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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_04/01/2019MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP April 1, 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, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Laurie Brandon, Council Member Kyle Stone and Council Member Kristi Johnson. 1. Discussion on Golf Cart Usage on the Road Attorney Davis recalled previous discussion regarding golf cart usage and reminded Council of the statutory requirement, which required the Village to determine if golf carts were deemed safe to be on Village streets. Council Member Johnson stated there was feedback from residents in the Country Club who had been pulled over when traveling to First Presbyterian Preschool on Tequesta Drive. Lieutenant Pike presented a power point presentation, which gave a brief history of golf cart use within the Village. He also offered information on speed limits, safety concerns, walkways, parking, vehicle identification, misuse, non -Village roads, liabilities, other transportation, traversing the bridge, open container issues, lack of enforcement, speed capacity, tread on tires, ground clearance, visibility, child restraint, safety equipment, and insurance. Additionally, there had been many reports/complaints regarding several residents travelling by golf cart while holding an infant loosely in their arms. Lieutenant Pike mentioned there were requirements to become a "certified golf cart community" as well. Several residents asked questions about the requirements on street legal golf carts. Attorney Davis stated that regardless of the safety features the Village could require, the operation of a golf cart on public roads was prohibited unless designated by the municipality. Furthermore, a study was necessary in order to deem the Village streets safe. A suggestion was made to create a golf cart path, running along the easement area between the Tequesta Country Club South Gate and the Tequesta Drive Bridge. It was a Consensus of Council to obtain a proposal from a traffic engineer for two studies to be performed; one that would be from the Tequesta Country Club South Gate to the Bridge and another from the Bridge to Dixie Highway. Additionally, Attorney Davis recommended an update on age and licensing requirements within the Village Code. 2. Discussion Regarding Tequesta Country Club Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Measures. Mr. Doug Chambers, Director of Public Works gave an update on the pavers that had been placed in specific calming areas in the Tequesta Country Club. He revealed the pavers had Village Council Workshop Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 2 proven to be ineffective and acknowledged the area along El Portal Drive where there was no space for pedestrians and bikers to safely traverse. Residents commented that the area encompassed a blind turn and had been a safety issue for many years. Other residents reaffirmed the need to curb speeding, cut vegetation, and create safer areas for walkers. Residents left their contact information for Doug Chambers to reach out to them on possible solutions. Council asked for pricing on traffic studies to lower the speed limit within the Country Club. 3. Discussion on Run 4 Freedom Requests to Council Council Member Arena distributed a handout I and gave a brief history of the Run 4 Freedom race. Mayor Brennan reminded Council of the importance of not promoting businesses or charities as it could come back to affect the Village in a negative manner. Council was asked to look at the information, as it would be coming back for their approval at a Council Meeting; additionally, an administrative policy would be created. 4. Council Appointments to the Community Center Advisory Committee Council submitted their designees for the new Community Center Advisory Committee. Contact information was collected from each member and it was determined that the Clerk's Office would be in touch. 5. Water Distribution Update Mr. Jay Wickham, Superintendent of Water Distribution and Storm Water gave Council an update on some projects and issues affecting his department. He revealed there were some problems with the new water meters and was placing the project on hold. Specifically, the issues revolved around dead batteries, reading equipment failures, and customer service inefficiencies. Manager Weinand assured Council that the Village was investigating alternative options, while Attorney Davis asked that he be brought up to date on the issue. Additionally, the Key West Village project was near completion, storm drains had been cleaned out, and new products were being researched to assist with runoff. Mr. Wickham stated there were no plans to purchase more meters this year and asked Council's consideration in purchasing a "valve exerciser truck" instead, using the appropriated funds from the meters. The price was approximately $117,000 and would save money due to the cost of remediating valves (which had never been maintained or exercised) throughout the Village. Mr. Wickham specified that industry standard was to exercise valves once per year. Manager Weinand supported the purchase, as it would free up valves that the Village would otherwise have to replace at a cost of approximately $12-15,000 per valve. There were approximately 700 valves located throughout the Village, which would equate to using the proposed new equipment regularly at a rate of two full days per week. Mr. Wickham would come back to Council for funding on the water meters in the next budget. Village Council Workshop Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 3 Manager Weinand updated Council on the three studies and felt that only one was a high priority due to the TRIM notice schedule. Mr. Nate Litteral, Water Plant Superintendent, updated Council on the water plant generator, which had recently been removed. He stressed the fact that there was not an additional backup generator and he felt there would be a time when a second generator would be needed; otherwise a boil -water was likely in the future. The time sequence, in which the scenario was possible, was currently happening once or twice a week. Acting Manager Weinand assured Council there were solutions being discussed, as Florida Power and Light (FPL), had been non responsive to the Village thus far. Mr. Litteral felt the most effective measure to assure pressure, was elevated storage, which was expensive. Mr. Litteral suggested an interconnect agreement with Jupiter, providing a control valve was one possible idea. It was mentioned that the old generator still functioned fine and had only met half of its service life, however the components related to re -installing it (possibly at the Recreation Center) were the main expenses. Manager Weinand affirmed the new Gensets were approximately $250,000. 6. Discussion on Village Manager Vacancy Mayor Brennan excused staff, although Acting Manager Weinand decided to stay for the discussion. She advised not making any changes regarding the Village Manager position, however Council asked to begin the interview process again. Council Member Brandon asked for a specific procedure to be developed, if the current Acting Manager was to remain. Discussion ensued and Council agreed to start the Village Manager search again, with the following parameters: • Internal search • Tighter schedule • Start immediately (tomorrow) • Phone Interviews recommended • Council receives every application ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Arena moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Johnson . The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0, therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 PM. Village Council Workshop Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 4 Pendina Tasks: Item: Assigned: 2 Studies on golf cart traffic safety Acting Manager Weinand Code Update age/license Attorney Davis -Village Community Center Advis. Committee meeting to be scheduled Clerk McWilliams Village Manager Search to Commence HR Dir. Merlene Reid 4L _% Lori McWilliams, MMC �aryl&,)Wltal 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.