Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_05/12/2011 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP VILLAGE HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tom Paterno at 5:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Calvin Turnquest, Council Member Humpage and Council Member Abby Brennan. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney Davis, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams and Department Heads. 1. Discussion on Annexation Strategies and Priorities Fire Chief Weinand identified proposed annexation areas as A through J, and advised that one of the major mistakes made in 1995 had been trying to annex too many areas at one time. Planning Consultant Nilsa Zacarias indicated the different annexation areas with their values were shown in a table in the backup materials. The next phase of the plan would be to go into details to assess how much it would cost to annex each area. There would be a cost to provide the same level of service as currently experienced. She asked what area the Council would like her to focus on. Vice Mayor Arena asked if there was any area on which the county would agree. Chief Weinand responded Area J, which was less than ten acres, could be annexed by the Village's local agreement with the county. Village Manager Couzzo suggested finding the two most desirable areas —those most like the Village, with the highest level of potential success in achieving annexation, where initial capital outlay and infrastructure improvement costs could be minimized to avoid long -term payback. He commented the Village should think about which areas would complement and not change the character of the Village. Mayor Paterno suggested if there were a way to grandfather people in with the incentive that their taxes would not change for possibly three years, then gradually wean them on, and if they sold their houses automatically go to the new rate. Let them know the process is a long one with the goal being to square off and let them contribute something in the beginning. He noted Anchorage Point really had no incentive to join the Village since they got most services already, and asked other Council members for their ideas. Vice Mayor Arena suggested giving people more time to make improvements. Attorney Davis noted taxes had to be uniform, but the Village had control with a great deal of flexibility over how code enforcement issues were handled, and financial breaks could be given for permit fees, land development, application fees, etc. He noted if County Line Road is not in the Village then those areas may not be enclaves and may not be able to be handled with an interlocal agreement. Consultant Minutes — Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 2 Zacarias reported the county had a map showing those were enclaves and the county had sent her the steps to enclave less than 10 acres. Chief Weinand commented years ago it wasn't the cost and taxes for those potential annexations as much as the Village code requirements. Village Manager Couzzo stated all areas needed to be analyzed independently of each other, then prioritize a list of areas, and then do an analysis. Council Member Humpage stated Waterway Village was going to discuss annexation in October, but they wanted to meet with the Village first, and they had some road and drainage infrastructure issues. Ms. Zacarias confirmed if property was contiguous to the Village property it could be voluntarily annexed. Council Member Humpage pointed out Nicole Circle had 30 homes and was in the county. Infrastructure was already in place; however, police services were an issue. Sewer, water, and some street lights would be needed. Ms. Zacarias advised she would meet with the county, since they had said they would look at this on a case by case basis. Mayor Paterno asked if the area was 10 acres or less if the county would contest the annexation or just give it to the Village. Chief Weinand advised it could be done by interlocal agreement. Ms. Zacarias added that lately the Commission would like the owners to be notified and for them to agree. Mayor Paterno suggested annexing commercial areas such as Judy's and a few lots up the street to help control the future along U.S. One. Consultant Zacarias commented Commissioner Karen Marcus had been supportive and needed to be involved to create a table outlining the county and Village costs in order to compare apples to apples. Council Member Humpage added the county needed to set the millage rate and MSTU. Village Manager Couzzo suggested having preliminary meetings with those areas Council would like to consider to see what their issues were and where to begin. Mayor Paterno suggested areas A, D, and D and to break D down. Council Member Humpage suggested A and C, then go from there. Manager Couzzo suggested inviting the residents of those areas right away, do preliminary infrastructure assessment and impact analysis, and look more specifically at the properties. Other comments were to go to the county for area J, to take the commercial properties along U.S. One, that there were twice as many homes in C as in A, and A had a higher property value, Council Member Humpage commented the Village was paid to provide fire services in those areas. Village Manager Couzzo advised the Village would pick up revenues from the ad valorem side and they were paying more now on the MSTU than if they were annexed. Minutes — Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 3 Consensus of Council was to pursue areas C, A, and J and commercial enclaves. Public Comment Pat Watkins, 167 River Drive, commented that three years ago Tequesta Hills, which abutted the water department, had approached her and was interested in coming into the Village. Vice Mayor Arena asked if the Village could offer those with code issues not to pay for the permits to comply, to which Attorney Davis responded yes, the Village had complete jurisdiction on code matters. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to come before the Board. MOTION Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 5.39 p.m.; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena, motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, �� 61,Yn 6cO� Lori McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk Note These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.