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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 6B_8/10/2000 • 6 O! TE, K./ VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA 11 ,_: Post Offce Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive • Suite 300 1k � _ Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200 ;' ,11k0 Fax: (561) 575-6203 Ch Co VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES JULY 12, 2000 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a workshop meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, July 12, 2000. The meeting was called to order at 5: 33 P.M. by Mayor Joseph N. Capretta. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Joseph N. Capretta, Vice Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer, Councilmember Geraldine Genco, and Councilmember Sharon Walker. Also in attendance was Acting Village Manager and Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. Councilmember Basil E. Dalack arrived at 5: 37 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to approve the Agenda as submitted. Councilmember Walker seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Joseph N. Capretta - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Basil E . Dalack - for Geraldine Genco - for Sharon Walker - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda Recycled Paper VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 2 was approved as submitted. III. COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS David Downing, 320 West Riverside Drive, Jupiter, explained there was an erosion problem in Dover Ditch between Riverside Drive and the river between his home and his neighbor at 354 Riverside Drive. Mr. Downing explained the ditch had eroded from 3-4 feet to 35 to 40 feet and the biggest part of that erosion occurred when Riverside Drive was sewered and water had been pumped for six months . Mr. Downing reported that sod installed by Tequesta had been washed away, and the erosion was now approaching his property line. Mr. Downing asked the Village to do something about the problem, which he considered a safety issue and a liability problem for the Village, and advised that installing fill as in the past did not work. Councilmember Dalack arrived at this point in the meeting at 5: 37 p.m. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that a contract had been approved to piggyback with Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District to restore the ditch damaged during last year' s hurricanes, and work should start very soon. Delay had been due to waiting for FEMA money to do the project. Joe Grusauskas, Utility Director, commented that Mr. Smith, who lived in Tequesta, was referring to another, different matter regarding the Dover Ditch and had discussed this matter with him the previous day, and he would look for a long-term solution. Mr. Grusauskas further described the situation, and stated that the dry weather had caused the grass to die, so that the first heavy rain then washed away the dirt. Mayor Capretta commented there had been erosion for a number of years and various solutions tried by the Village had not solved the problem. Mr. Smith provided pictures of the ditch. Mr. Grusauskas commented that a sprinkler system could have prevented the erosion by keeping the grass alive, and stated he would present a proposal at the August Village Council meeting. Acting Village Manager Manganiello advised she would check with Gee & Jenson, since they had done the most recent design. VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 3 Jerry Smith, Tequesta, stated he lived on the north side of Dover Ditch and had the same concerns as those expressed by Mr. Downing. Mr. Smith commented that by the next meeting he would provide copies of his file on Dover Ditch which contained documents since 1979 consisting of copies of letters between Jupiter and Tequesta regarding possible solutions. Mr. Smith expressed concern that previous efforts had only been band-aid fixes, that there was sand on the banks, and that in three years the sand bar had grown in size significantly. Mr. Smith explained that prior to 1995 there had been no sandbar. Mr. Smith expressed concern for the safety of his children, and that there would be no water depth left. Mr. Smith recommended that money be set aside each year to address this problem, and stated he would like to know the amount already spent on Dover Ditch. Mr. Smith offered his idea for a long-term solution, which was to install a pipe and cover the ditch over on top of the pipe, which would eliminate future maintenance. Vice Mayor Schauer explained that within the past six years the Village had completely re-done the ditch. Acting Village Manager Manganiello advised that hundreds of thousands of dollars had been spent by the Village, that a maintenance contract was in place, and that Jupiter recently began paying 40% of the maintenance costs . Vice Mayor Schauer described prior efforts to improve Dover Ditch. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that the ditch was regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Smith estimated the cost to pipe the ditch at $100, 000 to $150, 000, and commented that the weir which had been installed had made the problem worse Mayor Capretta agreed with Mr. Smith that the results so far had not worked, but stated that the Village had not ignored the problem. The Mayor commented that the people had voted against plans to pipe the ditch. IV. REVIEW OF PROPOSED FY 2000-2001 BUDGETS (1) Community Development Special Revenue Fund (2) Water Enterprise Fund (3) Refuse and Recycling Fund (4) Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12 , 2000 PAGE 4 Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that the enterprise funds were stand-alone funds which were fee driven and were not subsidized by property taxes. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that this Fund was created for the purpose of segregating all functions of the Department of Community Development into one self-supporting fund for accounting purposes . The intent is for these activities to be fee driven and not supported with general tax revenues. The functions include building inspections, planning, zoning, and the issuance of occupational licenses . Total revenues of the Fund are estimated to be $361, 605. Expenditures are projected to be $395, 034 . A fund balance transfer of $474, 063 was budgeted for the proportionate share of Community Development' s facility needs in the Municipal Center. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that consideration was being given to raising occupational and home business license fees by 5%, and that those fees had not been raised in 5-6 years. A 5% increase had been shown in the budget, and the revised Ordinance would be presented at the September meetings for first and second readings, to become effective October 1 . Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that prior to this year one person certified in all trades had inspected construction projects, and that currently the Village utilized the services of a company to do those inspections as well as to handle site plan review inspections. WATER ENTERPRISE FUND Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that pursuant to Ordinance No. 529, an automatic increase of 1 . 7% to the monthly service charges and quantity rates contained in Section 18-3 of the Code of Ordinances was proposed for Village Council approval in September, 2000. The increase was equal to the application of the Consumer VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP FETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 5 Price Index, May 2000, for All Urban Consumers - South, All Items. Acting Village Manager Manganiello reviewed the following items: • Total operating expenses are up 5. 9% due, in part, to the operation of the Reverse Osmosis Treatment Plant. Total operating expenditures for FY 2001 are $2, 635, 093 . • Debt Service for the 1998 Series Bond is $525, 810. • The Village staff is implementing a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform to be able to graphically display all infrastructure improvements and other appurtenances in the Village via computers to allow for better project planning and internal mapping capabilities. An amount of $40, 000 has been included in the budget for FY 00/01 to continue this project. • The Water Department Capital Improvement Program includes the ongoing Tequesta Peninsula water main replacements and drainage system improvements. • The Village' s contribution to the Lighthouse Center for the Arts in the amount of $10, 000, as well as a $1, 000 contribution to Jupiter High School' s Project Graduation has been budgeted. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that last year the Lighthouse Center for the Arts had requested their annual $5, 000 donation be increased to $10, 000 . REFUSE AND RECYCLING ENTERPRISE FUND Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that the cost of solid waste collection services would increase $4 . 03 per household effective October 1, 2000, per the 8- year franchise agreement with Nicholas Sanitation. This cost appears as a non-ad valorem assessment on the property tax bill . The rates are $93 . 55 for single family homes and $93 . 55 for multi-family homes. This fee provides for twice per week collection of refuse and yard waste and once per week collection of recyclables. A 4% VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 6 discount is realized by the property owner if paid before December 1st. The service includes the cost of collection of refuse, recycling, and yard waste. Commercial properties are billed directly by Nichols with fees dependent on size of dumpsters, frequency of pickup, and other factors, including a per cubic yard charge . The total expenditure budget is $234, 396 with an equal amount of revenue. Solid waste disposal fees are assessed separately for all properties by the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County which also appear on the tax bill as an additional non-ad valorem assessment, and are $105 for each residential unit. STORMWATER UTILITY ENTERPRISE FUND Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that this fund was created to account for the expenditures and revenues of the Stormwater Utility. The Utility became operational on October 1, 1996, to provide a means for addressing required federal mandates concerning water quality as in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program associated with stormwater runoff and for flood control improvements and associated infrastructure repair and maintenance. The proposed annual assessment is $7. 12 per equivalent residential unit per month or $85. 52 annually, a 10% increase as recommended to the Village Council . This cost appears as a non-ad valorem assessment on the property tax bill . A 4% discount is realized by the property owner if paid before December 1st. The total expenditure budget is $776, 863, with revenues of $415, 600 . A fund balance allocation of $361, 263 will also be used to cover the cost of expenditures. The major capital projects proposed are the Tequesta Peninsula Project - Phase II - $445, 000, and the Bridge Road Drainage Improvements - $90, 000. Councilmember Walker referred to page 41 of the budget document and questioned the line item listed as other income, under General Government and asked what comprised the other income. Finance Director Holloman explained what items were included in other income. Councilmember Walker referred to page 42 and commented that in proposed FY 01 the number of employees had been increased by one. VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 7 Acting Village Manager Manganiello responded that person would not be hired until all union issues had been resolved. Councilmember Walker referred to page 52 where nothing was budgeted for stormwater grants, and requested a line item be included so that matching grants could be sought. Mrs. Holloman explained that could be added to the budget at a later date. Discussion ensued. Councilmember Walker referred to page 53 and questioned whether the $85, 000 budgeted for Cypress Drive would be used during this fiscal year. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that every time the Village discussed the drainage project with Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District their price rose an incredible amount . Aside from that, the Village had their own streetscape project, for which the contract bid had come in so high that the specifications would be revised and then the contract put out for bid a second time. The intent was to complete the Village project and then deal with Northern regarding the drainage issue, once they provided concrete figures. Acting Village Manager Manganiello noted the money previously set aside for the Northern project would be used to do the streetscape and then other finance options would be found for the Northern project. Councilmember Walker referred to page 56 of the Supplemental Budget Report, the $10, 000 donation to Lighthouse Center for the Arts, and discussed the Lighthouse Center for the Arts returning something to the community for that $10, 000, such as a holiday decorating project for the Village or reducing rates for art classes for Village residents . Mayor Capretta commented the Village could ask them to decorate a tree or to decorate the Village Hall, and that in regard to reducing their fees, the Lighthouse Center did not seem too solvent . Mayor Capretta suggested a discussion sometime of the purpose of Lighthouse Center for the Arts in the community and how much support the Village should give them. Mayor Capretta commented some people thought more support should be given since the gallery might move, leaving the Village without cultural activities. The Mayor indicated the Village had never had satisfactory discussions with the gallery but that this was not the proper time for a discussion. Acting Village Manager Manganiello noted a letter was received annually requesting a contribution, which when received she would VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 6 bring to the Village Council, who could respond at that time with suggestions of how the Lighthouse Center for the Arts could help the Village in return for a donation from the Village. Vice Mayor Schauer suggested if the Village wanted the Lighthouse Center for the Arts to decorate a tree for the holidays they should be notified now so that they could make plans. Acting Village Manager Manganiello responded that if the budget was adopted in September that would be an appropriate time to send the letter. Councilmember Genco referred to page 42 of the supplemental budget report and asked what comprised the debt service, to which the response was that it was the letter of credit from Bank of America. Councilmember Genco questioned where money was being transferred from into the General Fund, which Finance Director Holloman explained was shown on pages 63, 69, and 55. Councilmember Genco questioned where to find the projections for the additional amounts to be taken from the letter of credit as construction began. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that the letter of credit would expire in 2002 and the Village Council would need to make a decision before that regarding permanent financing of major projects. Finance Director Holloman directed attention to page 31 for the current amount budgeted and the debt service, and reviewed the figures pertaining to this matter. Councilmember Genco questioned whether principal was being reduced on the RO bonds, to which Finance Director Holloman responded that principal was being reduced every year per the amortization schedule. Carl Hansen questioned regarding the water enterprise fund what was being done to obtain new water customers since the Village now had additional pumping capacity. Mr. Hansen noted it could cost some money to secure customers since they might need to be enticed by subsidizing piping, etc, and questioned whether the Village had budgeted any funds for that possibility. Acting Village Manager Manganiello responded that $45, 000 was budgeted for design of a new loop north of County Line Road, where 350 single family homes could be added to the water system, and the Village was looking for VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 9 grants because that was lower income housing, and that the design work would start this year. Acting Village Manager Manganiello advised she would meet with Bill Reese of Reese Macon & Associates to pursue this matter, and that discussion was planned with the Town of Jupiter Island, which was interested in purchasing water from the Village. Acting Village Manager Manganiello announced Jupiter had voted 4-1 to take back their water customers and one idea that the Village was looking into was an equitable swap of customers, possibly in Martin County. Acting Village Manager Manganiello advised she had forwarded to the Village Attorney a copy of the newspaper article on this matter so that he could provide an opinion regarding how to protect the interests of the Village, and staff might have to return to the Village Council to request more money for engineering and attorneys fees if it was in the best interest of the Village do proceed in those areas. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that the bulk rate contract with Jupiter did not expire until 2007, and the Village had leverage in that they owned the pipe going across the bridge, but that a strategic plan must be developed. Mayor Capretta noted that the 900 Jupiter customers now serviced by the Village did not comprise a very large percentage of the Village' s water sales . Mayor Capretta commented that a meeting of the Finance Committee was needed in the near future to discuss this situation. Councilmember Genco commented that looking at the letter of credit and current interest rate trends, the interest rate could be unfavorable at maturity of the letter of credit, and it seemed that the Village was postponing debt. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that the amount needed to be financed was not yet known. Mayor Capretta commented that a bank loan might be cheaper than municipal bonds. Acting Village Manager Manganiello explained that Fidelity Federal, SunTrust, and NationsBank were all interested in giving the Village a bank loan at a low rate, and this would be presented to the Village Council . Councilmember Genco discussed tax advantages of raising fees versus adding to the millage rate, and commented that the residents would end up with more money in their VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 10 pockets by raising the millage rate. Vice Mayor Schauer responded that the Village Council had looked at that when doing occupational license fees and found it was more feasible to increase fees instead of the millage rate. Discussion ensued. Councilmember Genco commented it was the duty of the Village Council to keep as much money as possible in the pockets of the residents. Mayor Capretta recommended future discussion of this matter as well as discussion of how much debt the Village was going to have. Acting Village Manager Manganiello announced that the first public hearing on the budget would be held September 14 at 7 p.m. , and the second budget hearing would be held September 28 at 7 p.m. The tentative millage rate and the rolled back rate would be adopted at the Village Council meeting on July 20, 2000. Acting Village Manager Manganiello commented that the millage rate in this budget was the same as for the previous year and that she would request a 1-1/2% increase as a cushion, since the rate could be reduced more easily than it could be raised. Acting Village Manager Manganiello announced candidates scheduled to be interviewed for the Village Manager position on July 19, 2000 were Greg Dunham at 9 a.m. , Susan Boyer at 11 a.m. , and Michael Couzzo at 2 p.m. Ms. Manganiello reported that former Village Manager Tom Bradford had submitted 25 questions that could be asked and requested that the Village Councilmembers be thinking of questions they might like to ask. Ms. Manganiello suggested that each Councilmember ask questions for ten minutes, and then another five minutes could be given at the end of the interview. Any candidates who arrived early would be taken to the Police Department conference room to wait. The interviews would take place at a Special Village Council meeting so that formal decisions could be made. Acting Village Manager Manganiello advised that the Councilmembers did not have to use any of the 25 questions supplied by Mr. Bradford, and could ask only their own questions if they desired. Mayor Capretta commented all of the applicants were qualified for the job, but they needed to fit in with the Village Council, staff, and residents. Acting Village Manager VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES July 12, 2000 PAGE 11 Manganiello suggested sitting at the table rather than at the dias to make the setting more informal for the interview process . V. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Schauer moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Dalack seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Joseph N. Capretta - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Basil E . Dalack - for Geraldine Genco - for Sharon Walker - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: Joann Manganiello Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: