Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 8-A_5/14/1998 • • VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA\= Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive 457 Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200 Fax: (561)575-6203 Cp co PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES • APRIL 21, 1998 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Village of Tequesta Public Works Committee held a regularly scheduled meeting_ at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Tuesday, April 21, 1998. The meeting was called to order at 4:30_ P.M. by Chair Elizabeth Schauer. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, the Recording Secretary. Committee members present were: Chair • Elizabeth Schauer and Co-Chair Alexander Cameron. Also in attendance were Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. • II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Co-Chair Cameron moved that the Agenda be approved as submitted. Chair Schauer seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: • Elizabeth Schauer - for Alexander Cameron - for • The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as submitted. III. COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS (non Agenda Items) • Peggy Verhoeven, Point Drive, provided fire burn information which she had obtained from the Federal Government on the upcoming prescribed fire burn to be done by Palm Beach County between April 15 and June •5. Chair Schauer commented that this matter had been the subject of a presentation given to the Village Council at' a recent meeting. Mrs. • • Recycled Paper Public Works Committee t, $., Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 Page 2 Verhoeven advised any business owners to contact their insurance companies to alert them of the burn and to try to get written confirmation from the Federal Government that they would be responsible for any damage. IV. REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY LANDSCAPE PLANS FOR COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE. Gary Preston,, Director of Public Works & Recreation Mr. Preston explained that Steve Parker of Parker Yannette Design Group had prepared a preliminary landscape plan for the Country Club Drive streetscape, which was a continuation of the Village' s efforts over the past ten years to beautify streets within the Village. Mr. Preston reported ,that he and Mr. Parker had met twice with the Tequesta Country Club Community Association, twice with the Tequesta Country Club Point Property Owners Association, and with the Community Appearance Board to obtain input for this preliminary plan, and that the proposed work was scheduled to be completed within three years. Steve Parker reviewed the proposed landscape plans, which included landscaping the ENCON lift station, adding four Royal Poinciana trees at the south end of the street, one at each corner `of an intersection. Mr. Parker described the theme proceeding from, the south end as live oaks, and explained that existing eucalyptus trees would be removed. Gaps in existing hedges would be filled in with hedge material to buffer the existing fence. Irrigation and sod would also be added. An existing citrus tree would remain, and in some areas where appropriate, plantings would be added in front of the hedges. , Bougainvillea and other flowering shrubs would be added for color. Where there were existing palms, Queen and Sabal palms would be added to provide larger palm clusters. The oaks would be spaced appropriately between existing trees. Mr. Parker stated that Cabbage palms and jasmine proposed at the Turtle Creek entrance would not obstruct the view for traffic. Chair Schauer questioned whether an, existing Brazilian Pepper would be removed, to which Mr. Parker responded that was on private property at the north end of the road. At the median island at the north end, palms, shrubs, and ground cover beds were added on each side of the road to tie 4 Public Works 'Committee ..44 Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 Page 3 everything together. Co-Chair Cameron questioned whether a roundabout had been considered at the landscape island location, to which Mr. Preston responded that there was not much room to increase the size of the island. Jane Hansen, 264 River Drive, President of Tequesta Country Club Community Association, commented that group was very pleased with this proposed plan. Mrs. Hansen reported there were 78 homes on Country Club Drive and 33 homes either on streets coming off Country Club Drive, or with back yards abutting Country Club Drive. Their association spent approximately $18, 000 annually taking care of their eight pieces of property to keep it beautiful, and maintained their entrances located on Country Club Drive, and stated they really looked forward to approval of this project. Ed Resnik, 342 Country Club Drive, commented that over the past 10-12 years the Village had evolved, maintaining its residential nature and continuing to beautify areas, and had not ruined itself with over population or gross building. Mr. Resnik commented that the streetscape for Country Club Drive was just an extension of the evolvement of providing , other landscaping and beautification, and mentioned that Country Club Drive had become eligible for grant money from the Beautiful Palm Beaches program. Mr. Resnick recommended that the Village consider taking the $18, 000 residual from the existing budget for the landscaping and adding it to the first year' s landscaping cost to increase the amount to $68, 000 to provide a better baseline for a grant from the County. If the grant should be awarded, that would decrease the amount of budgeted money that the Village would have to put into the program, as well as enhance the amount of improvements that could be done during the first year, - so that the length of time for the whole project could be shortened. Mr. Resnik commented that the overall fifteen year landscaping plan was really great. Peggy Verhoeven, Point Drive, commented that the Village was very lovely and that Country Club Drive was very pretty, and she ,was sure that people on other streets would be happy to have the landscaping existing on Country Club Drive. Mrs. Verhoeven expressed concern at the $150, 000 cost of the project. • I' • Public Works=.Committee Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 r Page 4 Mr. Resnik commented that the Village must apply for the grant based on the fact that there was a plan for the street. Mr. Preston commented this was the first year this street had been eligible to apply for the grant, and that the Village could possibly receive approximately $34, 000 in grant money if their application was approved. Mrs. Verhoeven requested that the Village consider planting another species- of tree other than oaks because of sensitivity of many people to their yellow pollen. Mr. Parker explained that the pollen Mrs. Verhoeven referred to was from a different species. Mrs. Verhoeven responded that the information she had was that the pollen from oaks was predominant this year. Mrs. Verhoeven commented the plan looked nice but suggested it might be overkill, and stated she did not oppose the plan but asked- that the cost be watched carefully. Chair Schauer commented that money had been previously allocated in the Village budget for this plan and that the cost would be phased over time, and listed the other streets that were scheduled for streetscaping. Chair Schauer questioned why ground cover would be added around the three small signs . at the Country Club Drive Community entrance. Mr. Preston responded the association had asked if this could be done while the other work was being done. Irrigation was discussed. Mr. Preston explained that irrigation would be installed right off Tequesta Drive on Country Club Drive where new sod and trees would be planted and the area along Country Club Drive where the homes fronton Yacht Club Place would be used as a retention area. In all other areas, irrigation was already provided to - the edge of the roadway. Mr. Parker commented that the trees would need to' be watered initially, and provisions for a water truck should be made. Co-Chair Cameron expressed concern that there were 890 proposed vines and shrubs and none were native, while under Ordinance 377 property owners were required to have native plants, therefore, he rejected the whole project. Co-Chair Cameron also objected that the timing of the project was inappropriate because of problems with ENCON and not knowing where they might be tearing up roadways to install sewers. Co-Chair Cameron recommended delaying the project. until the lawsuit with ENCON was settled. Mr. Parker responded he 1 I Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 Page 5 believed he had prepared a good design which met the desires expressed for the character of the street, and that non- native plants were just as attractive. Mr. Resnik commented that part of Country Club Drive already had sewers; Co-Chair Cameron stated he had no objection to working on that section. Village Manager Bradford supported Co-Chair Cameron in his wish not to waste money by installing plantings which might possibly be torn up for sewering to be installed. The Village Manager also agreed that the Village should strive for a plan as closely fitting the requirements of Ordinance 377 as possible so there would not be a double standard for business owners and the Village. Village Manager Bradford commented that the Village was leery of providing landscaping around the ENCON lift station at this time because if the Village should lose the lawsuit, ENCON would be adding lift stations and. might consider this a precedent for the Village to landscape other lift stations. Village Manager Bradford stated that the long-term goal of this project was to provide a canopy over the road for traffic calming, and the short-term goal was beautification. The Village Manager questioned the use of a 9' setbac,k on (one side of the road and a 6' setback on the other, and recommended that the setback be as close as DOT would allow on both sides. Village Manager Bradford commented that in the area along Country Club Drive where the homes front on Yacht Club Place the swale needed to be cut, and swales needed to be cut on the entirety of Country Club Drive before plantings were done. Village Manager Bradford explained he had discussed with Mr. Preston and with Al Oslund, the Stormwater Utility Director, the possibility of a way of cutting swales which would not interfere with the planting, but they must make sure that could be done before any plants were installed. Village Manager Bradford explained the swales were a requirement for drainage improvement, and that under the NPDES program the Village ultimately would be required to clean up_ the discharge and/or amount of discharge to the river. Chair Schauer requested that Mr. Parker revisit the plan to more closely conform to Ordinance 377, and questioned whether the plan would then need to go back before the Community Appearance Board. Village Manager Bradford explained that public right-of-way projects were . not Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 Page 6 required to be approved by Community Appearance Board, and appearing before them with this plan was just a courtesy. It was the consensus of the Committee that the work should start from the section from the Martin County wall to the Country Club Clubhouse, and to start work on swales, then wait to see, what happened with ENCON before proceeding with ' the rest. Mr. Preston advised that the price did not include swales, which would cost approximately $1, 000 on . each property, and ' would consist of removing the sod, removing 6"-8" of fill, and replacing irrigation and sod. Village Manager .Bradford explained that the swale areas would be similar to those in Tequesta Pines, and would consist of a gentle slope with no curb. Village Manager Bradford commented that every local government in the United States was required to comply with the Clean Water Act via NPDES, and some communities had had to build treatment plants to treat runoff: Mr. Bradford explained that a swale was a way of dealing with purification of runoff that was only available to coastal communities with sandy soil, and was one of the least expensive ways of purification. The • intent of the Village was to find a way to incrementally meet the requirements. Discussion of swales continued. The Village Manager :commented that he did not anticipate swale work to slow the •planting, but it must be dovetailed. Mr. Little questioned whether the $18, 0.00 left from this year' s budget for landscaping the street. would get the swales started, to which Village Manager Bradford responded he would first look to the Stormwater Utility for funding. Mr. Resnik questioned the ideal planting time. Mr. Parker commented that the ideal time to plant oaks would be March • of April of next year. Mr. Marshall, a member of the audience, commented that trees could be planted 6" deeper than normal and then 6" of fill from the swale could be removed sometime after planting. ;Mr. Parker explained that the trees would not be planted in the center of the swale, and would only. need to be 3" deeper than normal. Discussion of direction to Mr. Preston and Mr. Parker included for Mr. Parker to modify the existing plan to meet native landscape requirements of Ordinance 377 within reason and bring the revised plan to the Village Council on June • 11 . Co-Chair Cameron commented that native shrubs were limited and some were not as pretty as some non-natives, Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes April 21, 1996 Page 7 however, in the interest of fairness, the Village should try to be consistent; but if it could not be done then the designer' s argument would be heard. Mr. Parker stated he was uncomfortable with planting only 6' from the street. Mr. Preston stated 7' was the DOT standard. The growth rate of oaks was discussed, and comments were made that fertilizer was the key. Village Clerk Manganiello noted that planting should start from the north end. Vice Mayor Hansen, who was in the audience, requested clarification on which plants were to be native, to which Co-Chair Cameron responded the trees were fine and it was only the shrubs which were now 100% non-native. Mr. Parker listed his reasons for using non-natives as being more attractive and that there were many more flowering species available. The budget would not need to be changed, merely shrubs substituted. After discussion of setbacks, it was suggested to have a 7' setback on one side of the road, and 8 ' on the other. Mrs. Hartley, a member of the audience, pointed out trees would have more of a calming effect the closer they were to the street. Mr. Marshall directed those interested to look at the street just past the Martin County Line on Southeast Landing where this type of planting could be observed. It was brought out that the two homeowner associations had requested as much year-round color, as possible, which probably contributed to the use of non- , native shrubs. A member of the audience questioned whether planting only 1-1/2' from the bike path would affect headroom for bike riders, to which Mr. Preston responded the trees would be trimmed. Direction to Mr. Parker was to delete the ENCON lift station from the plan. Mr. Parker commented that the Community Appearance Board had mentioned, landscaping the lift station. Chair Schauer suggested that in the future after the lawsuit had been concluded that possibly that could be reconsidered. Village Manager Bradford stated he was not suggesting there would not be a time that it could be done, however, it was not prudent to set a precedent at this time. Chair Schauer requested that Mr. Parker bring pictures of plants to the Village Council presentation. The direction to Mr. Parker and Mr. Preston was read by Village Clerk Manganiello and incorporated into a motion by l v Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 Page 8 Co-Chair Cameron, as follows : Co-Chair Cameron made a motion that the Landscape Architect, Mr. Parker, is to modify the plantings to meet as near as possible the requirements of Ordinance 377 as regards native plantings; to try to dovetail the scarfing of the swales with the project; that the project is to start at the Martin County line to as far south as Tequesta Country Club or the area already sewered; that the east side/west side trees are to be planted as close to street as possible; and that landscaping of the ENCON lift station shall be eliminated from the project. Chair Schauer seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Elizabeth Schauer - for Alexander Cameron - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. V. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to come before the Committee. VI. ADJOURNMENT Co-Chair Cameron moved that the meeting be adjourned. Chair Schauer Seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Elizabeth Schauer - for Alexander Cameron ' - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 5:56 P.M. J Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes April 21, 1998 Page 9 Respectfully submitted, Betty our Recording Secretary ATTEST: Joann Manganiello Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: