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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_9/11/2019Approved 51 MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 6:00 PM VILLAGE HALL CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Abby Brennan at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Mayor Brennan, Mayor, Council Member Arena, Council Member Brandon, Vice -Mayor Johnson, and Council Member Stone. 1. Discussion on Environmental Advisory Committee Request to Individually Purchase Business Cards Village Manager Jeremy Allen explained to Council the request from the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) for business cards. EAC Member Resa Listort distributed a handout illustrating two different design options the Committee had created. Council discussed at length the pros and cons of having business cards and ultimately concluded they were necessary in order to conduct business with other groups and individuals. Manager Allen was asked to consult with Village Attorney Keith Davis and Village Clerk Lori McWilliams on the particulars of creating an email account and ordering the cards for the Committee. 2. Discussion on Hiring Finance Director Village Manager Jeremy Allen informed Council of the recent hiring of Mr. Hugh Dunkley, Finance Director. He was happy to forward Mr. Dunkley's resume to Council should they like to review it. 3. Discussion and Update on the Community Center Long Term Plan and Current Recreation Center Repairs Page 1 of 4 Manager Allen presented a large screen presentation on the three options available for repairing or building a new Recreation Center. The presentation included details on cost, physical characteristics and financial impact to residents. Council discussed at length the various options and had questions for Mr. Rick Gonzalez, President of REG Architects. Mr. Gonzalez informed Council that recent construction costs had been much higher than initially expected. He shared his belief that the one story option (#3) did not fit the needs of the community. Additionally, he revealed that building a one story, with the intent of adding a second story later on, was very expensive. He explained that the new numbers within the presentation, already included the higher construction costs. Mayor Brennan recommended taking the issue to a vote and then a possible bond. Mr. Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation commented that the smaller version (#3) would add gym space but at the same time it would shrink the rooms used for other programs to one quarter of the current size and limit the number of offerings. Mr. Corbitt would be able to use all of the space in Option Number 2 right away, utilizing his current programs and offerings. Vice Mayor Johnson suggested looking at historical data from Parks and Recreation to gather needed information. She inquired as to what the feasibility study would illustrate beyond the data Council already possessed. Vice Mayor suggested cleaning up the data in the Needs Assessment instead of conducting a costly independent study. Mayor Brennan believed common sense needed to prevail due to constraints on size, funds and other projects. Council Member Stone suggested moving forward with Option Number 2. Council Member Arena discussed future tax revenues and possible ways to reduce costs associated with Option Numbers 2 and 3. Mr. Corbitt opined that for the long term vision of the Village, Option Number 2 would be a better fit and would be able to accommodate current residents with the possibility of adding additional residents should annexation occur. Furthermore, there was minimal impact to the park. Mr. Gonzalez revealed that Option Number 3 mixed all the users in one space and would require more bathrooms.. Moreover, it would intrude upon the park space more than the other options. He stressed to Council the trend of separating the space of adults and children, and noted most of his other projects were incorporating this concept. Finally, Mr. Gonzalez suggested Council look into alternate sources such as non-resident fees, grants, philanthropy and fundraising. Council Member Stone reiterated his stance on Option Number 2 being the best choice Page 2 of 4 for the future of the Village. He hoped Council could give Manager Allen direction in order to start the communication process with adjacent churches regarding parking. Also, Council Member Stone felt that transparency was key in communicating the costs to residents. Lastly, he did not feel the project should go to a referendum vote. Council Member Brandon felt she would be fine with Option Number 2 or 3, along with more detailed cost numbers. Vice Mayor Johnson was in favor of Option Number 2 and felt there was not a large difference in debt service payments between Option Number 2 and 3. Mayor Brennan agreed with Option Number 2, without the bond issue. It was a Consensus of Council to have Manager Allen work out the details of going forward with Option Number 2, and encouraged him to tap into grants or other means to make it more cost effective. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Ms. Tracy Kerwin, a member of the Community Center Advisory Committee had concerns regarding feasibility and survey accuracy. She recommended working with the Town of Jupiter on gathering information and inquired about the $154,000 remaining funds. Ms. Marcia Nielson of 94 Beechwood Trail, commented that a two story building would be horrible and that the topic should go to referendum. Mr. Tom Bradford of 44 Chesnut Trail, advocated on behalf of the Environmental Advisory Committee and asked that the Recreation Center be built with efficiency, environmental awareness and LEED standards in mind. As a resident, he felt that the Recreation Center was certainly needed at Constitution Park and should face Seabrook Road to convey the importance of the building. Additionally, he believed the funds currently going towards the public safety building should be routed to the new Recreation Center once the public safety loan was satisfied. He was not in favor of a general obligation referendum on the debt of the Recreation Center as it could create the possibility of greatly limiting the options of the Recreation Center should the bond fail. Lastly, Mr. Bradford was also in favor of having data driven decisions made, tempered by affordability. Ms. Pat Watkins of 157 River Drive, reaffirmed that the new Recreation Center was desperately needed. She agreed that if the referendum failed, the Village would be in a bind. Additionally, she understood the need for the larger option (#2). Ms. Nancy Politch Director of the Lighthouse Art Center emphasized the need for the larger option (#2) and felt it would benefit the community. Ms. Resa Listort of 31 Willow Road, attended a recent yoga class at the Recreation Center and wholeheartedly agreed there was a need for a new building. She loved the connectivity of a small community and assured Council the residents would embrace and utilize a new building. ADJOURNMENT Page 3 of 4 Approved MOTION: Vice -Mayor Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM; Council Member Arena seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted, it, al �lc��L�tDt 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. Page 4of4