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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Memorial_Tab 01_01/08/2008TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL AND TEQUESTA MEMORIAL COMMITTEE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 23, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Memorial Committee held a workshop meeting in the Tequesta Village Hall, 345 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 4:29 p.m. Village Council Members present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Geraldine A. Genco, Council Member Pat Watkins. Committee Members present were: Former Mayor Carl Hansen, Former Mayor Elizabeth Schauer, Former Mayor Carlton Stoddard. Also present were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. and Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. INVOCATION Committee Member Schauer gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Council Member Watkins made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. Committee Member Schauer seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. DISCUSSION ON CONSTRUCTION OF A CITIZEN'S MEMORIAL Mayor Humpage thanked the Committee Members for their diligence over the year; and remembered Former Mayor Colonel Edward D. Resnik, who was the driving force. He stated the Village appreciated the Committee's endeavors, and thanked them for their helpful information. He remembered when the Memorial Committee was formed; the Village left everything in their hands to decide what to do. He stated the Village Council initially began with a Public Safety venue, and explained as they moved forward, the idea was sidetracked, and was turned to a Public Memorial, rather than a Public Safety Memorial. Mayor Humpage pointed out there was a funding issue. He recalled all the funding that had been collected was earmarked as the Public Safety Memorial; and those who donated money, had donated under this premise. He mentioned Colonel Resnik wanted to offer something to the public. He stated that was when they had the split; and the Public Safety Memorial remained as it was, but an Ad Hoc committee came forward for a Public Memorial. He pointed out this was evident in the minutes. He asked where they would go from here. He stated Council had to take the cost into consideration. He mentioned the money was all privately donated, and there were no public funds used in the Public Safety Memorial; and pointed out the only tax payer dollar being used for the Public Safety Memorial was for its maintenance. He stated the reason they were having this workshop was to see how Council felt about the Public Memorial, and how it should be funded. Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 23, 200 Page 2 Council Member Genco wanted to make sure it was recorded that there were two proposed memorials; one was the Public Safety Memorial, which was independent, and would come back come back to Council. The other was the Public Memorial, which the Ad Hoc committee worked on over a year. She explained this was something Council was addressing for the first time in a workshop, and they would address exactly what it would be, how much it would cost, and approval of the Public Memorial. Committee Member Stoddard stated that was correct. He recalled it was agreed by the Memorial Committee that they were not to be involved in the Public Safety Memorial, because they had their own funds. He stated they had to start the Public Memorial. Committee Member Hanson stated he heard of two different committees from citizens, and he had a hard time understanding what the Public Safety Memorial would be. He suggested they should also be looking at Village employees who have served for a long time, and also past and present Council Members. Vice Mayor Paterno stated he understood what Mr. Hansen was saying, and pointed out they should not be concentrating on the Public Safety Memorial. Council Member Genco explained Mr. Hansen was speaking of the Public Memorial, and not the Public Safety Memorial. She explained when September 11`" happened, they had decided to focus on artwork, or a sculpture to memorialize the people who had fallen in the line of duty on that day. Council Member Genco stated Colonel Resnik put a committee together to try to find an artist, who would build this concept. She stated for some reason that was changed to a Public Memorial, which the Memorial Committee pursued vigorously. She stated they had to determine the funds, and the location of the Memorial. She pointed out there were also recommendations for who might be memorialized in the Public Memorial. Committee Member Schauer stated Colonel Resnik told them there would be one for Public Safety, and they should work on another memorial for the public. She specified they agreed as a committee, that at the height of season, the Village Manager would write letters to all Home Owners' Associations in Tequesta, to ask if they wanted to participate in giving money for a Public Memorial. She thought that was one thing to start. She stated in the past, they did not have time to discuss that, but they felt that was one avenue to raise funds. She explained the best time to send the letters out was during the height of the season, when most community members were in the Village. Mayor Humpage stated the Public Safety Memorial had a funding source, a recovery funding source, and was a year from completion. Mayor Humpage felt Council needed to decide at this workshop, if they would choose to build the Public Memorial that the Ad Hoc Committee has worked on. He stated he did not have a problem with doing it, but his concern was the funding of this Public Memorial. He stated another concern was what the Public Memorial would look like, and how much space it would occupy. He commented he did not think the memorial proposed was unattractive, but he felt it was extravagant. He stated before they did anything, they had to have a funding source. Committee Member Stoddard stated he had no exception to what has been said thus far. He commented it seemed it was straight forward, and they should get the job done. He felt the committee did the job they were assigned, which was sizing up what the Public Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 2g, 200 Page 3 Memorial should look like. He stated it was in the back up material provided. He commented it was excellently done by the Lake Worth Monument Company. Committee Member Stoddard commented the President of the Company, Mr. Menor, was not present, but he thought he did a marvelous job. He hoped they did not have to start all over again, because it was achieved by a lot of hard work. He stated the cost was not exorbitant, and suggested it could partly be paid for by the people who authorized their family members' names to be inscribed. He recommended the Village keep it at a nominal cost. He stated in addition to working with the Associations, it was important to keep the Public Memorial very attractive for the people who would authorize the inscription of the names. He felt that was achievable. Council Member Watkins appreciated the time the Committee Members put into this. She stated it took a long time to get to this. She mentioned she looked at the rendering, and had a few questions. She stated she spoke to residents who had a concern about having a tall large monument in the green space. She suggested it be done in cast bronze, it not be on the lawn, and suggested it be positioned under the amphitheatre. She stated it would be protected and lit at night, and it would be a focal point for those passing by the south wall. Council Member Watkins commented this was just a thought. Mayor Humpage stated the first thing they needed to decide was the funding, no matter how it looked or the location. Committee Member Hansen stated it sounded like the Public Safety Memorial was a go. He stated from what he understood, the Public Safety Memorial did not just include anyone from the Village, but was also in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. He stated that would be a separate Memorial, and the Village had funding for that. He summarized what they were discussing now was the Public Memorial, which would be in honor of the people who served Tequesta in one form or another. He asked if all the money was going for the Public Safety Memorial, or would there be some money left over for a Public Memorial. Mayor Humpage stated all the money in the account was earmarked for the Public Safety Memorial, and had been donated under that premise. Council Member Genco stated those who donated the money expect it to be spent on the Public Safety Memorial. Vice Mayor Paterno stated the Public Safety Memorial was separate from the Public Memorial, and if they kept that in mind, they could go further. Committee Member Hansen stated this committee could leave all the decisions about the Public Safety Memorial to the Public Safety Memorial Committee. Mayor Humpage stated that was always separate. Council Member Genco stated she has been approached by residents asking why the money for the Public Safety Memorial was going for the other Memorial. Council Member Genco stated she tried to explain that the money was not being spent for the Public Memorial. Committee Member Schauer asked if anyone had any other ideas, because the only idea she had was to write letters to Homeowners Associations. Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 2g, 200 Page 4 Vice Mayor Paterno commended the committee for the job they did to put it together. He stated he heard people did not envision the memorial being composed of plaques. He suggested people buy bricks, and the Village put bricks into the sidewalk. He explained this would allow the Village to raise funds, and would be funded by the people who wanted to do this. Committee Member Schauer explained the proposed Memorial was Colonel Resnik's idea. She explained the Committee stated the two side plaques were not necessary. She pointed out other Municipalities have done the bricks, and it has been a success. Council Member Genco pointed out they would acknowledge the people who served the Village, and the people who made a donation for the brick. Mayor Humpage mentioned that the bust of the Tequesta Indian, was on the south portico, and they could have a walkway to the bust from the Public Safety Memorial; that would bring the two memorials together. He stated most of the resistance to this proposed Memorial was about the size; he felt like they were opening a mausoleum on the property; and pointed out there was also a taxpayer money issue. He explained some taxpayers were resistant to the idea of the Village's tax money being spent on it. He pointed out the Village would have to contribute anyway in the maintenance of the Memorial, but it would generate cost to the Village. He summarized the Finance Department would have to track some of these things, and someone would have to do the ordering, so it would also be a burden to the Village. He stated if they could come up with something subdued and attractive that they could all agree on, they would be where they needed to be. Committee Member Stoddard thought they were closer to a resolution. He stated, first, the size was not immoderate. He specified it was 38 feet, and that included landscaping. He stated he studied the park where it would be, and there was ample room for it. He felt to make it smaller was not necessary. He stated second, the job that was not done yet, was to fully inform the people of Tequesta. He stated they should be shown a picture of the proposed Memorial. He pointed out the newspapers have not done it, nor has television. He stated they needed to get it out clearly, forcefully, and beautifully to the people in order to show them what it was all about. He commented this would give them an opportunity to immortalize their family members. He stated the project needed to be done. He referred to the report he submitted, he specified it stated what the Village needed to do to sell this to the people of Tequesta. He commented they needed to see what it meant historically to do something in a commemorative way. He felt there would be reception to the idea. He added they had to keep costs moderate, and thought it was a sellable idea. Vice Mayor Paterno referred to the Tequesta Indian Plaque on the south side, and suggested they compromise by putting a plaque under it in dedication to all residents of Tequesta. He explained it would be a dedication, which symbolized that the Village Hall represented all residents of Tequesta. He stated this would avoid any controversy over spending tax payer money. Mayor Humpage stated that sounded good to him. Committee Member Schauer stated they could move Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 2g, 200 Page 5 forward with the brick. Council Member Genco suggested the bricks go out to the water fountain. Vice Mayor Paterno stated the plaque could say dedicated to all Tequesta residents, and the bricks would be individually based. He suggested someone could buy the brick, mark it, and place it where the person wanted it to be. Committee Member Stoddard stated they were getting off track; and commented Vice Mayor Paterno's point and purpose of method was not correct. He stated they could do it if they wanted, but they did not want to have a bunch of bricks. He suggested they focus on having those names for the beautiful planning as provided. He stated they would be charged a reasonable cost. Vice Mayor Paterno specified each person could buy more than one brick, but not too many bricks. Mayor Humpage did not think residents wanted a memorial as elaborate as proposed, with the granite and the names. He stated the consensus was, they thought a low key Public Memorial in a location of reflection was fine. He stated they were objecting to the magnitude. Committee Member Schauer pointed out Colonel Resnik suggested the granite, but now what was being said was true. She stated the proposed Memorial was big, and if they went with the bricks, people could buy the bricks, it would still be done in a dignified way, and would still honor all of the people who have served the Village of Tequesta. She pointed out they would also have a dedication to residents underneath the bust. She stated everyone would be happy, because they thought the proposed Memorial was too big. She pointed out the bricks could be put all around. Committee Member Stoddard asked where the bricks would be. Committee Member Schauer specified it would be paver bricks. Mayor Humpage stated it would be in the walkway up to the portico. Committee Member Stoddard asked if that would replace the proposed Public Memorial. Committee Member Schauer stated he needed to understand the proposed Memorial would cost close to $40,000, and they did not have the money; in order to keep everyone happy they would put it on the wall along with the paver bricks. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested they have a nice sign made of bronze. Committee Member Stoddard commented he did not buy it. Committee Member Stoddard expressed all his work, hope, and prayer was being torn apart. He did not agree that the people of Tequesta voted against it. He stated it was not told to them, nor has it been shown. Mayor Humpage stated the residents he has spoken to were well aware of what it looked like; they have seen the documentation. He stated since the committee has been meeting, he saved everything from the meeting. He stated what drove him to do this was the rift they had regarding the Public Safety Memorial. He pointed out the Public Safety Memorial would cost approximately $90,000. He advised the Public Safety Memorial was small compared to the proposed Public Memorial. Committee Member Stoddard pointed out the Memorial company estimated it to be $40,000 not $90,000. Vice Mayor Paterno stated if he remembered correctly that estimate was given four years ago, and construction costs have probably doubled. Council Member Watkins pointed out they had the marble from the old building, and suggested they made a plaque out of that. Mayor Humpage stated on top of the Memorial, was the bronze Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 23, 200 Page 6 head which was already in place. Committee Member Stoddard asked if it was already used. Mayor Humpage stated it was on the south portico. Committee Member Stoddard asked if it was taken away from them. Mayor Humpage stated they could take all the information on the proposed memorial, put it in the portico, and on the paver bricks towards the Public Safety Memorial. Council Member Genco suggested the plaque under the Indian head be dedicated to the residents. Mayor Humpage asked if he has seen the Indian head. Committee Member Stoddard stated no, and expressed he wanted to see the bronze Indian plaque on the south portico. Village Manager Couzzo offered to show him. Council Member Genco stated she also wanted to hear what Mr. Hansen wanted to say, because he spent as much time on it. Village Manager Couzzo and Committee Member Stoddard left the room to see the Indian Head on the south portico. Committee Member Hansen stated he understood Mr. Stoddard's point, because it was not what they talked about. He stated they might have been misled. He referred to the procedures and policies of the Memorial. He stated he understood Mr. Stoddard's objection, and also understood the funding issue. Committee Member Schauer asked Mr. Hansen if he agreed the bricks would be nice. Committee Member Hansen stated yes, but Mr. Stoddard was not out of line for objecting. Council Member Genco referred to the Memorial Committee's Final Report of June 2004, where it stated "In January, 2004 Village Manager Couzzo proposed to then Mayor Resnik that the Village might be better served if the concept was expanded to a Village of Tequesta Memorial." Council Member Genco stated the Council never approved any of that. Committee Member Schauer stated Mr. Couzzo was never at any of their meetings. Council Member Genco stated this was read into the record by Colonel Resnik at a Council meeting. Committee Member Hansen wished Mr. Bob Garlo, former Assistant Village Manager, was here because he was at the meetings. Council Member Genco explained her point was the concept was off base, and unknowingly the committee worked hard on achieving an objective without guidance from Council as a whole. Committee Member Schauer commented it would be hard to keep the peace with Mr. Stoddard, but she could honestly say, if they had the sign, they should do the bricks. Vice Mayor Paterno stated the whole wall would have the bust with something nicely said underneath it. He explained instead of putting names on the wall, they would use the bricks. He pointed out it would be self funded, the Village would not have to worry about money, and it could be done as they go. Council Member Watkins mentioned they still had to do maintenance. Vice Mayor Paterno stated that would be relative, and they would have to do that anyway with bricks already being there. Committee Member Schauer pointed out they could use the same guidelines that they already had. Vice Mayor Paterno stated it would be the same, except, instead of the names being on the wall, they would be on the bricks. Council Member Genco suggested Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 23, 200 Page ~ no bricks be on the edge, because the bricks on the end usually chip and crumble. She stated they would put a frame of other bricks to make sure the inside bricks stayed nice. Council Member Watkins suggested in consideration of Mr. Stoddard, they take the Granite, and cut it to a brick size with a name engraved. Vice Mayor Paterno stated it would be 3/4 inches thick, and something would have to be built underneath it such as sand or concrete. He pointed out it would also be slippery which would be a hazard. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested bronze would be beautiful and elegant. He pointed out in 50 years they would still see it. Mayor Humpage mentioned the Village would fund inscription verbiage on the portico. Vice Mayor Paterno stated they could have it funded for the wall, if they voted on it in February. He stated the bricks would come as people wanted them. Council Member Watkins pointed out the brick idea was something people were familiar with, because schools did it to raise funds. Village Manager Couzzo and Committee Member Stoddard returned to the room. Committee Member Stoddard expressed thanks to Village Manager Couzzo for taking him to see the Indian head, and commended the planners of the portico. He commented it was a good thing. He noticed there was ample space to effectively reproduce what was proposed. He asked for the possibility to use the marble from the old Village Hall to inscribe names. Vice Mayor Paterno stated they were trying to come to some consensus. He commented personally, he did not want to create a mausoleum effect. Committee Member Stoddard asked if that was his opinion. Vice Mayor Paterno stated that was his opinion. Committee Member Stoddard stated that was Vice Mayor Paterno's opinion, and he had his. He commented he did not think Vice Mayor Paterno's opinion was good. Vice Mayor Paterno commented that was fine. Vice Mayor Paterno explained if they could use the bust, and put the sign underneath, the Village would subsidize this memorial information, and the bricks coming to it would be a good idea. He stated he was not in favor of the names being on the wall. Committee Member Stoddard stated if names were inscribed on the bricks that people walked on, as if it were Hollywood, he would withdraw his $100 check, which he wrote to have his wife's name on the Memorial. He stated he would not allow his wife's name to be walked on. Mayor Humpage stated they were trying to come to a consensus, for the sake of the constituents, despite what they felt personally. Committee Member Stoddard stated he came a long way, and he would like it done beautifully. Mayor Humpage stated he had visions of the Public Safety Memorial being 8 feet high. He stated for $90,000 they would have a basic Memorial. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested they come up with a couple of renderings as to what they could do with the portico, and then reconvene so they could come to a resolution. Council Member Watkins asked if it was possible to present the renderings at a Council meeting, so they could get some feedback from the public before another workshop. Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 23, 200 Page 8 Mayor Humpage thought they should have some alternatives. Council Member Watkins stated they had two so far; one being the names on the wall, and the other being the names on the brick. Council Member Genco pointed out they should not forget the cost of getting the marble engraved, which might be based on a letter by letter cost. Vice Mayor Paterno stated the bricks would be more economical, because they would have to pay people to come to the Village Hall and engrave the names in the marble; while bricks could be engraved in a certain place then taken to the site. Council Member Genco suggested benches or something in different areas, because if the portico was used for entertainment, they would not want something high immediately around it. She pointed out benches could be on the side. She stated the marble could be used for the benches, and the names could be underneath the benches. Committee Member Schauer suggested the engravings of the church be on the benches. Council Member Watkins suggested bricks go in a certain direction to avoid anyone stepping on them, to accommodate that issue. Committee Member Schauer stated the man who did it for the church was not taking any more costumers; but she would ask who he would recommend. She explained they could get the recycled benches. She specified the plaque would go on the side; it was relatively nice. Mayor Humpage stated they had to work with the portico. Council Member Genco pointed out the back of the bench, or the underside could have granite with engravings. She commented there were so many places the names could be inscribed on the benches. She indicated the benches could be used for people to sit down on during entertainment. Committee Member Stoddard did not like the idea of people sitting on names. Committee Member Schauer specified the names could be on the sides of the benches. Mayor Humpage felt they needed to get away from the idea of a free standing Memorial. Committee Member Stoddard stated the idea of drafting would have to be artistically done. He stated it had to be done in a manner that would be beautifully recorded, and not a cheap by the dozen idea. He stated there was a nice place for names, with space at the portico, which could be beautifully done and inscribed. He stated if this was done, it would be nice looking, and appreciated for its value. He pointed out people would want to pay for their names to be inscribed. Council Member Genco suggested they come up with three ideas, present them at the meeting, see what the feedback would be, and what or who would be entitled to be memorialized. She stated they would have an idea of what the public wanted. Vice Mayor Paterno stated they could put the concepts in the next Smoke Signals. He stated the only disadvantage was it would take longer, and they needed to get it done, while doing it in a tasteful manner. Mayor Humpage stated they did not want to rush. He explained they have been planning for 13 months, and just now had a call to artists who would take back renderings. Mayor Humpage stated he agreed with Council Member Genco to get different renderings of what they would do, get it to the public, and get feedback at the Council Meeting. He felt rushing to get an account opened to get it done was a mistake. Committee Member Schauer stated they have always done things they were proud of, and they did not want to rush it; then regret it. Committee Member Hansen mentioned Tequesta Village Council and Tequesta Memorial Committee Workshop Minutes January 23, 200 Page 9 the committee was started by Colonel Resnik, and he was chairman of the committee, and a memorial which was more than just a break in the ground would be suitable for him. Mayor Humpage stated he did not have a problem with that. Committee Member Stoddard suggested Colonel Resnik's name be first on the Memorial, because he was the originator. He stated it would be an appropriate recognition. He expressed opposition to his name being inscribed on the bricks that were walked on. Mayor Humpage asked who would do the renderings. Village Manager Couzzo stated a graphic artist would do it as opposed to sketching it. He stated hopefully they could do a graphic presentation at the Council Meeting. Mayor Humpage mentioned an artist, and said she was a part of the memorial team. He suggested she and Mr. Couzzo communicate and come up with something. Committee Member Stoddard stated he would be happy if they did a beautiful job with just one, which would be sellable to the people. Vice Mayor Paterno stated they had to give the public a choice. Committee Member Stoddard stated as long as it was -done beautifully. Vice Mayor Paterno promised he would not use his own pen and paper. Consensus of Council was to get renderings, which would be shown to Council and the Memorial Committee before being presented to the public. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Ms. Schauer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stoddard and unanimously carried. Therefore, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Lori McWilliams, CMC Village Clerk