HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_6/28/2021MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
JUNE 28, 2021 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Frank D'Ambra at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by
Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser.
Present were:
Mayor Frank D'Ambra, Vice -Mayor Kyle Stone, Council Member Laurie Brandon, Council
Member Molly Young
Absent were:
Council Member Bruce Prince
AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Linda Smith of Jupiter addressed Council concerning climate change and the environment.
She requested Council follow Jupiter Inlet Colony and pass a Resolution on Energy Innovation
and Carbon Dividend Act and provided Council with a proposal and sample Resolutions.
1. Discussion on the Local Business Forum
Manager Allen detailed the monthly business forum, the success of the SHOP VOT
events, sidewalk sales and the reduced participation from businesses as they have
achieved the desired outcomes. He requested Council suggestions on how to move
forward with the forum.
Council discussed the challenge businesses faced dedicating an employee to a monthly
meeting and the retail focus of the forum. They agreed a quarterly meeting along with
continued email communications would be beneficial.
2. Selection Process for the Charter Review Committee
Council discussed the timeframe for a Charter Review Committee. An open application
process was agreed upon with Council nominating committee members if there was not
enough interested applicants.
Attorney Davis explained the process detailing how the committee would present
recommendations to Council. Council would then decide what charter amendments to put
forth through an Ordinance which would be adopted on the seconded reading by
November of 2022. This provided and adequate timeframe for inclusion on the March
2023 ballot. In Attorney Davis' experience charter reviews had taken between nine to
twelve months.
Mrs. Pat Watkins of 167 River Drive addressed Council to request the Village Attorney be
a part of the committee and for the Village to highlight the positives of a charter review.
Council agreed to move forward with a Resolution for the August 2021 Council meeting
to accept applicants for the committee. The goal was a committee made up of five to
seven residents and the committee would select a chair person. A Village Staff member
and the Village Attorney would be available to the committee, in an advisory role, to
provide guidance and answer questions.
3. Determine the Selection Process for the Corridor Steering Committee.
A discussion took place to pass a resolution for a Steering Committee compromised of
seven to nine members, or more depending on interest, which would work like the Auditor
Committee. Manager Allen explained an RFQ was created and ready to be distributed,
but advised Council discussions with Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council would
be beneficial before an RFQ. He explained Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
could not meet if an RFQ was distributed.
Mr. Tom Bradford explained the nomenclature was incorrect and this was a host
committee and shouldn't be subject to Sunshine Laws.
Council agreed not to move forward until there was a meeting with the Treasure Coast
Regional Planning Council.
4. Strategic Plan Quarterly Update
Manager Allen provided Council a presentation of updates on the strategic plan. Vice -
Mayor Stone questioned whether grant fund matching was included in the budget.
Manager Allen explained the budget was tight, but if Council requested it be added he
could. Council Member Young asked if the Florida League of Cities grant proposals were
reviewed and Manager Allen explained that they were researched and reviewed and was
a great resource for the grant writer.
Council wanted grants to be a main priority but understood budget restraints. A
discussion on block grants took place and the assistance being rendered by Kimley Horn
to secure them.
Mayor D'Ambra provided an update from his meeting with Representative John Snyder
who was looking for office space within the Village municipal complex. They discussed
grant applications, annexation and earmarks for Tequesta Parks. Representative Snyder
agreed to put forth a request for $8 million in earmarks for Tequesta Park during the next
legislative session in September and was open to conversations with Martin County as
well.
Council discussed keeping communication very high level to generate interest, future
Town Hall meetings, micro -transit efforts for full funding, resident communication on
bridge closure, and reducing the Village Carbon footprint.
5. Discussion on 2021 Tequesta Fest
Parks and Recreation was working on a proposal for Tequesta Fest. A re -imagined
festival with less rides and potentially more vendors was discussed. Council liked a
Friday and Saturday event with Friday evening dedicated to residents only and Saturday
opened to the public.
Vice -Mayor Stone asked staff to review Wine Proxy.
Mayor D'Ambra summarized the North Palm Beach County Intergovernmental Affairs
Committee meeting and their focus on hurricane preparedness and the push for
municipalities to keep residents informed.
Council Member Brandon recognized the tragedy in the City of Surfside after the condo
collapse. She asked all residents and Council to keep the community in their thoughts
and prayers and acknowledged the situation was being monitored by all elected officials.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.
MOTION: Council Member Young made a motion to adjourn the meeting Vice -Mayor Stone
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.