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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 07_04/13/2006 MINUTES '. VILLAGE OF TEQUES'FA EMERGENCY SPECIAL VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006 3:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a Emergency'Special Village Council Meeting at the Emergency Operations Center, 35? Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Frida.y, January 27, 200b. The meeting was called to arder at 3:04 p.m. A rall call was taken by � Executive Assistant to the Viliage Manager, Anne Koch. Councii Members present were: Mayor 3irn Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Geraldine A. Genco, and Council Member Tom Paterno. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., and Department Heads. Pa1m Beach County Battalion Chief James St. Pierre was also presen� II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA � MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved to approve the agenda, as submitted; secanded by Council Member Paterno; motion passed 4-0. III. Disc�ssion and possible action reg�rding recommendation by the Department of Transportatioa for the Tequesta Drive Bridge , Village Manager Couzzo stated that for the past six weeks the Village has been Ioolring at the Tequesta Drive Bridge. He commented Staff has reduced the s�ed and tonnage signs on the bridge, because the Village has concerns about the condition of the bridge. He explained initially the State indicated that the bridge was in goad condit�on, obsolete, but basically in good shape. He commented Council Member Paterno came to him and mennoned he had indications from other people there may be other issues with the bridge. He point�d out at that time the Village sought out an independent engineer, wha then did an analysis, and confirmed their suspicions. He noted the Village requested the State come back and do a more thorough investigation. He nated the investigation has taken piace two times, v�ith the latest inspectian y,esterda.y, January 26, 2006. He indicated Council received a copy of the State report, in which it shows the bridge has serious prablems. He stat�d the Department of Transportation (DOT) is recommending unmediately, the bridge be closed unnl further in depth evatuation can taice piace. He noted it has been indicated to Staff the engineers may be able to come out tomonaw morning to do an in- depth analysis to determine what steps and what alteraatives Staff can bring to the Council for consideration for repairing the bridge and/or repIacing it. He sta.ted what xeally needs to be discussed is the recommendation of the Department of Trazzsportation and what the Council's preference is at this time. Viilage Manager Couzzo explained he, Chief Altzson, Chief Weinand, and Assistant Village Manager Bob Garlo met eazly this morning to discuss what need.ed to be done by the different departments. He noted there is a lot of caordination that needs to take place between the Police department, Fire depa.rtment, Public Works, and Utilities. Minutes — Emergency Special Village Council Meeting January 27, 2Q06 . Page 2 He commented for the most part that has been done very quickly, and that everyone has done a . commendab�e job. He cornmented Staff is prepared to shut down the bridge, and detour tra�c should. that be the decision of Council. Vice Mayor Watkins noted she understood the eastbound side was very severe, she asked if it would make more sense to leave the westbound lane open; She commented they are recommending the entire bridge be shut down. Village Manager Couzzo stated the DCIT is recommending the bridge be closed at.this time. He commented he also spoke with Village Attcrrney Hawkins this morning, and he agrees that the Village would probably be in the best position to close the bridge at this time, until the Vitlage has a more in depth analysis. He mentioned Mr. Hawkins is available by conference call if needed. He stated the Village is fortvne, because the bridge inspection, which is normally conducted in March, was done in January. He noted they aze going to come back as early as tomorraw to work with the Village. Vice Mayor Watkins noted she just wanted to undezstar�d, because Councii is going to get phone calts. Village Manager Couzzo stated. Staff does not know the extent of the damage ta the bridge. Vice Mayor Watkins commented th�e bridge was being closed to study, not because the Village knows the damage. Village Manager Couzza stated Staff does not know conclusively the extent of the deterioration af the bridge, and what its current load bearing calculations are. He sta.ted the Village would not know that until they da an additional analysis, which cotild be the entire span, across both lanes of traffc. Assistant Village Manager Garlo mentioned the situation as it is now is that they have already deternuned that the eastbound lane is in need of repair. He commented ttie suggestion with the westbound lane was discussed with DOT, and they recommended the Village close the entire bridge for traff'ic. He stated they did not know the condition of the westbouncl, that they can not visibly see it like they could on the exposed eastbaund lane. He zndicated the pwpose of them ta come back out was ta actually look at the spans. He commented the Village would have a better idea after that. Vice Mayor Watkins commented they initially told the residents it was being dropped down to 15 mph, so that they could study it. She asked if this was an additional study, or if it was a _ t�ifferent thing that was going to be studied by the same company. Village Manager Couzzo stated it would be a more in-depth study. He noted the first time they had taken a prelinunary look; and yesterday they took a more in-depth look at the bridge. He sta.ted the condition of the bridge was more severe than they origina.11y thought. He noted the first move the Village made was a very good move ta make the reduction, because the heavier the loads, and the faster the traffic, the greater the impact to the bridge, so there could have been potentially a more serious problem. He stated now they are sa.ying the Village needs to ta.ke another step, a cautionary step, and close the bridge until they can determine the extent of the repairs that would be needed. Vice Mayor Watkins asked whether the bridge would be shutdown to pedestrians. Village Manager Couzzo stated their recommendation to Council was to shut the bridge completely. He explained he and Ms. Hazding, Director of Community Development just got out of a meeting with the Village's architect and engineers, and they have bridge engineers on staff that may be able to help the Village expedite .this process, if Catuicil so chooses to do so. He commented the engineers have not yet deternuned the problem. to fix it. 2 Minutes — Emergency Special Village Council Meeting January 27, 2006 Page 3 . He noted the Village is being extremely pro-active, so that tl�is could be moved as quickly as possible, once ttie Village has the in depth analysis. He commented the Village has been very fortunate that most of the steps have fa.��en into place. He indicated he would need direction for Counci� on their preference, whether to close ttie bridge or what Council would like Staff to da ; Coitncil Member Genco commented when they come out tomonow or this weekend and � complete the study to tell us what the load bearing might be on the bridge; she asked does that mean the Villa.ge could limit the traffic flows to residence only vehicles. Village Manager ' Couzzo sta.ted that could be possibl�. He commented if in fact the northbound side of the bridge ; (westbound lane) is structurally sound ta hoId the traff'ic; he comm�nted the Village could take a look one way or alterriating it, so the people could get in and out, as long as the condition is safe. He commented Staff would not know that until after the a.nalysis. Council Member Genco indicated then the Village would have to pay someone on each side of the bridge. Village Manager Couzzo agreed, if the tra.ffic was to be moved in both directians. He commented if it is one way it probably would not have to be posted, it could just be barricaded off in such a fashion it woi,�ld only be on the one side. He noted that is going to be determined in the investigation. Council Member Paterno mentionsd it did not need to be long term, the Village could actually have a temporary light put in, alternating it, and that would be much more cost effective. Council Member Genco agreed. Village Manager Couzzo indicated that was a possibility, or the Village could do it certain da.ys of the wesk. Council Member Genco stated what the Village. does today could be reversed on Monday. Vil�age Manager Couzzo sta.ted it was entirely possible. He commented he did not think it was likely, because whax he felt was going to happen was over the weekend they would be evaluating it, and take whatever samples and then send it back, and the engineers are going to crunch the structural numbers. He noted it probably would be four or five weekdays to the Village knew. Council Member Genco mentioned Monday - Monday, and felt what was done today, could get reversed when they finish crunching the numbers. Village Manager indicated that was possible. Council Member Genco felt she would not want to get numbers, then have it reversed, and word be out, and then not know what ta think. Vice Mayor Watkins felt the Village should err on the side of caution, because it is a safety issue. Village Manager Couzzo agreed that would be his recommendation to Council, because Council would get the irate calls. He nated what Council is doing with the bridge, is their primary responsibility to provide public safety and welfare. He noted if there is any comfort level, the Village made the decision to reduce the tonnage and speed. He indicated that decision was questioned at that time, but in hindsight that was a very good decision. He felt this would also be a good decision, even if it is 3 or 4 da.ys a week, and the Village reserves itself, he noted he would not want to take the risk. Mayor Humpage mentioned another answer to the question, was if you read the report, and look under the bridge, the steel is all exposed on the south side o€ bridge on the eastbaund lane, so he felt that would never be allowed to have vehiculaz traffic again without some kind of repair. He commented something would have to be done to the east side; he noted whether the Village would be lucky enough to use the west side, remains to be seen. Council Member Genco stated she can not i�elieve that it got this bad so fast. Mayor Humpage indicated the Village received a report from them nine months ago sa.ying the bridge was structurally sound. Council Member Genco agzeed, but stated it did say the bridge was obsolete. . 3 � Minutes — Emergency Special Village Council Meeting January 27, 2006 �. Page 4 .. Village Manager Couzzo stated there may be a possibility to go in there and make some quick temporary immediate repairs that would struct�trally sound it up; and give Councit the time to determine what they would ultimately want to do. He commented Staff wouid take a look at a11 of those things. Council Member Genco stated she also noted that the recommendation was for marine traffc, which means that boats would not be able to come in or out beneath the bridge as � well. Village Manager Couzzo agreed. Council Member Genco asked how would t�is be handlecl. Village Manager Couzzo stated the Vi�lage has their marine patrol, and indicated he did not see a probiem in the half hour he was there. He commented the Vzllage cauld set up a buoy bazrier, put signs up, and ciose it off. Council Member Genco asked if the Village would give people a chance to get their boats out or boats back in. Village Manager Couzza noted those are things that Staff has to look at; he felt there might be other ways to get a boat in and atrt: Vice Mayor Watkins felt that was the only wa.y. She asked if the Village closes ot'� the bridge could the Mayor do a dialogic message. Mayor Humpage stated he was doing a message� at 3:3(}pm. Vice Mayar Waticins explained iet the residents know it is criticaI, or Councii would not be doing this; and say whatever it should say to lower the irate level. Council Memt�er Genco commented also that boats should to be returned to port that might not be needed. Village Manager Couzzo noted Council Member Paterno mentioned a reai situation, when a boat went underneath the bridge and concrete fell from the deck and into his boat, and it was very fortunate that the person had his children in the back of the boat. He eommented the Vi�lage would not want that debris to hit someone in the head. Council Member Genco stated there is more construction and redevelopment going on now than in the past, so more traffic is using the bridge. She stated the bridge was never meant to have that kind of traffic. Village Manager Couz�o agreed, and noted there aze very serious �oads going over the bridge now than in the past. Council Member Genco painted out the huge tnzcks, and the mansions that aze being built, all those materials need to go over the bridge. Mayor Humpage stated another thing when he read the report, it does say to close to vehicular and marine traffic, but noted already people are being stopped, and he has received a half dozen or so ca11s asking about the pedestrian and bicycle �c. He noted he already had two calls - regarding taking the golf cart over. Council Member Genco suggested golf carts should nat be on the Bridge anyway because they do not belang on the roads. She suggested pedestrians and bicycles be allowed. Mayor Humpage noted these are good qnestions the Council will get. Council Member Paterno noted in his opuuon the Village has ta do something, as far as if Council decides to close the bridge to tr�c, make it acceptable, maybe block it off and make it to the westbaund side. He stated he thought foot tra�c on the westbound lane woutd be okay, as the rea1 problem was not the steel beam being exposed but the strands were broken on bridge. He stated they can be fixed, but there is another problem. He noted in regazd to Public Safety; he menrioned concerns if someone has a problem, what was the Village going to do. He suggested maybe only fire rescue go over if it is an extreme emergency. Chief James Weinand, Viliage Fire Chief stated as of 12:30 p.m. today, he has been working with Chief Jim St. Pierre, .PBC Battalion Chief, District 1, and they have been reprogramming the CAD system and the radivs on the County level. He nated it does not only affect Tequesta, it also affects the County area, Bermuda �`errace and others. He noted they are working together an a�esolution out there. 4 Minutes — Emergency Special Vi�Iage Council Meeting January 27, 2006 . Page 5 Chief Weinand commented they have a fix for the weekend, First Presbyterian Church, is letting � the fire personnel stay there. He noted they have three personnel sta.tioned on tha.t side of the � bridge, and three on this side of the bridge, and also utilizing Palm Beach County Station 19 to come around and help with the Co�anfiry Club area, and Station 11 on this side of the bridge. Council Member Paterno asked what about the railroad tracks being ciosed. Chief WeiAand noted PBC Station 18 would be coming up this way to heip on the raiIroad crossing tttis weekend. He stated County Line Road and Riverside Drive crossings are open. Council Mernber Genco asked about Mutual Aia — why not just shift areas, and let the Vi�tage take over some of the County area, and iet them take over the azea an the other side of the bridge. Chief Weinand respanded the Village is basically doing that, but noted Palm Beaeh County is dealing with another issue over there, Loxat�atchee River Drive Bridge is shutdown. Councii Member Cienco commented there is a unit over by the satellite dishes. Chief Wei,nand explained that is in Martin County Sta.tion 36. Council Member Genca suggested Martin County cover Tequesta, and we cover their azea over on thzs side, and just do a swap. She cnmmented she has to think cost of overtim�, and plus the Viltage does not have the staff. Chief Weinand stated to come from Tequesta Drive station and up to Couniy Line Road, aad back over to Tequesta Drive Bridge is over 6.8 miles, and almost 15 minutes. Council Member Genco asked if norma.l was just over 6 minutes. Chief Weinand agreed if someone went strai�ht acrass the bridge. Chief Weinand commented Palm Beach County Sta.tion 19, the westem station out on CentraZ Boulevard is jast U10 of a mile closer than Tequesta if going azaund. lie pointed out both sta.tions can not service Tequesta. Council Member Genco stressed Martin County Statian is the one the Village should look to. Cluef Weinand noted Martin County Station is abaut 5.4 miles, and about a 14 to 12 minute resganse i:ime. He pointed out Martin Cowity is in their CAD system, and is the first one due, in addition to the Village units there. He commented when you get inta those response tunes, the Iilcelihood of the fire would probably be Iow, but in reality if someone has a heart attack a unit wauld need to be there in 4-6 minutes. Councii Member Genco indicated she was more worried abflut the paramedic, then the fue truck. Chief Weinand explained if the stations are Ieft the way they are, Palm Beach County will caver it, and may not meet the response tsme either. Coancil Member Genco asked if Staff could find out what their response time would be. Chief Weinand stated their respc�nse time would be 9 minutes back ta the south side of the bridge from Station 36, because the tunes �ave been measured. Chief Jim Piene commented Tequesta. has been dealing with the reduced load over the bridge, and the larger eng7nes can not go over the bridge, so they had to come up with a plan to get to the people on the other side of the briage. Mayor Humpage poi.nted out the fire department is already set up on the other side of the bridge. Chief yVeinand nated at this time they aze set up at First Presbyterian Church. Mayor Hwmpage questioned whether the Village is set up �or good response times. Chief Weinand agreed. Mayor Humpage expiained they eould maintain that location for fo�u or five days, and until the Village rec�ives some direction. Council Memher Genco questioned how many personnel does it take to manage a paramedic truck. Chief Weinand pointed. out the minimum they shou3d have is three. . Council Member . Genco questioned how many personnel do they need on the fire truck. 5 Minutes — Emergency Special Village Council Meeting Ja.nuary 27, 2006 Page 6 '. Chief Weina.nd explained state law requzres four for interior firefighting. He sta.ted there is a prvvision in the Sta.te Iaw that if there is irnmediate rescue of life safety that they are,_allowed to enter with less than four people, but it has ta be apparent immediate rescue. Council Member � Genca stressed she would look to Martin County for backup. Council Member Paterno mentioned even though they are starioned on the west side of the bridge, his main cancern was getting the people to the hospital emergency room, a,ud noted it is often a minimum of 25 minutes. He asked if there were a critical situa�ion would the fire rescue be allowed to go over the bridge. Chief Weinand sta.ted no, and, noted the fire rescue t�ucks are Iike emergency rooms. He commented if fire rescue can not stabilize the patient in the truck, then they probably are not going to make it even if the transport was 2p minutes. Assistant Village Manager Gazlo asked where Trauma hawk would la.�d. Chief Weinand sta.ted they could land on the golf course, ar if the Trauma hawk was go:in� to St. Mary's, many times Tequesta fire rescue will drive to St. Mary's Hospita,�, because it ends up being the sa.me amount of �ime as dispatching Trauma Hawk to the scene. Vice Mayor Watkins asked how many people were at First Presbyterian Church. Chi�f Weinand stated there were three people aad they would be there all weekend long. Council Member Paterno stated there is one fire truck, and one fire rescue truck over at the church right now. Chief Weinand stated if they get a medical ca11, all three personnel would get on the ambulance, and if they get a fire catl, a11 tt�ree personnel would �et on the fire truck, and then other units would be dispatched with them to backup them up. Mayor Humpage asked to hear from Chief Allison r�garding the Police Department. Police Chief Steve Allison stated they would maintain one person west of the river at a11 times, and the mazine tuut was assigned from 7:Q0 a.m. until 7:OQ p.m. He commented the poZice department is passing out flyers ta redirect the people. Council Member Genco asked what has DQT offered the Village in the way of temporary assistance to help with a11 this. Village Manager Couzzo stated it is not rea.11y their problem it is the Village's problem, since it is aur xoad, our bridge. He stated the Village was going tv try and pursue those things. Council Member Genco suggested if the Village closes the bridge, Cauncil should declare a State of Emergency, beca�se the Village might be eligible for state funds. Village Manager Couzzo agreed. He felt that might be a good idea, and suggested Councii may want to declare a state of emergency. Cauncil Member Genco felt the 't7i11age shou�d try and get as much help as they can. Village Manager Couzzo explained legislatively the Village was already trying to Zobby the State . to assist the Viliage with repair funding for the bridge. Vice Mayor Watkins questioned how did the bridge get into this state, if they inspected it in March, and it is now in this shape. Council Member Paterno felt the problem has been that they have not been properly inspecting, and going uader the bndge like they should. He felt they have been neglecting going under there and really looking good at it, and just quickly loaking and say it is ok. He explained yesterday they went under the bridge and lookec� ug and could see him through the bridge. He felt the bridge does not deteriorate that fast and that fihe primary probtem was the jet skis spraying salt water on the bridge, if the salt water hits the same spot, time after time, deteriora.tion starts and occurs over time. Mayor Humpage thanked everyone for the coopera.tion. He suggested Council make twa motions. He felt the suggestion by Council Member Genco on issuing a State of Emergency was excelIent. � 6 Minutes — Emergency Special Village Council Meeting January 27, 2006 � Page 7 IVIOTION: Council Member Genco made a motion to close the Tequesta Drive Bridge to all vehicular and marine tra�c, effective immediately, and that all the necessary signs are posted to close traf�'rc pending further study by the Department of Transportation, at yvhich time the Council will recorrvene and reevaluate the condition of the bridge, and that pedestrian and 8icycle tra�c be allowed, but no golf carts. She due to the fact the Yillage has been notified by the DOT that the bridge has critical defaciencies that require prompt corrective action; Vice . Mayor Watkins seconded the motion, which carried unanimously 4-0. Vxllage Manager Couzzo suggested it might be advisable to just have the westbound pedestrian lane open, ana everything on the south side closed. Council Member Genco noted that was something that co�ald be handled ac�miriistratively, thax it did not need to be part of the motion. Village Manager Couzzo asked abaut the fishing on the bridge. Council Member Genco noted pedestrian and f shing could be allowed MOTION: Council Member Genco mude a motion that the Village vf Tequesta declare a State of Emergency due to the closing the bridge, and 1`hat Staff takes what action they can to approach the state, county, Department of Transportation, and other agencies for emergency aid; Vice Mayor Watkins seconded the motion, which carried unanimously 4-0. Mayor Humpage noted the Chief's, and the Public Works departrnent can take it from here. He asked that the Village Manager keep Council abreast of the information, and hopefully the Village could work cliligently and quickly. Council Member Genco asked if the Mayor was going to do a dialogic message. Mayor Humpage agreed. Council Member Paterno asked that the departments notify the proper people so no one is missed, a.nd asked that Staff notify the school t�oazd and any other agencies that maq be affected of the bridge closing. Viilage Manager Couzzo stated they had already notified the SC1104I B01TC� Mayor Humpage cammented the school buses have a�ready been rerouted. He mentioned the Village is handing out a flyer to everyone regarding the bridge closing. He stated they aze hying to do as much as they can in a short period of time. Vice Mayor Watkins stated Staff was to be commended for doing as much as they have dane in the short amount of time. She noted this was a monumental thing to do. Council Member Genco pointed out it is very difficult because the Village has unincorpora.ted � Martin County, and unincarporated Palm Beach County, and those routes are not under the control of the Village. She questioned if the Viliage was going to be able to explain the situation ` to everyone in the dialagic message. Village Manager Couzzo indicated the signage would help, � and that an email was sent to the media as well as everyone on the Village's email list telling them of the bridge closing. He noted. the Village is tryi.ng to get the messa,ge out as much as possible. Mayor Humpage suggested notifying the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Council Member Paterno asked if Pa1m Beach County was going to handle their unincorporated areas an the west side of the bridge. Chief St. Pierre indicated they would handle the Pa1m Beach County unincorporated area. Village Manager Couzzo stated in the budget for this year Council had approved $130,OQ0 for restoration of the bridge bank, which has not been done. He stated these funds needed to be re- appropriated fram Capital to an opera.ting fund. 7 Minutes — Emergency Special Village Council Meeting � January 27, 2006 Page $ - He mentioned he planned to bring it back to Council for approval at the February Meeting, so Staff could start moving ahead with the engineering, and overtime. He mentioned he wovld like -- to start moving ahead with the engineering irnmediately. Council Member Genco suggested waitzng until Council gets the final report on the bridge. She indicated Staff could ha.ve the engineers lined up. She asked if Stai� could start looking into various funding sources. Viilage Manager Couzzo stated Staff has aiready started the process, and would conta.ct the State, Martin Caunty, and ather sources. Mayor Humpage cammented Representative Negron would be available this Saturclay, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and that he wauld speak with him. Village Manager Couzzo noted Staff would put a notice on the Tequesta Caunfiry Club. Mayor Humpa$e thanked Staff, Fire Chief Weinand and Police Chief Allison for aI1 the work they have done concerning the Briage. IV. ADJOURNMENT MOTIUN: Vice-�►layar Watkins moved to adjourn the meeting; seeonded by Council Member Paterno; motion passed 4-0. ' The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 P.M. Gwen Carlisle Village Clerk 8�