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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_08/11/2011 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEGUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tom Paterno at 4:01 p.m. A roll call was taken by Assistant to the Village Clerk Deanna Mayo. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice -Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage and Council Member Abby Brennan. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr. and Assistant to the Village Clerk Deanna Mayo. Council Member Calvin Turnquest was absent attending the Florida League of Cities conference. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Council Member Humpage made a motion to approve the amended agenda dated 8111/11 as submitted. Vice Mayor Arena seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation on Updates and Discussions Relative to the Inspector General's Office and Budget Village Attorney White reported she had attended the discussion at the Inspector General's Office as General Counsel representing the League of Cities, and she disagreed with the others present regarding their position that the taxpayers would not bear this burden. There were now some cities that believed this was an unfair and illegal tax. She expressed her opinion that this was an arbitrary method of assessing the cities and explained that in October the Village would receive a tax bill, but the only way collection could be enforced would be if the Village agreed to pay. Some of the cities were contemplating a lawsuit. She discussed problems associated with this funding mechanism. Village Manager Couzzo indicated this was only an update, and would be discussed further during budget workshops. Attorney White announced she would continue to stay on top of this matter, and would make a recommendation in September. 2. Proclamation Declaring August as Fire Fighter Appreciation Month Assistant to the Village Clerk Deanna Mayo read aloud the Proclamation Declaring August as Fire Fighter Appreciation Month. Fire Fighter Ray Giblin thanked the Village and indicated the Fire Fighters were proud to support the MDA charity. Special Council Meeting Minutes — August 11, 2011 Page 2 3. Council Approval to Continue to Allow the Village's Fire Rescue to Participate in the MDA Program as an Official Sponsored Village Event and to Allow the Village's Fire Equipment and Officers to be Onsite During MDA Boot Drives Village Manager Couzzo advised the Firefighters would be conducting the MDA boot drives on their own time and would take the Village's pickup truck to the site, which would be the only cost to the Village. MOTION: Council Member Humpage made a motion to allow the Village's Fire Rescue to participate in the MDA Program as an official sponsored Village event and to allow the Village's Fire equipment and officers to be onsite during MDA Boot Drives. Council Member Brennan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. ITEM WITHDRAWN ON 8/9/11 BY REOUESTOR OF APPEAL TIME CERTAIN 5:00 P.M. 4. Council Consideration of Appeal by Cliveden Jupiter Island Condominium Association, Inc. and LaMar Condominium Association, Inc. Appeal of Village Staff interpretation of building height measurements in the R -3 Zoning District as applied to a proposed 2,904 square foot, two story pool and fitness accessory building at 400 Beach Road. ANY OTHER MATTERS Village Manager Couzzo announced representatives of the Loxahatchee Guild were present to speak regarding saving the old train depot on Seabrook Road. The Guild President Joan Lever, explained the depot's historical significance and provided a handout of their proposed timeline for action. Mary Therese Delate, Guild member explained the action taken since the last meeting and commented the original depot location had been at Johnston Park, across from Bell's Mobile Home Park. Jupiter Mayor Karen Golonka officially confirmed the Town of Jupiter was interested in preserving the depot. She reported they had found it could be moved and had discussed possible locations, and the Jupiter Town Council had directed staff to explore the possibility of moving the depot to Jupiter. Their next step would be to prepare cost estimates, explore funding mechanisms, and a viable location. She asked they be allowed until the October meeting to work on this matter. Council Member Humpage commented he had no problem with waiting, but cautioned that Department of Transportation could cause further delay. Mayor Golonka advised by October they would have enough information to be able to commit or not. Consensus of Council was to wait until October. Special Council Meeting Minutes — August 11, 2011 Page 3 Village Manager Couzzo announced representatives Bob Lawson and Tom Jensen from Arcadis were present in regard to settlement for costs associated with changes during the bridge construction. He had been working with them, and the current figure was $88,000, down from about $176,000. Mr. Lawson indicated their offer was higher than they felt they were responsible for, but Tequesta was a long term client and they wished to show their appreciation. Attorney White advised this would need to be added to an agenda in order to take action. Discussion ensued. MOTION: Council Member Humpage made a motion to add to this agenda Item 4 - For Consideration of Arcadis Engineering Issue; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena and carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. MOTION: Council Member Humpage made a motion that the Village Manager and Village Attorney prepare the appropriate paperwork and accept the offer from Arcadis of $88,000 to settle the engineering issue; and with the proper releases and indemnifications on the issues at hand, seconded by Council Member Brennan; and carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. Attorney White advised this did not have to come back before the Village Council because the Village Manager had previously been authorized. Village Manager Couzzo commented that in the current budget, a study by Arcadis on the entire water utility had been approved, which was now 75 % -80% finished. It laid out a 25+ year plan addressing the entire utility and how to address and pay for proposed improvements in 5 -year increments. It included everything except electrical analysis and instrumentation analysis, which would be provided soon. He cautioned not to read the report as if replacements were mandatory. Regulatory changes were not included. Mayor Paterno commented this would be brought up as a budgetary item. The Manager commented this was a planning document. Village Manager Couzzo reported demolition would start next week on the two other buildings on Seabrook Road, using Village personnel. Village Manager Couzzo reported since changing to Attorney White's firm the Village had saved approximately one -half the previous cost. The Village Manager reported final touches were being made to the budget for the workshops. Special Council Meeting Minutes — August 11, 2011 Page 4 Village Manager Couzzo commented on the recent volatility of the stock market, and how it had affected the pension funds. Mayor Paterno noted that the market remained negative since the fiscal cycle was near end and, an actuarial report would potentially show the Village with 8% to make up in the budget going forward. Tom Bradford, 44 Chestnut Trail, suggested smoothing over five years to lessen the impact. The Village Manager noted that on the Village Council meeting agenda for tonight was changing the police portion of the Public Safety Officers' Pension from defined benefit to defined contribution. Mayor Paterno expressed his opinion it was outrageous the bridge contractor was getting paid for days they did not work, just because they had been allotted those days. The Village Manager advised that was the State's decision. Mr. Bradford inquired about the agenda item regarding Cliveden's appeal. It was explained this item had been withdrawn. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 4 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deanna Mayo Assistant to the 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.