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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_04/18/1972MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCILMEN OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Councilmen of the Village of Tequesta, Florida, was held at 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 18, 1972 at the Village Hall. Councilmen present were Messrs: Russell, Barr, Cunningham, Little and Frank. Also present were Robert Harp, Village Manager and Clerk and Village Attorney Christopher H. Cook. The meeting was opened with Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Councilman Cunningham. -Mayor Russell read a letter of congratulations from his son on his election as Mayor and. displayed a unique gavel that the son had presented to him. Upon motion by Barr, seconded by Cunningham and unanimously passed, the minutes of the March 28, 1972 Council Meeting were approved. The Village Manager recapped the receipts and disburseJnents for the six (6) month period ended March 31, 1972. Balances on hand were as follows: • First National Bank & Trust Co. $ 26,821.57 Petty Cash 25.00 Community Federal Savings and Loan 20,000.00 Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan 16,374.98 Certificates of Deposit 115,000.00 $ 178,221.55 The Sinking Fund balance for payment of principal and interest on the Village Hall bonds and. bonds for the purchase of land east of the Village Hall was $ 24,093.98, Upon motion by Cunningham, seconded by Little and unanimously passed, the financial statements were approved. Mayor Russell advised the Council of a new system of reporting by himself, ;the Village Manager and Police Chief, who would submit weekly reports to the Councilmen, The reports would not be read at the Council Meetings but the Councilmen could ask questions about any items on the reports. Civil Defense Director is to sutrnit monthly report, The Village Manager presented the building permits for the month of March 1972: March 1972 No. Valuation 27 (3 houses) $ 255,760. Year to Date No. Valuation 213 Z23 houses) $ 2,976,855. Last Year 46 (10 houses} $ 2,998,540. 176 (36 houses) $ 6,256,360. 30 2 - 4-18-72 The Village Manager explained a letter from the Country Club Point Property Owners Association suggesting bicycle path construction along Country Club Drive. He also advised the temporary permit for a 'Stop and Go~i traffic signal was for the intersection of U.S. Highway No. 1 and Bridge Road, not Old Dixie Highway as shown in the report. Police Chief Dusenbery advised a system was being devised to effectively make bicycle riders who are violating existing regulations aware of the various regulations applicable to bicycles. Councilman Barr suggested a committee be appointed to study the recently completed Comprehensive Plan for the Village and report to the Village Council for implementation of the Plan. Councilman Little reported on a recent meeting with Tom Kindred, Recreation Director, City of Fort Pierce to discuss parks and recreation programs. Mr. Little suggested that the amount of land available should be known before preceding with improvement plans for a park area. Mayor Russell reported on a letter received from Mr. Paul Thomson~s attorney, L.M. Taylor, asking if the Village is interested in purchasing any of Mr. Thomson~s acreage for Village park and recreational purposes. Mayor Russell said. the Village should advise Mr. Thomson how much land is necessary for park purposes. Mr. Little suggested the purchase of 25 acres of land - 20 acres from Mr. Thomson • and 5 acres from Mr, DiVosta. CounciLnan Barr asked Mr, Thomson how much of his land is available for park purposes and Mr. Thomson advised the Village could purchase all of it if they wanted to. Councilman Little said he could not give a definite amount of land necessary for a park. Councilman Barr suggested the Village negotiate with Mr. Thomson for four or five acres for a mini-park for young people. Councilman Little suggested the Village approach Mr. Thomson and Mr. DiVosta for the purpose of acquiring 25 acres of their joint lands to be used as a Village recreational facility. Little moved, seconded by Cunningham and unanimously passed that the Council advise Mr. Paul Thomson of its willingness to negotiate for purchase of 20 acres of his land in the vicinity of Seabrook Road, said negotiations as to price and location of the land, Mrs. Kennedy of Ridgewood said four or five acres was not very big for a park and recreational purposes and a minimum of 25 acres should be obtained. Mr. Walter Skinner suggested the Village look into about 19 acres east of Cypress Drive. Councilman Little suggested that the Village talk to Mr. DiVosta about possible purchase of some of his land for park and recreational purposes. Councilman Cunningham discussed a recent letter from the Palm Beach County Engineer suggesting the Village assume cost of $20,000. for drainage improvements on Waterway Road to handle a large volume of water generated by the Village Square Shopping Center and the Community Federal Savings and Loan building. He stated the Village did not have the funds available at this time and upon motion by Cunningham, seconded by Barr and_ unanimously passed, the County Engineer was to be so advised. 31 3- 4-18-72 The Village Manager advised that a petition had been received from Charles C. and Helen Worthington requesting that their property on Point Drive be annexed to the Village. He then read an Ordinance providing for the annexation of the property, Cunningham moved, seconded by Little and unanimously passed that the reading of the ordinance be approved. All Councilmen being present and voting for the approval of the reading, Ordinance No. 192 was hereby passed and adopted on first reading. The Village Manager advised that a petition had been received from the North County First Aid Squad, Inc. requesting that the west 50 feet of their property on Seabrook Road be annexed to the Village. He explained that the east 70 feet of the parcel was in the Village. He then read an Ordinance providing for the annexation of the property, Cunningham moved, seconded by Little and unanimously passed that the reading of the ordinance be approved. All Councilmen being present and voting for the approval of the reading, Ordinance No. 193 was hereby passed and adopted on first reading. Mr. Mark Baggett, from Brockway, Owen ~ Anderson, discussed the recent bids received for improvements to Tequesta Drive between U. S. Highway No. 1 and Old Dixie Highway, Mayor Russell reported on a meeting with Mr. Stanley J. Harte in regard. to Lighthouse Plaza possibly sharing in the cost of the improvements. The Village Attorney discussed special assessments and charter provisions and status of benefitted properties. He said the percentage of benefit to the properties would have to be determined by the Council. He further discussed various possible ways to assess the properties and the procedures for using special assessments. Mr. Baggett advised the Council has until April 24, 1972 to accept or reject the bids for the project. Mayor Russell mentioned a possible participation of $35,000. by the County and voluntary contributions from benefitted property o~,mers. Mr. Kenneth Schmidt asked whether or not a cut through the median strip was provided for to allo« entrance to his proposed restaurant by traffic coming from the west. The present plan does not provide for a median cut. Councilman Barr suggested the Council hold off awarding the contract since the total amount of necessary funds to cover the bid costs are not available or budgeted. Barr moved, seconded by Little and unanimously passed that all the bids for improvements to Tequesta Drive be rejected and the engineers re-study the project and determine what items should or could be deleted and/or alternate methods for providing the improvements. Councilman Frank suggested the adjacent property o~tners be contacted to financially participate in the project. Councilman Cunningham suggested removal of the median strip. It was stated the shopping centers are creating the problem. Councilman Barr advised the need for appointment of the Sewage Committee. Barr moved, seconded by Cunningham and unanimously passed that the present Sewage Committee of himself, Richard H. Swallow, William E. Leone and G. Douglas Clucas be appointed retroactive to • March 28, 1972. 32 4 - 4-18-72 Councilman Barr reviewed the sewage problem and the request of various contributors for expansion of the existing facilities by 50,000 gpd. He stated the proposed expansion would have to have the approval of the State Department of Health, State Department of Air and Water Pollution Control and the Loxahatchee Environmental Control District. He called the Councils attention to the April 18, 1972 report of the Village Sewage Committee advising that the April 12, 1972 agreement with the various contributors met all of the Villages requirements and is approved by the Sewage CouQnittee. Barr moved, seconded by Cunningham that the Village Council accept and approve the agreement sutmitted to the Village by James E. Weber, attorney for the Contributors, under date of April 12, 1972 and the Mayor and Clerk be and. are hereby authorized to execute the agreement. Cunningham seconded the motion. The Village Attorney said that Attorney Weber had submitted a revised page 4 and 5 to the agreement which revised item 10 of the agreement to the advantage of the Village in that the Contributors would have to asswue any costs for the plant construction itself that exceeded $50,000. if they wanted the sewage treatment expansion or the agreement would be void. Nir. Tatum of Tequesta Gardens Apartments said he doubted if the Council could act on the matter at tonight's meeting and wants a referendum on the expansion. Mrs. Campbell asked about the flow meters and was advised they were installed today, Mr. Corddry asked if the expansion would cost the Village anything and was advised it would not under the latest revision to the agreement. Mr. Leone said the Consulting Engineer says the existing plant is at capacity including the committed taps and explained the engineers earlier report on the plant. He said the proposed expansion is the best way to provide additional sewage facilities, Mr. Peter Baron, Tequesta Garden Apart- ments congratulated the recently elected Councilmen. He objected to the expansion of the plant stating business men have rights but so do the private property owners. He said the businessmen should take their money and put the tank in another area. He stated the odor permeates the neighborhood and that there must be another place to build the tank. Mayor Russell stated he believed a concentration of sewage treatment facilities in one area would be easier to eliminate than individual on-site plants when the entire area could be hooked-up to a master system. Councilman Little asked who F,rould pay for taps if ENCON takes the Village plant over and was advised they would have to assume the Village obligations. Mr. Ellis A. Simms suggested the action of the former Mayor in the proposed expansion might be taken before the Grand Jury. He further wondered if the Village Manager approved. The Village Manager stated he did approve. Russell moved, seconded by Barr and unanimously passed that the motion be voted upon. The vote was 4-1 for approval of the motion with Councilman Little voting against the motion. The Village Attorney reviewed special assessment for proposed improvements to Beacon Street and the matter will be further discussed at the May 9 Workshop Meeting. • The Village Attorney discussed the proposed noise ordinance and final details will be worked out at the Map 9 Workshop Meeting. 33 5 - 4-18-72 The Water Department Consulting Engineers will be asked to be present at the May 9 Workshop Meeting to discuss the Water Department Superintendents memorandlun of April 11, 1972. A discussion was held on the time for future Council meetings. Barr moved, seconded by Little that Council meetings start at 7:30 P.ri. The vote on the motion was 4-1 with Cunningham against the motion. Mr. Baron asked hots much revenue the new shopping center would generate for the Village and. the Village Manager will study when real estate assessments have been made. Mr. Thomson thanked the Village for their interest in his properties. The Village rianager advised on the nets revenue sharing act and other actions of the recent Legislature; that the contracts for the bicycle path and We1i No. 17 had been executed. at 10:00 P.Pi. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned Respectfully submitted, ~r~