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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/29/2005• MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Village of Tequesta Village Council held a Village Council Workshop meeting at the Tequesta Recreation Center, 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida, on Tuesday, November 29, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Mayor Humpage. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. The following elected officials were present: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council member Geraldine Genco, and Council member Tom Paterno. Also in attendance were Village Manager Michael R Couzzo, Jr., and Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. II. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION: ice Mayor Watkins moved approval of the agenda as submitted Council member Paterno seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. • III. DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Mayor Humpage announced that the discussion would follow the backup materials. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that she was pazticulazly interested in looking at salaries, which had been mentioned at the last Council meeting. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that a lot was continually asked of staff, and she wanted to be sure that the people who were needed could be kept, with job descriptions provided for their jobs, and to be sure the salazies were competitive. Mayor Humpage noted that the salary study should include Stuart and Martin County as well as south county. Council member Paterno commented that from the new employees coming into the pension plan, one was from Stuazt, one from Port St. Lucie, and the rest had been from Jupiter or Tequesta, which was good to see. Mayor Humpage expressed concern that the biggest problem faced by employees in this area was housing costs. Council member Genco commented that was being addressed by the Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, and Tequesta had opted to drop out of that, and the Chamber had been looking at trade-offs, encouragement, and grant money, and she did not know the current status of that. Mayor Humpage commented that Jupiter was also looking at workplace housing by Lennar Homes. Council member Genco commented the salary survey would be looking into everything, and expressed her opinion that the objective should be to stay in the top of the third quartile rather than to be at the very top. Council member Genco commented the Village probably had one of the best working environments of any mumcipahty except maybe for Jupiter MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 2 Island. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that it would be interesting to see what the survey showed, and it was her opinion that the Village had some very good people they could not afford to lose. Council member Genco advised she had gone through the study done for Jupiter Island, and of the six random salaries she had reviewed, the Village was right there. Council member Paterno commented that it might be difficult to put people into categories because they might be doing more duties than for one specific job. Council member Genco commented that since 2000, 110% had been added onto personnel, and there were 113 employees if part time personnel were included. Village Manager Couzzo commented there were not quite that many; some were seasonal. Council member Genco commented there were now 113 and there had been only 55 and 3 when she started here at the beginning of 2000, and an employee census had been done at that time. Vice Mayor Watkins commented she would like to see that study. Village Manager Couzzo indicated that the salary study would be tracked from 2000. Council member Paterno commented if there were really that many, he was curious to know what positions were added. Discussion ensued. Council member Genco stated she had all the information at home. The Village Manager advised that in 2000 to 2002, there had been no Recreation personnel, so that would be the biggest percentage jump. Council member Genco commented the population had not quite doubled so she would have expected staff to increase, and property values had probably gone up about 35%, because you could only count resales, and the only newly developed property that was on the tax rolls in past years was Tequesta Oaks. Vice Mayor Watkins commented the prior study and the budget were good tools to have. Mayor Humpage noted he had not mentioned health insurance and that needed to be incorporated with salary and benefits in the next budget, and items such as changes in benefits, cafeteria, and changes in deductibles had been discussed. Council member Genco expressed her opinion the cafeteria plan was the fairest because everyone got equal benefit, and people who did not use the benefit got the money. Mayor Humpage commented because of the collective bargaining, the information was needed right away in order to educate those who would be recipients, to counter the initial reaction that they did not want any change. Council member Genco asked if Mr. Gallagher could come up with three types of cost-effective plans and distribute information to the employees and have someone come out at different periods of time to educate them. Mayor Humpage responded that the Council needed to decide on the plans first. Council member Genco clarified that she would like Mr. Gallagher to do some cost-benefit analyses and come up with three, and then the idea would be to take those three plans and educate the employees on them, and at some point in time take a survey as to what they would like to do. One of them could end up being reducing the • amount of co-payments, or increasing the amount of co-payments. Vice Mayor Watkins asked about the time line of doing this as far as the Village Manager's negotiations, to which the Village Manager responded that the union contracts MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 3 were up for negotiation this year, and it was not possible to get a handle on health insurance numbers until really late, and October was the deadline. Village Manager Couzzo agreed with Mayor Humpage that it would be beneficial to talk about the options and have a little more direction from the Council based on initial information before going to the employees. Council member Paterno agreed the Council needed to figure it out first, since there were economics involved. Council member Paterno commented if it were him he would choose what was most beneficial to him and not necessarily most beneficial for the Village, and possibly the Council could come together with alternatives. Council member Paterno commented he had a little different perspective on kids, and did not feel he should get a deduction on his taxes for his kids since he chose to have them, and since that was his responsibility it should not take away from someone who did not have kids, and maybe there was a way to do it so that people with a family could get into the cafeteria plan since it might work better for them, while others might want something else. Council member Paterno suggested getting it down to two choices, one for people with kids and one for those without kids, and after the kids were grown then they could switch to a different program. Council member Genco commented that was what a cafeteria plan would do. Council member Paterno expressed his opinion that in getting the information out too early, the union would start finding everything they did not like about it which could work against it. Council member Genco suggested the following timetable: since the union contract had to be signed in October, to make a target that by May the Council would have selected the options, and by June the education process would start. Village Manager Couzzo cautioned that the health insurance numbers would not be available, but the agent could give information regarding the trend. Mayor Humpage noted that last yeaz, in a couple of areas in the different offerings there had been a $40,000 to $50,000 difference. Council member Genco commented it was a problem when there was an agent of record because they locked out other companies from providing a competitive rate, and to be careful this yeaz to follow a process that would allow competitive rates. Consensus of Council was to set a target date of May for Council to make a decision, and June to educate the employees. On his goals, Council member Paterno commented that his numbers on reducing truck traffic on Country Club Drive went along with Council member Resnik's, and now with the bridge the through trucks really needed to be managed. Vice Mayor Watkins commented the lower speed limit might do that. The Vice Mayor commented the Council members were supposed to be giving goals and objectives to the Manager, and should not give a goal that could not be attained or a method to do it implemented, and asked what he would expect the Manager to do to reduce truck traffic by 50%--was that an achievable goal? Council member • Paterno suggested since 45% of the truck traffic came from Turtle Creek, to open a second access on the other side of Turtle Creek to eliminate that truck traffic from coming through Tequesta. It could be made less convenient for trucks to MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 4 come through. The truck permit system was now one permit for Rinkers for $200 no matter how many trucks they had, and Council member Paterno suggested maybe it should be $1,000 for every truck they had, which might be the incentive for Turtle Creek to open a back truck access. Vice Mayor Watkins commented the Manager would be held accountable for achieving, and if this goal was set and Martin County did not cooperate, would that be the Manager's fault? Council member Paterno commented he was here to compromise, and maybe the numbers could be reduced. Vice Mayor Watkins commented she understood the problem . but was concerned about the accountability, that it might be something not within the Manager's power. Mayor Humpage commented there would be a track record of the Manager's efforts. Council member Paterno commented it might be only 20% accomplished, but people might be happy with that. Council member Genco suggested there were two types of goals-one was administrative, where the Manager would have total control over implementation, monitoring, budget, and on Council member Patemo's list goals 2, 3, 7, and 8 were under his total control. The other goals were personal goals that a Council member wanted to promote because they felt that was best for the Village as a whole or it benefited a specific area of the Village. Council member Genco commented that Council member Paterno mentioned that when looking at what the Manager did that a portion of his pay was based on him achieving the administrative functions over which he had total control, and the smaller portion should be based on his meeting the individual goals the members would like to see promoted in areas where they would like to see improvement. Council member Genco suggested a roundabout in the huge easement in front of Turtle Creek that big trucks could not get around, and noted she had suggested this four or five times in the past. The poor condition of the bridge was discussed. Council member Genco reported she had seen large trucks using the bridge. The Village Manager responded the speed limit sign had been changed but the truck tonnage sign had not yet been changed; if that did not work then one option was to have a police officer there to monitor every truck crossing the bridge. Council member Paterno suggested another option, to require permits for trucks going into Turtle Creek. Council member Genco asked for at least 5 hours per week enforcement on that for the next three months. Mayor Humpage commented this would assist in deliberations with Martin County, Palm Beach County, and Jupiter to log the trucks going into Martin County. Mayor Humpage recommended a warning, and if the truck got a second warning they would get a citation. Council member Genco commented if the truck did not have a permit that should be enforced immediately. Mayor Humpage gave an example of a right turn only sign that had been placed and motorists who did not comply had been stopped and educated for asix-month period, and suggested the trucks be stopped and told they had just left Tequesta and since they were a through truck they needed a permit, and be told this was no through traffic, and issue a written warning; and if they came through a second time, issue a citation. Council member Genco commented the truck should be cited immediately if they did not have a permit, and that would be an opportune MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 5 time to address the through truck issue. Village Manager Couzzo recommended letting the law speak for itself and allowing the police officers to do their job with some degree of discretion. Consensus of Council was to have police enforcement of through truck traffic and permits for five hours per week for three months. Village Manager Couzzo indicated this would be logged with a special code and reported in his monthly report. Mayor Humpage suggested revisiting permitting fees and creating a fund for road or bridge repairs. Council member Genco reported the Village's impact fees and permitting fees were Lower than those of surrounding communities. Council member Paterno commented getting back to the goals, he would like to increase reserves 1 %; annexation was an item he had seen on other Council members' lists and he suggested setting a goal over ten yeazs or some reasonable alternative; there was the potential of bringing other businesses to the Village; and commented that the goal of getting grants was already being accomplished. Council member Paterno noted that one resident had built a huge shed almost as lazge as the house and there had been a lot of complaints about it, and commented the code needed to be tightened to prevent things like this and preserve the look of the community. His biggest goal was to improve the Village but keep it the way people loved it. Mayor Humpage commented at the Fall Festival about 30 people came up to him who were happy this was occurring and saying this was a nice Village to live in and that was why they were here and the way they would like it to stay. Mayor Humpage suggested that the Community Development Director could suggest ways to make changes in this part of the building code. Council member Genco recalled that the code had been updated in 2003. Council member Paterno advised that the huge shed was in the Village on Chapel, the first house. Council member Genco commented she would like to discuss the lack of code enforcement by the county at the upcoming meeting with Martin County and Palm Beach County. Council member Genco commented she did not know if this information was accurate but she had heazd Martin County was evaluating changing the density in the development on Island Way and that the decision was to be made in December. Mayor Humpage reported he had received a call from the Stuart News about that and right now they were just addressing one pazcel with 39 homes, and he had advised that the Village's primary interests were traffic and preservation of the environment and although- they were not too pleased with the surficial wells and new stores, he thought Martin County was moving forwazd with that, and there were many more acres that would soon be developed, and he had advised that the Village was trying to get a meeting with Martin County to discuss the environment and being good neighbors. Council member Genco reported Martin County had changed the density m their MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA • VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 6 comprehensive plan in order to do Jupiter Isles and at one point Islands of Jupiter had been undevelopable, and they made changes so that they could do what they wanted. In this case, Council member Genco expressed her opinion that Martin County would hold over the Village's head that if they made the changes they would have to change their comprehensive plan, which would open up the entire azea adjacent to the county line for heavy density development. Council member Paterno commented there was a new development plan for 16 to 21 homes right at the Moorings at Island Way, so they were adding small amounts at a time. Council member Genco advised that she agreed with Council member Paterno's goal of increasing reserves at least 1% a year. Vice Mayor Watkins noted the Council had already set a goal of 15% in reserves. It was clarified that next yeaz it would be 16%, the next yeaz 17%, etc., until there was a stockpile of cash over and above what was needed for hurricanes. Council member Paterno indicated that extra 1 % would be stockpiled and if, for example, bridge repairs were needed when it was at 18%, the stockpile would be used and it would go back to 15% and it would then build back up. Council member Genco stated a lot of communities had lazger reserves than the Village, and the auditor had told her that. Vice Mayor Watkins indicated she had a problem with creating a reserve approaching • 20%, since taxes were not being reduced and since the auditor had stated the Village was in excellent shape and their reserves were lazger than most communities. Council member Genco stated she had a problem if the Village was doing something like a well and needed money to pay to complete it, and if there were two hurricanes back-to-back again, the reserves would be gone. Council member Paterno spoke against financing, and in favor of saving and pay as you go. Mayor Humpage commented the Vice Mayor was saying this needed to be justified to the community, but this Council's goal was no more debt service, so if they wanted to increase reserve accounts they should educate the public that the reason was not to have debt service in the future. Council member Genco commented this would only be done until the Council felt there was enough in reserves. Vice Mayor Watkins commented she had a problem with the 1 % per yeaz since the Village had been over the 15% goal last year. Mayor Humpage reported he had done a study and there were municipalities between 18% and 24%, but it was imperative to tell the citizens up front and get their feedback. Council member Genco commented she would never vote to increase the millage rate just to maintain a higher reserve, but you had to look at it like a money mazket savings account to meet emergencies or special projects, and it could be built up for a project and then brought back down to be built up for something else, and once it was at an amount such as a couple million dollazs the 1 increase would stop. Council member Paterno commented it could be opportunity money and that with cash available things could happen. Mayor Humpage . summarized that maybe it could please everybody if the decision was to increase reserves by 1% annually if possible and when it got to 18% to revisit that issue- that would give three years until the issue was revisited. Mayor Humpage felt it MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 7 would be okay with that timetable, and with general education of the taxpayers. Mayor Humpage commented if the two acres on Seabrook became available he would love to buy it for another park, and if the Village did not have the money they would have to do debt service. Everyone agreed they were on the same page and did not want the 1% to continue indefinitely. Consensus of Council was to increase reserves by 1% per year and revisit the issue when it reached 18%. Council member Genco commented Council was agreed on Council member Paterno's number 3, and stated she would like to see a summary list done of this when done. Council member Genco indicated she felt the percentages stated in Council member Paterno's number 3 were attainable. Village Manager Couzzo commented he believe it depended-that last year this Council had added staff that administration did not request, which affected personnel cost. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that was something for which Council could not hold the Manager accountable. Village Manager Couzzo commented if they were going to do a bridge this year, that would cost, too. Even bridge repair would be an operational cost. Council member Genco commented this was not about capital improvement costs, only operational costs, and expressed her opinion that 3% for operational costs was reasonable. Village Manager Couzzo commented that • personnel costs also depended on contracts with the unions. Council member Paterno responded the goal was to be 6% or less. Village Manager Couzzo cautioned to remember these were goals, not mandates, and at review time to see why goals had not been met. Vice Mayor Watkins commented when it came time to review this and hold the Manager accountable she wanted to be sure Council knew that x, y, or z were not his doing. Village Manager Couzzo stressed the importance of discussion before he went into negotiations this yeaz because of the health perspective and cost of living, etc. The Village Manager advised these were Council's goals, which he was trying to help them accomplish, not necessarily mandates of the Manager, unless he had misunderstood. Council member Genco stated these were his goals, that this meeting was to decide which ones of these were to be implemented by the Manager on Council's behalf. Vice Mayor Watkins commented that was the problem she was having with it. Village Manager Couzzo responded, then he had not understood, because he had thought these were Council's goals that he was to help implement, in addition to what he normally had to do by charter and budget and everything else. Council member Paterno commented part of that, as was discussed, was that the percentage would be his normal administrative duties which would be the main part of his pay, and these things would be a smaller part of his percentage to give him direction that the Council wanted to move towazds. Vice Mayor Watkins commented the Manager should have the latitude to come back and say, Council, at your request this happened and that's what threw it off. Mayor Humpage commented at the last Council meeting they looked at some of the public works monies spent on maintenance, they talked about mcreasmg MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP . NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 8 public works, so that meant the 6% was no longer viable. Operations would come down and personnel would go up. Council member Genco indicated she did not want to have a situation of having a department with 8% or 9% annual increases and others with only 5% or 6%, and there needed to be criteria for what employees would be given on an annual basis. A person performing exceptionally should be given a larger increase than someone just barely performing their job, but overall the department should be at the 6% more-and that was the Manager's decision. If this was exceeded every yeaz and taxes started to level off, there would have to be a tax increase, and she did not want to see that happen. Village Manager Couzzo agreed, but noted the figures had been projected for ten years and the Village was in good shape. Council member Genco asked for a workshop on those projections. The Village Manager responded those projections had been strictly done on 6% increase in personnel and 3% increase in operations and did not include capital. Council member Genco stated one of her goals was number 3, report of optimum staffmg needs for the next 5 years, budgets and sources of funds, and the 5 and 10-year things the Manager forwarded to her had addressed part of that, but not all, and she felt those things should be addressed. Council member Genco anticipated mare commercial annexation than residential annexation, which she stated would not be • an increased load on staffing, and she thought it was something for which the Council really needed to hold a workshop. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she was always going to be opposed to forcing annexation, particularly in a residential azea. Council member Genco agreed with just having Martin County and Palm Beach County implement code enforcement in their azeas. Council member Genco commented she would like to pursue commercial areas aggressively, and that would be a goal for her that she would like added to the list to see more annexation of the commercial areas. Council member Paterno noted Village Hall was in process, the RO train was in process, grants were being worked on and that could continue. Vice Mayor Watkins commented regarding grants, the Village had to be careful, and when they were received they had to be carefully monitored because they were time sensitive and it took a lot of staff time to make sure everything was done in the proper time frame, etc., and if Council was going to direct staff to keep going after grants they had to realize the time was coming that a person would have to be added to do that, because if there was not staff to watch it the grant could be lost because something did not get in on time. Council member Genco expressed her opinion that a couple of grants a yeaz were all that could be handled. She did not think afull-time grant person was needed because the Village could not manage too many grants, and recommended just knowing the Village wanted to go after big grants, especially those for infrastructure improvements. • MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 9 Council member Paterno commented with going into the new building, he would like to see office workflow streamlined to be more efficient and not to have so many hand deliveries, and train staff better so they could be better at it, enjoy their jobs more, and not to have so much turnover. Turnover for the past yeaz had been approximately 30%. The Village Manager commented a lot of it was due to compensation, pension, and benefits because of which fire and police personnel were being lost. Council member Genco noted even more it was also due to inexperienced people coming here to get experience and using that as a springboazd to get a job where they lived. Village Manager Couzzo commented that losing more top quality personnel was bad for the organization. Council member Paterno indicated he wanted to get that number down. Council member Genco commented the Village was paying for training for fire personnel for their certification, and as soon as they got the certification, they were gone, and she never saw the money coming back. The Village Manager confirmed those employees were tied to a time commitment, and the money was always held from their pay. Council member Genco indicated she had never seen that being done. Council member Paterno suggested extending the period of education. Council member Genco asked to see what had come back. • Council member Genco commented one thing she would like to see was for someone on staff go to intergovernmental meetings and provide Council with reports, particulazly on development matters from other municipalities. The one that Karen Mazcus had was only one, another was Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, there were things going on with the county and with Jupiter, and she would like the staff person attending to get comp time, or trade time they might have spent in the office, to keep Council up-to-date on what was going on with the Village's neighbors. Council member Genco commented Village Hall was in process, personnel staffing needs had been discussed, all were agreed on the infrastructure. In management and review of services, one thing she would like more focus on was the pazks and recreation and the grounds and the streetscapes, to evaluate that and find a better way of doing it. She had heazd that a tremendous amount of the people utilizing the services of Parks and Recreation were non-residents, and wanted to find ways to better serve Tequesta residents. Vice Mayor Watkins commented those people were charged, and Mr. Corbitt had provided information on that Last yeaz. Council member Genco commented that no information had been received as to how many people were using Tequesta Park, and Lee Webberman had promised Tequesta money if they could show that Martin County was using that pazk, and asked for that information be provided. Vice Mayor Watkins asked where the Village stood on being able to take over Tequesta Pazk by purchasing it from the State, to which Village Manager Couzzo responded the lease had been renewed, and it was now in a new division in the State, which should make it easier. Mayor Humpage commented if Martin County provided MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 10 money they might argue against purchase. Council member Genco commented Martin County did not want to maintain and service the park, but were willing to give some money from their discretionary fund if the Village could show it was used by Martin County residents. Council member Paterno agreed the information on usage should be provided and then this matter discussed, because he would like the Village to own the park. Council member Genco commented if Webberman wanted to give the money with conditions she would walk away from it, but if there were no conditions she had no problem with it. Vice Mayor Watkins commented if the usage by Martin County was not much, it might not be worth fighting a battle. Village Manager Couzzo indicated he would get the information. Ideas on how to obtain the information were discussed--first find out who was using the ball fields, and if it was Martin County, then a survey could be done. One idea was to have this park for teenagers since Constitution Park was for smaller children. Council member Genco commented JTAA was an expensive proposition for the Village; Council member Paterno indicated it was a trade-off since Tequesta residents used Jupiter parks. Mayor Humpage commented the Village was going to rent out the new pavilion at Constitution Park. Council member Paterno suggested not allowing non residents to sign up until a month in advance. • Council member Genco commented her other item, annexation, had already been discussed. Cost control had been covered. Number 8 was she would like more input on staff issues and legal items in the Manager's report. She would like as much as possible done in-house without going to legal, and to use Attorney Roselli for development matters. Council member Genco commented that she believed Attorney Roselli handled development matters more cost effectively and better, and that was her specialty. Council member Paterno commented that Village Attorney Hawkins had his expertise, and a lot of times he would say he had to check and get back regarding certain items which were not his area, whereas Attorney Roselli came out with an answer when he asked her a question, and he did not have to wait a week to find out how he needed to think about something. The Village Manager responded that Attorney Roselli was working on the zoning in progress amendments. Council member Genco commented she saw the most important thing the Village Manager did as managing staff, with everything else flowing from that. Council member Paterno commented that he greatly appreciated the timing of the Village Manager's reports in getting them out sooner than later, which he was really working hard to do. Also, his job was to manage the people and to make the people helping him to be accountable rather than the Manager having to do everything. Using Assistant Manager Garlo as an example-if the Manager gave MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 11 him a task, then let him run with it and that was something that needed to be done. Council member Paterno commented that before next year he would like to see the grounds and streetscapes turned a little bit. Village Manager Couzzo explained that the first thing was to get out of the contracts just approved in September, and staff was looking at the implications of that, and people would have to be brought on. Council member Paterno recalled that at the meeting where the contracts were approved he had stated he wanted to make sure there was a way out. Village Manager Couzzo responded that there were ways to get out of the contracts, but to amend the budget, take on personnel, shift it out, buy equipment and vehicles--it all had to be finely meshed. Council member Genco commented the other thing she had under item 8 was that individual Council member requests made to the Village Manager should come back to the Council to see if the Council as a group wanted to pursue that. Mayor Humpage responded that was policy. Council member Genco explained there had been the issue of the Country Club and changing the roads and the curbing, which required spending money-an engineer had to be hired, and an aerial obtained- . and all of that had happened before it came to Council. Council member Genco commented she had had no idea it was even going on until she received a copy of an aerial that was what was going to be done, and she wondered how this had happened because she did not know about it. Village Manager Couzzo explained that had just been exploratory. Council member Genco responded she understood that, but before taking on a new project which might or might not be something the Council would support, she would like the Manager to come to the Council with the idea so that they could talk about it, because everything was not always a benefit to the entire community, and if money was involved she thought it should be on the table. Council member Paterno stated he agreed with Council member Genco, but it was a tough thing because what ended up happening was government could work very slowly to get things accomplished for the residents, and things couldn't be always be held up and he did not always agree, but understood why the Manager had to go ahead on certain things. Otherwise, things never got done- just like these goals which were supposed to get discussed six months ago but things happened and they were just now being discussed. Council member Paterno commented he liked action and getting things done. Vice Mayor Watkins commented this would go down to directing staff and getting certain reports. The Council was supposed to act to give direction to the Manager, so if they were going to do that it needed to be across the board. Regarding the Country Club issue, at that time several residents had been calling and complaining about the roads in the Country Ciub and the possibility of kids getting hit at the corner, and it had been generated as a safety issue, and she had understood that was the origin and the reason the Village had even looked at it at the time. Vice Mayor Watkins expressed her opinion that if the Council was NIINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 12 going to say everything must come back to Council, then everything had to come back and not just little bits of things, but she did not want to micromanage. The Village Manager commented that it had to be all or nothing, and staff tried to use their best judgment as to what to bring to Council so they could see it if there was a major cost. In the Country Club issue it had been accomplished without the curbing so there had been very little expense other than re-striping the road, and that could have been brought to Council and discussed for hours, but if every single thing was brought to Council, the risk was that the train was going to stop. Council member Genco commented she did not think that was the idea-that the entire idea was Council should know about it if something was important enough for the Manager to vote the resources of the Village towazds promoting a project that the Council had not approved or budgeted for, then she thought the Council should know about it up front and not after plans had been done. Village Manager Couzzo commented that re-striping the road was not a project. Council member Genco commented it could have been a $75,000 project. Village Manager Couzzo responded he did not have the authority to spend $75,000 so he would definitely have brought that to Council. Things had to be looked at to see the best way to do something, and this had been discussed in this room with residents and the whole issue resolved by just re-striping, the road for only a . couple of thousand dollazs. Council member Genco commented she thought these were things Council should be awaze of. Mayor Humpage commented he did not want to micromanage staff, and regarding this particular issue he also had not known what was going on but understood it was a safety issue with kids there for the bus stop and people pazking in the azea with lawn equipment, etc. It was a safety issue that the residents brought forward, and Council member Paterno had championed it. The residents wanted rights-of way changed and everything, but the quick fix for safety reasons was to do re-striping and put in a stop sign, which he believed was a management and staff decision and Council did not need to be involved in everything. Council member Genco stated she agreed with him, but the Village had hired an engineer and prepared aerials. Mayor Humpage advised the aerials already existed. The Manager explained that the Village did not hire a plane to take photos, but had just used aerials already done by the county and they had cost almost nothing. Vice Mayor Watkins commented under $5,000 had been spent and the Manager had just used his creativity to solve the problem. Council member Genco commented there had been a cost, but that was just an example. Village Manager Couzzo responded he understood, but it was going to be hazd for him to judge things. Vice Mayor Watkins commented, the Manager was supposed to guess what Council wanted to know about and what they didn't. Council member Genco commented the other thing was along the road on Dixie Highway by Walkers Wazehouse-that went to the Community Appearance Boazd and was something the Council never reviewed. She had gone through . every set of minutes to check. Village Manager Couzzo responded that was right; it was an operational matter. Council member Genco stated she had had no clue that was going to be done, and would like to know about things like that. MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 13 Manager Couzzo commented that was on the master plan, and he would get a copy for Council member Genco. Council member Genco responded she was the one who helped develop that master plan and that area had never been looked at. Village Manager Cou~zo commented he could get acopy-Connie Fisher had the plan. Council member Genco responded that came later-she had checked the date on it. Council member Genco commented she agreed with Connie doing that but maybe she would have liked to have seen more landscaping done. Mayor Humpage commented in that case Ordinance 377 came into it. Council member Genco stated she would like to see hedges done there and all the way down the entire railroad track, but Council was denied the opportunity of any input if they did not know about it, and for the amount of money being spent they should know about it, and also the community was denied input if they didn't know what was going on. Council member Paterno commented that many times he felt the same way when he found out about something he had not known about, but also felt he must let go a little, and did not know where the line was. Village Manager Couzzo stated it was a balance and he would try to improve the balance. Vice Mayor Watkins commented Council also had to trust the Manager to do his job. Council member Paterno commented all of the Council members were committed to the community, and all of them saw different little things that needed to get • done, and if one member reported a problem to the Manager and could work with him to get something accomplished quickly, then why couldn't everyone understand it was for a common goal. Council member Genco suggested such items be put in the Manager's report-that he met with someone and discussed the matter and was going ahead to pursue the project. Council member Paterno commented this could be too much information-he didn't want to read about what the Manager and the Vice Mayor, for example, talked about too much information was burdensome. Council member Genco commented all the Manager had to do was put into his report that as a result of looking at a certain area he decided to go ahead and do this. Council member Paterno commented if he requested a paper, he thought it was ridiculous that everybody had to get it just because everybody was scared he was going to find something they did not know about. The Village Manager commented they could save some trees-if they didn't want individual requests reproduced to all, to let him know. Council member Paterno felt to send everything out to everybody was ridiculous. Council member Genco commented the Manager was required to do that. Vice Mayor Watkins noted the Council had already established a limit of $15,000 for the Manager and if something was over that it had to come to Council. Mayor Humpage commented he thought what Council member Genco was saying was just put it in the Manager's report so everyone would know what was going on. Vice Mayor Watkins commented, not • every conversation. Mayor Humpage agreed, clarifying he meant something like Cypress Drive or the Country Club, but not to micromanage because then nothing got done and the Council would just spin their wheels talking and nothing MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 14 happened. Vice Mayor Watkins asked how this could be done to make everyone happy, because on the one hand Council member Genco wanted to maintain personal involvement in high profile projects like Atlantis, and there had been such a big hoopla about just meeting with Atlantis to say hello. Council member Genco commented what the Manager did with Atlantis, she assumed had to do with his job, and that was another issue. Vice Mayor Watkins responded take Atlantis out-any developer that walked into the Manager's office to say they were interested in Tequesta--that was a PR thing and the Manager should welcome them and invite them to work with the Village, but she did not want to get to where every little detail had to be approved by the five Council members. At some point they had to let the Manager manage. Council member Genco stated that was not what she was saying: if he was taking on a new project which was the result of someone telling him something-put that in the Manager's report. If he had decided all the trees on Seabrook Road had to be replaced because of a disease, put that in the Manager's report. Vice Mayor Watkins commented then she just wanted an FYI. Council member Genco responded, yes. Council member Paterno commented he believed what Council member Genco was saying, just let the Council know things were getting done. Council member Genco commented people called her at 6:15 in the morning on their way to work • to tell her about something she had no idea what they were talking about, and she had to say she would find out. Village Manager Couzzo commented he had worked in 4 or 5 communities and every community dealt with the same thing. Council member Paterno commented the Council wanted the Manager to manage but just put it into his report so they knew what was going on. Village Manager Couzzo reported that the level of information provided to Council had increased quite a bit over the last 18 months and staff would continue that he was always available by phone or a-mail and would respond. Council member Paterno asked Council member Genco if everyone had to see every piece of paper if a Council member requested something. Village Manager Couzzo asked if he was to understand that if a Council member requested something that it was to go only to that Council member. Council member Genco stated, yes, unless the Manager felt that it was going to be something Council would need or a topic that was going to be coming before them. Council member Genco commented she had 4 years of files, so might not be requesting as much information as other members. Consensus of Council was to copy all Council members on items if it was something staff thought might come before Council, or when it came to the point that it was felt it would come before Council Mayor Humpage commented on the items on his list: Annexation had akeady been discussed. He was talking to Jack Cory about beautification of U.S. One • through Tequesta, but the State was not forthcoming with money because of the recent storms. sidewalks and the well-those were being worked on. MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 15 Mayor Humpage advised that his last item was beautification of Tequesta Pazk, and he had talked to the people at Jupiter Hills, and as soon as the season was over they were going to cleaz the balance of the pazk and put in a berm, which had been authorized by the State. The Council had previously discussed trees in the right-of--way under the power lines, and the Mayor had counted trees people had planted in the Village right-of--way. He counted over 106 trees just in streets in Bay Harbor, on Leeward and Stazboazd. The Council had talked about not allowing people to plant trees in the right-of--way since they would grow up and get into the power lines. Mayor Humpage suggested moving the oaks the Village had planted in rights-of--way to Tequesta Park. If the Village contracted with someone it would be very costly--approximately $500 per tree, but the Village could buy a plow or spade attachment to go on the front of the new rotor to do the job. Tequesta could then, beautify Tequesta Park and the problems with FPL would begone-but the Village had to make the expenditure. Council member Genco suggested the cost would be azound $80,000. The Village Manager disagreed that it would cost that much. It would just be an attachment and would probably be $10,000-$15,000. Council member Genco recommended this be brought before the Council, and that more trees be placed on the north side of Seabrook. • Consensus of Council was to get Mr. White to do the homework and put it on the agenda for the first of the yeaz. Mayor Humpage commented that he had talked to Mrs. Resnik. The interment for Col. Resnik was set for January 12 in Arlington. Mayor Humpage advised that he planned to attend and would go January 11 and return January 14. There was a conflict with two meetings-the Council meeting January 12 and the county meeting. Consensus of Council was to look at moving the dates of those meetings. Discussion ensued. Vice Mayor Watkins advised she would not be able to attend a Council meeting on the 12th. The Village Clerk was to confirm new meeting dates with everyone. Council member Genco reported she had been asked if Council member Resnik's seat would be filled now or wait until the election. Mayor Humpage clarified that if the vacancy occurred six months out an election was required by the charter; if it was 90 days out nothing was to be done. In this case there was a nine day window, and there could either be an appointment or nothing could be done. Mayor Humpage commented his idea was to let it go until the election. Both Council member Genco and Council member Paterno agreed. Council member Paterno indicated an appointee could have an unfair advantage at election time, and also he would like to leave the seat open as an honor to Council member • Resnik. Mayor Humpage commented then the Council had to get along for three more months. Village Clerk Cazlisle noted the Resnik family had requested that MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 16 his hat be displayed at Council meetings. Consensus of Council was to do nothing regarding filling the vacancy on the Council until the election. Village Manager Couzzo advised that the Village Clerk would summarize the goals discussed at this meeting. Discussion ensued. Village Clerk Carlisle noted many goals had been discussed. Council member Genco commented about 10 or 11 had been formalized. The Village Manager advised that the Village Clerk would prepaze a draft summary. Council member Paterno asked the Village Manager how he interpreted all the conversations in this meeting. Village Manager Couzzo responded he saw them as goals the Council had established and his job was to assist Council in accomplishing goals they had set for the Village, which he would try to do, and there were quite a few. The Village Manager commented he assumed these goals were for this year and since 1/3 of the yeaz was over, he was not sure there were enough resources to do everything the Council wanted in the way they would like it done. People were fairly stretched, but staff would do their best. Vice Mayor Watkins commented the Council was extremely late in doing this. The Village Manager commented it was discussed in August. Vice Mayor Watkins • commented Council should remember they were asking the Manager to do something that he did not have a full yeaz to accomplish, and asked that he review the summary prepazed by the Clerk. Village Manager Couzzo commented another thing to take into consideration was there would be one new Council member, and possibly others in April who had no input into this at all, so the time really might be as short as three months. Consistency became a problem, which could be alleviated by not having an election every single yeaz. It took new members time to understand what was going on, and by the time that happened their term was almost over. Elections were becoming more costly and that money could be invested back into the community. Council member Genco commented she would love to see athree-year term. Village Manager Couzzo commented it had been discussed but the Charter Board did not want to do it. Council member Genco recommended just keep bringing it up and maybe one day it would take. It was the norm to have three-year terms. Mayor Humpage commented a referendum election would have to be held to make that change. Council member Genco suggested when there was anything that required the process, it could be done at that time. Village Manager Couzzo commented maybe it could be added at next year's election when only two seats were up. Council member Genco suggested putting it on for the upcoming election. Clerk Cazlisle noted there was also the Council salary issue-they were very low compazed to other communities, and that might be a deterrent to people running for Council. Village Manager cautioned that the salary issue did not need to be on the ballot. Council • Consensus was to place both of these items on the December agenda. MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP • NOVEMBER 29, 2005 PAGE 17 Council member Genco requested a salary evaluation form be developed by the people doing the salary survey that Council could accept. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Vice Mayor Watkins, seconded by Council Member Genco, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 11:1 S a. m. R~~pectfull/y submitted. ,Gwen Carlisle Village Clerk • •