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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_05/29/2009MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL MEETING MAY 29, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Recording Secretary Betty Laur called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. she then called the roll. Present were: 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, Recording Secretary Betty Laur, and Department Heads. Mayor Pat Watkins was absent. 1. Council Discussion and Possible Action on Fire Rescue Services Agreement with Jupiter Inlet Colony Manager Couzzo noted events relating to the ongoing negotiations with the Jupiter Inlet Colony (JIC). He noted Mayor Zuccarelli of JIC had presented a letter with a draft amendment from the JIC's Council for discussions with Tequesta. Chief Weinand suggested a millage formula be implemented. Council Member Arena questioned differences in figures. Chief Weinand explained that revenue for JIC should have been removed from the budget before the new millage rate was computed. Council Member Humpage inquired about past rates. Chief Weinand stated he was not employed in previous years when he believed the numbers were derived from population and/or evaluation information and noted in past meetings JIC Mayor Zuccarelli appeared comfortable with the presented 18.36% rate. Manager Couzzo explained the agreement goal was to cover operation expenses. Council Member Humpage and Chief Weinand noted fees associated with adjacent properties and municipalities. Manager Couzzo confirmed Martin County's Station future closing and possibilities following that occurrence. Vice Mayor Paterno felt service would increase for Tequesta from that event. Chief Weinand referred to projections and technology issues that would relate to service in Martin County. Manager Couzzo stated there were many variables associated with service agreements. Vice Mayor Paterno expressed his desire to discuss formulas and asked the projected date of implementation. Manager Couzzo felt the target date would be no later than October 1, 2009. Attorney White confirmed October 1, 2009 was stated in the draft agreement. Manager Couzzo felt JIC had benefited from no increase for more than one year. Vice Mayor Paterno inquired about the expiration date of the agreement. Manager Couzzo responded 20 years. Council Member Turnquest supported for a one year retroactive date to Minutes -Special Meeting 5/29/09 Page 2 cover past delays with negotiations. Manager Couzzo stated the goal was to move forward. Council Member Arena pointed out the cost JIC residents would endure with a retroactive fee. Vice Mayor Paterno asked if an impasse occurred could a retroactive clause be implemented. Attorney White responded that would be an option. Vice Mayor Paterno felt JIC should be aware of the implications that would transpire with any delays. Council consented. Manager Couzzo advised the conflict resolution was intended to force cooperation. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested leaving the resolution in place until an agreement was certain. Council Member Arena pointed out what he believed was comfortably discussed as a formula with representatives of Jupiter Inlet Colony. Manager Couzzo confirmed 18.36 percent would be adopted into the budget as the negotiated figure and noted the number could fluctuate due to economical factors. Manager Couzzo advised that the agreement structure would be clarified for JIC. He noted that using a millage rate would be less revenue given the reduced home values at present and, using a percentage rate would be based on the cost of operation. Vice Mayor Paterno offered an alternative formula which would apply a 20.3 percent rate. Manager Couzzo suggested Council produce one draft proposal offering no alternative options. Vice Mayor Paterno added the offer should not be less than Tequesta residents were paying. Vice Mayor Paterno inquired about a new ambulance in the budget. Manager Couzzo explained the probability of an ambulance purchase. Consensus of Council was to use 20.3 percent of the fire department expenses as the fee formula to begin October 1, 2009. Manager Couzzo suggested setting a 30 day deadline for payment. Attorney White stated all details would be specified in the agreement. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested a requirement of payment due up front. Manager Couzzo stated a revised agreement would be developed for Council review. 2. 400 Cypress Drive -Code Enforcement Lien Issues Attorney White noted the inherited history on 400 Cypress Drive. She explained the Code Enforcement Lien issue was placed on Palm Corp Inc. and William Bell Construction and the Condominium Association had requested assurance from the Village stating a lien would not be placed on them for work completed. Council Consensus was to sign their release paper. 3. Updates from Village Manager Manager Couzzo offered an update on the bridge including possible scenarios which, he believed, would occur during the bidding process because of the incentive and penalty clauses Minutes -Special Meeting 5/29/09 Page 3 being offered. Council Member Arena inquired if the bridge expenses would raise the Jupiter Inlet Colony (JIC) payment. Manager Couzzo replied yes. Vice Mayor Paterno clarified overtime expenses associated with the project would change JIC's fee as well. Manager Couzzo confirmed the formula for JIC was related solely to the budgeted expenditure figure. Chief McCollom offered an update on the bridge utility project. He stated the job was going very well and noted items which Mr. Russell White, Public Services Manager, had negotiated. He advised that the utility project could be completed within three weeks. 4. Other Business Manager Couzzo discussed the following items: • Naming the new Park on Tequesta Drive. • Park funding identified and discussion of such at the upcoming June meeting • $125,000 contract cap for park expenses. • Obtaining an engineered park drawing. • Budget and June 23, 2009 budget meeting. • Receipt of the final County Property Value Assessments. • Health Insurance evaluation. • Investigating existing Pension Funds versus 401 k hybrid or 401 k • Possible revenue items. • Possible installation agreement from AT&T for a Cell Tower. • Utility rate adjustment. • Addition of a third train at the RO Facility. Council Member Arena inquired about lost revenue. Manager Couzzo replied that the Village was down approximately $30,000 - $40,000 of revenues which would have increased the reserves. He felt the Village had not increased rates for an extended period and that may put them in the position of implementing a larger increase in the future. He noted there were sufficient reserves for the addition of a third train. Manager Couzzo provided an update on the County Line Road property. He noted that Mr. Bourassa had filed a text amendment application and noted there was not a formal land use designation on the property at present. He stated the issue would be scheduled on the June 11, 2009 meeting. Attorney White noted the second reading for the Comprehensive Plan would be on the July, 2009 meeting. Manager Couzzo noted Council would make its ruling on the land use designation at that meeting. Council Member Arena voiced his support and felt the majority of Council and residents also showed support for the Assisted Living Facility presented by Mr. Bourassa. He also noted Mr. Bourassa's cooperation with the Village's requests. Manager Couzzo commented on two site plan amendments: The Tequesta Country Club was requesting a patio extension; and the Lobster House an outside bar. He explained that the Minutes -Special Meeting 5/29/09 Page 4 Community Development advertisements were not sufficient and stated he would go to the two businesses to explain the inaccuracy and expedite reconsideration for their requests. Council Member Turnquest questioned the start date of the bridge. Manager Couzzo replied that it could begin as early as October. Council Member Humpage reported he had surveyed residents and the majority preferred January as a start date. He noted holidays which would incur additional overtime with a November start date. Council Member Arena voiced his concerns with recent police activity logs involving golf cart incidents. Chief McCollom noted they were juvenile involved cases and explained their procedures. He reassured that residents would not be affected negatively with golf cart restrictions. Vice Mayor Paterno offered a handout from the pension plans editorial studies and voiced his concern with changes and fees. He referred an area of concern to Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance. Ms. Forsythe offered her opinion. Vice Mayor Paterno pointed out percentages in the report and asked Manager Couzzo to respond. Manager Couzzo advised that changes with assumptions would change costs. Vice Mayor Paterno discussed changes in the mortality rates including additional required payments associated with the changes and noted contract negotiations affecting the budget. Manager Couzzo stated he would bring a new plan option for Council consideration and felt it would offer a significant and positive impact. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:06 a. m.; seconded by Council Member Turnquest, motion carried unanimously 4-0. Respectfully submitted, 1' Betty Laur Recording Secretary