Artigras Returns to the Gardens and new Par 3 City Golf Course
January 24, 2021
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***- Charlotte Presensky, Leisure Service Administrator – earned the National Recreation and Park Association “Certified Park and Recreation Executive” certification – which is the highest level a Parks and Recreation Professional can achieve, and only one of 250 such certified individuals in the Country. Congratulations to Ms. Presenky!
All other ordinances and the Consent Agenda passed 4:0.
Public Comment
- Commissioner Marino spoke briefly regarding Covid vaccinations, and the upcoming SR 7 Virtual Workshop on Thursday, Jan 28th.
- Rob Nanfro (candidate for City Council Group 2) introduced himself.
*** 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:
- Ordinance 1 2021 Fire Pension Amendment 1st reading: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:6e899979-d67f-43c0-95ca-2dcffe814e30
- Ordinance 2 2021 Police Pension Amendment 1st reading: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:c25556d7-d28c-4451-a21e-2385dee740c0
- Resolution 7 Series 2021 Bond- Golf Expansion: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:9ad4522b-3c62-47c4-b599-2a08bdc76e90
- Western Golf Course Expansion January 2021 Council Presentation: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:93d0006c-2616-4637-a053-537728cd112b