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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_06/05/2007VILLAGE COU Tuesday, Village Manager 345 Teq Tequ 2:0 I. Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by taken by Village Clerk Lori McWi Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Meml Member Turnquest. Also in attendar Village Clerk Lori McWilliams and I CIL WORKSHOP une 5, 2007 Conference Room esta Drive sta, FL P.M. ryor Jim Humpage at 2:08 p.m. A roll call was ms. Present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Paterno, Council Member Amero and Council were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., artment Heads. II Approval of Agenda MOTION: -Vice-Mayor Watkins m seconded by Council Member Amero; to approve the agenda as presented; motion ~n unanimously carried S-0. III. Discussion of Tequesta Park tree and walking path. Mayor Humpage explained the work hop procedures; referred to all present having a layout of the park, Mayor Humpage ated monies were in the budget for $122,500.00 and estimated the cost would be $12 ,700.00. He asked Mr. Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation to give a brief s nario of the project. Mr. Corbitt commented how the park lost 90% of the trees after th hurricanes. Previously Council budgeted money for the park; with the new Council i place he and Mr. Couzzo wanted direction from Council on how to proceed. Mr. orbitt confirmed Designer Connie Fisher, was contracted to replace trees. The contra t was in progress, and a request was made to put in a sidewalk to the tennis courts an bathrooms. Since the pavilion was the only area which was ADA accessible, the path ays were added. Mr. Corbitt advised that he and Roy Fisher went over the types of plan ing materials and how to irrigate the planted area. Mayor Humpage indicated he did Y Member Amero knew that Jupiter H and cleared and mulched trees, add shrubbery and repaired the walking money, but the park still needed to people had a hard time negotiating t had difficulty getting to the park; mentioned. believe Council Member Turnquest or Council came into the park after it was hit by the storms a berm on north side of park, irrigated, added ail. He explained this saved the Village a lot of rejuvenated. Mayor Humpage also stated older paths because of the roots and the sand, and still believed this was why the pathways had been Vice-Mayor Watkins commented she ;had two concerns and that one year ago when it was a brighter picture than the unkno territory the Village was in now with the budget concerns, the two concerns were the udget and the drought. With the drought she was concerned that nothing should be plan d. She understood the Village budgeted funds for the project and would like to have the une session take place to possibly make the issues Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 2 III. Discussion of Tequesta Park tree replacement and walking path. (Con't) clearer, and agreed the park needed help, but was concerned about the timing and where the funds should go. Council Member Paterno, agreed and noted going back further the Council had asked the Manager to do a study before doing anything with the park as far as usage for Martin County. He noted at the workshop with Martin County Commissioner Weberman, he had suggested that if we produced numbers they might be interested in helping with some of the cost. He had not seen the study, grid wondered if anyone had. Vice-Mayor Watkins stated she recalled discussing how this, would be monitored since it was an open park. Council Member Paterno advised Council never did come up with anything, and now a year and a half later were proposing tc- spend money, and thought that before spending Council wanted to come up with some numbers to decide the direction to go. Mayor Humpage confirmed he had spoken Ito Commissioner Weberman about six to eight months ago and Commissioner Weberman explained that Martin County was looking for relief on the 25% surcharge. Mayor Humpage explained that since the Village serves that side of Martin County, and their residents use it as much as our residents, Tequesta could get some relief with the maintenance of the park. Mayor Humpage confirmed that Commissioner Weberman was not interested at that time in doing anything because of political reasons and that they had enough issues with their own parks. Council Member Paterno asked if a study had been done. Mayor Humpage answered a study was not done because it would be a cost to the Village, and Martin County had no interest in helping. Council Member Paterno felt that the park was in Martin County and M<c.rtin County residents use the park, and he would like to find a way to help with some of the cost. Discussion ensued. Council Member Paterno questioned who had put the fence on north side of the park and Mayor Humpage stated Jupiter Hills. Council Member Paterno asked who authorized them to move it from where it was to the south of the line. Mayor Humpage stated that the paper work was sent to the State. lvlayor Humpage confirmed a 30 foot piece of the park was taken by the State so that Jupiter Hills could irrigate and landscape that area for beautification. He stated this was in th~~ record between the State and Jupiter Hills, but it was still the property of the State. Council Member Paterno responded that Tequesta was the lessee and in charge. Vice-Mayor Watkins stated it was not our property. Mayor Humpage responded that the information was in the request that Jupiter Hills had made, which was sent to the State. Mayor Humpage explained that the 30 feet was still State property, leased by Tequesta, the berm and fence and all were approved by two agencies of the State of Florida and permitted. Council Member Paterno felt Tequest;~ residents did not have access to that part of the park. Mayor Humpage suggested that; Council Member Paterno take that up with the State. Council Member Paterno askeci if Council had voted on the fence and Mayor Humpage stated no. Council Member ]Paterno noted any improvements made to the Park would have to be approved by Coun~~il before being sent to the State. He stated that Jupiter Hills could not send the request to the State. Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 3 III. Discussion of Tequesta Park tree repNacement and walking path. (Con't) Mayor Humpage explained the drawing and improvements from Jupiter Hills were submitted to the Village and then forwarded to the State. The State then took three to four months to approve the plans and it was now a matter of record. Mayor Humpage recalled it was on the record that Jupiter Hills would have to move the fence if the State needed to access to the property. Council Member Turnquest confirmed he understood where Council Member Paterno was going with this, and he believed he; was concerned that Jupiter Hills appeared to own that 30 feet of property and that the residents did not have access. Mayor Humpage explained that it could not be accessed at all until Jupiter Hills had burned and cleared the property. Council Member Paterno referenced that he had understood that Jupiter Hills clearing that would actually make it accessible for Tequesta. Mayor Humpage reiterated that it was permitted by the State. Council Member Turnquest confirmed he agreed with Vice-Mayor Watkins and, with the drought issue, and not knowing unforeseen events with the hurricane season, he felt the Village should wait until after hurric~~ne season to do any planting. Council Member Amero concurred with everyone and had concerns as well. He referenced an article from "Recreation Management" magazine. 'The article referred to what was going on around the Nation with Municipal Park and Recreation programs. He commented that Tequesta Park would possibly benefit from having some design changes and instead of spending the budget of $122,000 on replacing the vegetation, he would like Council to hire a Park Planner to plan. Council Member Amero also commented that the article talked about Parks being for all age groups and felt it would be premature to do anything now. He felt Council should go to Martin County, the State, and Palm Beach County to see what kind of funding was available. He added, it was a great time to start fresh, and recruit volunteers to survey users. Vice-Mayor Watkins commented that Kiwanis was interested in doing something if the park was re-done and felt Tequesta should remember them and Mr. Rood. Vice-Mayor Watkins advised they could possibly contribute something. Mayor Humpage stated that Kiwanis was interested in re-naming the park and should be recognized for all their efforts and for starting the park. Council Member Amero explained that Council cannot vote on this today, but, would like everyone to read the article before they vote. Mayor Humpage agreed with everyone and stated that Mr. Corbitt did a great job in the recreation department and agreed the Village should hold off on doing anything until after hurricane season. Mr. Corbitt explained that the lease with the State was just renewed, and at that time the Village was eligible and applied for two $50,000 grants. He received informal notification that the Village ranked very high for receipt of the grant money. Mayor Humpage asked what the grants could be used for and Mr. Corbitt explained that there was a rating system where you received points for each item put into the park. Examples were landscaping, pavilions, restroom restoration, pathways, and heart trails, Mr. Corbitt, Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 4 III. Discussion of Tequesta Park tree replacement and walking path. (Con't) commented all the money could not just be put into trees. Council Member Amero suggested using the grant money to hire a planner who would not only help design the park but also help with the grant process. Council Member Paterno stated he had heard from Mr. Russ Ruskay Town of Jupiter Park and Recreation Director, they had received grant money for tree replacement from FEMA and was not sure if the grant was still available but would like to apply. Ms. Genco noted she wanted to make comments on her disappointments. First, Council did address the issue on the fence, Second, was with regard to the survey, and at least three times from 2003-2006 Council was asked that a survey be done; she stated since we have athletic associations on the fields from all over, it would be easy enough to look at that, and see where the teams were coming from to determine usage from other Counties. Last, was that Commisioner Weberman offered money during a workshop and we did not get back with him with the survey results. Ms. Genco also stated she was totally in agreement with working with the parks best use and perhaps Council could do everything on the plan with the exception of the landscape. Mayor Humpage stated he spoke to a man involved in JTAA and they wanted batting cages. Council Member Paterno recalled when he had read a survey that stated, only 7% of the people that participated in JTAA were from Tequesta and that Jupiter was presently paying for them. Council Member Paterno felt that Tequesta needed to fix their park and make it usable for their residents, and would like to see the tax money spent come back to Tequesta. IV. June 14, 2007 Council Meeting -Pre-Meeting Agenda Review Mayor Humpage explained this was an opportunity, if we had any questions, or, to state if there was any information that Council was not provided. Council Member Paterno noted that he thought the personnel issue; which was brought up by Ms. Reid was coming up on the agenda. Mayor Humpage stated that there was a workshop set for July 10. Council Member Paterno stated he was also curious about when Council would need to vote on the 18% fee. Village Manager Couzzo explained it was an existing ordinance. Council Member Paterno stated that any time you change the rates it should be advertised to the public, and it needed to be voted on. V. Discussion regarding current South Florida Water Management District restrictions and consideration of an exemption for the Village of Tequesta Village Manager Couzzo stated it was his understanding that it was an existing ordinance. Vice-Mayor Watkins explained we did not change it, it was existing and went into effect due to the drought. Mayor Humpage confirmed it was there to offset the revenue issues. Public Service Manager Russell White advised that the ordinance was driven by the Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 5 V. Discussion regarding current South Florida Water Management District restrictions and consideration of an exemption for the Village of Tequesta. (Con't) Water Management District and started when a phase three restriction begins. Ms. Genco replied that she had called the Water Management District and asked if we were permitted and required to change our rates during a drought and they said no, it was strictly up to the Village or Municipality. Ms. Genco also stated that the Village did get an exemption in 2003 and 2004 and asked if an exemption had been applied for at the present and the Water Management District replied no. Mayor Humpage explained that the permitting process had nothing to do with the price of the water. He also stated that that was decided by the previous Council and the Water Management Districts restrictions trigger our law. Mayor Humpage recalled that the exemption was not applied for because Jupiter had applied twice and been denied, and their water setup was identical to Tequesta's. Ms. Genco noted that Tequesta was not utilizing the appropriate wells. Mayor Humpage asked Mr. Roy Fallon Chief Plant Operator if the Florida wells were the deep wells and if the Village of Tequesta blended their wells. Mr. Fallon explained that the Village had only two deep wells that were functional and twelve other wells, and that also affected the private wells with being so close to the ocean, which could cause salt water intrusion. Council Member Paterno asked when the new train would be on line. Mr. Fallon confirmed that it would be the end of the month. Mr. Fallon explained the expansion and permitting process. Vice-Mayor Watkins asked why in prior years did we get exemptions and not apply for it this year. Mr. Fallon explained he was not aware that we applied for one. Council Member Paterno restated the question of, why did we not apply for an exemption this year. Town Manager Couzzo advised he was not aware that Tequesta ever received the exemption. He then suggested that the Village would have to show significant harm for the restrictions of the community and not just financial, he would like to ask Council for guidance prior to making a decision, to seek the exemption, and stated this was a regional issue. Vice-Mayor Watkins referenced in respect to the 18% surcharge, we all need to conserve water and that the Village had asked everyone to conserve. Council Member Paterno responded he had been charged incorrectly for the past five years he has been in Tequesta and asked Ms. Forsythe to confirm that 275 residents were being charged incorrectly and for the past seven years 130 residents were potentially over charged. Vice-Mayor Watkins stated she was sure Council would run the figures and was not sure about going for an exemption and knows nothing about previous exemptions. Mr. James Richard Berube, of 4 Country Club Circle, stated the Village had insight way before others and had set the example and paid the money even after doing the Reverse Osmosis. He explained the surcharge was not the issue, it was the fact that we had to reduce our use; the logic was to at least apply and open West Palm Beach's eyes into doing something. He felt that West Palm Beach had a much higher use. Mr. Berube stated he had lost his lawn following the restrictions and wanted to know where the enforcement was during this restriction. Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 6 V. Discussion regarding current South Florida Water Management District restrictions and consideration of an exemption for the Village of Tequesta. (Con't) Mr. James Lee, of 11 Hemlock Lane, commented he had done everything he could think of to adhere to the restriction; he collected water, threw it on the dry areas, and did not feel that to surcharge to everyone was fair, and would like to catch the people that were not adhering and penalize them. Mr. Lee felt that the ones breaking the restriction should be the ones paying instead of everyone. He stated that Tequesta should re-look at the figures in the example (since it went back to 1977), and see where we stood with revenues and debt and adjust the 18%. Council Member Amero recalled he and Ms. Genco had discussed rain barrels and what we could do as a Village to conserve water. Mayor Humpage concurred and discussed that over 250 people had been cited due to watering off hours. Ms. Pert Towne, a resident indicated Council had worked with Palm Beach County to allow their Code Enforcement to enforce the codes that Palm Beach required of Bermuda Terrace. She stated that Turtle Creek has had their sprinklers going all the time and would like to see Martin County work with Tequesta to enforce our water codes in Turtle Creek, because, they were using Tequesta's water. Mayor Humpage explained that Tequesta had looked into that and found the cost would be $115,000 per year to have one officer, and one code compliance officer scheduled, including administrative costs. Ms. Towne asked if the water usage could be put on a quota basis and if someone went over their quota there would be an extra charge. She stated this would help police them to bring their water use down. Mayor Humpage explained that the water issue was a tough issue and unfortunately some comply and many do not; politically we want growth for tax purposes and with that we have new developments; which he believed were being required to put in fire houses and would like to see the obligations of new developments to include putting in RO plants. Mr. Genco replied she would like see the Village get a 100% exemption, and would like to see the residents receive a payback after paying close to 20 million dollars for the RO plant. VI. Any Other Matters Mayor Humpage explained that eight years ago an error was made in the 3/4 and one inch meter and 130 people had been paying too much. He confirmed that the Village was researching this matter and intended to reimburse all customers that were over charged. Council Member Paterno asked when we could expect to correct this problem and what affects this would have on the revenue. Mayor Humpage replied he did not know. Village Manager Couzzo indicated he would have a status report today and within the next month would have more to review. Council Member Paterno stated people in condo's and multi residential places were on a step program, which was regulated so high, and put in the computer as "unlimited use" that they never go to the next step, and we could be loosing funds if they use too much. Discussion ensued. Village Manager Couzzo stated looking at Council Member Paterno's meter and the existing ordinance, Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 7 VI. Any Other Matters. (Con't) discovered there were some differences; a recommendation was made in 1999, and between the recommendation and the intent an error was made. Village Manager Couzzo stated additional expertise would be needed to provide some options on how to solve the problem. Village Manager Couzzo confirmed there would be an update today, and commented that the Village attorney had recommended a utility rate analyst out of Tallahassee. Mayor Humpage asked Mr. Fallon what it would take to go 100% RO. Mr. Fallon explained going 100% RO would corrode resident's pipes and the plant would have to do an additional treatment process to avoid that happening, and it would also be additional cost. Discussion ensued. Mr. Lee would like to see the Village update the ordinance from the 1977 to more updated figures. Mayor Humpage confirmed he would revisit the revenue issue. Mr. Vince Arena, resident, felt there were some great ideas from the residents and would like to see the Village contact the Rain Barrel Company to see if they could obtain a discount. Mayor Humpage noted with the Consensus of Council agreed to apply for the exemption and Vice-Mayor Watkins confirmed it would be added to the next agenda. Council Member Paterno referenced the 377 exemption which appeared to tie into the new building on US 1 and their claim to an exemption from planting and landscaping; and questioned if we would have a problem 20 years down the road with people claiming they would not have to do any landscaping. Mayor Humpage explained that he believed a few people were given that exemption and one was with Mr. VanBrock and the Fashion Mall; he had a project with Dailey and Associates and Divosta that was a specific deal involving Tequesta Oaks and an easement or right away and was a trade off, not an exception for life. Council Member Paterno understood that people on Cypress Drive who donated money would be exempt from 377 and he was concerned that any time a building was torn down or improved they would claim they were exempt. Mayor Humpage explained that Cypress Drive had always been a problem area and Tequesta had been waiting on Jupiter to complete their project before they could tie into them to complete their storm water improvements. Mayor Humpage confirmed that each owner had an obligation to place a certain amount of green space on their property and were not exempt. Tequesta spoke to all the business owners to explain that they could do improvements together or individually and all would pay the same. Discussion ensued. Ms. Catherine Harding referred to the new building and surrounding areas, and that Tequesta would be getting a landscaping plan from them. Ms. Harding was working with them to beef up the landscaping on the rest of the site and replace what had died, she recalled they had an exemption offered to them when they first developed the property and she could not make them do more, but, she would like them to address the code Village Council Workshop Meeting June 5, 2007 Page 8 VI. Any Other Matters. (Con't) enforcement issues now and not wait until they started the improvements. Mayor Humpage agreed that exemption and enforcement issues were separate and need to be taken care of. Mayor Humpage referred to Mr. Broedell being great to work with because he had gone in first and did his own improvements. Discussion ensued. Vice-Mayor Watkins explained that Vic Strahan and his rotary Club collected old computers and computer accessories and hoped that the Village would consider donating their unused items for JFK Middle School kids. Council Member Paterno requested to the computers be cleaned up before being given away. Ms. Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk asked Vice-Mayor Watkins if that should be added to the agenda, and confirmed the hard drives would be reformatted prior to donating. Discussion ensued. VII. Adjournment Council Member Paterno moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:44 p. m.; Vice Mayor Watkins seconded the motion; motion passed 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Ol O'Lc: m~~c-~.~~C?r~~ Lori McWilliams, CMC Village Clerk