HomeMy Public PortalAboutHHC 05 21 1997MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION AND THE
GULF STREAM HISTORIC HIGHWAY COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM ON
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1997, AT 8:30 A.M., IN THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD,
GULF STREAM, FLORIDA.
I. call to Order. Mayor Koch called the meeting to order at 8:30.
II. Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Mayor Armour led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
III. Roll Call.
Present and
participating
Absent with
notice:
Also present and
participating:
William F. Koch, Jr.
Alan I. Armour
James E. Cross
Joan K. Orthwein
Robert W. Hopkins II
Cynthia Neeves
Kimberly A. Tiernan
Muriel Anderson
Jeanne Breazeale
Marjorie McGraw
E. Scott Harrington
Rita L. Taylor
Donaldson Hearing
Robert Cotleur
Robert Walker, P.E.
Aida M. Curtis
Richard H. Rogers
Tom Graboski
Constance Roy -Fisher
Deanna Rennebaum
Mark J. Mosier, P.E.
Mayor
Vice Mayor
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Chairman -Committee
Secretary -Committee
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Town Manager
Town Clerk
Cotleur Hearing, Inc.
Cotleur Hearing, Inc.
Heller, Weaver & Cato
Curtis -Rogers Designs
Curtis -Rogers Designs
Tom Graboski Assoc.
Roy -Fisher Associates
Roy -Fisher Associates
Keith & Schnars, P.A.
IV. AlA T ndsc pe Design and Construction Administration Services
presentations by Short -Listed Firms
Mayor Koch advised that following each presentation, there will be an
opportunity for the members of the Commission to ask questions, after
which members of the Historic Highway Committee may ask questions.
Town Manager Harrington reminded that each presentation will be limited
to 20 minutes and 10 minutes is allocated for the question period.
Special Meeting Held Jointly -
Town Commission and Gulf Stream
Historic Highway Committee -May 21, 1997
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page 2
A. Cotleur Hearing, Inc./Heller, Weaver & Cato, Inc. -Jupiter
Mr. Donaldson Hearing introduced himself as the Project Manager for the
proposed project and the introduced Robert Cotleur, Project Landscape
- Architect, Scott Lewis, Archeologist, Karen Webster, Historian, and
Robert Walker, P.E. with the firm of Heller, Weaver, & Cato. Mr.
Hearing believed there should be some long term planning, beyond the
scope of the current ISTEA Grant, to relocate overhead wires to
underground. He stated that much of the overhead does not include the
large voltage lines and could therefore be relocated at a lesser cost.
Mr. Cotleur advised that he would suggest an underplanting of pines in
the area of the Gulf Stream Golf Club and that small pines be planted to
fill in holes where mature pines have been removed in other areas along
AlA. He further suggested that a dominant plant be selected, such as
coconut palms, for a design at the entrance on each end of the Town.
Mr. Cotleur pointed out that there is an area at the south end of the
Gulf Stream Golf Club that is made up of entirely native coastal
vegetation. He believed that this same type of vegetation should be
used in this area with no pines added.
Mr. Robert Walker advised that he believes the signs should be of
natural materials of an understated style. He further believed that
public participation is essential and that one-on-one meetings should be
held with property owners that may be impacted by the project.
Mr. Hearing closed by stating that the design would respond to
maintenance requirements from the start.
Commissioner Armour noted that the pines have been eliminated in some
locations. He explained that the Town is dedicated to the preservation
of the existing pines and the addition of new ones, and questioned how
dedicated Cotleur Hearing is in this regard. Mr. Hearing advised that
he has worked on both sides regarding Australian pine trees and in this
particular circumstance, he has no problems with adding pines.
Mayor Koch asked how long Cutleur Hearing, Inc. has been working in Palm
Beach County, and how close the actual maintenance costs have been to
the budgets established by his firm. Mr. Hearing replied that the firm
has been in Palm Beach County since 1982 and while they have only
recently been involved in maintenance projections on public projects,
the actual costs for maintenance on private projects have been within 5t
to lot of the projections.
Special Meeting Held Jointly -
Town Commission and Gulf Stream
CHistoric Highway Committee -May 21, 1997
page 3
Commissioner Armour then noted that the Department of Transportation has
fought to eliminate the Australian pine and asked Mr. Hearing if he felt
DOT would make it difficult to use the pines in this project. Mr.
Hearing advised that his firm has excellent relations with DOT and noted
that the ISTEA Grant makes reference to the historic nature of the
highway. Since the Australian pine are a part of the history of AIA in
Gulf Stream, he believed there would be little opposition from DOT.
Mrs. Neeves asked if all plant materials planned would have low
maintenance requirements and Mr. Hearing advised that they are all low
maintenance plants.
Town Manager Harrington asked what would be considered the "clear zone"
and what options would be available if there is not sufficient space.
Mr. Hearing replied that the "clear zone" would be from 11' to 141,
depending on the classification of AlA. He believed the plantings
should be to within 7' of the pavement and noted that having plantings
close to the road tends to lend a calming feeling to motorists. He
further believed that a variance could be obtained on these grounds.
B. Curtis+Rogers Design Studio, Inc./C.A.P. Engineering
Consultants, Inc. -Miami
Aida M. Curtis, Project Manager for the proposed project, was recognized
and introduced Richard Rogers, Design Principal, Esperanza Suarez,
Project Landscape Architect, Lisa Hammer, Horticulturist, Ken Didonatc,
Irrigation Designer, and Tom Graboski.
Ms. Curtis began by stating the project goals as follows: 1) Enhance
the scenic values of the AlA Corridor; 2) Restore the Historic Character
of the Highway; 3) Develop a signage system that creates an identity by
reinforcing the natural beauty and elegance of Gulf Stream; 4) Minimize
maintenance. She then listed the design issues as 1) Planting i.e.
preservation of Australian Pine Canopy, replanting Australian pines to
restore character & assist in succession, and incorporation of
complementary plant species, 2) Signage to be of a unique, elegant and
understated design, with a cohesive vocabulary, of durable materials, to
require low maintenance and be cost effective, 3) Utilities, 4) FDOT
Coordination, and 5) public Participation -Consensus Built, Ms. Curtis
emphasized the manner of public participation which provided for four
community meetings during the process and advised that relocation of
some of the overhead utility lines will be a prime consideration.
`-' Mr. Graboski explained that the Florida Department of Transportation
will say what can be done with signs but he felt practical materials
should be used due to the salt air and corrosion it brings.
Special Meeting Held Jointly -
Town Commission and Gulf Stream
Historic Highway Committee -May 21, 1997
page 4
Ms. Curtis believed the historical significance of the Corridor would
help in obtaining variances for the location of the new plantings. She
closed her presentation by enumerating the team assets as follows: 1)
_ Experienced team having 64 years of combined landscape architectural
experience, public agency experience, roadway and streetscape
experience, community identity and signage experience and public
participation experience; 2)Understanding of issues of historic
character, coastal requirements, FDOT coordination, traffic control,
maintenance and phasing; 3) Direct principal involvement; 4) Minority
participation; and 5) Commitment to quality and client satisfaction.
Mayor Koch asked how long the project would take and if they would use
saw palmetto in the design. Mr. Rogers stated they would use the saw
palmetto and would expect to complete the project in November, 1997.
Commissioner Hopkins asked if the firm could work within the budget and
how many hours had been expended in preparing this presentation. Ms.
Curtis replied that it may be difficult to work within the budget with
regard to signage but believed the planting budget to be adequate. She
advised that approximately 16 hours had been spent in preparing the
presentation with an expenditure of $150.00 in materials. Commissioner
Hopkins stated that he prefers money be spent on materials rather than
fancy presentations.
Commissioner Armour observed that DOT has been at odds with the
existence of Australian Pines and he questioned how Curtis + Rogers felt
about the pines. Ms. Curtis stated that at first they hated the idea of
adding more pines but that after driving through the existing canopy and
experiencing the feeling of serenity while doing so, they are now
wondering why more of them are not used. Commissioner Armour then asked
if there are many strings attached to this grant with DOT. Ms. Curtis
answered that it is necessary to keep DOT in the loop and follow their
procedures, but believes that compromises can be reached with regard to
setbacks from the pavement. She said that this will be an interactive
process.
Mayor Koch asked what plants would be used and was advised that more
research is needed but they will try to choose what was there in years
past. Ms. Curtis stated that there are areas that may not need anything
and the money should be spent in areas that are in real need. Mr.•
Rogers stated that they did not come into the meeting to tell the Town
what to do but rather wanted to know what the Town wanted and then they
would help to achieve it. Commissioner Hopkins advised that he felt
that the firm is made up of professionals and as such should make known
what would be best.
Special Meeting Held Jointly -
Town Commission and Gulf Stream
Historic Highway Committee -May 21, 1997
C
page 5
C. Roy -Fisher Associates, Inc./Keith & Schnars, P.A.-Tequesta
Constance Roy -Fisher, Project Manager for the proposed project,
introduced herself and then introduced Deanna Rennebaum who would act as
- Senior Landscape Architect and Mark Mosier, P.E. of Keith and Schnars
who would be in charge of permitting and construction management. Ms.
Roy -Fisher displayed a map of AlA on which she had designated focal
points. She suggested that a picture be created at each of these points
using landscape material and that spaces of varying shapes be created in
areas along the road where there are no existing spaces. She felt the
first step would be to consult with C.Way Hoyt to determine which pines
will be in need of removal in the near future. She stated that it would
be her suggestion to incorporate existing private vegetation with the
new. Ms. Roy -Fisher stated that while adding curb is expensive, that
might be necessary in some areas, in order to plant trees closer to the
pavement. She advised that new pines would be planted in areas that
have no pines and where there are diseased pines. Other plant materials
would be planted behind the pines that are expected to have a short life
span left.
Ms. Roy -Fisher advised that a Strangler Fig could be placed on the dead
or dying trees which would grow very fast and give the appearance of a
mature tree rather than an empty space. She recommended that some type
of flowering plant that had been used in past years be added at some of
the focal points. She advised that her firm was a pioneer in developing
maintenance costs and that these costs would be developed when making
the design. She further advised that requests of adjacent property
owners should be considered.
With regard to signage, Ms. Roy -Fisher felt it should be kept very
simple, possibly with Mizner elements or the Town Seal on a stucco
column.
Mayor Koch questioned how much of this work can be accomplished with the
existing budget and Ms. Roy -Fisher advised that there is enough money
for a nice design. Commissioner Hopkins asked if this shouldn't have
been a larger budget to which she replied that she can make it work.
Commissioner Armour asked how she felt about Australian pines as there
are many negative attitudes regarding them. Ms. Roy -Fisher stated that
while growing up in Florida, she had believed them to be native plants
i and believes they are proper to use in Gulf Stream along AlA.
Town Manager Harrington asked what experience the firm has had in
dealing with the DOT Clear Zone. She believed AIA would be considered a
Special Meeting Held Jointly -
Town Commission and Gulf Stream
Historic Highway Committee -May 21, 1997
page 6
local road which would enable the trees to be planted closer to the
pavement. She advised that curbs would be needed to plant to within 4'
- Mrs. Anderson asked how accurate her cost estimates have been for
maintenance. Ms. Roy -Fisher advised they have been very close.
V. Discussion. ranking and selection. An informal discussion was
held between the Town Commissioners and the members of the Gulf
Stream Historic Highway Committee. It was unanimously agreed that Roy -
Fisher Associates, Inc. was the first choice with some of the reasons
being their creativity and originality, and their experience of having
completed projects of a similar nature in other high quality
communities.
Mr. Harrington advised that a second choice should be selected in the
event it was not possible to agree on a contract with the first choice.
However, he stated that should he not be able to negotiate a contract
with the first choice, he would report to the Commission prior to
entering into any negotiations with the second choice. He further
advised that this is the procedure that is established for contracting
this type of work.
It was agreed by both the Town Commission and the Historic Highway
Committee that Cotleur Hearing, Inc. be named the second choice.
Commissioner Orthwein moved and Commissioner Cross seconded that the
firm of Roy -Fisher Associates, Inc. be selected as the first choice for
Landscape Design and Construction Administration Services for State Road
AlA, and that the Town Manager be authorized to negotiate a contract
with them, but, in the event a contract is not agreed upon, the Town
Manager be authorized to negotiate with the firm of Cotleur Hearing,
Inc. provided he first returns to the Commission. Roll Call: Comm.
Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Cross; AYE, Comm. Armour; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE,
and Mayor Koch; AYE.
VI. Adjournment. Mayor Koch adjourned the meeting at 11:00 A.M. on a
motion to do so made by Commissioner Armour that was seconded by
Commissioner Cross with all voting in the affirmative.
Rita L. Taylor, To n Clerk