Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 04_10/8/2020 Agenda Item #4. MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL AUGUST 31, 2020 6:00 PM ZOOMNOUTUBE 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 Village Clerk, Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Brennan, Vice Mayor Stone, Council Member Brandon, and Council Member D'Ambra. Absent was: Council Member Prince COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Robert Shaw of 198 Golfview Drive and Vice-Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee suggested Remembrance Park should be environmental friendly and providing a peaceful place for the community. The Mayor addressed Mr. Shaw's recommendations, she was considering the Florida Friendly landscaping concept. Mayor Brennan also stated Mr. Bradford, Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee and resident Mark Sapirie had made suggestions for a passive park as well. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Council Discussion on: ORDINANCE 07-20 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 78. ZONING. ARTICLE L IN GENERAL, SEC. 78-4. DEFINITIONS. BY CREATING A NEW DEFINITION FOR "VACATION RENTAL" TO CORRESPOND WITH VILLAGE CODE AND APPLICABLE STATE LAW; ALSO AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 78. ZONING. BY CREATING AN ENTIRELY NEW ARTICLE XIV, "VACATION RENTALS" TO PROVIDE STATUTORILY COMPLIANT REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF VACATION RENTALS IN THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 78. ZONING. SHALL REMAIN IN Pad a1 � 4 6#0 Agenda Item #4. FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Attorney, Keith Davis explained the State Legislatures were regulating the vacation homes. Mr. Davis suggested the Village of Tequesta mandate additional restrictions. Mr. Davis provided a draft with recommended regulations for our municipality to enforce on these properties. Council discussed if there was a need for additional regulations with Village Manager, Jeremy Allen. Council addressed with Village Manager, Jeremy Allen and Attorney, Keith Davis the difference between the rights of a standard homeowner and of a vacation rental owner. Mayor Brennan suggested Council Member D'Ambra meet with the Village Manager with his concerns. Ms. Brennan requested the Village Manager, Mr. Allen and Attorney, Mr. Davis to research this Ordinance. 2. Discussion on Parks Master Plan for Tequesta Park and Remembrance Park Parks and Recreation Director, Greg Corbitt reviewed the preliminary design with Council after receiving residents' feedback. Village Manager stated this is first look, but there was no money in the budget at this time for construction and maintenance. Mr. Corbitt stated grants have been received for Remembrance Park. He felt the Master Plan would provide direction on the project. Tequesta Park's design would remain an active park with minimal changes other than the added playground. Council suggested a partnership to alleviate the maintenance cost. Mr. Corbitt moved on to review the Remembrance Park design. Council Member Brandon inquired the location and the demand for the splash pad. Council agreed they like the design without the splash pad. Mayor Brennan directed Parks and Recreation Director, Greg to redesign Remembrance Park without the splash pad. Moreover, Vice-Mayor suggested adding the splash pad to the Tequesta Park instead. 3. Discussion on E-Bike Ordinance Council discussed enforcement and overall safety of the E-bikes. The Village Manager, Jeremy and Attorney Davis would continue to research this topic; and gather public comments on E-Bike regulations 4. Discussion on Signage in Right-of-Ways Village Manager, Mr. Allen explained to Council during the phase 1 of Covid-19 pandemic the Village allowed for businesses to have signs in the right-of-way to inform the residents that they were open. The Code department relaxed these rules due to a state of PagfR d�640 Agenda Item #4. emergency. Mr. Allen felt this needed to be readdressed since Palm Beach County is in phase 2. There was a Council discussion on realtor, political, and other temporary signs. Attorney, Keith Davis stated these signs could not be based on content since it qualified as freedom of speech. The Council agreed to removing signs to inform residents that businesses were open. In addition, the Mayor suggested contacting the Realtor Association to advise their members that their temporary signs were prohibited. 5. Discussion On Procedures for In-Person Council Meetings Village Manager, Jeremy Allen discussed with Council the in-person protocol for resuming the in-person meetings. In addition, Council inquired about partial virtual meetings as needed. IT Director, Brad Gomberg and the Mr. Allen confirmed a Council member would have the capability to virtually participate and vote in the meetings. 6. Any other matters Village Manager, Jeremy Allen and Finance Director, Hugh Dunkley discussed with Council the Temporary Tax Withholding. They explained the Village was opting out of this program due to too many unanswered questions. Mr. Dunkley felt it could potential cause hardship for the employees. Council and Finance Director, Hugh Dunkley discussed pros and cons of this program. Council requested additional research on this program from Mr. Dunkley. Mr. Stone stated he was on the steering committee for Hobe Sound Chambers/Tequesta Business Association (HSCC/TBA). Vice-Mayor inquired about how many local businesses that were negatively impacted by Covid-19 and had to close. In addition, he inquired how many new local businesses were starting up. Village Manager, Mr. Allen stated he would research this with the assistance of the Building department. Vice-Mayor Stone requested information the timeline for agenda distribution. Village Manager, Mr. Allen stated it would be available typically a week before the meeting. There had been a few setbacks lately. Vice-Mayor Stone requested for a discussion on the Village's portion of the healthcare costs. ADJOURNMENT This meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice-Mayor Stone seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Prince). Respectfully submitted, PagfR cff 640 Agenda Item #4. 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. PagfR a#644 Agenda Item #4. Draft MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND YOUTUBE CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Abby Brennan at 5:30 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Brennan, Vice-Mayor Stone, Council Member Brandon, Council Member D'Ambra, Council Member Prince. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor requested the Budget adoption would be added to Item 1 of the Agenda. Motion: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to approve agenda with this Budget Approval item added; Council Member Brandon seconded. Carried unanimously 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS There were none. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Budget Hearing: Adoption of the Proposed Budget Village Manager, Jeremy Allen gave the Council a summary of the tentative budget. There was a discussion on the roll back rate with the Manager and Council. There were no council comments. Moreover, there were no citizen comments. MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to approve the tentative budget; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. 2. Approval of Proposed Millage Rate of 6.6290 Mills PagfRaIcFeof 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft Village Manager Jeremy Allen gave Council a summary of the proposed Millage Rate. MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to approve proposed Millage Rate; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. 3. Announce Time and Place of Final Budget Public Hearing - September 17, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. - The Mayor informed Council of the time and place for the Final Budget Hearing was to be held in the Council Chambers on September 17, 2020 at 5:30 pm with limited seating available due to social distancing; and would be streamed via Village of Tequesta's Youtube Channel as well. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted, 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. PagfRal_fe(ff 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Abby Brennan at 5:34 PM. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Brennan, Vice Mayor Stone, Council Member Brandon, Council Member Prince and Council Member D'Ambra. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to approve the agenda; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS There were none. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Budget Hearing: -Announce the Proposed Millage Rate is 6.6290 mills - Announce the Proposed Operating Millage Rate Necessary to Fund the Budget is 4.09% greater than the rolled-back rate of 6.3686 mills - Summary of Final Budget - Citizen Comments Village Manager Jeremy Allen announced the proposed millage rate of 6.6290 mills, and additionally announced that the proposed operating millage rate necessary to fund the budget was 4.09% greater than the rolled-back rate of 6.386 mills. Manager Allen summarized there were costs associated with personnel salaries, PaglRaljbof 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft operating costs and other increased costs within this year's budget. There were no Council comments, nor comments from the public. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 27-20, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2020 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Resolution 27-20 was read into the record by Village Attorney Keith Davis. There were no comments from Council nor the public. MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to approve Resolution 27-20 adopting the final millage rate; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. 3. RESOLUTION NO. 28-20, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING ITS FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021; PROVIDING THAT THE BUDGET HEREBY ADOPTED MAY BE ADJUSTED OR MODIFIED BY SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, OR OTHERWISE, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Resolution 28-20 was read into the record by Village Attorney Keith Davis. There were no comments from Council nor the public. MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to approve Resolution 28-20, adopting the final budget for fiscal year 2020-2021; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM MOTION: Council Member Brandon made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member D'Ambra seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Lori McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk PagfR (ff 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft 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. PagfR cff 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 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, Vice Mayor Stone, and Council Member Brandon, Late were: Council Member Prince arrived at 6:02 PM Absent were: Council Member D'Ambra. MOTION: Vice-Mayor Stone made a motion to approve the agenda; Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member D'Ambra). AGENDA ITEMS 1. Discussion on Water Billing Issues Utility Director Matt Hammond prepared a power-point presentation for Council, which outlined a brief background of the water-meter replacement project. Some points included challenges with estimates, resident concerns, customer communication, analytics, customer portals, and plans for a soft roll out of the new system. Council had questions regarding customer bills and satisfaction levels, accuracy of the new system, testing of meters by a third party vendor, and communication via newsletters or possibly within water bills to customers. Council Member Brandon asked for information on an average gallon usage for sprinklers as it related to an "alert" mechanism. She mentioned there had been several individuals out in the community, working on private property without identification, uniform, and without prior notification offered to residents. PagfRdRffiof 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft Vice Mayor Stone asked about the accuracy of the Sensus water meters. The Sensus representative revealed that there had been water intrusion issues in the past with certain models, however, those issues had since been resolved. He understood that customers were confused due to the 3 months of averages, whereas leaks would not have been detected. Vice Mayor Stone felt the Sensus meter employees that were on private property were actually helping the residents. However, he was concerned with the customers that had been bumped up into the next rate step and would like to see those bills adjusted. He also recommended consistency in having the readings occur within the 30 days time frame. Manager Allen agreed that the Village would work on creating a list of customer credits for Council to approve. Residents that had billing concerns should contact the Village for assistance. Any adjustments to the bills would be handled by Customer Service Manager Dennis Rick or Utility Director Matt Hammond. It was suggested that several meters per month could be randomly pulled for accuracy testing. Council Member Brandon asked that information discussed in tonight's meeting be sent out to water customers. Vice Mayor Stone asked that the Village consider sending a letter to customers in the next billing notice. Additionally, he would like to see the analytics portion of the system fast-forwarded. The following comment cards were read aloud: Mr. Richard Sanders sent in a comment card regarding the timing of water meter reads (over 30 days) and large water bills. Ms. Melissa Sullivan commented on fixing the billing issue without making it seem as if it was a resident problem. Mr. Kahled Ahamed commented that he had experienced massive swings in water bills. He did not believe all the water bill issues were coincidental, concurrent leaks. Cindy Barber commented her bills were out of control and had spoken to many residents who felt the same. Deborah Wallace commented the issues were causing new heights of frustration, and needed to be fixed. Noreen Shouldis asked Council to please reevaluate the water bills. Council asked the Water Department to flag the accounts that had unusually large bills and questioned why the bills were so high if it was a reflection of the averages. Additionally, Council asked that the processes be tightened up, to have bills turned around faster. In addition, educating residents on irrigation and over watering was a suggestion. Vice Mayor Stone reminded Council of the upcoming rate increase in water costs to PaglRdgh(ff 640 Agenda Item #4. Draft customers. Kimley-Horn would present a report of rates and the overall water facility at the upcoming October Council Meeting. Mr. Stone also reminded Council that there had recently been a 9% infrastructure tax on water usage. He believed clear communication to residents was a major factor in creating a remedy for the billing issues. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM. MOTION: Council Member Brandon made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice-Mayor Stone seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member D'Ambra). Respectfully submitted, 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. PagfRdobcff 640