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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes_Workshop_08/13/2012 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ANNEXATION WORKSHOP (Nicole Circle and Colette Drive) Monday, August 13, 2012 6:05 p.m. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Manager Couzzo at 6:05 p.m. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Steve Okun, and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. Also present were Manager Couzzo, Attorney Davis, Clerk McWilliams, and Department Heads. Village Manager Couzzo welcomed the Nicole Circle and Colette Drive residents and introduced the Village Council and staff. He explained the Village was a full service community with a fully equipped fire rescue and police department, parks and recreation program and water utility plant. He summarized the following key points and benefits: • Current financial status • Current millage rate - 2.25% lower than 20 years ago • Has not raised the millage in 20 years • Commitment to resident safety was paramount • Fire and police average response rates • Unwavering ability to minimize debt o Village Hall and water plant upgrade paid in full with cash — creating responsible government • $4 million cash reserve in both the general and water department funds • Increased police department staffing • Creation of police bike unit • Intricate license plate reading camera system • Expanded parks and recreation program • Fire Rescue agreement with Palm Beach County • First to receive a 20 year permit from South Florida Water Management District • Police Department affiliation with Federal agencies and programs The Manager explained Council agreed to a three -year grandfather clause on code compliance issues (unless a life safety issue existed); and the three -year clause would run with the property. As an incentive, Council has considered waiving permit fees on code related issues up to $500 for the three -year period. He noted annexation would be voluntary and the Village would not force an area to annex. The Village Manager, Council and staff responded to citizen comments and questions. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes August 13, 2012 Page 2 Citizen Comments /Questions: • What threshold would a tax increase be based upon? o Manager explained some households would see a decrease in taxes while others would see a small increase. He reviewed the taxes and fees handout and noted one advantage would be the elimination of the fire MSTU. Council Members commented on the Village's superior public safety, access to all Village amenities, quality of life, fastest emergency service response times in County, osmosis water treatment plant, and that annexed residents would be able to participate in the decision making process. • A Nicole Circle resident stated she used the Village's fire rescue three months ago and was provided great service. • A Nicole Circle resident stated he uses Village facilities and fire rescue who responded immediately. However, more recently when on vacation, their home was broken into and it took the Sheriff's Office 30 minutes to respond. • What was the process for voting and would mail in ballots be allowed? o Village Attorney Davis believed absentee ballots would be allowed as it would be handled as a regular election. • How would the vote be handled since no one was in attendance from Colette Drive? o Manager Couzzo explained they would go door -to -door if necessary to educate and inform • Why does the Village want to annex this area? • Manager Couzzo stated it was about developing the Village; providing the best possible public safety with more coverage; protecting area interests; and it was more convenient for contractors to do business with the Village as opposed to traveling to Palm Beach County. • He explained staff and Council have been consistently asked by unincorporated residents to annex into the Village • Chief Weinand explained the Fire Rate Inspection Class was a 3 (top 6% of departments in the US) and that property insurance could decrease as a result • How much are the Village reserves? • Over $4 million in cash reserves with $1 million dedicated to emergencies; Manager explained Council had been committed over the years to building the reserves. • Due to the strong reserve and Council dedication staff had not been decreased and no furloughs implemented; staff received salary increases; and more police presence had been placed on the street • Are there any large costly future projects planned? o Manager Couzzo stated there were none that he was aware of except the need to replace older water pipes. He elaborated that the bridge project was paid using stimulus funding. • Would the Village police patrol their neighborhood nightly? o Manager Couzzo affirmed they would patrol the area. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes August 13, 2012 Page 3 • Was impressed with how the animal cruelty incident was handled and inquired on the status of the case. • Would the sidewalk on Riverside Drive be completed? o Russell White stated he would look at the area and did not believe it would be a large expense • A Nicole Circle resident commented on the nice improvements made to Old Dixie Highway and Village Blvd. o Village Manager Couzzo provided a status update on the GMH project Mr. Couzzo introduced Richard Radcliffe, Executive Director Palm Beach County League of Cities, who commented on the Village being laid back and down to earth. The Manager explained the Village was always looking for alternative funding options in an effort not to raise taxes. He stated the Village was exceptionally transparent with most information available online: SERVICE = open and responsive Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, L i ( 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.