HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_10/24/2019Approved
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
OCTOBER 24, 2019 8:30 AM VILLAGE HALL CONFERENCE
ROOM
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Abby Brennan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Recording
Secretary, Kelley Bonneau.
Present were:
Mayor Brennan, Council Member Arena, Council Member Brandon, Vice -Mayor Johnson, and
Council Member Stone.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
There were none.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Review and Set Legislative Priorities
Village Manager Allen requested council's review and support of the draft resolution for
Legislative Priorities. Mr. Allen wanted a united voice for the State Legislative.
Tequesta's Home Rule:
Mr. Allen wanted to promote Home Rule for decision -making as issues arise.
Annexation:
Mr. Allen wanted to facilitate this process to incorporate the unincorporated properties;
while protecting private property.
Water quality:
Village Manager Allen commented that the Environmental Advisory Committee had
been addressing this issue. Moreover, the Village supports the State's funding to
improve water quality.
Communication, service tax, sales tax, and local business tax protection:
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Mr. Allen touched on these tax protections to ensure that these funds stay at the local
level. He also mentioned the need to protect the right-of-way from cell towers. Council
Member Arena spoke of a situation with out of state residents receiving Verizon cell
towers in the front of the yards without any notice.
Transportation funding:
Village Manager Allen discussed the State's funding for the right-of-way infrastructure
for intersections and bridges maintenance.
Cybersecurity:
Mr. Allen stated the Village would need State funding for cybersecurity at the local level.
Swimming pool regulations for private properties:
Village Manager Allen and Council discussed the requirement for homeowners to have
a perimeter fence and a door alarm. Vice -Mayor Johnson and Council Member Arena
felt just the fence would suffice. Mayor Brennan stated these regulations were
necessary to enforce responsibility. Council agreed to the fence and not the alarms.
Amendment for development orders to delete entitlement for prevailing parties on incurring
attorney fees and costs:
Manager Allen briefly discussed this bill.
Municipal Elections:
Attorney Davis discussed the current bill to regulate local elections with the Primary
election in November. Mayor Brennan commented Home Rule would apply; and the
Supervisor of Elections stated previously this could not be done.
Public records:
Mayor discussed public records being exempted from inspection and copying any drafts
pertaining to reappointment and redistricting. Attorney Davis summarized the bill would
remove this exemption.
Municipal travel for elected officials:
Village Manager Allen stated this would limit the types of travel. Mr. Allen said Home
Rule would apply to this one.
Legal Advertisement:
Manager Allen discussed removal of the newspaper advertisement and only use the
Village's website for this information. The Mayor and Attorney Davis stated they were
opposed to this at this time; this would not be adequate for residents not accessing a
computer regularly.
Environmental Advisory Committee:
The Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) wanted to pass a resolution to ban
plastics. Mr. Allen believed this should refer to Home Rule. Council Member Brandon
briefly discussed the Environmental Advisory Committees' efforts. Council discussed
which is better suited. Council discussed banning specifically plastic straws and bags
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and the implications of doing so. Mr. Allen asked Council if there should be more
education or regulation of this issue. Mayor felt that resolutions should only come from
Council. Vice -Mayor Johnson wanted research on how these plastic products
negatively affect the environment. Council Member Brandon and Stone felt education
was needed.
Sales Tax:
Mr. Allen stated that sales tax fairness to allow states to collect sales tax from
ecommerce businesses for their on-line sales. Florida was working on passing this; it
was passed by several other states. Village of Tequesta would be supporting and this
would provide more revenue for the Village. Council discussed Airbnb implications.
Attorney Davis gave Airbnb details on time and frequency. Mr. Allen and Mr. Davis
stated this would fall again under Home Rule.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Council Member Brandon made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member
Stone seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
rn
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.
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