Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_02/04/2019 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP February 4, 2019 � 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. Discussion on the Fire Department's Full-time Positions Versus Interim Costs Fire Chief Trube explained to Council that there was a difference of approximately $38,000 per year to convert an Interim Firefighter position to a full time position. One of the factors that negatively affected the Fire Department when utilizing an interim was the training aspect. Rather than moving the department forward and developing skills beyond the current, the team was in a perpetual cycle of repeat training. Another cost was attributed to overtime, as there was always a shortage when an intern left the position. Chief Trube revealed that uniforms and bunker gear were fitted to the individual and proved costly with interim firefighters leaving frequently. Council Member Arena suggested leaving the program on hold until it was needed again. Chief Trube added that he had an updated list of hires that would fit the firefighter/paremedic requirement. Additionally, firefighters could be moved around to different shifts when an employee called in sick. Acting Manager Weinand agreed that overtime costs were increased because of the costs of overturning employees. The Fire Department was at 50% of their overtime budget at the quarter year mark. Vice Mayor Paterno was agreeable to hiring a full timer immediately, if the Chief could delay purchasing a vehicle for the next two years. Chief Trube agreed that the vehicle could wait for two years. Council then asked Chief Trube and Acting Manager Weinand to discuss the issue and report back. 2. Discussion on Smart Meter Revenues and Contract Work to Acquire the Return of Funds Finance Director, Mr. Chris Quirk reported that water was being lost every day due to old meters that did not measure water consumption accurately. Mr. Jay Wickham, Superintendent of Water Distribution and Storm Water, reported that there were 1000 smart meters sitting in a warehouse, with the ability of installing only 100 per month "in-house". Mr. Wickham preferred to contract with an outside company to install the 1000 meters at a rate of approximately $30,000. After that, Mr. Wickham recommended purchasing more meters and contract having them installed as well. The question for Council was whether to install all the meters left in the system at one time, or to continue with a partial install per year. The cost of the meters was approximately $750,000 with installation costing approximately $250,000. The new meters were reported to bring an increase of approximately 25% in revenue. Council asked that the Water Department report back with numbers representing unaccounted water loss, and a comparison of the one Village Council Workshop Minutes February 4, 2019 Page 2 and two year water meter replacement plan. Additionally, the smart meter company was offering a 20-year warranty on accuracy and battery life. Also, the expense of purchasing a tower was not necessary anymore, as the Village could utilize existing towers located within the area. Council asked Manager Weinand to move forward and meet with the water department to gather the additional information. 3. F/Y 17/18 Year End Budget Status Finance Director, Mr. Chris Quirk, compared revenues to the budget for the end fiscal year 2018. The total year-end was 97% of the budget. Mayor Brennan asked Council to refer to the unrestricted fund balance and asked for clarity on the number. Mr. Quirk revealed it was approximately 1.2 million, with the monthly expenditures coming in at approximately one million dollars per month. Council Member Arena asked if the building department money could be spent for hurricane disaster expenses. Attorney Davis informed Council that the building department revenue could only be used for building department related expenses. Mayor Brennan asked Council to consider transferring $500,000 to the water department as its emergency fund, leaving $500,000 under the general fund balance sheet,with the understanding that Council could use it for whatever was needed. Having half of the disaster fund already in place in the water department would make sense, according to Mayor Brennan. Council would need to approve with a vote during a Council Meeting. Vice Mayor Paterno asked if the finance software was able to create a report without manually inserting numbers. Mr. Chris Quirk explained that it was possible to create a report in an excel spreadsheet. Mr. Brad Gomberg, IT Director added that there were "canned" reports already in the system, which could be exported to excel, or a custom report could be built. Mayor Brennan revealed that she preferred a summarized and detailed balance sheet and Mr. Quirk stated that within BSA there was a way to create a more customized report for Council. Vice Mayor Paterno asked why it would be a good idea to take $500,000 out of reserves. Mr. Quirk answered that it was a good idea because $500,000 of committed funds would be freed up, thereby increasing the unassigned fund balance. Additionally, Mr. Quirk answered that there were no funds set up in reserve at this time. Vice Mayor Paterno felt that the $500,000 should be kept where it was, and not moved, in order that it remain non-appropriated. Mayor Brennan disagreed and countered that the money would simply be distributed on finro different balance sheets. It would not be touched unless there was a disaster. Additionally, if there was to be an appropriation, Council had to direct where it would go. Furthermore, Mayor Brennan was concerned because there were one million dollars in the general fund and nothing at all in the water fund. She further emphasized that it did not mean that when the funds were split, it would be spent. Instead, it would simply be a balance sheet transfer. Lengthy discussion ensued. Mayor Brennan requested the discussion be tabled and the topic be placed on the agenda for a vote. Mr. Quirk reported that the auditors would have a financial statement ready by March 31, 2019. Village Council Workshop Minutes February 4, 2019 Page 3 4. F/Y 18/19 Quarterly Budget Review Mr. Quirk informed Cauncil that mast Departments were close to the 25°lo mark on their expenses, with the exception of#he Manager at 27%, due to farmer Village Man�ger Couzza's payout. Additianally, Parks and Recreation was over budget due to Tequesta Fest. He reparted there was $242,000 of Secand Quar�er money in this reparting as well, due ta the the year end holiday/work schedule in 2018. He reported legal fees were at 10%. Mayar Brennan requested a fund balance report with an original budget line and an amended one, be emailed to her. It was reveaied that there was $2Q,004 in the capital improvements budget for the year, however, there were no plans to do any projects other than crosswalks and sidewalks. Vice Mayor Paterna pointed out that moving money wauld create an unnecessary convenience for Council to then apprapriate the funds. 5. Discussion on the Corner Lot Fencing and Vehicle Storage Attorney Davis offered a brief histary pertaining to corner lots, fencing and the parking of boats and RVs in certain zones. He emphasized that the main change was the clacification that the front af the house, was defined as the side that faced the road and contained the street address. Additionally, there was a removal of the waiver provision. Attorney Davis asked for discussion and direction frorn CounciL Cauncil Member Arena questioned the sizes of trucks that were nat allowed and asked for clarity an carports for boat storage. Building Qirectar, Jase Rodriguez confirmed that Code Enfarcement was currently leaving notices far boat owners that had not yet applied for a boat permit. He appraximated there had been 80-1 QO new permits submitted within the Village. Vice Mayor Paterno asked for the history of personal vehicle laws for the State of Florida. Attorney Davis revealed that there was a case where the Supreme eaurt deemed it unconstitutional ta disallow personal use trucks in neighborhoads. He wauld look inta the current law and get back to Council regarding personal use vehicles. 6. Discussion on Paradise Park and JMZs Possible Development Plans Acting Manager Weinand explained to Council that he had met with Mr. John Zuccarelli, the owner of the lots laca#ed at Paradise Park. Mr. Zuccarelli relayed that he wauld deed Paradise Park to the Village, in exchange far the ability to develop the remaining parcels, yet retain the density of the donated parcel within the other finro. Anather option would be to allaw the Village ta build the proposed Cammunity Genter on one of the parcels and then, allow him to build up to four stories an top of the Community Center. Council discussed the topic at length and decided they were not interested in going higher than 4 stories. However, they would be interested in obtaining the park. Pendin Tasks: Item: Assi ned: Village Council Workshop Minutes February 4, 2019 Page 4 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.