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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 7A_5/8/1997 �, 7 . A •` v'4 'F Tf.Gf� . ,11�� VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA "�. t �''� Post Office lux 273 • 357 " equesla Drive 70.�` M1 ` o Tequesta. Florida 34iO-03T • t5(f1) 575-62(X) s .y �_, 0 nix: N61) 575 6203 Of 'CI COU 1 • • VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE • MEETING MINUTES • MARCH 24, 1997 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Redevelopment Committee held a regularly scheduled meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Monday, March 24, 1997 . The meeting was called to order at 8 : 35 A.M. by Chairman Carl Hansen. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, the Recording Secretary. In attendance were: Chairman Carl C. Hansen, and Co-Chairs Joseph Capretta and Ron T. Mackail. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads . • II . APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Co-Chair Capretta requested a discussion under ANY OTHER MATTERS regarding how to sell the facilities expansion to the citizens and the process that would be taken to do so, so that a plan could be formulated. Chair Hansen stated that he also had items to discuss under ANY OTHER MATTERS. Co-Chair Mackail made a motion to accept the agenda as revised. Co-Chair Capretta seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Carl C. Hansen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Ron T. Mackail - for . The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the agenda was accepted as revised. REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 2 III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS There were no communications from citizens . IV. REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL FLOOR PLANS FOR FIRE- RESCUE/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND POLICE FACILITIES, AND COST ESTIMATES FOR THE SAME . Chairman Hansen commented that he would like to see these meetings become effective by proceeding as soon as possible with Fire and Police facilities after due consideration of costs and space. Chairman Hansen noted that the new budget process would begin in July and suggested that if a decision regarding how facilities would be financed had been made that this might need to be a part of the 1998 budget. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the need for facilities must be sold to the residents before the budgeting process, and suggested that discussions with the Fire Chief and Police Chief should take place to determine their space needs, and that the reasons expansion was needed should be listed so that a traveling road show could be created. The person doing research to put the presentation together would become very knowledgeable on the subject. Co-Chair Capretta explained that all the Homeowner Associations, Chamber of • Commerce, and other key people could be invited to Village Hall to hear the presentation and tour the facilities . Small focus groups could be created, and a core support group was needed. The cost and alternatives for financing could be discussed. The presentation could be offered in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening so that more people could attend. Mr. Capretta explained that the Committee was aware of all the reasons new facilities were needed, but the residents were not, and some would probably oppose expansion. Mr. Capretta stated that Mayor Schauer also should be advised, and that both facilities expansion and reverse osmosis should be discussed and the public advised regarding why they were needed. Chairman Hansen stated his agreement, but commented that he believed the process was still in an overview stage, and that the process could be broken into two phases : (1) Public REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 3 Safety first, and (2) Village Hall at a later date. Mr. Hansen explained that he believed details and financing alternatives should be discussed now for Public Safety facilities, and that plans for a new Village Hall should be put on a back burner. Chairman Hansen questioned whether it would be cheaper to do all facilities at once or if Village Hall could wait. Co-Chair Mackail expressed his opinion that because the upcoming charette would focus on a specific area of the Village, decisions must be made about the location of Village Hall, and agreed that a presentation must be put together so that it could be presented when needed. Co- Chair Capretta commented that one day there would be a newspaper article regarding proposed facilities which would make it an emotional issue, and the Village must be prepared with answers. One anticipated controversy might be that the only reason new facilities were needed was because services had been expanded which required hiring more employees. Co- Chair Capretta stated that the following decisions should be made: (1) how shall we communicate this to the public; and (2) prepare details of the plan itself. Mr. Capretta commented that the staff should prepare the content of the presentation, and an item should be placed on a Village Council meeting agenda to discuss how to communicate this issue to the public. Village Clerk Manganiello introduced Gee & Jenson architects Lisa Lemanowicz and Phil Crannell, who had been working to see if space needs and programs for both Police and Fire Rescue could be accommodated in the conceptual site plans which had been previously reviewed by the Committee. Conceptual floor plans had been prepared, which had been reviewed by both Police Chief Allison and Fire Chief Weinand. Architect Lemanowicz responded to Mr. Capretta' s question regarding square footage that present facilities at this site totaled approximately 10, 000 square feet and her plans called for 50% expansion. Village Clerk Manganiello explained that Public Safety renovations would cost $1 .7 to $1 . 9 million, and that Village Hall cost was estimated at $1 . 9 million. Chair Hansen pointed out that the present building had code violations which would cost $100, 000 to remedy. Co-Chair Capretta suggested that Village REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 4 administration offices could stay at their present location indefinitely and that meetings could be held at the youth center. Co-Chair Mackail commented that once the results of the charette and the Palm Beach Cultural organization had been received that location of a Village Hall could be discussed. Co-Chair Capretta discussed the financial disaster .of BRITT and whether Lighthouse Gallery was solvent and had sufficient leadership to raise funds for a new facility. Architect Lemanowicz reviewed two conceptual floor plans, A- 1 and A-2, one of which included a new exterior facade while the other did not. The importance of a primary and distinct entrance for the Fire Department was pointed out. In one plan, the Community Development Department remained at this site, which made the plan very tight and would not allow future growth. Co-Chair Capretta discussed reasons the public came to Village offices, which Village Manager Bradford commented were (1) water department, (2) building department and (3) police . Mr. Capretta pointed out that if those services were moved to the Village Hall that everyone would need to go there and therefore the public would tend to support a new Village Hall more than if those services remained at the present site. Chair Hansen expressed his opinion that it would be better to have the Community Development Department at Village Hall. Architect Lemanovich reviewed schemes B-i and B-2 . Chair Hansen favored B-1 because of the public entrance on the east. Scheme C involved the Police Department located in the present building. The purpose of the watch room was discussed. V. REVIEW OF FIRE CHIEF' S AND POLICE CHIEF' S COMMENTS RELATIVE TO PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL FLOOR PLANS Chief Weinand expressed his opinion that Scheme B-1 provided the best public access and that a visible point of access was very important. Chief Weinand expressed concern with the possibility that the Community Development Department REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 5 might be left at this location; stated that -the footprint of the buildings were adequate for Public Safety operations but interior arrangements needed to be changed; and commented that he preferred a bunk room with Murphy beds so that the room could be used for meetings during the day. Chair Hansen questioned whether the estimated cost would change dramatically after the architects had incorporated comments made by Chief Allison and. Chief Weinand regarding the floor plans, to which the answer was that it would not change very much, since they would basically be rearranging within the footprint. Architect Crannell commented that the architects needed direction as to which floor plan was preferred. It was the consensus of the Committee that scheme B-1 was the preferred plan of those offered. This plan would relocate the Community Development Department to Village Hall . In response to Chair Hansen' s question regarding which costs of Fire and Police projects could be done concurrently, Village Clerk Manganiello responded that it had been recommended for cost effectiveness and speediness to do both at once; however, Fire Rescue facilities could be done first and the Police department renovation afterwards (using the same contractor) which would allow meetings to be held for a longer period in the present Village Council chambers. Chief Weinand explained that the present living quarters for Fire Department personnel were in a modular house that could be moved during the construction period, and that apparatus could sit outside during that time. During discussion of financing options, Village Manager Bradford listed the following possibilities : 1 . Revenue bonds 2 . General obligation bonds 3. Cash 4 . Combination of options 1-3 . Chief Allison pointed out that no training room was included in the floor plan. The function of the training room was discussed, and discussion ensued regarding making revisions within the footprint to meet the specific needs of the Department. Architect Crannell explained that he anticipated numerous revisions until the requirements were REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 6 met. Scheme B-1 would allow expansion into the patio areas to the north or south. Further discussion ensued regarding the use of Murphy beds to allow a multi-purpose room for fire department personnel . Architect Lemanovich explained that furniture would be arranged to create a corridor so that personnel would not be running from beds through a room full of furniture, which would be dangerous. In response to how privacy was created for opposite sexes, Chief Weinand explained that the dress code for sleeping apparel allowed multi use of space and a team-oriented environment. Co- Chair Capretta pointed out that if a prominent public entrance was desired and if the public was to be allowed to come to get emergency service, then scheme B-i met those needs . Co-Chair Hansen listed the following functions of the Village: 1 . Village Manager and staff 2 . Village Hall 3 . Water Department 4 . Building Department . 5. Police and Fire 6. Public Safety Mr. Capretta explained that decisions must be made regarding which of those functions should be located together; for instance, the Village Manager and staff with the Village Hall, which could be located almost anywhere. Other functions were used daily. Mr. Capretta explained that looking at the situation this. way led him to group everything on one site, which he had never favored; however, this was a possibility. Mr. Capretta commented that picking where functions should be located would help pick the scheme. Chairman Hansen commented that at the last meeting removal of the tank on the present site had been discussed. Village Manager Bradford explained that Water Department Manager Tom Hall had obtained bids and that the low bid to dismantle and remove the tank was $8, 000, which would be on the Village Council meeting agenda in April or May. REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 7 VI. DISCUSSION OF PREFERRED OPTIONS AND SCHEDULING Co-Chair Mackail discussed financing alternatives as listed earlier in the meeting by the. Village Manager and types of phasing, pointed out that the Village was almost debt-free at the present time, and questioned the impact of phasing on the tax base and cash flow. Village Manager Bradford explained that one type of phasing was related to construction and another could be related to financing. Village Manager Bradford commented that as an example, if the Fire Rescue were done first, he would have the following financing options : 1 . Revenue bonds 2 . General obligation bonds 3. Cash 4 . Combination of options 1-3 5. Refinancing the debt into the existing 1994 bond • issue. Another option would be to obtain a bank line of credit which could be drawn against as needed; and yet another option would be to raise the utility tax from 9% to 10% . Village Clerk Manganiello clarified that the $1 . 9 million was the complete Public Safety package, including the renovation of the Police Department. Co-Chair Capretta proposed a 3-year plan in the following phases: (1) phase 1 - Move Village Hall and the Water Department downtown; (2) phase II - Renovate the youth center to accommodate Village meetings; (3) phase III - Renovate the present site and build a Public Safety facility. Village Manager Bradford stated that another phase could be the new garage and its offices which would open in April or May. Architect Crannell responded to Co- Chair Mackail' s question regarding designs they had done for other municipalities by indicating that most had located Public Safety facilities in one location and administration functions at another location, and that he believed this' configuration would provide the best management control and flexibility for expansion. Co-Chair Mackail agreed that separation of those functions would make sense, expressed his opinion that plans should allow for future expansion, REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 8 and commented that it was important to focus on public safety. Discussion ensued regarding where various Village functions could be located. Village Manager Bradford suggested proceeding with Public Safety now on this site, drawing the plans so that the location north of the fountain would be left open to reserve a future option to place the Village Hall on this site, and at a future date the decision could be made whether to locate the Village Hall there or at another location. Village Clerk Manganiello explained that she had researched relocating the Department of Community Development and had found they could be housed on the same floor of the United Bank building where the Village Manager and the Water Department were currently located for approximately $18, 000 annually. Another location on Old Dixie Highway would cost approximately $12, 000 annually. Preliminary cost estimates would be received shortly for renovation of the interior of the youth center; and a collapsible stage could be purchased for approximately $3, 600 to accommodate public meetings in that facility. Co- Chair Capretta referred to the three-year plan he had discussed earlier in the meeting, and agreed that the decision of where to locate the Village Hall could be made at the end of that time period. Co-Chair Capretta expressed his opinion that the Old Dixie Highway location would be better for the Department of Community Development because of the constant traffic to that department. Co-Chair Mackail stressed the importance of working with local businesses, and commented that he believed a lot would be learned from the charette . Co-Chair Mackail made the following suggestion: to focus strictly on the current location as a Public Safety Facility, with Village Manager Bradford to handle the financing by obtaining a bank line of credit where the money could be borrowed in stages; and that within that period of time, which could be three to five years, all options and resources be recognized so that a final decision could be made in regards to a facility for Village Hall and administrative offices, as well as facilities for other departments. Village Manager Bradford commented that if the Public Safety Facility were done in two stages there was a possibility that the Village would have enough money without • REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 9 borrowing. Co-Chair Mackail stated that if this concept was agreed upon then Vice Mayor Hansen could begin work on a presentation to sell this idea to the residents . Chairman Hansen expressed his opinion that work on the Public Safety Facility should proceed, with plans for a Village Hall to 'be placed on a back burner. Co-Chair Capretta made a motion to select the conceptual plan with the public entrance, scheme B-1; to move the Department of Community Development off-site; and to develop this site as strictly Public Safety. Co-Chair Mackail seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Carl C. Hansen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Ron T. Mackail - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Co-Chair Mackail made a motion that the Village Manager and staff research the financing options to determine the best economic decision and to present the findings to this Committee and then to the Village Council . Co-Chair Capretta stated that he wished to change the motion to summarize the decisions made at this meeting. Discussion of the motion ensued. Chair Hansen requested a perc chart be prepared when feasible,` and to include financing for this project in the 1998 budget if possible. Mr: Mackail requested that financing options be presented before a perc' chart was' prepared. Architect Crannell verified with the Committee that plan B-1 had been chosen and - that also included renovations for the Police Department. The final motion was as follows: Co-Chair Capretta made a motion to instruct staff to proceed with the development of detailed plans to implement a Public Safety facility on the current site basically using plan B-1 plus renovations to the Police Department; that a plan •be formulated to . find a facility at the proper time for the Building Department to move off-site; that a plan be formulated--including costs--to renovate the youth center to • REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 10 be used for a temporary period for the Village Council Chambers; that the Police Chief and Fire Chief work out a detailed plan for B-1 plus the Police Department and to optimize it internally working with the architects; that the Village Manager prepare a financial plan to finance phase one of this Public Safety plan at the least cost; and that staff begin work on a communications program to sell the whole plan to the public through a series of meetings with community leaders. Co-Chair Mackail seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Carl C. Hansen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Ron T. Mackail - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. VII. ANY OTHER MATTERS Chairman Hansen commented that although the Committee would be discussing redevelopment of municipal facilities at future meetings, they should not forget the original intent of this committee which' was redevelopment of the community, and proposed that future agendas include discussion of Tequesta Plaza and other community items. Co-Chair Capretta commented on current events concerning the downtown area, including the lack of parking at McCarthy' s and The Flame, and a plan by Mr. Van Brock to place a shopping plaza at the corner of Old Dixie Highway and Tequesta Drive in return for his making available a strip of land to provide parking for both restaurants.. Mr. Van Brock also wanted to build another Sterling House. Mr. Capretta commented that although the Village had not wanted another ECF, the proposed location made it feasible since it would be behind the present facility on land which would be useless for any other purpose. Mr. Van Brock was also renovating the old Fashion Mall. Coming events included the charette, and Mr. Capretta commented that the key link to decisions for that area was whether Lighthouse Gallery planned to move there and whether the gallery had the ability to raise the necessary funds. Chair Hansen commented that the Committee • REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 24 , 1997 PAGE 11 should be concerned about the Village, not just the municipal facilities. Co-Chair Mackail commented that the Village had provided an expedited site plan process, . however, no one was taking advantage of it to begin development. Mr. Capretta commented that when Tequesta Oaks was finished that he believed emergency exits should be provided. VIII . ADJOURNMENT Co-Chair Mackail made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Co- Chair Capretta seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Carl C. Hansen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Ron T. Mackail - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 10:31 A.M. Re pectfully submitted, Betty Zaur Recording Secretary ATTEST: Joann Manganiello Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: •