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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_12/10/2009MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 10, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 7:28 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice-Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Jim Humpage, Council Member Vince Arena, and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Attorney Trela White, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Arena gave the invocation followed by the pledge to the flag. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved approval of the agenda as amended by pulling item 7 from the Consent Agenda as requested by the Village Manager and tabling item 14 until the January meeting; seconded by Council Member Humpage; motion carried unanimously 5-0. PRESENTATIONS /PROCLAMATIONS 1. Recognition of the Village of Tequesta Finance Department on Receipt of Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Mayor Watkins presented a certificate of achievement to Finance Director JoAnn Forsythe. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Mayor Paterno pulled items three, four, and six for discussion. MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved approval of the consent agenda; seconded by Council Member Humpage; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 2. MINUTES: 10/15/09 Regular and 11/12/09 Workshop 5. Resolution 38-09, Amending capital project fund 303 budget by increasing revenues and expenditures for Tequesta Park Improvements 8. Lease Agreement between the Village of Tequesta and AIM Engineering & Surveying, Inc. (Information only - No action required) Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 2 END OF CONSENT AGENDA 3. Resolution 36-09, Rolling FY 2009 Encumbrance Funding into FY 2010 Vice Mayor Paterno requested an explanation of rolling funds forward. The Village Manager explained the budget process; Finance Director Forsythe described the procedure at year end when actual figures were known. MOTION: Vice Mayor Paterno moved approval of Resolution 36-09; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 4. Resolution 37-09, Calling a General Municipal Election to be held Tuesday, March 4, 2010, and if necessary the Municipal Run-Off Election to be held Tuesday, March 23, 2010, for the purpose of electing Council Seats 1, 3, and 5; designating polling locations, election officials, and inspectors of election Vice Mayor Paterno expressed his opinion the Village was doing a disservice to voters living west of the bridge by not having a polling place for the March election on the west side of the bridge, quoting numbers of voters in previous elections which indicated the majority of the voters of the Village lived west of the bridge. Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle, reported people wanted to vote in the same place each time and she did not recommend a change. John Terzakis, 6 Tall Oaks, expressed his opinion people could go out of their way if they wanted to vote. Frank D'Ambra, 23 Leeward Circle, felt there were extraordinary circumstances with the bridge being closed that warranted having changing the polling place. Mayor Watkins commented those who wanted to vote would make it a point to vote and the absentee ballot was the solution, with which Council Member Turnquest agreed. Council Member Humpage and Council Member Arena indicated they were torn on this subject but agreed the absentee ballot could be the solution. Council Member Arena agreed with all points raised. During discussion of changing the election to November, the Village Attorney advised all other Palm Beach County municipalities which had done this have changed back to March, and Village Clerk McWilliams commented she believed the cost every other year would be significant if elections were moved to November, since Tequesta would be considered a "stand alone" election. Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 3 MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 37-09; seconded by Vice Mayor Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 6. Resolution 39-09, Awarding Bid to William Murphy to Perform Work at Tequesta Park to Re-roof Pavilion and Concession Stand Vice Mayor Paterno commented it seemed the same two contractors were getting all the construction projects, and felt others should be considered in this economy. The Village Manager noted there had only been one bidder for the utility project on the bridge, and it was difficult to get people to bid, and invited anyone doing construction to come to the Village. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 39-09; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 7. Council Approval of Implementation of Reserve Officer Program Police Chief McCollom reviewed the Reserve Officer Program, and explained the benefits to the Village. He proposed 5 fully certified reserve officers at $19.25 per hour, only paid if called in to work a shift. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of implementation of the Reserve Officer Program; seconded by Vice Mayor Paterno; motion carried unanimously 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Dottie Campbell announced the Holiday Walk at Gallery Square North. Richard Berube expressed his opinion it was time to show business owners the Village was concerned and asked that the Village hold a business meeting. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL Council Member Turnquest reported a resident had been butchering a hog in his garage. The Village Attorney advised there was a section of the code prohibiting disposal of food waste. Discussion ensued. It was suggested it would be easier for the homeowners' association to pass a by-law prohibiting this activity than to change the Village Code. Council Member Humpage thanked the Recreation Department for the Christmas celebration for residents. Council Member Humpage recalled that a year and a half ago the American Legion property had been annexed into the Village. Recently here had been an incident with a Village Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 4 employee who had a serious medical issue not covered by insurance, and the American Legion had provided a check for $4,000 to cover the medical expenses. Council Member Humpage expressed thanks to the American Legion for their generosity and for considering the Village as apart of their family. Council Member Arena reported record numbers at Harvest Fest, and encouraged all to attend Holiday in the Park. The hot dogs at both events were a big success. Council Member Arena announced he was running for another term. Vice Mayor Paterno commented the tree lighting in the park had been great, wished everyone who planned to run in the election good luck, and wished everyone happy holidays. Mayor Watkins commented it was fun to attend the Village events because everyone felt like neighbors, and thanked everyone for their hard work and wished everyone happy holidays. REGULAR AGENDA OLD BUSINESS 9. Ordinance 13-09. Second Reading. Amending Chapter 78 Zoning at Article XI Signs by Amending Section 78-742 Exemptions by Creating an Entirely New subsection (n) to Allow the Village Council to Authorize Certain Temporary Signs in Certain Circumstances (First Reading 11/12/09) Attorney Davis read Ordinance 13-09 title into the record. Mayor Watkins opened the hearing to Council for comment; there being none, she opened the meeting for public comment. There being no comments, the public hearing was closed. MOTION: Council Member Humpage made a motion to deny Ordinance 73-09 on second reading; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 10. Council Consideration and Approval of Various Donation Requests Mayor Watkins suggested designating some of these funds to National Night Out. Council Member Humpage suggested each individual member prepare their own list and forward to the Village Clerk, and table this item until January. Council Member Turnquest agreed and stated he wanted to consider National Night Out. MOTION: Council Member Humpage made a motion to continue consideration and approval of various donation requests to the January meeting and to consider National Night Out; Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 5 seconded by Council Member Turnquest. Vice Mayor Paterno indicated he thought the tax dollars should be spent for government functions and asked everyone to think about that; motion carried unanimously 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 11. Approval of Agreement between the Village of Tequesta and the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office for Vote Processing Equipment Use and Election Services Village Clerk McWilliams reported the new Supervisor of Elections had requested agreements between the municipalities and the- elections office stipulating who was responsible for services and costs. The Village Attorney reported this had been prompted because the Town of Palm Beach had refused to take care of their own legal fees when a problem had occurred. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the agreement between the Village of Tequesta and the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 12. Ordinance 20-09, First Reading, Providing for a Uniform Time for the Appointment of Members for Boards, Committees, and Commissions The Village Attorney read Ordinance 20-09 by title on first reading. Village Attorney White explained this had been requested by the Village Clerk's office in order to simplify handling terms and appointments. Mayor Watkins opened the meeting to Council for comments. Vice Mayor Paterno requested the month be changed from April to May. Mayor Watkins declared the public hearing open. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Watkins closed the public hearing. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Ordinance 20-09 on First Reading with the month changed from April to May; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 13. Ordinance 21-09, First Reading. Providing for a Uniform Time for the Appointment of Members for the Planning and Zoning Board Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 6 The Village Attorney read Ordinance 21-09 by title on first reading. Village Attorney White explained this was a companion ordinance to Ordinance 20-09 and the month would be changed from April to May. Mayor Watkins opened the meeting for Council comments. There were no Council comments. Mayor Watkins declared the public hearing open. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Watkins closed the public hearing. MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved approval of Ordinance 21-09 on First Reading with the month changed from April to May; seconded by Council. Member Humpage; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 14. Ordinance 17-09, First Reading. Amending Exhibit "B' of Section 2-30 of the Code of Ordinances Relating to the Public Safety Pension Trust Funds to provide for the following changes: Definition of Credited Service; Definition of Firefighter; Definition of Salary; Retiree may Change a Designated Beneficiary up to Twice; Change in Trustee Terms; Additional Signatories for the Fund; Increased Investments in Foreign Securities; Divestiture from Scrutinized Companies; Exclusion from Disqualifying Disability as a Result of Intervening Military Service; Termination of the System; Third Party payments for Retirees; Additional Offenses for Forfeiture of Pensions This item was tabled to the January 2010 meeting. 15. Ordinance 22-09, First Reading. An Ordinance amending the comprehensive Plan, to update the Capital Improvements element, Five Year Capital Improvements Schedule, as required annually The Village Attorney read Ordinance 22-09 by title on first reading. Village Manager Couzzo explained these were projections which were required annually. Mayor Watkins declared the public hearing open to Council. Council Member Humpage requested clarification on a few items, which the Village Manager explained. Vice Mayor Paterno commented tax revenues in Palm Beach County were projected for possible 12%-20% reduction, and asked for more of an explanation of some of the items such as maintenance or warranty fees. Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 7 Mayor Watkins opened the hearing to the public. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Watkins closed the public hearing. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Ordinance 22-09 on First Reading; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 16. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Village of Tequesta Business Forum Mayor Watkins reported she had been contacted by two business owners since the last meeting regarding the struggles they were having because of the bridge being closed and suggested allowing them to meet in the Council Chambers to come up with ways to help themselves. She wanted to let the businesses know the Council supported them in this unusual circumstance and let the community know the businesses were there. Village Manager Couzzo suggested contacting the businesses for their ideas. Council Member Turnquest suggested the business owners might like to form a Tequesta Business Association to promote themselves. Councilmember Arena had contacted Mr. Gomberg to provide a link from the Village website to the business websites. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested coupons or specials to draw customers. Council Member Humpage expressed his opinion business input was needed from a committee made up of Tequesta business representatives. Frank D'Ambra asked if there was a way t adversely impacted by the bridge, and was could not be used for private enterprise. ~ take bridge funding to assist businesses advised by the attorney that public dollars Resident John Terzakis suggested offering the community center for business owners to meet since it would hold more people. Mr. Terzakis commented there was already a free site listing business owners on the Internet. Bob Kelly, representative from North Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, agreed with self help and expressed his opinion that action would come from a business forum. Richard Berube agreed the businesses had to help themselves, and the Council could make space available to meet. Council Member Arena advised after the first of the year there would be a Welcome Wagon, a business Welcome Wagon, and a map of businesses who wished to participate, possibly being included in Smoke Signals and in each business. Also, the Village Clerk was collecting email addresses for all businesses in order to send out email blasts, and a business fair was a possibility for the future. The Village Manager suggested an event on the west side of the bridge for additional exposure. Resident Dottie Campbell asked the Village to loosen up the tough regulations to allow businesses to promote themselves since only two events a year were allowed, and asked the Village to allow a sidewalk sale one day. Vice Mayor Paterno indicated willingness to Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 8 allow special days for community sales but indicated the business community needed to help. Council Member Turnquest agreed with relaxing the code for certain circumstances and allowing more business events to be more business friendly. There was agreement all of the Council members were good with this going forward. STANDING REPORTS • Village Attorney Attorney White reported on the new Palm Beach County Code of Ethics which would be read on second and final reading December 15. • Village Manager Village Manager Couzzo wished everyone happy holidays and invited everyone to take some gourmet cookies provided by the Village's auditing firm on their way out. ANY OTHER MATTERS The Pension workshop was announced for January 5, 2010 at 9 a.m. Council Member Humpage suggested including the Special Exception in that meeting. Council Member Arena volunteered to bring his grill and cook hot dogs for every Village and business event. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested changing the name of Station 11. Vice Mayor Paterno asked everyone to talk to the Manager about their ideas for the third ambulance, and advised the Chief of Police had looked into installing cameras in certain spots to deter crime. He would report his findings to Council at their next meeting. Council Member Turnquest had heard from several residents about no activity on the bridge, to which the Village Manager responded there was a lot of work to be done before actual demolition could begin, and there was also friction between the contractor and engineer. Mayor Watkins asked for everyone to sign up on the website for bridge updates Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 12/10/09 Page 9 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Arena; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p. m. Respectfully submitted, ~1 r~l~- ~ ~ l ~ ~'~~ Lori McWilliams, CMC 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.