HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_1/11/2024 MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
JANUARY 11, 2024 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Molly Young at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village
Clerk Lori McWilliams.
Present were:
Mayor Molly Young, Vice-Mayor Laurie Brandon, Council Member Patrick Painter, Council
Member Rick Sartory, and Council Member Thomas G. Bradford.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council Member Thomas G. Bradford
An invocation was offered by Council Member Bradford followed by the pledge of allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Young asked to add an additional item to the agenda on behalf of the EAC (Environmental
Advisory Committee).
MOTION: Council Member Painter made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the
addition of the EAC letter of support item. Council Member Bradford seconded the motion. Carried
5-0.
PRESENTATION
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. MINUTES: October 30, 2023 Workshop
2. Consider Approval of Contracts Signed by Manager Under $25,000 (Per Village
Ordinance we are presenting the following agreements, proposals, commitments
and memorandum of understanding to Council.)
A. EplanSoft Electronic Plan Review Agreement - Building Dept., $24,887.50 (see
agreement for details)
3. Consider Approval of an Agreement with Vermeer Southeast Sales & Services, Inc.
for Purchase of Vermeer LP573XDT Vacuum Excavator through the Florida Sheriff's
Association Contract for a Cost of$72,772
4. Consider Approval of the Annual Report of the Village Infrastructure Surtax Citizen
Oversight Committee
5. Consider Approval to Allow B&B Construction, Inc., to Work on City-Observed
Holidays During Water Main Replacement Project#4 Country Club Dr. South (Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, and Possibly Juneteenth)
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
Mr. John Knap, a resident, addressed Council and asked about being notified by the Village
regarding changes to his neighbor's property. He was concerned with the proximity of the two
story building (Hanna's Home) behind his his property.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL
Council Member Sartory congratulated the staff for a wonderful Roots Festival.
He reported that he had visited Tallahassee recently regarding HB777, the homestead exemption
and Tequesta Park.
Council Member Painter thanked Parks and Rec staff and volunteers for the Roots Festival.
Council Member Bradford attended the Roots Festival and believed families had a wonderful time.
Vice Mayor Brandon enjoyed the Roots Festival and asked that the Village educate citizens on
the incorporated Village map.
Mayor Young thanked staff for all of the events during the past month. She reminded Council that
session had started, and the League had begun the "Monday Morning Call Ins.".
APPOINTMENTS
6. Consider Appointment to Fill Planning and Zoning Board Regular Board Member
Vacancy
Regular Member Janet Strand had vacated the Planning and Zoning Board and Council
was being asked for direction on how to proceed with Alternate Members.
Alternate Mrs. Marie Sapire supported the appointment of Jeanne McEldowney.
Mr. Jared Gaylord asked for consideration to be placed on the Board.
Council decided to appoint Jeanne McEldowney as a regular member, with Mrs. Marie
Sapire as Alternate number 1, Mr. Marco Valdez as Alternate number 2, and Mr. Jared
Gaylord as Alternate number 3.
MOTION: Council Member Bradford made a motion to appoint Jeanne McEldowney as a
regular member, with Mrs. Marie Sapire as Alternate number 1 , Mr. Marco Valdez as
Alternate number 2, and Mr. Jared Gaylord as Alternate number 3. Vice-Mayor Brandon
seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0.
STANDING REPORTS
Village Attorney
Attorney Davis commented on Senate Bill 328 and House Bill 1239 which could edit the "Live
Local Act." It would remove industrial zoning from districts within "Live Local" Developments.
Additionally, it could affect height, density, floor area ratio, parking, tax exemptions and more.
Village Manager
7. Monthly Manager's Report
Village Manager Allen offered an update on the Florida League of Cities list of legislative
bills the organization was opposed to. The Village was currently working on getting letters
out to committee members.
The tree canopy project should be started within the next week.
There were still openings in the Resident's Academy starting in February.
The conceptual presentation from the December Council meeting would no longer be going
forward.
Mr. Jay Hubsch, Community Development Director offered an update on Hanna's Home.
He revealed that back in 2009 a special exception use for a school was granted, listing a
boarding school for young expectant mothers, with dormitory style housing, on the
application. In 2013 Council approved a master site plan for a boarding school campus. In
2018 there were modifications to the phasing plan with the site plan staying mostly the
same. Mr. Hubsch was happy to meet with residents who had questions regarding the
plans.
Manager Allen believed that going forward each phase would be approved individually
instead of approving the entire site plan. Additionally, moving forward a sign would be
required, however mailed correspondence would not be required.
A landscape buffer was suggested and Mr. Hubsch would look into it.
Police Department
8. Police Department's Monthly Standing Report
Assistant Police Chief McGrew updated Council on their recent activities with Village
events, manatee season, meetings, civilian gun safety course, taser training, Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) foot patrol, and marine unit hours.
Fire Department
9. Fire Department Report
Chief Trube offered an update on the past month's events which included: luncheons,
special events, Fire Open House, the JTAA Parade, Conferences, succession planning,
and the new Pumper Truck schedule.
UTILITIES
10. Utilities Department Monthly Report
Marjorie Craig reported that the El Portal Drive bids had come in $90,000 below budget.
The water main project number 4 would start on January 22nd. Beach Road bids were
expected towards the end of January. The cross connection control was questioned and
Utility Director Craig would look into it and relay information to Manager Allen
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
11. ORDINANCE 17-23, SECOND READING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE
COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE
CODE OF ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 78. ZONING. ARTICLE Vl. SCHEDULE OF
DISTRICT REGULATIONS. BY CREATING A NEW DIVISION 3. ENTITLED
"AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LIVE LOCAL ACT." TO PROVIDE AND IMPLEMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS PURSUANT TO THE FLORIDA LIVE LOCAL
ACT, PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT, AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND
SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 78. ZONING SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND
EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE,
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Attorney Davis read Ordinance 17-23 into the record and noted it was second reading.
Mrs. Marie Sapire asked about landscaping and building aesthetics within the live local act
and believed if it was not required by state statute they should not enforce it.
Attorney Davis believed the statute was very clear and that if the application met code
requirements it had to be processed administratively.
MOTION: Council Member Bradford made a motion to adopt Ordinance 17-23 upon
second reading; Council Member Sartory seconded the motion. DEFEATED. 2-3
(opposed: Mayor Young, Vice-Mayor Brandon, and Council Member Painter).
MOTION: Vice-Mayor Brandon made a motion to postpone approving Ordinance 17-23
and revisit after the legislative session ended or the bill died; Council Member Painter
seconded the motion. Carried 4-1 (opposed: Council Member Bradford).
NEW BUSINESS
12. Consider Approval of a Utilities Developer Agreement with 300 Beach Road
Developer, LLC
Utility Director Marjorie Craig brought forth a developer agreement for a new condominium,
The Atlantic One, at 300 Beach Road. The agreement would be in the amount of $220
thousand dollars which would cover construction, meters, connection charges, etc.
MOTION: Council Member Bradford made a motion The Utilities Department
recommends approval of this agenda item Vice-Mayor Brandon seconded the motion.
Carried unanimously 5-0.
13. Council Consideration of a Request to Re-Plat of 23 Country Club Circle To Divide
The Existing Parcel Into Two Lots
Mr. Jay Hubsh addressed Council with a re-plat of 23 Country Club Circle. All parties had
reviewed and all code provisions had been met.
Council Member Brandon asked about HOA approval and docks and shape of the lots.
Council Member Bradford had concerns regarding a lack of requiring a notification process.
Mayor Young recognized re-plats as a future trend and had concerns regarding changing
the fabric of the community.
The lot split met both code and statutory requirements, and was a ministerial act for
Council.
Staff would work on providing options and incentives to Council on future lot splits. One
story homes incentives, minimum lot sizes, and disallowing lot splits in flood zones, were
some code changes that were possible pending further discussion.
MOTION: Council Member Bradford made a motion to approve the lot split with the
additional caveats mentioned by Community Development Director Jay Hubsh; Council
Member Sartory seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0.
14. Consider Approval of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's
Standard Grant Agreement for Project A24021 at Remembrance Park
Mr. Doug Chambers, Director of Public Works asked for consideration to approve the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection's standard matching grant of $200,000.
He was expecting to go out for bids next week.
MOTION: Council Member Bradford made a motion to approve the Florida Department of
Environmental Protections standard grant agreement for Project A24021 at
Remembrance Park; Vice-Mayor Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-
0.
15. Approve the Purchase of New Taser 7's for the Tequesta Police Department
Assistant Chief McGrew asked Council for approval for 20 new tasers for the police
department. The tasers were a purchase and could be possibly be traded in.
MOTION: Vice-Mayor Brandon made a motion Recommend to approve Council Member
Painter seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0.
16. ORDINANCE 19-23, FIRST READING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL
OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF
ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 14. BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS.
ARTICLE IL BUILDINGS. SECTION 14-32 TO ADOPT CHAPTER 1, ADMINISTRATION,
OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE. AS AMENDED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SEC. 553.73(4)(a) FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FINDINGS
OF FACT, PROVIDING FOR TRANSMISSION OF THIS ORDINANCE TO THE FLORIDA
BUILDING COMMISSION; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO
ASSURE THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
IN A USABLE FORMAT,PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND
SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 14. BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS. SHALL
REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A
CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY,
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Attorney Davis read the first reading into the record.
Mayor Young announced she had some minor revisions.
Building Director Wayne Cameron addressed Council and introduced Chapter One, Scope
and Administration, Local Amendments of the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition. The
statute allowed local governments the ability to adopt a more stringent method or standard
of administering codes.
Some of the code portions affected were: property maintenance, building safety, building
permit applications, milestone inspections, legislative changes, contracts between builders
and owners, code enforcement proceedings,
Council had questions on inspections, certificate of occupancies, and permits.
MOTION: Council Member Sartory made a motion to approve Ordinance 19-23; Vice-
Mayor Brandon seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0.
17. Consider Approval of the EAC Request to Send a Support Letter for Local Fertilizer
Ordinances and Opposition to Preemptions to add to our Legislative Action Agenda.
Council discussed and granted their support for a letter that would support the Village's
local fertilizer ordinance in relation to home rule.
MOTION: Vice-Mayor Brandon made a motion to approve a letter that specifically would
mention the fertilizer ordinance in relation to home rule; Council Member Painter
seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0.
ANY OTHER MATTERS
Manager Allen corrected a prior statement that the Village allowed 4 permit extensions.
Vice Mayor Brandon wanted to clarify that Council was aware of the mangrove cutting in Port St.
Lucie.
Council Member Bradford mentioned a proposed single family subdivision and asked for staff to
reach out to the owner regarding permits and annexation.
Mayor Young asked if Council would be interested in attending a workshop for R3 Club Amenities.
Council was open to a Workshop and suggested adding re-plats requirements, lot sizes and
notices to the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM
MOTION: Council Member Bradford made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member
Painter seconded the motion. Carried 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.