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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_03/04/2019 M�1�IUTES V1L.LAGE t}� TE�UE�`►TA W(JRKSHOP March 4, "�019 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Th� meeting was c�lled to order at �:00 PM. A r�ll ��II was taken by Village Clerk Lari M�Williams. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vic�-M�yor Tom Paterna, Council Memb�r Vinc� Arena, Council Member Laurie Br�ndon and Cauncil Member Kristi J�hnson. 1. �is��ss Tequesta �c���try Club Tr�ffi� �alming And P�c��strian Safet� ��asures, M�yor Brennan infarmed Councif that Acting Manager Weinand had requested this item be pl���d on next mpnth'� agenda due ta the fact that it w�auld be bundled with an item related tt� g�Mf carts. 2. Qisc�ss Presenting the F�orida [�epartmer�# of Tra�sporta#ion �FL�QT} �rith a R�s����ian tc� Retu�� �t�� US 1 Corr�dc���t� Three �an�� ea�h Qirectic�c� Vic� Mayor Paternc�vaiced his opinian c�n the recent lane reduction project on US Highway Qn�e. H� f�elt it was impar��nt to discuss with the Florida Dep�rtment of Transpartation (FDOT) th� pc�ssibility of returnin� the highway to �a I�nes. He believ�d there was an irrcr�ased safety ri�k with the new configur�tian and had h��rd from residents who were unhappy with the current statt�s, tl�ce IVlayor Paternc� v�ras a�so �ancerr�ecl �ith the US ��c�f�v�ray C}ne Bridc�e as it vvas crea#ing � tr�f�i� bottleneck t�e�c�ing norfih intc� ����esfia He re�r����� t�at Alterna��A�-A was goin� ta b� reengineered �r� �F�e near future anc� �e�ieved this v�rc�ul� also cc�ntribu�e tc�t�e #raffic problems. Council Member Johnson w�� agreeable ta exploring options fio reverse US Highway C�n� back to six lan�:�, although she di�d not support cr��ting a resolutian withaut first knawinc� how much it might �ta�t taxpayers. �h� r�called the FD�1T" stating that Jupit�r and Jupiter Inl�t Cal�ny would have tca �gree with chang�s, should the Vill�ge decide to pursu�: a different plar�, Ccauncil !tlle��aer Are�a fe�� strang�y that the FI��T would r�at su�part a�ty chan�es �a the roadway ar�� ��c�itionally, !����c� nc�t b�lieve a r��c�nfic�urafiion w�s r�ecessary. Nc�v���er, �e had heard feeci�ack from resit3en�s asking for a recl�c�ion �n speed ar� L1S Highway Q�e. M�y�r Brennan read � letter she had written into the reccard, acknowledginc� the need to confi��t FDC►T for a timely an�lysis of the functi�nality of US Highw�y One, (during hic�h traffic times anc� bridge openings) at na cast to the Village. She further reminded Council that r�ver the years there had been 2'� �eeti�c� o�pQrt���ties avail�k�l+�fc��t�e p�rt��ic to learn a�a�t revarn�ai�c� C1S Hig�way CJne, in ������c�r� to nev�r�pa��r a�ticles, preser���t��r�s, maile� r�e�s�etters, ar�d c�t��r f�rms of commur�i�at�c�n. Niayor Brennan �elieved resic3ents shcauld vate�n a refer�ndum, onc�the facfis were revealed fram th� FDOT study. Vice Mayor Paternra believed the FDC1T should be helql acc��untable for the hi�l�way and was Ira�king for them to cr�r�duct their study�� soon as possibl�. Village Cauncil Workshop Minutes March 4, 2�19 Page 2 Mr. John Ritz of 231 Fairway East, a langtime resident of the Village, addressed Council and asked that they give the roadway change a bit of time. He had not heard camplaints from his friends and felt it was sad to possibly ga back and change the road. Further, he felt the FDOT was the expert in the field and he trusted their judgement regarding the raad design. He stated that he wauld be upset if was faced with paying more taxes to undue the road. He advised giving it some time. Mrs. Pert Town of 364 Fairway North, recalled that back in the 1980s there was a lot of money spent on going from twa lanes to three lanes. She also revealed that she had recently almast been hit from behind in traffic, on several occasions. Additionally, she had almost had an accident with a bicycle, due to fast traffic and the new turn lanes. She felt there were unintended conseq�ences due to the roadway change. Mrs. Liz Schauer of 85 Teakwood Circle, met recently with the Treasure Coast Planning Committee and pravided the history of the roadway to them. She felt that the residents' concerns were taken into consideration, however, there had been many changes to the plan. Additionally, she felt that speeders were an issue and were contributing to various other prablems. She was not in favar of going back to six lanes and felt many wauld not be happy. She also did not want ta pay far any additional changes. Mrs. Pat Watkins of 167 River Drive, responded to Council reminding them of the responsibility of residents to provide input prior to the start of the praject. Additionally, she felt that many of the camplaints were stemming from non-residents. She warned Council that if they attempted to change the road back to six lanes, they would hear apposition from as many, if not mare people, oppasing the change. Mrs. Watkins believed that the US Highway C}ne Bridge project would be a nightmare far the area no matfier what. Mr. Darrell Pastuch af 391 River Drive, addressed Council and stated that Vice Mayor Paterna was the only Council Member to vate against the U5 Highway One praject. He felt that communication to residents could be better. Also, he related that FDOT told him that it could be reversed but the Village would pay for it. Mrs. Marcia Nielson af 94 Beechwaad Trail, annaunced that she was scared ta pay a possible $6t}0 per person to reverse the project. She thought people shou]d slaw down and hated the fact that people wanted #o go backwards, when there were ather large items ta pay for in the Village. Jupiter Inlet Calony's Vice Mayor Chip Black, addressed Council and reminded them of the close relationship they shared on services and amenities. He stated that he personally [aved the Complete Streets Project, even though traffic was slowed a bit. He agreed the cost, schedule and trauble should be sought out befare a resolution. He emphasized that 21 meetings were offered and people had an individual responsibility to attend. If residents camplained without bafihering to go to a meeting, that was indicative of looking far a solution where there was na problem. He was surprised there were not hundreds of people packing the meeting if there was such oppositian to the project. Village Council Warkshop Minutes March 4, 2019 Page 3 Mr. Frank D'Ambra of 345 Beach Road, thanked Council and recalled US Highway One being a race track prior to the new configuration. He admitted there were numerous meetings held an the subject,as welE as many camplaints about the safety back then. Additionally, several Council Members were actively out in the communi�Ey speaking with residents and receiving feedback that the lane reduction was desired. He felt that there were ather things to move the traffic along better, and thought peaple should focus an the long-term picture. He felt it was, and remains, the best choice for the community. Mrs. Lanna Landsmall af Jupiter Inlet Galany, admitted that she had attended a few charrettes regarding the project. Her informal survey of neighbars revealed that mast people were pleased with the res�lts and felt they cauld actually use the bike lane in traversing to Teq�esta. She believed that the bridge was the bigger problem and that the boat traffic was a factar. She believed that Tequesta was a beautiful community and the increased traffic was due to the popularity of the Village. Mr. Bill Watkins of 167 River Drive, amplified the character of the Village was at stake. He would like to retain the smalE town feel and remembered US Highway One as a race track, as he had lived here far 49 years. He conveyed to Council that he loved the lane reduction and believed peopEe would become accustamed to the change. Mr. Ryan Paterno af 269 Golfview Drive, addressed Council and opined that most younger peaple were against the US Highway One lane reduction, even though the older crowd seemed more accepting of the project. He felt that the younger residents were not informed or given any consideration in the recanfiguration. Mr. Jim Tursi of 1Q4 Yacht Glub Place, admitted he was no# a supparter af the new road canfiguration. He felt that people did not know about Council Meetings and encouraged more signage to let residents know. He also believed that FDOT was not the expert, but rather the residents that drove on the roads. He offered to start a petition to poll residents on changing the road back to six lanes. Brianne Paterno of�62 Golfview Drive, commented that she was against the lane reduction and would like to have Cauncil gather facts on the cost of going back. She felt everyane's opinion mattered and thought the people should vote. Ms. Lydia McClear af Tequesta Pines, agreed with the last fihree commentators and revealed to Council that she had polled some neighbars, who conveyed they were disappointed with the lane reduction. Mayor Brennan again assured Cauncil that the FDOT would be contacted to begin a study on the new lane reduction project. Council Member Brandan asked that the study take place while the northern residents and guests were sfiill in the area. Village Council Workshop Minutes March 4, 2019 Page 4 3. Discussion on ADA Website Compliancy Village Clerk Lori McWilliams asked Council for directian in pursuing the new requirements involving Americans wifh Disabiiity Act, {ADA� comp[iancy . She was working an a multi-faceted plan to bring the Village into compliance, but had several issues. Council was asked ta give direction on how to praceed with this process. Attorney Davis revealed the time frame was right now, and compliancy was expected immediately. After input from Mr. Brad Gomberg, IT Directar, Attorney Davis and Village Clerk McWilliams, Council agreed thafi the Village shauld continue to maintain the current level of access while becoming compliant going forward through the Clerk's Website Transition Plan. 4. Jaint Proposal for Relocation and Recor�figuration by �T, HR, Building, �ire and Viliage Gierk for the Purpose of Enhancing Customer Service and Increasing Services Provided to Village Residents Mr. Jase Rodriguez, Village Building Directar asked Council far permission to move the Building Department to the abandoned fire sfiatian on Seabrook Road. As a result, the IT and HR Departments wauld then have room to expand their offices at Village HaIL Naurs would be e�ctended in order to accommodate cantractors and the prapased Community Center wrould have temporary housing during the construction. Cauncil Member Johnson asked about the funds that were to be directed to the proposed Community Center from the Building Department. Mr. Rodriguez stated that th�re was not an EOC within the plan anymore, althaugh funds could be set aside for a Village Hurricane fund. Architectural drawings would be taken out of funds ($20,000) that had been budgeted for a generator. It was a Concensus of Council to go forward with the Architectural Drawings. 5. Discuss Report of Wa#er Distribution Sys#em Acting Village Manager Weinand explained to Council the status of the Water Distribution System using data from a 2011 repart, which included replacing pipes, relocating lines, numeraus repairs, and maintenance programs. He indicated there was a lot of work necessary to bring the plant up to the desired level. Mr. Tam Jensen, a cansultant from Kimley-Horn believed that a defined plan vuould be helpful going forward ta prepare the department far the ne�20 ta 30 years. Ne thaught bonds, loans and grants cauld be looked into, in order ta finance the praject, which was estimated to cast $27 million dollars, 8 years ago. He wanted to avaid anymare instances of collapse from stormwater pipes failing. Acting Manager Weinand acknawledged there was another collapsed drainage pipe located within Key West Village, which was scheduled to come before Council for an appropriatipn. 6. Discussion or� Water and Storm Water Rate Study Acting Manager Weinand asked Council ta consider updating the Water Distribution Report and ta canduct a Water/Storm Water Rate Study. The cost would be approximately $135,000 for all three studies. Vice Mayor Paterno stressed to Council the need to install the new water meters in order to re-coup some lost funds. Village Council Workshop Minutes March 4, 2019 Page 5 7. Consideration af Sptitting the Earmarlced $1,Ot3t},�00 Reserved for Disas#ers with the Water Fuc�d Mayor Brennan reminded Council ofthe prior Warkshop meeting where moving"disas#er"maney into the Water F�und was discuss�d. She believed the water plant was the mast impcartant building needing repair at the moment advised moving the funds. Restricted and unrestricted funds were discusse� as it related ta the water and general fur�d. Vice Mayor Paterno believed the funds wauld be more easily accessible if they were moved. Cauncil tUlember Johnsan asked for more infarmatian on the funds before she was able to decic�e. Council Member Arerra relayed to Council the concern� he had been hearing from residents regarding the large amaunt of political signs being placed in uarious right-af-ways. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of�4 Beechwoad Trail, commented that she was aware that political signs in the right of way wer� against the Village ordinance. �he wondered if it was true if the ordinanc� was nc�t enforced, was it allowable due ta a precedence being esfiablished? Attarney Davis stated that histarically the Village had been lax in regards to the rule. Ne recommended bringing it to Council to weigh in on apprapriate action, as pursuing it now with the election a week away was not appropriate. Acting Manager Weinand informed Council that the topic waulcf be brought to the Apri1 Wc�rkshop. Mr. Kyle Stane of 213 Fairway East stated that same af the sigr�s being spoken about were his and he would be willing ta remove them from the right af way, if his opponent was willing te� da the same. ADJOURNMENT: Cauncil MemberArena moved ta adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Nlember Johnsan .The rrrotr"or� fo adj�urn carried unarrimcausly 5-Q; therefore, the meefing was adjourned at 8.52 PM, Village Cauncil Workshap Minutes March 4, 20�9 Page 6 Pendin Tasks: Item: � As�i ned: FDC}T contacted for ast com letion anal sis of US H ane Ma ar Brer�nan ����, f� �����,��— Lari McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk Nate: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance tnrit� 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audia record is a�ailable from the office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's ofFice.