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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_9/28/2020MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 6:00 PM VILLAGE HALL CONFERENCE ROOM AND YOUTUBE 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, Council Member Brandon, Council Member Prince and Council Member D'Ambra. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Discussion to Lease Village Property Near Tequesta Drive and Cypress Council discussed the positive points of selling the property as well as the possibility of holding on to it or possibly leasing the property. Manager Allen related to Council there were two parties interested in purchasing the land together. The land, under current code was not developable as the lot was very narrow, which limited its usefulness. Attorney Davis recommended, whether a sale or lease, the transaction should be the entire lot and should not be subdivided. Manager Allen assured Council he would work thru some options for Council consideration. Additionally, there was discussion on a Cypress Drive property owned by Dr. Joi Sutton. She had contacted the Village and requested the alleyway behind her business be abandoned in order to provide much needed parking for her clients and staff. Community Development Director Nilsa Zacharias explained that this area was not a parcel and would need to be zoned and given a future land use designation. It would be unusual for the Village to have a parcel that was for parking exclusively and would require a zoning amendment. Ms. Zacharias explained that this would be a multi -step process. Mr. Doug Chambers, Director of Public Works revealed that the alleyway was never connected to Tequesta Drive due to the location of a catch basin at the point of intersection. Manager Allen assured Council he would contact the adjacent plaza owner to discuss the possibility of shared parking. 2. Discuss Intentional Balloon Release at the Request of the EnvironmOntal Advisory Committee Manager Allen addressed Council on the dangers and concerns regarding balloon and sky lantern releases, as it related to the environment. Jupiter and other municipalities currently had ordinances in place to ban such releases. Ms. Jessica Namath, Environmental Advisory Committee Member, offered additional data on the dangers to wildlife and the environment. She revealed that Loggerhead Marine Center in Juno Beach was willing to provide signs which would illustrate the prohibition of balloons and lanterns. Council agreed to place the item on an upcoming agenda. 3. Discussion on E-bike Ordinance Attorney Davis explained that there was additional information coming forth as a result of prior Council discussion, regarding licensing, age requirements, enforcement, and maximum speed. Council discussed golf carts, e-bikes, bike paths and lanes, along with regulating speed and enforcement. Council did not agree on allowing a -bikes traverse thru Village sidewalks. Manager Allen would work with Council in individual, detailed conversations in order to find a compromise. The topic would be brought forward to another workshop. 4. Discussion Ordinance 6-20 - Permits for Signage (Adopted on First Reading at the 9110I20 Council Meeting and Advertised for Second Reading on 1018120) Mrs. Amy Angelo, co-owner of Oceana Coffee, brought forth her concerns regarding signage. She reminded Council that it was a very tough time for businesses and that signage was necessary to retain normal numbers in the aftermath of the pandemic. She asked Council to consider reviewing the sign ordinance to help local businesses navigate future issues. Manager Allen added that there were 2 topics up for discussion; business signs in the right of way and temporary special event signage involving an application and fee. Signage size, type, quantity, and enforcement ability was discussed by Council. Attorney Davis warned Council about carving out exceptions as liability exposure would become an issue. Additionally, he believed the signage should be attached to a special event permit. Real estate signage was discussed in detail as it related to size, permit process, quantity, dates, and locations. Vice Mayor Stone volunteered to speak to business owners for additional feedback on the subject. He would then bring the information back to Council for further discussion. 5. Discuss Resolution to PBC with Support of Moving Forward with Opening and Increasing Capacity of Businesses not at 100% Council Member D'Ambra reminded Council of the hardships the Village businesses had endured during the recent pandemic. He believed there should currently be no restrictions on Village restaurants moving forward to 100% capacity. Additionally, he was in favor of allowing Village restaurants to have signage placed within the right of way, until the restaurants were allowed to operate as normal again. Manager Allen stated that the county was still at 50% capacity for all businesses as per the latest press conference last Friday. Mayor Brennan suggested a carefully worded letter from Council to the County Commissioners to convey the will of the Council. Additionally, she would embark upon a telephone campaign to convey Council's message. Manager Allen would create a letter for Council's review. Attorney Davis advised against allowing commercial speech, while disallowing non- commercial speech, during a time when a presidential election was coming forth within the next month. Vice Mayor Stone related to Council his plans of helping area businesses by conducting promotional video interviews, which Village Clerk Lori McWilliams would create and publicize. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM. MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to adjourn the meeting Council Member Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 2-0. Respectfully submitted, fit&, 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.