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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_10/22/2012 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ANNEXATION WORKSHOP (River Pines) Monday, October 22, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:07 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 River Pines 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 • 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 • Reviewed the County Fire - Rescue MSTU Ms. Zacarias 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. Mr. Couzzo noted annexation would be voluntary and the Village would not force an area to annex. The Manager, Council and staff responded to citizen comments and questions. Citizen Comments /Questions: • What would the impact fees for new construction cost and they would like additional information on setbacks and lot coverage. o Ms. Zacarias explained there would be flexibility for a period of time to help the area adjust to the code regulations and agreed to review the setbacks and lot coverage requirements. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes October 22, 2012 Page 2 • What were the differences between the County Code and Village Code? o The Manager stated Village staff could do an assessment — though not totally encompassing; the expectation was quality of life and maintenance of property; and the County did not have the staffing to effectively remain on top of North end code violations. • Why annex other than to generate revenue? o To help square off Village boundaries; provide continuity and standard maintenance and quality of service • Was there a mutual aide agreement with the County for police services? o Yes, the Village responds to the County areas when the Village has available staffing. • Understands when an area falls within a municipal boundary only the first Y2 acre falls under the protected homestead exemption o Mr. Davis advised unincorporated property, up to 160 acres, was protected from forced sale if it was a homestead. Property within a municipality was protected from forced sale up to Y2 acre if it was a homestead. Unincorporated property that was annexed retains its entire homestead exemption protection so long as it's owned by the same person. Council Member Okun explained fire insurance would be less expensive as the Village had a better rating than the County, thereby, lowering the insurance costs. He clarified that the Village responds to mutual aid calls; however, only when police were not committed to other calls. Council Member D'Ambra commented on the benefits of having exceptional codes in place to ensure the ambiance and that property values continued to increase; he explained annexing would give the River Pines area residents a voice and vote on what happened within the Village and their community. Additional Citizen Comments / Questions • Was the quoted 15- minute County response time to respond to River Pines or to rural County locations? o Ms. Zacarias explained it was response to River Pines. • How many police officers were on the road at any given time? o Chief Pitocchelli advised six during the day and three at night. A River Pines resident mentioned it would be unreasonable to believe that with the high Tequesta patrol visibility, that a County resident would have to wait for mutual aid. The police and fire chief explained how County calls were received and dispatched and the Village Manager noted it was dependent on the nature of the call and the types and volume of calls the Village units were involved in at the time. Additionally, the police chief explained the County often would take reports over the phone for criminal mischief, neighbor disputes, etc. where Tequesta would send an officer. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes October 22, 2012 Page 3 • How many mutual aid calls had been requested of the Village over the past 30 days and 10 -month period? A River Pines resident noted the homestead issue was a deal breaker even if the Village offered lower taxes and more services. The Village Attorney advised he would review the language and provide a legal advisory to the Village Manager. The voting process was reviewed as well as zoning and code requirements for residents with home based businesses. It was pointed out there was a retention area near River Pines (within the Village) that was overgrown and had frogs and mosquitoes. The Village Manager agreed to look into the area in question. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, �n� Ma" � U-au-JY\ 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.