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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes_Workshop_8/2/20211, M COUM�y MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL AUGUST 2, 2021 6:00 PM VILLAGE HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 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 Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Frank D'Ambra, Vice -Mayor Kyle Stone, Council Member Bruce Prince, Council Member Molly Young. Absent were: Council Member Laurie Brandon. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Corridor Project Design Charrette and Preliminary Concept Design, Presentation by Treasure Coast Planning Council Mr. Dana Little, Urban Side Director of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council explained to Council some of the services the charrette could offer the Village of Tequesta. The TCRPC had worked with the Council several years ago when the lane reduction on US Highway One was created. Areas of interest were Paradise Park, the Cypress Corridor, Tequesta Park and the Dixie Highway Corridor. He believed the Village was at a turning point in identifying architecture, style and scale going forward. Mr. Little added that the community vision should be codified at some point. Mr. Little conveyed the benefits of hosting a charrette in order to establish a design theme. Citizen involvement, desired and expected outcomes, protecting the character and charm of the city were some of the benefits of community based planning within the charrette process. The charrette design studio was recommended to be completed within 5 days and the professional team would include urban designers, architects, transportation engineers, and economists among other professionals. The approximate cost for the Charette would be $145,000 and would encompass all aspects from beginning to end. Council discussed concentrating on the commercial areas of the Village for the charrette. Mrs. Pat Watkins of 167 River Drive, asked Council why they believed there was a need for this at all. She suggested revitalizing the Community Appearance Board, using the Planning and Zoning Committee, and creating better signage standards for businesses. She questioned the need for this type of project during a time when infrastructure costs were taking precedence. Council Member Prince was unsure about spending the amount of money proposed and wondered about the financial benefit for the Village. He felt public participation was always a possibility during meetings and workshops. Mr. Thomas Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail, opined it was necessary to have a charrette in order to have the signage, design, and landscape addressed in one compacted setting. He believed the funds were already in the budget and encouraged Council to include the Dixie Highway corridor in the process. Mr. Little explained that the major costs were in the "process" portion of the public charrette and not in geographical areas being considered. Reducing the charrette to a 3 day process would reduce costs. Mr. Steve Oenbrink of 35 River Drive, believed a charrette was necessary due to his past experience with charrettes and the usefulness of the concept. A limited, more reasonably priced project was discussed. Council agreed to have TCRPC put together a proposal with a "part b" which would include Tequesta Park. 2. Discussion on Tequesta Park Manager Allen explained Tequesta Park was on the agenda to gain a consensus on moving forward with a plan for the State Legislature. Mayor D'Ambra detailed his meeting with Senator Bobby Powell regarding development ideas and plans. He clarified changes and modifications could be made as long as the overall footprint stayed the same. Senator Powell was supportive and would present to the State Senate while Representative John Snyder would present to the State House. State Senator Gayle Harrell, whose district was in Martin County, was also in support. She would not present as Senator Powell was already doing that. Mayor D'Ambra also stated that Jupiter Inlet Colony, Town of Jupiter, and Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) were all supportive of the plan. Follow up meetings were scheduled with both Senator Powell and Representative Snyder. Mayor D'Ambra explained a presentation was needed for the capital investment on behalf of the state and again Mayor D'Ambra confirmed that the Village's match was in the maintenance costs. Senator Heller asked Mayor D'Ambra to present to the Martin County delegation to garner support. Senator Powell would also want Mayor D'Ambra to present to the appropriation committees in Tallahassee. Once the budgets were approved Governor DeSantis would need to approve and sign off on the budget. The hope was for the full amount, but there was a potential to receive a lower dollar amount. If the lower amount was approved the Village would submit the requests for more the following year. Mayor D'Ambra also clarified that this would have no impact on grant applications as this was earmarked money and part of budget appropriations. Mayor D'Ambra and Council Member Prince were willing to use their remaining discretionary funds to secure a scaled plan for the presentation. Vice -Mayor Stone wanted more resident feedback before committing funds. Council Member Young wanted more information from JTAA regarding park overbookings as well as park design details. A discussion took place over the master concept, the plan, resident input and charrette's. The priority was to have a scaled concept to present to the legislature for budget inclusions. September was the deadline for inclusion in the State budget legislative sessions. Former Mayor Abby Brennan addressed Council. She felt Council was overthinking the presentation and cost of the scaled design. She expressed the hurdles that were overcome to gain support from both Senators Powell and Harrell as well as Representative Snyder. She also stated that the money would not be there next year and it was crucial to take advantage of the opportunity. The ability to decline the funding was always a possibility. She reiterated moving forward at the legislative level was a good idea. Clerk McWilliams read a statement from Council Member Laurie Brandon into record. In the statement Council Member Brandon explained her hesitation with Tequesta Park. She was uncertain of the design and had concerns about the environmental impact, as well as future maintenance costs. She was opposed to spending money on a scaled draft if it was going to be revised. Council Member Brandon was also concerned the multiple grants being sought by the Village could be jeopardized by this presentation. Mr. Tom Bradford of 44 Chestnut Hill informed council of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of State Lands preference for public input and well planned concepts. He also stated Martin County should provide support as 37% of residents in the 33469 zip code were in Martin County and 31 % were in the Village. The remaining 32% were unincorporated or Town of Jupiter residents. Manager Allen explained Martin County stated in the 1990's, they wanted full control of the park if they were to participate in maintenance. Mrs. Pat Watkins of 167 River Drive confirmed the $5,700 rendering was what was needed to present for the $8 million earmark. She stated the largest unknown was operating costs of a larger facility. She also felt public input was important but recognized gaining attendance and interest was difficult. Council further discussed the presentation and confirmed that input from residents was a priority. Mayor D'Ambra would stress in the presentation the plan was not finalized and was pending design input from Village residents. Council Member Prince, Vice -Mayor Stone and Mayor D'Ambra would contribute money from their discretionary funds to have a scaled plan designed. Mayor D'Ambra also informed Council the appraisal for Paradise Park was received. A meeting with the owner, Betsy Minelli, was scheduled to discuss the appraisal and the Village's ability to acquire the park upon receipt of grants. Mayor D'Ambra stated there was some willingness from the owner to extend the lease as well. He would keep Council informed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM. MOTION; Council Member Prince made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice -Mayor Stone seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Brandon). 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.