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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_05/20/2009MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL MEETING MAY 20, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 9:00 a.m. A roll call was taken by Assistant to the Clerk Deanna Mayo. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice-Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage, and Council Member Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Attorney White, Assistant to the Clerk Deanna Mayo, and Department Heads. A~oroval of Aaenda MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Vice-Mayor Paterno; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 1. Council Discussion on Fire Rescue Services Agreement with Jupiter Inlet Colony Attorney White offered a summarized history relating to the item and noted the desire to finalize the agreement in good faith and in the present budget. She confirmed the Village's plans to proceed with a dispute resolution process utilizing Florida Statute 164. Mayor Watkins and Manager Couzzo verified several attempts to meet and negotiate the agreement with the Jupiter Inlet Colony (JIC) Council members noting no advancement over the past year. Mr. John Zuccarelli, Jupiter Inlet Colony Mayor explained changes that had taken place with their meeting date and confirmed several discussions they had in reference to the subject. He noted there had been discussion regarding hiring a consultant. He believed they were advancing and felt JIC Council saw the benefits of the agreement and expressed his gratitude for the Village. Manager Couzzo suggested a draft contract be prepared using a formula that everyone would be comfortable with. Mayor Watkins reiterated the importance of rapid advancement on the agreement. Manager Couzzo confirmed that this meeting was to summarize and present intent to JIC. Council Member Humpage stated he felt the JIC should be equivalent to the fee of Tequesta resident's. Manager Couzzo felt a long term contract with equitable distribution elements defined would be better for the Jupiter Inlet Colony and would eliminate the need to re-negotiate in the near future. Minutes -Special Meeting 5/20/09 Page 2 Vice Mayor Paterno felt JIC should obligate to a negotiation commitment and felt they had avoided the issue up to this point. Mr. Zuccarelli believed they were moving forward and he felt his commissioners also desired a long term contract. Council Member Humpage questioned the process if Council approved Resolution 14- 09. Attorney White explained that Resolution 14-09 was a forced attempt to arrange negotiations and resolve issues without court action. She noted if Jupiter Inlet Colony committed to a meeting tonight; to meet within 30 days the resolution would not be needed although; she felt past attempts had been avoided. Manager Couzzo felt the past meeting with the JIC Commission illustrated their willingness concerning a joint meeting. Mr. Zuccarelli confirmed and suggested Tequesta follow through with a draft agreement, and stated he would then encourage a special meeting with his commission and would update Tequesta after. Manager Couzzo reflected on the past meetings, time frame and lack of progress. Mayor Watkins inquired on the possible issues with the attendance schedule of the colony's commission members. Mr. Zuccarelli responded that one commissioner would be away during the summer but could be reached by phone. Council Member Humpage referenced millage rates. Mayor Watkins stated the Colony was not comfortable with millage figures. Manager Couzzo noted there were alternate formulas that could be used and stated that Tequesta's goal was fairness. Mr. Zuccarelli confirmed his commissioner's were looking for clarity and comfort with the formula and expected fairness. He noted their comfort level was not with millage and were more at ease with percentages. Attorney White stated Resolution 14-09 had provisions to cover deadlines and attorney fees. Vice Mayor Paterno felt placing pressure on JIC was necessary. Mr. Zuccarelli felt they had made progress and would like to work with Manager Couzzo to deliver a draft agreement to his commissioners. Manager Couzzo suggested delivering a draft agreement within approximately ten days giving JIC sufficient time to hire a consultant if they so desire. Council Member Arena agreed with the deadline. Manager Couzzo asked Mr. Zuccarelli if he was willing to place this on his June agenda. Mr. Zuccarelli responded yes. Mayor Watkins and Vice Mayor Paterno supported a deadline. Council Member Turnquest clarified that Tequesta was merely looking for equality in rates and not covering shorts in their budget. He noted that this modification was overdue. Mr. Zuccarelli confirmed that his commissioner's desired fairness and their only concern was how the rate was established. Manager Couzzo explained that costs to Jupiter Inlet Minutes -Special Meeting 5/20/09 Page 3 Colony were based on the fire department. Mr. Zuccarelli expressed his desire to have an exact percentage of Tequesta's budget stated as a figure for JIC to pay. MOTION: Council Member Humpage motioned that Resolution 14-09 be placed on the June agenda; seconded by Council Member Turnquest. Council Member Turnquest expressed his desire to be good neighbors. Vice Mayor Paterno reiterated the intentions of the Village were to proceed aggressively. MOTION: Council Member Humpage amended his motion to place Resolution 14-09 on the June 11, 2009 consent agenda with the intent of passing if JIC did not proceed forward; accepting the amendment Council Member Turnquest seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously 5-0. Manager Couzzo requested Mr. Zuccarelli schedule a meeting with his Council within the next two weeks. Manager Couzzo offered an update on the bridge proceedings including: • His meeting with Martin County Administrator to consider running the project. • Contracting job out would cost an additional 12%. • Drawings should be submitted by Friday. • Possibly take five to six months start to finish. ~ Once the job was given to another entity the Village would no longer be in control. Mayor Watkins expressed her concern with a rumor regarding possible loss of stimulus funds. Attorney White stated a specific amount of funds must be used for the project by a particular date to stay within stimulus guidelines. Council Member Arena pointed out several events that may be affected by the construction start date. Mayor Watkins suggested Council take opportunities to ask resident their preference with start dates. Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle, asked about the construction start date and boat inconveniences. Manager Couzzo responded the first of November would be the earliest, possibly January and explained procedures and review processes had extended the estimated start time. Vice Mayor Paterno noted river closures were not allowed. Mayor Watkins added that brief closures were permissible to assist with constructions events. Manager Couzzo stated that the State had been very cooperative. Vice Mayor Paterno asked what the rail was. Manager Couzzo explained the jersey rail was a decorative barrier between the sidewalk and the roadway. Vice Mayor Paterno asked if the charges were going to continue to rise because of State regulations. Minutes -Special Meeting 5/20/09 Page 4 Manager Couzzo responded yes and explained the positives and negatives associated with accepting stimulus funds. Ms. Campbell expressed she was not in favor of the cut back regarding Smoke Signals. Vice Mayor Paterno questioned the landscaping. Manager Couzzo stated that landscaping would be done but was intentionally left out during the bid process to help reduce cost. He noted the Village was responsible for anything over the three million dollars. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:11 a. m.; seconded by Council Member Arena, motion carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted, - ~ ~~~~ Deanna Mayo Assistant to the Village Clerk