HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 8B_5/11/2000 I tea-- 13
4
RESOLUTION NO. 60-99/00
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY,
FLORIDA, EXPRESSING ITS CONCERN FOR THE
LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE PROVIDED AT THE POST OFFICE
FACILITY LOCATED WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF
TEQUESTA; REQUESTING THAT THE U. S. POSTAL
SERVICE TAKE THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO
CORRECT THESE CONDITIONS.
WHEREAS, The U. S . Postal Service has constructed a new
expanded post office branch located in the Village of
Tequesta; and,
WHEREAS, The new facility serves an area that contains
an estimated customer base of over 16, 000 ; and
WHEREAS, The staffing level of the new postal facility
is not adequate to meet the demands of the area
customers resulting in long lines and delays in
service; and
WHEREAS, The grounds and landscaping of the new
facility are under-maintained and detract from the
appearance of the new facility and surrounding area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF
THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Village Council expresses its concern over
the levels of customer service and landscape maintenance
provided at the new post office branch located in the
Village of Tequesta, and urges the U. S . Postal Service
to take such corrective action as is necessary,
including, but not limited to increasing staffing to meet
customer demands, especially during peak times, and to
implement a regular program of landscape and grounds
maintenance at the facility.
Section 2 . The Village Council authorizes the Mayor to
send this resolution and an accompanying letter to the
District Manager of the U. S . Postal Service recounting
4
the conditions at the post office facility and requesting
a timely response .
THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED by Council member
, who moved its adoption. The motion was
seconded by Council member , and upon being
put to a vote, the vote was as follows :
FOR ADOPTION AGAINST ADOPTION
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed
and adopted this llth day of May, A.D. , 2000 .
MAYOR OF TEQUESTA
Joseph N. Capretta
ATTEST:
Joann Manganiello
Village Clerk
8.
i ' '8 rt.,„y
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
0. w Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive • Suite 300
�,� Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200
+s' 4���`lb' � Fax: (561) 575-6203
RCN CO N y
May 12, 2000
Ms. Vicki Brennan
District Manager, Orlando
Post Office Box 999800
Mid Florida, Florida 32799
RE: Tequesta, Florida, Branch Post Office
Dear Ms. Brennan:
I am writing to you as the Mayor of the Village of Tequesta, a
municipality of roughly 5, 100 persons located at the northern boundary
of Palm Beach County. Our former Mayor, Carl Hansen, has written two
letters (December 6, 1999, and March 15, 2000, copies attached) to our
Postmaster Patti Weidman. Having received no response from Postmaster
Weidman, I am writing to you with the hope that as our District Manager
you will be able to address a number of concerns the Village of
Tequesta has with our post office.
While my Village's population may be small, the customer base of the
Tequesta post office is slightly over 16,000. This is due to the
servicing of not only local businesses but also Southern Martin County,
Jupiter Inlet Colony, unincorporated Palm Beach County, and the Village
of Tequesta. We were very happy and proud of the U.S. Government's
recognition of this when they authorized new facilities. Not only was
the architecture of the new building a compliment to our Village, but
the number of parking spaces was increased (currently twice as many
parking spaces now exist) , larger mail-box facilities were installed,
and a `store' for self-service shopping for items such as stamps,
envelopes, etc. , was added. All of the upgrades in service has
naturally lead to more customers using the Tequesta Branch Post Office
-- many coming from neighboring Jupiter.
Sadly, however, the staffing has not increased to accommodate these new
customers. Long lines still exist during peak days and times; the
`store' counter is rarely attended, so customers are still forced to
wait in lines to purchase a book of stamps; and, except for a few days
prior to Christmas, one customer station is always closed. All of
these situations are due to lack of personnel. While I am not privy to
what goes on behind the public counters, my educated guess would be
that there is not enough personnel to assist in sorting, etc. , too.
Recycled Paper
r
If the lack of customer assistance was not enough to ask our citizens
to withstand, the physical condition of our brand new Post Office is
going downhill weekly! Since the Post Office's grand opening on
November 8, 1999, the grass has not been mowed (not even once! ) ; weeds
are overtaking the planting beds; palm trees are yellowing due to lack
of fertilizer; and at least half of the shrubs and some oak trees are
dead (brown sticks in a sea of weeds! ) .
Repeated requests for assistance to Postmaster Weidman fall on deaf
ears! We need your assistance Ms. Brennan. Our residents are not only
disturbed by the conditions at the Tequesta Post Office, but they are
also extremely disappointed.
Please provide us with a level of service that is commensurate with the
beautiful new facility that was dedicated just a few months ago.
Sincerely,
Joseph N. Capretta
Mayor
Encl.
JNC/mmt
Word\Council\Post office 5-2-00
itrr.„
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
C Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta[hive • Suite 300
•, . Tequesta. Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200
It,
,,��" - v Fax:(SGl)575-6203
December 6, 1999
Ms.Patti Weidman, Postmaster
1095 Military Trail
Jupiter, FL 33458
Re: Tequesta Branch Post Office on Old Dixie Highway
Dear Postmaster Weidman:
The people of Tequesta are extremely excited about the attractive modern facility that has been provided
to them by the U. S. Postal Service. There have been many improvements over the former location of
the Tequesta Branch,including,additional parking,additional post office boxes, a new retail center and the
overall enhanced appearance of the new facility.
There is, however, one complaint I must bring to your attention that I have been presented with on
numerous occasions relative to the new facility. Specifically, the people of Tequesta have complained to
me about a lack of clerks to service the public and the resultant long lines that they experience. The
typical question posed to me, as a member of the Village Council is, "how can the Post Office expand the
facility but not provide additional help to address the demand?" I do not know the answer to this
question, but I do know that the concern and frustration relative to the existence of this problem is real,
for I have experienced it myself. This problem existed upon the first day of the opening of the new postal
facility. Therefore,the problem existed prior to the increase in postal activity associated with the holiday
season.
Anything your office can do in this regard to help provide better service to the customers of this new and
modern facility will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions in this regard, please feel free to
contact me at your convenience.
Sincere) ,CeeoeSettew •
Carl C.Han en �•
Mayor
c: Village Council
Word\My Documents\Postmaster 12-3-99
Recyckd Paper
�� Tt'Of
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
e, , Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive • Suite 300
' ti�` Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200
`v ,;% . o Fax: (561) 575-6203
March I5, 2000
Ms. Patti Weidman, Postmaster
1095 Military Trail
Jupiter, FL 33458
RE: Tequesta Branch Post Office on Old Dixie Highway
Dear Postmaster Weidman:
This is in furtherance of my letter to you dated December 6, 1999, regarding the above-
referenced subject.
In my December 6th letter, I indicated to you that I had received numerous complaints
from the general public about the lack of clerks to service the public and the resulting
long lines that they experience in the new Tequesta branch post office. I received no
reply from you relative to the December 6th correspondence.
In an effort to provide you with evidence that my concern is not a figment of my
imagination, attached hereto, please find a copy of the editorial which appeared in the
March 2000 addition of The Beacon concerning this very same subject. The people
served by the Tequesta branch post office are disturbed about the level of service
provided in the new facility. It appears that additional counter clerks are needed.
Please advise me as to what efforts are being undertaken by your office to address this
public concern. Your time and efforts in response to this important request are greatly
appreciated.
Sincerely,
g #e(5 u.`
Carl C. ansen
Mayor
c: Village Council w/attachment
nmh/word/mydocuments/manager/Weidman 3-14-00
Recycled Paper
Page 4 The Beacon • 747-1212 • March 2000
The Roving Reporter
Postal Worries-The new United States Post Office in Tequesta
was obsolete before it opened. Despite the fact that the facility
was designed to offer the latest postal concepts and technology,
it appears no thought was given to patron convenience. Our
assessment is the office is too small, congested and dangerous.
It is too small because there is little room for the long lines.It is
congested because of the entrance design and retail service
counter at the door. It is too dangerous because of the inade-
quate parking and design.The way one is forced.to park creates
a terrible traffic hazard,which one day is likely to lead to a bad
accident. What has happened,it appears, is a re-creation of the
old post office. Its all shiny and new and impressive at first
sight, but none of the problems of the old facility were elimi-
nated. In fact, it may be worse. One thing for sure, there isn't
• enough help. Seldom does one find all counters operating,
which contributes to long waits and very frustrated patrons. In
short, the post office is one major boondoggle.There isn't any-
thing that can be done about most of the post office inadequa-
cies, but we've learned one can complain about the lack of
clerks and service. Simply call the post office toll free line, 1-
800-275-8777. 9
•
•
•
•
•
3