HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_02/24/1972MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF
THE COUATCILMEN OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FIARIDA
A Special Council Meeting of the Council of the Village of
Tequesta, Florida was held at 8:00 P.M., Thursday, February 24, 1972 at
the Village Hall. CounciLnen present were Messrs. Sylvester, Barr,
Cunningham, Russell and Little. Also present was Robert Harp, Village
Manager and Cleric.
Mayor Sylvester advised that the Village Council had called
the special meeting at their February 15, 1972 Regular Council Meeting
so that they could consider reports and recommendations from the
Village Sewage Committee pertaining to the proposal of the Loxahatchee
River Enviro~-ental Control District to assume ownership, management
and operation of the Village's sewage treatment facility and the proposal
of various developers for expansion of the sewage treatment facility.
Councilman Barr, Chairman of the Village Sewage Committee
reviewed the Loxahatchee River Envirorm~ental Control District, relating
the historp of the District, the engineering reports they had had
prepared to date, the District's need to own the Village's plant as a
base to start operating, methods the District proposes to use for
financing the construction and operation of the proposed system and the
verbal request of the Board of the District and their engineers letter
to the Board members of the District proposing they assume ownership,
management and operation of the Village sewage treatment facility.
Mr. Barr introduced Mr. William B. Leone, Vice-Chairman of the Sewage
Committee and Mr. Anson B. DeWolf, the Village's Consulting Engineer
for the sewage treatment facility. Mr. Barr advised that the Sewage
Committee had met to discuss the District's proposal to obtain the
Village sewage plant and rtad a report of the Sewage. Committee (attached
to these minutes),recommending that the Village Council commit to
deliver its sewage facilities to the Loxahatchee River Environmental
Control District as soon as the following conditions are met:
1. ENCON demonstrates ability to finance development,
construction and operation of a District system.
2. ENCON shows evidence that it can properly operate
the plant and administer-its business functions.
3. A satisfactory schedule of charges is presented and
discussed at public meetings.
4. A method and amount of compensation is mutually agreed
upon for purchase of the plant.
He further stated the Village has an obligation to the taxpayers and
the citizens of the Village in this regard, and the sooner a District
or County system can be provided, the better. Counci Lean Russell said
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the District had said time was of the essence to them in this matter
and questioned whether such a committment as proposed would satisfy
their financing needs. Mr. Donaldson Dow, a Village resident represent-
ing the District due to their meeting at the same time, said he
believed the District would meet all the conditions and that the present
schedule of rates and charges for Village residents would probably be
in effect until the effluent line is removed from the River, with the
exception of the operation and maintenance charges, but it would be
difficult to have rates guaranteed.
Mr. Barr said all persons is the District should pay fairly
and equitably and all other plants should be purchased on the same
basis. Mr. Simmons questioned if the disposal of the plant would have
to go to a referendum under the tears of the new Charter and was advised
the Village Attorney would have to give his opinion in this regard.
Mr. Russell suggested that the District answer the conditions as quickly
as possible, and the Sewage Committee review same and advise the Council.
He said he was in favor of the general proposition. Mr. Leone suggested
the Village Council make the commnittment so that the District can
proceed to get started. Mr. Little said he agrees with the Sewage
Committee report and favors the District if agreement is met. Mr.
Cunningham suggested we get the Districts answers and have a workshop
meeting next Tuesday. It was generally agreed the District wants a
letter of intent in this regard. Barr moved, seconded by Little that
the Village Council advise the Board of the Loxahatchee River Environ-
mental Control District of the Councils willingness and desire to turn
over the Village sewage treatment facility to them subject to the
• four (4) conditions as proposed in the Village Sewage Committee report,
dated February 22, 1972. Mr. Simmons asked if a referendum would be
required and the Village Attorney will be asked to advise and to also
advise if the transmittal letter is proper under the new charter. A
discussion was held on lines and lift stations which are not now owned
by the Village, but are used by private owners to use the Villages
treatment facility. The motion was unanimously approved, all Councilmen
voting favorably.
The next matter for consideration was the expansion of the
Village treatment facility. Mr. Barr reviewed the prior requests of
developers to contribute $50,000. for such proposed expansion of
50,000 GPD and reviewed Consulting Engineer Anson B. DeWolf~s letter
of February 17, 1972 to the Village Council in this regard. The
present actual volume of the plant is not factually known at this time
and the installation of flow meters and a totalizer is quite important
to deteanine the existing volume. The Consulting Engineer-s letter
stated that an interim expansion of the plant of 50,000 GPD could be
made at the plant site providing all approving goveraunental agencies
approve the-plans and approve the additional tertiary treated effluent
to be disposed of in the Loxahatehee River, on an interim basis, It
is possible that the various governing and regulatory agencies might
have to issue peanits for individual package plants so that lands
could be used and this could cause a proliferation of such small plants
when the intent of everyone is to have a master sewage system to
eliminate all such small, individual plants. Mr. Little said the
i
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Village should keep the existing plant in reserve and must think of the
people here today and the Village must have control of the plant in the
event the Loxahatchee River Enviro~aental Control District concept
should fail. Mr. Cunningham said it is a thorny problem. Mr. Russell
said he doesn~t believe the Council can ask prople to sit on their
properties and that it is preferable to have one master plant instead
of many small package plants. Mr. Little said expansion would cause
more problems for police, traffic etc. Mr. Simmons asked if the proposed
expansion was for undeveloped land or present needs and was advised it
would be basically for the developers who would pay for the expansion
with some reserve capacity for the Village. Mr, Bowers said we should
quit kidding ourselves about sewage and get sewage in the Village now
and don't postpone it. Mr, Harry Kuch said he would be willing to pay
fora tap now. Mr. Russell praised the District for the action they
had taken to date to solve the areas sewage problems even though they
did not have a complete board.
Barr moved, seconded by Russell that the Village Manager be
authorized to accept payments from persons listed on page three of
Mr. Anson B. DeWolf~s letter dated February 17, 1972, in a total amount
of $50,000.00 for the expansion of the sewage treatment plant with
additional effluent to be disposed of in the River, said funds to be
placed in escrow and authorize the Consulting Engineer to prepare a
report covering the possible expansion of the treatment facility to
handle estimated proposed increases in housing units and to make a
survey of the needs of existing residents and. determine the magnitude
of plant expansion required to meet these needs. Several persons in
the audience spoke against expansion of the plant for developers.
Mr, Leone said Mr. DeWolf~s report provides a reserve capacity for
Village needs and uses. Mr. Kenneth Schmidt said developers made
this area and plant expansion is needed now. The Village must grow
or go down. Mr. Barr said it is advisable to have sensible, orderly
glcowth on an interim basis until the District or County sewage system
coaanences to operate. The vote on the motion was:
Barr - For
Russell - For
Sylvester - For
Little - Against
Cunningham - Against
and the proposed expansion was approved 3-2. Mr. Cunningham said any
existing needs for capacity to the existing plant should be considered
before authorizing any expansion.
Mr. Ely Shay, Tequesta Gardens resident, asked what could be
done to expedite the operating District at the earliest possible time.
There being no further business, the meeting was- adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
f i~/~~C~
bent Harp
Village Clerk
