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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 5C_9/15/1988 V-� ' s ,. .,;. VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA o• Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive e Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (407) 746-7457 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING REPORT SEPTEMBER 2, 1988 • I. The Public Works Committee of the Village Council held its first regularly scheduled meeting at the Tequesta Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Friday, September 2, 1988 at 9:00 A.M. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Edward C. Howell.. Those present were Co- Chairman Ron T. Mackail, Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager; Wendy K. Harrison, Administrative Assistant to the Village Manager; Gary Preston, Director of Public Works and Recreation; Thomas C. Hall, Water System Manager; Scott D. Ladd, Building Official and Kimberly Bodinizzo, Administrative Secretary. II. Chairman Howell reviewed a memorandum received August 29, 1988 from the Village Manager listing the following as items to be discussed at this meeting: o Tequesta Drive o Water Price Structure Review o Revitalize Tequesta Plaza; Lighthouse Plaza w/tenants o Constitution Day Picnic o Village Appearance Plan o Landscape Gallery Square North III. Village Manager Bradford reviewed the original list of priorities assigned to the Public Works Committee and suggested that several of these priorities could possibly be eliminated if the Committee members concurred and the minutes of this meeting were approved as submitted at the September 15, 1988 Council Meeting. Mr. Bradford listed the following items, along with an explanation of elimination: A. Expansion of the Water System- was approved (to 2.8 m.g.d. ) by Village Council on August 1, 1988. B. Water Price Structure Review- this issue was informally shifted to the Finance and Administration Committee. C. Widening of Old Dixie Highway to County Line Road- provision for turn lanes covered within the Intergovernmental Agreement with Palm Beach County and additionally the County is considering three-laning Old Dixie Highway from Tequesta Drive to County Line Road. Public Works Committee Meeting September 2, 1988 Page 2- D. Resurface Main Roads w/Schedule- Tequesta Drive and Country Club Drive are already scheduled within Capital Improvement Program. E. Bike Path Program- replacement of major bike path (Tequesta Drive) scheduled within Capital Improvement Program and adoption of Park and Recreation Impact Fee will create additional funding for recreational facilities (bike paths) . IV. . Chairman Howell requested that the following issue be included on the agenda for today's meeting: o Position of the Village of Tequesta toward supporting development of the Arts in Tequesta. V. DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS A. TEQUESTA DRIVE Village Manager Bradford reviewed the present cost estimates for the Tequesta Drive Improvement Project and made the plans for the Project available for review. He quoted the estimated costs of the Project as follows: Construction (including contingency) $ 550,000 Right-of-Way Purchase 200,000 Engineering and Associated Expenses 125,000 Associated Right-of-Way Expenses 60,000 TOTAL $ 935, 000 Contingency for Condemnation $ 225,000 Estimated cost of construction: $251. per linear foot Manager Bradford explained that approximately $75,000 has been expended to date and that the Village has already been reimbursed. He further explained that the County will reimburse up to $280,000 this fiscal year and will then reimburse a lump-sum of $350,000 in FY 90/91. Manager Bradford explained that the cost of the Right-of-Way Purchase is higher than originally anticipated due to Village Council action taken to acquire additional right-of- way for alteration of design to ensure green space for landscaping along both sides of the new road. t Public Works Committee September 2, 1988 Page 3- Village Manager Bradford noted two potential drawbacks on the Tequesta Drive Improvement Project. He stated that, as of present, the Project is on schedule and the engineering design is complete excluding the railroad crossing plans. He added that Florida East Coast Railway has refused to review the plans until the suit between the Village of Tequesta, FEC and Palm Beach County has been settled. He ensured the Committee that the Village Attorney has been working with this case for months in order to provide for a timely settlement of this suit. The other potential drawback mentioned by the Village Manager is the drainage design of the Project is dependent upon the Cypress Drive Project and that additional runoff created by the Tequesta Drive Improvement Project cannot be handled by the existing drainage structures. He explained that South Florida Water Management District is the permitting agency for this type of project and they (SFWMD) have indicated that the Cypress Drive Project needs to be issued a construction permit prior to issuance of a Tequesta Drive Project construction permit from SFWMD. Manager Bradford expressed concern that this situation could pose a serious delay of the Tequesta Drive Improvement Project, as the conceptual approval of the Cypress Drive Project is just now in the process of being approved. Bradford informed the Committee that a meeting has been scheduled for next week to review the Tequesta Drive permit request with SFWMD. The Village Manager expressed his belief that the Village will participate in 'the Cypress Drive Project and that Council will conclude that the Village may need to place special assessments on all abutting properties because they are basically commercial properties that have no on-sight drainage. He mentioned two options relative to Tequesta Drive: 1) Request SFWMD grant a permit contingent upon Village participation in the Cypress Drive Project. The Village could obligate itself to purchase additional retention areas in other locations to handle extra runoff for Tequesta - Drive. 2) Possible purchase of additional railroad right-of-way in another location specifically for Tequesta Drive. Public Works Committee Meeting September 2, 1988 Page 4- B. WATER PRICE STRUCTURE REVIEW Co-Chairman Mackail moved, seconded by Chairman Howell, to transfer the issue of Water Price Structure to the Finance and Administration Committee. C. REVITALIZE TEQUESTA PLAZA; LIGHTHOUSE PLAZA W/TENANTS The Village Manager expressed that he feels that Tequesta Plaza is in better shape for future development than Lighthouse Plaza, although Lighthouse Plaza has additional land for possible expansion in future. He said that the preparation of a landscaping ordinance, with an amortization schedule for upgrading landscaping, is the first positive step _ toward improvement of these shopping centers and anticipates completion of the Village Council requested ordinance by the Village. Attorney in September. Mr. Bradford also added that an ordinance that will create a Code Enforcement Board, which will grant enforcement power locally to ensure that the shopping centers meet Village standards or face being fined, will have a positive effect in upgrading the appearance of the shopping centers. • There was discussion regarding possible future tenants for Lighthouse Plaza; specifically K-Mart and Winn-Dixie. Village Manager Bradford reported that he has received correspondence from the K-Mart Corporation stating that they would find the best tenant for the facility using local marketing agents. Chairman Howell inquired as to what extent the Village can get involved in recruitment of businesses into the Village. Village Manager Bradford stated that the Village is limited based upon permitted uses that are authorized within the Tequesta Zoning Ordinance. Bradford added that the State of Florida does allow municipalities options for central business districts, such as the community development activities, pursuant to state law, which allows for creation of downtown districts or the creation of. downtown development authorities. However, Bradford added that he feels that Tequesta is going through a transition period and has not yet reached the point of creating the same.Village Manager Bradford stated that with the right ownership, marketing and development plans Lighthouse Plaza and Tequesta Plaza could become very viable shopping centers. Chairman Howell requested that the Village Manager research the concept of creating a downtown authority and report back to the Committee. Public Works Committee Meeting September 2, 1988 Page 5- D. CONSTITUTION DAY PICNIC Chairman Howell requested conceptual agreement of Council on the scheduling of an annual community event similar to that of last year's Constitution Day Picnic in Constitution Park. He suggested a community picnic or Octoberfest with a high school band, hot dogs, etc. During a discussion regarding the scheduling of ' such an event (weekend vs. weekday) and funding options, Manager Bradford suggested the possibility of making this a fund raising event with the donation of proceeds to various organizations that the Village is no longer able to financially support. Chairman Howell stated that it is his opinion that citizens might resent the fact that they would have to pay for the event and that he would like it to be basically sponsored and financed by the Village. At the conclusion of the discussion, Chairman Howell requested Gary Preston, Director of Public Works & Recreation, to follow up on this concept and report back to the Committee. E. VILLAGE APPEARANCE PLAN The Village Manager stated that the Village Council has expressed a desire to establish an architectural theme within the Village. He noted that the City of Coral Gables has a Mediterranean Architecture Zoning Ordinance and that the Comprehensive Plan has provisions for an optional element which allows for a recommended community design element which may consist of design recommendations for land subdivision, neighborhood development, open space development, etc. , which serves as a guide to developers in. the future planning. Mr. Bradford reviewed a letter he received from Dr. Stanley Jacobs, Chairman, Tequesta Planning Commission regarding architectural themes in Florida. The letter stated that after a thorough review of the subject, the Planning Commission had arrived at the following conclusions: o Tequesta has a mixture of architecture, as no theme had been set at the inception of Tequesta. o The "Florida Look" should be achieved with further building and remodeling, consisting of Mediterranean tropical, Spanish mizner and bermuda, which most Tequesta residences already resemble. Public Works Committee Meeting September 2, 1988 Page 6- o Need for better transition and harmony with surrounding existing structures. The letter further stated that the above points would apply mostly to the commercial sector, as there has not been much problem with the residential sector. In the letter, Dr. Jacobs added that the Tequesta Planning Commission is willing to work with the Village Council, Community Appearance Board and Village Manager as needed, to help establish a architectural theme in Tequesta. There was discussion regarding the importance of establishing a theme of architecture style in Tequesta and as to whether or not the Village should dictate a specific theme. Village Manager Bradford stated that if a specific theme is decided upon, in the future Tequesta could have a monotonous look overall, although it could, be attractive on an individual basis. However, he added, if the Village does not adopt such a theme, the Village could continue to allow the building of modern glass structures which many residents do not like. Co-Chairman Mackail stated that he likes the coordination between the Community Appearance Board and the Planning Commission and the use of four side renderings. Chairman Howell suggested that the Village create a list of architectural preferences or styles preferred for the Village. Chairman Howell requested that Village Manager draft a letter to Dr. Jacobs, and the Community Appearance Board, asking the Planning Commission to develop a list of style preferences, in priority, to be used as an official guide for the architectural theme in Tequesta. F. LANDSCAPE GALLERY SQUARE NORTH Village Manager brought the Committee up-to-date on the Gallery Square parking lot issue and the preliminary plans for landscaping the parking lot were shown. Mr. Bradford informed the Committee that the owners in Gallery Square see the need to landscape and are making plans, without interrupting the "season" before beginning construction. Mr.Bradford reported that the owners of Gallery Square have indicated that they do not want to pay for landscaping costs all at once and proposed the possiblity of three phases. He added that a concept is being reviewed by the Village Attorney to determine if this project would be applicable to the special assessment process that is allowed by state Public Works Committee Meeting September 2, 1988 Page 7- law. Bradford further stated that he is looking into the feasibility of the Village undertaking this project and assessing the costs to each adjacent property owner. The Village Manager reported that he has requested the Village Attorney acquire a certified copy of the deed to the parking lot and ascertain whether there are any deed restrictions limiting the Village in the aforementioned options. G. POSITION OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA TOWARDS SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN TEQUESTA. Chairman Howell expressed that Tequesta should be known as a promoter of the Arts, and involved in the evolution of Arts in the area. He suggested that the Village take a position, possibly through a resolution, in support of the Arts in Tequesta. Village Manager Bradford concurred with the resolution concept, and added the Tequesta supports an annual arts and crafts festival of Lighthouse Gallery by allowing the same in our parking lot. After a brief discussion of the issue the Committee recommended that a Village Council statement of support for the arts in Tequesta should be forthcoming, by resolution or other appropriate manner. There being no other items to discuss, Chairman Howell moved, seconded by Co-Chairman Mackail, to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Bill C. K sc elis Finance Dir ctor/Village Clerk BCK/krb