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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_6/1/2021MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL JUNE 1, 2021 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Frank D'Ambra III at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Mayor Frank D'Ambra III, Vice -Mayor Kyle Stone, Council Member Bruce Prince, Council Member Laurie Brandon and Council Member Molly Young. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Presentation and Discussion on US1 Corridor Master Plan Community Development Director, Nilsa Zacarias presented Council with a slide presentation on the US Highway One Corridor Master Plan. She illustrated how businesses, residential areas, religious institutions and parks were located within the area. Ms. Zacarias showed photos of the sidewalks along US Highway One, which were in need of repairs or improvements. She noted there was a only a partial area of street lighting along the road. Redevelopment was part of the future vision of the corridor, with landscaping, green space and safety mentioned as important components to consider. Ms. Zacarias suggested the Village host a charrette to promote community participation in the collaboration of the future vision for the Village. The charrette would take approximately two months to prepare and would involve community members, architects, engineers, designers, etc. Information would be gathered and presented as a summary. Typically, the charrette would take four days, with public participation on days two and three. Follow up workshops, based upon information gathered in the charrette, would then commence. A final master plan and presentation would be provided to Council and residents, upon completion of the charrette project. Vice Mayor Stone asked that Council protect the components of the Village that were already in existence, and suggested putting the charrette out to bid. Council Member Young believed the master plan should include areas other than US Highway One. Council discussed incorporating US Highway One, Tequesta Drive, Cypress Drive and Beach Road areas in the master plan. Mayor D'Ambra III, opined that the Master Plan move forward, sooner rather than later and preferred to focus on the US Highway One component of the plan. He was not opposed to placing it out for bid, but stressed the importance of recognizing the value in having Ms. Zacarias head up the project, due to her vast knowledge and familiarity with the Village. Manager Allen recommended not going through a bidding process, but instead make it part of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) type of process. Council Member Prince was in favor of the project but had concerns regarding the cost. Mr. Thomas Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail, was in favor of the master plan and had concerns regarding redevelopment. He agreed that Council should act on moving forward with the process in a timely fashion. He felt that anyone could see Ms. Zacarias's work as it was a public record and any other company could use it for their own benefit. Mr. Mark Sapire, a resident of Tequesta Country Club, suggested the Council get multiple proposals, have a university professor oversee the process, and focus on the small, coastal Village characteristics. He would like Tequesta to be considered a destination instead of a corridor. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of 94 Beechwood Trail, had concerns over the US Highway One corridor raising the ire of residents, due to the prior lane reduction. Council agreed to place an action item on the next agenda, to authorize an RFQ to move forward with the master plan. 2. Review the Application for a Highway Beautification Grant Mr. Doug Chambers, Director of Public Works addressed Council regarding the possibility of a grant for beautification along the US Highway One Corridor, from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The grant deadline was October 1st, and the Village would have to have plans and an application completed soon. The cost for the landscape plans and grant writing would be non-refundable, and there was always the chance that the Village would not receive the grant. Mr. Mark Sapire a resident of the Tequesta Country Club suggested incorporating native plants within the landscape plan. The Council decided to place this item on the next agenda. 3. Review and Discussion on Proposed Charter Amendments Vice Mayor Stone felt that setting up a committee was the right thing to do. Council Member Brandon asked that the committee be comprised of residents and not include staff. Council Member Young agreed with having a committee. Attorney Davis believed it was too late to get the charter amendments on the 2022 election ballot. Council agreed to get the process started for a 2023 charter amendment. It was suggested that Council interview volunteers in a manner similar to the Planning and Zoning appointment process. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of 94 Beachwood Trail addressed Council and asked that history be taken into consideration regarding vacated seats. She asked that she and former Mayor Pat Watkins be considered for the committee. 4. Update and Discussion on American Rescue Funds Manager Allen informed Council that the Rescue Funds of approximately $2.5 million dollars would go to the State first, and then trickle down to the Village. The money could be used for various things including supplementing some of the shortcomings within the budget. He mentioned that storm water and road projects were also in need of funding. Additionally, the funding would need to be earmarked by 2024 and spent by 2026. Council Member Young urged staff to be creative and place the funds back into the community as often as possible. It was determined that Council would be involved in deciding where the funds would be used in relation to the upcoming budget. Council Member Young asked if Manager Allen could create a monthly update on the strategic plan. Council felt it would be beneficial to have Manager Allen do a quarterly presentation. Council Member Young asked for an update on the cell tower inquiry. Manager Allen believed there had not been a complete application submitted as of yet. Council would discuss further as more information came in. Mr. Tom Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail, asked Council about the cell carrier company and it was confirmed to be a different company than the previous application. Mayor D'Ambra reported to Council that he attended the Memorial Day service at Riverside Park along with the Tequesta Fire and Police Department. MOTION: Council Member Brandon made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice -Mayor Stone seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM. Respectfully submitted, A Ai au 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.