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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/15/2011 (2) MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES September 15, 2011 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tom Paterno at 6:23 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Assistant Deanna Mayo. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice -Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Jim Humpage, and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, Village Clerk Assistant Deanna Mayo and Department Heads. Approve Agenda MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Council Member Brennan. Mayor Paterno asked that Any Other Matters be added as he had an item for discussion. VOTE: Motion carried unanimously 5 -0 1. Council Consideration and Approval to Offer Health Insurance to Interim Fire Fighters James Weinand, Fire Chief, explained that the two interim fire fighters had aged out of their parent's insurance plans and wished to have insurance in lieu of training funds. He expressed his support to insure the fire fighters as they dealt with sick persons on a regular basis. Chief Weinand noted that the two individuals were highly educated and believed this was of importance. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Item 1; seconded by Council Member Tumquest; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 2. Council Discussion and Consideration to Move the Planning and Zoning Board Meetings to the 3 rd Thursday of the Month Council Member Humpage pointed out the importance of the meeting time change as it pertained to Village Council meetings and being heard in a timely manner. Chief Weinand stated that the board had no issues with the proposed change. Minutes — Special Meeting 9/15/11 Page 2 MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Item 2, seconded by Council Member Tumquest; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 3. Council Discussion Regarding Special Exceptions for Permitted Use Requirements on Existing Properties and the Site Plan Review Process Manager Couzzo advised that the item was for discussion and not for approval on tonight's agenda. Council Member Humpage offered some ideas and suggested the Village became more business friendly. He voiced that the existing process was costly and persons should be able to hear if Council would be receptive to their needs without the extreme requirements. Chief Weinand reported than some applicants were spending more on the process than their expansions. Council Member Humpage added that the Village was losing business because of the out dated and costly procedure. Manager Couzzo stated modifications would be made and brought back to Council. ANY OTHER MATTERS Mayor Paterno suggested the Village representative for Florida League of Cities (Council Member Turnquest) work together with the Village Attorney and Village Legislative representative on what had been discussed previously as double taxation from the Sheriffs. He stated that resolving the issue could be helpful with the Village's annexation prospects as residents would know they were properly charged. Council Member Turnquest advised that the angle being challenged by the Village on the double taxation was different than what had been proposed previously by others and denied. Manager Couzzo believed the Village would obtain a proration. Frank D'Ambra, Public Safety Board Member, noted the Public Safety's recent request for a lump sum distribution. He stated the board adopted a 25% cap into the policy to circumvent adverse affects from lump sum payments and, recommended the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) plan as an alternative to retiring employees'. Mr. D'Ambra recommended the policy be codified and advised that Bonnie Jensen, Pension Board Attorney clarified codifying the change was not subject to collective bargaining. Mayor Paterno asked if it the cap could be lowered below the 25 %. Mr. D'Ambra responded that it could but, the board had settled at 25% as they believed it was a reasonable number. Manager Couzzo questioned if any request for retirement payments would be at the discretion and approval of the pension board. Mr. D' Ambra responded that the board would always have the final say even if codification was obtained. Minutes — Special Meeting 9/15/11 Page 3 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn, seconded by Vice Mayor Arena; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 6:22 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.