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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_08/30/1991_Finance & Administration Committee f v� v A VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 FAX: (407) 575 -6203 F�cH cou F I N A N C E A N D A D M I N I S T R A T I O N C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G M I N U T E S A U G U S T 3 0, 1 9 9 1 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Finance & Administration Committee of the Village Council held a Committee Meeting on Friday, August 30, 1991 in the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Earl L. Collings. Finance & Administration Committee Co- Chairman Joseph N. Capretta was also in attendance. Staff members present were: Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford; Scott Ladd, Building Official, Steve Kennedy, Deputy Building Official, and Carl Roderick, Chief of Tequesta Police. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda order was re- arranged to accommodate the Committee Chairman who had to leave early for an appointment. These Minutes are reflected in that order. III. REVIEW OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATED TIME FOR PROBLEM RESOLUTION. Chairman Collings pointed out that more than half of the Code Enforcement problems are with Occupational Licenses, followed by Construction Work, then Sign Violations and Zoning, and individual yards. The Village Attorney had been previously instructed to prepare Ordinances on: 0 40% minimum landscaping open spaces for residential properties; 0 on making it a violation to have overhanging limbs; Recycled Paper Finance and Administration Committee Meeting Minutes August 30, 1991 Page 2 0 on making it the responsibility of the abutting property owner to keep all vegetation from growing on the adjacent property; o an Ordinance to eliminate ambiguity in the Code; o an Ordinance prohibiting composting; o an Ordinance requiring the Xeriscaping concept; and o and Ordinance prohibiting invader species. IV. ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10 -19 RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF THE VILLAGE TO ABATE VIOLATIONS, ETC. Village Attorney Randolph explained that 10 -19 previously required the passing of a Resolution when there were overgrowing yards in excess of 12 etc. The purpose of 10- 19 is to change that procedure so as not to require the Council to have to adopt a Resolution prior to taking action. Section 10 -19 is still a concern, but it provides notice of the violation to the owner. The Notice will specify the corrective action which needs to be taken, requiring the owner to remedy the situation within 15 days. If not remedied within 15 days, the Village would then have the authority to abate the violation and lien the property. This is a new procedure. Chairman Collings felt this procedural methodology could be most helpful in eliminating some of the smaller problems. Co- Chairman Capretta asked if this would allow the Code Enforcement Officer to take action without appearing before Council. Village Attorney Randolph answered affirmatively. Attorney Randolph further explained that if the violator objects, they would have the right to appear before the Code Enforcement Board for appeal if they desired a hearing, but they would be required to file a Notice of Appeal within the time specified in the Ordinance. If Notice of Appeal is not filed, and corrective action has not been taken, the Village has the authority to abate the violation. The Committee concurred that this item should appear on the Agenda for the next scheduled Council meeting. Finance and Administration Committee Meeting Minutes August 30, 1991 Page 3 -------------------------- V. REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO BUILDING PERMIT FEES AND REGULATIONS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH. Village Manager Bradford stated that in September of 1989, Palm Beach County implemented a vast array of Impact Fees, which took effect on October 1, 1989. Because of that, many builders came to the Village to pull Permits in September to avoid Impact Fees. Now some of those same builders are asking for a refund on the expired Permits which they did not use. The Village does not have an Ordinance to address this issue, hence, the above - proposed Ordinance. Palm Beach County will give a refund up to 30 days after issuance of a Permit. The above- proposed Ordinance states that a refund will be given within 30 days of issuance of the Permit; if the Permit expires, it can be renewed or extended by paying a fee equal to 25% of the original Permit fee, not to exceed four extensions. Attorney Randolph suggested that Permit extensions ought not to be permitted for variances, and if the intent is agreeable to the Committee, he could modify the Ordinance to take that into account. The Committee concurred. VI. REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 377 RELATING TO PROHIBITED LANDSCAPING. Attorney Randolph explained that this amendment to Ordinance 377 merely expands the list of prohibited landscaping, providing that irrigation must be provided on single family lots, as well as allowing an amortization period to get rid of the prohibited species. He suggested that there should be a certain percentage of landscaped open space, requiring a certain percentage to be sod and a certain percentage xeriscaped, excluding hard surface areas. Chairman Collings recommended that the direction to be taken on these issues be discussed at the next Village Council meeting. Scott Ladd, Building Official, explained that the prohibited species list matches that of Palm Beach County. Chairman Collings commented that it would be wise to have a horticulturist present when the Council addresses this issue. Finance and Administration Committee Meeting Minutes August 30, 1991 Page 4 -------------------- - - - - -- VII. REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE REGULATING NEWSRACRS. Village Manager Bradford explained this Ordinance was done as the result of complaints in the past of the outgrowth of newspaper racks around the Village at various areas. The Ordinance prohibits the placement of newsracks on roadways, single family zoning districts, sidewalks, etc. Notice must be given to the Public Works Department of the rack placement location. Racks can only be placed near a curb or adjacent to the wall of a building; newsracks dispensing only advertising material will be prohibited. Chairman Collings asked if this Ordinance would create any problem with freedom of the press. Attorney Randolph responded that objections from the press can be expected, and that the press will tell the Village they cannot prohibit placement of racks in residential areas, but that the Village does have that right. It is also legitimate to regulate the length of the racks and how many can be at one location, though this particular Ordinance does not address that point. The press is very adamant about these types of Ordinances and are willing to spend a lot of money in Court to prove their point. There was discussion about possibly supplying shelters for the newsracks to cause them to be more aesthetic. Chairman Collings recommended that this Ordinance be presented for public discussion at the next Council meeting. Chairman Collings left the meeting at 9:40 a.m. VIII. REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE RELATING TO UNLAWFUL GROWTH AND COMPOSTING. Co- Chairman Capretta reminded everyone that starting in January 1992 a new State Law will take effect which will not allow mixing of garbage with cuttings. There will be a separate day for the collections of trimmings. Composting and mulching are being encouraged by the State. He reported that the County will start a new volume system which allows citizens, on Monday and Thursday, to put out only one 32 gallon can of refuse. If a citizen has more than one can, they must buy stickers, at $1.00 each, to place on each additional can. Finance and Administration Committee Meeting Minutes August 30, 1991 Page 5 -------------------------- If a citizen has a large item such as a refrigerator to be removed, they must call the Solid Waste Authority to come out to give them an estimate of how much will be charged to haul it away. Co- Chairman Capretta asked that this Ordinance be placed for discussion on the Agenda for the next Village Council Meeting. Mr. Bradford mentioned that the Solid Waste Authority has constructed a central compost facility. IX. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters before the Committee. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no other matters before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Fran Bitters Recording Secretary Date Approved: /9 ATTEST: Bill Kasscav lis Finance Director/Village Clerk