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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_05/10/1999_Redevelopment Committee �' F rf G �s �� ; VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA �`r DEPAR'ITVIENT OF COMMLJNIIY DEVELOPMENT � '� � Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive ; `�'� o � Tequesta, Florida 3346)-0273 •(561) 575-6220 �� co y 4v Fax: (561) 575-6239 �ILLAGE OF TEQI7ESTA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Redevelopment Committe2 held a regularly scheduled meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Monday, May 10, 1999. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairman Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, the Recording Secretary. In attendance were: Chairman Ron T. Mackail, Co-Chair Joseph Capretta and Co-Chair Basil Dalack. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Co-Chair Capretta made a motion to accept the agenda as submitted. Co-Cha.ir Dalack seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Joseph Capretta - for Basil Dalack - for The motion was therefare passed and adopted and the agenda was accepted as submitted. necyclecr I'nper REDEVE�,OPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES r�y io, isss PAG� 2 III. C0�3t'JNICATIONS FROM CITIZEN'S There were na communications fram citizens. IV. RBVI�P OF TEQUESTA FACILITIES NISEDS ASSESSbSENT Village Manager Bradford explained that today's meeting was held for the purpose of informing the new Councilmember, Councilmember Dalack, as to the Village Council�s efforts to date regarding space needs of the Village staff. Village Manager Bradford reported that the first action had been to engage Gee and Jenson to look at existing facilities, and the life safety and code compliance issues. The second step had been preparation of a professional needs assessment by Gee and Jenson. 1) Overview o� Facili�y Needs Assessmeat Report, Lisa Lemanowicz, A��i, Qee and Jeasaa a) Code Compliaace Issues b) Departmeatal Space Needs Ms. Lemanowicz explained that the Needs Assessment had been dated December l3, 1993. In preparing the Needs Assessment, Gee and Jenson had evaluated the various departments and their report had been the fir�t analysis that illustrated the village needed additional space for growth. Cost estimates at that time had been $1.5 million for Public Safety and $1.7 million for new administrative offices. Ms. Lemanowicz reported the needs assessment had been very detailed in contrasting existing versus required or needed square footage. The second item undertaken by Gee & Jenson, in 1995, had been Life Safety and Code Compliance evaluation for the annex and Village Hall for ADA and life safety of people in the buildings. The cost estimated to correct the violations was just under $77,000. Ms. Lemanowicz reviewed the REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEE T ING MINUTE S May 10, 1999 PAGE 3 ----------------------- items cited, some of which were indoor air c�.ality for Vill�ge Hall, no vents in the holding ce31 and police department, no fans in rest rooms, musty smell in the annex building, access to buildings and public rest rooms, egress, and fire ratings of walls and door assemblies. In March, 1997, the initial needs assessment was used to whittle down space needs and a preliminary master plan had been created. Several different scenarios had been developed, placing all facilities on- site or placing the administrative functions off-site. The Village Hall was stated to be 34 years old and was the building designated to be used for residents who needed to be evacuated during an emergency. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that some of the deficiencies in the fire rescue facilities were insufficient living quarters and decontamination spaces, inadequate space for a crew of six people, no medical treatment area, and not enough room for apparatus. The double wide trailer used for living quarters was not hurricane safe. In the police department some of the cited items were lifa safety i�sues, not enough space to accommodate a wheel chair, inadequate space for a viewing area to protect a victim from a prisoner when identification was needed, etc. The Community Development Department in the annex building wa� cited for limited public reception area, no meeting room, limited storage, tight layout, no wheel chair accommodation, etc. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that it would be desirable to include communit�r development with administration so that space could be shared. 2) Space Option Alteraatives aad Cost Sstimates a) New Constructioa - Village Sall, F3re-Rescue Facility, Police Department b) Reaovatioa and Leasing tStatus Quo) c) Sritt Suildiag - (Admiaistratioa) REDEVELOFMENT COMMITTEE MEETSNG MINUTES May 1�, 1999 PAGE 4 ----------------------- Ms. Lemanowicz explained that several floor plans had been developed in the master plan. The Village Council had approved a plan wherein Fire Rescue occupied a new 10,400 s.f. complex at the rear of the present site and the present Village Hall was renovated at the same time to save money. Gee and Je�.son had proceeded with this scheme and submitted a design package on August 18, 1997. At that time discussions were still ongoing regarding whether there would be an EOC and to what degree buildings would be hurricane hardened. After it had been deCided to hurricane harden only the west end of the Police Department and the new building to the upper limits of a category 3 storm, Gee and Jenson had proceeded to a 30�r design submittal stage. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that a11 new canstruction was required by code to be constructed to upper limits of a category two storm. The cost at that time for the two buildings was estimated at just over $2 million. Since that tirne several options had been evaluated for Fire Rescue from a metal building to a 2-story building. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that what was now under consideration was a 2-story Fire-Rescue building 8,500 square feet at roughly $1Q0 per square foot, for a total of approximately $1.3 million. Village Clerk Manganiello distributed a handout of the latest Fire Rescue Site Plan, situated to the northeast on the existing property. Chair Mackail commented that the village Council had discussed the police £acilit� for 12 years, and that even though Fire Rescue was a fairly new department witk�in the Village the original intent was to have temporary facilities for some time and then combine Police and Fire Rescue into a Public Safety Facility. Chair Mackail explained it had never been thought that Fire Rescue would have to stay in REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 5 ----------------------- a double wide mobile home or that the Police Department would stay in a 34-year old building; and that although most managers felt it was desirable to have one building encompass all Village operations, the lack of land in Tequesta made that impractical unless a building of several stories was constructed. Chair Mackail noted the Village Council had never given clear direction which avenue would be undertaken. Co-Chair Capretta commented the Village Council had looked at many alternatives and everything cam� dowr�. ta affordability. One plan placing a modern facility on the present site had been estimated at $7-$8 million and that cost had not been feasible at that time. Other options that had been discussed were listed by Co-Chair Capretta. Finally it had been decided that because of laek of space the Village Administration offices would be moved to the third floor of Wachovia Bank, where they were still located. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the Britt Theater/old hardware store site was now available, consisting of approximately 12,000 square feet and recently converted into offices and a conference room. This building was available for purchase, rent, or lease, and all village operations except Police and Fire Rescue could be accommodated there for appraximately $1 million. The only drawback w�.s only 34 parking spaces, which could be inadequate for a Village Council meeting, Parking at the present Village Hall was no problem because the Village had retained the right to use the adjacent lot at Gallery Square North forever for overflow parking, Co-Chair Capretta explained that the village did not have enough ta�c revenue to proceed earlier; however, with new construction the assessed value of the Village would rise to $500 million by 2001 and the Village could now afford to make improvements. Co-Chair Capretta outlined a REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 6 ----------------------- plan to inform residents by deciding on plans A, B and C, showing the people and asking th.em which one they preferred. Meetings could be held at the Village Hall with presentations of the plans and Smoke Signals could also be utilized. Co-Chair Capretta suggested a survey in Smoke Signals to get feedbaCk from the people as to which plan they preferred. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the plans should be completed within the next few rnanths and then sold to the people, and then implemented. Co-Chair Capretta commented that as a minimum the present Village Hall should be brought up to code and decent quarters provided for Fire Rescue. Co-Chair Dalack questioned whether it would be possible to return to Palm Beach County for fire protection, to which Village Manager Bradford responded affirmatively. Co-Chair Dalack questioned whether a cost-benefit comparison could be done to show whether it would benefit the Village to dispense with the Fire Rescue Department. village Ma.nager Bradford responded that staff could prepare a comparison. Co-Chair Dalack questioned whether when an, arrest was made for something other than a non-violent crime if booking was done at the village Police Department or at the Palm Beach County jail. Police Chief Allison responded that until three weeks ago booking had been done at the Village facilities but due to problems with the Village's failure to meet fire codes, he had closed the cells for 60 days and booking during that period would be done at the County jail. Drawbacks to booking at the County's faciliCy was overtime for police because af the time on the road and doing paperwork at the County jail, and a backup officer to be called on duty to stay at the Tequesta Police Department while the REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Ma.y 10 , 1999 PAGE 7 off.zcer on duty transparted the prisoner. Ms. Lemanowicz commented �hat Gee and Jenson had just finished the North Palm Beach Public Safety Facility, which included a processing area, and that a processing area was usua].Zy desirable. Cha�.r Mackail commented that in regard to the po�sibilit�r of dispensing with the Fire Rescue Department, that the people had voted for the department in a referendum and the Village was a full-service municipality which offered its residents better service than that provided by the Caunty Sheriff or Fire Rescue. Chair Mackail explained that the Village's response time was less than half that of the County. Chair Mackail also commented that the Village being in control of their awn clestiny was a critical point of operation. Chair Mackail stated his belief that the real issue was that the needs assessment showed the Village facilities to be antiquated and that must be addressed; and he felt it was up to the Village Manager and Department Heads ta come up with the most feasible and economical plan. Chair Mackail stated Public Safety was a critical part of the Village and the Village CounCil owed it to the community to provide adequate facilities for Police and Fire Rescue. �ilZage Manager Hradford explained that the Village had buiit the public facilities building on Bridge Raad and the Village Council had leased offices for the Administrative offices at the bank in December 1996. The next step which had been planned was to do something about the Fire Rescue Department, leaving aside the question of Police and Village Hall, because of the necessity of doing something immediatel.y to provide Fire Rescue facilities. village Manager Bradford explained that the money REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Ma.y 10 , 1999 PAGE 8 ----------------------- for a Fire Rescue facility was available and the Village could proceed; however, a cost comparison as requested by Co-Chair Dalack could be done. Co-Chair Capretta recommended looking at a strategy, and stated the Village had been proceeding step by step, but could not agree to a master plan. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the most persuasive argument for keeping the Village's Fire Rescue was response time, which could mean the difference between life and death. Co-Chair Capretta stated that although residents felt more comfortable with the police nearby, there was no real hard data to prove having a police department in the village was a deterrent to crime; however, it was clear that when Fire Rescue came within two minutes that a resident's life could be saved, and Tequesta's Fire Rescue Department had provided better service than any in Palm Beach County, plus the people had voted for it and indicated they wanted it. Co-Chair Capretta commented he had questianed whether the Fire Rescue facility could be built and not interfere with the other departments, to which the response had been affirmative, and the cost was estimated to be $1 to $1-1/2 million.. with the Fire Rescue facility out of the way, the next step could be to consider administrative facilities. Co-Chair Capretta comrnented that the hang-up had always been the present Village Hall and what should be done. Co- Chair Capretta recommended the committee bring to the Village Council the idea of conf irming once and for all the Village would have a Fire Rescue Department and proceeding with their facilities. Chair Mackail expressed his opinion that Fire Rescue should be combined into Public Safety, which would make economic sense. Village Manager Bradford agreed that a Public Safety facility would REDEVELOPMENT CONII�IZTTEE MEETTNG MINUTES May 10, 1999 FAGE 9 be the bes� plan but the money was not currently available for both. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that a public safety facility for both police and fire rescue, with a new building for fire rescue and renovating the present building for police and hurricane hardened to upper limits of a category 3 hurricane wauld cost approximately $2 million. Village Ma.nager Bradford stated if that was done there would be no Village Counci7. chambers for meetings. Chair Mackail and Co-Chair Capretta expressed a desire to find temporary facilities off-site. Co-Chair Capretta suggested renting the Britt building with option �o bu� for the Administrative offices, Community Development Department, and Vil.lage Council chambers. The consensus of the Committee was to proceed with Public Safety facilities as discussed and direction to the Village Manager was to find out the economics to lease the Britt building with an option to buy. 3) Fiaaacial Capabilf ties a) Current Funding b} Fi�ancial Fo=ecast Village Manager Bradford explained the Village now had $212,000 trom recurring revenue resources for debt service, as well as room le�t on the letter of credit. 1Kayor Mackai3 commented that the newspaper had printed that the Village had $5 million in debt, which was totally inaccurate, and explained that the $5 million was a Zine of credit on which funds could be drawn up to that amount. Mayor Mackail suggested there was another way to finance the village's debt service without using the $5 mil.lion line of credit. Chair Mackail explained REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 10 ----------------------- that the Water Enterprise Fund generated between $200,000 and $400,000 annually, which could be utilized for internal financing, borrowing from the W�.ter Enterprise Fund to pay debt service, which could be repaid when the tax value of the village went up or if it did not then the letter of credit would still be available. Using the water Enterprise Fund to finance internally, the Village would not have to pay interest on those funds plus would eliminate a payment of $212,000 annually on the letter of credit for the purchase of Tequesta Plaza. Chair Mackail suggested using the $212,OOQ alread�r set aside for debt service to pa� back the Water Enterprise Fund. It was estijnated that $100,000 annually in interest would be saved b� this proposal, and Village facilities could be paid off in five years. Village Manager Bradford clarified that Chair Mackail�s proposal was to take money from the Water Enterprise Fund to pay back NationsBank and to put $212,000 annually into the Water Enterprise Fund. Co-Chair Capretts made a moti.oa to recommead to the Village Couacil at their next meetiag to proceed with the Pub�ic Safety coac�ept oa the curreat site aad as a temporary solutioa to aecure the Britt buildiag v�ith a lease, lease a�ith optioa to purchase, or purchase, �hichever is most advaatageous to the Village. Co-Cha�ir Dalack secoaded the m�otion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. �ackail - for Joseph Capretta - for Basil Dalack - for The motson was therefore passed aad adopted. REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEE T ING MINUTE S May 10, 1999 PAGE 11 ----------------------- V . ANY OTHBR �dATTLRS Chair Mackail commented he had heard the Bamboo Garden was for sale. Jim Humpage, a member of the audience, commented that the sale price was $34Q,000. Village Manager Bradford reminded the Committee that if the Village e�.ded up with the Britt building that was near the future site for a Tri Rail station. Chair Mackail asked staff to check on the Bamboo Garden property, which could solve all the Vi.11age's parking problems. Mr. Humpage expressed his apinion that the decision made at today's meeting was a good move. Hurricane hardening levels were discussed. Mr. Hall, a member of the audience, questioned whether the money in the Water Enterprise Fund was currently invested, to which village Manager Bradford responded affirmativel�r, but stated the concept was the village would be losing that interest from themselves. Chair Mackail explained that during the construction process the Village could incrementally use the funds as construction progressed, and the Village might go to long-term bonds when construction was complete. Betty Nagy, a member of the audience, inquired when the present lease on admi�nistrative offices would e.xpire, to which Village Manager Bradford responded it would e�pire in December, 1999. VI. ADJO'Ct� Co-Chair Capretta made a motio�u to ad3ourn the meetfag. Co- Ghair Dalack secoaded the motion. The vote oa the motioa wass Roa T. Mackail - for Joseph Capretta - for Sasil Dalack - for The motioa was therefore passed aad adopted aad the meeting REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 12 ----------------------- was adjourned at 6:18 P.M. Respectfully submitted, � _i�t�;�.� � '`.�,; �� � Betty '�Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: �-�-�-.-�.- ✓ Joann Mangani lo Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: � /� � i 5'99