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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_08/18/2010 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 18, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 12:02 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk's Assistant Deanna Mayo. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Attorney White and Village Clerk's Assistant Deanna Mayo. Vice Mayor Tom Paterno was absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Watkins requested item three be heard first, item two remain and item one be placed last. MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of the Agenda; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 4 -0. 3. Resolution 28 -10, Award Irrigation and Landscaping contract to Aiello in the amount of $62,597.00 for Installation in areas surrounding the Tequesta Drive Bridge. Attorney White read Resolution 28 -10 title into the record. Manager Couzzo explained past history regarding the resolution and discussed options for the landscape installation. MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 28 -10 with the amendment that funds would be taken from fund balance if they were not available in the budget; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 4 -0. 2. Resolution 27 -10 Award a Contract for the Installation of 2000 I.f. of Sidewalk on North Cypress Drive to Sheltra & Son and Appropriate $54,800.00 of Fund Balance in Capital Projects Fund #303 to Fund the Project. Attorney White read Resolution 27 -10 title into the record. Manager Couzzo noted details associated with the sidewalk project. Mr. Russell White, Public Services Manager, offered additional information and suggested the quoted five feet width could be reduced to four feet in some areas. Council Member Humpage supported Mr. White's suggestion and felt the Village would receive some credit on the job. Manager Couzzo replied that the Village did not receive an alternate quote and stated that the Village could negotiate the concrete cost only as the labor would not be affected. Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 8/18/10 Page 2 Mr. Russell White noted there was money available in the bridge fund to cover the landscape irrigation and appropriation of funds would not be necessary. Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance, confirmed that the Village had received a refund in the bridge fund of $300,000 which could be used toward the bridge landscape project. MOTION Council Member Turnquest moved approval of Resolution 27 -10; seconded by Council Member Humpage; the motion carried unanimously 4 -0. 1. Further Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Transition of the Cornerstone Property. Manager Couzzo offered history regarding the company interested in the foreclosed property purchase referred to as the Cornerstone. He noted that residents were fueled by rumors and that GMH (the interested party) was pressed for time on their venture with the bank by a binding contract. Attorney Trela White explained that the group had legal procedures to achieve and noted the Village's mixed use would need to be addressed along with the Comprehensive Plan and Village Codes. She suggested Special Exceptions and Use Agreements were attached to the properties limitations which also could be problematic. Council Member Humpage suggested securing Sterling House's decision before Council advanced as he felt, if they were not supportive there would be no moving forward. Sean Gallagher, GMH representative stated their research was moving forward and he did not feel there would be issues with the Sterling House since he believed the abandoned building was detrimental to their business. Mayor Watkins voiced her concern with the urgency aspect of the deal. Council Member Humpage suggested holding a meeting for the residents. Manager Couzzo disclosed there were several liens on the property. Mr. Gallagher stated that several searches would be performed as part of their due diligence. Council recessed at 12:31 p.m. and reconvened at 12:45 p.m. Mr. Jim Kennedy, GMH, stated that it appeared a text amendment and Special Exception would be needed and the group was hopeful that they could move forward without the need to amend the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Larry Smith, Attorney representing GMH, disclosed that he had represented the property previously and was familiar with the Village and the history of the building. Attorney White stated that the Village interpreted their own codes and what they planned would need to work within those guidelines. Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 8/18/10 Page 3 Manager Couzzo questioned GMH's plans regarding their townhouse option. Sean Gallagher replied that their ultimate plan was a high end substance abuse center and they would not be willing to develop a lower end center. He added that existing areas had been preserved with the intent to develop townhomes as a secondary plan. Frank D'Ambra, 23 Leeward Circle felt the clientele of the intended facility would most likely value their privacy and he offered that a capacity limit be set with that in mind. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member Turnquest moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Arena; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 4 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 1:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deanna Mayo U Assistant to the 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.