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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_05/29/2007,MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP VILLAGE MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM WEDNESbAY, MAY 29, 2007 2:00 P.M. I. Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Humpage at 2:05 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Paterno, Council Member Turnquest, and Council Member Amero. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. 2. Discussion of American Legion -Beer Sales at Golden Festival Mayor Humpage stated he spoke to the American Legion, and they wanted to sell beer at the 50th Anniversary event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. He mentioned this purchase would go towards helping veterans who faced different issues; but who were not necessarily Iraqi War veterans. He stated they would have their members in uniform, and they would have a Police Officer there. He explained this came up at the Committee meeting, and he wanted to bring this to the meeting to ensure Council was all right with this. He stated the only problem he faced was with the Department of Revenue, and Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco. He stated he had a seven day window to apply for the license and he did not know what to do, so he got the license for $25. He stated this was open for discussion amongst Council. He informed them it was not a huge beer truck. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if this was just for the event on Saturday. Mayor Humpage stated it was just from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. He stated it would actually come in Friday night. Mayor Humpage stated they would put it at the back of the parking lot. He stated with all the functions he attended at the Park, he has had about 100 people ask him if they had beer to sell to the patrons. Council Member Paterno stated he did not have a problem with it seeing that it was a one time thing. Vice Mayor Watkins stated obviously they would not sell it to minors, but short of that, it was not something they would do routinely. Mayor Humpage emphasized that they did not want the 24 ounce cups, but small cups. Council Member Paterno commented he did not even know what they were selling. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if it was clear what the funds would be used for. Council Member Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 2 Paterno asked if they would have a specific area to drink, or would they be able to drink any where. Mayor Humpage stated they could drink anywhere. Council Member Amero stated he did not have a problem with it either. Council Member Turnquest asked if it would be served in a cup. Mayor Humpage stated it would be served in cups or cans which would be provided by Budweiser. He informed them it would be low key, and would not be advertised. Consensus of Council Agreed to allow the American Legion to sell beer at the Golden Celebration on June 2, 2007 3. Discussion of Wine Favor at Dignitary Reception Mayor Humpage specified the event would be on June 4, 2007 on Monday night. Council Member Paterno asked how many people would attend. Village resident and Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee, Dottie Campbell, stated there were now 147 people who were confirmed to attend the Dignitary Reception. Mayor Humpage stated these were all Mayors from other municipalities. He stated Senator Nelson was not able to make it, and Governor Crist wrote a lovely letter saying he would not be able to make it. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if this was for the event on Friday night. Mayor Humpage specified it was for the event on Monday night at the Village Hall. Mayor Humpage explained he did not want everyone to have only bottled water. He wanted the event to have a little sass. He commented he also did not want bottles of wine, spilling. He explained he went to Walgreens, and they had little three ounce bottles of wine. He wanted someone to volunteer behind one of the tables to serve the wine, in addition to other types of drinks. Vice Mayor Watkins stated Mr. Carlton Stoddard asked her what the dinner was. She stated she told him she did not think it was a dinner. Mayor Humpage stated they asked a lot of the restaurants to provide the food. He specified it was not a dinner, it was a meet and greet event. Ms. Dottie Campbell explained only people who were invited could attend, because of budget and space. She stated Mr. Stoddard would be invited because he was a former Council Member. She emphasized the attendees could not bring their spouses. She stated if someone wanted to be a sponsor, they would be able to bring their spouse. Mayor Humpage repeorted they sent over 300 invitations and received 177 responses. Ms. Campbell stated they also invited the special residents in the Village who have been in the Village for close to 50 years. Mayor Humpage mentioned Carolyn White who was 99 years old. Ms. Campbell stated Ms. White would be 100 years old in August; and another resident would also be 100 years old soon. She stated they also invited the pioneers who always showed up on Pioneer day. She added other people who were affiliated with the Village such as the accountants, and the engineers, were attending. Mayor Humpage mentioned they would get to see many of the old employees of the Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 3 Village. He stated the second Chief of Police's wife would be coming from North Carolina. Mayor Humpage asked if everyone was all right with this. Consensus of Council agreed to include the wine favor as part of the Dignitary Reception on June 4, 2007. 4. Discussion of Helicopter Landing during Golf Tournament Mayor Humpage stated he spoke with Chief McCollom about the safety measures on the golf course. He stated Chief McCollom informed him there was an Ordinance which stated they could not land an aircraft in the Village of Tequesta. Mayor Humpage stated that Ordinance was 54-2, which stated only in the case of an emergency. He stated Council could waive this for special occasions. Mayor Humpage emphasized this was an Ordinance and was the law, and if they could not land the helicopter, the pilot would have to hover. He stated another solution would be to waive this restriction. Mayor Humpage stated he spoke with the pilot who was a very interesting character. He stated he got the flight plan, and he did not have a problem with it, except he wanted to land the helicopter on the driving range. Mayor Humpage commented he told him as long as he had enough plexiglass to put in front of the helicopter, because they would be practicing hitting balls. Mayor Humpage stated they were going to make him land on the number 1 Fairway, and then land on the driving range. He explained, the pilot would fly in at 1 p.m. set down then lower the balls. He stated he would not land twice, he would do one lift and leave. Mayor Humpage knew they could not vote at the workshop, but a consensus of Council would be enough. Village Clerk McWilliams asked Council if she had a clear consensus. Consensus of Council agreed to waive Ordinance 54-2 to the helicopter landing during the Golf Tournament. Ms. Campbell mentioned the employee appreciation function, and expressed she would appreciate if everyone was pleasant, to let employees know they were cared for. She suggested they wave and smile to show they were having a good time at the parade where they would have a Council Trolley, and the Committee Trolley. She emphasized they had space issues; therefore they could not bring spouses, and family on the trolley. She mentioned she would have people report to her how many Council Members were pleasant. She emphasized it was important to show the employees, and residents that they cared. She mentioned the movie on Sunday night. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if the Golf Ball Drop would be at 1 p.m. Ms. Campbell stated yes. Ms. Campbell observed that some people were not supporting the duck race, as well, as the ball drop. She asked they write the checks, and get the money out. Council Member Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29,.2007 Page 4 Paterno mentioned there would be overtime for police because of the parade. Village Clerk McWilliams mentioned the movie as well. Mayor Humpage stated he went through all the money they budgeted, and they had not exceeded the budget. He informed them they were within the range income of $12,000 to $15,000. He stated they would have an overtime issue because they could not have a parade, and not have police there. He suggested they have a fire truck and an ambulance on the west or east side of the Village during the parade in case of an emergency, to be able to get to the calls easily without taking back routes. He stated he would talk to Chief Weinand. Village Clerk McWilliams pointed out they would close the bridge. Mayor Humpage stated they would block the bridge for an hour and a half. Council Member Paterno mentioned they would need signs for the bridge. Mayor Humpage stated the Town of Jupiter gave Tequesta two electric message signs, and they would put those out tomorrow, so people would be warned of what would happen on Sunday. Council Member Paterno stated people would be going to church on Sunday. Mayor Humpage stated they would put the signs up tomorrow. 5. Charter Review Committee Discussion and Direction Vice Mayor Watkins expressed her concern was reviewing this Charter in light of the Dalack case. She explained this was because one of their reasons for not addressing the oath issue was they had to open the Charter for review. She stated she was just questioning whether the timing of the Charter review was not alarming in light of the Dalack situation. She stated it was not an issue for her at some point, but the timing of it was her concern. Council Member Amero thought they were setting some standard to start the Charter Committee. He believed it would be an item which would have to be passed by the voters next year. He stated they were forming the Charter Review Committee, if they voted on people to appoint, and they started in June or July, it would give them enough time to decide what they wanted to do. He pointed out they were probably 10 months away. Council Member Paterno pointed out they would be changing the Primary in Florida. He asked how that would affect the Village. He asked if they would have their set election, or make it coincide with the earlier election dates.. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she thought it was the Presidential primary, but was not sure. Council Member Paterno asked if they move all the rest up. Council Member Amero stated he was going to ask that question. Ms. Campbell stated the Presidential Primary was scheduled January 29t"' and will probably be the only item on that ballot. The other municipalities and districts in our area have already decreed what date of what month will be their election. She explained normally the Presidential Primary coincided with the standard election day in March. Mayor Humpage stated he did not think they would do anything in the Primary, because they did not allow an Independent voter to vote. Council Member Paterno did not know if Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 5 there would be changes to coincide with the Primary. Ms. Campbell stated they seem to feel the other agencies, municipalities, the county, and other entities could not all make changes to coincide with the Primary. Council Member Amero reviewed the Town of Jupiter's Charter, and used it as a guideline. He commented they did not have to do what they did. He referred to a handout, and stated the Council should appoint a five member panel of which three could be voters of the town. He stated that was not to say they could have all five appointees who were voters. He stated they report their findings in a six months period of time. He suggested their Committee could report their findings in a different time frame, such as two or three months. He stated most were written similar to this. He stated the time frames were different, and the number of voters were different. Mayor Humpage stated the purpose of this workshop, as discussed at the May 10, 2007 Regular Village Council Meeting, was to first decide if Council wanted to do it or if they were satisfied with what was there, before they moved forward and created the Committee. He agreed with Vice Mayor Watkins that the Charter has served the Village well for the past 50 years, but he was not set in stone as she was. He wondered if the Dalack issue would be a problem. He mentioned the alternative Mr. Basil Dalack had which was discussed in the Closed Door session, and commented they could not give those details. He asked if they opened the Charter for change, what situation would that put them in. Mayor Humpage asked Vice Mayor Watkins if she heard this from an Attorney. Vice Mayor Watkins stated no, a light just went on and she realized they have been telling him they did not want to open the Charter. Mayor Humpage stated they did not tell him they did not want to change the Charter, but their premise was the oath was in the Charter, and they could not change it without a referendum now. Vice Mayor Watkins stated they certainly could not change it if they did not open it up. She explained it was a timing issue. She stated she was happy with the way it was, and she was not taking this position about Mr. Dalack because she did not want it done, but she was very concerned about jeopardizing their issues with Mr. Dalack if they did something now. Council Member Paterno stated he did not have an issue with opening the Charter. Mayor Humpage asked if anyone else thought of this. Council Member Amero stated he did not think of this. Mayor Humpage stated they were right in their choice to say they could not do what he wanted them to do because it was set in stone unless it was changed by referendum. Council Member Amero suggested they include this issue in this part of the Charter Review. He explained each part of the Charter would be under review. He suggested that the oath could also be under review. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that furthered her point. Council Member Paterno pointed out everything would be reviewed, and they would state what they have always stated; they could not change it. He stated they were just looking at the Charter as far as changing it based on the will of the people. Council Member Paterno stated the Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 6 Committee and the people could look at it and decide what they want to do with it. He commented there was nothing but democracy working and it showed Council was not limited and was looking at the Charter. He commented he could not do anything in business if he considered all the ways he could be sued and what was going to happen all the time. He stated there would always be something. Council Member Turnquest asked for verification the Charter could not be changed unless it was the will of the people. Mayor Humpage state that was correct. Council Member Turnquest thought they should go ahead and create the Charter Review Committee, let them make their suggestions. He pointed out no changes would be made until next March when residents could vote on it. He commented some things may change or may not but this change would not be until March. Mayor Humpage stated this committee would be an Ad Hoc Committee, whose recommendations would be subject to Council's approval. He explained they would take these recommendations to Council and Council did not have to accept their recommendation; and even if it was approved by Council it still had to be approved by the residents. Mayor Humpage commented he would hate to see Mr. Dalack turn around and say he would like his attorney fees. Council Member Paterno stated it was not up to them to make the changes. Mayor Humpage stated the purpose of the workshop was a review of the Charter in its entirety. Mayor Humpage stated they had to take this back to a meeting for a vote in June or July. He stated if they wanted to do a Charter Review, they would need a Charter Review Committee. He asked what the criteria would be for the Charter Review Committee; he asked if they would be residents Council Member Amero preferred residents who were also registered voters. Mayor Humpage asked what the criteria was for the last Charter Review Committee. He stated he was on it. Mayor Humpage believed they had to be a resident and a registered voter, because it was affected by a vote. Village Clerk McWilliams thought she had that information in her office and offered to look. Council Member Watkins stated this was for the purpose of discussion. She suggested Council's preference be a resident who was registered to vote. Council Member Amero stated they would be a full time resident. Mayor Humpage asked if they were all right with that. Consensus of Council agreed that the Charter Review Committee members would be full time residents who were registered to vote. Council Member Amero stated they could appoint by committee, which could take a long time, or each Council Member could appoint someone. Mayor Humpage believed that was the criteria they followed the last time. Mayor Humpage asked if Council was all right with this. Consensus of Council Agreed that each Council Member should appoint someone to Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 7 the Charter Review Committee Council Member Amero mentioned the total amount of review time, which may go until the election. Mayor Humpage pointed out it would go on the March ballot, because they could not do it in the Primary; independent voters could not vote. Council Member Amero asked how much review time they would give the Committee in the case they had to put something on the ballot in March. Mayor Humpage was not sure how long this would take. Mayor Humpage suggested they pause so Village Clerk McWilliams could get the information from her office. Mayor Humpage commented he expected everyone to buy more ducks and golf balls. He asked Ms. Campbell if she had the forms. Council Member Amero asked Ms. Campbell how they would do the rubber ducky race, which was a part of the Golden Anniversary celebration. Ms. Campbell stated he should come to see. Council Member Amero stated he would be there with his daughter but he was wondering how it would be done. Ms. Campbell explained they were using noodles as the floating dam to keep them contained; then after the race and the first duck is announced with a prize of $1000, they would get the noodles and the rest of the ducks and let people take what ever they wanted. Mayor Humpage mentioned the Council was going to play golf, and encouraged them to get their golf balls. Village Clerk McWilliams returned to the meeting and stated the Charter Review Board started June 18, 2001, and went before Council three months later on September 5, 2001. Council Member Paterno asked about the vote of the people. Village Clerk McWilliams stated that was not included in that information. Mayor Humpage stated that would be in the General election, in the March election; it would not be a special election. Village Clerk McWilliams stated a resolution was adopted; it stated the Charter Review Board consisted of five members who were residents of the Village; each Village Council Member nominated one board member and it was ratified by the Council. She stated the Review Board met as frequently as necessary and the board was automatically dissolved on November 1, 2001. Members of that review board were Mayor Humpage, Vi Laamanen, Robert Cook, Edward Resnik, and Richard Berube. Mayor Humpage explained the reason they had to be a registered voter was because they did not want someone who could not even vote to recommend something people would be voting on. Council Member Amero asked how many changes they made. Mayor Humpage stated a lot of the changes were done because they were already covered in the Florida Statute. He stated they had miles of paper for nothing. He explained the Attorneys went through it with the board and gave them the State Statute. He stated they tried to clarify it. Mayor Humpage asked Village Clerk McWilliams if she had the orginal Charter and asked how big it was. Village Clerk McWilliams specified it was the 1977 Charter and it was not that big. Council Member Amero stated that was probably four to five pages of boundaries. Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 8 Council Member Amero asked if they had a Council liaison or if they only had five Ad Hoc members. Mayor Humpage responded there were five Ad hoc members. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if the attorney attended the meetings. Mayor Humpage specified the attorney was there but there were certain things he could not recommend, or in some cases they would recommend something which was in violation. Village Clerk McWilliams pointed out there was a letter which stated Village Attorney Randolph will be present to advise the board, and Village Manager Couzzo when able to attend will be present as a resource. Mayor Humpage recalled most of the meeting included the board and Attorney Randolph. He commented it was intense and a couple of times they banged heads hard. He thought whatever they came up with the Council ratified it and it did not pass by much. Council Member Paterno asked by how much. Mayor Humpage specified it was close, by 20-30 votes. He commented it was close because people did not like change. Mayor Humpage commented if Council began next month, then the Charter Review Committee probably would not begin until July. Council Member Paterno suggested each Council Member could return to the June 14, 2007 meeting with a name. He did not think two council members would return with the same names. Mayor Humpage stated the Committee would still begin in the beginning of July. He asked how long they would give them. Mayor Humpage stated when he was in the Charter Review board, they met a lot of times and it took them a while. Vice Mayor Watkins pointed out the number of times they met depended on the time each member had available. Mayor Humpage explained the Review board tried to choose appropriate dates. He stated they had to change those dates a few times but they worked around it. He mentioned they also received the help of a staff member. Vice Mayor Watkins suggested they give the board a specific date to present their recommendations to Council; for example, they might have until October, then decide amongst themselves when they would meet. Mayor Humpage noted that would give Council from October to March to get it on the ballot. Vice Mayor Watkins was not sure of the time frame for the voting. Mayor Humpage pointed out that woud give them plenty of time to have it on the ballot and all they had to do was have the language ready, which the Attorney prepared. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if signatures were needed for it. Mayor Humpage stated no because the only time they needed signatures was if someone was forcing a referendum. Village Clerk McWilliams specified the residents would do that, therefore they did not need signatures. Mayor Humpage stated they would decide if those changes could be made, then it would be placed on the ballot subject approval of the Council. Council Member Paterno asked if it was for the whole Charter, or would the changes be reflected only in certain sections. Council Member Amero stated it would be amendments to the Charter. Council Member Paterno specified if residents would be voting on each change, or vote for all changes on one vote. Vice Mayor Watkins responded they would Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 9 vote on each change. Village Clerk McWilliams specified it would be changed in the book in each section. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she would insist that it be individual. She pointed out an all or nothing vote might discourage voters. Mayor Humpage stated a voter might not know what to do and throw their hands up and not vote at all. Mayor Humpage stated they gave them until November 1, 2001 to present their recommendations to Council the last time, and the committee members should be able to work out their own meeting schedule. He commented that would give them four months to do it. Council Member Paterno stated it said September. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if they came to Council in October, if they would have time after that to put it in the ballot. Village Clerk McWilliams thought October would be good. Mayor Humpage stated they would come to the October meeting. Council Member Amero asked if they could use any means necessary to clarify an article, paragraph, or clause in the Charter through who ever they choose, or would they have go through the Village Attorney. Mayor Humpage stated the Village Attorney was at the meeting, and Village Manager Couzzo was also present at some meetings for clarification. Council Member Amero asked if the previous Charter Review had a Chair of the committee. Council Member Amero pointed out Council would have to vote on that as well. Mayor Humpage stated the Charter Review Committee would do that at their first meeting. Village Clerk McWilliams specified that at a first meeting, the meeting schedule would be established, the Chair would be appointed and a discussion of the Charter would begin. Village Clerk McWilliams mentioned some people would be making summer vacation plans, and they should ensure they had a meeting schedule. Council Member Paterno stated they should give them a month and a half after the summer to come back with a recommendation. Mayor Humpage pointed out there was not much to review. Mayor Humpage summarized they had the time frame and they would select the chair at their first meeting. Mayor Humpage asked if they would have the Attorney at the Charter Review Committee meetings. He pointed out they needed someone there to guide them. Council Member Amero stated if they needed an Attorney for clarification, the Attorney should be there. Mayor Humpage stated the Attorney was always quizzed at the meetings when he was on the Charter Review Board. He thought four people could not figure it out by themselves. The Vice Mayor agreed and commented especially if there was a State Statute. Council Member Paterno asked if they would use the Village Attorney. Council Member Amero stated that was his question earlier. He repeated if they would use the Village appointed Attorney. Mayor Humpage suggested using the Village Attorney because he was doing what the Village needed done. He stated he would be professional. He suggested asking Attorney Skip Randolph if they did not want to use Attorney Hawkins; He felt they should use a firm they were familiar with. Vice Mayor Watkins pointed out Attorney Randolph could be at the meetings if he so chose. Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 10 Council Member Paterno stated they should specify to the firm that they wanted Attorney Randolph there. He pointed out this would prevent someone else to come who was not familiar with the Village. Council Member Amero stated it would be easier for Attorney Hawkins. He did not want him to feel like he was in the middle of this because he was not, in his opinion. He mentioned he did not want him to feel he was under any pressure. Mayor Humpage state they would like the firm to sit with the review board, if he did not feel comfortable, he could let Mr. Randolph do it; if he wanted to do it that was fine as well. Council Member Paterno asked if they would approve Committee members or would Council appoint them. Council Member Amero stated they would appoint them. Village Clerk McWilliams stated this was done by a resolution. Council Member Amero asked if the names were included. Village Clerk McWilliams stated they names were not done. She stated she would bring a resolution to the next Council Meeting stating they were appointing five residents, Council would appoint members, then she would attach the appointees. 6. Budget Discussion (Directionally Mayor Humpage stated his concern as well as everyone else's concern was what they were going to do about it in legislation. He mentioned he read articles but he did not know what the State would be doing. He stated the State would not be doing anything because they said the local government was spending too much. He commented that was funny because they just sent 40 people to Israel to see how trade was. He stated they knew they would suffer some consequences. He state they would have to make adjustments to these consequences. Vice Mayor Watkins mentioned the step plan and said none of that can happen unless residents by referendum choose to get rid of Save our Homes. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she would not make immediate comments saying they would cut anything in half. She stated they should take the time to look at the budget and see where they could cut taking into account the citizen surveys to see what was important to residents. She stated they needed to make a serious group effort. Council Member Amero thought they made a first big step with the Citizen Surveys. Mayor Humpage asked if he read any. Council Member Amero stated he did not. Mayor Humpage stated he went in and read about 50. Council Member Amero thought it would set a clear road for Council. He stated he read a survey, and people expected public service to be at the top. He commented it used to be, but it was not that way again; he asked if public service was on the top in the surveys. Mayor Humpage asked what he meant by public service. Council member Amero specified Police and Fire. Mayor Humpage stated it was pretty much at the top. Village Clerk McWilliams stated it was in the middle on the scale of 1 to 5. Mayor Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 11 Humpage stated he thought most were 4 and 5. Village Clerk McWilliams stated anywhere between 3 and 5. She stated there was very positive feedback. Village Manager Couzzo offered to provide the surveys to Council. Village Clerk McWilliams stated she would scan and e-mail them. Mayor Humpage stated Capital Improvement took the biggest pounding. Village Clerk McWilliams added Code Enforcement. Mayor Humpage specified this was directional,meaning they would not look at any particular departments or Staff. He stated they needed to determine the means and ways to reduce expenditures. Council Member Paterno mentioned they would be changing the way the County worked for example to change items such as encumbered. Mayor Humpage stated they did not have that many encumbered reserves to begin with. Council Member Paterno commented there was a difference betweens needs and wants. He asked what the needs were and what the wants were. He stated they supply services that some people want, and everyone had to pay for it. He asked if they should supply the needs and have a charge for services people wanted. Council Member Amero understood what Council Member Paterno was saying. He referred to a memo Village Manager Couzzo wrote to Council on March 30, 2007 which mentioned getting into the budget process. He stated there was a term Mr. Couzzo used in the memo, which was the established practice. He stated he has been against the established practice for 10 years. He felt each expense had to be justified instead of just adding 10% to 15%. He commented no one volunteers for a cut. He stated that was why people added to the budget; they knew they would lose some. He stated he was thinking of two things. He mentioned full cost of county. He explained it meant if Fire and police was at 65%, that 65% included everything, such as benefits. He commented he would like to see that this year. He stated the budget was not broken down. He stated it took a certified accountant to figure this out. He pointed out this needed to be looked at because 65% could really mean 75%. He asked what the real number would be; the total cost of the program. He pointed out, for example, if someone is given a 4% raise, what would the total cost be in the long term. Council Member Amero pointed out full cost of county meant all direct and indirect expenses relative to the department or program. He stated they needed to prioritize. He stated number one would be what they needed; number two would be what they would buy if they had more revenue; number three would be what they eliminate first if the revenue did not come in; and four what they would not buy. He commented those would be important to him, not knowing what will happen in Tallahassee. Council Member Paterno stated everything was on the table as far as the Village's options; however they could provide the best service to residents. He mentioned they added new employees to Public Works, and recalled they discussed outside contracts versus employees. He stated they should always keep that in mind. He stated maybe they should have outside contracts instead of employees. Mayor Humpage pointed out when they discussed the contracts versus the employees, Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 12 they decided hiring employees would cost less than contracts. Council Member Paterno asked if they accomplished what they thought. Mayor Humpage stated he was a proponent of Public Safety. He mentioned he went to Lake Park to pull a permit for a generator. There was a Sheriff s Deputy sitting at the front desk, and she answered the phone and a resident was on the line. Mayor Humpage stated the Sheriff informed the resident the car was in North Palm Beach backing up a Sheriff's Officer. Mayor Humpage asked the Sheriff's deputy if they got deputized. He stated they were. He concluded they ended up where everyone else ended up and now the Sheriff was having budget problems. He commented it was interesting he happened to be there when that call came in. He pointed out the Lake Park Police were no more, and the only car in town happened to be backing the deputy. He stated it was not life threatening but it would be a while until someone responded to her call. Mayor Humpage stated they needed to know if they could cut the budget. He stated best case scenario would be to maintain what it was. He stated he noticed in his conversations with residents when their taxes used to be $3,500, now they were $4,500. Mayor Humpage stated he always asked them if they knew how much of that was Tequesta's. He stated they would respond the Village received an increase of $1,000. Mayor Humpage stated when he shows them the tax budget, they are astounded how much the Village gets. Vice Mayor Watkins stated they needed to go through he budget process to see what the Village needed. She recalled she was in the Village on realtor business and a gentleman came into turn in the Citizen Survey. She stated it was a man whose parents were residents of Tequesta, and he was grateful his parents were living in Tequesta because it was the only municipally where the police check on his parents. Vice Mayor Watkins pointed out they needed to keep this in mind because people lived in Tequesta for a reason. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she was not saying they did not need to address their taxes but there was a useful level of service they would have a hard time accomplishing. Mayor Humpage stated the lowest score he saw on the surveys was Capital Improvements. Village Clerk McWilliams stated she read that 37% went to the School District, 34% went to the County, 16% went to the Municpality, and 9% went to the special districts. Council Member Paterno stated it was 27% in Tequesta because the taxes were higher. Mayor Humpage stated they received $270 dollars out of $1,000. Council Member Paterno stated in the past year and a year and a half, the different departments preferred getting more employees, and now they want the money. He felt there was a little double dipping. He stated that was his opinion, but he could be wrong. He stated he did not mind paying people more money, but they only had so much to spend; they could not do both. Village Manager Couzzo asked if it was the desire of Council to seek contracts for Police and Fire. Council Member Amero commented that was a whole new can of worms. Mr. Couzzo specified he wanted to understand clearly what Council wanted him to do. He mentioned if Council wanted to do that, it would be a lot of work. Council Member Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 13 Amero stated the contracts would mean doing the same as Belle Glade, Lake Park, and South Bay. He commented that was a lot of work. Village Manager Couzzo stated they would have to get with the Sheriff's department. Council Member Amero did not think they needed to address that issue right now. He stated they were negotiating contracts with Police and Fire already. He commented he was sure they read the newspaper over at Police and Fire, and they were aware of what was happening with legislation. He commented he was sure they were nervous. Council Member Paterno commented he was not against taking action if push came to shove. Mayor Humpage state he was. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she was as well. Mayor Humpage thought when Council Member Paterno saw the surveys he would understand. Vice Mayor Watkinn stated they have not reached the point to make any decisions. Mayor Humpage suggested Council direct Village Manager Couzzo to look at some of the contracts for the maintenance. Village Manager Couzzo stated they looked at it and the department recommend the employees do the maintenance and drop the contracts. Mayor Humpage asked if they could do that without adding staff. Council Member Amero asked if they could lose the cable franchise fees this year. Village Clerk McWilliams stated it was signed by the government. Council Member Amero asked if anyone knew how much they would be losing there. Mayor Humpage stated he did not know. Village Manager Couzzo didn't think it was a large amount. Council Member Paterno asked if they were getting something back from the state. Council member Amero did not know; he did not think so. Mayor Humpage commented they were on the short end of that stick. Village Clerk McWilliams stated they did that in Georgia. Mayor Humpage stated they could solicit more income by adding contracts on the radio towers. Council Member Amero stated traditionally departments gave as little as they could. He commented when it comes to budget time everyone is on the defensive. He did not think it was about cutting, it was about getting more for less. He never liked the way towns and municipalities budgeted. He explained they always budget based on anticipated revenues. He stated when he does his check book, he tries to spend less than what he gets. He stated they could not do that in their businesses and in their personal finances. He stated municipalities always wanted more police, more fire, more public works, more lights. He stated they could not continue to raise the tax. Mayor Humpage stated yes they could. He explained if they went to the citizens and said the millage rates will stay the same and the taxes will go up another $100 a month, or there were services and benefits they would have to do without, those citizens would say they would pay the $100. Council Member Amero pointed out it went back to what they needed, what they would buy if they had the additional revenue, and what they would eliminate first if they did not have the revenue. He thought that was what Council needed to figure out. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that is what is done in every budget. Council Member Amero asked if they had been doing this every budget every year. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 14 thought so. Council Member Amero stated he had never seen the Village prioritize anything in five years. Vice Mayor Watkins explained the department heads put items in order of priority. She thought over all that was the budget process. Council Member Amero stated he looked at it a little differently. He asked Mayor Humpage how he budgeted; if he spent more than he made. Mayor Humpage stated no, but he looked at the anticipated income and based on that he could estimate how many employees he could hire. He explained for example, the construction industry was cutting back so he knew the projection may be less. He stated he was making adjustments. He explained he would cut employees and hire someone who could do two employees' jobs. Mayor Humpage stated he did that but he needed to have a number to begin with. Council Member Amero stated that was the anticipated revenue. Council Member Paterno stated they gave services that caused them to miss out, for example, the Mutual Aid. He stated before the Fire used to charge for every truck sent out on a call, but now it was done for free. He suggested that could help pay for the Fire Department. Council Member Amero stated it used to be mutually beneficial, but now it was lopsided. He mentioned he went over it with Village Manager Couzzo and he felt they should look at increased revenue, because they were definitely on the losing side of that deal. Council Member Paterno suggested looking at any service they gave to nonresidents and keep the residents in mind. Mayor Humpage stated they had to meet a County standard in the mutual aid. Council Member Paterno stated mutual aid was when the municipality could not handle a call on its own. Mayor Humpage stated part of that mutual aid was the agreement which allowed the staffing levels to be appropriate for the municipality. Mayor Humpage explained a municipality had to have a mutual aid in place, or they would have to hire more fire fighters. Mayor Humpage thought Council Member Paterno had a valid point; if they could get more revenue that would be good. He mentioned the building on Seabrook Road would play into that mix, because they owned that building. He stated they renewed that lease and it would last until next July. Village Manager Couzzo stated they were looking into accelerating that process. Council Member Amero asked if they were looking at anything outside of fire and police. He asked if they were looking at contracts such as landscaping. Village Manager Couzzo stated yes, they do negotiate landscaping,'and had cut a lot from that contract. He stated they primarily do some areas of US One because it is a designated roadway, and for safety reasons. Council Member Turnquest suggested they could do Capital Improvements if they did not have to use tax dollars to fund it. Mayor Humpage asked if he meant grants. Council Member Turnquest stated not grants, but using the money of businesses who would voluntarily fund it. Mayor Humpage stated Community Development Director Catherine Harding had that down on US One. Village Manager Couzzo explained they were Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 15 working with the business owners to do landscaping on US One, which was a couple hundred thousand dollars. Community Development Director Harding specified it was over $200,000. Council Member Paterno stated Community Development Director Harding did a good job at getting business owners to help improve those areas. Council Member Turnquest stated there was a resident who commented that his tax dollars were being wasted on US One. He stated he had to tell the resident that it was not his tax dollars. He stated one of the Village employees got business owners to contribute. Council Member Paterno suggested they put up a sign which showed who the improvements were being sponsored by. He pointed out other people could see this and contribute as well. Mayor Humpage stated one of his clients was considering buying the Blockbuster plaza. He stated he wanted to put in $3,000,000. Mayor Humpage stated he asked what the Village could do for him, and he was to talk to him after the anniversary. Community Development Director Harding stated the arrangement was they would sponsor the improvement with no credit to anyone. She felt it worked much better than putting up a sponsorship sign. She commented there was a little more creativity and a little more joy when they knew it was a gift. Village Manager Couzzo stated they tried the same thing for Police and Fire, but people were not making donations. Mayor Humpage asked if there was anything else on the budget direction. Council Member Paterno asked for more information. He asked how much it cost every year for street lights. Mayor Humpage responded it cost to pay for light every month. Council Member Paterno asked what it would cost in the long run. Mayor Humpage stated he did not know the amount, but it was cheaper because they got the FP&L rate. Council Member Paterno stated they get the check whether the light is on or not. Mayor Humpage stated police reported the lights that were not working. Mayor Humpage stated they would look into it. Council Member Paterno stated yes, because they could over look it and there might be an associated cost. Mayor Humpage stated it would be a good idea to get the surveys for the next workshop. He asked if Village Clerk McWilliams could give Council Members the surveys she already had. Village Clerk McWilliams suggested scanning and e-mailing them to Council. Mayor Humpage encouraged Council Members to go and sit down to review the surveys. 7• EAR Discussion Mayor Humpage asked who requested this item to be on the Workshop agenda. Village Manager Couzzo thought it was discussed at a Council Meeting. Community Development Director Harding referred to the public hearing. She explained the EAR report was an evaluation and appraisal of the current comprehensive plan. She stated the current plan was 10 years old. She stated the purpose was to review it piece by piece, dissect it, and decide to make changes or continue with it. She referred to the Community Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 16 Development recommendations at the end of the sections. Ms. Harding explained this report was transmitted to the Department of Community Affairs and they had 60 days to return an approval, or recommendations and an approval. She stated the Village was 99% built out and it was unlikely they would come back to make changes. She stated they had no land to add affordable housing, and some of the things the state was interested in such as park systems, water conservation, and ecology were not going to happen. She stated they could improve what they did, for example, improve the acquifer, to not waste water and to clear the Loxahatchee River. She stated they do this everyday. She mentioned when they issue a building permit, they check for flood elevations. She stated they were complying by doing what they did everyday. She mentioned they maintained the right of way to carry storm water away from the roads and houses and into a containment area. She stated all those things were the lifeblood of the comprehensive plan. Vice Mayor Watkins asked if they were required to do this. Ms. Harding stated every 5 years the EAR report was required. She specified this was the second EAR Report that they have done. She state they had 18 months to 2 years to create a new Comprehensive Plan. She stated they would fine tune what they have been doing, or change it. She thought it was strange that they said the Village should encourage homeowners to get flood insurance. Community Development Director Harding did not think it was their role to encourage residents to get flood insurance because that was a cost to them. She stated they might not need it if they did not have a mortgage. She stated the only ones to benefit, would be the insurance companies. She stated that was one thing they would look into. She stated they would have a form residents could fill out with the EAR Report. She stated they would collect the comments made on the form. Council Member Amero referred to page ten at the bottom where it said cost benefit analysis have been prepared for each of the potential annexation areas for presentation to the respective neighborhood groups and for the Village Council consideration, and asked if this was something they had now and would be ready if Council would be aggressively annexing property. Community Development Director Harding stated they have annexed property, and they had just annexed the American Legion. She did not think it cost them much. She state the real paper cost was not significant but they had to analyze if they wanted to do it, and ask questions such as what would it cost, would they contribute taxes, would there be a deficit, or would they contribute a service. Council Member Amero asked if they had anything updated on this. Community Development Director Harding stated no, because annexation had been on the backburner for a while. Mayor Humpage stated when they did an annexation, they did a cost analysis. Village Manager Couzzo stated they also did it on the unincorporated pockets. Community Development Director Harding stated the report was in past tense, and if they did new annexations they would do a study like this. Council Member Amero referred to the last sentence on page 30 and asked if open space was 30% or 35%. Community Development Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 17 Harding stated they had 1 % vacant land. Council Member Amero stated it said it was recommended. Community Development Director Harding stated the language was the exact text of the current comprehensive plan with the little evaluation of it. She explained the Linear Park was railroad property, and it was leased to the Village for 100 years. She explained they turned it into a Linear Park and by doing that they increased the open space for park recreational area for the future comprehensive plan. Mayor Humpage stated they needed to look at the one on Riverside Drive. Community Development Director Harding advised there were a number of areas such as a number of road rights of way which were never developed into a road. She explained there was one along Tequesta Drive. She stated they would make a recommendation for pocket parks. Council Member Paterno pointed out there was one on Bayview Terrace, and he understood one of the neighbors was cutting the grass. Community Development Director Harding state the park had been added to the open space. She informed Council that if they owned the land, it was designated as open space. Ms. Harding stated they had some areas which were fairly big, and those had been put in future open space. She stated they were trying to get a better picture of green and open space. Council Member Amero referred to policy 1.8.2 on page 35. He stated it said the Village shall work towards providing a linkage between existing residential and non- residential. He commented that was good; it was good to have that policy, but when he looked at page 36 it said the Village must realize the cost of completing this system would be the primary responsibility of the Village. He asked if there was a plan with the cost of completing this. Ms. Harding stated no; she knew when they developed the Linear Park, that was a walking and bike path. She stated propane tanks were leased from the County and they interfere with it. She stated one of their goals was to take those paths and go past the propane tanks and straight into the park system. She stated they could also cross Tequesta Drive into the Linear Park area and develop that. She explained Casa Del Sol had a hold on their property and in the planning process they did not connect to the commercial as they were supposed to. She recalled Village Council voted to open the wall between the properties of Atlantis and Casa Del Sol; and now they had a bike path from them, crossing over the new Atlantis project, leading into the County Line Plaza. She stated they would try to link the walking and bike paths between developments. Mayor Humpage mentioned Gary Preston, former Public Works and Recreation Director, set up the plan and the last section had been implemented on Tequesta Gardens to Dover. He mentioned with the paths, they would need new lights. He stated they had a plan. He commented it would be interesting to see what happened with the surveys. Ms. Harding stated it would not cost anything, if they worked with the developers who could include it in the scope of the developments. Ms. Harding stated they could do a lot of it with developers. Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 18 Council Member Paterno mentioned the flood insurance on page 77. He asked about the CRS. Ms. Harding stated they were looking into that and they were changing direction. She stated they were trying to reopen that program. She stated by October 1, they should be back on board. She stated they did not have the staff to keep up. Shereferred to the co- ordinator's manual published in 2006, and explained it was the instructions for what they do in their department. She commented it had be known, and there were a lot of things involved. She stated CRS had meetings and she could not attend the last two, but the building inspector attended. She stated she had a report with the ratings of the other municipalities. She thought Council would be surprised to see what the other municpalities got. She gave the report to Council for their information. She stated only Palm Beach County had the staff to run numbers. She stated they were not looking at any great interest in the program by the communities. She stated if they looked at the rating, there was one five and one or two sixes among the ratings, which showed it was not for nothing. They stated they needed to look at how they would make sense of it. Council Member Amero stated he understood that. He stated they were mandated by the Comprehesive Plan to do this, so it would have to be a decision of the Village Council to do this. He stated he had a problem with the fact that Village Manager Couzzo made a decision which should have been made by Council. He stated he did not know if it was worth doing or not, they would have to discuss that. Vice Mayor Watkins stated the way she understood it was that Jeff Newell, former Community Development Director, did not want to do it. Council member Amero stated it was their decision. Ms. Harding stated she understood. Council Member Paterno asked if there was anything in it that they were supposed to be doing that they were not doing. Mayor Humpage stated they would find out when the State reviews it. Council Member Paterno stated there might be some information they might not be sending them. He mentioned the CRS. Ms. Harding recalled when she started Mr. Newell had not kept any records, and the last record was from 2004. She stated they had had a full time planner who did this, and he decided she would do the planning. She stated it was not done from 2004, and she thought Mr. Newell did not want to do it, and he made that recommendation. She stated when it came to her to use documentation to support the Village's rating, the work was not there to document it. She stated there was nothing to compile to prove the rating. Mayor Humpage commented it seemed government burdened itself, which caused them to burden the Village. He stated he spoke to the insurance agent about the flood insurance. He commented it was interesting that the burden did not assist the Village in any way. Ms. Harding stated it was not the law. Mayor Humpage stated the Village received nothing from FEMA. He stated they were burdened. He was happy to hear that they were taking another look at it to make simpler modification. He stated it would be interesting to see if they would come back at an eight. Vice Mayor Watkins stated they would have to evaluate if it was worth it. Council Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 19 Member Amero state they would have to put it to a vote at a Council Meeting and if they agreed they could amend the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Humpage stated he wanted to see if FEMA could simplify its bureaucracy. Council Member Amero asked about the people it affects. He stated he had heard up to 900 people. Mayor Humpage stated 678 people got 37 and 229 got 51 out of 7,000 and they all lived on water. Council Member Paterno stated they were households, and there were only 2,500 houses in Tequesta. Ms. Harding stated there were 1,337 flood policies in Tequesta, and there were more than that in houses. Council Member Amero stated based on Council Member Paterno's estimate of households that was substantial; it was almost 50% who have flood insurance policies. Ms. Harding summarized 678 policies get 37. She stated she was originally told it was 23 because it was 23 or 37 but they used 37. She listed 229 policies get five percent and 430 had no deduction at all. She stated she would have to get an update on this. She recalled Council Member Paterno mentioned at the last meeting that he got a deduction of 150. Council Member Paterno stated 15%. He specified the highest number was 10. Ms. Harding stated 10 meant no program. She stated their goal would be to see what FEMA does with the Village by October 1. Ms. Harding specified they could see what kind of savings it would be and what it took to maintain an eight or a nine. She suggested they not panic and see where it led them. Council Member Amero asked Ms. Harding if it was in the Comprehensive plan if they were required to do it. She explained the comprehensive plan was their goal. She stated it was an evaluation of goals which helped them to determine if they needed any changes; that was why they did it every five years to reevaluate, because things might change. She stated they looked at it to decide what they wanted to change. She explained it was not written in stone. She stated instructions of the Council to Staff, was policy, but it was not law they were in violation of if they did not. Council Member Paterno stated he noticed Juno Beach was a five, he asked why he could not keep it at an eight. Ms. Harding stated it depended on the physical circumstances and if they had a comprehensive plan. She stated if they had a consultant and if they wanted to pay them more money than they could get back, they could keep this up, it was a question of whether the cost was reasonable. She recommended they see what the differences in staff between communities were. She stated they needed a lot of the standards as far as elevation certificates supplied, to ensure that no one built below flood line, which was why the programs were put in place. She stated they had their rights of way which carried water to storage areas .She explained Code Enforcement maintained those rights of ways. She stated they have to ensure no one built a curvature in the driveway, or planted trees in the drainage. She commented she did not know how the former employee compiled all that. Mayor Humpage stated that was her job. Ms. Harding stated her salary was what they saved. Mayor Humpage hoped FEMA would be kinder. He mentioned Damien, who worked at the Village in the past and who also did that. Council Member Amero cautioned they could not pick and choose what policies they followed whether it was the employee manual or the Comprehensive Plan. He pointed out Village of Tequesta Workshop May 29, 2007 Page 20 when they did the Comprehensive Plan, it was agreed they would follow the policy until it was changed. 8• Adjournment MOTION: Council Member Amero moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:01 p. m.; Vice Mayor Watkins seconded the motion; motion passed 4-0. Respectfully submitted ~~ Lori McWilliams Village Clerk