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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Stormwater_05/29/1996 c � `��� VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ; , , Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive �' Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (407) 575-6200 � ` Fax: (407) 575-6203 �- o �; o B 4 f ��H CoUN� VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA STOI�:MWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 I, CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Stormwater Utility Board held a meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, May 29, 1996. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by th.e Chairman, Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording Secretary. Boardmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer, Carl C. Hansen, and Michael R. Meder. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. Joseph N. Capretta was absent from the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Boardmember Meder requested the addition of three items under Any Other Matters: (1) North County Education Foundation update from County Commissioners meeting 5/28/96; (2) County Commission allowing strip mining; and (3) ENCON meeting date, place and time. Boardmember Meder made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended. Boardmember Hansen seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Recuclr�d Pnpe� STORMWATER UTTLITY BQARD MEETTNG MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 2 ---------------- Elizabeth A Schauer - for Carl C. Hansen - fpr Michael R. Meder - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved a,s amended. III. GO1�lUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS} There were n.o communicatian� from citizens for non-agenda items. IV. APPROVAL OF MINC7TE3 & REPORTS A) Stortnwater Utility Board; P,pril 29, 1996 Boarchnember Hansen made a motion to approve the minute� of the Stormwater Utility Board meeting of April 29, 1996 as submitted. Hoardmember Meder seaonded the motion. The vot� on the motion was: Ron T. Mack.ail - for Elizabeth A Schauer - for Carl C. Hansen - for Michael R. M�der - far T�e motion was therefore passed and adopted and the minutes were approved as submitted. V, REYIEW OF PROPOSED FY 1996-1997 STORMWATER UTILITY FISCAL YEAR BUDGET A} Operatianal Budget B) Capital Budget C) Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rate Village Manager Brad�ord reported that at the first mee`ting af the Stormwater Utility Board on Apri1 29, 1996, A1 Osiund and Harry Benoit of Gee and Jenson had presented a stormwater analysis and report. At that meeting the STORMWATER UTILITY BQARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 3 proposed operational and capital budgets had been reviewed and a proposal discussed for three alternatives relative to the monthly ERU charge. The Board had requested additional specific information regarding autstanding capital drainage projects which needed to be addressed. 5ubsequent to that meeting, a Public Works Committee meeting had been held to review the drainage projects that the staff was aware of, and the Committee had been presented with a prioritized list of drainage projects according to need and funded on either cash basis or debt service basis. Sources of revenue had also been addressed. At the Apri1 29 Stormwater Utility Board meeting, three manthly assessment rates had been presented: (1} $5.12/month with no initial seed money; (2) $4.88/month with $50,000 initial seed money provided by the Village; or (3) $4.60/month with $100,000 initial seed rnoney provided by the Village. The Public Works Committee had recommended that the Village proceed with the drainage projects prioritized on a cash basis and not on a debt service ba�is, which meant that the Viliage would have to subsidize the Stormwater Utility $121, 500 over the course of the first five years of its existence. Therefore, three options in es�ablishment of the ERU were offered for consideratian at this meeting: {1) $6.22/month {cash without Generai Fund subsidy) Village Manager Brad�ord commented that this amount was considered too hi.gh. (2) $5.55/month (debt service - all projects would be done under the 5-year plan up front) Viliage Manager Bradford commented that the advantage to this option was that all projects would be done up front, but the disadvantage was that debt service would extend over ten years and there would not be extra money for unforeseen projects. (3) $5.12/month (cash with General Fund subsidy of $121,500) STORMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MTNUTE3 MA.Y 29, 1996 PAGE 4 ---------------- �illage Manager Bradford explained the $121,500 subsidy would be the total for 5 years, and that in FY 97 the portion which would be needed to accommadate the projects scheduled for that year wouid be $41,500. The advantage to this option was that it was the lowest rate which could be offered-- approximately $6Q annual cast to an average hom:eowner; the disadvantage was tha�k it was unknown whether funds needed for the subsidy would be available for the years FY 98 through FY 2001. Village Manager Bradford called for any questions regarding the aperational budget. Boardmember Hansen responded that he had attended the Public Works Committee meeting where it had been his impression that to go ahead with all the projects might not be desirable--that it would be better to plan the projects aver some years and on a cash basis, and that he leaned toward this option. Vice Mayor Schauer questioned whether anything had chan.ged since �he Public Works Committee meeting, and was informed that the only thing that might change would be whatever happened between the Village an.d Jupiter from their memo received May 15 regarding Dover Ditch. Village Manager Bradford explained that the dredging would still be necessary, and it might be 3- 5 years before any action by Jupiter. Al Oslund explained that Jupiter planned to design by next year with construction to begin possibly the year after that, so that any work by Jupiter was at least two years awa�. Boardmember Meder stated he had no problern with the operational budget, and that he believed taking a cash subsidy from the General Fund was a goad idea, since these projects should already have been done and creation of a utility should not absolve the General Fund of payment to support projects which should have been completed. Boaxdmember Meder stated that he favored the $5.12 rate, and agrsed with the order of projects prioritization. Boardmember Meder stated that at t�.e Public Works Committee meeting he had requested a report of maintenance of stormwater infrastructure during 2996 to date and plans for the remainder of the year, which he had received and with which he was very pleased. Boardmember Meder requested that the maintenance report of plans for next year be STORMWAT�R UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 5 ---------------- listed month by manth and that a map of the stormwater drainage system be provided, which Mr. Meder would highlight and then share back with Mr. Preston if he desired. Mayor Mackail questioned the $121,500 initial seed mpney, ta which Village Manager Bradford responded that over the first five years of the Stormwater Utility that was the arnount anticipated to be the shortfall and that it could be paid on an annual basis ovex th�e five years �o accommodate the prioritized projects for each year. The first year's shortfall was anticipated to be $41, 500. Mayor Mackail commended staff for a prioritization based only on need. Mayor Mackail agreed that the proposed operational budget car�ied enough margin, and discussed the optian of a debt service basis and his fear that the extent of requirements which would be imposecl upon. the �tTillage by the EPS mandate was unknown, and stated that he hoped the $121,500 would provide a sufficient comfort 1evel. The Mayor commented that using the debt service aption would a11ow refinancing of existing debt through a bond and a11 of the projects could be compieted up �ront, and the residents would be able to see what had been accomplished, Mr. Oslund expZained that using the optzon which included the $121,500 subsidy, after 5 years that amount af money would be gone and there would be no money for emergency projects, so that the Village would then have to provide another subsidy. Mr. Meder suggested that assessments might cover emerqencies, to which Mr. Oslund's response was that could happen, however, it was more likely that emergency projects would cost more than the assessments, and a rate increase woulcl. probably be necessary. Vice Mayor Schauer questianed whether znaney could be used from the Water Enterprise Fund. Village Manager Bradford explained that was possible, however, that fund was currently depleted due to improvements and expansion. The Village Manager explained that the Viilage Council could spend any retained earnings for any lawful purpose. Mayor Mackail speculated that if the Dover Ditch problems were carrected that would provide an immediate solution to many of the other drainage problezns. Mr. Oslund pointed out that no money was included in the budget for a permanent solution to the Dover Ditch problems, and that although there was a good possibility Jupiter would help STORMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MSNUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 5 ---------------- with that cost, there was no guarantee when that might happen. Village Manager Bradford explained that Jupiter's Stormwater Utility Board only collected an assessment of $2.28 per month for monitoring purposes. Mr. Oslund advised that Jupiter was in the process of revising their rate. In response to Vice Mayor Schauer's question whether Jupiter might be willing to share costs of a street sweeper, Mr. Oslund pointed out that there had been a discussion reqarding the possibility that ENCON migh� provide that machin.e as well as others which would be needed, which al1 municipalities under their jurisdiction would be able to utilize. Both Boardmember Meder and Boardmember Hansen expressed their p�eference for option #3 at this time, commenting that bonding would be necessary for other projects iater. Village Manager Bradtord clarified that the $5.12 option did not include any initial seed money for the Storm.water Utility; and explained that staff did not recommend initial seed money, since the Village could not afford both initial. seed money and a subsidy. Village Manager Bradford provided the fol.lowing annual amounts which would be needed from the total $121,500 subsidy each year: 1997 - $ 41,500 1998 - 56, 000 1999 - 8,0�0 2000 - 0 to $5,000+ 2001 - 21,000 Discussion ensued which clarified the rates discussed at the last Stormwater Utility meeting and the rates now under consideration. Village Manager Bradford clarified that staff recommended option 3: $5.12 monthly assessment rate with the subsidy and without initial seed money. Drainage system repairs as outlined in Mr. Preston's memo were discussed. Mr. Preston commented that residents were concerned with Pond 18 in the Country Club, and explained that the problem was that there were not sufficient outfall locations during heavy rains. Vice Mayor Schauer commented that the Village roads were much better durin:g heavy rains than Jupiter's roads. Mr. Preston explained that his memo referred to remote locations where the cost would be very STORMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINL7TES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 7 ---------------- high just to connect them to french drains. Mr. Preston commented that item (3) in his memo regarding the drainage system ending at Retention Pond No. 12 0� the Countr�r Club Community was a type of system which retained sand and was not very efficient. Boardmember Hansen questioned Mr. Oslund regarding whether additional budget allocations should be in.cluded in the 5-year plan for the areas mentioned in Mr. Preston's memo. Mr. Oslund explained that since no solutions had been reached that he did not know any way to budget for these items. Mr. �slund expressed his opinion that there was almost no chance of obtaining additional outfall to the Loxahatchee River, since the Village was built out; 'therefore changing the drainage basins and diverting water flow must be considered, which could lead to difficult prablems and eventual.ly lawsuits. Mr. Oslund explained that the Stormwater Utility must conduct studies and arrive at solutions ta this serious problem, and possibly revise the 5-year plan at a later date. Mr. Oslund responded to Baardmember Hansen's comment regarding the roadway damage from the Village's poor drainage system that the system was actually a good system, and the roadway damage in the October storm had resulted from water standing on a roadway which floated the asphalt and vehicles driving across it which caused the base to be lost. I�Ir. Oslund explained that water coming up and saturating the base had also been a contributing factor, and that a drainage system which would discharge into the Loxahatchee River very quickly would have prevented the roadway damage. Tom Little, 486 Dover Road, suggested using eminent domain to enlarge Pond 18 at the Country Club. Mr. Little questioned the Stormwater Utility's authority to set assessments since the Code only referred to bonds, and indicated that point must be covered to avoid future lawsuits. Joe Hall, 159 Country C1ub Drive, explained that his home was next to the Country Club maintenance area near Pond 18, which had overflowed in the October storm and flooded his house. Mr. Hall commented that the pond had many inlets but only had one outfall, however that outfall connected to various other outlets, and stated that the Village should be able to do something about that pond. Mr. Hall questioned whether the level of Fairway 18 was being STOEZMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 8 raised, to which Mayor Mackail responded he did not believe that was what they were doing, but that he would find out. Mr. Hall explained that the only thing that had saved his house was the flow of water through the maintenance shed and running down Tradewinds Circle. Mr. Hall produced photographs from a heavy rain on March 11, and explained that a major storm was not needed to cause serious problems. Vice Mayor Schauer stated that an earlier comment she had made regarding regarding roadway repairs on Tradewinds Circle had been incorrect--she had me�nt to say Eastwinds. Mr. Fiall stated he was n�t concerned with roadway repairs, but whether anything had been done to help the drainage system. Mr. Preston explained there were 18 inlets into Pond 18, and he believed SFWMD would not grant a permit to add enough outfali to that pond to accommodate a 100-year storm. Mr. Osl�nd explained that the problem was that the water must be treated so that if ar�other outfall was created, a lake would also have to be created to hold the wate� to treat it, Mr. Preston explained that every new development must be designed with a major retention area, and that was what had happened in Eastwinds Landing. Mr. Preston commented that he had intended to make the Stormwater Utility Board aware that there were other problems within the Village besides the ones in the 5-year plan, which did not yet have solutians and for which funds were not available. Mr. Preston explained that there were 23 homes which were damaged from flooding and most of those had been built almost at the same level as the roadways. Mr. Hall questioned who controlled the level of water in Pond 18 to which Mr. Preston responded that if the Village called the Country Club Board to alert them that a major storm was coming then they would lower the water level, but unexpec�ed storms were a problem. Further di�cussion of controlling the water level ensued. Mr. Hall stated he was concerned with being flooded out. Mayor Mackail commented that the Stormwater Utility had an obligation to fulfil and that there must be a cantrol mechanism in place, and requested that Mr. Preston take necessary steps to assure that the priority was safety and welfare of the residents. Mr. Little recommended that a Hurricane Safety Ordinance be adopted. Boardmember Meder made a motion to adogt the assessment rate STORMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 9 ---------------- of $5.12 per month with a General Fund subsidy of $121,50Q spread over five years as described by the Village Manager. Boardmember Hansen seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Elizabeth A Schauer - for Carl C. Hansen - for Michael R. Meder - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Tom Little, 486 Dover Road, questioned who would be the Director of the Stormwater Utility, to which Mayor Mackail responded that the staff would handle that matter. Mr. Little suggested that in-house talent be utilized. Boardmember Meder requested literature regarding treatment of stormwater. Mr. Oslund responded that SFG�TMD had such literature. VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS Boardmember Meder reported that at the previous day's meeting of the County Commissioners tha� the Commissioners did not approve the interlocal agreement for the North County Education Foundation, and that Commissioners Arenson and McCarty had voted against the agreement. The matter had been delayed for a regular meeting in approximately 30 days, and Boardmember Meder explained that he wanted to provide a warning that any interlocal agreement provided woul.d probably contain changes. Boardmember Meder explained that he had received a constituent who had reported that the County Commission was close to approving a strip mining regulation for Palm Beach County which could affect the water flowing into the Loxahatchee River, and had questioned what would be done about this in consideration of the proposed sewering of the penin.sula. Boardmember Meder had suggested she con�act Al DeMott, ENCON Boardmember, who had been surprised and disturbed. Baardmember Meder commented that this was another threat to the river which should be included in priorities affecting the STORMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 10 ---------------- Loxahatchee River. Boardmember Meder questioned what progress had been made with es�ablishing a time and p3ace for the ENCQN meetin.g. Village Manager Bradford responded that he had received a notice from Mr. Dent which had proposed Thursday, June 27 at the Juno Beach Town Iiall; and that conversations with individual Village Councilrnembers had revealed their intentions not to attend a meeting at that location since it was smaller than the Tequesta Village Hall and many Village residents could not readily travel ta that location. Village Manager Bradford stated that his memo to Mr. Dent had informed him of that consensus and requested that he contact the Village Manager to work out a mutual agreement. During further discussion of times and places, Boardmember Meder suggested that the church or the auditorium of one of the schools would be neutral locations. Mr. Dent, who was in the audience, explained that he had understood that another l.ocation besides the Village Hall had been desired, which was the reason for choosing Juno Beach Town Hall, and that he would wait for Village Manager Bradford`s merno. Vice Mayor Schauer recommended that the lacation be within the boundaries of the Village so that senior citizens could conveniently attend. XII. ADJOURNMENT Boardmember Han�en moved that the meeting be adjourned. Boardmember Meder seconded the m�tion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Eliaabeth A. Schauer - for Carl C. Hansen - for Michael R. Meder - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 P.M. Respectfully sub 'tted, � Be��au� Y Recarding Secretary STORMWATER UTILITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 29, 1996 PAGE 11 .�_______________ ATTEST: o �.a✓ J �ann Mangani llo Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: /�-� t �i 9�