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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/04/2007MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Humpage at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Tom Paterno, and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. Council Member Dan Amero was absent from the meeting. Ordinance 617-06/07 -First Reading An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach county, Florida, providing for levying a millage rate of 5.7671 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation, 9% less than the rolled-back millage rate of 6.3375% per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation for the fiscal year 2007/2008, and providing an effective date (second reading 9/11/07). Mayor Humpage read Ordinance 617 into the record. Mayor Humpage declared the public hearing open. Council Comments: Council Member Turnquest commented rolling the millage rate and giving residents an additional 9% savings was good and commendable. Council Member Paterno had no comments. Vice Mayor Watkins thanked the Village Manager and staff for bringing a budget at the roll back rate minus the 9%, which she knew was not an easy task, and expressed her appreciation for the great effort, determination, and professionalism. Mayor Humpage echoed Vice Mayor Watkins' comments and thanked his fellow Council Members. There were no comments from the public. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Humpage declared the public hearing closed. MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved approval of Ordinance 617-06/07 on first reading by title only. Council Member Turnquest seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. Ordinance 618-06/07 -First Reading An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, providing for the adoption of the budgets for the 2007/2008 fiscal year . commencing October 1, 2007 (second reading 9/11/07) Minutes -Village Council Special Meeting 9/4/07 Page 2 Mayor Humpage read Ordinance 618 into the record. The Mayor declared the public hearing • open, and then explained the budget process. Council Comments: Vice Mayor Watkins thanked Council for two constructive budget workshops; current budget revenues had been exceeded within 5%, providing Tequesta with the level of service expected by the residents, and the budget reflected that the Village was fiscally responsible. Council Member Paterno commented he was glad to see the budget reduced by approximately 4.5%; he hoped the Village would live within their means and keep expenditure growth at CPI or below. Council Member Paterno thanked everyone involved in preparation of the budget. Council Member Turnquest advised this had been the most difficult budget he had worked on, and thanked the Department Heads for doing a phenomenal job, noting that even with the cut backs the level of service would remain at high standards. This budget would let residents know the Village was being responsible with their monies and they would continue to try to be fiscally responsible. Mayor Humpage echoed Council comments, and noted he received questions on why Council couldn't save these funds in the past and mentioned capital projects. This budget had been achieved with apay-as-you go attitude and due diligence of Council, and maintained the same quality of service. The Mayor noted some staff members were doing double time and he appreciated that as well. Public Comments: Mr. William Verhooven, 18966 Point Drive, asked how far the Village was from Palm Beach County's tax rate. The Mayor stated the Village did not deal with county issues and the budget here was a separate entity. Council Member Paterno estimated the Village was approximately a • mil and a half above the county. Mr. Verhooven advised people were complaining that the Village taxes were too high, and asked about unincorporated areas. The Mayor responded that when annexation of unincorporated areas was considered, an analysis of the property needed to be done to be accurate, and although he believed it would cost more to live in the Village, he also believed the services provided would justify this cost. In response to Mr. Verhooven's question if someone down the street from him were in the county who would respond in an emergency, Mayor Humpage explained there were municipal aide agreements, but if that resident called 911, the Sheriff's office would respond. There was a county fire station on Seabrook Road, but the contract was up in July; in case someone had a heart attack late at night and the county couldn't respond, the Mayor felt our people could respond under mutual aid and the Village would be reimbursed for transportation; and the language was being worked out. Also, there was discussion regarding annexation. Hearing no further comments from the public, Mayor Humpage declared the public hearing closed. MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved approval of Ordinance 618-06/07 on first reading by title only. Council Member Turnquest seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. • 2 Minutes -Village Council Special Meeting 9/4/07 Page 3 Resolution 70-06/07 • A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, adopting the Refuse, Recycling, and Yard Waste Collection Rates for Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2008 and authorizing transmittal of the applicable Non Ad Valorem Assessment rates for all residential properties in the Village to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and/or Tax Collector for Non Ad Valorem Assessment purposes. MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins made a motion to discuss Resolution 70-06/07. Council Member Turnquest seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. Vice Mayor Watkins complimented the Village Manager for negotiating savings to the residents on their bills and removing franchise fees. Council Member Turnquest also commended the Manager for negotiating the rates, and expressed his opinion the Village ended up on the good side. Council Member Paterno asked how much garbage service would be under this resolution, to which the Village Manager responded $10.92 monthly for residential--$131.04 for 12 months. Council Member Paterno commented that was a great thing, eliminating a tax which was a franchise tax-this would save the community about $17,000. This was a great agreement; surrounding communities were paying $12.25 monthly. Village Manager Couzzo advised the Jupiter contract was $11.00 with an escalator to over $11.30; Tequesta would be at $10.92; Martin County was at $13.25. The Mayor commented Tequesta was the lowest in the area; Council Member Turnquest complimented the Manager on a good job. MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins made a motion to approve Resolution 70-06/07. Council Member Turnquest seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. Adjournment Upon motion by Vice Mayor Watkins, seconded by Council Member Paterno, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Q~.L ~ ~~ (.Q.Li. La/ra Lori McWilliams, CMC Village Clerk • 3