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MINUTES
EMERGENCY SPECIAL VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING _,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2046
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL - The Tequesta. Village Council held an
Emergency Special Meeting at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the
Public Safety Facility, 357 Tequesta. Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Tuesday,
February 7, 2006. The meeting was called to order at 1 Q:00 a.m. A ro11 ca11 was
taken Village Clerk, Gv�ien Cazlisle. Council Members present were: Mayor Jim
Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, and Council Member Tom Patemo. Also in
attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., and Department
Heads. Village Manager Couzzo noted for the recard that Council Member
Geraldine A. Genco was available by conference ca1L
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved to approve the agenda, as submitted;
seconded by Council Member Paterno; mation passed 3-0.
IIL Discussion and possible action regarding the Tequesta Drive Bridge
Mayor Humpage noted the Village is scheduled to open the Tequesta. Drive
� Bridge tomorrow morning. He indicated Staff has obtained some information
from our independent engineers. He felt this meeting was more for Council to get
. to a comfort level so that everyone will understand what is about to occur, and
how it will occur, and where the Vi�lage is going. Council Member Paterno
mentioned he had some concerns with the temporary opening of the Bridge. He
felt that Section 3/7 is wlnerable a.nd could actually vibraxe, and could fa11 out.
Ivfr. Brian Rheault, P.E. Bridge Design Associates, Inc. noted he did not feel the
bridge could fall completely out. He explained that during the construction a large �
1-%4" rod is slipped and threacled through like a needle, and then they tighten the
� rod. He noted there is a large 1-il" pin, and if it is in good shape still, if co�rosion
. has not rotted it away, there should be that pin at least through the center span. He
- pointed out the option sheet, noting for opening tomorrow he really did not think
it was an. issue, but for any extended peric�d time he recommended the Village
should ha.ve some temporary supports under the bridge. He felt holes could be
drilled and rods added, angle iron, something to that effect so that the Village
does not experience catastrophic failure. He noted then the Village could be sure
that the Bridge is not going to drog out on a boat, or on someone undemeath it, or
from vibrations.
He mentioned he did not think it was critical that it happened today, but he did
think it was critical that it happens if this goes on for a couple of weeks. Council
Member Paterno asked if it was possible the rod could come down, hitting �
something else, and crea.ting a bigger problem. Mr. Rheault responded yes, that is
a possibility. He commented what would likely happen is that if the rod no longer
Minutes — VilIage Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2006 � �
Page 2
existed, it would more than likely split at center span. He noted that is where it is
basically stranded and held together there, and so the two ends wautd break, and
they would rotate down toward the pilings and side.
Council Member Paterno felt that could Iead to another problem potentiaJly. Vice
Mayor Waticins questianed if the Village were to open the westbaund lane would
the Village not see a cause and effect of the vibra.tions. Mr. Rheault explained
the rod is there for enforcement but it is not holding the tuuts together, so the
transfer of vibration from one unit to the other is minimal at this point. Cauncil
Member Paterno commented if the rod is nat there, who knows what would
happen. He pointed out a11 those strands undemeath are broke, so a percentage
risk wise here is i� it is not already broken, it is probably v�ry defzcient, so it
couId cause a problem or cause a chain reaction of some sort. Mayor Humpage
asked what the Viltage was looking at now was the risk or possible problem for
marine traffc, not vehicutar tra�c. Mr. Rheault agreed the biggest exposure at
tlus time, if vibration or movemerit occurs, is for anyone underneath it. He -
commented at aIl costs if the Village could keep boaters out of the center span. He
noted if the deck unit was to fall it won}d not affect much on the tap side, maybe
that would be more dannage to the slab, but it would not take down the whole
drive area.
Mayor Humpage commented in his professional opinion the Village needs to keeg
this closed to marine traff�c until that sitaation has been resolved. He felt tli,at was
the maan concern Council shauld look at zww. Mr. Rheault noted that is in, 4ption
1, temporary support 3/7 to keep it from falling on boaters, and have the barriers
on the top side to make sure that motorist do not misdirect themselves onto the
other side, and post the tonnage limit for vehicular f.raf�ic. He nated another
suggestion that has been going azound, but it is relativety expensive, is to have a
curtain or drape, constructxon debris drape undemeath the bridge so if something
does fall, it does not just fall imuzediately, it is slowed down. He mentioned he
has looked at carbon fiber but it seems to push the price up. He felt that was a
reasonabie option, but any heavy-duty netting that slows it down gives the boater
or someone the opportunity tv avoid, or get out of the way. He noted the bottam
line was to keep them out of there. Mayor Humpage felt if Council res#ricts the
marine tra£fic they would not have any liability. Village Manager Couzzo
indicated there is still a limited liability. He noted if the Village goes one step �
farther and puts some type of netting, that would provide reasonable care for the
boating traffie, he felt that would further decrease the tiability, because the
Village is taking additional preeautions.
Mayor Humpage asked if rods were put in place if it woutd further decrease
sections dropping off, and hold everything in place. He commented he could not
imagine carban fiber net holding large seetions of eoncrete that fa11 down. Mr.
� Rheanit indicated it would ha.ve to be done very well. He noted the adjacent slabs
were not in that great a shape, and it would end up with the carbon fit�er spanning
about 12 feet, which might not be reasonable. He noted with 6 or 8 feet they
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting �
February 7, 2006 �
Page 3 . �
would have an opportunity to hold up just about anything, but with the span the �
Village has it would be very diff'icult. Vice Mayor Vf7atkins asked if the spiint �
could be put in place untii the \lillage couid get it resolved. Mr. Rheault - �
responded in the af£u7native to a splint or a for�n--something that holds up from ?
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the top side. �
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=�
Cauncii Member Paterno asked if Option I was for spiinting, or if the barricades 's:
and the people were included. Mr. Rheault noted it was basica�ly the splinting and °
the net. Council Member Paterno noted that did not include the net. Mr. Rheauit
. agreed. Village Manager Couzzo suggested the netting could be done by the
Village to save money. Cowocit Member Paterno nated even with Qptian 1, we
could move to the other optians in order to take carrective action. Mr. Rhea.ult
� noted, the village wauld not want to Ieave the hale open, and could install a large �
steel plate or something so no one falls through. �
Mayor Humpage asked what the debris screen was in the option. Mr. Rheault
noted in Option 1 it was some type of netting fox debris screeni.ng, �uch as earbon
fiber, simng netting, or wire mesh. Mayor Humpage felt the screening was to
protect the boaters, he asked what they meant by installing a large steel plate so
someone would not fall through. Mr: Rheauit clarif`ied if they removed slab 3/7
by going in there and saft cut it, and remove it. He mentioned that is an option,
� but he cautioned Council to put a significant plate of steel over the hole. Mayor
Huznpage asked if they soft cut the portion out wauld that then a11ow for mazine
traffic. Council Member Paterno asked if they removed the slab would that be
$40,000 or $SQ,000. Mr. Rheault felt it would be on the lower end of $40,000. He
mentioned it was unfor�:unate but times are good for contractors, and he does not
see one coming in for $5,000 to do the job. 'There is too much work out there at
this �ime. Gouncil Member Paterno noted the option was ta take out sectian 3
(middle sectian), and put in new concrete and have a temporary brid.ge that would
last 5-7 years.
Mr. Rheautt noted the new span would probably last 40 years, the problem is the
next spans in either direction have aiready progressed, not ta the condition of span
3, but based on his professional op�on, they were 5 to 7 years away from being
exactiy where � the Village is today with span 3. Council Member Patemo
indicated since he was under the bridge some of the ather chazuiels do not look as
bad as the main channel. He asked if another thing the Village eould do was to
make it longer, such as opfion 2 to make it better. He noted if the Village has time
it also allows the possibility for the Village to be getting money from someone
eise to help us. He commented in his opinion the Village needed to get the bridge
open, either by Option 2, at some point, because he felt the quick fix ($54,040 -
$70,000) was just wasting money, when for $250,OQ0 they coutd actuaily ha.ve the
bridge open that wauld take the school buses, rescue, and somewhat a normal life.
Mr. Rheault commented if it was any comfort at all, the County has the exact
same probtem at. Loxahatchee River Road.
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Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2006 �
Page 4
He noted 1 or 2.$pa.ns needed emergency repair and they went in there and
removed the slabs and replaced them to get the bridge back into full opera.tion. He
stated that bought the County the two years that were needed to do the design and
permitting, and to get into the construction. He felt the new Tequesta Drive
Bridge should be able to be implemented in 12-18 months. Council Member
Paterno asked if the Village went with Optian 2, would they have to go anywhere
else for permitting other than the Village of Tequesta pernuts. Mr. Rhea.ult stated
Option Z wauld require a notificatian to the Coast Guard because the boat traffic
is being resiricted under the 3 span. He felt that wouid be the oniy requirement
the Village would have regarding notificarion, because the Village now owns the
bridge and roadway. He noted there would be no County, Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) or Army Corp permitting required. Mayor
Humpage questioned whether the Village would need Department of
Transportaiion {DOT} pernuts. Mr. Rheault responded no.
Vice Mayor Watkins asked if this project would need to go out to bid. Village
It�ianager Couzzo noted he had spoken with Village Atto�ney Hawkans this
morning, and he was researching the requirements. He sta.ted the Village could
piggy-back the County engineering contract, and noted under emergency
conditions the Council could waive the competitive bidding process. Council
Member Paterno noted the cost would probably be $250,000 by the time it is .
removed. Mr. Rheault noted his cost estimate is $227,000 a11 inclusive. He noted
the Village would be paying about $175.00 per square foot for the new parts, and
spending abaut $100.00 a square foot for demolition.
Village Manager Couzzo pointed out the e-mail from Council Member Genco,
and noted she wanted to make sure that everyone understood that the DOT
determined that the bridge could be utilized in different facets, and different
ratings up to 11 tons, and that Mr. Rheault has determined 5 tons, and that DOT
did it more on load calculations, Mr. Rlieault did it more on independent
calculations. He notec� the Village had already moved it to 5 tons prior to the DOT
load analysis, because they wanted to increase the level of caution for the
. residents. Mr. Rheault noted from a strict calculation standpaint the DOT may be
conect that 11 tons could be on the bridge. He stated the reason he would not
make that recommendation to Council was because that lets open the door for
comrnercial vehicle txucks of all sorts. He cautioned as soon as the Village opens
up the door to commercial vehicles, the Tequesta. Police force is basically going to
be placed with putting up scales at the end of the bridge to determine if the
vehiele is over the weight limit or not. He commented by putting it at 5 tons, then
a Ford F354 is about the biggest vehicle that could be expected to cross the
bridge. He stated then there would be no argument amongst the motoz ing public.
� Vice Mayor Watkins asked Mr. Rheault in his professional opuuon if opening the
westbound lane to 5 tans and under is a reasonable thing to do for safety on the
bridge. Mr. Rheault indicated the only thing that he would caution is if this were
.. Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2046
Page 5 .
to go on for more than a few weeks, was to assure that span 3 would not come
down by taking more extra precaution. Vice Mayor Watkins indicated her
personal preference would be Option Z, on fixing, even if it was to buy the -
Village more time to coordinate time to design a new bridge. She noted she would
like to see a study done on the bridge to see if the Village needed. to raise it, or do
anything different. She cammented she did not want to hurry up and just do the
top and find out that the Viliage should have done pilings down the road. She
pointed out the Village does not ha.ve any comparison on costs, and did not know
if $227,000 was reasonable for this work. Council Member Paterno stated these
were Mr. Rheault's estimates based on lus professianal opinion. He commented it
� could cost a little more, or a little less. Mr. Rheault commented he has 400 bridges
in Palm Beach County with three under construction at this time. He noted he has
taken unit prices from various areas, and added some additional costs, because it
is of an emergency nature there will be people warking overtime, and you have to
convince some supplier that the Village needs this in the ne�rt two to three weeks,
so that means he has to tell someone tha.t is already in line to stop, that he has an
emergency here and because of public sa£ety he would hav� to delay them two
weeks. He noted that was costing someone a premium. He commented if you take
the $227,00(� and divide it by the square foatage that Tequesta wili be replacing,
that number would be $275.00 a square foot. -
Vice Ma�or Watkins asked if tbis work could be done in 2-3 weeks. Mr. Rheault
noted it was fortunate that Mr. Cropp has the best interests of Tequesta,, because
he lives on the north end. He commented there aze only 3 or 4 suppliers in the
entire state with the components the Village would need, so he called around,
checked around, and noted Mr. Cropp thinks he has worked a deal with a
gentlemen in Fort Myers far his products. He stated he believes Mr. Cropp can get
the products in the ne� week or two. Mr. Rheault introduced Mr. Randy Cropp, a
representa.tive from a local construction company. Council Member Paterno noted
Mr. Cropp was currently doing the construction on another bridge (AIA) in the
azea, so his men were already local, anc� they could do the Tequesta. Bridge at the
same time. Mayor Humpage commented if you looked at the time frame, one of
the things was there had to be a distinction between marine and v�hicular traffic.
If you looked at item 1, it said the quickest way to open was to limited trafFc, and
asked if that meant vehicular traf�ic. The �espcinse was that boat haff c would be
limited because they had to sta.y out of the center span and vehicles would be
limited to one side of the road. Mayor Humpage asked if marine haffic were not
an. issue i£ he would still recommend the supports and the netting. Mr. Rheault '
responded yes, because if something of that size fell, it was going to do other
damage. Vice Mayor Watkins commented we needed to do both 1 and 2.
Mayor Humpage asked the time frame to complete item l, to put in the steel
supports and the netting. Mr. Rheault responded the steel supports would require
a da.y or two to acqture the materials and one night of installation with a late
afternoon closure. Mayor Humpage commented he did not want to wait two �
weeks to do that and then a week later have to do the whoie bridge over.
Minutes – Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2006 ..
Page 6
Mr. Rheault advised if the Council was committed right now .to set the wheels in
- motion to replace the 3 span, then the on�y thing he would do would be to have
the police be very aggressive in cordoning off that 3` span to boater traff c. If the
Cotu�cil was not in a position to authorize an expenditure of a quarter million
dollars in the next 2-3 weeks, then they should jump on option 1 to ailaw
someone to get in there and get it safe, and get a little extra time to get in a
position to where they could decide to progress ta option 2 or progress to option 3
and get a new design underway. Mr. Crepp commented no matter what the
Coiancil did, they had to close the center span off to marine �c, no matter
whieh option was chosen. Mayor Humpage noted with option 1, $40,(J00 to
$SO,OpO, the cenfier span was gaing to ha.ve to be elosed to marine traffic, and �
asked how to do that. Village Manager Couzzo responded it couid be done with a
bamcade in between the pilings on both sides. What would be more sophisticated
would be a silt barrier which wauld not allaw marine traffic to traverse the center
span and it couId be Iighted effectively, and have a buoy iike the Caast Guard
would want then there would be no possibility of peopie going thraugh.
Council Member Paterno commented that he had talked to Randy Cropp and the
Village Manager and ottiers, and if the Council j�nped on option 2, they could
have the conerete af�er Mr. Rheault's design within two weeks. During tha.t two
weeks when Mr. Cropp knew those pieces were on their way he could tear out the
old pieces and as soon as the new ones arrived, drop them in, within seven days—
so in tl�ree weeks the bridge could be re-opened for 33 tons. If the tTillage
Council did not want to open it that high they could apen it to other weights of
velucles. The Mayor commanted it could be opened to both directions. Counci�
Member Paterno commented that at the same fime, the Village did nat have to
spend $40,000 to $SO,U00. The Village Manager commented if it could be done
quickly enough that cost could be avoided, but if it went past that there would be
a risk. Ma.yor Humpage commented something would sti11 ha.ve to be dane abaut
marine tra.ffic. Assistant Village Manager Garlv recommended wrapping the
� buoys azound and around in poliee l�ne do-not-cross tape. Mayor Humpage
eammented there must be sorne kind of Coast Guard coinplianey that had to be
met, The Village Manager suggested a line of buoys almost like a fence, going
aroez�td, tied on each side, and it woutd be criminal mischi�f if the tape on the
bueys were cut.
Vice Mayor Watkins asked if pedestrian traffie was going to be ailowed when the
west-boitnd Iarie on the bridge was opened. The Vice Mayor indicated she had
had no idea the number of mothers pushing strollers who crossed �hat bridge to
get to the nursery school at the church. The Village Manager commented he
thought the southem part of the bridge which was the east-bound Iane would be
closed to everyone. Both Vice Mayor Watkins and Council Member Patemo
indicated they 13ad seen mothers park their cars and cross the traffic lane to get to
the sidewalk and take their children over the bridge in strollers, and then go back
to their cazs. The Vice Mayor requested that the westbound side be kept open to
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting �
February 7, 2006 � �
fi
Page 7 }
pedestrians. Police Chief Allison advised there were no interconnecting �
� sidewalks. Mr. Rheautt ad.vised he would have no problem with keeping the
si�ewalks apen if they were properly barricaded off; the driving surfaces were 16 ;
inches lower than the sidewalks; the decldng of the sidewalks was safe and could '�
be utilized, you just could not let an east-bound pedestrian using the sidewalk �o '
go down into the roadway and �valk in that area, so fencing or barricades would
have to be used to keep people on the sidewalk. Village Nianager Couzzo
expressed concem that there would be peopie on the sidewatk at night wha would
p}ay with the barricades, so he recommended if east-bound vehicular traffic was
blocked to block everything east bound. There had been mischief this past
weekend resulting in loss of more than haif the lights, and banricacles had been
thrown into tbe river. The Mayor asked about concern expressed by Council
Member Paterno and Vice Mayor Watkins of people waltcing across the tra�xc
lane to get to the sidewatk. V z�lage Manager Cauzzo advised there vvould be
flagmen and police there and they could cross when �c was stopped. Council
Member Paterno recalled that sidewalk had a step and a lot of the mothers
pushing a stroller had to walk araund to the front of the siraller and lift it up onto
the sidewalk, and recommended putting orange construction material so thai they
would hav�e to sta.y on the sidewalk and keep tbem off the spans; and if it became
a problem, then close it all tagether. -
Village Manager Couzzo i�dicated he wouid nat want to do it, but if the Gouncil
wanted to keep the sidewatk ope� then staff would figure aut a way to make it as
safe as possible. Mayor Humpage co�rmed with Mr. Cropp that the sidewalks
were not being replaced. Mr. Cropp indicated the sidewalks were 90% to 104%
fine. Mayor Humpage suggested safety orange netting on the south side, traffic
side of the sidewalk, pedestrians would never ha.ve to worry about crossing into
the vehicular �affic. Mr. Cropp advised his wife's friends with the babies were
the ones going to the First Presbyterian pre-school, so he knew exactly the people
who were crossing the bridge, but they could be put on the south side, which
would be a lot safer tlian having them cross oeer. Mr. Cropp suggested placing
two jersey barriers on the east-bound side, putting up a wood rail and stapling the
orange netting to it, and posting a sign that the bridge � was closed to fishing.
Issues with having the north side sidewalk open were discusseci, and consensus of
council was use the east-bound south side for pedestrians aad that bicycles and
the fishing wou.id t�e prohibited. It wo�d be an inconvenience for 3 weeks. The
north side sidewaik would be closed to keep pedestrians from the traffic. Board
. Member Paterno also recommended. temporarily removing the trash cans, pvsting
for no fishing, and wrapping the middle using buoys to direct marine traffic. It
was confirmed that when the buoys were wrapped the maxine traf�c could use the
east and west spans, but not the center spaz�, and it was a no wake zone and there
w�s a no wake sign there now.
Vice Mayor Watkins asked if they were back to option 2. Boazdmember Paterno
commented if it could be done in 3-4 weeks we would be better off.
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting =
February 7, 2006 3
� Page 8 . �
Mayor Humpage confirmed consensus af council was option 2, no marine tra�c
. under the center spau, and in 2-3 weeks those spans would be put back in. Village - '
Manager Couzzo advised he haci briefed Council Member Genco by phone; they ;
had talked about no fishing and she was good with that. Vice Mayor Watkins ;
asked if the idea was to close the pedestrian traffic on the north side and allowing £
it on the south side. Discussion ensued. The Viilage Manager commented it was �
a iittle more diff'icult to do it on the south side but it would be the Police
Department's responsibility to make sure it was secure. The Vice Mayor asked
about closing the bridge to �pedestrian tr�ic completely; however, the others c�id
not think tha.t could be done. Village Manag�r Couzzo indicated opening one side
could be tcied and if it didn't work it could be ehanged. -
Mayor Humpage commented it was his understandi.ng the sauth side only would
be open for pedestrians and the north side would be closed to all peciestrians; no �
fishermen on the bridge; trash cans would be removed; on the east and west sides
of the center span, mazine traffic would be ailowed and the center span would be
blocked. Viilage Manager Cot�zzo recc»mmended postutg no wake/iclle sgeed.
- signs. Council Member Paterno reported that morning at low tide the water
height had been 3�-4� feet on the barrier, so it would be 6/7 feet on the side spans.
During ensuing discussion it was mentioned that the police boat had been in there
the other day. Mr. Cropp advised he did not think there wauld be an issue of
water height with the size boats that would be there. Mayor Humpage stated there
would be a big sign, no wake/tdle speed.
Mayor Humpage commented now that was figured out and the bridge would be
open the next morning, and the Village Councii had originally discussed traff'zc in
both directions with flagmen arzd poiice, but now there was some consideration of
one-way traff c. The Mayor indicated he did not know if that co�d be done at
this point, since th� media. had a.iready covered a11 of this. Village Manager
Couzzo suggested opening in two directions the ne�ct da.y, which might be
° cQntrary to the apinion of the Police Department, and give the Police Department
_ Wednesda.y, Thursday, and Friday to assess how it was going, and if they
determined it was not manageable, not safe, or whatever, then on Saturday have
Public Works put up a boazd saying that beginning at 6 a.m. Monda.y tra$"ic
would be restricted in one clirection (whichever directian the Palice Department
picked). The Village Manager sta.ted he thought this was an operational decision
that needed to be made in the field. Council Member Paterno commented the
Village Councii had to give them that authority.
Council Member Paterno expressed concem with the light at R.iverside Drive,
commenting he could see three lanes wanfiing to turn onto that bridge being a
problem, and his idea was to only be able to access the bridge from Tequesta
Drive. That way, if there was a line of cars it would be straight back; otherwise it
would be a nigiitmaze for the flagmen. Mayor Humpage .asked if that meant no
left or right turns off Riverside, to which Councii Member Paterno responded, at
Minutes – Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2Q06 . .
Page 9
least no left tums off Riverside. Police Chief Allison commented he and Mr.
Garlo had had that conversation this morning and felt it would be a nightnnare if
�raffic from Riverside Drive was not restricted from crossing the bridge. Chief
Allison suggested opening the bridge one way 24 hours a day, stating that woutd .
be the least impact to the Police Department, either direction, but he would prefer
westbaund so people could get their ice cream home before it melted. The light at
Riverside would control the traff'ic and flagmen would just be needed ta watch for
trucks. Vice Mayor Wa#kins commented the most feasible and safest mechanism
that could be applied was, what should be done, and two-way traffic would be a
nightmare and would sa.ve no money or time, and she thought it would be better to
� decide on one way now because she felt it would be harder ta let them go two
ways and then change it to one wa.y.
Village Manager Couzza commented these were operational problems that could
be decided and advised that Mr. Rheault needed an answer now and he was here
for structural questions. Mayor Humpage stated there were 3 people here who
wanted option 2, but they still needed to check with Council Member �Genco.
Council Member Paterno commented by making a decision today, Mr. Rheauit
could get started on it toda.y, and if they needed to ca11 Council Member Genco to
get her vote, that was the way to do it to move on. Council Member Patemo
commented tliat they would be running into situatians and asked if Council
wanted to give the Viilage Manager authority to hire whoever he wanted or if they
wanted Mr. Cropp's company to do it--that should be decided now so there wautd
be no question of why was someone else picked, etc: Mayor Humpage agreed
that administration should be given authority to move forward in an expeditious
way, because i€ they were going to colleet bids it would take ten months, Village
Manager Couzzo suggested the first thing the Council needed to do, if they
agreed, was to authorize him to execute an agreement with Mr. Cropp and utilize
the county eontract and with Mr. Rheault to do the design work. That was step
one. Then Mr. Rheault could get started because he needed five to seven da.ys to
do the design work. Village Manager Couzzo suggested a break to get the
telephone set up to call Council Member Genco.
Assistant Village Manager Garlo asked about the Coast Guard permitting process.
Mr. Rheault explained they just needed notification there was restricted �marine
traff'ic. Police Chief Allison reported the Coast Guard had been cantacted. Mt.
Cropp advised they needed to be notified there was an emergency situatian, and
that the sections of the bridge that were being replaced would be in the exact same
configuration as present Mr. Rheault advised that the design for the slab
configuration eould be done in 1-2 da.ys so that Mr. Cropp could start getting the
materials to begin work. Mayor Humpage commented then in 2-3 weeks the
bridge could be back in operation. Mr. Cropp provided a timetable, he would
probably get the design in 1-2 da.ys, and advised he had talked to ttuee prestress
, yards companies—the third one was out, the second one was so swamped they
could not handle it, and the other was 5& S Prestress, who Mr. Rheault had
worked with before, and Mr. Paterno knew the situation that they were not DOT
. Minutes �- Viliage Council Emergency Special Meeting �
Februa.ry 7, 2006 �
Page 1'0 �
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certified, but were certified to do a whole Iot of other prestress in the state. Palm =
Beach County did not allow them to do prestress because tl2ey were not DOT �
certified. Mr. Cr�pp advised he wanted to use them because they were �e only
company who could get the material here on time and be reasonable, and if police ':.�
and flagmen ha.d to be out there the Village was spending hundreds and hundreds :�
of dollars, probably $1,400 a day easily, going by. Mayor Humpage questioned
� how they could be used if they were not certified. Mr. Cropp explained they were
presfress certified but not DOT certified. Mr. Rheault advised th� reason the
county did not use them was,the county fotlowed DOT' specifications almost to .
the Ietter of the law. What�could be done as a private or Village operation would
be to oka.y him to do quality eontrol, and they were certified to do that. He wouad
send ane of his guys to do the testing and monitoring and they wouic� be cerkified -
for that project. If this were a county job or a straight DOT job, S&S was not on
the approveci list, but they were on almost every private job he had going. In
" order to circumvent that, all that had to be done was to authorize him to do the
� quality control that they were not willing. to spend the money for--#he DOT
certification cost $34,U00 per year just for tbat certificatian and if they did not
produce enough to of�set that cost, they didn't do it. Vice Mayor WatJcins
asked if that would be for the whole center, to which the Village Manager
responded, yes.
Mr. Cropp advised if Mr. Rheault got him the design by Thursday, 14 days from
Thursda.y the material would be at the site and then i0 days to replace the bridge.
He wanted to wait until the material was received and nat have to worry about a
truck breaking down in Fort Myers, etc. The 10-day shutdown of the bridge �
might onty have to be 7 days, but su#�icient time was needed for the concrete to
cure, and it depended on cond�tions. He wouid not work 24 ho�trs per day, but
would probably go from ciawn to end of daylight and maybe a little longer to get
the work dane. With the poten�al of working day and night, Council Member
Paterno commented the Village Councii wouid have to approve tt�at, to work after
hours.
Mayor Humpage commented just go step 6y step---there were some other items,
and asked with everything just discussed were these still the estimated costs under
item 2,. Vil.lage Manager �ouzzo cornmenfed they did not have a proposal yet.
Mr. IZheault responded these were just estixnates, he could give azt estimate for
quality control and the d.esign work and end up pretty close to the cost. Mr.
Cropp comtnented he was clase to t�at number, but not at tha.t numbe,r and the
number he had a praposal for was $248,004 excluding the aspha.it this was
$227,000. Mr. Cropp commented they couid talk about a few things but it might
nc�t come down to $227,000 but if there was something tha.t cou�d be negotiated it
might heip get the number down. Bottom Iine was he was not �o�g to give up
something and take his people off another job and sacrifice another jab to come
� here. Discussion ensued. The Viilage Manager commented this was a big
number. Mayor Humpage noted slope repair still'had to be done at $13Q,000 and
� asked if atlocated funds could be used to do that repau. The Village Manager
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 20Q6 �
Page ll
responded that could be done but he was not sure that would be to the Village's �
°° advantage. Village Manager Couzzo commented the Village had the resources to
- do this job. He had told the Vice Mayor that morning that there had been an
award of $300,000 from a code enforcement situation and that could pay for the
whole bridge, and other reserves were strong. IvIa.yor Humpage coxnmented he
believed t�e Council had enough information to let these fellows go ahead. Mr.
Cropp advised of severai recent jobs his company had done for DOT, some on an
emergency basis, and the casts 4U% of the time came in close to the estimate, so �
he did not feeI bad at�out this, and Mr. Paterno knew what fhe costs were. Mr.
Cropp advised that he was the boater who had been under the bridge when the
concrete fell. -He had had lunch with Mr. Paterna the ne�. day and told him they
had a serious situation. Mr. Cropp commented he had a good relationship with
Mr. Rheault because they jumped on things and got them done right away, and
they did emergency repair work like this all the time, it was nat his first time.
Mayor Humpage announced a recess to set up the phone call to Cauncil Member
Genco. � -
7�ie meeting recessed at.10: S9 a. m. and reconvened at I1:1 S a. m.
Village Manager Couzzo commented uttless the Councii wanted ta do something
different, the previous decision had been to open the bridge to 2-way tra�c on
Wednesday morning and leave it until7 a'clock and then ciose it off and open it
the next da.y. However, he suggesteri the Council might want to. consider
allnwing 2 to 3 days for the Police Department to monitor, and if it became
unmanagea.ble to give administration the authority with the Police Department to
change that to one direction with the appropnate signage and notification to
residents, and see how that went. Let the Police Department monitor through
Friday and i£ there was a need for a change, put a message board up a�d let people
know that Monda.y it would be changed to ane way. Chief Allison expressed his
opuuon it was hard to undo what you had already done. Discussion ensued.
Viliage Manager Couzzo indicated if administra.tion was given authori#y to make
a decision after the p�olice had monitored, then another Council meeting would not ,
have to be heid. Mayor Humpage commented, let the police decide about if there
was an issue with Riverside Drive, and let the Chief make that call. ' ,
Mayor Humpage commented to put into perspective what had been said, what
they were gouxg to do was to open the bridge to tra�c Wednesciay and make a
determination from that, and speak to Council Member Genco. Village Manager
Couzzo commented he thought that was the firsfi thing to talk about with her.
Mayor Humpage camme�ted, right, that the bridge would be open from
Wednesday to Saturday. The Viliage Manager commented, also that
administration was going ta be authorized to make a change if needed, and get
, that approved,, and then go from there. Mayor Humpage commented then the
position was that the south side sidewalk would be opened, the north side .
sidewalk would be bazricaded, there would be no fishing on the bridge, there
Minutes, — Viilage Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2U06
Page 12 -
would be a bazrier ar some kind of restraint from marine traff c in the center span;
allowing the marine tr�c either north or south on the east and west spans
adjacent to the center span.
Mayor Humpage commented the next thin.g that naeded ta be done was to �
authorize the Village Manager and staf� to begin the process af gettin� to where �
we want to be �on the bridge--allow them to connect with the engineer, spend the '
funds that needed to be done for the engineering, probably what would have to be
dons was to barrow from reserves $350,OQ4 as best he could fgure, and take that
from reserves and place �nto a special acco�nt. Mayor Humpage commented
from his canversarions with Mr. Rheault, for the Village's purposes they needed �
to see if they cauld get a couple more fast bids, which Mr. Rheauit had said could '
be done in the next few days. The design was not going to be ready for a couple �
of days, anyway. If it were announced they were going to spend $250,000 or ,
� $275,000 with Mr. Cropp without any other bids it woutd be perceived that the
Council was moving too quick, so he was in favor of having the Village Manager
connect with Mr. Rheault for two mare bids, get a ballpark number from them so
everyQne was an the same wave leng�th, and then proceed through fhe Village
Manager to get these parts ordered and get them here and installed.
. Mayor Humpage stated he.thought the Council needed to make the effort to have
their constituents understand they would try ta be cautious and follow pracedure
. as best as possible. Tha.t was his suggestion unless the other Council members
felt they just needed to move forward without doing that. Vice Mayor Watkins
stated she agreed anci felt the Counci� shou.ld not open themselves to just signing
without at least making an attempt to compare prices, and she thought that was
the least they should do. Mayor Humpage commented he felt the Council had an
obligation to do tha.t for their constituents. He stated he appreci�ted Mr. Cropp's
infarmation, which was very helpful, and commented most businesses couId give
a price within a da.y or two, and it would give the Village Manager another
document to look at ta make sure they were comgari.ng apples to apples. Council
memi�er P.aterno commented what they were saying was to get two more prices
other than Mr. Cropp's and as long as they were in the ballpark and everyi�ody
was pretty much the same, then since Mr. Cropp had already gotten the ball
rolling and had everytt�ing sort of set up then they would go with Mr. Cropp.
Mayor Humpage and Vice Mayor Watkins stated they were both good with that.
Mayor Humpage commented that part af this process covld be that the time fr�me
had to be right, and if another guy was at $240,OOQ and Mr. Cropp was at
$248 as far as he was concerned, Mr. Cropp was already in the Ioop and had
done his homewvrk and would get the job. The Vice Mayc�r agreed, commenting
the time frame would drive the price up, so everybody needed to be the same.
Cowncil Member Patemo asked if Mr. Rheault thought he could get two mare
prices by tomorrow. Mayor Humpage stated he needed tc� make the efFort.
Councii Member Paterno asked if he cou�dn't get the prices by T'hursday would
they just mave on. Mayor Humpage expressed his opinion that if he coutdn't get '
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2006 �
Page 13
prices by Thursda.y or Friday, the work should not wait, and confirmed with the
other��Council Members that was th� general consensus.
Council Member Genco tivas conference called in at 11:24 am.
Mayor Humpage summarized Council previous comments:
- The Village was going to open up the bridge tomorrow morning
(Wednesday, Febzvary 8, 2046) per the origina.l plan for east and west
bound traf�ic on the north side, with barricades, flagman and police in
position. - �
Council Member Genco asked if the Village was also looking at. a mechanized
structure for the bridge. Mayor Humpage noted Assistant Village Manager Garlo
has already ordered that. Council Member Genco asked if that would be .
something the Village woezid migrate to once it is in place. Mayor Humpage
suggested giving some timeframes to understand what Council was considering.
- Once the Bridge is ogened, the Village is going to close the north side of
the westbound lane, which is going to be the traffic side, which will be
closed to pedestrians; Put the pedestrians on the side south, because the
sidewalk is independent of the bridge, and it would give the mothers �vith
strollers a continuous walkway from one side to the other withaut crossing
traffic.
- Create through buoys and temporary barriers to block the center span of
the bridge; Notice has already been sent to the Coast Guard, so that the
Viilage could open the side spans to the east and west of the center span
for marine traffic.
Mayor Humpage noted they were going to use a combination of a net and
flaatation collar with buoys that comply with the Coast Guard regulations. He
noted the water would be deep enough to a11ow the boaters to go in and out under
other spans.
- Bridge costs are estimated; and to get Mr. Rheault to mave forwazd with
the design in 1 to 2 days the Village would have to spend about $2Q,000.
Council Member Geneo noted Council had already approved that at the last
Special Meeting.
- Bridge structure costs have come in at $227,Q00 to $250,000.
- Overtime costs on a monthly basis about $50,000.
- Barricade rental, etc for about 6 weeks approximately $15,000.
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Specia.2 Meeting
February 7, 2006 �
Page 14 .
Council Member Genca commented if the Village goes to the mechanical system
could some of these costs be eliminated. Mayor Humpage responded in the
a.f�rmative, but noted at this point in time tne Viliage has not done the numbers to
see if the mechanical system can prevent the bigger trucks from using the bridge.
He noted these numbers are budgetary numbers, and not sealed in stone. Council
Member Genco noted she tho�ght the Village did not want the big trucks to use
the bridge. Mayor Humpage commented the Village does not want big trucks, but
questioned what was to prevent them from using the bridge gaing through the
. mechaniea.t signal. He noted in order to control it, the Village would need to man
the bridge 24 hours a day. Council Member Genco felt it could be posted. Mayor
Humpage Questioned, what was to stop the guy from going through anyway.
Council Member Genco suggested narrowing the barricades and if someone goes
through fine them. �
Council Member Genco ,questioned the $SO,OOQ for overtime, Mayor Humpag�
noted the police would still need to be pres�n� Council Member Genco noted if
the police had to be there what was the Village going to save, and if they were
present why cou.id they not stop the big trucks.
Mayor Humpage pointed out an overall budgetary nurnber the Village was
� looking at was approximately $350,000, and if it fluctuated $SO,tI00.00 and the
Village sav�d money, he was in favor of it. He commented what Council would
like to do is to get moving on this, becaizse the engineering is the key to getting
started, so what was suggested was ta authorize the Village Manager to expend
some of these funds. He felt the conect way to do tivis was to appropriate from
Reserve, and create a new "Bridge fund" in amount of $350,OOQ, which would
allow the Village to start writing the checks for the engineering, the slabs or
wha.tever we are going to need. Council Member Genco commented that was
basically approved at the last meeting, and the only thing we did not do was to
designate which fund it woutd come out. Mayor Humpage noted what Cauncil
wants to da is go ahead and create this fund and allocate from the reserves and put
it into this fund so the Village could start. Council Member Genco agreed and
asked Council to consider these are the kind of things the Vitlage has Reserve
funds for, and suggested considering having a greater reserve level. Mayor
Humpage agreed, and noted her point was well taken. Council Member Genca
commented if there are other situations, such as hurricanes, emergencies, or a
bomb, the ViIlage could be at risk. Consensus of Council agreed to her point.
Mayor Hwnpage mentioned that was the plan, and wanted to make sure Council
Member Genco was on the same page. Council Member Genco agreed and feit
that was what Councii had already approved, bnt did not approve what amount
was going to allocated. Mayor Humpage commented the funds were going to be
allocated fram Reserves. Council Member Genco agreed the Viilage would be
able to keep track of it in a special fund. �
Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2006 ,
Page 15
Mayor Hurnpage mentio�ed Mr. Rheault and Mr. Cropp had given the Village
preliminary numbers on the actual costs of the. repair. He explained that Mr.
Rheault was the engineer, and Mr. Cropp represented the company that Mr.
Rheault worked with quite often. He nQted their figures were about $2S,OQ0-
$30,000 apart. He pointed out Mr. Rheault mentioned there were other companies
out there that could give the Village some basic estunates in a couple of days. He
mentioned the common thinking of Council at this point was to ask the �Tillage
Manager to go out and contact these people for a quick estimate, and then Council
would be dping their job regarding percepnon, and not just spending $225,000
without Iooking around for other pricing. Cauncil Member Genco felt that was
reasonable and noted in an emergency siivation the Village has a different -
obligation. Mayor Hwmpage noted at least the Village will have made the effart,
and what the Viliage woutd do is to hold them to the same time constraints, so the
Village could move forward. He suggested their bid would need to be submitted
to the Village by this Friday, because the Village would be in the position to order
the parts by Friday.
Mayor Humpage ct�mmented Council would be giving the Village Manager the
discretion to review the bids, and make sure the proposals are apples to apples.
Council Member Genco commented then Council was giving the Village
Manager the discretion. Consensus of Council agreed to give the Village Manager
the discretion to make the eall. �
Cvuneil Member Paterno noted once Cour�cil makes the decision; and whatever
contractor; that within two weeks of right now Mr. Cropp said he could have slabs
here in Tequesta and start construction, and �ith�n 10 days of that he would be
finished. He stated hopefully witlun 3-3 %2 weeks from today the bridge could be
back up to normal. Mayor Humpage stated lets consider 6 weeks, Council
Member Genco suggested 4 weeks. Mayor Humpage sta.ted lets go with 6 weeks,
and if the Village is dane in 4 weeks; Council would be ahead vf the game. Mayor
Humpage pointed out another thing was in speaking with Chief, and Public
Safety, the Village would be apening the bridge to h�affic in both directions, and
making the necessary exceptions. Council Member Genco asked for clarification
on Mayor comments regazding opening the bridge to traffic in both directions.
Mayor Humpage clarified east and west on the north stand. Council Member
Paterno stated one-way altemating traffie. Council Member Genco agreed. Mayor
Humpage stated everyone was hoping that would work out fine; but in the event
the Village has a problem with a back up of traffic on Tequesta Drive, or for
unforeseen reasons, Police Chief Aitison will evaluate the both direction travel by
Friday, and if it is not working out, the Village may have ta consider having
tr�c onl.y in one direction, but Council will let the Chief make that
deternunation by the end of the week.
Council Member Genco commented she kind of thought also during the morning
there would probably be Ionger times for those exiting the Village, and during the
.. Minutes — Village Council Emergency Special Meeting
February 7, 2006
Page 16
evening time it coula be longer times for those corriing into the Village. She stated
that is why she feels the mechanical system would work reaiiy well. Mayor
Humpage stated Council was asking Chief Allison to look at that, and make his
decision on Friday. Council Member Genco asked if Council _was approving the
Chief or the Village Manager to make a decision on the mecha.nical system. �
Village Manager Couzzo noted Mr. Gazlo had already ordered the mechanized ;
system, but the Chief was going to make the decision as far as whether to go ane �
direction, and what resources he needed to make sure the tr�c was adequately
handled. Council Member Paterno �ommented in his opiruon he questianed
whether the mechanized sy'stem could be more costly than the flagman. Cauncil
� Member Geneo commented the �illage epuld go with whatever was most cost
ef'ficient. Village Mana.ger Cauzzo commented it would be beneficial for the
Viitage t4 have the mechanical system in the Village's inventory to use for
huxricanes and other situations. He noted the Viilage would use it the best they
can on the bridge, and have it as a resource for the future. Mayor Humpage asked
if Council needed to make a motian. Viilage Clerk Cazlisle indicated a motion
wou�d need ta be made, and all the other Ytems were based on a Consensus of
Council. Consensus of Council agreed to have the Village Manager move forward
with the Tequesta Drive Bridge repairs, using Ius discretian to spend funds to
expedite the project.
MQTION: Council Member Paterno moved to approve moving $350, 000. 00 from and
appropriate it far Bridge Fund Reserve. Mayor Humpage commented frnm an �
Undesignated to a Brid,ge Reserve. Cauncil 11�fember Paterno agreed. Village Manager
Couzzo noted Finance would create an account; seconded 8y Vice Mayor Watkins;
motion passed 4-0.
Council Member Genca ctosed the conference call at 11: 37 am.
Council Member Paterno asked about eatending the state af emergency. Mayar
Humpage commented it would expire on Friday. Viilage Manager Cotzzzo sta.ted
he thought it should be extended. Council Member Paterno commented if it were
extended there was a possibility of help from the county and/or state. Assistant
Viliage Manager Garlo commented not from FEMA because there was not a
federal designation on the road. _
MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was secanded
by Council Member Paterno and unanimously approved 4-0.
Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 12:38 a.m:
Respectfulty submitted,
Gwen Carlisle
Village Clerk