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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-27 Village votes 3-2 for Nicklaus Signature course at NPBCC (WeekDay)NORTH PALM BEACH COUNCIL MEETING 4/13/06 Village votes 3-2 for Nicklaus `Signature' course at NBPCC Council chambers filled to capacity for controversial decision By Denise Jaegers WeekDay staff writer There was standing room only during the North Palm Beach Village Council meeting last Thursday, where speakers were set up outside the entrance for those who arrived too late for a seat inside. Citizens were drawn to the meeting for one last chance to address council members, regarding the agenda item which would approve the construction agreement for the North Palm Beach Country Club. Acutely aware of this circumstance, Mayor David Norris bumped this item up from the last page of the agenda, and started reading names off the stack of cards he had regarding this issue. Residents who spoke in favor of, or against the Nicklaus Signature a_ NPB MEETING 4/13/06 Council votes 3-2 for Nicklaus `Signature' course at NPBCC Village Attorney resigns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 authorizing issuance of a note of the Village to finance the capital expenditures relating to the municipal golf course project; approving and authorizing execution of the loan agreement. (Grinn and Manuel cast the dissenting votes in this action.) Council subsequently approved, 4-1, first reading of an ordinance amending the Country Club budget for Fiscal Year 2005- 2006, and creating a Capital Project Budget for use of bank loan proceeds for the golf course renovation. (Grinn cast the lone dissenting vote in this action.) course redesign, basically reiterated each others' words. There were sixteen individuals who urged council to vote for the Nicklaus course, and seven who wanted to keep the same course, restoring it with a new irrigation system and reseeding of the grass. "There should have been a referendum on this issue," was an observation made in hindsight by several residents. After an hour and a half listening to the public, the vote was taken, to adopt the resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor and Village Clerk to enter into an agreement with Quality Grassing Services, Inc., for restoration of the NPBCC golf Course. (This portion of the project will cost $3.8 million, with Council members Manny Grinn In other action, Council: • Unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing an application for a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program for improvements at Lakeside Park. • Approved and enacted, 4- 1, second reading of an ordinance amending the code to add a permitted use of multiple -family dwelling structures as a component of a Commercial Planned Unit Development. (Councilman Grinn cast the lone dissenting vote in this action.) • Approved and enacted, 4- 1, second reading of an ordinance amending the code to provide for a Commercial Planned Unit Development consisting of 1.0 or more acres that has an underlying zoning of C-lA District. (Councilman Grinn cast the lone dissenting vote in this action.) • Appointed by consensus Charles O'Meilia as a Village Council member to the Audit Committee. and Bill Manuel casting the dissenting votes.) Grinn had advised Village Manager Mark Bates prior to the vote, there was no way he could vote in favor of the 32-page contract that was just handed to him at 5:30 pm that same day. (i.e., He hadn't had enough time to review it, to make an educated, responsible vote.) Manuel had questioned Bates on several financial points regarding repayment of the $4.8 million loan, which were ostensibly not answered to his satisfaction. Bates insisted the renovation would be paid for exclusively with "user fees" at the rate of $394,000 per year, for the next eighteen years. In related action, the council voted 3-2 to adopt a resolution PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 2 • tnianimo, k adopted a resolution authorizing an application for a $10,000 Urban and Community Forestry Grant for new trees in Anchorage Park. • Was advised by Village Attorney George Baldwin that he would be resigning as Village Attorney. Mayor Norris inquired as to the correct procedure to advertise for a new attorney, and an RFQ (Request For Qualification) was suggested as the proper 'method.