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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_03/02/1994_Public Safety Committee f VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 Fax: (407) 575 -6203 a o e f7CH COUM�y V I L L A G E O F T E Q U E S T A P U B L I C S A F E T Y C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G M I N U T E S M A R C H 2, 1 9 9 4 I. The Tequesta Public Safety Committee held a regularly scheduled meeting at the Village Hall at 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, March 2, 1994. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Chairman Joseph N. Capretta, with Co- Chairman Ron T. Mackail in attendance. Also in attendance were Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford; Village Clerk Joann Manganiello; Police Chief Carl Roderick; Police Lieutenant Steve Allison; Fire Chief James Weinand; and Fire Lt. Alex Nathanson. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved as submitted. III. REVIEW OF TEQUESTA THRU TRUCK PERMIT ORDINANCE (Village Attorney). Chairman Capretta stated that residents along Country Club Drive are particularly unhappy about the heavy truck traffic and feel that the trucks are also too big to be using that street, and feel that these truckers are merely using Tequesta as a pass- through to reach a Martin County destination. He asked Police Chief Roderick if he is checking the destination of those trucks which are being stopped as they pass through Tequesta. The Chief responded that statistics for last month show that 38 trucks were stopped on Country Club Drive, 16 of which were legal and making deliveries in Tequesta. All others were turned around and sent on an alternative route. Chairman Capretta stated further that the public believes that Tequesta Drive Bridge has a 33 -ton bridge, and Martin County has an 8 -ton bridge, truckers choose the Tequesta route, and asked the Police Chief if there was any substance to that belief. Chief Roderick reported that Martin County bridges are posted at 8 -ton (not rated at 8 -ton). However, Martin County has been allowing heavier trucks to pass over with special permits, that is used as alternative route to trucks coming through Tequesta to make a Martin County delivery. Recycled Paper Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes March 2, 1994 Page 2 ----------------------- A warning is being issued to each trucking company for their first violation of coming through Tequesta. The second violation brings a Notice to Appear. Village Attorney Randolph explained that, if cited, the violator would be subject penalties of the County Court, which could be a fine of up to $500 or 60 days in jail, neither of which they would be anywhere close to. A first -time offender would probably receive a fine of $50 -$75. Councilmember Collings had previously suggested to the Village Manager that the Village Thru Truck Ordinance be revisited to look at an exemption clause for purveyors or food delivery companies so that the country clubs would not be adversely impacted. The new Village ladder truck for the Fire Department weighs 24 ton and a loaded Rinker cement truck weighs 34 -36 ton. Chairman Capretta stated that the object is to minimize thru truck traffic, especially those who use Tequesta as a pass - through for a Martin County destination. Even though data shows that more than half of the truck traffic is headed for Martin County, Chief Roderick felt the present Village Thru Truck Ordinance, re- routing trucks which use Tequesta as a pass- through and making permits mandatory was an adequate strategy. The Village Attorney felt Tequesta's Thru Truck Ordinance was good. He explained that Tequesta has experienced a lawsuit in the past regarding a previous Ordinance very similar to the one before the Committee today. The lawsuit involved Turtle Creek and some other private property owners in Martin County who attempted to enjoin Tequesta from enforcing the Ordinance. Tequesta prevailed at the Preliminary Injunction, and the Court held that the Plaintiff did not show that they were entitled to relief at that stage. The case continued. There were many problems and much animosity between the people of Turtle Creek and the Village Council at that time because the Judge did suggest in his Order that the Ordinance be modified because it granted too much discretion to the Village Manager in regard to the issuance of permits. The Ordinance was modified and tightened up to remove that discretion. Now a permit must be given if certain conditions are met. Therefore, the Village Attorney feels the Ordinance is a good one and can withstand judicial attack. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes March 2, 1994 Page 3 ----------------- - - - - -- The Committee concurred that the Ordinance and the strategy were good and that the Police Department should continue doing as they have been doing and making a monthly report to the Public Safety Committee regarding speeding, truck problems, etc., for tracking purposes. The Village Attorney was asked to determine the legality of lowering the speed limit on Country Club Drive to 25 miles per hour. Village Manager Bradford informed the Committee that Country Club Drive will be closed to through traffic on March 14 for three weeks for the laying of a lateral pipe. He also pointed out that the permit fees for the above - referenced Ordinance have not been raised since 1982 and should be addressed. The Committee recommended that the permit fees be increased 50% as follows, with the Annual Permit Fee studied further to determine whether it should be increased more than 50%: Fees Previously New Fees Daily $10.00 $15.00 Weekly 15.00 22.50 Monthly 25.00 37.50 Annual 50.00 ? ?? Village Manager Bradford stated that the new Permit Fees would probably not become effective until May. IV. REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE REGULATING COMPOST BINS (Village Manager). Village Manager Bradford reported that the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) is going to start pushing composting this year. Therefore, the Village Attorney has been asked to draft an Ordinance for the Village which would regulate composting, the first draft of which is presented to the Committee today. The SWA was given opportunity to comment on the drafted Ordinance, and, for the most part, were pleased but had one suggestion: they pointed out that in Section 10 -72(4) which reads: "The composting of trash, debris or waste generated by products used for human consumption shall be prohibited." did not include meat, bones, table scraps, etc., but could include organic materials such as vegetables, fruits, coffee grounds, etc. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes March 2, 1994 Page 4 ----------------- - - - - -- The intent of the Ordinance is to allow people to have up to two units made out of plastic, a manufactured unit, placed in the rear yard within the setback requirements of the applicable zoning district, and cannot be seen from the street. Chairman Capretta, noticing that the Ordinance allows a user two 4 x 4 x 5 compost containers, asked if it would be possible to obtain a third one. Village Attorney Randolph answered that it could be written into the Ordinance that it would be possible for lots over a certain size to be allowed more than two bins, or a variance clause could be attached. Attorney Randolph suggested that the prescribed bins perhaps ought not to be listed in the Ordinance by manufacturer name, but rather should say "essentially similar thereto ". Except for deleting the manufacturers' names of compost bins, and using the compost bins pictured in the Ordinance as samples which may be used, the Committee agreed the Ordinance was adequate in its present state. V. CONSIDERATION OF TEQUESTA FIRE /RESCUE EMS PROPOSAL (Fire Chief Weinand) Chief Weinand explained that this consideration is an alternative approach to providing ALS and BLS care. This approach can be done in -house with a lot of beneficial side effects for fire suppression rating. It also gives the Fire Chief the ability to have direct supervision over a service for which he is responsible. He is presently responsible for EMS care but does not have direct supervision over it. Chief Weinand outlined for the Committee a specific proposal, its costs and side effects. Total startup costs are estimated to be $43,313; no ambulances are provided for in this proposal. It is estimated that the savings over five years would be between $119,000 and $148,000. Having built an EMS from scratch before, Chief Weinand stated it would take him 4 -5 months to build an EMS system. He felt that Tequesta's present EMS provider is below standard, in that they are at a basic paramedic level. It is felt that a more advanced standard would better serve Tequesta. Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes March 2, 1994 Page 5 ----------------- - - - - -- Chairman Capretta asked what impact an in -house EMS system would have on Tequesta Police, and how the system would operate. Chief Weinand explained that the present proposal calls for one paramedic on each vehicle. North County Ambulance will still do the transporting, for which there will be a user fee billed to the resident. No additional training would be required for Tequesta Police Officers, since it is hoped that Tequesta will have an aggressive medical director. Co- Chairman Mackail felt it was worth exploring whether Tequesta should provide its own EMS, and that, even though a savings has been shown over a five -year period, consideration should be given to a projection of more than five years to compare numbers. The Committee concurred with Fire Chief Weinand's recommendation, recommending that the Village Council consider (at the March 10 1994 meeting) in -house EMS for Tequesta with a start -up date of April 1, 1995. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 A.M. Respectfully submitted, _ �_ , X��_ Fran Bitters Recording Secretary ATTEST: J6&nn Manganiejlo Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: Z1