HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_06/07/2012 MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
WORKSHOP
Wednesday, June 7, 2012
4:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tom Paterno at 4:30 p.m. A roll call was taken by
Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice Mayor Vince Arena,
Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Steve Okun, and Council Member Frank
D'Ambra. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Clerk Lori
McWilliams, and Department Heads.
Clerk McWilliams exited the meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Discussion and Debriefing of June 5, 2012 Joint Workshop with Jupiter Inlet
Colony
Village Manager Couzzo expressed his feelings that the meeting with Jupiter Inlet Colony (JIC)
went well and was helpful in bringing the new Council members up to speed. He noted the
financial mind -sets were quite different between Tequesta and JIC regarding the Fire - Rescue
agreement. He suggested a proposal be prepared and presented to JIC with the equitable cost
to JIC & Tequesta residents.
Council Member Okun felt waiting to contact JIC closer to the contract renewal date may be
more beneficial. Council Member D'Ambra expressed he was be more inclined to address the
issue sooner than later and felt offering police and fire rescue as a package, at the right price
was also worth addressing. Manager Couzzo supported Council Member D'Ambra's suggestion
and felt the package deal had potential.
Manager Couzzo stated JIC was small and would incur unavoidable costs associated with the
service of public safety. Council Member Brennan suggested it was time to decide on parity,
then agree to stand firm as an entity. Mayor Paterno felt the Village needed to stay at 20% and
agreed that standing firm was the best way to deal with the issue. Council Member D'Ambra
stated the Village was in a strong position.
Jim Humpage, 562 North Dover, suggested using the words "service your community for no
more or no less than our Tequesta residents receive" instead of the word parity which, he
believed left room for interpretation.
Manager Couzzo stated he would develop a draft within the next week that would state that
Tequesta was unanimous this agreement would be fair.
Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
June 7, 2012
Page 2
ANY OTHER MATTERS
Chief Weinand stated the fire department was looking for a location to keep the village boat.
Chief Weinand suggested positioning at the Coast Guard Station. Mayor Paterno suggested the
dock slips at White Hall as a centrally located area. Council Member Brennan felt the Tequesta
boat being viewed from the bridge would offer a positive presence.
Council Member Okun noted articles which would focus on public safety would be forthcoming.
He stated one would be in the upcoming Smoke Signals and a separate informational
publication would be circulated.
Manager Couzzo suggested Council begin thinking about the State Revenue Sharing of the 185
money and noted the upcoming budget. Council Member Okun voiced concern that small
changes would have to begin to place monies back into reserves. Mayor Paterno suggested
Council meet to discuss strategy to replenish the account. Manager Couzzo stated there would
be shortages in the budget and specifically noted police with a minimal fifty thousand dollar
deficiency.
Council Member D'Ambra questioned how the budget would be managed short term. He
referenced the Palm Beach county agreements and annexation as he believed they could
expand the base revenues and possibly alleviate the need to raise taxes.
Manager Couzzo commented on a letter received from the County which asked that the Village
maintain the forty foot right of way on County Line Road. He noted the importance of service
and stated this was no time to cut back when annexation was a focus.
Mayor Paterno voiced his concern for someone placing a six story building on the properties
along US1, which were not located in Tequesta and stated Manager Couzzo was looking into
that area for annexation.
Mayor Paterno suggested that the Manager update Council on annexation progress monthly.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION Council Member D'Ambra moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Vice Mayor
Arena, and unanimously. Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
6IL f Y�
Lori McWilliams, MMC
Village Clerk
Note These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not
verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the
Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.