Palm Coast City Council to discuss pavement conditions and pedestrian safety

Other topics include the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the proposed 2022 budget for all remaining funds, and rules on garbage containers.

By Brittany Kershaw
| 2:00 p.m. August 9, 2021

Palm Coast city hall. Photo by Brian McMillan

Palm Coast Observer
News

The next workshop meeting of the Palm Coast City Council will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10. No action will be taken at this meeting, but here are the presentations planned:

The Financial Services Department will present a resolution to approve the Old Kings Road Special Assessment roll to be transmitted to the Flagler County Tax Collector. The Old Kings Road Special Assessment District was established by Ordinance 2005-10 in order to provide a funding mechanism, through property tax assessments, to fund improvements to Old Kings Road from Palm Coast Parkway to SR 100. This Resolution provides for the annual assessment roll to be included on the 2021 Real Estate Tax Bills to be issued in October/November 2021.

The Stormwater & Engineering Department will present a resolution to approve a work order with Transmap Corporation for an update to the pavement condition survey. In order to provide a more accurate forecast and better performance model for roadway maintenance, it is recommended to have the roadways digitally surveyed every 4-5 years. Under the existing contract (RFSQ-CME-17-16), staff negotiated a scope and fee not-to-exceed $160,450.06 with Transmap Corp. This resolution is connected to two Council priorities:

1. Develop alternative options to traditional funding sources to ensure funding of streets maintenance program for striping and resurfacing by providing a projection of road maintenance currently budgeted vs. needs for future years.

2. As part of street resurfacing and maintenance program, investigate and where feasible, apply the following

Intersection safety improvements shall be conducted to address turn radius conflicts
Enhancements to support the use of autonomous vehicles
Traffic calming alternatives
Continue the incorporation of innovative assessment methods

The Planning Division has a presentation on bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the city. The presentation will cover the history and the challenges moving forward with expansion of bicycle & pedestrian facilities.

The Planning Division has a presentation on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, including its history and continuing actions to implement the plan.

The Financial Services Department will present an overview of the Fiscal Year 2022 proposed budget for internal services, capital projects, special revenue, and all other remaining funds.

The Planning Division will present a resolution to approve the 2022 legislative priorities. The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) has requested that each county submit its top legislative priorities for inclusion in NEFRC’s 2022 Legislative Priorities publication by Sept. 25, 2021. Flagler County has requested submission from each municipality by Aug. 18, 2021 in a similar format as previous years. Staff is requesting direction from City Council on the legislative priorities to submit for 2022. The Board of County Commissioners will consider the each municipality’s submission along with County priorities at their September 8, 2021 meeting.

The City Clerk will present an ordinance amending the Palm Coast Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16, Businesses and Business Regulations, by defining collection bins and adding a new article as to the regulation of collection bins within the City limits. Collection bins are collection receptacles used for donations.

There has been a recent proliferation of collection bins located within the city on public and private property.
The City’s Code of Ordinances does not have specific standards relating to unattended collection bins concerning site location, number of bins, maintenance, or security of collection bins.
The City Code of Ordinances currently does not provide for identification of collection bin ownership and record property ownership, and the process to enforce collection bin maintenance with City code enforcement staff.
Unattended collection bins can be detrimental to the overall appearance of the City, diminish property values, and without the property owner’s permission, can be illegally placed on real property.
The City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of general public to adopt standard for the location and maintenance of unattended donation bins within the City to address and mitigate the potential negative effects as recited above.

The City Clerk will present an ordinance amending the City of Palm Coast’s Code of Ordinances, Section 41-11 Facilities at single-family properties, to clarify the screening requirement for garbage containers. Under the City’s current code, screening of residential mechanical equipment and refuse containers has different standards. The proposed change will provide for consistency and predicable evaluation of screening from the right-of-way.

The Parks and Recreation Department will present a resolution amending the Parks and Recreation fee structure. On April 13, 2021 they presented to Council on the need to evaluate the current fee structure. Since then, the Department has collected feedback from the public and selected comparable organizations to analyze fees and will now provide fee change recommendations based on those findings.

The Human Resources Department will present a resolution to approve the continuation of health insurance with Florida Blue and to include stop loss and life and disability insurance. The City currently offers a well-rounded, self-insured benefits program to all full-time employees.

The City Clerk will present a resolution to approve the final nuisance abatement assessment. On July 20, 2021 City Council adopted the Initial Assessment Resolution 2021-100 relating to the Nuisance Abatement Special Assessment. Staff has prepared the Final Assessment Roll and Final Assessment Resolution for Council consideration. Pursuant to State Statutes, the notice of the public hearing was published in the newspaper of general circulation for Flagler County with the list of the affected property owners at least 20 days prior to the August 17, 2021.

How the meeting works

Public Comments will be opened at the beginning and end of the meeting in accordance with Section 286.0114 Florida Statutes and pursuant to the City Council’s Meeting Policies and Procedures. Each speaker will approach the podium, provide his/her name and may speak for up to 3 minutes. These comments must be relative to matters not on the agenda.

Meetings of the Palm Coast City Council typically occur three times per month. A 6 p.m. business meeting on the first Tuesday of the month, a 9 a.m. workshop meeting on the second Tuesday of the month, and a 9 a.m. business meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. All meetings take place in the Community Wing at City Hall at 160 Lake Avenue in Palm Coast.

Business meetings and workshops are open to the public. Business meetings are streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel. Workshops are live streamed by audio only at on the City's website.

Meeting agendas for all public meetings are posted in advance of each meeting on the City’s website. All agendas can be viewed here.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding the City Council’s agenda, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 386-986-3713. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk at 386-986-3713, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

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