HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Special Meeting_Tab 03_03/28/2005 ,7 r
MEMO
DATE: MARCH 25, 2005
TO: MICHAEL R. COUZZO, VILLAGE MA�AGE
FROM: GWEN CARLISLE, VILLAGE CLERI�f� d
RE: COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 3, 2000 AND
DECEMBER 14, 2000 — COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND
DRAFT MINUTES FOR 03/10/05 REGARDING HOLDING AND
AT"I'ORNEY/CLIENT SESSION
Michael, I have received two xequests today from Council Membexs: 1) the Meeting minutes
of November 2000 and December 2000 regarding discussions on Council Policies and
Procedures; and 2) Meeting minutes regarding the discussion to hold an 1lttorney/Client
(closed door) session regarding Hattie Siegel litigation.
At your direction, I would be glad to distribute these in the mail today, so Council would
have them prior to Monday's Council Workshop.
Enclosures
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VILLAGE COUNCIL
MEETING MTNUTES
December 14, 2000
PAiGE 11
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VIII. NEW BUSINESS
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A) VILLAC�E COUNCTL PROCEDURES
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4. Discussiorr of Pa�ic� Re��d�n� the Addition of
Aqenda Items by the Villaqe Council.
M��or Capretta reported this item had been
discussed previously but no decision had been
made.
�Til�age A�torney R��d,olph cQ�nted staff needed
clarification of how the Village Council wished :
�a handls adding agenda item�. The Village
Attorney ga4e examples of how this was handled
in other municipalitie�. gM one case, at the
beginning of the meeting when the aqenda was
�ieing set they would add items to the agenda to
discuss whether they wanted to add them to the
. next agenda, would not discuss.those items that
evening because they did not have the backup
� that evening, and would tak� a vote as to
whether or not the full Council wanted to have
that item on the rre�� agenda, and a majority
vote prevailed. In other places, a
�ouncilmember would say he or she would like to
see an item placed on the agenda for the next
meeting and ��e item was then placed on the next
agenda. Village Attorney commented at the
previous discussion �he Village Council had been
clear that they did not want to add items to the
agenda far ��� meeting that night unless it was
a dire emergency, because backup would not be
available.
Councilmember Genco commentec� there were two
ways to add items, either by an individual or by
cQ�ser�sus-apgraval b� the Coun�il, and asked if
there wera other ways. Mayor Capretta asked
whe-�he� i:t made a difference that some items
were only discussion items and some were items
for- cans�derat�on that required a lot of backup.
Councilmember Genco responded that the decision
had a�ready �been made �hat any time any
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vzr�E covxciL _
) �IEETING MINUTES �'
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December 14, 2000
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Councilme�be� wa��ed to add a��thing, unless it
was a dire emergency, that it would have to be
p�agased a� new business for the next meeting,
and the question on the floor now was whether to
allow an individua� to add an item or whether to
have consensus, meaning a vote would be taken,
or i� �hexe was an alte�na�ive, sueh as one
person making a motion and it being seconded and
tha� being sufficient. The �illage Attorney
advised that with a motion and a second a vote
must be taken with tl�� m�a�nrity prevailing. The
Village Attorney discussed pros and cons of each
metk�oc�-�hat if individuals were allowed ta add
items five people could really load up an agenda
if �he.g all had items �o propose, and same of
those items mig�it be things that all me�bers of
ttre- CQ�neil were not interested in pursuing at
a particular meeting. Councilmember Dalack
askec� whether there was an item in the Vill.age
Charter regarding this. Councilmember Genco
' commented unde� I�obe�tFs Rule� of Order that any
. member could propose an item for new business;
and u�dex th� �Tillage Charter any two members of
the Village Council could call a special meeting
on any subj-eEt they chose, which was why she had
suggested only two peopie be required in order
�o- adc� a� agenc�a item, stating that otherwise
there would always be a majority rule and the
majority wou�.d decide what they wanted all the
time and if there was a split Council that could
be- un��ir to having some�hing heard in the
public. Councilmember Genco recommended that so
�ong as the�e were two people who wanted an item
added to the agenda that it be done, since there
was �he possibility t�iase ��za people could end
up calling a special meeting. Councilmember
�enca ca�ented �hat since she had been elected
there had been many times the Council had been
split 3-2, which meant the two Councilmembers
representing 660 people would have no say to
indicate what those people wanted. Village
Attorney Randolph advised it would probably be
an unusual circumstance for the Council to do
this since usually the Village Manager would set
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VILLAC3E COUNCIL
) �ETING MINUTES
Iiece�er 14 , 2000
PAGE 13
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�he a}er�a a$ �o a�.� ��e ��ings he saw that
needed to be done when he was conferring with
�he l�ayor. �he Village Attorney indicated it
would be an unusual situation where the Council
would w�r�t �o add an �.ts�n. as ogposed to it being
added by the Manager. Mayor Capretta asked what
was to preven� any �o�neil�ember asking the
Manager to put something on the agenda, which
�F.���.age At�orney Randolph clarified there was
nothing to prevent that e�cept it could present
a rear problem for'the manag�r if he had to
answer to five people between meetings as to
wh�� t�ey would like to see on �he agenda. Vice
Mayor Schauer commented there might be items
th�� could be-worked out between the Manager and
staff without having full consensus of the
Council. Village Attorney Randolph sugges�ed a
third alternative: If one individual wanted
someth��g �� the- agenda for trhe next meeting
they could bring it up and it would be put on
' tYre ne�t agenda unless three people voted
. against it. Councilmember Genco stated that was
exact�.y what she was saying. Cauncilmember
Genco indicated if there were two members who
felt something should be c�iscussed then she
thought the rest should listen to them no matter
which two Councilmembe�g wanted the discussion.
Vice Mayor Schauer commented the Counc�.l had
never had th�s problem be€o-�e, that the Council
would bring up a matter and ask the Manager to
actd it anck provide the backup , Vice Mayor
Schauer commented that her main concern was that
she never wanted to have to vot� without backup.
Village Attorney Randolph commented that had
a�ready been decided and-t�e question was how to
put it on the agenda. The Village Attorney
commented one way to do it wouT�l be for a member
of the Council to say to the Village Manager at
the end ot tY�e meeting, °Mr. �ouzzo could you
please put on the agenda for the next meeting
��e z�en� rega�ding �he CQUntry.Club roads", and
it would be put on unless he heard from the
at��r- �ou�E���emhe�s that they did not want it
added. Couxicilmembe� Dalack eom�ented that
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VILLAGE COUNCIL
I�ETING MINUTES
December 14, 2000
PAGE 14
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sounded like a vexy good idea, but another
thought was that if four people did not want it
put on it would not succeed, and that would be
enough to keep it off since that would
accom.plish the purpose of making it clear to
everybody they did not want it. If four did not
want it put on the next agenda that would avoid
a fruitless discussion at the next meeting.
Village Attorney Randolph advised against
setting different standards for majority vote,
since for everythin.g else it was three for a
_ majority. Councilmember Genco favored a
minority of two people being a�le to add an
item. Vice Mayor Schauer commented she felt it
should be majority. Village Attorney Randolph
comxn:ented if it was approached the way he
�uggested and one person asked for it he
believed the Councilmembers all had enough
respect for each other that they would put it on
�=°'% unless three out of the five saw some radical
" reasan why it should not ga on. Mayor Capretta
. made the following proposal: If any
Councilmember wanted to put an item on. the
agenda for the next meeting they make that
suggestion and if there was silence on the
sub�ect it would go on, and the Village Manager
would carry out that instruction; however, if
another Councilmember did not want it added to
the agenda and asked for a vote on it and if
three people voted aqainst it then it would not
go on. Councilmember Geneo sta�ed that way the
majority would never be allowed. Village
Attorney Randolph clarified the discussion had
started with h.aving a majority to get an item
on, and now what the Mayor was saying was one
person could put an item on unless three voted
against it. Councilmember G�nco stated she
liked that. Mayor Capretta commented that would
rarely happen but if it was something so
obnoxious to three they would not want it
discussed they could stop it, but.normally there
would be no discussion-each Councilmember would
have a right to request additior� of an item and
� unless somebody felt very strongly about it and
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VILLACiE COUNCIL
} MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2000
PAGE 15
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they cou2d pe�s�ad-� a secQnd ax�d a third gerson
against it, then it would go on. Mayor Capretta
nQted he had beexz Mayor seueral different times
and to the best of his recollecti.on he had never
removect a� ite� from �he agenda, except when a
meeting was scheduled to go to midnight and he
said tk�ere wasn't time and the ones that did not
have to be discussed to delay to the next
meeting.
�ounci�embe-r Genca asl�ed the Village Attorney
to restate the proposal, to be added to page
A(�)- o� the procedures. �Tillage Attorney
Randolph commented that under the Summarg of
Procedures, anyone whQ wa�.ted �o put an item on
the agenda for an upcaming meeting could ask for
�t at th� mee�ing and unles.s thrre was a vote to
the contrary it would go on.
�im T�t�page, 426 �ypress Drive, commented that
� one of the things desired was more participation
. f�om resic�en�s and suggested placing the agenda
in the Courier so that people could see if there
were items in wh���i they were �nterested. Vice
Mayor Schauer commented she had sent over 30
invi�ations for �o��g��'s Meet �nd Greet session
and only two of those she invited came. The
FTice Ma�or co��nted that a lo� of people would
come when something affected them individually.
SFice Mayor Schauer noted tha� the budget was
very constrained now but putting the agenda.in
the Cou�ier was something that could be
considered in next year's budget, and commented
�Y�at geaple would soon be ab�.e to access the
agenda through the web site. Counciimember
Ge��a noted tha-� the web site might be
operational in January or February.
2. Consi.der�tion af R�tification of the List of
Procedures Relativ+e to Village Council Irleetings
anct Age+nda and Other General Items (per the
Summary of Procedural Conments Discussed at the
November 3, 2000, Village Council Workshop
Meetinq) . �
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VILLAGE COUNCIL
:� MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2000
PA�GE 7. 6
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�F�llage C�erl� Manga�iel�o ean�m,ented under A(2)
in the Summary of Procedures that if the Village
�ounci� was 3� co�serrs�u� on it�m 1 that perhaps
they could add it to item 4 regardi.ng voting.
Discussion ensued reqa�ding where this item
should be placed. Councilmember Walker suggested
it coulc� be cross re�e�er�eed t�irider Agenda Item
Any Other Matters. Councilmember Genco stated
she wishec� �o see- ifi �rr wri:t�ng, and suggested
that if at any time the Village Council was at
a loss ho�z to har��� any�hing in a Vil�.age
Council meeting that they go to Robert's Rules
of Orct��, to w�ii.c� Village Attorn�y Randolph
responded the STi.11age Council did operate under
Robe��'s Rules of Order.
Vice Mayor Schauer questioned for what special
circumst��ce ntight a kr�ind ballot be used, and
noted the only time she had us:ed a blind ballot
" hac� been rrr �otsng �o hire- Village Manager
. Couzzo. Village Attorney Randolph responded
trr�� a spee�al circumstance might be if five
people had applied for a commission and it could
be- e�bar�assrng ta talk about it; however, he
did not think it was necessary to have blind
l�al�Q� voting in the procedta.res . The Village
Attorney noted that item had been discussed and
he had indicated any such vote would occur very
rarely and that the blind ballots must be signed
and made a part of the record,, so they really
would not be secret. Councilmember Dalack
commented ��a� special circums�ances for blind
ballot Qoting would be determined at the
meeti.ng. �F��.��ge Attorney �a�.d,olph stated that
blind ballot voting did not need to be in the
procedr�res, a�d ��e procedti.res were for normal
meetings. Councilmember Genco commented she had
bro�g�� �h�s issue-up so that if a Councilmember
felt there was prejudice they could request a
bl��d bellot, but the �Tillage Attorney had
pointed out you could not hide who you voted
fo-r. eouncilmember Walker expressed her op.�nion
tl�at s_Q �ong. as the possibility existed for a
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VILLAGE COUNCIL
�i MEETINa MINUTES
December 14, 2000
PAGE 17
l���nd vote it shou�.� be i.n the procedu�es .
Village Manager Couzzo reminded the Council that
they were es�ablisYri:ng procedu�es that would go
forward to other Village Councils, and if a `�
l�linct ballot was ta}€en �itnaut the attarney ;
present it could be a problem. Vice Mayor
�chauer expressed h�� opinio� that a blind
ballot was a cop out. Village Attorney Randolph
commente� sh� eoulc� state at a meeting where a
blind ballot was proposed that she thought it
was a cop ou� and s�e did not Want to vote that
way, and he concurred with Councilxnember
D���Ek�g suggestion to conside� blind balloting
on a case by case basis, and explained this was
just sayiz�g if a b�znd bal�ot.was done it must
be signed. Councilmember Dalack noted there was
real�y no suctr thir�g as a k�lind ballot since it
was not anonymous . It zaas noted the nam.e "blind
b��.�a�" shoulc� be cYr��ged. Af�er discussion it
was decided to use the term "voting by ballot"
• inste-ad of "blind baltot". Mayor Capretta
recalled that some former Councilmembers di.d not
want to-�a�� the.public when vating anc� had had
a real problem voting in public, but there was
no way �o hide hawr � person voted.
The next item discussed was abstaining from
vo�ing. Since item 4 was th� �tem in regard to
placing agenda items, an item 5 was proposed by
��e Vill�ge A�torney: No pe�son may abstain
from voting unless they declare a conflict of
interes� pursuant to State statutes. The Vice
Mayor suggested that Village Attorney Randolph
place item 4 where he consid�red appropriate.
Councilmember Genco commented that Robert's
Ru�es h-a� been add�d. CounGilmember Walker
asked to add that these procedural changes be
reviewect annually by the Village Council,
fallowing the election. Vice Mayor Schauer
cQ�e-n�ecl i� sho�lc� be- statec� the review would
be done at a workshop meeting to educate the new
Vz�lag� Ea�neil. Couneilmem:ber Walker noted
that these procedures would be subject to change
; as V�.l�age �ouncils cha�ged. Discussion ensued
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� VILLAGE COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2000
PAGE 18
regarding wazti�g to �aa� ��€ procedures at a
workshop meeting rather than at the
o��ganizatianal meet and it was noted there
needed to be a warm up period. Mayor Capretta
cammented he �rac� always thota.ght there should be
a Councilmember's Handbook to provide
orientation.
Council�€n�:ki�� Dalack ques�ioned why a
Councilmember could not abstain from voting, to
wYr�ch the respor�se was th�t it was a st�tutory
prohibition. Vi.11age Attorney Randolph advised
if thr�re was not a ro11 call vote and a
Councilmember was silent, that would be
cons.�dered an "aye" vote. Vic� Mayor Schauer
noted when the St. Jude renovations were on the
agenda she had abstained.
Village Attorney Randolph advised in regard to
. Consent �ge�.da �k�e-re cQ�ld be ,only a motion to
� adopt without reading the items, but if there
. was a Re�c���tic�r� it would havg to be read by
title. It was dec�ded to add that to the
procedures.
��lla.ge �ttorn.ey Randolph commented that under
Agenda Item Any Other Matters, when someone
wante� �a e�iseuss sometMing a� the end of the
agenda they should announce the subject matter,
which had not been done tonight, and that should
be added to the procedures.
�Fi�.lage Attorney Randolph suggested number 2
might be confusing when talking now about if a
Eouncilmember requests that a matter be
reconsidered a vote shall be taken under Any
Other Ma�ters on whether to place that item on
the next agenda. The Viliage Attorney advised
tl�at �ras nQt n��ded �a�z in light of what the
Council had just done, and what had just been
done shou�d-be p�a-��d-there and reconsideration
should not be mentioned. Reconsideration could
anly be do�e at the same meeting an item had
bee�. consic�ered. Viilage Attorne.�r Randolph
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VILLAGE COUNCIL
, 1�ETING MINUTES
December 14, Z000
PAGE 19
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ad�isec� �F����g€ C�e�k Max�gar�iello to strike iteEn
2 and substitute what the Council had requested
under i�em 4 for voting.
Councilmember Dalack called attention to General
ftems or� page 3, v�ie�i s�ate�i '�staff inembers
shall sit" which implied that staff inembers must
be present, anct sug�}es�e� a Change to "staff
members present shall sit". The Village
Pr��torney sugges�ed tYris be st�icken, since it
was just a suggestion from Mr. Couzzo to get rid
of th� tabl�s-. The- policy wa� that staff did
not have to attend unless directed by the
�illage Manager, anct a repre�entative of the
Police Department would always be present.
Cot�nci�n�er Genco made a motion to adopt the
Su�ary of Procedural Conments wi.th the agreed
ugon amendments. Eaunciln�ember Walker seconded
_ the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vpte.
�B) Review and Discussion of Draft Report of the Propqsed
U.S. Highway OnejOld Dixie Highway Corridor Analysis
and Conceptual 4verlay ZQning District.
Village Manager Couzzo reported staff had been
workisrg with Duncan & Associates to prepare th� draft
agreement for review, and comments from the Village
Cou�cil expressed tonight wouTd be incorporated into
the final agreement, which would be completed within
t�.e month. M`�. Couzzo explained that the purpose of
the agreement was to join three jurisdictional
entities, Tequesta, Jupiter, ax�d Palm Beach County,
to provide a harmonious corridor on II.S. One with
respect to deeelopment, landscaping, roadway signage,
etc., so that there would not be a different set of
reguTatio�.s in each j�t��sdiction. There were no
comments from the Village Councilmembers.
V�ce M��or- 3Ehauer made a motion to adopt the Draft
Report of the Proposed U.S. Highway One/Old pixie
H�ghway Corridor Analysis and Conceptual Overl.ay
Zoning District. Councilmember Genco seconded the
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� � VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
DII'AR'TNIENT OF COMMtJ1VITY DEVELOPMENT
^� � Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive
`'� e Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 •(561) 575-6220
Fax: (561) 575-6239
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_�I1��E UF TEQUESTA
va.��GE �o�ca. woRKSgop
11�ETING 11Zi]V�UTES
_. �TO�EII�IBER 3, Z000
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Tequesta Village Council held a Workshop Meeting on the
subject of General Policies and Procedure,s at the Village
Manaqer's Conference Room, 250 Tequesta Drive, Suite 300,
Tequesta, Florida on Friday, November 3, 2q00. The meeting
was calied to order at 2:00 P.M. by_ Mayor Joseph N.
Capretta. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording
- Secretary, Councilmembers present were: Mayor Joseph N.
Capretta, Vice Mayor Elizabeth A. Schaue.�, Councilmember
.Basil E._ Da1a..ck,__ Councilmember_ ��raldine Genco, and
Councilmember Sharon Walker. .Also in attendance were:
Village_Manaqer Michael R. Couzzo, Village Attorney John
C. Randolph, and Village Clerk Joann Manganiello.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Yice Ma.yor Schauer made a motion to approve the Aqenda as
submitted. Councilmember Genco seconded the motion. The
vote on the motion was:
Joseph N. Gagretta - for
Elizabeth A. Schauer - for
Geraldine Genco - for
Basil Dalack - for
Sharon Walker - for
The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda
Recycled Paper
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VILLAC;E COUNCIL WORKSH4P
MEETING MINUTES
NQVemb�r S� 2000
PA+C�E 2
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was apgrove,d as submitted.
I�I. CCI�1tJNICA�ION FROM CITIZENS
There we�e no conmunications from citizens.
IV. REVtEW AND DISCU3SION OF C�ENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDU1tEt�
Mayor Capretta announced that this mee�ti�g woulc� address
general policies and p�ocedures to m�.ke meetings more
businesslike, and would be discussed in two phases.
Discussion durinq_Phase I would address the public talking
to the Vil].a_ge Council, i. e., how and when communication
from citizens would take place, discussion of the public
asl�ing guestions of specific memb�rs of the Village
Council, non aqenda i,tems, and enforcement of the 3-minute
rule. Phase ZI would b� a discussion of how the Village
Council members dealt with eaeh other, addressing such
item� as changing the agenda, request�.ng staff work,
"calling the roll for each vote.
Mayor Capretta requested that in the futuxe the roll call
for vating be ordered as follows: The maker of the motion,
the person who second�d the motion, the Mayor last, and the
others mixed up in any order. Councilmesnber Dalack
suggested that voting be in th� form of _"aye" and "nay" the
majority of the time, unless an item wa� controversial.
ViZlage �Attorn�y Randolph advised that it Was not necessazy
to have a roll call vote, alt�ough somet�mes it was more
orderly for the clerk, and if the Villa.ge Cpuncil preferred
to have "aye" and "nay" votes they could do so except when
there seemed to be a roll call. Mayor Capretta indicated
he would call for a roll cal.l vote if �here seemed to be
a division. Village Attorney Randolph advised there was
nothing in the Village charter or in Robert's Rules of
Order that required a roll call vote. Diseussion ensued.
Attorney Randolph advised if �here was only one "nay" it
would be clear who voted but if the clerk could not
distinguish who voted "nay" that �. roll call should be
done. Councilmember Genco.pointed out that if there was a
"nay" then �. ro11 call vote could be done; that someone
could request a roll. call vote; and that someone could
e a
; VILL�A�G4E COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
Nov�er 3, 2000
RA�"'sE 3
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request a blind �allot vote. The Village Attorney
indicated that a blind ball.ot vote was done very
infre�uently, no� when ��quested by an ind�vidual but there
should be agreement on the types of items for which the
Council wanted blind ballot voting, for instance, if it
were somewhat embarrassing to have a vo�ce vote in regard
�o appointment of a person �o a�oard. A�torney Randolph
advised, however, that ballots must be si�ed, and they
became a_part of the public record., so the end result was
the same-every_one would know how each person voted. Vice
�iayo� Schauer commentcd the only time she had done a
written vo�e since becoming a meYaber of the Village Council
waS during Mr. Couzzo's interview. The yil�.age Attorney
comm.ented it was not appropria�e to vote bl.ind ballot much
but i� was an option.
Village At�orney Randolph commented that this was a
worksho� meetir�q_and therefare the �illage Council could
not take votes at this meeting, but it was an opportur�.ity
� to work out procedures. The issue of voting was clarified
that�voting would be by "aye" or "nay" vqte, except when
-�he Mayor or another Councilmember requested a roll ca].l
vote; and rall call votes would be orctered and called for
by the clerk with the person who made the motion called
fi.rst, the person who secohded the motio� called secand,
and the others called in any order except the Mayor would
be called �c2 vote last.
Village Attorney Randolph rec�ues�ted discussion regarding
Communications �rom Citizens of whether the Village Council
wish�d ta reta�.n the 3-minute rule, the consistency of its
application, whether its position on the agenda should be
moved� and the role of citizens at that stage. The Village
Attorney explained that in other enta.ti.es �ith which he was
familiar, t�ais ac�enda item wa� an opportunity for the
elected body to hear the concerns of the �itizens and was
not an opportunity for debate, not an opportuni�y to ask
questions of particular Councilmembers. Attorney Randolph
advised it was his bel.ief and that under Robert's Rules of
Order any question..put to anybody should always he put
through the Chair, by_ the public, by the Councilmembers and
staff, and the Councilmembers and staff should all say,
"Mr. Mayor, may I address tha� point?" Attorney Randolph
expressed his opinion that it was not appropriate during
VILLA+GE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
November 3, 2000
PAC�E 4
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Communica.tions from Citizens for a citizen ta ask questions
such as: "Mr. Randolph, why didn't you do that?", which
they could call him on the phone to ask. A�torney Randolph
advised it was his opinion that Communications from
Citizens was a time for citizens just to state their
concerns, which both staff and Council would hear and then
could deal with, and not to answer gu�stians at that
particular time. Mr. R�ndolph explained that in other
entities that portion of the agenda usuall�r went Qery
quickly, with people speaking__for 3 minutes and then the
meeting_.proceeding to the next agenda item. Attorney
Randolph commented that recently_, riqht or wrong, that
portic�n of the meeting had gone on for an hour or an hour
and a half because the Villaqe Council was attempting to
answer questions asked at that time, and h� was suggest�.ng
the Villaqe Council miqht want to look at that in a
different wag. Councilmentber Genco comm�nted there were
several issues: (1) there were qeneral communications from
citizens where citizens were asking ite�s such as when
' would their road be paved, etc. (2) there were specific
concerns with regard to a definite �gend� item. Village
�Attorney___Randol�h advised that would not be discussed under
Communications from Citizens, but under thQ specific agenda
item. (3) Citizens statinq_ a Councilmember was on the
record for saying something and wanted t�i.e Councilmember
to state their positiox�. Councilmember Genco stated she
felt she should be able to .justify her �easons. Mayor
Capretta comment��d. tk�e_ citi�ens. shauld__a,�,k the Mayor, and
he would then ask the Councilmember if he or she wished to
answer that at that time, which would give the
Councilmember a choice whether to answ�r the question
publicly at that moment or whether they. preferred to handle
it in a different way, which would avoid t�.e Conversations
that had been happeninq with dialog_between a citizen and
a Councilmember, and then others speakix�g up. Village
Attorney Randolph advised Councilmember Genco that in order
for her to m�ke comments regarding h�er feelings on
something_ she did not have to have a resident ask, but that
she had th� right to say what she wanted about any topic
at any_particular time. Village Attorney_Randolph advised
against establishing a situation where a Councilmembe�
would say_to a resident that in order to get a discussion
on a.particular topic they should ask a s�ecific question
to give the Councilmember an opportunity to speak their
VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP ��
MEETINC# MINUTES #
Nove�nber 3, 2000
PAeGE 5 .
position. The Village Attorney explained that his idea of
Communications from Citizens was a citiz�n saying, "My road
has not been_paved, �ou have promised to pave it for the
past six month�, and I would like to kr�ow when you will do
it", to which the Mayor could then respor�d by asking Mr.
- Couzzo if he knew the status and if he did he could
respond; but this was nat the time for any Counci],member
or any Staff inember to be put on the spot regard�.ng a
matter that was not an agenda item. Councilmember Genco
expressed aqreement. Councilmember G�nco commented if the
question was regarding an issue on which � vote had been
taken in a prior month and she wa� asked by the Mayor if
she wanted to re�pond, then she was ma_�ing a deci�ion
poli.tically if she wanted to make her position publ.ic or ^
if she wan�ed to handle it on an i�dividu�l basis perhaps
because she was not prepared or if she was ready to take
the_political repercussians, which was.politics. Attorney
Randolph responded he did not think Communications from
Citizens was a time for _,politi.es, but wa� a time to hear
�- from residents and not a time for questions and answers.
The �Village Attarney advised that there were a lot of
�questions Feople could ask Councilmember Genco out�ide a
public meeting.and that they could ask staff outside a
public meeting, and unfortunately when someone was trying
to direct questians to �ive..people, even if it was through
the Chair, during Communications from Citizens, it could
get out af control. Mr. Ran.dolph advised i,t was a decision
to be made by the Village Gouncil, but he had not seen it
work in other communities like it had wo�ked in Tequesta
recently. Council�ember Genco stated she agreed, and that
�eetings were lasting longer than they should. Mayor
Capretta indicated he felt he should shield the
Gouncilmembers and the staff by makin.g.g�estions come to
him so that no one would be put on the spot if they were
no� ready to answer, and the..public deservred an answer but
it did not have to be an ad lib answer on the spot. Vice
Mayor Schauer questioned if Councilmemb�rs could go to
Village Manaqer Couzzo after a meeting and ask him to
follow up a valid question raised bIr a resident with a
letter or phone cal.l, to which Attorney Randolph responded
affirmatively. Attorney Randolph commented that
Councilmembers could do that but most of the time it would
not be necessary, because the Villa.ge Manager would be
listening to the residents during the meetirig and as a
. .
°; VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
Nove�er 3, 2000 �
PAGE 6 - �
-----------------------
ma�ter of course would attempt to answer tY�.em. The Village
Attorney adv�sed that the problem with �ry_�.ng to answer all
of the questiQns in a Council meeting wa}s the len.gth of
time added to the meetinqs, and at County Commission
meetings and other meetings.people would m�ke comments, the
Chair would thank them,� and the meetinq__would proceed to
other matters. Ma�or�Capretta commented �hat many of the
Communications from Citizens were speeches rather than
questions or complaints., which was the reason the 3-minute
time limit was oric,�inally_ _institut¢d so that meetings would
not last forever, and that many times the citizens wanted
to tell the Village Council what the� thought, which was
one of the reasons Communications from Ci�izez�s was on the
agenda. Villaqe Manager Couzzo commented he would be happy
to respand back and tYiat two readinq fil�s were now kept
of a11 correspondence. Mr. Couzzo announced that he
planned to be at Council meetings an �.our before the
meeting__to answer any questions. Councilmember Walker
commented that Mr. Couzza planned to sta�t this practice
- at the November Village Counci]. meeting.and suggested if
Councilmembers also wanted to show up earlX before meetings
-so that citizens could ask them questions rather than
asking the questions during the meeting Mr. Randolph
cautioned that could be treadinq on danqerous territory if
Councilmembers were going to arrive early and mingle with
the public to answer questions, and reconunended that be
noticed. Mr. Couzzo commented his idea raras just for him.
Attorney_ Randolph explained that if Councilmembers were
speaking individually to their consti�t�.tients that was
fine; however, if it was scheduled for 1/2 hour before each
meeting it became organized and if three or four members
of the Villac�e Council were in one room discussing matters
that could come before the Village Council they ran a risk
of violatinq the Sunshine Law. Couneilmember Genco
commented she liked Mr. Couzzo's idea of him going early
to s�eak with the public,. and thouqht everything possible
should be done to establish better cammunication.
Councilmember Dalack wondered if durinq the public meeting
with the Village Manager, Councilmembers �ould be present
only to listen and not say. anythinq, since he felt it would
help him to hear what people wanted w�.thout someone
interpretinq_it. Mayor Capretta responded that it would
be impossible for Councilmembers not to speak. Village
Manager Couzzo explained he envisioned a very informal
. � �
# VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP _
MEETING MINUTE3
November 3, 2000
PAGE ?
meeting where he would sit at a table and people coming in
and asking him questions, and commented that some people
might come in and ask questions in an informal setting who
miqht be hesitant to speak from the podium during a
meeting. Mayor Capretta suggested that l�r. Couzzo could
provide the Councilmembers with a list of the questions he
had been asked, which would answer Mr. D�lack's concern,
and advised that the sessions would probably start out with
a lat of questions but then leQel off to only a few, but
he would still be there if people wanted to talk to him,
and would_.present a friendly concept. Coun�ilmember Dalack
stated i�t was a good idea�for the Village Councilmembers
not to be,_present. The Village Manager stated he would
send to the Cauncilm�mbers a list of the questions that
were asked. Vice Mapor Schauer comment�d if a graup of
citizens came to speak to the Villaqe Manager about a
problem, ,providing a. synopsis of what had �ranspired to the
Councilmembers would be a good idea in case they got phone
calls about ��a.�t subj ect .
Mayor Ca�retta commented he had obtained a brochure from
� Jupiter describing their procedure for est�blishir�g �harter
Neighborhoods, which he would present to the Council at a
future meeting, Jugiter employed a full-time Charter
Manager who orqanized areas within the town so that the
citizens could meet to discuss issues. Mayor Capretta
commented that same residents of the Village from ti�ae to
time mentioned that they were not with�.n a Homeowners
Association. A proqram ].ike the one Jupiter had instituted
would answer their needs and one Councilmember could be
assigned to an area, and the meetings could be held in
sameone's home.
The Mayor explained he had discussed with the Village
Attorney the order for speakinq_ during quasi-judicial
hearings, and explained that the problem Y}ad been that the
public had been called after the vote had been taken, so
' they felt their comments were a waste of t�.me. Discussion
an this issue ensued. The Villaqe Attorney advised the
applicant should have the last word to �ddress anything '
that came up from the pu.blic since he had to carry the
burden. Councilmember Genco suggested cal�ing for comments
from the public following the Villaqe Council's discussion,
since that discussion might answer some of the public's
i
VILLAL3E COUNCIL WOR�SHOP
MEET�I�KK3 MINUTE�
Nov�r 3, 2000
PAC3E 8 :
_�.,_____�---------------
qu�stions. The following order wa� decided upon:
(1) Applicant
(2) Staff
(3) Village Caur�c�l
(4) Publi�
(5) Ap�licant - final comments
(6) Executive Sessipn - voting
This wduld make twb changes: assuri.ng_th� public would be
called upon befoxe the vote, and ailowi�.g the applicant
�inal comments before the vote.
Swearing in of wi�n�sses was di�cussed. yillage Attorney
Randolph r�commended it be stated at the beginning o� th�
heari.ng: "All people who wish to speak �o� or against this
pro�ect please stand and be sworn in." The Village
Attorney indicated he believed it �as not necessary to go
around the room askinq each person to give his name and
- address since they would do that when they spoke, and that
if durinq.the hearinq_an�rone wanted to speak who had not
�been sworn they could be sworn at that t�xne. Vice Mayor
Schauer reported an attorney had called her inquixing how
the Village handled guasi-judicial hearimgs in regard to
public commex�ts and she had res�onded that the public was
�alled upon after discussion by the'Villag� Council. Mayor
Capretta commented that had nc�t chang�ed. Village Attorney
Randolph discussed ex-parte communication, and advised that
re�orts by_each Councilmember must state who they spol�e to
and the subject discussed because everyone in the audience
needed to know what had transpired, and the applicant could
know what he was fac.ing, because the Cou�cil.a�embe�s were
not supposed to have any._preconceived ideas as to how they
were goi.ng to vote on an issue. Attorney �andalph advised
that visiting the site must be announced as eX--par�e
communication.
Village Cle�k Manganiello requested clarification regarding
how the in.diviz�ual Councilmembers were to respond during
Communications from Citizens since all questi.ons and
comments were to be addressed through the Mayor. Mayar
Capretta responded that he would ask the Cpuncilmembers if
th�y wanted to address the subject at that time, which
would give them a choice to either respond or to state they
VILLA�E COUNCTL WORK3HOP
M�ETING MINUTES
Nov�eiribe�r 3 , 2000
PA�GiE 9
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would respond with a letter or phone call, or however they
wished. Mayor Capr�tta noted that he would do the same if
the cs�mment or question was addressed to staff or to the
Village Attorney. Village Attorney Randolph asked if the
residents would be advised that Comm�n.�.cations from
Ci�izens was a time for the Village Council to hear from
the3n. instead of a time for guestions �nd answers and
debate. Mayor Capretta responded affirmatively. Village
Attozneg Randol.ph advised that during agenda items th�
public should be giv�n an opport�nity to ask questi,ons
r�g�=ding that parti�ular item. Councilmember Genco
commented that if a citizen wished to �peak during
Comm.unications from Citiz�ns on an item that was on the
age�nda, the Mayor could say that was an ager�da item. and
could be addressed at the tune it was b�aught up on the
a�genda. Vi11ac,�e Clerk Manganiello commented if an
individual CQUncilmember, or anyone else �.o was asked by
the Mayor if they wished to respond, chose to respond
durinq Commun�.cations from Cit�.zens tha� cou�,d lead to
discourse. Councilmember Ge�.co respo�.ded everyone should
agree that if it was in re_gard to an agenda item each would
• answer that they would respond during �he ag�n�ia item. It
was decided that the three minut� time limit would be for
the whole discourse, and there would be stric� adherEnce
to tMe 3-minute limit. The RecorCiing Secr�taxy questi.oned
whether the 3-minute limit applied during agenda item.s, to
which the response was that it did. Vi�e Mayor Schauer
recommended that at the November Villaqe Council meeting
the Mayor shou�.d announce the_..procedural changes made at
this meeti.ng and that they would be in effect from now on.
Mayor Capretta agreed that was a good idea.
Mayor Capretta sugqested Communi�atians from Citizens be
moved to follow the Consent Agenda, which would allow all
hous�keeping items to be done first, and would leave the
real meat of the agenda to follow. CouMCilmember Dalack
agreed except with the provision that the Mayor would have
the option to change the order on the a.genda in special
circumstances, such as the school discussion w�ich �ook
place at a recent meeting when there were many people who
came s�ecificallx for that sub1ect, Mayar Capretta
responded that sometimes when a.group came for a particular
item, he could move Communications �rom Citizens, but would
normally li.ke to see all housekeeping matters first, then
e
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1 l �
; VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MEETIN(3 MINUTES
Noven�er 3, 2000
PAGE 10
----------------------- {
Communication.from Citizens, then the rest af the agenda.
The Mayor commented that Village Manager Couzzo had
suggested a fixed time such as 8.p.m. be set for
Communica�ions from Citizens, but this way it should fall
normally at around 7:30 p.m. Vic� Mayor S�hauer noted that
Communications from Citizens used to be last on the agenda.
Councilmember Walker comntented that Comn:�unications from
Citizens was last on the Community_Appearance Board and
Board of Adjustment a.gendas . The Vice Ma.gqr commented that
she thought moving it later on the Villag� Council agenda
would start everything in a better tone. Village Clerk
Manqaniello clarified that the 3-minute limit would also
apply during citizen involvement on a_genda items.
Mayor Capretta requested discussion of how to handle
situations where a member of the Village Gouncil wanted to
instruct the Village Manager and Attorney_ to do something,
such as occurred at a recent meeting w�.en citizen Jiun
Humpage had read a statement from the organization he'was
� representing re.garding a referendum on �h,� location of the
Village Hall� following which Councilmember Genco had
� instructed the Villa.ge Mana,ger and the �.ttorney who was
present to prepare language for the ballot. Mayor Capretta
e�ressed his opinion that the ri_ght wag to handle that
procedure would have been for Councilmember Cenco �o
address the Mayor and re.quest that item be placed on the
next agenda. Councilmember Genco stated that was what she
had done. Mayor Capretta commented he w�nted to be sure
everyone understood the procedure if a Councilmember wanted
something added to the next a.genda, work dpne by the sta�f,
etc., and whether a vote would be taken. Mayor Capretta
described a scenario where a Councilmember.y�ranted something
done by staff under New Business�_ and requested the Mayor
add the item to the next a,genda, and .questioned whether he
should respond by asking for a motion to that effect. The
Village Attorney responded that the issu� was how things
would be added to the aqenda and the full Village Council
needed to determine whether to,,put the item on the next
agenda as requested. Village Attorney Randolph commented
it did not seem appropriate to,place items� on that night's
agenda at all with staff having no opportunity to do any
backup or to know anything about the item; and it put the
Village Council at a disadvantage of having to vote on
something without possibly having all the information they
� � Y
; VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
November 3, 2000
PAC:E i 1 �
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needed to make a vote. Village Attorney Randolph noted
this type of situation had come up another time regazding
the Country Club monuments and whether �noney should be
spent to fix the sidewalks. The Villaqe Attorney advised
that it was appropriate, as had been done in the past, for
each .to say they would like to discuss a matter u�nder Any
Other Matters, but that it should be �.n informational
matter� such as re�orting attendance at a meeting. Village
Attorney Randvlph advised that it was ng� appropriate to
bring up a new matter to be voted on that night since it
placed both staff and Council at a disadv�antage; however,
under Any_.Other Matters was the tim� to request an item be
added to _the ag.enda.. .for the next. ,meQting Co�i.n.cilmember
Genco commented there would be some minor items that could
be dispased of quickl,y by voting tk}at night, that
discussion could be held on i.tems and then a vote taken
whether to _.put it on the next .aqenda, and also if a
Councilperson was not prepared to vote on an item they
-- could request it be delayed to th� next a,�enda. Attorney
Randolph advised there were disadvantaqes to voting an new
' items which were that if Councilmembers kn�w they could add
•a new item and attempt to talk the other members into
voting on it that night it allowed for the agenda to be
prolonged,._ the �ublic had not been notified that item
would be discussed that ni.ght because it was not on the
agenda; and the staff and the rest of the Councilmembers
might not be prepared to address that_..particular item.
Councilmember Dalack expressed his opinion that as a matter
of standard_.policy the Villa,ge Council shquld not vote on
any item which was not on the agenda, particu�arly because
the ,�ublic would not kziow it was .going to be voted on.
Councilmember Walker and Mayor Capretta expressed
agreement. Councilm.ember Dalack com�nented he had
recansidered things following a meeting, for example, the
Country Club monuments., and_ tMe procedure for
reconsidering_ an action. Village Attorney Randolph
responded that under Robert's Rules of Orc�er, a motion for
reconsideration should come at the meeting or at an
adjourned meeting, but if a Coun.cilm,�mber wished to
reconsider he or she would have to request a speaial
meeting or add it to the agenda at the ne�t meeting if the
n�oney had not been spent, but a situation could arise where
one Councilmember asked the Village Mana.c�er not to spend
the money because they wanted the action reconsidered but
� • -
� VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
I�ETING MINUTES
Novemher 3, 2000
' PAiGE 12
-----------------------
the other Councilmembers did not agree. Vice Mayor Schauer
read aloud a section irom Robert's Rules of Order which
discuss�ed recon.sideration of motions, a�.d advised that
goQernment should check with their attorneys and proceed
carefully, since they might have statutes or laws
concerning the presentation of business, and some
governm�nt organizations had adogted rules of order to �
allow the vote on a motion to be reconsidered at the n�xt
meeting. Attorney Randolph responded tha� was not to say
that if action had not been taken� for instance in the
monument situat�on, a Councilmember at the next meeting
could indicate they wished to place the item on the next
agenda and then the others who had voted for the motion
could either say they did not want to do so or to h�.ve the
matter_.placed on the next agenda. Di�cussion ensued.
Village Clerk Manc�aniello pointed out this procedure would
prolong the matter for another mont�. CounFilmember Dalack
commented wha� would ha�?pen if a contract had been
executed, to which the re�ponse was it wQuld be too late
to reconsider. Village Manac�er Couzzo suggested in those
types of situations to try to find ou� �f the issue was
•time sensitive and if the Councilmembers fel.t they really
did not l�.ave all the information then vo�e to defer. It
was noted that the Country Club monument situation had not
been on the agenda that night and was a good examgle of
violating the rule of not voting on items that were not on
the agenda. Councilmember Genco explainec� she had brought
the matter up. because it had been discussed at so many
prior Council meetings that she had fe�t everyone was
prepared to deal with the issue. Councilmember Dalack
commented the situation dramat�zed the nec�essity of having
a policy. Councilmember Dalack requested a policy on
reconsideration. Villa Clerk Manganiello commented that
speaking as a staff �erson� staff may__have already set in
motion the direction.,given them by the vote, and problems
cou�d be created if it were to become a habit to
reconsider items. Ma.yor Capretta commented the only way
to handle reconsideration was to bring._it up under Any
Other Matters at the next meeting and ask for a vote, and
if the situation had already_.been taken care of, such as
in the case of the Country Club monument� wherethe money
had been s�ent� then it was too late; so at the November
16 meeting if the money had not been spe�.t then it could
be brought up. Councilmember Genco commented i€ a request
, . .
; VILLAiGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
Nove�er 3, 2000
PA�E 13
------------------------
for reconsideration was not made before the meeting
adjourned then the Village Council was opening �hemselves
to liti.gati.on by changing their minds at a later date.
Village Attorney Randolph advised that was true if one
person was abZe to cha�ge the direction of the Village
Council, but putting it on the agenda for the next meeting
for a vote shQ�ld be okay.
Vice Mayor.Schauer commented there were sometimes matters
which ca�ne up after the agenda was published which needed
to be considered at the meeting, and suggested in those
situations that the Village Man�ger be no�ified given all
possible back�ap information, and assure that the Village
Manager provided that infox�nation to eaGh member of the
Villag� Council prior to�the meeting. Councilmember Walker
suggested that Vi.11age Mana.ger Cotzz�o co�}ld add the item
to the agenda under Approva7. of Agenda to keep to the new
policy just established, that voting would only be on items
which were on the agenda. Vi�.laqe Clerk Manganiello
commented that did not _.give enough timc� to review the
information. The Village Attorney commented that it would
�be informational items and not items that would be voted
on, and items should not be added unless it was an
emer.gency situation. Villa.ge Clerk Manga�iello commented
staff would make every attempt not to add last minute
agenda items unless it was absolutely �ecessarg. Vice
Mayor Schauer commented that the money needed for the
railroad cross.ing had come up at the last alinute, and there
would be other similar situations. Village Clerk
Manganiello summariaed that the decisiox� was to try to
limit Any__Other Matters to informational matters, such as
reports of.meetings_attended, and shauld...a matter need to
be reconsidered that would be the time to vote on whether
to place it on the next agenda.
Mayor Capretta requested the Villaqe Manager write up the
procedural changes made at this next meetir�g to be reviewed
by the Councilmembers and then h� would use that list.to
make a statem.ent at the next meeting of the Village
Council. Village Attorney_ Randolph commented that since
this was a workshop meeting where no vot_c� could be taken
these were really not changes, but that in light of the
comm.ents made at this meeting_the Village Manager could
write a list of procedures. The Mayor clarified he would
< • � :
V�LLAt3E COUNCIL W4RKSHOP
MGETINf3 MINUTE3
Nov�r 3, 20b0
Pl� 14
-----------------------
Iike the list reviewed by the Councilme�bers to be sure
everyone agreed those were the procedures discussed at this
meeting. Vice Ma.yor Schauer eommented sh� had a hard ti.me
with a vote being recqnsidered on an agenda item ax�d the
only time it was proper was at the same �n.eeting the vote
was taken. �lttorney R�ndolpJ:i stated that was correct under
Robert's Rules of Order, but that was no� to say that if
a Councilmember, upon reflection,. believed their vo�e had
been wrong, that tlze Councilmember caul�i not under Any
Other Matters sta�e they had thought about the way the
Cbuncil had vQted on an is�ue and ,request it be placed on
the next agenda for discussion. Attorne�r Randolph
expla�.ned tha� if the others who had voted in favor did not
agree, that was the end ot the matter; or it could be voted
on to _.p�.ace a,t on the next a.genda . The Vice May�a�
commented sh� wan�ed to avoid havinq everX decision second
guessed, to which the �esponse raas it was extremely
unla.kely.to hap�en since three meznbers of the Council mus�
= vote for it to happen; and the Village At.�orney commented
,, . . ,
.;_ _; ,
if things- w�r.e- . al�_eady -in. mo.�ion _and the money spent i�
woulcl be too late .
Councilmembex Dalack called for discussio� on adhering to
the 3-minute rul�, during__which agreemen� was reach�d that
the �peaker should be allowed �o finish their scntence but
nqt �o finish their thought, since that could take a long
time. The Village Attorney advis�d that a sgeaker should
not be allowed to gi.ve thei� 3 minutes to someone el.se so
that they could speak for 6 mi.nutes. A,__past situation
where a speaker k�ad been allawed to Gontinue out of respect
for his a.ge was mentioned. Procedure for acceptir�g
requests to s�eak was dis�ussed. Th� Vice Mayor advised
that the School Board was so strict that or�e must `teleph+�ne
ahead of time to be allowed to speak. It �taas agreed that
request to speak cards would be acce_pted a�ter the meeting
had started up until the time Communications from Citizens
started, but the Recording Secretary woul�i._.hand the cards
to the Village Manager rather than passing them down the
line.
Gouncilmember Genco reguested information on the purposes
of advisory_ and standing committees and the Special Mas��r
hearings, what those committees were formed to do, what
occurred as a res�ult of those commi�tees, the
� �. w
', VILI+A+k�E C4tYNCIL WORKSHOP
{ MEETINCi MI�ES
Nov�mber 3, 2Q00
P1R�C3E IB
....,.___..__.._...,...._�._�..»_..
participatian---if any-of the Village Council, and what was
done with resolutians that came f�om those comm.ittees.
The Village Attorney respanded that the Special Master
hearing� wexe for code enforcement, which the Village
Council wa�s not and should no� be involved in at all,
because the Special Master was si�ti.nq in a quasi-judicial
capacity and ruling. The Vi].lage Attorney commented he had
never attended an administrati�re comm.i.t�ee meeting so did
not know exactly w�iat occurr�d but usual�.y the people on
the commit�ee would d�.scuss a par�Cicular is�ue and the
public could have input, which he unders�oad was the way
the Vil.lage cond�xGted t�.eir commi�tee meetinqs. Village
Atta�ney Randolph �o�nented that k�e was. _ r�ferrinq ta
adxnin3.strative committees such as the Finance and
Admini,rtra�ion Commi�tee , Counciln�ember Genco indicated
she referred �o those as standinq coammittee�, and the �ree
Board, etc ., as �c3v�.sory commi�tees . Th� �T'illage Attorney
advised it wa� not a good thiz�g for Councilmembers to
, attend advisory board meetin:gs unless th�ey were ne�r and
� wanted ta see ho�r things warked, and k�y all means should
not go to t�iose m�etings and make reeommendations ar state
.their thoughts on an issu� because tho�e Bo�rds were
appointecl by the Council to advise the Goun�il, and the
Councilmembers should be approached freshly on issues
considered by �hQSS B�ards . The Village-.Attorr�ey cowmented
that some o� the Boards made recommendatians and same made
final de�isians, and a Councilm�mber _s�ould not �xert
znfluen�e when they had appointed boards to make deci,sions,
and sometim.es the mere presence of a Cau�cilmember could
influence me�nbers ot a Board. The Villaq� Attorney
reported he had been called to the Comm�nity Appeara�ce
Board to advise new members regarding such items as the
Sunshine Law. l�r. Randolph inc�ui=ed whe�her standing
cammittees were scheduled on a particulax dat�, to which
Village Clerk Manganiello re�panded that at th� suggestion
of Counci.3.member Ge�co, staff was attempting to set a
certain day and time for each commi.ttee shQuld the need far
a meeting arise, whicM wvuld be decided at the n�xt meetinq
of each committee; and that the anly co�.tte� for which
a day and t�.m� had been selected was the Redevelopment
Cammi.ttee. Mayox Caprstta noted that at the com�mi.ttee
m�etings Councilm�mbers not on the eommittees attended; aad
he liked th�m to particigate. Village Attorney Randolph
J stated that was no problem. Counci].member G�n�o stated her
• � - ►
; v�Lt� covrtcxL woRxsaop
M��TINQ MINUTES
NOVa�nber 3, 2000
PA�t3E 16
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opinion that if a standing comxnittee did not meet at least �
once a year it should be dissolved; however, the Village !
Clerk noted ordinarily all committees �net several ti.mes
during each year; however, with the recen� transition the
, committees had not met but a Public Works Committee meeting
would be held in the near future.
The Village Clerk requested that if the rec�ular appointee
to intergovernmental ageney committee meetinqs could not
attend that Village staff `be contacted so that the
alternat� could attend, in o�der to assure continuity and
so the Village would r�ot miss out on information. Ms.
Manganiello camment�d she believed it was i.mpoxtant for th�
attendees of the interqoverrunental agency committee
meetings to report what had occurred to the Village
Council, so that an alternate would be advised of what was
happening in case they were called on to attend.
Village Manager Couxzo suggested staff sit in the audience
during meetings rather than at a table in front of the
dias; and come to the podium to make presentations, which
.would make them feel more comfo�table and would also open
the space in front of the Council. The Village Manager
anaounced that three-ring binders would be provided ta each
Councilm.ember for their agendas. Mr. Couxzo cvmmented that
his office would be obtaining folded note cards with the
Village crest on the �ront and a history of the Village and
names of the Mayor and Council on the back, so that hand-
written notes could be sent. The Village Manaqer advised
that these cards would be a�railab�.e for use by
Councilmembers, and suggested th�y might be used for the
Meet and Gree� program. Village Manager Couzzo suggested
each Cauncilmember could contribute to the newsletter on
a rotating basis, if they chose to do so. One
Councilmember indicated they did not wish to participate.
Vice Manager Couzzo requested the Village Council review
and reaffirm if they so desired the qoals established at
their August meeting, since he had not been the Village
Manager in August. Mr. Couzzo questioned whether those
were the qoals the Council wished him to carry out or if
they wished to amend them. Village Clerk Manganiello
passed out a la.st of the goals to each Councilmember.
: Mayor Capretta reminded the Councilmembers that there were
two sets of goals and objectines-one for the Council and
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v�r.�E coc�xciL wo�tsxop
MGETING MI1�ItJTE3
Nov�r 3, 2000
FAQ� 17
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one for the Village Ma.nager, and that the Village Manager
would be evaluated for his performance on carryinq out his
goals. The Vi,llage Clerk explained that the Village
Manager's goals had been established in Februar�, and that
four of the five Village Manager goals listed were her
responsibiZity and were being i.m�lemented. V�.ce Mayor
Schauer indicated that Mr. Couzzo could assume the goals
and objectives li$ted were still in plac� unless a speCific
change was instituted. The Village Glerk suggested new
goal.s and objectives be established after the new Village .
Council was in place following the March elect�.on.
Councilmembez G�nco requested the Village Manag�r do a
financial study update on the construction of the Village
Hall and Fire Rescu� facilities and laring it to a Finance
Committee meeting and then to Village Council. V3,llaqe
Attorney Randolph advised that cauld not be discussed at
this time but that Councilmember Genco might wish to brinq
it up at another time.
Village Manager Couzzo thanked everyone for meeting on a
.Friday. Councilmember Walker commented she thought it was
great that staff would not be sitting at the tables at
meetings, but requested that department heads attend the
meetings because there were times trie Village Council did
not know the answers to issues and neecled to consult them.
Villaqe Manager Couzzo commented that was not a problem,
especially since there was only one meeting a month, and
that he would change his instructions that theg did not
need to at�end. It was noted that if one of them could not
be present, that particular item could be deferred. Mr.
Couzzo advised staff did nat have to sit together in the
first row, but could sit anywhere in the audie�ce, The
'Vice Mayor commented if there was an agenda item dealing
with a specific department that department head would
attend, and considering the new rules, if there was not a
spe�ific agenda item for a clepartment perhaps that
department head did not need to be �resent. Councilmember
Dalack suggested it could be bet�er for morale if their
input was not anticipated to be needed �hat they did not
have to attend every meetinq. Vice Mayor Schauer
questioned whether the employees received 3 hours comp time
for attending meetings, to which Ms. Manganiello responded
- they received personal ti.me and that their personal days
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MEETINCi MINtJT�B
November 3, 200�
PAt�E 18
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had been increased from 3 to 6 for that purpose. The
Village Clerk commented on the passibility of holding
meetings during the day�; however, the Councilmembers stated
their preference fo� leaving the meetings as they were.
Village Manager Couzzo asked whether the Village Council
wished to continue having a police officer at the Village
Council meetings, since the Police Chief was present. Vice
Mayor Schauer expressed her opinion that she preferred
having a police officer in the roam, which she agreed could
be the Police Chief, Assistant Police Chief, or an officer.
Village Clerk Manganiello di�cussed the coordin�tion
process for using 3-ring binders for Villac�e Council agenda
material. An envelope would be provic�ed so that the
material could be removed and the binders with da.vidersleft
in the Counci.l chambers, or to get it bacl� before the next
meeting. It was agreed to work with each Couricilmember
individually as to their preference. Consent agenda items
were discussed. The Village Clerk explained that all
consent agenda materials would be under or}e divider in the
binder. It was agreed to no longer designate cansent
agenda items by an asterisk an the agenda, but to have one
.section on the agenda with all the consent items listed.
V . ADJa�tJRNMENT
The meeting wa�s adjourn�d at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, �
��� U �
Betty Zaur
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
.
J a�ganiel' .o
Village Clerk
DATE APPROVED:
��4ye�+.4-�-�- /6 � �aC�
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��� ^ ro Agenda - Village Council Regular Meeting 03/10/OS �1 _� - �j���
Page 2 5 , � y► � r y l; c� c� h l C a%� 7'�� .
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�ouh c� (IN(�c � �✓ �r� CPJ C�'n �►
- � H a tt i e S i e g e l c a s e - A s k e d t h e A tt o rn e y f o r a n u p d a t e on the jud g ment.
Attorney Hawkins stated there were three lawsuits: 1) a foreclosure
lawsuit, part of the Siegel litigation, where the foreclosure judgment was
obtained and the foreclosure sale was scheduled; 2) Pending Federal
lawsuit in which Ms. Siegel filed last April following the mediation,
which the Village was successful in having dismissed, pending a motion
for attorney's fees which was filed on behalf of the Village in the fall; and
3) a new State court lawsuit that Ms. Siegel had filed against the Village,
which was pending, but the Village had not been served. He anticipates
the Village will be served in the next few days.
Attorney Hawkins indicated a11 three of these matters are pending. He
stated the foreclosure action for all intent and purposes was over. He
recommended the Village Council consider holding a closed-door session
to discuss the Siegel litigation in general, with regard to certain strategic
considerations relative to the sta.tus of the Federal lawsuit, the foreclosure
lawsuit, and the Sta.te lawsuit. Council Member Genco indicated she was
under the impression that after the last closed door session when the lien
was sold, that had basically passed a11 the responsibilities, that had to do
with the foreclosure and the lien, on to the purchaser, due to the
assignment of the foreclosure and lien. She felt that was the end of it, that
Council had basically washed its hands of that portion. She questioned if
that was true. Attorney Hawkins explained the activity of the foreclosure
action on behalf of the Village was basically concluded, and that the
purchaser of the judgment had stepped into the shoes of the Village. He
agreed that matter was concluded. Cauncil Member Genco pointed out
there were twa matters still pending, and whether the Village wanted to do
something in regards to the judgment for $12,000.00. Attomey Hawkins
explained the Village had a Final Judgment of Dismissal, with a p�nding
motion for attorney's fees, and the attorney fees in question were
approximately $12,500.00. He mentioned that was pending before the
Federal court.
Attorney Hawkins recommended Council have a closed door session to
discuss the federal court issue, and discuss the Village's response with
regard to the State court litigation. He indicated those issues all sprung up
from the allegations from Ms. Siegel. Council Member Genco commented
she had hoped that when the �illage got rid of the foreclosure and the lien,
that the file could be closed, and the attorney would not be needed no
longer for this issue. She agreed to a closed door session ta discuss the
federal court case, and the state court case. Mayor Humpage questioned
whether Council needed to wait until the Village was served before having
the closed door sessian. Attorney Hawkins suggested scheduling a time
that was convenient to Council, possibly within the next week. Vice
Mayor Watkins noted she would not be available Wednesday, March 23,
2005.
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��M �' Agenda - Village Council Regular Meeting 03/10/OS
Page 26
Village Manager Couzzo suggested Council consider having a Council
workshop, that was in the pla.nning sta.ges, and a closed door session on
the same day. He suggested also a Special Council Meeting to discuss the
advanced bond refinancing, because there may be some opportunities, due
to the current interest rates, to restructure and save a considerable amount
of money.
Mayor Humpage indicated the Workshop would be discussed later in the
meeting under Any Other Matters, and suggested waiting until that portion
of the agenda to pick the dates for the closed door session and the
workshop.
COUNCIL MEMBER PATERNO
— Western Corridor — Mentioned concerns with the development of the
Western Corridor. He asked that more information be provided by either
directing Staff or have Council research the matter, because this could be a
potential problem for the Village as far as traffic and service trucks. He
mentioned the Village was a beautiful place, and he wouid want to keep it
that way, and it felt it really needed to be looked at. Council Member
Genco commented she believed Police Chief Allison was doing tra.f�c
counts, and following the traffic counts for a long time. She mentioned the
Town of Jupiter in approving the developments has required some very
heavy traffic studies, and updates as the developments come on line in
phases. She explained it shows the amou.nt of traffic that could potentially
reach Island Way, which would be the only way to get access to this side
of the River. She indicated that was way Council decided at the last
Council meeting to hold off on a traffic study until at least the Village had
some traffic to measure. Council Member Paterno indicated he would
rather be more proactive and that the Village needs to think of what the
alterna.tives may be if it becomes a problem, rather than wait until there
was a problem. Council Member Genco pointed out the Village had
changed the Class roadway on Country Club Drive with the State, so that
only so many vehicles could traverse the roadway per day. She sta.ted it
also limits the size of the 4xucks. She mentioned the class of the roadway
allows the Village the right to lirrut the access if the roadway is getting a
larger Lraf�ic count, or the size of the trucks are too large. She pointed out
that Mr. Jack Horriman about two years ago made the amendment to the
State in order to ensure that the roadway can not be widened or could not
get a heavy amount of traffic. Counoil Member Patemo mentiQn�d
concerns with the amount of the traffic t11at would be on the roadway. He
felt there was little or no cooperation from Martin County to do anything
to help alleviate the problem. Cauncil Member Genco mentioned she
would love to open the door with Martin County on getting the County
line road extension put through. She felt that would be the best situation,
since the Village would be having traffic come from U.S, One. She felt
County Line Road would be the best way to ha.ve tlie roadway because
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