Next PBG City Council on Thursday 11/3 at 6pm
The next City Council Meeting will be held in City Hall on Thursday, November 3rd at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.
Announcements and Presentations include:
- Recognition of PB North Chamber of Commerce
- Partnership Presentations from the PBC Sports Commission and Cressey Sports Performance
Consent Agenda includes:
- Resolution 57, 2022 – Select a date for the January 2023 regular City Council meeting – Thurs Jan 12, 2023
- Resolution 73. 2022 – Authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents deemed necessary to abandon an ingress/egress easement.
- Resolution 75, 2022 – Consideration for Approval: A Resolution approving the plat for Avenir — Pod 15 within the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCB).
- Resolution 77, 2022 – Agreement with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) for Vote Processing Equipment Use and Election Services Agreement – (note – regarding March Municipal Elections – currently the candidates for Groups 1,3,5 have no opponents which would deem them automatically elected after deadlines have passed)
- Resolution 78, 2022 – Appoint the Supervisor of Elections as the single canvassing board for the March 14, 2023, Municipal Election.
- Purchase Award – Facilities Management Contractors Program – Openly Competed – 5 year contract with option to renew for 5 years – $10 million – “This Agreement will establish a pool of contractors that will provide facilities management services on an as needed basis to the City.”
Public Hearings and Resolutions – New Business
- Resolution 65, 2022 – Site Plan Amendment for the Frenchman’s Creek Clubhouse and Recreation Site – A request by Frenchman’s Creek, Inc. to construct a new 93,155-square-foot clubhouse building and parking lot, and reconfiguration of sport courts within the Frenchman’s Creek Planned Community Development (PCD).
- Resolution 66, 2022 – Site Plan approval for a 250-unit residential townhome subdivision within the Town Center District (Parcel B) of the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD)
- Resolution 67, 2022 – Site Plan approval for a 144-lot single-family subdivision within Parcel A (Pod 20) of the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD)
- Resolution 79, 2022 – Operation Sister City — City of Wauchula, Florida.
For Second Reading and Adoption:
- Ordinance 9, 2022 – Amending Chapter 74. Utilities. by repealing Article IV. Water Shortage Regulations in its entirety and readopting Article IV. as revised and with new “landscape Irrigation Conservation Regulations,” to provide far local implementation of the mandatory year-round landscape Irrigation Conservation Measures Rules of the South Florida Water Management District
- Ordinance 10, 2022 – Amendment to the City’s Land Development Regulations, Chapter 78, to create the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District.
- Ordinance 11, 2022 – A City-initiated request to amend Chapter 78 – Land Development, Article III — Development Review Procedures, Section 78-54 — Public Notice, Table 4: Required Public Notice to be consistent with the City’s Charter and State Statutes and to allow first-class mailing for all petition types
- Ordinance 12. 2022 – Amending Chapter 66. Taxation. at Article VI. Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption by repealing Section 66-310. Sunset provision. and readopting same, as revised, to renew the City Council’s authority to grant Property Tax Exemptions to certain qualified businesses pursuant to state law and the City.
- Ordinance 13, 2022 – Amending Chapter 2. Administration by repealing Section 2-294. — Bidding threshold., and readopting same, as revised, in order to amend certain purchasing limits and remove certain reference to state law. (See our summary from the October City Council Mtg.)
- Ordinance 14, 2022 – Amending the City of Palm Beach Gardens Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2022.
Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.
Next City Council Mtg on July 14th at 6pm
The next City Council Meeting will be held in City Hall on Thursday, July 14th at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.
Consent Agenda includes many items this month. Not all are listed:
- Resolution 7, 2022 – A Resolution approving the plat for Panther National at Avenir within the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD).
- Resolution 34, 2022 – Agreement with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) for Vote Processing Equipment Use and Election Services Agreement for the August 23, 2022, Primary Election. Note – PBG has a Special Election for Referendum Question: CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS REFERENDUM QUESTION. AUTHORIZATION TO GRANT ECONOMIC PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE CONSTITUTION
- Resolution 44, 2022 – Ratification and Approval of the City Manager’s Authorization of Additional Expenditure to Complete the LED Lighting Systems Upgrade Project at the Police Department.
- Purchase Award: Architectural Services for Fire Rescue Station No. 6 – Bid Waiver – Contract value including City’s 10% Contingency – $296K
- Purchase Award: Furnish and Install Public Safety Communications Monopole at Avenir – Piggyback/Access Contract – $364K
- Purchase Award: Installation of Synthetic Turfgrass at Lilac Dog Park – Piggyback/Access Contract – $113K
- Purchase Award: Janitorial Supplies and Chemicals – Piggyback/Access Contract – 5 year contract with option to renew for 3 years – $1.2 million
Ordinances and Resolutions – New Business only:
- Ordinance 8, 2022 – First Reading – Amending Chapter 18. Businesses. At Article I. In General by Adopting New Section 18-1. Minimum Notice for Residential Rental Payment Increases. and New Section 18-2. Penalties. “Certain South Florida counties, Miami-Dade and Broward, and cities, including Lake Worth Beach, West Palm Beach, and Miami Beach, have recently enacted ordinances that require 60 days’ written notification be given by residential landlords to their tenants prior to increasing the tenants’ rent beyond 5 percent; therefore, it is necessary, in order to better protect tenants in the City, to establish a required minimum notice period (with which all residential landlords must comply) prior to increasing the rental rate of certain tenants beyond a specific percent.”
- Resolution 33, 2022 – A City-initiated application to submit the City’s Program Year 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Program (CDBG) funding and a substantial amendment to add an activity to the City’s adopted Program Year 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan.
- Resolution 40, 2022 – A request by Seacoast Utility Authority (SUA) for Site Plan approval to allow the development of a utility maintenance facility. The Seacoast Utility Authority parcel is 2.5 acres and is located on the south side of Avenir Drive, approximately 0.15 miles west of Coconut Boulevard within the Avenir PCD.
- Resolution 29, 2022 – Adopting a proposed maximum millage rate for the City of Palm Beach Gardens for FY 2022/2023, and setting the date, time, and place of the first public budget hearing. “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 for FY 2022/2023 is 5.32, which is a reduction to the current year rate of 5.55. Once the tentative millage is filed with the County, these rates can be lowered at the budget hearings, but they cannot be increased. “
- Resolution 32, 2022 – Adopting the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Fees and Charges Schedule. “Please refer to Exhibit “A” for a comprehensive listing of the proposed changes by department.
Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.
Next City Council Meeting on Thurs March 3 at 6pm
The March City Council meeting will be held in City Hall on Thursday, March 3 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.
New business includes Resolution 9, 2022 – Avenir Pod 9 Site Plan Approval – A request for Site Plan approval for a 118-dwelling-unit single-family residential subdivision, common area landscaping, model home architectural floor plans and elevations, and typical lot landscaping within Parcel A (Pod 9) of the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD).
Second Reading and Adoption – all of which passed 5:0 on first reading:
- Ordinance 1, 2022 – An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 budget to adjust fund balance carryovers to actual amounts; re-appropriate amounts committed from the FY 2020/2021 budget for outstanding purchase orders and open projects; and for other purposes.
- Ordinance 3, 2022 – Referendum Election authorizing City Council to grant Property Tax Exemption to certain qualified businesses, pursuant to Sec. 3, Article VII of the State Constitution.
- Ordinance 4, 2022 – A City-initiated request to amend Chapter 78 – Land Development, Article V. Supplementary District Regulations, Section 78-187 – Special Events.
Consent Agenda includes:
- Resolution 6, 2022 – Lease of Life Safety Equipment under the Fire-Rescue Department’s Advanced Life Support Asset Management Program from Flex Financial, a division of Stryker Sales, LLC, through a Contract with the NASPO Value Point Group Purchasing Organization, for a period of 10 Years – total contract price $3,024,000 consisting of 10 yearly payments of $302.400.
- Resolution 10, 2022 – Accepting Subordination Agreement and Release of Easement Rights from the Florida Department of Transportation for Right-of-Way. Related to the I-95 widening project from PGA Blvd to Donald Ross.
- Purchase award – Emergency Debris and Disaster Recovery Services – openly competed – 5 year contract with no allocation. “The estimated value of the funding of this contract during the 5-year term is contingent on the nature of the emergency event and may be adjusted by the City based on the subsequent evolution of the situation. “
Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.
Next City Council Mtg on Thurs Feb 3 at 6pm
The February Palm Beach Gardens City Council Meeting will be held in City Hall on Thursday, Feb 3 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.
Announcements/Presentations:
- West Palm Beach VA Resource Center Check Presentation and Recognition of Sponsors
- Local Charity Golf Fundraiser Yearly Update
Consent Agenda includes:
- Purchase Award: Air Filtration Systems for Fire-Rescue Department – Not openly competed (NA) – $248K
Public Hearings – Ordinances and Resolutions:
- Ordinance 1, 2022 – First Reading – An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 budget to adjust fund balance carryovers to actual amounts; re-appropriate amounts committed from the FY 2020/2021 budget for outstanding purchase orders and open projects; and for other purposes – it also includes acceleration of several significant repairs and capital purchases, as well as a request for 8 new Full Time positions. See more here.
- Ordinance 2, 2022 – First Reading – A City-initiated Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment to add a new Property Rights Element, pursuant to House Bill 59-Growth Management, and Text Amendment and Map Amendment to remove the City’s Urban Growth Boundary.
- Ordinance 3, 2022 – First Reading – Referendum Election – authorizing City Council to grant Property Tax Exemption to certain qualified businesses, pursuant to Sec. 3, Article VII of the State Constitution. Background includes ” Pursuant to Chapter 196, Florida Statutes, the electorate of the City of Palm Beach Gardens may authorize the City Council, through a voter referendum, to grant property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses that are expected to create new jobs in the City..” The City would place the referendum on the ballot for the August 23, 2022 election.
- Ordinance 4,2022 – First Reading – A City-initiated request to amend Chapter 78 – Land Development, Article V. Supplementary District Regulations, Section 78-187 – Special Events…”This update is to allow for an emergency medical testing and or vaccination site, drive-through or walk-up, as a special event type to permit the City’s Development Review Committee to review these uses to ensure that any proposal would not impact the ordinary and normal use of the site. This amendment would also increase the length of time for pumpkin and Christmas tree sales from 30 days to 45 days.”
Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.
Next City Council Mtg on Thursday April 1 at 6pm
The next Palm Beach Gardens City Council meeting will be on Thursday April 1 at 6pm. While the agenda is a light one, the results of the Special Election will be certified adding former-mayor Marcie Tinsley to the Council, and the Mayor/Vice-Mayor will be selected by the ‘new’ council. Additionally, committee assignments will be reapportioned with the full council complement. These are accomplished through Resolutions 18 and 19, 2021 at the beginning and Appointments at the end of the meeting.
Ordinances and Resolutions other than those relating to the reorganized Council include:
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- Ordinance 4, 2021 – An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 budget to adjust fund balance carryovers to actual amounts; re-appropriate amounts committed from the FY 2019/2020 budget for outstanding purchase orders and open projects; and for other purposes. This amendment is done every year. Note that the Budget Stabilization Reserve Account is NOT depleted. “In addition to the carryforward of purchase orders and amounts designated for projects, the budget amendment records the proceeds from the Series 2021 Bond; establishes the golf expansion capital project in the amount of $13,941 ,000; allocates $2,000,000 to the recreation special revenue fund to offset the continued revenue loss due to COVID-19; and records $1,208,675 Community Development Block Grant funding for the repair, infrastructure, and mortgage and rent assistance programs. After the above amendments are made, the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserve Account will total $6,850,167 in FY 2021. Unassigned General Fund Reserves remain unchanged and total $26,000,000, which is equal to 26.1 percent of FY 2021 budgeted expenditures.
- Resolution 23, 2021 – A request from NADG Brock Alton PBG, LP to approve proposed on-site artwork for the Art in Public Places (AIPP) requirement for the 40.8-acre Alton Town Center located south of Donald Ross Road and east of Alton Road in the Alton Planned Community District (PCD) – the proposed artwork is entitled ‘Tekno’ and is by Alexander Studios
- Resolution 24, 2021 – Consideration for Approval: A request from Excel Gardens, LLC to approve proposed on-site artwork for the Art in Public Places (AIPP) requirement for the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens 49.04-acre site, located east of Alternate A 1A between Gardens Parkway and Kyoto Gardens Drive. The artwork pieces are entitled “Bloom Sculpture” and are by Dan Shaughnessy IV.
Consent Agenda includes:
- Resolution 21, 2021 – A Resolution Approving the Gardens Self Storage Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plat. On July 16, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 34, 2020, approving the Gardens Self Storage PUD site plan to allow the development of a 74,936-square-foot self-service storage facility with a 1, 129-square-foot accessory office. The site is located on the northeast intersection of Interstate 95 and Northlake Boulevard.
- Resolution 22, 2021 – Lease Purchase of an Air Light Rehab Truck from Emergency Vehicles, Inc., an Authorized Dealer for Rechtein International Trucks, Inc. in the State of Florida, under a Contract with the Florida Sheriffs Association Cooperative Purchasing Program, and the Lease Purchase of a Ladder Truck (Quint) and a Combination Pumper from FWD Seagrave Holdings, LP, dba Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC under a Contract with the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program, and Financed by BB&T Bank (now Truist Bank) for a Period of 10 Years. Total Contract Price: $3,018,501 .90 in 10 annual installments
- Purchase award – Pest Control Services for City facilities and buildings – Openly competed – 5 year contract with no option to renew – $82.5K
Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.
March 2021 Election Results
The March 9 municipal election in Palm Beach Gardens was a clear win for former Mayor Marcie Tinsley with 70% of the vote over newcomer Rob Nanfro. Nanfro won one precinct – 6064 Rustic Lakes.
With the exception of the Shady Lakes / Bent Tree precinct where the margin was only 4 points, Tinsley’s landslide victory was overwhelming. (See Map below)
The overall turnout of 16% was a lot more than what a municipal election normally sees in an off year, particularly a special election to replace a council person who left office early. In 2019 for example, turnout was only 9.5% in the low key race for Group 4 in which Carl Woods beat challenger Howard Rosenkrantz with 68% of the vote. The increased turnout may have been driven by the overhang of Vote-by-Mail ballot subscriptions from 2020. Few went to the polls on election day as an amazing 85% of the Gardens voters voted by mail.
As is often the case, BallenIsles led the way in voter turnout among the larger precincts with 31%, followed by Frenchman’s with 26%. These neighborhoods delivered 74% and 78% for Tinsley respectively.
Municipal elections are non-partisan, meaning the candidates cannot campaign as a member of a political party. Palm Beach Gardens goes farther than any other city in the county to discourage partisan activity, and actually has an ordinance that prevents a candidate from accepting money or assistance from a political party. (Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26-21 Unfair Acts)
In this case both candidates are Republicans, but partisanship was a factor as campaign ads from Rob Nanfro were claiming that Tinsley only became a Republican to run in this race. That was a stretch since Ms. Tinsley has been registered as a Republican for over 5 years. It is not clear why he thought that would have been relevant.
North county races have become somewhat nasty in recent years and this was no exception. You may recall the contest last year for County Commission District 1 where PACs supporting Maria Marino dumped $1M in negative ads to trash former Commissioner Karen Marcus. It seems to have worked.
In this race, Tinsley mostly ran on her record as Mayor and Councilman while the challenger (who is relatively new to the area and has no record) went negative. Perhaps the most questionable claim was that Tinsley was bashing Governor DeSantis over the Covid-19 Response at a Council meeting. Anyone who actually watched the video of the subject meeting would conclude just the opposite.
In our opinion there was never a doubt who would prevail. Marcie Tinsley had a good record to run on, followed the rules for term limits by sitting out for 3 years, and is appreciated by many who followed her activities on the Council over the years.
| Group 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Tinsley | Weak Tinsley | Very Close | Weak Nanfro | Strong Nanfro |
| Click the precinct on the map for vote totals. | ||||
| Neighborhoods | Voters | Cast | Turnout | Tinsley | Nanfro | Tinsley % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1186 | Mirabella | 1637 | 242 | 14.8 | 173 | 69 | 71.5 |
| 1188 | Westwood Gardens | 1034 | 104 | 10.1 | 71 | 33 | 68.3 |
| 1189 | Old Palm – North | 113 | 20 | 17.7 | 13 | 7 | 65.0 |
| 1190 | The Isles, Paloma, San Michelle, Alton | 5115 | 654 | 12.8 | 458 | 196 | 70.0 |
| 1192 | Evergrene | 1571 | 240 | 15.3 | 195 | 45 | 81.3 |
| 1194 | Frenchmans | 2289 | 585 | 25.6 | 458 | 127 | 78.3 |
| 1222 | Avenir | 40 | 5 | 12.5 | 5 | 0 | 100.0 |
| 1228 | Osprey Isles, Carleton Oaks | 481 | 79 | 16.4 | 52 | 27 | 65.8 |
| 1238 | Mirasol | 1912 | 428 | 22.4 | 290 | 138 | 67.8 |
| 1240 | PGA National | 2660 | 453 | 17.0 | 338 | 115 | 74.6 |
| 1242 | PGA National | 2704 | 577 | 21.3 | 410 | 167 | 71.1 |
| 1244 | PGA National | 1695 | 324 | 19.1 | 241 | 83 | 74.4 |
| 1246 | Bent Tree, Garden Lks, Shady Lks, Gdns of Woodbury | 2593 | 372 | 14.3 | 192 | 180 | 51.6 |
| 1247 | Old Palm – South | 271 | 46 | 17.0 | 30 | 16 | 65.2 |
| 1248 | PGA-east. | 1591 | 297 | 18.7 | 186 | 111 | 62.6 |
| 1250 | Gardens Glen | 64 | 10 | 15.6 | 5 | 5 | 50.0 |
| 1252 | BallenIsles | 2374 | 739 | 31.1 | 547 | 192 | 74.0 |
| 1254 | Hunt Club | 471 | 70 | 14.9 | 52 | 18 | 74.3 |
| 1260 | Elm Avenue | 1361 | 205 | 15.1 | 142 | 63 | 69.3 |
| 1262 | RCA Center | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 1266 | Union Square, Randolph Way | 491 | 14 | 2.9 | 11 | 3 | 78.6 |
| 1268 | Golfers Drive, Lilac | 357 | 17 | 4.8 | 9 | 8 | 52.9 |
| 1270 | Lilac Park | 10 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 1272 | Holly Drive, Riverside | 2050 | 263 | 12.8 | 189 | 74 | 71.9 |
| 1274 | Gardenia Dr, Arbor Way | 1687 | 229 | 13.6 | 171 | 58 | 74.7 |
| 1280 | Lake Catherine | 434 | 77 | 17.7 | 46 | 31 | 59.7 |
| 1284 | Gardens Mall area | 2517 | 299 | 11.9 | 209 | 90 | 69.9 |
| 1288 | Oakway Circle | 40 | 8 | 20.0 | 5 | 3 | 62.5 |
| 1290 | The Oaks | 2290 | 337 | 14.7 | 240 | 97 | 71.2 |
| 1292 | Nature’s Way | 92 | 14 | 15.2 | 9 | 5 | 64.3 |
| 1296 | Prosperity Oaks, Marina Gardens | 831 | 70 | 8.4 | 54 | 16 | 77.1 |
| 1306 | US1 and PGA | 5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 1310 | Ellison Wilson | 4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 1324 | Oaks East, Sandelwood | 1376 | 136 | 9.9 | 94 | 42 | 69.1 |
| 1326 | Siena Oaks | 606 | 85 | 14.0 | 62 | 23 | 72.9 |
| 1340 | Landing Place | 18 | 6 | 33.3 | 3 | 3 | 50.0 |
| 1352 | Steeplechase, Montecito | 2347 | 267 | 11.4 | 166 | 101 | 62.2 |
| 1360 | Sunset | 994 | 205 | 20.6 | 120 | 85 | 58.5 |
| 1372 | Sandtree | 187 | 9 | 4.8 | 6 | 3 | 66.7 |
| 6062 | Bay Hill Estates | 945 | 164 | 17.4 | 99 | 65 | 60.4 |
| 6064 | Rustic Lakes | 133 | 19 | 14.3 | 7 | 12 | 36.8 |
March 9th Election – Candidate Profiles
In March, there will be a Palm Beach Gardens City Council (Group 2) Municipal Election to fill the seat vacated by newly elected County Commissioner District 1, Maria Marino.
The election is considered a “special election”, and the winner will fill out the remainder of Maria’s term which ends in March of 2022.
The candidates are previous Council Member (and Mayor) Marcie Tinsley and newcomer Rob Nanfro.
Marcie Tinsley, a land planner and landscape designer is Vice President of Karl Corporation, a land management company. She was term-limited out in 2017, and is eligible to run again after sitting out a three year term.
Rob Nanfro, A CPA and Sr. Director of Taxation for ECN Capital in West Palm Beach is a newcomer to the Gardens, having moved here from New Jersey in 2019.
To help you make sense of who these candidates are and what they would do if they win, we asked each of them to describe themselves to our readers by answering 5 questions:
- Why do you want to be on the Council?
- What do you see as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Palm Beach Gardens now and in the near future?
- What involvement have you had in the issues that the council has faced over the past few years?
- What is your “vision” for the city?
- What else would you like the voters to know about you and your candidacy?
Further information and links to their websites can be found in our online voters’ guide, and a printed copy of these profiles can be had at the [PRINT] link to the right of the title (above).
Here are their responses:
| Group 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
 Rob Nanfro |
 Marcie Tinsley |
|
| 1. Why do you want to be on the Council? | ||
| Rob Nanfro: My wife, Claudia, and I instantly fell in love with Palm Beach Gardens and I immediately became PBG Proud!. I believe – if you love where you live you should get involved. With the encouragement of a few long-time residents, I did my due diligence and decided, as a tax expert, that I could help PBG by serving on the City Council. I am running for Transparency, Fiscal Responsibility and will honor the current “Term Limits’ of 2 three-year terms. What made me run was the lack of transparency for just 4 issues over the last decade: 1. $14M Bond – At the 01/14/2021 City Council meeting, various reports and documents were brandished from 2013 through 2019 as transparency in government for the Resolution [Lucky #] 7, 2021. Why weren’t the materials, brandished from the dias, from 2013-2019 easily accessible on the website? The truth about the $14M Bond – it is dependent on recreational impact fees and “projected” revenues, not guaranteed revenues. Any shortfall will be footed by the taxpayers. 2. The “Sears Lawsuit” – The City Council became involved in a private corporate dispute when it passed an Ordinance that affected Sear’s ability to sublet its retail space at the Gardens Mall. Sears sued and the Appellate Court ruled the City Ordinance was unconstitutional and it awarded Sears $625,000 in legal fees to be paid by the City. Ultimately it was the taxpayers that paid because it was not covered by the city’s insurance policy. Not only was this a waste of time but costly to our residents. 3. The Stadium – Astros Leadership acknowledged that the City had been in talks with the City since 2012 for a potential spring training Facility in PBG. Even with the team’s general council stating in mid-November 2013 that the Astros were only focusing on the 117-acres site off Central Blvd. After the City Council approved $60K for a PR firm to work on the stadium project, my opponent stated, just three days later – “I would love to be able to tell you what my position is,” Tinsley said. “At this point, there is no proposal to base a decision on.” We all know an MLB team would not make such a statement unless some guarantees and a preliminary proposal were in place. 4. Term Limits – In 2014, the residents voted for term limits of 2 three-year terms but in 2017, the City Council put forward a deceptive measure trying to extend the term limit to 3 three-year terms. This strategy landed the City back in court which cost the taxpayers $100K to put the measure on the ballot with court-ordered mandatory education for the voters. These funds were on top of the monies already spent by the City to try and defend what the City Council wanted to extend the term limits the residents voted for in 2014. Originally my opponent stated the voters should decide “Term Limits” but once she was “termed-out”, she changed her tune. Her subjective view stated approval for ‘reasonable’ term limits and what is out there isn’t reasonable.” Her return to the political landscape after sitting out for one term might be legal, but in not in the “spirit’ of the term limits concept. This “spirit” is to have new people with fresh ideas and diverse expertise in leadership positions of our City for two 3-year terms. As a CPA and tax expert, I am the best choice to bring government transparency and fiscal responsibility to the City Council. |
Marcie Tinsley: Palm Beach Gardens has been my home for almost 20 years. I began public service by Volunteering at Allamanda Elementary School in 1989 while attending college. My husband and I have raised our three children in PBG, I have continued to serve my community by volunteering on boards and committees on a local and regional level for the last 20 years. My family and home are the biggest investment of my life and are located in our beautiful city. I supported term limits and have listened to the will of the voters. I took a break from politics and had an opportunity to watch our city grow from the sidelines. I was encouraged by friends, many residents and business owners to serve again. As an empty nester, I now have more time to dedicate my leadership skills and experience to our city. I have always been a consensus builder. In today’s challenging time, I can use my knowledge and history to protect our neighborhoods from over development while protecting our natural resources. I can help bridge the gap between the past and present and lead our city into the future. |
|
| 2. What do you see as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Palm Beach Gardens now and in the near future? | ||
| Rob Nanfro: strength and a weakness are derived from the same dominant thinking. A Strength for a City Council is having consistency in leadership structure. The weakness creeps in when the leadership structure does not change and there is complacency with a lack of improvement relying on the status quo. Strengths – “Our Signature City” has many strengths. I believe that we can all agree that Our #1 strength is the reputation for being a best city to live in Florida, with great quality of life metrics and stellar public safety programs. BUT, the “Palm Beach Gardens Biggest Strength” came from you, the voters. In 2014, you passed a measure with 80% of the voters supporting “term limits” with City Council members serving 2 three-year terms and then they must step down. History has shown that “term limits” strengthen democratic institutions over time because the change in political hierarchy encourages a rising generation of leaders with fresh ideas and views to suggest policy changes that will strengthen a municipality. The election of the new City Council members does not allow city management nor council members to become stagnant and complacent which helps “Our Signature City” grow and encourages “Fiscal Responsibility” and “Government Transparency”. Weaknesses – I always look at a weakness as an opportunity to improve. In reviewing the current 2021 Adopted Budget, I noticed that the City Council’s budget is a staggering $545,129 for 5 members. This is an astonishing 40% higher than the 2019 Actual Budget of $388,572 during a pandemic. Why is it so high? The answer is that the City Council is paid a salary with health benefits, a pension, travel per diem, memberships/dues, professional service fees and contingency fees. This is a part time position and our City is budgeting over $109,000 for each person. I believe that this is too much and should be curtailed. Opportunities – Fiscal Responsibility, Government Transparency, Impact Tax & Helping local businesses.
Threats – The lack of Government Transparency, no resident workshops, and the planning with no oversight from the community are dodgy practices which lead to rapid growth, the misuse of impact fees, and a neglect of the infrastructure. I am sure if the City Council is scrutinized, there will be a finger-pointing blame game. I have three questions: 1. Why is there NO COLA (Cost of Living Increase) for the PBG Police Department when all other departments have it? |
Marcie Tinsley: Strengths: The strength of our city is its people, businesses, amenities, and government working together. It provides an opportunity to live, work, play in a safe and beautiful environment. Our community leaders and residents are able to voice their concerns. It is up to local government to listen and respond. Our city has award winning first responders that are second to none. Weakness/ Threats can blossom into opportunity: |
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| 3. What involvement have you had in the issues that the council has faced over the past few years? | ||
| Rob Nanfro: As a tax expert, I have been involved with various municipal councils regarding multi-million-dollar projects regarding footprints, job growth, and working with the various state/municipal councils to ensure that the entity I represented was being a good corporate neighbor. Most recently, I have been attending current and reviewing previous Palm Beach Gardens City Council meetings. While the City seems to be run efficiently, I believe fresh ideas and full transparency are needed at the Council level. During the last two council meetings, observing first in December and then participating in the January meeting, I left the last council meeting perplexed – how could the City Council vote on a Resolution [Lucky #7], a $14M Bond, and claim transparency when no document or study they referenced was available on the City Council website, for public review? |
Marcie Tinsley: As a public servant, volunteer and resident, I have been an active problem solver in our community for many years. I now have the unique perspective of being able to see things through the eyes of a resident, property owner, mom and government official. I have protected property owners by lowering taxes, protected neighborhoods from over development and also supported local business. I listened to residents and I fought for more transparency in government. This resulted in live streamed council meetings and a very informative city website. In addition to the examples above, serving on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, gave me the tools to solve many traffic problems. It also was instrumental in creating policy to keep developer impact dollars local to pay for roadway improvements in our city. More specifically, I used my land planning skills to improve the safety and traffic flow of 117th Court North. I witnessed parents driving up on the same sidewalk that students of both Timber Trace Elementary and Duncan Middle school were walking. Cars were backed up on Central Blvd causing mayhem each morning. I collaborated with the School Board, The City Public Works and Engineering Department and came up with a plan to solve the traffic, parking and access issues while vastly improving the safety of our young pedestrians. There are a myriad of examples to share that exemplify my passion in helping to improve local government and our community. |
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| 4. What is your “vision” for the city? | ||
| Rob Nanfro: A more transparent City Council that will create meaningful change that encompasses MacArthur’s vision and the opportunity to become a forward-thinking community. Innovation is the key to success. The City Council should invite participation from the residents by; having interactive council meetings, when necessary, to review project areas and the neighborhood(s) that will be affected, resident workshops and interactive council meetings that include social media and local cable stations, with the ability for residents, not attending in person, to be able to ask questions or make comments and be on the record. |
Marcie Tinsley: My near term vision and goal is to help our residents through the pandemic and help get our economy moving again. I also want to make sure our city grows in a thoughtful manner while keeping taxes low and protecting our natural resources. |
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| 5. What else would you like the voters to know about you and your candidacy? | ||
| Rob Nanfro: I have No Agenda I will Fight For Transparency I believe in Term Limits I will Fight To Close Loopholes |
Marcie Tinsley: It is not easy to get things done in a bureaucracy. I am a consensus builder and am proud of what I have accomplished. I have taken a step back and have a clear vision, I am willing to dedicate the time and use my knowledge, history and skills in leading our city into the future. I would love the opportunity to do more. |
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First 2021 City Council Mtg on Jan 14 at 6pm
The first City Council meeting of 2021 will be held on Thursday, January 14 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.
Highlights:
- Artigras will be held at the North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens on Feb 13-14, moving from Abacoa. This will be covered under Presentations by North County Chamber of Commerce and described in Resolution 12, 2021 on the Consent Agenda entitled: Supporting the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce’s decision to move ArtiGras to the City of Palm Beach Gardens.
- Resolution 7, 2021 – 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. This will be covered under Presentations by staff entitled “Western Golf Course Expansion” and during discussion of the Resolution on the Regular agenda approving the bond for a golf course in Avenir.
- Elections – there will be an election on March 9, 2021 for City Council Group 2 – the seat vacated by Maria Marino. Candidates are former Mayor Marcie Tinsley and Rob Nanfro. The contract with the Supervisor of Elections for conducting the election is under the Consent Agenda Resolutions 1 and 3, 2021.
- Resolution 14, 2021 is being presented to the Council after much discussion at the last City Council Meeting: 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.
Consent Agenda also includes:
- Purchase award: Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems – openly competed – 5 yr contract with no option to renew – $114K
- Purchase award: Parks and Grounds Equipment – piggyback/access contract – $71K
- Purchase award: Swipe Card Access for Fire Rescue Stations 3, 4, and 5 – piggyback/access contract – $140K
- Resolution 2, 2021 – Project Gator – “The Business Development Board (“BOB”) has approached the City of Palm Beach Gardens (“City”) to request an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant and expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting Program for “Project Gator.” “Project Gator” is focused on designing, developing, and marketing a full line of autonomous air and surface treatment devices and falls within the medical device/technology targeted industry. The company is evaluating key positions across the U.S. and determining whether it should locate its national headquarters in the City of Palm Beach Gardens…..””Project Gator” is requesting an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant in the amount of $300,000 and expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting
Program. The company intends to create 100 new jobs in Palm Beach Gardens over the next three years, with the new jobs having an annual average wage of $140,000. A capital investment of $7.075 Million will occur with the Project within three years to modify an existing building in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. “ - Resolution 6, 2021 – Project Branch – “Conceptually approving economic development incentives for “Project Branch” to include an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant and expedited permitting through the City’s Targeted Expedited Permitting Program”….””Project Branch” is requesting an Economic Development Employee Incentive Grant in the amount of $165,000 and expedited permitting through the Targeted Expedited Permitting Program. The company intends to create 55 new jobs in Palm Beach Gardens over the next five years,
with the new jobs having an annual average wage of $175,000. A capital investment of $550,000 will occur with the Project within five years to modify an existing building in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. “ - Resolutions 8-10, 2021 – Approving Avenir Site Plan Pods 6-8 respectively.
- Resolution 4, 2021 – moving the July City Council meeting to Thursday, July 15, 2021
Public Hearings and Resolutions also include:
- Ordinance 1, 2021 (first reading) – An amendment to the City of Palm Beach Gardens Firefighters’ Retirement Trust Fund. Required due to IRS changes and “the proposed amendment will have no actuarial impact on the cost of the Plan.”
- Ordinance 2, 2021 (first reading) – An amendment to the City of Palm Beach Gardens Police Officers’ Retirement Trust Fund. Required due to IRS changes and “the proposed amendment will have no actuarial impact on the cost of the Plan.”
- Ordinance 3, 2021 (first reading) – A City-initiated request to update the 5-Year Schedule of Capital Improvements (Table 9A) and the Palm Beach County School District’s Summary of Capital Improvements Schedule (Table 9B) of the Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with Section 163.3177(3)(a)5.(b), Florida Statutes.
- Ordinance 14, 2020 (second reading and adoption) – “This Land Development Regulations (LDRs) text amendment is a City-initiated request to amend Section 78-159. Permitted uses, minor and major conditional uses, and prohibited uses. of the City’s LDRs to permit an accessory dental or medical laboratory use to professional office use as a Minor Conditional Use within the General Commercial (CG1) zoning district, subject to the standards outlined in a new Note 0)(47.2)” “On November 5, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 72, 2020, expressing support for the relocation of National Dentex, LLC corporate headquarters and laboratory to the City of Palm Beach Gardens. National Dentex, LLC has expressed its desire to relocate to the Seminole Shoppes site, zoned General Commercial (CG-1 ).”
- Resoluton 13, 2021 – “Adopting a Policy and Plan for the Expenditure of the Proceeds from the Public Improvement Bonds – Series 2021. – see Resolution 7, 2021 in Highlights. “Through the adoption of Resolution 7, 2021, the City Council has issued $14,000,000 Public Improvement Bonds – Series 2021 (the “Series 2021 Bonds”). The City Council desires to adopt a formal policy and plan that authorizes the City Manager to expend the bond proceeds to construct the capital improvement projects included in the plan and any other supporting or necessary infrastructure he deems necessary and prudent. This proposed policy and plan includes approval of the capital improvement projects to be funded with the Series 2021 Bonds; provides a mechanism to facilitate and expedite the construction of the projects; and amends the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget to reflect the Series 2021 Bonds proceeds and the proposed spending and financing plan, and authorize the City Manager to solicit, negotiate, and execute any and all documents, contracts, and/or legal instruments he deems necessary and prudent to complete construction of the capital improvement projects included in the plan.”
Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.
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 1Public 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.
Renaming City Hall, Potential Tax Hike, and More
Many disparate subjects were covered in the July 16 City Council Meeting. A quick summary can be found in the Palm Beach Post’s “Gardens council caps property tax rate at last year’s level… what it means for your taxes” All Resolutions and Ordinances were passed 5:0.
Please note that at the end of the meeting, Mayor Woods suggested and the Council voted to start future monthly City Council Meetings (and special meetings such as the bi-monthly budget workshops in September) at 6 PM.
Additional items not covered in the Palm Beach Post article and comments:
- Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link updated the Council on the upcoming elections. Over 300K vote by mail (VBM) ballots have been sent out so far. Every ballot is counted. VBM ballots received by Monday night as well as early voting results are posted at 7 right after the polls close on Tuesday. Those that arrive on Tuesday are counted with the rest of the election day results. VBM is postage prepaid; can be dropped off at the 4 SOE offices and also at any of the 18 early voting sites. Early voting is at 18 sites, from 10am-7pm on 8/3 – 8/16; wait times will be posted for early voting. Real time voter turn out is posted and updated every 15 minutes throughout the day – down to the precinct level. On Election day polls are open 7am-7 pm and one votes in one’s own precinct. Safety precautions will include: Temperatures will be taken of pollworkers and filling out health survey; masks, facial shields, gloves, hand sanitizer will be used. Voters will have to wear masks unless for a health reasons. SOE will provide if don’t have masks. Voters will also be given single use pens and gloves for holding the stylus to sign in. There will be transparent shields between the inspectors and the voters and social distancing will be marked off. Ms Link also described the ‘Adopt a Precinct‘ program – where an organization can use their volunteers to staff a precinct, and use the money that would normally go to the poll-workers as a donation to their organization.
- City Manager Report:
- City Manager Ferris gave an update on Covid-19 status as of Thursday July 16 – PBGMC had 35 covid cases, 53 beds available, 6 icu beds available and total of 4 deaths; Jupiter Medical Center had 30 cases; 68 beds available and 10 icu beds available with 23 deaths total; of the 1449 residents in ALF/Nursing Homes there are 26 covid patients among 9 homes.
- Charlotte Presensky.. Leisure Services Coordinator played a video entitled ‘we are parks and recreation’ celebrating what her team and the City does for the community in honor of Parks and Recreation Month.
- Mayor Woods and Vice-Mayor Marino honored Candice Temple, Public Media Relations Manager and Madelyn Marconi for their work in creating the State of the City video presentation – which can be seen here.
- Proposed Millage for 2020/2021 and setting the date for the September Budget hearings: PBGWatch will do a more in-depth article prior to the September hearings. But it needs to be noted that by holding the maximum Operational Millage flat at 5.55 for the last few years, the Council has been RAISING YOUR TAXES. Despite the political ‘device’ Vice-Mayor (and aspiring County Commissioner) Marino uses every time the budget is discussed by exclaiming that ‘we are lowering the millage and your taxes only go up because the value of your house went up’, taxes go up because the Council votes to raise them. Taxes are the amount collected. The City Council CAN VOTE TO LOWER THE TAX RATE – apparently a novel concept to all the recent Council Members other than Council Member Marciano, who has contemplated lowering millage in past years.
- Mayor Woods introduced Resolution 49, 2020 to name the City Hall, the Ronald M. Ferris Municipal Complex. He had Steve Mathison, Tom Kearnes (PGA Corridor), Noel Martinez (Palm Beach North CEO and President) and Tony Bedalla ( President – PBGYAA) lined up to offer their support. There was no advance notice nor opportunity for other Public Comment. See Iris Scheibl’s opinion piece – A Disturbing Trend.
- PBG Mobility Plan – While the two ordinances regarding changes made to existing documents to accommodate the City’s Mobility Plan were administrative in nature, Palm Beach County, represented by Khurshid Mohyuddin, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning Dept, made Public Comment objecting to the City’s Mobility Plan.
The next City Council Meeting will be on August 6th at 6 PM.