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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_60-99/00_05/11/2000• RESOLUTION NO. 60-99/00 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING ITS CONCERN FOR THE LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PROVIDED AT THE POST OFFICE FACILITY LOCATED WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA; REQUESTING THAT THE U. S. POSTAL SERVICE TAKE THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO CORRECT THESE CONDITIONS. • • WHEREAS, The U.S. Postal Service has constructed a new expanded post office branch located in the Village of Tequesta; and, WHEREAS, The new facility serves an area that contains an estimated customer base of over 16,000; and WHEREAS, The staffing level of the new postal facility is not adequate to meet the demands of the area customers resulting in long lines and delays in service; and WHEREAS, The grounds and landscaping of the new facility are under-maintained and detract from the appearance of the new facility and surrounding area. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The Village Council expresses its concern over the levels of customer service and landscape maintenance provided at the new post office branch located in the Village of Tequesta, and urges the U. S. Postal Service to take such corrective action as is necessary, including, but not limited to increasing staffing to meet customer demands, especially during peak times, and to implement a regular program of landscape and grounds maintenance at the facility. Section 2. The Village Council authorizes the Mayor to send this resolution and an accompanying letter to the District Manager of the U. S. Postal Service recounting • the conditions at the post office facility and requesting a timely response. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED by Council member Walker who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Council member nalack and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: FOR ADOPTION AGAINST ADOPTION • Basil E. Dalack Geraldine R. Genco Elizabeth A. Schauer Sharon D. Walker The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed and adopted this 11th day of May, A.D., 2000. MAYOR OF TEQU/'E~~STA Joseph N. C retta ATTEST: ~ ~!~.µ.w oann Mangan ello Village Clerk • • VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive • Suite 300 Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (561) 575-6200 Fax: (561) 575-6203 May 12, 2000 Ms. Vicki Brennan District Manager, Orlando Post Office Box 999800 Mid Florida, Florida 32799 RE: Tequesta, Florida, Branch Post Office Dear Ms. Brennan: I am writing to you as the Mayor of the Village of Tequesta, a municipality of roughly 5,100 persons located at the northern boundary of Palm Beach County. Our former Mayor, Carl Hansen, has written two letters (December 6, 1999, and March 15, 2000, copies attached) to our Postmaster Patti Weidman. Having received no response from Postmaster Weidman, I am writing to you with the hope that as our District Manager you will be able to address a number of concerns the Village of Tequesta has with our post office. While my Village's population may be small, the customer base of the Tequesta post office is slightly over 16,000. This is due to the servicing of not only local businesses but also Southern Martin County, Jupiter Inlet Colony, unincorporated Palm Beach County, and the Village of Tequesta. We were very happy and proud of the U.S. Government's. recognition of this when they authorized new facilities. Not only was the architecture of the new building a compliment to our Village, but the number of parking spaces was increased (currently twice as many parking spaces now exist), larger mail-box facilities were installed, and a `store' for self-service shopping for items such as stamps, envelopes, etc., was added. All of the upgrades in service has naturally lead to more customers using the Tequesta Branch Post Office --- many coming from neighboring Jupiter. Sadly, however, the staffing has not increased to accommodate these new customers. Long lines still exist during peak days and times; the `store' counter is rarely attended, so customers are still forced to wait in lines to purchase a book of stamps; and, except for a few days prior to Christmas, one customer station is always closed. All of these situations are due to lack of personnel. While I am not privy to what goes on behind the public counters, my educated guess would be • that there is not enough personnel to assist in sorting, etc., too.. Recycled Paper • If the lack of customer assistance was not enough to ask our citizens to withstand, the physical condition of our brand new Post Office is going downhill weekly! Since the Post Office's grand opening on November 8, 1999, the grass has been mowed only once; weeds are overtaking the planting beds; palm trees are yellowing due to lack of fertilizer; and at least half of the shrubs and some oak trees are dead (brown sticks in a sea of weeds!). Repeated requests for assistance to Postmaster Weidman fall on deaf ears! We need your assistance Ms. Brennan. Our residents are not only disturbed by the conditions at the Tequ~sta Post Office, but they are also extremely disappointed. 'i Please provide us with a level of service that beautiful new facility that was dedicated', just Sincerely, ~, ep N. Capretta Yo Encl. JNC/mmt • Word\Council\Post office 5-2-00 is commensurate with the few months ago. • i yII,LAGE QF TEQUEST Ibe Office l'laoc 3273 • 250 Teq~eesn Drive • Suia Togwsn, Ronda 33469-0273 (56I) 575-6200 Fau: (561) 575-6203 December 6, 1999 Ms. Patti Weidman, Posmaster 1095 Mi~tary Trail Jupiter, R. 33458 Re: Tequtssta Branch Post Office on Old Dhde Hlghwar Dear Postmaster Weidman: LJ The people of Tequesta are extremely excited about the attractive modern fadlity that has been provided to them by the U. S. Postal Service. There have been marry improvements over the former location of the Tequesta Branch. induding. additional parking. additional post office boxes, a new retail center and the overall enhanced appearance of the new facikty. ' There isr however. one complaint 1 must bring to your at0ention that I have been present~l with on. numerous occasions rehtive ro the new facility. Specifically, the people of Tequesta have compFdined to me about a lack of darks to service the public and dte resulnrtt kmg lines that they experience. The typical question posed to me, as a member of the V'~ge Council is. "how can the Post Ol6ce expand rite hcility but not provide additional help to address the demandd" 1 do not know the answer to this question, but I do know that the concern and (rusta-ation relative m the exisuettce of this problem is real. for I have experienced it myself. This problem existed upon the first day of the opening of the new postal faaGq. Therefore, the problem existed prior m the increase in posh activity associated with the holiday season_ Anyttung your office can do in this regard to help provide better service to the customers of this new and modern faciliq wiU be greatly appreciated. N you have any questions in t~tis regard. please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Sincerel ~~ ~t~ Carl C. Han Mayatr c: Yllage Council WordVMr DonrmentslPoscma:ter 12-3-99 • ~~ ~ ,~ ~h y VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive • Suite 300 Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (SG1) 575-6200 Fax: (SGI) 575-6203 March 15, 2000 Ms. Patti Weidman, Postmaster 1095 Military Trail Jupiter, FL 33458 RE: Tequesta Branch Post Office on Old Dixie Highway Dear Postmaster Weidman: This is in furtherance of my letter to you dated December 6, 1999, regarding•the above- referenced subject. i In my December 6th letter, I indicated to you that I had received numerous complaints from the general public about the lack of clerks to service the public and the resulting long lines that they experience in the new Tequesta branch post office. I received no reply from you relative to the December 6th correspondence. In an effort to provide you .with evidence that my concern is not a figment of my imagination, attached hereto, please find a copy of the editorial which appeared in the March 2000 addition of The Beacon concerning this very same subject. The people served . by the Tequesta branch post office are disturbed about the level of service provided in the new facility. It appears that additional counter clerks are needed. Please advise me as to what efforts are being undertaken by your office to address this public concern. Your time and efforts in response to this important request are greatly appreciated. Sincerely, ~-•~ su.` Carl C. ansen Mayor • c: Village Council w/attachment nmh/word/mydocumenu/manager/Weidman 3-14-00 Recycled Paper Page 4 The Beacon • 747-1212 • March 2000 i ~ ~ ~ R ~ ~ Postal Worries -The new United States Post Office in Tequesta was obsolete before it opened. Despite the fact that the facility was designed to offer the latest postal concepts and technology, it appeazs no thought was given to patron convenience. Our assessment is the office is too small, congested and dangerous. It is too small because there is little room for the long lines. It is congested because of the entrance design and retail service counter at the door. It is too dangerous because of the inade- quate parking and design. The way one is forced•to park creates a terrible traffic hazard, which one day is likely to lead to a bad accident. What has happened, it appears, is a re-creation of the old post office. Its all shiny and new and impressive at first sight, but none of the problems of the old facility were elimi- nated. In fact, it may be worse. One thing for sure, there isn't enough help. Seldom does one find all counters operating, which contributes to long waits and very frustrated patrons. In short, the post office is one major boondoggle. There isn't any- thing that can be done about most of the post offce inadequa- cies, but we've learned one can complain about the lack of clerks and service. Simply call the post office toll free line, 1- 800-275-8777. ~ • •