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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_03/13/2003Y~• VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 250 Tequesta Drive, Suite 300 Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (561) 575-6200 Fax: (561) 575-6203 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA REGULAR VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2003, 7:00 P.M. 399 SEABROOK ROAD TEQUESTA, FLORIDA 33469 WELCOME! I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a regular meeting at the Tequesta Recreation Center, 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida, on Thursday, March 13, 2003. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Geraldine A. Genco. Roll call was taken by Village Clerk Mary Miles. Council Members present were: • Mayor Geraldine A. Genco, Vice Mayor Joseph N. Capretta, Council Member Pat Watkins, Council Member Russell J. von Frank, and Council Member Edward D. Resnik. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney John C. Randolph, Village Clerk Mary Miles, and Department Heads. II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Reverend Paul Beresford gave the invocation and Vice-Mayor Capretta led the Pledge of Allegiance. III. OATH OF OFFICE TO INCOMING COUNCILMEMBERS Former Council Member Basil E. Dalack thanked the community for allowing him to serve for four years, and he congratulated Council Member Watkins on her win. He expressed deep gratitude to the Village Manager, Council and certain members of the community. Village Manager Couzzo gave the Oath of Office to Council Member Pat Watkins, Seat 2; and to Council Member Russell J. von Frank, Seat 4. IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Item G was removed from CONSENT AGENDA for discussion. Recycled Paper • Council Member Resnik wanted to add discussion of a letter received from Mr. Zuccarelli. Mayor Genco wanted to add discussion regarding the streetlights on Country Club Drive. MOTION: Council Member von Frank moved to approve, seconded by Council Member Resnik; motion carried S-0. V. REMARKS OF INCOMING COUNCILMEMBERS A. Pat Watkins stated she was very pleased to be in office and has been overwhelmed by the response she has received. She appreciates the four years Mr. Dalack gave to the community. She expressed thanks to a network of friends and neighbors with whom she went around and spoke to. She stated neighbors want to bring a change to the Village of Tequesta, they were concerned with spending. They want to bring Tequesta back to the friendly community it once was. B. Russell J. von Frank stated when he came aboard, the finance department was just beginning to recover, and Mrs. Forsythe has done a beautiful job over the last few years. I will not forget, we had a million dollars floating around somewhere we started interest bearing. The Village Manager and • Staff have done and excellent job. VI. VILLAGE COUNCIL REORGANIZATION A. Election of Council Officers for the following year. Mayor Russell J. von Frank nominated Geraldine A. Genco, and Joseph N. Capretta nominated Edward D. Resnik. 2. Vice-Mayor Geraldine A. Genco nominated Russell J. von Frank. VOTE: Russell J. von Frank and Geraldine A. Genco voted for Geraldine A. Genco; and Pat Watkins, Edward D. Resnik and Joseph N. Capretta voted for Edward D. Resnik as Mayor. Consensus to elect Russell J. von Frank as Vice Mayor. Mayor Resnik stated he will work for the betterment of the Village, and he thanked Geraldine Genco for two years of doing a • 2 • superb job as mayor. He remarked he will do his best to serve the Village as he had as a Council Member. Council Member Capretta stated although this Council believes things were great, when we have an election with an overwhelming defeat, we can say the people don't like what they are doing. My only message is to this Council. Council Member Watkins didn't even send a mailing. People want achange-she ran on the fact that we were big spenders. The Council better say let's give them what they want. Elect me and I'll cut your taxes. It is felt this Council has spent too much. Council Member Genco stated she has been moral, ethical, and did her best to address problems in this Council. This election means a personal issue for one Council seat. I welcome the opportunity of new ideas. I welcome what Mrs. Watkins can bring to this Council. Mayor Resnik mentioned he thinks the Council did a fine job. He tried to find where they were spending too much and where money couldn't be taken away. VII. PRESENTATIONS • A. Presentation of the Tequesta Police Department's Cha lain, Reverend p Paul Beresford Police Chief Stephen J. Allison Chief Allison introduced Reverend Beresford. He stated he didn't want a chaplain that would push religion, asked Reverend Beresford, he accepted and has made a positive impact so far. Reverend Beresford remarked he was humbled to do this for the Village. He did some of this work in Ohio. He meets with the officers three times a week. He is not trying to build a church. He is starting a "Neighbors Who Care" policy for any family that is going through a trauma. He has also done a Birthday Card program with a free dinner at Opie's. On April 30~' we are holding a Safety Awareness Seminar. He appreciates this opportunity given to him. B. Presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)- Finance Director JoAnn Forsythe Finance Director Forsythe stated this is a special CAFR for us. This is our second year with Rachlin and Cohen. We made sure that when we closed this year we would clean up everything. We had completed many • of the schedules the auditors would have had to complete themselves. The 3 • one thing I can promise you, as good as this is, we are going to keep getting better. Jerry Chioca told the Council they may call him if they have any questions. In the governmental revenues for the last five years, a substantial amount was in personal taxes. Fund balance increased over the last five years. The ad valorem tax rate has remained constant. Expenses increased in the area of depreciation. On the independent CPA's financial reporting, there are no incidents of non-compliance. There are no findings to bring to your attention, no shortages, no state of financial emergency, no violations of law or fraud. We had a good partnership. Everything was on the ball and ready to go. MOTION: Vice Mayor von Frank moved to accept the CAFR, seconded by Council Member Capretta; motion carried S-0. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA A. Village Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2003-Village Clerk Mary Miles B. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2003-Village Clerk Mary Miles • C. Tequesta Public Safety Officers' Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees Meeting of November 12, 2003-Village Clerk Mary Miles D. Tequesta General Employees Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees Meeting of November 12, 2002-Village Clerk Mary Miles E. Special Master Code Enforcement Hearing Minutes of January 23, 2003- Village Clerk Mary Miles F. Resolution No. 23-02/02-A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, approving a Water Service Agreement between Centez Homes, Tequesta Cay Project, and the Village of Tequesta Utilities Department, and authorizing the Village Manager to ezecute the applicable agreement on behalf of the V illage.-Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. G. Endorse Village Manager's approval of CH2M Hill (previously Gee & Jenson) Architectural and Engineering Services for the Village of Tequesta Community Center [as per the Village Charter Section 3.03 (9)].-Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. Discussion ensued over item G., facade. Council Member Watkins was concerned about spending finances on it, as well as Council Member Capretta. • 4 • MOTION: Council Member von Frank moved to approve Item G under CONSENT AGENDA, seconded by Council Member Genco; motion carried 3-2 with Council Member Capretta and Council Member Watkins dissenting. MOTION: Council Member Genco moved to approve CONSENT AGENDA items A through F, seconded by Council Member von Frank; motion carried S-0. IX. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Julie and Bethany Leslie stated they were there on behalf of the Student Government at Jupiter High School. They are planning to run for the Florida Student Council to represent the students of Florida at the Legislature. It is difficult and costly, and historically schools in Northern Florida have dominated. We believe with the help of hard work and our community, we can win and are asking for you're your help-a letter of support. We'd also like you to help us reach our fundraising goals. MOTION: Council Member Genco moved to send a letter of support, seconded by Vice Mayor von Frank; motion carried S-0. Council Member Genco stated she wants $100.00 from her discretionary fund to go to the effort, Council Member Watkins agreed to give $100.00 from her . discretionary fund, as well as Vice Mayor von Frank, Mayor Resnik, and Council Member Capretta. Julie and Bethany Leslie stated they would like to have the funds by March 30`", the time of their campaign dinner. MOTION: Vice Mayor von Frank motioned to donate $1, 000.00 from the contingency fund to benefit the Jupiter High School Student Government cause, seconded by Council Member Capretta; motion carried 5-0. Wade Greist, 494 South Dover Road, passed out a piece of paper to each Council Member that showed code enforcement fines initially placed on certain cases. He remarked that any of his movements are to help the Village and its citizens. He inquired as to why all fines had not been collected from the Siegel's case. Village Attorney Randolph stated that each order indicates a time. In the event the order has been recorded and not satisfied, that is protected with a lien. If the lien is more than what the property closed for, it is only worth that. Council Member Genco stated she was interested in the other fines that were collected. Village Manager Couzzo stated there was a memo in your backup regarding that, • and I put a flow chart in showing how the entire code enforcement process works. 5 • Council Member Capretta mentioned that code enforcement is not to make money but to have people comply with our codes. Mayor Resnik stated the Special Master Hearings are in the Consent Agenda, and when a case comes into compliance, they reduce or do away with the fine. Peggy Verhoeven, Point Drive, congratulated Council Member Pat Watkins and the new Mayor. She stated two of her customers walking on the sidewalk leaving her restaurant were barely missed by the driver of a car that stepped on the accelerator instead of the break. If anyone thinks they cannot drive safely, don't. May I suggest the Village help a little bit in your paper-senior drivers drive with safety and caution. People still have to watch with the utmost of caution. X. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution No. 24-02/03-A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, approving a contract for a skateboard area at Constitution Park, with attachment, to Rep Services Inc., in the amount of $40,064.16 from account 303- 316-663.672 with a budget allocation of $45,000.00, and allowing the Village Manager to execute the applicable contract on behalf of the Village. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Corbitt Council Member Genco stated the park would be open for regularly scheduled park hours. Greg and I put together a proposed set of hours, when certain age groups are going to use the park, when it was going to be monitored. Mayor Resnik remarked there was a meeting five years ago about this, it was packed with moms and dads and kids wanting to have a skateboard park. The kids never got their area. I think it is good for the kids as long as it is properly supervised. Council Member Capretta stated we have studied this problems and the issues that always came up was the cost of operation and the concern when you ask what age children will be involved. I thought if we were going to do this we would want to put it in Tequesta Park where the teens hang out, instead of here, where the little kids would get pushed out of it. Recreation Director Corbitt responded there are kids in this park currently using it as a skateboard area. They really don't have any other place to go. The Florida State Statutes state no governmental agency will be held liable for any accidents on our property. This is modular, if it turns out it is not being used, it is dismantled and goes away. It is folding. • 6 • MOTION: Council Member Genco moved to approve Resolution No. 24-02/03, seconded by Vice Mayor von Frank. Discussion: Village Attorney Randolph stated the Statute was drawn to encourage governments to provide for skateparks, except for certain exceptions you did not give proper notice or proper signage. I want to make sure we are not in violation of that. He mentioned we need to get written consent for anyone under 17 years of age. Council Member Genco stated each user will be provided with an identification card after they've received consent. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has approved this. Recreation Director Corbitt said the gate out front gets locked. Council Member Capretta stated we need to hire someone trained to do this. After it is opened a while, you might have to do it. Cyrese Colbert stated they thought it was a great idea to have skateboarders. They accosted one of our attendees, carved obscenities in the driveway-they were caught with drugs, and destroyed hundreds of lights and broke bottles in the driveway. They did multiple damages to our shopping center. I agree with you • Mr. Capretta, if we are going to have a skatepark, you need to have it attended. Vice Mayor von Frank asked if Police Chief Allison could give his thoughts on this project. Police Chief Allison stated he would welcome a skatepark. We are constantly shifting children from place to place. I asked specifically to place it where we could spotlight it at night. We can really see if people are using it after hours. I endorse it, and I think it is a good idea. Village Manager Couzzo remarked the actual bid came in with $5,000.00 left in that budget. I would consider having it supervised and you could use the savings to hire someone for this budget year. Council Member Genco amended her motion to include reallocating the unspent funds to have an attendant, seconded by Council Member von Frank; Liz Schauer, Teakwood Circle, remarked she was one of the people that started this, and the Village needs it. I have worked with Mr. Corbitt on several functions of this, and it is in an ideal area. Please vote yes. Mayor Resnik stated it could be open Monday through Friday in the summer from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 noon to 6 p.m. • 7 • Village Attorney Randolph read Resolution No. 24-02/03 by caption only. Motion carried S-0. B. Council to designate priorities for the Village Manager in the upcoming year. Mayor Edward D. Resnik Mayor Resnik noted from an occupational handbook he had under government it says they must set goals. I'm just trying to give an idea where we may want to migrate into, because for something like this, if we get this we can add, delete and modify and make a final list for him to get back and implement. I realized goals like this were used as a basis for evaluating the manager. The Village Charter has ten responsibilities for the manager. He does a budget, another evaluation point. He has a staff of about 70, how do they perform? How does he interact with the public? Those are criteria I think are good measures of evaluating the manager. I feel that trying to determine how to rate someone from a list of priorities. It is very difficult to utilize as a measure of performance. It is up for the Council to decide if they want to wait for the budget to come in. I venture to say a lot of these things are being done, but at least it is a list. Council consensus was to wait for the budget to designate the Village Manager • Priorities, for the upcoming year. XI. ANY OTHER MATTERS Mayor Resnik mentioned Mr. Zuccarelli sent a letter indicating he would like to purchase the southwest parcel of the Village Center we obtained from him. I would like to put it on the agenda for the next meeting. Council Member Genco stated she would like to note any transaction, when we go into this, should be at arms length to avoid conflict of interest. We have an appraisal over six months old, and he is offering a lot less. If we do want to sell the property, in what manner do we want to do this? Council Member Capretta remarked this offer was not a repurchase, but a new purchase. Attorney Randolph observed Mr. Zuccarelli used the word, but the right to repurchase no longer exists, this is a new deal. Attorney Randolph commented when someone comes to you for an offer that you can discuss, it should be an offer and not a letter. Village Manager Couzzo stated the matter will be placed on the agenda as well as evaluations and alternatives to make an educated decision of whether or not we want to keep it. Council Member Genco remarked we have a lot of problems with streetlights in the Country Club not resolved because conduit was not put in the ground, and some are broken. The Village is under the process of catching up and replacing. am hoping where conduit should have been and installed and was not installed will be charged back to the contractor. Village Manager Couzzo mentioned there was some question whether the conduit was in. We don't believe the contractor was negligent, some believe that when the sewering was done it would be put in. FPL will soon be energizing the lights on Country Club Drive. XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Genco moved to adjourn, seconded by von Frank; motion carried S-0. Respectfully submitted: (.1~+~r~ Vill Clerk • 9