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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_2/12/2026 MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL FEBRUARY 12, 2026 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, MMC. Present were: Mayor Molly Young, Vice-Mayor Rick Sartory, Council Member Laurie Brandon, and Council Member Jayson E. French. Council Member Brandon attended via ZOOM. Absent were: Council Member Patrick Painter, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council Member French Council Member French offered an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Young asked that item number 15 be removed from the agenda as it would be coming back for Council consideration in March. MOTION: Vice Mayor Sartory made a motion to approve the agenda, removing item number 15; seconded by Council Member French. Carried 4-0. PRESENTATION Mayor Young thanked Council Member French for his two years of service to the Village. She presented a plaque to him on behalf of the Village and Council. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: Vice Mayor Sartory made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda; seconded by Council Member French. Carried 4-0. 1. MINUTES: January 8, 2026 Regular Council 2. Consider Approval of Contracts Signed by the Village Manager Under $25,000 (Per Village Ordinance we are presenting the following agreements, proposals, commitments and memorandum of understanding to Council.) A. Engenuity Group, Inc. Work Authorization, $5,000.00, B. Holtz Consulting Work Authorization, $19,972.50, C. JLA Geosciences, Inc. Proposal, $10,000.00, D. Accurate Building Contractors, Inc. Proposal, $15,100.00, E. Wynn & Sons Environmental Construction Co. Proposal, $22,365.52, 3. Big Fun, Inc. Services Provided for Tequesta Fest in the Amount of$69,975.00 4. Consider Approval of Baxter & Woodman, Inc. Work Authorization for Raw Water Main Pigging Engineering Services for a Total Not to Exceed$38,800 5. Consider Special Event application for an annual July 4, 2026 four-mile running race by Believe With Me, a registered Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation, to take place at Constitution Park. The event is to be held on Saturday July 4, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. No alcohol will be served. The projected number of attendees for the event is 1500. The purpose of the event is to honor families of fallen soldiers and all proceeds will directly benefit families that have lost a loved one in the line of service. 6. Consider approval of Special Event application for a Family Spring Festival event on March 7th, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for --200 attendees by the Good Shepherd Church to take place on its premises located at 402 Seabrook Rd. There will be activities such as bounce house, pumpkin patch, etc. END OF CONSENT AGENDA COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Harold Taylor of of 13 Chapel Court commented on the construction at Hannah's Home and the lack of sprinklers for new sod. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL Council Member French was excited for the 80's Roller Rink Event, Council Member Brandon thanked Council Member French for his service and the Parks and Recreation Department for fun events, and Vice Mayor Sartory thanked Mr. French for all the work he put into Council over the past two years. Mayor Young reported she had gone to Tallahassee twice in January to represent the Village's needs and testify at a House Committee Meeting. She thanked Manager Allen and Village Staff for their continual support. STANDING REPORTS Village Attorney Attorney Davis thanked Council Member French for his service to the Village. Village Manager 7. Manager's Standing Report Manager Allen updated Council on the Tequesta Park House Bill that would potentially transfer ownership to the Village from the State.The Senate would vote on the bill in approximately 2-3 weeks. The pickleball/tennis courts were nearing completion, as paint was currently being applied. The recent water main break had been fixed in a timely manner with assistance from the Public Works Department. The Village would be closed for President's Day and the next Council Workshop Meeting was scheduled for March 2nd. Manager Allen thanked Council Member French for his dedication to the Village and wished him the best. Police Department 8. Police Department Standing Report Police Chief Medina thanked Council Member French for his service. He reported ongoing community engagement and operational readiness, including an expanded Civilian Firearm Class and upcoming training partnerships,while supporting public safety and community relations. Fire Department 9. Fire Department Report Fire Chief McLaughlin thanked Council Member French for his support and reported on recent meetings, public events, trainings and the installation of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) at Tequesta Park pickleball courts. Additionally, there would be free CPR training offered for March. UTILITIES 10. Utilities Standing Report Utility Director Burg thanked Council Member French for his service and offered an update on several projects. The Dover Ditch project had reached final completion with pending sod replacement. Ongoing work included stormwater pipelining projects, pond and inlet inspections, and aquifer well drilling to support future water supply needs. The team was revising designs for water treatment plant improvements to integrate PFAS treatment upgrades, ensuring long-term compliance. The membrane replacement project was completed, resulting in lower feed water pressure and anticipated energy savings. New Capital Improvement Project Manager Juan Rivas was promoted internally, reflecting staff development and continuity. The Utility Department was refining budget planning to align with current project costs and funding opportunities, while emphasizing accurate forecasting and fiscal responsibility. Mayor Young commented that many of the issues with water main breaks were a result of old pipes naturally breaking apart and were not all from construction errors. REGULAR AGENDA OLD BUSINESS 11. Council Consideration of Final Selection of Colors for Village Annex (Station 11) at 465 Seabrook Road in the R-1 Residential Zoning District. Community Development Director Jay Hubsch offered a power point illustrating several possible color combinations of the changes proposed for the Village Annex Building. Decorative bahama shutters, roll up garage doors and new paint colors were part of the proposed enhancements for the building. MOTION: Council Member French made a motion to approve the design option on slide number 11 in Mr. Hubsch's power point (matching the Recreation Center); Vice-Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried 3-1 (opposed: Mayor Young) (absent: Council Member Painter). NEW BUSINESS 12. SEU 04-25: Application from Tequesta Country Club for a Special Exception Use approval pursuant to Section 78-179 (d) of the Village of Tequesta Code of Ordinances. The owner is requesting Special Exception Use approval for a proposed Golf Course Use in the RO, Recreation Open Space zoning district. The subject property is located at 201 Country Club Drive, Tequesta FL, 33469. Village Attorney Davis announced item numbers 12 and 13 were both quasi judicial in nature and as such he swore in nine participants and asked for ex parte disclosures. Council Member French visited the site, and had spoken to TCC (Tequesta Country Club) Board Members as well as with Village Staff. Vice Mayor Sartory had communications with Mr. Hearing, TCC Committee Members, and Mr. Forrest from TCC. Mayor Young had spoken to the applicant, staff, and had visited the site. Mr. Zack Cera of Cutler and Hearing addressed Council and offered information on the Tequesta Country Club application for a Special Exception Use. His presentation included a historical recap of the Tequesta Country Club, design of the new buildings, additional parking spaces, landscaping, construction staging, parking light fixtures, overflow construction parking, noise and mitigation strategies. MOTION: Council Member French made a motion to approve SEU 04-25; Vice-Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Painter). 13. SPM 08-25 Application from Tequesta Country Club for a Site Plan Modification for site improvements and landscape enhancements at the current Tequesta Country Clubhouse site. Located in the R-OP, Recreation Open Space zoning district, the proposed use of the project will not change. The property is situated at 201 Country Club Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. This item was combined with the previous presentation on DEU 04-25. Council had questions on golf cart parking, construction trailers, parking lights, replanting trees, noise, and wording of the motion. Mr. Tom Bradford of 44 Chestnut Trail was in support of the project and suggested modifying the language to include "operational purposes that have been approved by the Village". Mrs. Pat Watkins of 167 River Drive addressed Council and asked that the Village Historians be allowed to access photos of the current building in its' existing state. MOTION: Council Member French made a motion to approve SPM 08-25 with the 5 conditions listed by the Village Planning and Zoning Board and additional parking light fixtures approved by Staff. If using the church parking lot, applicant must coordinate with staff and will need approval for golf cart storage on East Parking Lot; Vice-Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Painter). 14. ORDINANCE 01-26, FIRST READING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES AT CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-61. PENSION TRUST FUNDS, EXHIBIT A, THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES' PENSION TRUST FUND, SECTION 24, MILITARY SERVICE PRIOR TO EMPLOYMENT, BY EXPANDING THE ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PURCHASE OF THIS CREDIT, PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION OF CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATION SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT, PROVIDING FOR A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Village Attorney Davis read Ordinance 01-26 into the record. Village Finance Director Jeff Snyder explained the ordinance would allow veterans to purchase up to five years of military service credit in the General Employee Pension Plan, with the employee responsible for the actuarial study cost. Council discussed and had questions on consistency with other plans. Manager Allen would confirm the answers regarding comparative plans and have the information ready by the second reading. MOTION: Council Member French made a motion to approve Ordinance 01-26 with the addition that the Village absorb a one time actuarial cost for the employee; Vice-Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Painter). 15. Council Consideration for Night Work Approval— Partial Lane Closure at Tequesta Drive and Seabrook Road This item was tabled until a later date. 16. Consider Approval of McKim & Creed Piggyback Agreement and Accompanying Proposal for SCADA Conversion Technical Services for a Total Not to Exceed $209,455.48 Utility Director Allyson Burg asked for Council consideration in approving a piggyback agreement for SCADA Conversion Technical Services. The current system had compatibility issues and had been temporarily patched by IT. Separating this conversion from the larger water treatment plant upgrade accelerated the timeline and would lower overall costs by avoiding subcontractor markups. Additional future costs for programming and hardware replacements were expected but not included in the contract. Council had questions on cost savings, preferred contractors and tracking utility projects. MOTION: Vice-Mayor Sartory made a motion to approve SAK Construction, LLC, Proposal for Stormwater Pipe Lining for a Total Not to Exceed $95,769; Council Member French seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Painter). 17. Consider Approval of SAW Construction, LLC, Proposal for Stormwater Pipe Lining for a Total Not to Exceed$95,769 Utility Director Allyson Burg asked for Council consideration in approving the annual stormwater pipelining project. She revealed pipelining was the most cost effective way to prolong the useful life of the stormwater infrastructure. MOTION: Council Member French made a motion to approve SAK Construction, LLC proposal for Stormwater Pipe Lining; Vice-Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Painter). 18. Council Consideration and Direction on Filing Village Council Seat 1 in Accordance with Village Code Sec. 2-273(a) and (b) Village Attorney Davis explained the recent situation involving a previously qualified Council candidate that had moved out of the Village, creating an open seat. Council would now need to appoint someone to fill the vacancy (until the next general election) when the new person would be able to qualify to run for the remainder of the two year term. Village Clerk Lori McWilliams would confirm with the Supervisor of Elections whether the vacancy would be filled in the November 2026 General Election or the next Municipal Election Council discussion included an emphasis on the value of maintaining a five member Council for continuity and operational efficiency. Council Member French offered to serve temporarily if appointed, but Council agreed the process should remain open and transparent to all eligible residents. Mrs. Marcia Nielson of Beechwood Trail encouraged Council to open up applications for qualified residents to apply for the temporary seat. MOTION: Vice-Mayor Sartory made a motion to advertise the position on Council with the criteria reflected in the backup and that the Village Clerk would determine the actual date of the next election, with an application deadline of March 2nd 2026; Council Member French seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Council Member Painter). ANY OTHER MATTERS Vice Mayor Sartory thanked Council Member French for his service in serving on Council. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM MOT/ON:Council Member French made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried 4-0. Re pectfully 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.