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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_5/24/2021MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL MAY 24, 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 Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Frank D'Ambra III, Vice -Mayor Kyle Stone, Council Member Bruce Prince, Council Member Laurie Brandon and Council Member Molly Young. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Brandon made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Council Member Prince. Motion passed unanimously 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mayor D' Ambra,lll opened the meeting up to comments from citizens. Mark Sapire, a resident of the Tequesta Country Club Community, asked Council to think of the long term needs of the residents when considering future development. Mr. Thomas Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail, addressed Council and spoke of the Paradise Park development agreement and the Village Code. He believed the Village did not hold the public hearings necessary to revoke the previous development agreement. Mrs. Pat Watkins of 167 River Drive, asked the Council to please get an appraisal of the Paradise Park property and asked that they discuss the topic thoroughly. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of 94 Beechwood Trail, asked about the details of the possible grants for the property. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Discuss Future Plans for Paradise Park Council discussed the potential acquisition of the parcels, and had differing views on whether the Village should purchase or not. Tequesta Park and other areas within the Village were discussed, along with the amount of work and money necessary to sustain them. The Council agreed that the public needed to be educated on the cost, resources and possible use of the land. Grants were discussed and details would be provided at a Workshop meeting. Council Member Prince believed the cost and development of the land would be cost prohibitive. Council Member Brandon would like to have the Village own the parcels, but was not sure if it would be possible and needed more information. Council Member Young would like to see the parcel developed as an urban park, but was undecided due to cost, unknown concept and possible lost revenue. She was hoping to hear more feedback from the residents. Vice Mayor Stone felt there were many costly maintenance/improvement items currently needed in the Village. He did not see how the Village could afford purchasing the parcels, and did not see a purpose for the land. Additionally, the possible loss of revenue from the parcels was a concern. The Master Plan and Development agreement was deemed to have expired per Attorney Davis' review. Mr. Tom Bradford addressed Council again and agreed with Council Member Molly Young's opinion with having an urban park. He believed any developer would need to provide a minimum of 25% green space. Mr. Mark Sapire spoke again on green space. His perspective was to preserve green space in order to restore habitat in the area. He believed it could be achieved at a low cost to the Village. Ms. Jessica Namath of 20 Shady Lane asked that the Council consider creating more parks within walking distance to neighborhoods within the Village. She was hopeful the Village could have an urban park for its' residents. Vice Mayor Stone did not believe the Village had the fiscal ability to purchase the land at Paradise Park. Mrs. Cindy Quinn of Chapel Court commented on the possibility of obtaining Paradise Park. She would like to see the Council acquire the park. Mrs. Marcia Nielson asked Council about the leasing terms of Paradise Park. Mayor D'Ambra III recommended moving forward with the appraisal on the Paradise Park land. The appraisals would cost approximately $3,000 and would take a month to complete. Two appraisals would enable the Village to keep the negotiations private. MOTION: Council Member Prince made a motion to proceed forward with an appraisal after obtaining pricing, grant amount, parcel separation options and lease extension details; seconded by Council Member Young. Motion passed (4-1). Vice Mayor Stone against (1). ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 PM. MOTION: Council Member Young made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member Prince. Motion passed unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted An 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.