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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_10/24/2012 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ANNEXATION WORKSHOP (Riverside on the Loxahatchee) Wednesday, October 24, 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, Clerk McWilliams, and Department Heads. Attorney Davis did not attend the meeting. Village Manager Couzzo welcomed the Riverside on the Loxahatchee 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. Meeting participants mentioned they were Tequesta residents thirty -four years ago however, moved due to a robbery. Manager Couzzo explained the Village was a much different place today with significant law enforcement advances made to help deter crime. He reviewed the quick response times of the public safety department and noted the fire department had advanced life saving technology. An unincorporated resident commented on the drainage ditch across the street with sand intrusion from the river causing water flow problems. Mr. White noted this was a County issue. Additionally, the residents mentioned palm trees had been struck by lightning during the 2004 hurricanes and their unsuccessful attempt to have the County come out and trim them back. They advised, ultimately, the Village of Tequesta assisted and corrected the problem for the County; however, noted they would have liked the Village to trim the trees back further. Council Member D'Ambra explained as a small community we could control the types of issues mentioned. He discussed being "a part of the community — and taking care of our own. Nilsa Zacarias, Community Development Director, reviewed several services provided by the police department including closed home checks. Another meeting participant stated they had no complaints even though the Village offered a magnificent assortment of services and believed the Village to be awash with cash. She inquired on the annexation process and voiced concern with the Village utilizing Federal funds to build the bridge. Mr. Couzzo noted the Federal funds were taxpayer dollars and that if the Village had not been awarded the stimulus, another city would have received the money. The resident confirmed she was aware of the wonderful services the Village offered and has experienced being told they were within the County. She asked how the Village funded the fire department and Ms. Zacartas provided an overview on how the County MSTU and Village tax bills were figured. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes October 24, 2012 Page 2 Additional questions were addressed concerning the costs to run the fire department, property values, water usage, and concerns with how the Village would go about annexing property (individual or complete areas). Detailed discussion ensued on the process involving the different possible situations. Manager Couzzo clarified Council would not invest taxpayer money if unincorporated area residents were not interested. Residents in attendance voiced their interests in remaining in the County and paying additional for water service, however, did not wish to pay extra for the services they were already receiving from the Village. Village Council recessed at 6:50 p.m. for a short break. The Council re- adjourned at 6 :53 p.m. Mayor Paterno noted he wanted to review the information Council received over the past few days and voiced concern with providing free services to unincorporated residents. He elaborated that staff spent a great deal of time on this issue and it did not look promising; a positive outcome was necessary or the Village should wait. Council Member D'ambra agreed the Village should continue to be good neighbors, but could not continue to service the unincorporated residents as if they were residents; if they wanted to benefit from the services, they should become a resident. Council Member Okun agreed and did not want to devalue the Village services. Manager Couzzo stated it was not bad to have a good reputation, but acknowledged it was not efficient for staff to spend time if there was not a return on investment and pointed out if the Village was successful some residents would be unhappy if forced to annex. Ms. Zacarias believed the Village should continue to focus on Nicole and Colette and confirmed the need to move forward with a scenario by the next Council Meeting in order to remain on track for a potential referendum. Mayor Paterno noted a decision would be made at the November Council Meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, nil UL-CLA, 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.