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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_07/30/2012 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA PLANNING WORKSHOP Monday, July 30, 2012 5:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tom Patemo at 5:00 p.m. A roll call was taken. Present were: Mayor Tom Patemo, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Steve Okun, and Council Member Frank D'Ambra (arrived 5:02 p.m.) Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, Human Resources Director Merlene Reid and Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. MOTION Council Member Okun moved to open the meeting, seconded by Council Member Brennan. Approval carried unanimously 5-0. Mayor Patemo noted that the meeting would be closed and a strategy session would continue off the record. MOTION Council Member Brennan moved to enter into a closed session, seconded by Council Member Okun. Approval carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting moved to a close session at 5:03 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 5:50 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. Mission Statement Review and discussion of report prepared by Paula Knight Council Member Okun explained that certain governmental requirements should be implemented concerning mission statements. Mayor Patemo felt the statement should be short, to the point and expressed so recall would be effortless to those who familiarized themselves with it. Council Member Okun referenced the "protect and serve" statement of police and its ease. He suggested safe, cozy feelings in the phrasing. Council Member D'Ambra suggested assigning one member to develop the statement. Consensus of Council was for Council Member Brennan to compose a Mission Statement and Council review it on August 9, 2012. 2. Fire /Rescue • Review information concerning shift requirements Vice Mayor Arena confirmed the number of employees required per shift were four for the State and five for the County. Ray Giblin, Firefighter Paramedic stated five to six persons were scheduled per shift. Mayor Paterno confirmed that five certified employees per shifts would be scheduled and, that could include an intern as the sixth scheduled person. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes July 30, 2012 Page 2 Manager Couzzo confirmed that intems were utilized as a cost effective option and that overtime was minimal. Mr. Giblin added that each shift required two Paramedics and explained how implemented Kelly Days helped reduce overtime costs. Discussion ensued regarding non - traditional 12 hour shifts and potential benefits such as eliminating Kelly Days, fire service being a team oriented driven service, and trauma due to the nature of the job. Mayor Paterno suggested cross training fire and police to which the Manager stated he could explore and analyze options. Council Member Okun's enterprise system was discussed as a way to avoid raising taxes; Council Member D'Ambra stated residents had suffered in this economy and it was not appropriate for the government to not share by implementing more pain via tax increases. Vice Mayor Arena felt that the reserves had consistently increased over the past four years; therefore, there was no reason to raise taxes. Discussion ensued on the reserve balance and utilizing smoothing over a five -year period. 3. New Revenue Generation e Annexation — review overall strategy, timeframe and selection of properties Council discussed the timing of receipt revenues being transferred from the County to the Village, waste contract fees, provisions of contracts when property was annexed; timing to have information into the Property Appraiser in order to receive the funds; doing more with the Community Development Director in workshop settings; and maybe accelerating the process. Vice Mayor Arena suggested assuring that taxing implementation to the four newly annexed properties be evaluated and properly assessed. e Service Provider — fire /rescue and police The Manager advised he had not heard back from Jupiter Inlet Colony regarding the proposals and explained the Village was waiting to hear back from the County on the fire rescue agreement. Council Member Okun referenced a flyer which focused on emergency services and suggested it be mailed out during the winter season. Mayor Paterno suggested getting more involved in working with Jupiter. Council Member Okun stated he had commitments from a veterinary technician to staff Tequesta's animal ambulance and from Busch Wildlife for training assistance with animals and asked for Council's support. Discussion ensued regarding surrounding entities needs, annexation and Tequesta's ability, interest and service capacity. Mayor Paterno stated he would visit Jupiter to obtain the numbers from their EMS (Emergency Medical Services) study. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes July 30, 2012 Page 3 • New Businesses - identification and cultivation of preferred blend of commercial, service, restaurant and retail establishments Council Member Okun offered a handout and explained the phases of his focus on residents and increasing real- estate values with various programs largely involving Emergency Services and /or Parks & Recreation. He explained the need to identify businesses and community preferences for feedback in navigating forward. Discussion ensued regarding additional avenues and opportunities which could enhance the business community at minimal investment. • Residents — Discuss continued plan to attract new residents, visitors and business/retai Vrestau rant patrons Vice Mayor Arena suggested a welcome wagon and /or offering new resident one year fee free permits and inspections in addition to Council Member Okun's list of suggestions which also included the convenience of credit cards payments. He also suggested mentioning benefits in any annexation meetings. Council Member Brennan voiced her support with the stringent regulations offered through the Village Code. She felt commercial real- estate could navigate toward Tequesta since pricing differences to do business in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter was far more expensive. • Village Initiatives to elevate property values Council Member Okun suggested opening a discretionary fund for items beneficial and urgent. Mayor Paterno responded that Council jointly appropriated last minute occurring necessities at the present time. Council Member Okun suggested items he believed beneficial in the Village being more proactive in harmonizing with residents. Mayor Paterno suggested utilizing fire dept staff to offer CPR information. Council discussed multiple programs including utilizing information stickers and pamphlets to assist residents and Village staff in everyday living and promoting safety. Clerk McWilliams offered a brief clarification on what the Village website offered. Attorney Davis suggested outside persons including Tequesta businesses not be allowed advertising use on the Village website. Mayor Patemo suggested allowing links to be placed on the web. Manager Couzzo stated staff did not have any extra time to assist or mentor website use. 4. Branding Description, components and estimated investment in Phase 1 Council Member Okun was asked to return with a written plan of his suggestions. 5. Code of Ordinance Review Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes July 30, 2012 Page 4 • Identification and review of select ordinances pertaining to new business cultivation Attorney Davis noted evaluation with Community Development with regards to bringing the entire code up to date. Manager Couzzo stated GMH had requested a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and that it would be issued through the Villages procedures and project completion, not out of necessity. Attorney Davis noted that the Florida building Code offered the option of issuing a conditional CO at the building official's discretion and that GMH/ Futures had quite a few inspections outstanding. Manager Couzzo suggested not offering a conditional CO to avoid taking on any liability and noted the Building Inspector was the final say. 6. Succession Planning Council Member Brennan suggested incorporating the Succession Plan with the upcoming annexation workshop. ANY OTHER MATTERS Manager Couzzo noted the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Agreement was still in negotiations, the number was the same, and negotiations should be completed by the end of September. He noted the year end budget revenues appeared to be better than previously thought and the expense side was sustaining previously thoughts. Mayor Paterno felt adjustments should be planned and ready for any unexpected changes in lieu of postponing recovery actions. Manager Couzzo stated the PBA (Police Benevolent Association) contract would show immediate benefits from outgoing employees being replaced by incoming, changing from the defined benefit to the defined contribution which was significant. He also noted recent occurrences relating to the State 185 money. Mayor Paterno recapped upcoming considerations and asked for dates to discuss the topics. Council agreed to Workshop at 8:00 AM Saturday August 11, 2012. Mayor Paterno inquired on the progress regarding the Village accepting credit cards. Manager Couzzo responded that it was being researched and appeared to be fairly simple to implement. Attorney Davis suggested that submitting permit applications be offered online as well. David Greene, Tequesta resident offered his expertise and opinion regarding the benefits of 12 hour fire shifts versus 24 hour shifts. He noted there were many advantages for municipalities scheduling 12 hours shifts in lieu of 24 and stated the research showed the advantages but it was still receives much resistance. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes July 30, 2012 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member D'Ambra moved to adjourn the meeting, Vice Mayor Arena seconded by, and unanimously carried 5 -0. Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 9:26 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.