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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_12/03/2018 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP December 3, 2018 � CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk, Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice-Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Vince Arena and Council Member Laurie Brandon. Council Member Kristi Johnson was absent. 1. Community Center Update by the Negotiation Committee Chair Frank D'Ambra Resident, Mr. Frank D'Ambra informed Council of a recent meeting between the Negotiation Committee and residents who resided in the immediate area of the proposed Community Center. During the meeting, pros and cons were discussed as well as suggestions and ideas from Village residents. Mr. D'Ambra revealed to Council the results from several surveys, including a recent one conducted at TequestaFest. Mr. Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation, offered his experience in speaking with residents about the proposed Community Center. He felt that the vast majority of feedback was very positive with many people asking how soon the center could be built. Mayor Brennan asked the committee members to remember to poll the older residents in order to have feedback from all ages that reside within the Village. Mr. D'Ambra advised keeping Village residents as the main users of the facility, with the ability to have occasional guests. Vice Mayor Paterno asked how much the facility would cost, as he had heard several different cost estimates. Mr. D'Ambra answered that the architects were currently speaking to contractors in order to zone in on a close estimate. Currently the price range for such a building was approximately $230 per square foot. This translated to just over $5 million dollars based upon the current drawing; including exercise equipment and furniture. Vice Mayor Paterno preferred to have the cost estimates for review, prior to deciding on whether or not the topic should go to a referendum. Attorney Keith Davis reminded Council that any games such as Bingo were highly regulated by the State. Additionally, if Council wished to regulate access to residents only, there could be no grants involved. Lastly, Council would need to decide if this was a yes/no vote for the proposed center or if it would have a bond attached to it. Council discussed the timeline for replacing the Village's current fire trucks, in relationship to the costs of building the proposed Community Center. Village Fire Chief James Trube stated that a Village Council Workshop Minutes December 3, 2018 Page 2 new ladder truck would cost approximately$1.2-1.3 million and would be needed within the next year or finro. Mrs. Pat Watkins, 167 River Drive, addressed Council and admitted that she had no objection to the facility. However, she was concerned with having funding available to take care of the roads and sidewalks that were in need of repairs. Mr. Chris Quirk, Director of Finance commented that$414,000 had been received this year from the one-cent sales tax and had already been spent. Mr. Tom Bradford, 44 Chestnut Trail, opined that there was much work to be done before taking the referendum to the voters in March of 2019. He believed that outside grants should be utilized and questioned what would be done with the old recreation center. Council Member Arena reminded Council of the fact that the project architect would be speaking to contractors next week in order to obtain estimates on construction costs. He felt that time was of the essence to at least get the referendum started and move towards a first reading. Mrs. Marcia Nielson, 94 Beachwood Trail, felt the project was being rushed and had heard some negative feedback as well. She recommended a survey be sent to every single resident in order to have all voices heard. Council Member Arena responded by reminding Council that the project had been in the discussion phase for almost a year. There had been approximately 20 meetings thus far with thoughtful discussion and feedback. Additionally, the Constitution Park building was in need of repairs to walls, roof, electrical, plumbing and more. Council Member Brandon asked why the referendum needed to be on the March 2019 ballot. Mr. D'Ambra felt that there was adequate time to gather the pertinent information needed, and there was simply no reason to delay, as the residents were eager to have it built. Additionally, if Council waited until August, many residents would not be in town for a vote. Mr. Chris Quirk reminded Council of rising interest rates when putting together their projected costs. Council Member Brandon stated she was agreeable to moving forward with bringing the referendum to the first reading. Vice Mayor Paterno disagreed with moving forward at least until cost estimates had been submitted and reviewed. Mayor Brennan was agreeable with moving forward to bringing the referendum to a first reading status, with the understanding that it would not go further, unless Council had the recommended figures in hand. Village Council Workshop Minutes December 3, 2018 Page 3 2. Discussion on the Police Department Pension Plan and Actuarial Valuation Report Acting Manager Weinand acknowledged that the Police and Fire pensions must be the same, and that Fire must now match the 2.35% Police pension increase, regardless of whether other changes would be made or not. Bonni Jenson of Klausner, Kaufman, Jensen & Levinson answered questions and offered insight on several of the options available to the Village. Several different scenarios were discussed with Council in Consensus of moving towards an Executive Session as soon as possible. 3. Review Inspector General Audit Report Findings and Management Response Acting Manager Weinand revealed that the Inspector General (IG) had spent many hours over the past 3 months investigating allegations. In summary, the report stated that the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing in regards to contract administration, payments and permitting. There were 21 recommendations within the report, which the Village would adopt and implement. 4. Discussion on Possible Funding Sources Mayor Brennan advised looking for funds thru the Palm Beach Planning Organization, which could possibly help fund the Village's private roads and sidewalks. She believed there were also other funding opportunities available for the Village, which would be beneficial in funding upcoming projects. Acting Manager Weinand announced that Mr. Doug Chambers was going to be part of the Local Mitigation Strategy Board, which helped in planning projects. He promised to keep all Council Members up to date on future funding sources. Pendin Tasks: Item: Assi ned: Commmunit Center Referendum read for first readin Keith Davis Schedule Executive Session for Public Safet Pension Lori McWilliams Cost Estimates for Council on Communit Center Actin Mana er Weinand Lori McWilliams, MMC ��� ` ` Village Clerk 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.