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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 04D_12/09/2004 d ) � � - 1� 1 ,�� MINUTES VII..LAGE OF TEQUESTA PUBLIC HEARINGS ON FINAL MILLAGE AND FINAL FY 2004/2005 BUDGET THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY 357 TEQUESTA DRIVE TEQUESTA, FLORIDA I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 7:03 P.M. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Edward D. Resnik, Council Member Russell J. von Frank, and Council Member Jim Humpage. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle, and Department Heads. Vice Mayor Geraldine A. Genco was absent from Meeting. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Watkins led the pledge of the allegiance to the flag. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember von Fiank moved to appf•ove the agenda as submitted; seconded by Councilmember Resnik; motion passed S-0. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Public Hearings for Tentative Millage Rate Adoption and Tentative Budget Adoption i. ORDINANCE NO. 593— SECOND READING—AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR LEVYING A MILLAGE RATE OF 6.4980 PER $1,000.00 OF TAXABLE VALUATION 7.748% GREATER THAN THE ROLLED-BACK MII,LAGE RATE 6.0308 PER $1,000.00 OF TAXABLE VALUATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004/2005 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Village Manager Michael R. Couzzq Jr. VII,LAGE COUNCIL MINiJTES - FINAL HEARINGS ON THE MII.LAGE AND FY 2004/2005 BUDGET - SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 Page 2 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS Mayor Watkins announced that the Public Hearing was open. Village Clerk Carlisle read Ordinance 593 in its entirety. MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve fo� discussion Second Reading of Ordinance 593; seconded by Councilmember I�umpage. Mayor Watkins mentioned there were two public Workshops, and a public hearing regarding the budget in which Council went through the Budgets in detail. She indicated Council would welcome any questions from the public. She commented the newspaper ad indicated the Village of Tequesta's tax increase would be 53%. She explained Council purposely kept money in Reserves to build the Village Hall and pay cash for it, with $2.4 million set aside for construction of the building, which would start early next year. Mr. Steve Hofgren, resident of North Cypress Drive and President of the Cypress Ridge Homeowners Association, noted his concern regarding the increase in the Village taxes. Mayor Watkins reassured Mr. Hofgren residents should not see a major increase. She commented there were other services such as expanding the Village's Parks and Recreation Department. She explained the Village has more children, so Council was putting money back into the community to provide the necessary services. Mayor Watkins stressed the Millage Rate had not changed. Councilmember Resnik explained the millage rate last year was reduced, but did not compensate for the tax increase on the properties. He noted as property values grow, and the tax rate was applied, the citizens could see an increase in their property taxes. He mentioned a 3% cap was the ma�mum amount the value could be increased per year. Village Manager Couzzo noted the aggressive Capital Improvement Projects proposed for the next year, and pointed out there would be no debt to build the new facilities. Mr. Hofgren questioned whether the improvements for Tequesta Drive railroad crossing were in the upcoming budget. Mayor Watkins responded in the affirmative. She indicated the plans were very conceptual, and felt this would be a great opportunity to make this a gateway to Tequesta. She noted County Commissioner Karen Marcus contributed $200,000.00 toward the Florida East Coast (FEC) Project. Mr. Hofgren mentioned concerns regarding the blowing of train horns at the crossing, and asked whether the Village had looked into the situation. He explained if certain things were done the Railroad would not be required to blow their horns. Village Manager Couzzo noted the legislature was looking at amending the legislation so the horns did not have to be blown. He indicated Staff would review and try to work into the plan. Mr. Hofgren indicated he would provide Council with the information regarding train horns and the various options associated with railroad crossings. VILLAGE COUNCIL MINUTES - F1NAL HEARINGS ON THE MII,LAGE AND FY 2004(2005 BUDGET - SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 Page 3 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ms. Karen Dawson, resident of North Cypress Drive felt the City of Palm Beach Gardens was testing out the no train horn blowing. She noted on the west side of the railroad tracks, from Tequesta Drive to County Line Road, there were dead scrubs and debris. She questioned whether any beautification was proposed for that area. Mr. Couzzo noted the commercial building at Tequesta Drive, on the west side of the tracks, had a requirement for landscaping their area. Ms. Dawson asked if Council was expecting a yearly 3% increase in property taxes. Mayor Watkins noted new developments had added to the tax rolls, but soon the Village would be at build out, and large increases would not happen since there would not be any property left to build on. Mr. Bill VVilder, resident of Tequesta Gardens commented at a previous meeting Councilmember Humpage indicated he was going to push to finish up the street lighting in the residential areas of the Village. He questioned whether street lighting was included in the proposed budget. Councilmember Humpage explained it was not proposed in the 2005 budget, but would be included in future budgets. He indicated Council could not do it all in one year or the taxes would be increased considerably. He commented the streetlights and the sidewatks were reviewed and would be phased over the next few years. Mr. Wilder asked that he be kept informed, so that the public could have input. Mr. Howard Morton, resident on Fairview West commented on the undergrounding of power lines within the Village. Mayor Watkins suggested Mr. Morton bring up the undergrounding at the ne� Regular Council Meeting, October 7, 2004 since it was more of a Florida Power and Light (FPL) issue. A Tequesta Country Club resident questioned whether there was any money in the budget for the keeping the trees cut below the FPL lines. She asked that the Village generate a letter to FPL. Mayor Watkins stated keeping foliage away from the power lines was something everyone learned from the hurricanes. Councilmember von Frank noted he had just prepared a letter to the legal department at FPL advising them of this scenario. Mayor Watkins indicated the Village would do what it could to encourage FPL to look into this matter. Mayor Watkins declared the Public Hearing closed. MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve Second Reading of Ordinance 593; seconded by Councilmember Resnik; motion passed 5-0. VII.,LAGE COUNCIL MINUTES - FINAL HEARINGS ON THE MILLAGE AND FY 2004/2005 BUDGET - SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 Page 4 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS ii. ORDINANCE NO. 594—SECOND READING—AN ORDINANCE OF THE VIL,LAGE COUNCII., OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR TI-� ADOPTION OF THE BUDGETS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR CONIlVIENCING OCTOBER 1, 2004 - Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. Mayor Watkins opened the Public Hearing. Village Clerk Carlisle read Ordinance No. 594 in its entirely. MOTION: Councilmember Humpage moved to approve Second Reading of Ordinance 594; seconded by Councilmember Resnik. Public Comment – None Mayor Watkins noted little did the Village know we would have two hurricanes this year, and luckily $1,000,000.00 was set-aside in Reserves. She stated this was a very good Budget, and felt the community should be proud of what will happening in the Village in the next year. Mayor Watkins closed the Public Hearing. Motion passed S-0. V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Councilmember Resnik moved to approve adjournment of the Meeting; seconded by Councilmember von Frank; motion passed S-0. The Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M. Gwen E. Carlisle Village Clerk