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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_01/29/2009MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 8:30 a.m. A roll call was taken by Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice-Mayor Calvin Turnquest, Council Member Vince Arena, and Council Member Jim Humpage, and Council Member Tom Paterno. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Attorney Trela White, Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. 1. Update Regarding Discussion with Cornerstone and Continuation of Possibly Purchasing Property Village Manager Couzzo referred to the previous discussion concerning the acquisition of the Cornerstone property. He also noted the assessed value was currently 2.3 - 2.4 million and the approximate demolition cost was $500,000. He explained the purchase options and noted the taxes in 2007 and 2008 had not been paid along with several mortgage payments. Council Member Paterno felt the property's value at present was as little as zero up to the assessed value and felt 1.5 million was a top estimate for the purchase price. He noted investors were buying property at 60% of appraised values in the current market conditions. Attorney White referred to the current agreement and stated the property could not be a park and would have to be rescinded. She noted wording that read "only condominium and townhomes and amenities related to such uses shall be permitted". Council Member Paterno felt there were possibilities along with demolition of the existing structure. He suggested the demo cost could be high and negotiated into the price and felt the property would be ideal for additional green space. Manager Couzzo advised that the site could be utilized as an expansion area for the water plant and an additional well placed there in the future. Council Member Arena asked if the building was up to code. Ms. Catherine Harding, Director of Community Development, stated the building was. Council Member Arena referenced the (Property Appraisers Public Access System) PAPA assessed value of the property was 1.7 million in 2006 and felt property was selling at a fifty percent discount at present. Manager Couzzo explained the assessment value and purchase price were two different figures. Mayor Watkins expressed her concern with the expense of the bridge and the purchase of the property and questioned if the Village actually needed the property although, she did believe the transaction would be a potential positive for the water plant. She sated the Village would never have this type of opportunity again and asked Attorney White how difficult it would be to rescind the agreement. Attorney White stated it was a recorded document and noted with the cooperation of the surrounding properties the change would be easier. Minutes -Workshop 1/29/09 Page 2 Council Member Paterno advised that a park would be better received by surrounding properties. Attorney White advised ordering two appraisals and noted the reason for today's meeting was not to take action but to decide the direction of the proposed venture. Council Member Paterno suggested postponing the appraisals until negotiations were completed. Attorney White stated the appraisals must be part of the process but, did not have to come first. Mayor Watkins disclosed that she sat on a board with Ted Brown an appraiser in the area. Manager Couzzo felt examination of the use agreements would be important to negotiations. Council Member Paterno suggested making an offer contingent on stipulations and waiting on ordering the appraisals until last minute. Manager Couzzo felt the economy was at a level that welcomed this buying opportunity and noted there were risks and expenses involved. He confirmed the Village was financially prepared for this opportunity. Council Member Humpage commented that he was recently associated with a program in a Federal Agency and learned they were looking for a property to lease for inpatient and outpatient programs and felt this was a possibility for the property. He noted wording from the Attorney's letter referring to usage and inquired if leasing would be acceptable. Attorney White stated the laws were broad and she would check into what was acceptable. James Weinand, Fire Chief, noted the condition of the building from an inspection performed by Tequesta Fire Department several years back which showed the fire protection system required replacement, apparent mold on the drywall, many florescent lights not. in working order and, no floor finishes although, he believed the building was structurally sound. Ms. Harding believed the "unity of title" on the property was never broken and the intent was to split the parcel. She added that the final plat was never filed because of missing documents. Attorney White stated the unity of title was deleted in the 2005 amendment and broken in article five of use the agreement and recorded but understanding was the property was platted as one parcel. She noted the wording which stated "the current owner may make application for the subdivision pursuant to the previsions of the Village code". Attorney White replied that Council did previously approve the plat and it could be filed for. Manager Couzzo suggested as part of the negotiations an environmental study could be obtained. Minutes -Workshop 1/29/09 Page 3 Council Member Paterno felt Council should not pass up this opportunity. Manager Couzzo stated Tequesta had a conservative approach that had put them in the position to make this purchase. Mayor Watkins noted Tequesta was also capable of dealing with some of the property issues that others may find difficult. Vice Mayor Turnquest stated he was for the purchase of the property. Mayor Watkins responded she was for the acquisition as long as it did not deplete too much of the reserves. Attorney White noted the first requirement was Council consensus and suggested not putting a "not to exceed figure" in the offer. She stated offers, counter offers and exemptions must be in writing and not disclosed until 30 days before the item goes to Council. Council Member Paterno suggested the Manager move forward with negotiations and set workshops as needed. Abby Roeloffs, 23 Tradewinds Circle voiced her opinion supporting the venture a resident and questioned the use agreement being changed for an outsider. Attorney White responded that the Village would be willing to change the use agreement for anyone who applied. 2. Status Update on Tequesta Bridge Village Manager Couzzo provided an update including the possibility of the project being postponed until next year if permitting was not completed soon. He noted the last two lab testing's had favorable results to the Village and that the engineers had been instructed to move forward. He reported the bridge engineering design was progressing and changes would be costly from this point. He noted the bridge would go out for bid in approximately two weeks and noted some of the design aesthetics. Manager Couzzo advised that a preconstruction meeting with potential bidders would be held to explain details of the project. Council Member Humpage noted the utility lines project running parallel with the bridge project. Manager Couzzo explained the coordination with several entities on the utility line job would be managed to save time and money. Council Member Paterno suggested campaigning to update residents of the progress. He also mentioned the attendance of the summer camps would be affected if residents could not use the bridge. Manager Couzzo noted the preference would be to push the project through this year to possibly save money and earn stimulus funds. He also recommended Council look at the cash and investment report and be aware of the daily changes being made because of the economy and encouraged suggestions. Catherine Harding referred to the drainage issue at the base of the bridge. Manager Couzzo noted that engineers were looking into possible changes. Minutes -Workshop 1/29/09 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a. m.; seconded by Council Member Paterno, motion carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted, ,~,,~.~~~PGE:::~F-,,, ~, ~, ~;' .''~~~~'. Gp RP0;4 :F~j ~` ~` ~ C(~.J.-E.~LC Qrm.-. = ~ 9~ G~ o9PO99~ y ~rl = ~,N~ S~cq R;:m Lori McWilliams, CMC a~. .a Village Clerk =~~~.~~ ~, ~ D