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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/16/2010 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEOUESTA SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 16, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 5:30 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Tom Paterno, 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 Keith Davis, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams and Finance Director Joanne Forsythe. Approval of Agenda MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of the Agenda; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Open Public Hearing Mayor Watkins opened the Public Hearing and announced details associated with the millage rate. Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance, offered specifics relating to figures associated with the budget. • Announce that the proposed operating millage rate necessary to fund the budget is 6.91% under the rolled -back millage rate of 6.1949 mills. • Announce Proposed Millage Rate is 5.7671 • Summary of Budget • Citizen Comments Mayor Watkins opened the public hearing for public comment. There being no further comments the public hearing was closed. Close Public Hearing 1. Resolution 20 -10, Adopting Final Millage Rate by Motion of Council Attorney Davis read Resolution 20 -10 title into the record. MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 20 -10; seconded by Council Member Arena; the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 2. Resolution 21 -10, Adopting Final 2010/2011 Budget by Motion of Council Attorney Davis read Resolution 21 -10 title into the record. Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 9/16/10 Page 2 2. Resolution 21 -10 (continued) MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 21 -10, seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Old Business Manager Couzzo requested item seven be heard at this time. Council had no objections. 7. Presentation on Cornerstone Property Transition Proposal Manager Couzzo offered back ground on Mr. Holloway's progress regarding the acquisition of the Cornerstone property. Mr. Gary Holloway stated that the acquisition had moved along at a quick pace with approximately $130,000 spent to date. He explained the large cost associated with the venture along with their commitment procedures and asked if Council could offer support or assurance. Manager Couzzo offered additional information regarding the agreement between the bank and Mr. Holloways group. Mayor Watkins stated she did not hear negative tones from attending residents at the recent informational meeting held by Mr. Holloways Company GMH Capital Partners. Vice Mayor Paterno questioned rehabilitation versus substance abuse. Manager Couzzo explained that it was a rehabilitation center for drug abuse. Mr. Holloway explained the facility would be focused on substance abuse focusing on other disorders as the facility progressed. He felt the project would be great for all involved and expressed his desire to get the property cleaned up as soon as possible. Vice Mayor Paterno advised that Council could not give their approval in advance of going through a normal process. Manager Couzzo offered clarity on what Mr. Holloway was asking in the way of Council support. Attorney Keith Davis offered additional insight and stated the Village would need to have a hold harmless agreement to protect the Village and stated he had spoken to Mr. Larry Smith, Attorney for Mr. Holloway and they were working together. 3. Council Discussion and Direction on the Purchase of Paradise Park Manager Couzzo explained the Village background and intent to explore possibilities for purchasing the property referred to as Paradise Park. Vice Mayor Paterno compared the appraisal figure from Mr. Zuccarelli, current owner of 2.2 million and the Villages appraisal of 1.8 million. Mayor Watkins stated she would not be onboard at the current asking price. Council Member Humpage expressed his appreciation of the property but would not be willing to support paying top dollar. Council Member Turnquest articulated his mixed feelings and felt a reasonable rate was a Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 9/16/10 Page 3 must. Council Member Arena questioned the taxes associated with the property. Manager Couzzo suggested keeping the property on the back burner. 4. Council Discussion and Direction on the Purchase of 479 Seabrook Road Manager Couzzo noted the Village's offer of $200,000 for 479 Seabrook Road and noted the representing Attorney was disappointed with the offer. He stated there were six lots associated with the property and suggested negotiating further since the property was desirable and it appeared the bargaining was close. Council Member Arena questioned the cost to clean up the property. Manager Couzzo responded the Village had the means to do the job and he estimated the cost to be $4,000 to $5,000. Council Member Humpage disclosed that he had received a call from the Attorney representing the property and they discussed a purchase price and the Villages lien figure. He stated the Attorney said there was a junior partner involved which he would speak to. Attorney Keith Davis suggested inspections be done and confirmed the Village fine was around $140,000. Manager Couzzo suggested putting this item discussion aside until the end of the meeting. 5. Council Discussion and Direction on the Purchase of Video Monitoring Equipment for the Public Safety Monument Mayor Watkins commended Council Member Humpage for a job well done on the 911 Public Safety event and stated many residents commented what a superior event they felt it was. Council Member Humpage suggested the Monument be monitored. Manager Couzzo supported the video monitoring equipment with a limit of $1,200. Vice Mayor Paterno voiced his concerns of protecting defacement of the monument. MOTION Vice Mayor Paterno moved approval of the purchase and to give discretion to the Manager to spend a bit more if necessary to get a quality job; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. New Business 6. Approval of CWA Collective Bargaining Contract October 2010 — September 2013 Ms. Merlene Reid, Human Resources Director, offered background of the contract. MOTION Council Member Humpage Council moved approval of the CWA Contract; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 9/16/10 Page 4 Vice Mayor Paterno stated he had additional questions pertaining to item five. Manager Couzzo suggested adding an item 5b. 5b. Council Discussion and Direction on the Purchase of Video Monitoring Equipment for the Public Safety Monument Vice Mayor Paterno expressed continued support for monitoring systems and suggested adding an additional mobile unit. He felt the community banks and drug stores might support the venture financially and noted there were also funds available in the budget. Mayor Watkins stated she did not support spending any additional monies and reminded Council employees did not receive increases and the economy was poor. She felt businesses should be polled for interest before going further. Vice Mayor Paterno suggested adding the equipment as mandatory to specific businesses through permitting and the Village would be proactive in monitoring the devices. 8. Authorization to Allow Vice -Mayor Paterno to Execute the "Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Assessment" on Behalf of the Village Council Vice Mayor Paterno offered background on his involvement concerning the item and noted changes to the area such as trails and seawalls and expressed that he was very impressed with the planned transformation. MOTION Council Member Humpage Council moved approval; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 4. Continued Discussion regarding the Purchase of 479 Seabrook Road Manager Couzzo suggested three options for Council to contemplate - being patient, passing on the purchase or directing staff to negotiate a price between the Village's previous offer and the owner's counteroffer with a price "not to exceed" to be set. Attorney Davis stated the Village use would be constrained by the Village Code. Vice Mayor Paterno felt green space property would be difficult to obtain and believed this property would be available for such a specific use. MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval with the Village Manager authorized to make the deal for purchase of the property stipulated to be conforming to Village requirements, to be used for Village green space; seconded by Council Member Turnquest, the motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 9/16/10 Page 5 9. ANY OTHER MATTERS Mayor Watkins noted her attendance at a recent Literacy Luncheon and their reading program that would be offered through local libraries. She stated she would ask the Tequesta Library if they planned to participate. Council Member Humpage offered his signed 911 Memorial Painting, a Betty Laur original, to the Village. He also stated he had organized a CD recording of the 911 event which would be available for purchase. Mayor Watkins noted the program schedule associated with the Tequesta Drive Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Manager Couzzo summarized the final construction schedule and associated details for the Tequesta Bridge. 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member Humpage Council moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5 -0, therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, tK (,L mdL-e-)c.C' �- 4-1-- 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.