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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/05/2012 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP Monday, November 5, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Frank D'Ambra and Council Member Steve Okun. Also present were Manager Couzzo, Clerk McWilliams, and Department Heads. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. Review and Discussion on Annexation Proposals Nilsa C. Zacarias, Director of Community Development offered a presentation, her interpretation regarding the endeavor and noted recent resident feedback. Council discussed rules and ordinance regulations associated with annexation along with a timeline of past and future strategies. Attorney Davis offered clarification as well. Ms Zacarias felt that residents who expressed concern would most likely attend upcoming meetings to express their feelings. Council discussed conservative strategies in relation to the budget and taxes, and options to soothe resident concerns. Council Member Okun felt Tequesta was positioned and capable to provide emergency services when and if the prospect of replacement of county services presented itself. Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance, explained changes in the original out of pocket budget figures which related to annexation expenditures. Consensus of Council was for Ms. Zacarias to research and bring them back options for Council review at Thursday's regular meeting. 2. Discussion on Business Friendly Issues and Suggestions Council discussed improvements made in the Village to appeal to visitors and existing residents. Nilsa C. Zacarias, Director of Community Development voiced her opinion that the use of variances were abused and code issues should be monitored. Attorney Davis responded that the Village ordinance should be adjusted for better consistency. Ms. Zacarias encouraged adaptability toward restaurant needs as well. Council voiced their support and concerns regarding the Village code and variances and directed Attorney Davis to continue with simplification of the code along with focusing on redefining variance language. Council continued to specify changes regarding such concerns as outdoor seating, signage and site plan changes. The Village Attorney was directed to address their concerns and update speck changes. Village Council Workshop Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 2 3. Update on Status of FY 12113 Budget Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance, offered clarification on the general fund appropriation and other transfers within the budget and noted that the health insurance savings had not yet been processed. 4. Discussion on Park Policies Mr. Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that the policy continued to be a work in progress and was adjusted as needed. Mayor Paterno noted a recent request he received to hold a regularly monthly group meeting. Mr. Corbitt suggested pavilion reservations be limited to four times per year. Council discussed regulating reservations as not to limit resident's use of the park and they suggested alternate options such as grounds security and blackout dates. Mr. Corbitt responded that a resident could be denied or inconvenienced by a reservation previously set by a non- resident and explained that was why price structure was in place to help minimize outside use. Mr. Corbitt explained that reservations must be made and approved through parks and recreation. He sated he would put together language regarding reservations within the policy. Mayor Paterno suggested that once Mr. Corbitt adjusted the policy he have Attorney Davis view it as well. 5. Review and Discussion of Village Mission Statement Council discussed the draft mission statement composed by Council Member Brennan. Consensus of Council was that the mission statement was complete and adequate. 6. Discussion on Village Support of Busch Wildlife Council Member Okun offered statistics regarding visits from Busch Wildlife and voiced his support for their services and what they offered to the residents of Tequesta. He asked that they be considered for a regular charitable gift. Council discussed supporting Busch Wildlife by offering them the opportunity to reach out in the community via events to assist in raising funds, and by majority felt Tequesta was not presently in the position to donate. They suggested Busch Wildlife implement a fee based service and discussed animal care and control service being included in the County taxes. Mayor Paterno voiced his feeling that Tequesta should continue their attempt to eliminate the feral cat issue. 7. Discussion on Chief of Police Resignation and Search for Replacement Council Member D'Ambra expressed his concern that, since he had been made aware of more details relating to the Chiefs resignation, he believed the action did not match the error and supported Chief Pitocchelli remaining at the Village in a different position. Village Council Workshop Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 3 Council Member Okun noted that the Manager was authorized to deal with the issue and Council was strictly prohibited by Village Charter to get involved and, stated his stance was neutral. Mayor Paterno clarified his preference was to be up to date on occurrences in order to respond, in public, if approached on an item. Council Member D'Ambra commented that the item had been added to the agenda to offer fairness in the matter. He felt it had impacted the Village and Council, therefore; Council had a responsibility to the Manager to speak about it as a whole. Attorney Davis cautioned that the meeting was a public forum and that Council could individually speak to the Manager regarding the issue off the record. He noted that the issue would never be an action item for Council. Manager Couzzo added clarity to the historical timeline regarding the details of concern and noted options for retaining the Chief in an alternate position. He clarified that the Chief had requested to be kept on as Captain and that the request was under consideration. Council discussed the hiring process, and the Manager clarified a selection committee for the procedure would narrow down the applicants before the Manager made a decision. He noted Council might have the opportunity to meet one -on -one with the final candidates'. ANY OTHER MATTERS Council Member Okun expressed his aspiration to create a volunteer group and seek donations of flowers and seek professionals' advice to develop a beautification committee in the Village. He also noted initiatives such as real estate rejuvenation in hopes to distinguish Tequesta. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Vice Mayor Vince Arena, and unanimously carried 5 -0. Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � a A c_. WL(A. 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.