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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_03/22/2007• MINUTES VII.LAGE COUNCII. SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2007 TEQUESTA VILLAGE HALL 345 TEQUESTA DRIVE 7:00 P.M. I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Humpage at 7:02 p.m. A roll was taken by Recording Secretary Sharifa Tharpe. Present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Tam Paterno, Council Member Pat Watkins, Council Member Daniel Amero, and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Attorney Stirling Halversen, Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Recording Secretary Sharifa Tharpe, and Department Heads. II. Presentation of Colors by Tequesta Honor Guard III. Pledge of Allegiance • Mayor Humpage led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag IV. Invocation Reverend Paul Beresford gave the Invocation V. Council Oaths of Office Village Manager Couzzo performed the Oaths of Office to: Seat 1-Daniel Amero Seat 2- Patricia Watkins Seat 3- Thomas Paterno Seat S- Calvin Turnquest VI. Remarks of Incoming Council Members • Seat 1-Dan Amero Council Member Amero expressed he was proud to take the oath. He commented the town has been through some terrible times in the past year, it was great to be here and he was looking forward to the opportunities, and the challenges that would face Council in the next year. He thanked the other candidates, and commented they all ran honorable campaigns, and everyone was a winner as far as he was concerned. He stated he looked forward to working with staff and department heads. He thought there would be some • challenging times ahead, but if they rolled up their sleeves, and worked together they could address some of the problems in a quick fashion. Minutes -Village Council Special Meeting 3/22107 Page 2 • Council Member Amero thanked Renee Tolbert for running his campaign. He pointed out without her, he would not be up here. He also thanked her husband John Tolbert, and other friends who made it possible. He mentioned he received the majority of the votes, which was a good thing; and he intended to earn the confidence and the respect of those who did not vote for him. He stated he believed in a government which was accountable, and responsible and he wanted to reflect that. He stated he intended to do an honorable job. He pointed out he was sure most Village residents paid for good government, and it was important to watch the tax dollars. He commented Council should listen and respond to Village residents' needs, and noted his number was in the phone book. He mentioned they could also get his mobile number. He stated he would listen and respond the best he could. He commented some times, it might not be the best response they expect, but he would respond. Council Member Amero stated he was up late watching a Forum on Florida's Economic Future where it was mentioned that spending in Florida was up by 83% in the last 5 ~~~,,,,~~,, years, while personal income rose by 37%. He stated he did not think that was right, and a~o~ government needed to stop, and take a good hard look at what they were doing. He `~~ thanked Village residents for voting for him, and stated he would do the best he could. ~ Seat 2 -Patricia Watkins Council Member Watkins thanked Village residents for their support, and the opportunity • to serve again for another term on the Village Council. She stated she has enjoyed the last two terms, and it was a pleasure to take the oath. She thanked the candidates who took the time to run, because it was not an easy job. She expressed her appreciation for their hard work. She welcomed the newly elected Council Members, and re-elected Council Member Paterno. She expressed she was pleased to see a full Council, and felt that was the best way they could serve the Village. She looked forward to moving forward as a collective body to do the best for the Village of Tequesta • Seat 4 -Thomas Paterno Vice Mayor Paterno stated his fellow Council Members had expressed a lot of what he wanted to say, so he would just add a little to that. He expressed it was an honor to serve with his fellow Council Members. He stated he was glad he moved to the Village of Tequesta, because it was a paradise to him and he would do whatever he could to maintain that quality of life. He mentioned he knew people who have been living in the Village for 2 years to 40 years; and pointed out they all moved to the Village for a reason; and that was because of the people here. He stated he would do whatever he could for everyone. Vice Mayor Paterno thanked all voters; thane who voted for Mr. Steve Okun; those who voted for Mr. Vince Arena; and those who voted for him; because it showed a spirit in the community. He pointed out his door was open, his phone number was in the phone book, and he was available to answer any questions Village residents had. He commented he • would give very frank answers. He mentioned during his campaign, every time he knocked on a door, or spoke to someone, he Learned something new. He hoped that would 2 Minutes -Village Council Special Meeting 3/22/07 Page 3 • make him a better Council Member, and that they would continue to give him advice because that was important to him. He thanked Village residents for their votes. + Seat 5 -Calvin Turnquest Council Member Turnquest thanked Village residents for coming out tonight, as well as, voting in the past election season. He commented the greatest honor which could bestow a man was to be a servant to his country, and his people. He stated Council was here to serve the residents. He pointed out Council was the Village's voice; and Council, as well as, Village residents made up all of Tequesta. He expressed it was his hope that the Village Council had the patience, and the wisdom to serve the Village with dignity, honor, and respect. He stated that was his desire, his wish, and his goal. VIL Village Council Reorganization Election of Officers for the following year: a. Mayor Mayor Humpage asked if there were any nominations. Council Member Watkins nominated Mayor Humpage for Mayor. Mayor Humpage accepted the nomination. Council Member Amero nominated Council Member Watkins. Mayor Humpage stated according to the sunshine laws they would vote by a show of hands. • Mayor Humpage asked if there were any other nominations; there being none, the Mayor closed nominations. V TE: Council voted by a show of hands for nominees Mayor Humpage and Council Member Pat Watkins; Mayor Humpage announced he would continue another term as Mayor by a majority vote of 3-2. VOTES FOR MAYOR HUMAPGE Mayor Humpage Council Member Watkins Council Member Turnquest • VOTESFOR COUNCIL 1~IEMBER WATKINS Vice Mayor Paterno Council Member Amero Council Member Watkins stated she was thankful for the nomination, but felt Mayor Humpage worked hard, especially with the 50~' Anniversary coming up. Mayor Humpage commented Council Member Watkins just did not want to do the parade. Council Member Watkins expressed she appreciated the nomination. Minutes -Village Council Special Meeting 3/22/0'7 Page 4 • b. Vice Mayor Mayor Humpage asked if there were any nominations for Vice Mayor. Council Member Turnquest nominated Council Member Pat Watkins. Vice Mayor Paterno nominated Council Member Daniel Amero. Mayor Humpage asked if there were any other nominations; there being none, the Mayor closed nominations. VOTE: Council voted by a show of hands for nominees Council Member Pat Watkins and Council Member Daniel Amero; Mayor Humpage announced Council Member Watkins would serve as Vice Mayor by a majority vote of 4-1. VOTES FOR COUNCIL MEMBER WATKINS Mayor Humpage Council Member Watkins Council Member Amero • Council Member Calvin Turnquest VOTES FOR COUNCIL MEMBER AMERO Vice Mayor Paterno Council Member Amero thanked Council Member Paterno for the nomination. He stated he was new, and had a whale year of learning; but he appreciated the vote of confidence. Mayor Humpage pointed out Council Member Amero had some experience in government, which made him an asset to the Village. Mayor Humpage stated Council Member Turnquest was also a great choice. He stated he got to know Council Member Turnquest from the time he went out and got the wrong voters. He mentioned some of the Village residents had something in common with him as well, and they knew who he was. VIII. Communications from Citizens- None IX. Communications from Council • Mayor Humpage expressed he was delighted to see this many residents, and wanted to see this occur each time there was a Council Meeting. He mentioned they would be having workshops coming up, and it would be nice for them to attend because they could see haw Council dealt with issues, and see why they do what they do. He stated as the Village Council, they were the Village's voice, and they needed to hear from all Village residents. He mentioned they now had five Council Members, and asked that Village residents contact them. He encouraged everyone to come to the meetings. He commented if they were bored, they should bring a sign saying they were bored, and 4 Minutes -Village Cauncil Special Meeting 3122/07 Page 5 • Council would move it along. He hoped residents would stop and chat with Council after the meeting. X. Adjournment MOTION: Council Member Amero moved to adjourn the meeting; Vice Mayor Watkins seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. Therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p, m. Respectfully ,Stebmitted Sharifa Tharpe off ce Assistant • 5