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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_07/09/1974MINUTES OF TI-~ MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA The first Regular July Meeting of the Council of the Village of Tequesta was held at 7:30 P.M., Tuesday, July 9, 1974 at the Village Hall. Councilmembers present were Little, Leone, Campbell and Taylor. Mrs. Jones had reported she would be out of town and. unable to attend, the meeting. Also present were Robert Harp, Village Manager and John C. Randolph, Village Attorney. The meeting was opened with Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Councilmember Leone. Upon motion by Campbell, seconded. by Taylor and unanimously passed, the minutes of the June. 25, 1974 Regular Council Meeting were approved. The Village Manager read his report for the period June 23, 1974 - July 6, 1974. Mr. Skinner approached. the podium and advised he had no complaints tonight. However, he did mention the approval of the transfer of sewer taps to DiVosta Construction Co. f ram Dorner Developers by the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District. • He asked if a building pex~it had been issued for the sixteen (16) story, 30 unit condominium building which is located in the County area. He mentioned. water taps for the building and was advised DiVosta Construction Company was on the Water Waiting List for thirty (30) taps and had exercised their option and. purchased same. Mr. Skinner said. the building would ,probably get under construction and. the owner would ask for `annexation. He stated the Beach Road area does not want this property to be annexed-into the Village. The Palm Beach County Planning Boa,rid had approved the structure as it conforms to. their zoning"requirements. A letter had, been sent to the Board of County ComQnissioners at an earlier date asking them to approve-only construction that conformed to Village zoning in that area. No direct reply had been received but the Village Manager had discussed, zoning with some of the County staff people. Mr. Peter Baron asked if the Village Attorney was on the Planning Board. Mr. Randolph replied he was attorney for the Area Planning Board of Palm Beach County which was only an advisory board and not involved in zoning for the County.- Mr. William Tatum questioned whether or not the Village was obliged to give water taps in a County franchise area under the existing water conditions. He was reminded this proposed building was on the Water Waiting List. He further questioned if the Village is obligated to service Martin County areas since the Village does not have a franchise there. Councilmember Leone said the system serviced Martin County long before the Village purchased it. Mr. Tatum asked whether it could be challenged in Martin County. He 103 ?-9-74 - 2 asked what percentage of total water consumed was used by residents in Martin County, and said there is not enough water in the Village to serve Martin County, Councilmember Leone advised that a permit was required from the Central and Southern Florida Flood Camtrol District and that additional water supply is needed in the future. Councilmember Campbell asked about the water systems pressure to go 16 stories and Leone advised line pressure was adequate but such type buildings need to install a booster pump. Mr. Robert Ferriera asked why the Village was issuing water taps with water use restrictions still on, Mayor Little stated the hydrologists and Water Department Consulting Engineers advised we could give the taps from the Little Club but they had maintained a reserve factor in their calculations. The Village Manager read a letter of resignation from Hugh W. Mars land from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Campbell mentioned the new Financial Disclosure Law and the Village Manager was not sure whether or not the letter was submitted before Mr. Mars land had received information on the Financial Disclosure Act. Newly appointed officials or committee members must submit the Financial Disclosure information within thirty (30) days after appointment. The resignation was accepted by the Council with regret, and a letter of appreciation for his past service to the Village was to be written by the Village Manager. The Village Attorney advised he had not received or seen a copy of the forms required to be filed., but would forward a copy of same to the Village Manager to distribute to the Councilmembers, etc. Taylor questioned how many persons would be willing to serve on boards and committees if they have to file the Financial Disclosure infor- oration and asked if the necessity for this disclosing is an invasion of privacy. Little said he felt it was a challenge pf the integrity of public officials. Campbell suggested waiting to see the forms before further commenting on the act. The Village Manager stated the Ethics Commission was meeting soon to finalize the forms. Councilmember Leone advised the Village had received three (3) proposals for professional engineering services from Gee ~ Jenson for various Water Department projects. The first proposal in the amount of $6,600,00 was for a Master Pian for the Village Water Distribution System. Leone moved, seconded by Taylor that the Village Manager be authorized to execute the agreement. Campbell asked about availability of funds and was advised. they were in the LJater Department Capital Improvements Reserve Fund, The vote on the motion was: Taylor - For Campbell - For Little - For Leone - For and therefore passed. 104 7-9-74 - 3 • The next proposal in the amount of $9,500.00 plus out of pocket exaenses was for a Feasibility Report on the water supply, treatment and distribution facilities and includes cost estimates, estimated income requirements and other financial information so that the report can be made a part of a financing program. Leone. moved., seconded by Taylor that the Village Manager be authorized to execute the agreement. The vote on the motion was: Leone - Fnr Little - For Campbell - For Taylor - For and therefore passed. The next proposal in the amount of $17,600.00 plus out of pocket expenses, plus resident project services was for preparation of plans, specifications and contracts for proposed wells to be located in Tequesta Park and the pipeline connecting the wells to the Village water system and assisting in obtaining and evaluating bids ($13,200.00) and professional services during construction of the wells ($4,200.00). Leone moved, seconded by Taylor that the Village Manager be authorized to execute the agreement. Campbell questioned who had to be notified and was • six (6) wells a minimt~n or maximum number, The Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District will have to approve the wells and six is the maximum number. The vote on the motion was: Campbell - For Little - For Leone - For Taylor - For and. therefore passed. Leone read the item in the July 4, 1974 issue of the Courier Highlights which stated the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District had approved the drilling of two (2) 15,000 GPD wells east of U.S. Highway No. 1, in the County area, on property owned by Jupiter Inlet Corporation where a condominium complex was proposed for construction. The item upset him and he said such approval could upset all the progress the Village has made to date in the protection of its water resources. The United Stated Geological Survey has continually stated a fresh water barrier must be maintained to prevent further salt water intrusion into the Villages well fields and especially Well Field No. 4 which lies directly west of the proposed well site. The proposed well sites are on the fringe area. He stated reverse osmosis pulls water from all directions and would reduce the fresh water and would adversely affect the Villages existing well system. He stated he had. talked to Mr. Abe Kreitman 105 7-9-74 - 4 r~ LJ from the Central ~ Southern Florida Flood Control District and quoted that Mr. Kreitman had stated "Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District does not have any authority to approve those wells". The District has been invited to attend all Water Committee meetings to be sure to know what the Village is doing. Leone said the approval of the wells by ENCON was an irresponsible action and was not in the best public interest. He said the Village needs to continue to safe- guard and improve its water system for the benefit of the water users. Leone moved, seconded by Taylor that the Village write a letter to the Palm Beach County Planning and Zoning Commission, who will hear the petition of Jupiter Inlet Corporation for a special exception to construct a water system and drill two (2) wells on July 11, 1974, stating the Village objects to the approving of the application; authorized the writing of a letter to the Central & Southern Florida Flood Control District asking them for their assistance in this matter by appearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission at the Hearing; the writing of a similar letter to the Board of County Commissioners if the application should be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission; authorize Gee ~ Jenson to write a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of County Commissioners advising them of the reasons why the Village objects to the appli- cation; authorizing the Village Attorney to look at the legality under the County Franchise and authorizing the Village Attorney to file an injunction if work commences on the drilling of the proposed • wells. Leone said he had verified that Mr. Dent of ENCON had wanted the ENCON Board to have a written opinion from the U.S.G,S, prior to approval of the wells. Campbell said ENCON has previously stated they were not ready to assume responsibility for water as yet. Leone reiterated the need for proper management of water resources by all parties. Mr. Eli Shay advised he had attended the ENCON meeting at which the approval was given but said ENCON seemed to be mainly concerned with sewerage. He stated that fir, Jan Browning had said Mr.- Harry Rodis said the location for the wells would not lead 'to more salt water `intrusion. Leone said he had been advised that Mr. Rodis''words had been taken out of context. ENCON was acting in an area which was not their responsibility and had given approval for two (2) wells, water treatment plant and sewage treatment plant, Mr, Larry Land (U.S.G.S.) said he was working on a Water resources Report for ,the Village of Tequesta and had not given Mid."Browning an opinion in regard to the location of the two wells. He reiterated the importance of maintaining afresh water ridge to protect Village Well Field No. 4. He further stated it Evas the worst possible place to put wells and they would be detrimental ,to We11 Field No. 4, Leone said Mr. Kreitman of the Flood Control District dad said they will fight this proposed well site. The vote on the motion was: Little - For Campbell - For Taylor _ For Leone For 106 7-9-74 - 5 and therefore passed. Mr, Giba suggested a Village representative be present at the July 11, 1974 Hearing and Mr. Baron supported this suggestion. If the Planning and Zoning Commission approves the application the next hearing will be before the Board of County Cor-IInissioners on July 25, 1974, Mention was made by Mr. Shay of possible alternative plans for provida.ng this water and Leone said that a deep well of say 1,000 feet might be acceptable if the hydrologists of the U.S,G,S, would approve of same. Mr, Tatum asked if the proposed wells needed Flood Control District approval and was advised they did not since the pumpage was not over 100,000 GPD, the Districts minimum requirenent. The Village Manager had sent copies of a letter from Mr. D. J. Brown, Venus Avenue, to Counci]members, requesting the Village Council permit him to drill a well for lawn sprinkling purposes. Such wells are not permitted in the Village at the present time and the Village rianager is to answer the letter. The Village Manager had forwarded a request from Mr. Jack Dunlap, a builder, to transfer a water service application from one lot to another as he had apparently made~~an error in his application for water service. Ordinance No. 219~cloes not permit the transfer of taps from one lot to another so the Village Council denied. the request on that basis and the Village Manager is to so • inform Mr, Dunlap. The Village Manager had furnished the Village Council with information on North Palm Beaches trash callectiori service. That Village provides its osm service four (4) times per week and uses plastic bags. Mr, Baron gave the Village a trash bag which Mr. Fr Mrs. Hughes had obtained from North Pa]m Beach. The Hughes .are in attendance at almost every Council Meeting, Mr, Servies, stated the present trash collector is picking the trash up in a very old fashioned method, that is by hand tools. Recreation Director Gary Preston said the tennis courts are coming along fine and should be ready for use in about two weeks. The vandalism case on the tennis courts is being handled through the Martin County Sheriff-s Department. Councilmernber Campbell advised that the ENCON contractor had not pet, after five (5) weeks, replaced the swale areas to the proper condition after installation ,of a force main on Country Club Drive and the Village rianager is to write to ENCON asking them to see that the contractor restores all work throughout the life of the project as quickly as possible. The Council set 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 30, 1974 as the time for the first Budget Workshop session with another session tentatively scheduled for August 2, 1974 at 7:00 P.M. in the Village Hall. 107 7-9-74 - 6 CounciLnember Campbell said the Fire Control District was preparing a letter in reply to our recent letter for a substation site north of the River; asked if Parking Ordinance No, 144 was still valid and was advised it is not and asked about control of parking on sidewalks and was advised it was in the traffic code, The Village Manager reported the on~.y information on the Kandell Bridge was the Palm Beach Post editorial of July 8, 1974 against the construction of the bridge, Leone moved, seconded by Campbell that the Village Manager be authorized to execute a Department of Transportation Utility Permit for the U.S, Coast Guard contractor to run an 8" water main across SR 707, The vote on the motion was: Campbell - For Taylor - For Leone - For Little - For and therefore passed. The Village Manager reported Mr. Robert McKee had indicated • a desire to serve on a committee to review the Villages Pension Plan in conjunction with the State Pension Plan and development of fringe benefits for Village employees, The striping and reflector- izing of Tequesta Drive by County work crews was estimated to cost $1,474.00, A technical seminar on Flood Insurance will be held at 9:30 A.M., July 19,1974 at the West Palm Beach Public Library. Plans and specifications for emergency water lines across the Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal Waterway should be received from the engineer next week. The Water Deaartment Engineers are waiting for a return answer from State Department of Natural Resources on the latest data concerning Tequesta Park wells which had been submitted to-them recently. The Village.pttorney advised that a slight change was being made in the contract for purchase of the Palm Beach Cable Television ten (10) acre tract and it should be finalized shortl}T. He further advised that there were ttao appeals on .the parking cases and a brief has been filed in Circuit Court in a dog case involving Ordinance No, 1 - Nuisances., Leone suggested. the Village Attorney obtain all the background inf`onnation available on-the two parking cases that have been appealed. The Village Attorney advised the proposed Flood Insurance Ordinance had been forwarded to HUD but no word received as yet, The Village Council will hold a Public Hearing at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 23, 1974 to ,consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Flood Insurance- purpos.es': 108 7-9-74 - 7 • There being no further business, the meeting was duly adjourned at 9:32 P.M. upon motion by Leone, seconded by Taylor and unanimously passed. Respectfully submitted, obert Harp Village Manager • 109