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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_02/08/2011 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES February 8, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 5:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice -Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Jim Humpage, Council Member Vince Arena and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Council Member Tumquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 1. Continued Discussion on the Rehabilitation Facility Language (continued discussion from 1125111 Special Meeting) Mayor Watkins noted additional language and a letter from the applicant was received. The Manager mentioned the Ordinance language had been updated on February 4, 2011 reference detox language. Council Member Humpage mentioned the biggest issue was the detox language and understood the current language was now acceptable to GMH. He questioned why GMH wanted to add the behavioral health treatment language. Mr. Larry Smith, GMH attorney, understood this was a text amendment and not GMH approval. He explained he planned to request a continuance during the next Council Meeting. He further noted the Executive Director suggested the behavioral health language component and wanted him to explain the purpose. Dr. Tim Worden, clinical psychologist and Executive Director of Futures Wellness and Recovery Center, explained Mr. Gary Holloway wanted to create this program in order to give back to society in addition to creating a profit. He stated the facility would provide impeccable high -end service and that he would only become involved if a health and awareness program was created. He explained their clients were involved with behaviors that prevented them from obtaining a high level quality of life. Mr. Holloway wanted to create a behavioral and health or health and wellness cutting edge program. He noted the proposed language provided a broader offering than just an alcohol awareness program. Iii Special Council Meeting Minutes — February 8, 2011 Page 2 Vice -Mayor Paterno asked why the behavioral health treatment wording was necessary and Dr. Worden stated the treatment would assist a person in stopping their problematic behavior and referred to it as health psychology. He believed a person's motivation level was a means of succeeding; thereby creating a behavioral health program as a science. Vice -Mayor Paterno asked about dual diagnostic and Dr. Worden stated substance abuse problems could have underlying mental health issues and when part of substance abuse it should be treated. Vice -Mayor Paterno asked if the facility would primarily serve Village residents and Dr. Worden stated they would take clients from a variety of areas. Vice -Mayor Paterno inquired on how they planned to serve the community and noted it did not sound like it was going to do much for or be a good fit for the area. He stated the use must be designed to serve the residents of the Village. Dr. Worden stated the facility would be an innovative behavioral health program that would assist anybody; and would offer weekend interventions for smoking and food disorders. Vice -Mayor Paterno clarified for Dr. Worden that the program was required to be a 30-day residential program; Dr. Worden explained they would sponsor conferences at local hotels to offer the additional interventions. Vice -Mayor Paterno noted his interpretation was that they did not meet the requirements of the Mixed Use (MU) District. Council Member Turnquest believed Council was jumping ahead and relayed the current conversation should be left to deciding how the rehab facility would be allowed in MU. Vice -Mayor Paterno advised the MU zoning district was only to have certain types of businesses that served the area residents and reiterated he believed it did not meet the current zoning and would not be in the best interest of the community. Mayor Watkins confirmed Council's task was to deal with the language and further noted the language proposed in January was a result of the citizen comments during that special meeting. She pointed out the new proposed language definition did not include emergency or detox language and asked Council to review the language as proposed by staff and determine if it was adequate or if it needed further review. Council Member Turnquest believed the definition in 78-4 (1) was too narrowly defined and did not like the language. Attorney Davis reminded Council to author the Ordinance and leave little room for interpretation - specifically state what would be allowed — be precise and not subject to interpretation. Special Council Meeting Minutes — February 8, 2011 Page 3 Mayor Watkins believed the language was narrow enough that if another applicant obtained the property they would know what they could and could not build. Attorney Davis mentioned a rehab facility applicant would be required to go through the special exception process; and once a special exception use was approved, it would continue to run for a new property owner or come back to Council for a different use. There would be no surprises if it changed hands. Council Member Tumquest stated he was fine with the rehab care definition if that that was the case. Vice -Mayor Paterno questioned if this was the face Council wanted to put on the community and reiterated it was not right for the MU District and did not want to change the complexion of the community for a rehab facility. Council Member Tumquest agreed - trying to give a different view on it and believed Vice -Mayor Paterno was right and that sometimes Council went too far with projects and it was hard to pull back. He did not believe a decision needed to be made right now and requested more time to complete additional research and consult with physicians. He concurred it needed to be appropriate for the culture and lifestyles of the community. Mayor Watkins agreed it was never beneficial to rush and wished to slow down and regroup. Council Member Arena stated he had not received a lot of negative feedback regarding a rehab center, however was happy to allow additional time for further review, and was pleased the detox element was removed from the language. Council Member Humpage pointed out the MU was a fairly new zoning district to the Village and was pleased with efforts of the Village staff and GMH. He felt relatively comfortable with the Village language and stated behavioral language wording just implied trying to change ones behavior. Attorney Davis stated he would like to define behavioral health treatment more thoroughly and Mayor Watkins had questions about the behavioral health treatment aspect, but liked the second proposed language by GMH. Council Member Humpage stated he liked the word "wellness." MOTION: Vice -Mayor Patemo moved to postpone the second reading of the Ordinance until March 10, but still allow residents to speak on the issue at the February Council meeting if desired. I II Special Council Meeting Minutes — February 8, 2011 Page 4 Attorney Davis opined the item should be postponed during the February Council meeting since it had already advertised. The motion to postpone failed for lack of a second. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:53 p.m., seconded by Vice -Mayor Paterno; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Re submitted, Lori McWilliams, MMC, Village Clerk Note These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.