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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_2/2/2026 MINUTES Workshop Meeting Village of Tequesta, FL Mayor Molly Young Vice-Mayor Rick Sartory Council Member Laurie Brandon Council Member Patrick Painter Council Member Jayson E. French February 2, 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 Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Mayor Molly Young, Council Member Patrick Painter, Vice-Mayor Rick Sartory, Council Member Laurie Brandon, and Council Member Jayson E. French. Council Member Brandon arrived at 6:03 PM. AGENDA ITEMS I 1. Tequesta Park Master Plan Update From Kimley-Horn Mr. Johathan Haig, Senior Landscape Architect with Kimley Horn and Project Manager for Tequesta Park, addressed Council and offered a power point showcasing the latest updates for Tequesta Park. The update focused on enhancing park functionality with added parking, improved facilities, and new amenities. The updated plan nearly doubled parking from 118 to 229 spaces in order to meet Martin County code and to accommodate multiple simultaneous park uses. Key new features included a family fun zone with a splash pad, shaded playground pods for different age groups, and standalone restroom facilities. The proposed multi-use artificial turf field was sized for full soccer games and designed for year-round use, aiming to reduce maintenance downtime. Other amenities included improvements to pickleball and tennis courts, a reconfigured dog park, new basketball courts, and fitness stations around the perimeter trail. The project timeline targeted preliminary site plan completion and environmental assessments by April 2026, with final 90% plans due by December 2026. Mrs. Marie Sapire of Yacht Club Place commented on the added amenities and parking. She believed there was not a need for as many parking spaces. Additionally, she was not in favor of adding any more amenities. Council feedback included flipping the dog park with the basketball court, removing fitness stations, artificial turf suitability, batting cages, parking, scheduling policies, and public input. 2. Village of Tequesta Utilities Department Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Program Utility Director Allyson Burg presented a power point focused on a new backflow prevention and cross connection control initiative. She emphasized that the Village was planning to launch a phased program to increase compliance with backflow prevention testing, focusing first on commercial properties before addressing residential accounts. The program's first phase would involve finalizing a contract with HydroCorp by March 2026, in order to manage compliance enforcement/testing for backflow devices. The estimated first-year program cost with HydroCorp was estimated between $50,000 and $60,000, excluding testing costs, which could be recovered through billing. The Village would monitor program progress and adjust timelines and communication strategies, based upon community feedback. 3. Discussion of Unified Right of Way, Swale and Driveway Standards Mr. Doug Chambers, Public Works Director, created a power point for Council on swales and right of ways within the Village. He proposed a unified ordinance to protect underground infrastructure, ensure proper drainage, and regulate landscaping in rights of way. He suggested a permit process be utilized in order to balance infrastructure protection and neighborhood aesthetics. The ordinance would repeal and replace multiple existing codes in order to provide clear, consistent rules on allowable plantings and modifications in rights of way, prioritizing drainage and infrastructure protection Residents would be responsible for right of way upkeep and would need to obtain permits for plantings or modifications. Village staff would provide education and guidance during the process. The ordinance prohibited loose rock and mulch in swales and rights of way due to erosion risks and drainage interference. Under the new ordinance, driveways would require a concrete footer at the road's edge to prevent cracking and damage, while improving durability and compliance. The ordinance included a grandfather clause protecting existing vegetation and plantings, unless modifications were made. Mrs. Marie Sapire of Yacht Club Place commented on the ordinance and felt it would be impossible to adhere to because of all the conflicting information. She believed it needed to be overhauled and that it should be rejected in its current state. Ms. Kimberly Windish of 72 Yacht Club Place addressed Council and observed that the code was not being followed as people were uninformed. Council had concerns about the restrictive (proposed) plant lists, minimum tree heights (currently 12 feet), and language ambiguity. They questioned the history of maintaining swales within the Village and asked for the Village Landscape Architect to weigh in on the ordinance. Staff was also asked to explore the size and type of decorative rock that could be used for aesthetic purposes. Public education was recommended and would be included in the ordinance along with permit requirements, allowed plantings, and maintenance responsibilities. An additional Council Workshop was requested prior to the March ordinance adoption. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM. MOTION: Council Member French made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice Mayor Sartory 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. 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 MOTION:Council Member French made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Vice Mayor Sartory seconded the motion. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, da, ma,)4."a, 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.