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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/03/2008MINUTES VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2008 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 5:30 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Calvin Turnquest, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage and Council Member Tom Paterno. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., and Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. 1. Status Update and Discussion on Bridge Concept Village Manager Couzzo described the three conceptual bridge drawings comparing their similarities and changes to the present bridge. Greg Delange, 18804 Rio Vista Drive voiced his concern with the inconvenience relating to time and fuel. Timothy Corder, 77 Fairview East agreed with the inconvenience quandary and noted the possibility of going over deadlines and closure time. Betty Nagy, 26 Shay Place questioned the reasoning of more expensive alternatives. She felt more people were interested in not raising the bridge. Mayor Watkins stated since this was a one time opportunity the Village wanted multiple alternatives. Harry S Eterita, 478 Tequesta Drive was concerned with raising the bridge and the possibility of water draining off a higher bridge and affecting their property. Manager Couzzo reassured that engineers would be taking into consideration all possible problems and probable solutions. Harold Taylor, 13 Chapel Court preferred Alternate 2. Carl Hoffman, 35 Tradewinds Circle stated the bridge replacement came with obstacles which he accepted, he was for Alternate 2. Carol Brandt, 19257 Riverside felt navigating under the bridge was difficult at present and would like to see the recreational aspects considered in the new design. Jim Fitzgerald, 103 Fitzgerald noted the height restriction and stated he preferred drawing Alternate 2. Abby Roeloffs, 23 Tradewinds Circle reiterated Committee, Council and Engineer conclusions. She felt the improvements would raise tax values and was good for the VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2008 Page 2 Village. She felt Council and Manager Couzzo would make the best decision for Tequesta. Joe Baker, 73 Fairview East asked if the bridge would be taken over by the State. Manager Couzzo stated the County offered to take the bridge over after it was completed and stated he felt Tequesta should stay in control of the bridge, its weight restrictions and speed limits. Mr. Baker felt the height was good where it was and voted for Alternate 1. Manager Couzzo explained the bridge utility conduits would be run under the bridge below the river bed and the possibility of doing portions of the project until they could be afforded. He noted that lighting could be put off as long as the pipe work was in place. Carl Hanson, 264 River Drive questioned if the option of repair had been cancelled and why. He also supported raising the bridge; and questioned the four months estimate. Mayor Watkins and Council Member Paterno gave an explanation. Dr. Chin Chen, 474 Tequesta Drive questioned the length and width changes. He also was concerned with the speed people were traveling versus what was posted and suggested speed bumps. Manager Couzzo noted several options that were being considered to help reduce speed. Joe Baker questioned an alternate lane being provided for convenience Manager Couzzo noted it would not be feasible to have an alternate lane which would add additional time and cost to the project. Paul Moran, 478 Tequesta Drive inquired about the difference of road elevations and widths between Alternate 1 & 2. Manager Couzzo replied 16 feet, distributed evenly and he did not feel it was a noticeable change. Frank Broedell, 23 Country Club Circle supported replacement of the bridge and understood it had inconveniences with its process; he was in favor of Alternate 2. Pat Gordon, 10 Bay Harbour Road would like Alternate 1 because it was closest to what was there, he did not feel the time frame was realistic considering the difference in height. Manager Couzzo noted that parts of the bridge were manufactured off site and would be brought in making Alternates 1 & 2 similar in construction and did not feel the projected time frame was unrealistic. Ed Smith, 11 Starboard Way stated Alternate 2 was a better choice since Tequesta was a boating Village and it would improve the property values. VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2008 Page 3 Marsha Neilson 94 Beechwood Trail had concerns with financing, bonding and FPL charges. Manager Couzzo felt bonding would likely be avoided and used past projects as examples of how Tequesta stayed within their budgets. 2. Council Discussion: Council Member Arena noted past meetings and their outcomes. He had concern with the underneath shape and the clearance for boats. He noted the width was regulated by State law. He asked about the proposed material and noise. Manager Couzzo stated pavers were not considered but a Chicago brick which he felt was more soothing to the eye and noted the goal was to have options. Vice Mayor Turnquest noted he would like to go with the majority of residents supporting Alternate 2 and would conform to the Department of Transportation on height and speed regulations. His main concern was with the line of visibility for drivers. He also suggested cameras be installed to help enforce speed restrictions. Council Member Paterno liked Alternate 3 for its visual appeal but felt the time and cost restricted it from being a good option for residents. He supported Alternate 2. Council Member Humpage stated cost was a concern but felt FPL was supplying the conduit. If the Village could not pay for running the conduit under the bridge this year they could wait. He noted that everyone ends up paying taxes for different items others use and the residents should keep in that mind. He commented that residents use the Island Way Bridge frequently and the Village did not pay for that. He also noted that the tide had been rising for over fifty years and raising the bridge was an educated decision. He also supported Alternate 2. Council Member Arena reminded the residents that Commissioner Marcus donated $50,000 and utilizing demolition material to a reef could also help with cost. Mayor Watkins felt the project was about the integrity of the bridge and raising it made sense. She was concerned with Alternate 3 and noted the majority of residents she spoke with were as well. She believed the replacement would be aesthetically pleasing and a positive for the entire Village. She felt something should be done to assist with speed concerns and a bicycle path should be considered. She noted it appeared the majority was for Alternate 2. a. Smoke Signals Mayor Watkins resumed the meeting after a short break. VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2008 Page 4 Council Member Arena noted that residents voiced their input on a paper copy of Smoke Signal versus accessing it on the Internet. He suggested offering issues at local businesses and free news racks to eliminate mailing costs. He presented different printing and cost options and suggested obtaining sponsors. Council Member Humpage noted the original Smoke Signals was on a smaller scale and supported saving money. Council Member Paterno questioned that it had already been decided that the flyer was not budget supported and felt the majority of residents could view the publication on the web or receive it in their emails. Vice Mayor Turnquest supported locating sponsors and keeping the publication available in paper form. Mayor Watkins stated she also liked having the paper in hand and suggested eliminating the glossy finish to cut back on cost. Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle felt that smoke signals was a great publication that had come a long way and did not support cutting back. Frank D'Ambra III, 23 Leeward Circle felt information was frequently antiquated. He suggested focusing on an email version and possibly partnering with the new Tequesta magazine could be more economical. Marsha Neilson, 94 Beechwood Trail voiced her opinion on the glossy finish and felt it was wasted money. She also noted there were many people that did not have email access and supported placing it at local businesses and suggested including them in the local property owner associations and their newcomer packets. Council Member Paterno felt information needed to be more current. Mayor Watkins suggested researching businesses and residents to see if the idea was probable. b. Local Charities Council Member Arena advised that Parks and Recreation was looking into offering the Christmas movie event to toys for tots for their drive. He also stated National City Bank was willing to work with the Village on coordinating a breast cancer walk. Council Member Humpage supported local support charities. Council Member Paterno was not sure if he would support charities outside the Village but noted he would support local charities. Mayor Watkins announced she would alert Council on any request received and would like to support local charities as well. She felt there were residents who were part of the Special Olympics group and felt the Village should support them. Council Member Humpage felt Council should do the research on the charities preferred. Council supported Council Member Arena researching additional information on a breast cancer walk. VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2008 Page 5 Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle noted a national organization that evaluated charities and their operating costs and suggested the Village investigate their website before donating. c. Schedule Public Bridge Meeting Mayor Watkins confirmed the bridge would go on the November agenda. d. Beacon Council Member Humpage suggested the Village submit a column with the Beacon newspaper called "From the Village" with the first article on Community Development and their procedures. He stated residents could make suggestions on future publication subject via the website. He noted the article would be free to the Village. e. Letter to Officials Vice-Mayor Turnquest stated he would withdraw his suggestion to request financial support from neighboring communities on the bridge project after he had time to realize that tax payers all take turns paying for and supporting projects. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:33p.m.; seconded by Council Member Patemo, motion carried unanimously 5-0. .~ ~~E~~oF""rte, Respectfully submitted, ~~•'G" -"'~~`~`~ ~~~ rY~}c~ iNCO ~AL `~~ Lori McWilliams, CMC =N~;'•. oRArE~ . ~,'9~ 9~''~".~P,, Village Clerk ~' '••• 4 ~ O , ~~"''~ OF FLAP°`~``. """hn nmuq~~"~~ Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.