary Outdoor Seating in Restaurants – city wants restaurants to remove their temporary signs which are starting to look shabby and needed to come down by June 30th when exemptions expire. Then the city will extend the temporary seating throught the summer until Sept 30, during which time they will review existing ordinances to see if the city can become more accommodating to permanent outdoor seating.  See the latest city advisory here.
    • The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser has come out with preliminary property valuations for Palm Beach Gardens (which are used to develop the FY 2021/2022 Budget). While the valuations for residential property were estimated to be 5% higher, 56% of the properties are homesteaded, resulting in an overall valuation increase of 3.21%. Commercial property valuations increased by 3%. The Council was not happy and wondered if it could be appealed. But valuations are preliminary at this point and will be readjusted, as is always done.

Consent Agenda passed 5:0

Ordinances and Resolutions:

  • Ordinance 5, 2021 – Voluntary Annexation – passed 5:0 Second reading and approval
  • Ordinances 6/7, 2021 – First Reading – Downtown Palm Beach Gardens Re-zoning – The ordinances were strictly for rezoning. Site plans will be brought before the Council, possibly some time this summer. See this PB Post article for possible plans. Passed 5:0.

  • Avenir Master Plan Amendments

    Resolution 27, 2021 – Avenir – revision to the overall master plan: 1) changes to actual plan 2) changes to development standards 3) clean-up items. Moved various economic uses into town center, changed around some roads and ‘driveways’. Passed 5:0

  • Resolution 28, 2021 – Westbound turn right turn lane at Northlake and Osprey Isles Requesting $75K for design, permitting- in order to get an estimate of total cost; will be brought back to council for final decision. Total cost probably around $480K. Public comment: Matthew Kamula , President of Osprey Isles HOA urging the council to vote for it! It’s taken 6 yrs to get to this point.

Items for discussion and resident interest:

  • City Manager Evaluation – Council was unanimously happy with the City Manager. He’s in his position for 21st year and ready to go another 20.
  • Mayor Litt – talked about the city water supply as she’s vice chair of PBC Water Resources task force. She gave an update on a recent workshop and future funding.
  • Vice Mayor Reed thanked staff for beautiful job with the Memorial Day video and especially to Lauren Brooks and highlighting her work with Gold Star families.
  • Council Member Woods spoke regarding the traffic signal. He suggested that he would rather keep City Attorney Lohman on a legal course to get the light put in. Lohman and Ferris both recommended that Ferris continue to work with PBC Administrator Verdenia Baker. The main objective is the to get the light. Ferris said ‘he feels their frustration’ and is trying to get it done diplomatically.

City Attorney Report: The city got served in the mobility law suit with the county.

June 9, 2021 | Filed Under blog, budget, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

Storm Clouds – both literal and figurative

There was a very heavy thunderstorm during the May City Council meeting which disrupted the meeting briefly so that a system could be rebooted. But the topic of a traffic signal at Northlake and Bay Hill Estates highlighted conflicts between Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County.

Finance Administrator Allan Owens, and the Tammy Goldstrich of Marcum LLP kicked off with the first presentation on the audit of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2020. The report can be found here..

May 6

Bayhill Traffic Signal update

  • City Manager Ferris informed the Council about a community meeting with residents of Bayhill, Osprey Isles, Carleton Oaks, Ancient Tree, Avenir and Ibis regarding the progress on the desired traffic signal for the intersection, which has been worked on for three years now. Much of the meeting was taken by the presentation by Natalie Crowley, Director of Planning and Zoning and Todd Engle, City Engineer about the proposed signal, Council discussion, public comment and discussion by the City Attorney and City Manager. The City has had issues with Palm Beach County over several topics – but the jurisdiction and permitting for the signal have raised yet another ‘stormy’ conflict.
  • Read Joel Engelhardt’s in-depth piece entitled “‘Abuse of Power:’ Gardens Ready to Sue County of Bay Hill Stoplight”.
  • Public Comment regarding the traffic signal was made by Matthew Kamula, resident and HOA President of Osprey Isles (and accompanying residents), Victor Martin, HOA President Carlton Oaks, Gia Muirragui, Judy Ahrens, Douglas Grant.
  • City Manager Ferris, as his report, started by asking Mayor Litt to comment on Monday’s meeting on the Bay Hill Traffic Signal.
  • City Attorney Lohman added Resolution 31, 2021, which passed 5:0 – authorizing a law suit in Circuit Civil Court and additional steps to streamline moving forward with the traffic signal..

Public Comment:

  • Andres Torrens regarding issues with the tree-planting program and a tree in memory of his nephew.
  • Head football coach McKinley Rolle from Dwyer HS, a community school, requesting an athletic field since the one from the school is in poor condition
  • Lisa Wade, resident, also asking that the Dwyer field be replaced – that the school district has told them is not in budget to be repaired and that they’d have to fundraise. She found out that both the fields in Jupiter and Wellington were in great shape and were paid for the respective cities. So she was asking PBG to do the same. Mayor Litt replied that Deputy City Manager Stepp would be contacting them and working with them to see what can be done.
  • Douglas Grant from Balsam Street had concerns about day care businesses surrounding his residence and seeking the help of code enforcement. City Manager Ferris said that Deputy City Manager Stepp would step out and get additional information from him.

The Consent Agenda passed 5:0 with a few items pulled by the Mayor Litt and Vice Mayor Reed, and the following passed 5:0

  • Purchase Award – Furnish and Install Playground at Miracle League Field – Litt lauded the Parks and Rec department for the new playground, presented by Km! Ra, Purchasing and Contracts Director; Charlotte Presensky, Leisure Services gave credit to Todd Engle and David Reyes, Community Services Administrator.
  • Proclamation – Mental Health Awareness and Trauma Informed Care Month – Vice Mayor Reed was pleased to have mental health awareness focused on.
  • Proclamation – Professional Municipal Clerks Week – Mayor Litt honored City Clerk Snyder with an award trophy from the Council.

Ordinances and Resolutions:

  • Ordinance 4, 2021 – Annual Budget Amendment passed 5:0 on 2nd reading without any changes/addition discussion
  • Ordinance 5, 2021 – Voluntary Annexation of one parcel on Bomar Drive– passed 5:0 after brief discussion with the owner
  • Ordinance 6, 2021 – Automated Express Car Wash facility – on empty lot on Northlake near Roan Lane – all on the Council were very supportive, passed 5:0 on 1st reading.

Under Items for Council Discussion – Council Member Marciano described progress on the beautification of the main Post Office – with assistance of staff and involvement of Representative Mast.

May 10, 2021 | Filed Under blog, budget, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

Congratulations to Mayor Litt and Vice Mayor Reed

At the April 2021 City Council Meeting, the results of the Special Election were certified, and newly-elected Council Member Marcie Tinsley was sworn-in.  Council Member Marciano nominated Rachelle Litt as the new Mayor and Chelsea Reed as Vice-Mayor and both were confirmed by the Council.  Former-Mayor Carl Woods was ill and not in attendance.  Congratulations and best wishes to Mayor Litt and Vice Mayor Reed, and returning Council Member Tinsley.

There was no video of the meeting, and there were audio disruptions as well on the livestream.  Here is a link to the complete audio with no gaps.

Comments from the Public:

  • Former Mayor Joe Russo – He congratulated Mayor Litt, Vice-Mayor Reed, Council Member Tinsley, County Commissioner (former-Mayor) Marino and the entire council and said that Covid kept him from coming to meetings.  He also thanked the City on behalf of the Honda Classic
  • Agustin Sosa, VP of the Palm Beach State College Student Body Association – Gardens location, thanked the Council and City Staff for the positive working relationship on security/traffic issues.

City Manager Report:

  • PBG Cares and Mortgage Assistance Program – status of the applications – submittals are coming in.  To apply see here.
  • Burns Rd Rec Center Vaccination Site – Just over 9000 doses so far in 12 days.  Starting to open 4 days – M, T, TH and F – Moderna doses – administered by the the Healthcare District of Palm Beach County.
  • Par 3 19-hole golf course status – received 7 proposals for design, Jack Niklaus design team chosen and in negotiations
  • Mobility Fees dispute with Palm Beach County – City has received 3 letters of support for their position, (from North County Chamber, PGA Corridor and TPA) and against the County’s plan to place liens on private property owners.  The item will be held on the April 20 Board of County Commissioners’ Agenda and Ferris recommends that Mayor Litt address the Commission and present the letters of support.  He also suggested that he and City Attorney Lohman also attend.
  • Granted an additional 90 extension to the outdoor seating exemptions.  Now will allow through the end of June.  See here for more information.
  • Brightline RR Crossing closures: all are complete except for Kyoto Gardens Dr. which will be closed from April 21 to May 16.
  • The American Recovery Act – The City expects $5.92 million from the recent federal legislation.  While the ‘grants’ are expected to be given to the City in two block – the first of $2.96 million by 5/10/21 and the same amount 1 year later, the City is awaiting more detailed communications from the Secretary of the Treasury.

Consent Agenda:  Passed 4:0

Ordinances and Resolutions:

  • Ordinance 4, 2021 – Budget Amendment – Finance Administrator Allan Owens, presented a summary of the amendment, which is done every year to reconcile the prior year’s budget with the current one.  His charts can be seen here.  Passed 4:0
  • Resolution 23, 2021 – AIPP  for Alton Town Center and Resolution 24, – AIPP for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens.  Both passed 4:0.  Former Mayor Eric Jablin made public comment on the first item, saying that he had been chosen Chair of the AIPP.  Joel Engelhardt published an in-depth piece on both sculpture project in his blog OnGardens.Org entitled Meet your new neighbors: Council welcomes Tekno and The Blooms.

Items for Council Actions/Discussion and Items of Interest:

  • The Council reassigned primary and alternate members of various external Boards and Committees
  • Mayor Litt said that she wanted to bring back Board and Committee Reports to the monthly agenda
  • Mayor Litt said that she wanted to ‘share the truth’ about the status of the Covid-19 Pandemic and gave her perspectives on both the current statistics and the actions the public should still be taking.  One of the key items was to get vaccinated.  Council Member Marciano said that while most of his patients are getting the vaccine, he is encouraging those who are reluctant to do so as well.

There was no City Attorney Report.

April 6, 2021 | Filed Under blog, budget, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

Changing the Landscape of Burns Rd – Future Bike Track

The only Resolution on the March 4, 2021 City Council Meeting Agenda was Resolution 16, 2021 – A Resolution supporting an application to the Florida Department of Transportation through the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) for the 2021 Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program for the construction of a separated two-way bicycle track on the south side of Burns Road – between Military Trail and Alt A1A. 

City Manager Ferris noted that generally grant requests go under the Consent Agenda – but this future project, if the grant is approved, dovetails so beautifully with the City’s Mobility plans. The Council was extremely supportive. This will be the first track of this kind in Palm Beach Gardens and would link into existing and future bike lanes. The Resolution was passed 4:0.

The Consent Agenda also passed 4:0.

March 4

Public Comment was made by Gardens’ resident Ramona Bean – thanking the Council and the City and Marcie Tinsley and County Commissioner Maria Marino for making the Burns Rd Covid-19 Vaccination Center happen. This segued well into City Manager Ferris’ Report about the Vaccination site. He described how seamlessly the project has been using City Police for traffic management, and Rec staff working with the paramedics doing the vaccinations. They’re proud to be working with the Health Department and County crew.

Presentations included:

  • Casey Mitchell – Director of Golf – reported on the results of the 14th Annual Mayor’s Veterans Golf Classic – all funds go to the VA Resource Center, and over $55K was raised in 2020.
  • Andrew Lezza, Division Chief of Training and Professional Development, Fire/Rescue – showed an exciting video of new Fire/Rescue recruits going through training at the new fire tower. The class of new recruits was so large that it took two separate training sessions to complete. Existing personnel will also go through refresher training at the new facility using the City’s instructors. Watch the video here. 
  • Noel Martinez, President & CEO of Palm Beach Chamber North gave a big thank you to the Council and City staff for pulling off the planning for Artigras in 6 weeks. He praised the service minded culture where find the staff always finds aa way to make things happen. The even was a great success with the big layout so could it could easily be spread out. Artists were happy and sold a lot. The sponsors were also very happy with new location and they hoped it would be available again next year.
  • Joann Skaria, Planning Manager, AICP – gave a summary of the CDBG Cares Act Mortgage and Rent Assistance Program. Details can be found on the City website here.  The Palm Beach Post described the program here.  Applications are available online or available at the City in paper form.

March 8, 2021 | Filed Under blog, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

Honda Classic and Vaccine Request to Governor Bookend Meeting

The February City Council Meeting was a very short one.

Honda Classic

Ken Kennerly (Executive Director) and Andrew George (Tournament Director) presented plans for this year’s Honda Classic with different dates, capacity 20% of last year’s and details on how they will keep the public safe yet still make it a compelling event. See the website for information. Tickets will be by the day and once sold out, more will not be available.

Public Comment

  • Rob Nanfro, resident – not mentioning that he was a candidate for City Council – highlighted his analysis of the City Budget and the cost of the Council itself, and suggested that their primary job appeared to be to monitor the actions of a single employee – the City Manager, and that there were no written annual evaluations of Mr. Ferris other than a full one in 2010 and a couple of self-evaluations in 2020 – so his conclusion was that his rating of the Council’s job on evaluating the City Manager was unsatisfactory.
  • Marcie Tinsley – also candidate for City Council – had presented the Council by email, earlier in the week, a proposed resolution to encourage Governor DeSantis to add Palm Beach Gardens (Fire/Rescue) as a point of distribution for Covid 19 vaccines. She said that while the governor was doing a great job getting vaccine out through Publix, that many residents she spoke with were uncomfortable getting a vaccine with possible side effects in a Publix or even a pharmacy and felt more comfortable with it being given by trained paramedics. (Note at the time she began this effort PBC only had Publix as the primary outlet – since then the Governor has added several other locations to handle western communities, plus adding the Fairgrounds, Walmart, Sams Club, Winn Dixie as additional points of distribution). She planned on reaching out to the Governor DeSantis with her request as well.
February 4

Council Discussion

  • Resolution 20, 2021*** – was the number assigned to the resolution Tinsley submitted  and includes:

“SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens requests that Governor DeSantis direct a reliable supply of vaccines to the City in order to provide an inoculation pipeline running concurrently and parallel to the Publix distribution channel in accordance with the directives set forth in Executive Order 2020- 315 utilizing the City’s POD.

SECTION 3. The City Council further requests that, once the ” at risk” population has been inoculated, Governor DeSantis authorize the City to continue to inoculate other members of the public, as directed by future executive orders and pursuant to CDC guidelines.

SECTION 4. The City Clerk of the City of Palm Beach Gardens is hereby directed  to forward a copy of this Resolution to Governor Ron DeSantis.”

    • Mayor Woods said that this would help the Governor distribute the vaccine. Council Member Reed said people like EMTs giving the vaccine. Vice Mayor Litt echoed the comments on Gardens’ Fire/Rescue capabilities and pointed out that County Commissioner McKinley was able to get vaccines for Belle Glade by making noise about it. Woods piped in commenting to the PB Post Reporter – that she should do the same for the Gardens…Council Member Marciano praised Tinsley for taking action. He said that Council resolutions don’t always have an effect, and this one may not either – but it was well thought out and could help the Governor get vaccines out to the people by adding another point of distribution.
    • The Resolution was passed 4:0.
  • Vice Mayor Litt also made comments countering Mr. Nanfro’s earlier criticisms stating that the annual City Council public evaluation of Mr. Ferris is readily available online to view, that Palm Beach Gardens has been rated the number 1 place to live, has high satisfaction ratings and has award winning Fire/Rescue, Police, Parks and Rec, Purchasing and other departments.

All other items on the agenda, including Consent, Ordinances 1,2 and 3 2021 second reading, passed 4:0.

*** Comment – despite the good intentions of former-Mayor Tinsley and the Council in passing Resolution 20, 2021, and although it is ‘legal’ to do so – this was another case where ‘transparency be damned’.  The Public was not allowed to see this resolution in advance nor to make public comment had they sought to.  This is becoming a habit for this Council that prides itself on openness and transparency.

February 9, 2021 | Filed Under blog, council meetings, featured | Leave a Comment 

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

Highlights from the January 14th City Council Meeting

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

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

Public Comment

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

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

Styrofoam Use on City Property Dominates Council Mtg

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

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

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

December 3

City Manager Ferris’s report included:

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

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

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

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

Workforce Housing Study and Proposal Accepted

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

November 5

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Vice Mayor Marino Heads to the County Commission

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

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

October 1

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

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

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

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

Group 2 – To fill unexpired term until March 2022.

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

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

 

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

Hero Officer David Joy Recognized – updated w Both Budget Hearings

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

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

Sept 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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