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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_07/05/2012 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA & JUPITER INLET COLONY Joint Workshop Tuesday, June 5, 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 on behalf of the Village of Tequesta were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Steve Okun, and Council Member Frank D'Ambra (arrived 4:33 p.m.). Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, and Village Clerk McWilliams. Present on behalf of the Jupiter Inlet Colony were: Mayor Daniel Comerford, Vice -Mayor Tom DiSarno, Commissioner M.J. Block, and Commissioner Richard Busto. Commissioner Douglas Pierson was absent. Also in attendance were attorney Bill Doney and Police Chief Stewart. 1. Discussion on Jupiter Inlet Colony Fire Rescue Agreement Mr. Michael Couzzo, Tequesta Village Manager, provided a brief overview on the status of the contract and turned the meeting over to the Mayor of Jupiter Inlet Colony to hear the Colony's perspective regarding the issue. Mayor Commerford explained the Commission would like to continue its relationship with the Village of Tequesta and would be happy to sign a twenty (20) year agreement. However, their issue was their limited use of the Village's services, even though an essential service, he noted there has been only 558 calls in nineteen (19) years. Mayor Commerford distributed a handout, outlining an average of 29.88 calls per year at approximately $5,854 per call, which equals a millage of 3.2 for 558 calls. Mayor Commerford agreed the Village's services were exceptional, however believed they pay too much. He discussed the county costs per average parcel as well as the Village serving unincorporated pockets of Palm Beach County for which the County pays $168,000 to the Village for services. Mayor Commerford suggested the Village look to increase its fees to the County for services provided in these unincorporated pockets. Mayor Commerford advised Jupiter Inlet Colony wished to have a contract based on a per call basis at approximately $80,000 per year, however understands this would not happen. He stated being charged 2 mills would bring their costs up to $500,000 or approximately $25,000 per call. Mayor Commerford commented on the recent Village mailings, but disagreed with the response times for the Jupiter Inlet Colony and Tequesta beach area condos; he mentioned the upcoming bridge repairs that would affect fire - rescue services. vnidye k_,uunai VVO[KsnUp Meeung iviinuies June 5, 2012 Page 2 Commissioner Block stated the Village received a large fee for little service provided and that the Colony could not afford an increase or they would have to look elsewhere for services. Vice -Mayor DiSarno noted he was not happy with the current costs and Commissioner Busto agreed and asked to hear the Village's position. Manager Couzzo explained that fire - rescue costs were not cheap and the service field was not calculated on a per call basis and noted every city was currently struggling with the increased costs of public safety. He stated the issue was not level -of- service, but how the two entities could come to an acceptable number considering the increased costs to provide the service. Manager Couzzo stated the Village was the first in the County to obtain a fire - rescue contract agreement with the County to provide services. Mayor Paterno stated the real issue was the availability of the service and noted he wanted parity. He explained he paid for the availability of the service, however has never utilized the service. Council Member D'Ambra noted there was a wide range of differences between the two communities and that it was simply a matter of having the capacity to provide the service. He noted this was not similar to dealing with a business in the traditional sense and that the fees charged to the Colony would need to be on par with the Village fees and that Tequesta could not continue to subsidize other users. Detailed discussion took place on the options and costs to provide service by other agencies to the Colony. Mayor Paterno stated the Village would provide a proposal to Jupiter Inlet Colony within a month for their review and consideration. Commissioner Block invited Council to a fundraiser being held for Calvin Turnquest. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member D'Ambra, and unanimously. Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 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.