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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_10/12/2010 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 8:30 a.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 Keith Davis, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the agenda as submitted, seconded by Council Member Turnquest, and carried unanimously 5 -0. 1. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Purchase of Property Located at 479 Seabrook Road Village Manager Couzzo reported he and Village Attorney Davis had negotiated with the seller's attorney, and the price of the property had been reduced to $225,000. Closing costs were expected not to exceed $5,000, and were discussed in detail. The Village Manager requested permission to allow the Police and Fire Departments to use the existing facility for training purposes, and to put aside a certain amount of money for demolition of the existing structure. He also suggested temporary signage to let residents know this was property of the Village of Tequesta, and discussed re- zoning for municipal use or maintaining the current use with a special exception for a municipal use for a period of time. He suggested using the property as a passive green space until conceptual planning could be done. A Phase One Environmental Audit of the property had been done and no inconsistencies with the surrounding properties were found. The Manager advised he was not considering burning the building, but using smoke - producing devices to simulate a fire for training purposes. He encouraged the Council to participate. There was a suggestion to use the park as a dog park; Mayor Watkins noted Tequesta Park had also been suggested. Vice Mayor Paterno advised those who spoke at the last meeting requesting a dog park at Tequesta Park did not live in Tequesta, and asked Minutes — Special Council Meeting 10/12/10 Page 2 that Council be aware of whether speakers were residents. Council Member Humpage requested a letter be sent to Martin County to contribute money towards a dog park at Tequesta Park. Village Attorney Davis read Resolution 34 -10 by title and with the amount inserted for costs not to exceed $15,000 (closing costs $5,000; demolition $10,000). MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 34 -10 with $15,000 inserted, seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 2. Discussion Regarding the Code Enforcement Lien Recorded Against the "Cornerstone" Property Located at 223 Village Boulevard The Village Manager reported the Village held a lien in the amount of $250,000 on the property at 223 Village Boulevard and during negotiations with the bank which currently owned the property he had made clear the Village would not take less than $180,000. He explained that the Village's actual costs were much less than that and this was a reasonable offer, and the money would be received quickly, possibly as quickly as the next day. Net revenue was expected to be $170,000. Discussion ensued regarding the rebar that would need to be removed to satisfy the Code Enforcement requirements. Vice Mayor Paterno expressed concern with wording that might require removal of the existing building. Manager Couzzo explained this was a one -time resolution authorizing Council to correct the property to satisfy the code violations; Attorney Davis advised this would close the existing code violation on this property. The Village Manager indicated he believed this would close a week from tomorrow, giving time for items to be removed. MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval to recommend settlement of $180,000 to the Special Magistrate for final action, seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. ANY OTHER MATTERS Village Manager Couzzo reported Mr. White had been informed the previous day that the new completion date for the bridge was January 5, 2011, and suggested the Mayor send a letter to the Secretary of Transportation and FDOT asking why this was happening. Discussion ensued regarding remaining work. Manager Couzzo indicated Mr. White would contact Ricky Sheltra and Council would contact Mr. and Mrs. Sheltra. Council Member Humpage and Vice Mayor Paterno favored awarding the sidewalk contract for Cypress Drive to another bidder rather than wait for sidewalks to be installed after the bridge was finished. Council Member Arena reported he had received Minutes — Special Council Meeting 10/12/10 Page 3 complaints that lights from cars going over the bridge were affecting residents at Whitehall. Consensus of Council — to give the Village Manager one day to contact Mr. and Mrs. Sheltra and get a letter out to the State, then place this item on the October 14 Council meeting agenda for discussion and action. Manager Couzzo strongly encouraged if the Council wanted asphalt in lieu of pavers on the bridge to do that now, and advised that would be on the October 14 Council agenda. Vice Mayor Paterno favored keeping the pavers. Village Manager Couzzo reported the case involving the IDEA would result in receipt of approximately $35,000 in the near future, and another case being worked on would result in considerably more. The money received could only be used for law enforcement. He explained how software could be used to help law enforcement in specific cases, and encouraged embracing technology. Possible purchase of cameras would also be on the next agenda. The annexation presentations to be made at the next meeting were discussed. The Manager recommended no selection be made until a later date. He suggested future planning sessions for this and other items. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member Arena. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5 -0; therefore the meeting was adjourned at 9;32 a.m. Respectfully submitted, iaim &,)- 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.