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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_01/07/2013 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 7, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tom Paterno at 5:30 p.m. A roll call was taken by Assistant to the Village Clerk Mayo. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Steve Okun and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. Attorney Davis removed item three from the agenda. Mayor Paterno suggested a discussion regarding Ordinance 18 -12 be moved to item one and regular agenda items to follow. He asked that Bonni Jensen, Pension Attorney explain changes associated. Council agreed to the order. Approval of agenda overlooked and performed after item one. 1. Discussion of Ordinance 18 -12 Changes Pension Attorney Bonni Jensen noted changes made along with mandates through State Statute regarding Ordinance 18 -12. She clarified the actuarial duties relating to the changes and that costs for beneficiary changes would be passed on to the member and not an expense to the plan. Council Member D'Ambra offered his expertise and clarity on the impact to plan members regarding beneficiaries. He questioned how the new language would protect the Village. Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance, pointed out that Village savings from the changes would not be immediate but would be immense in the future. Council asked that examples be offered at Thursday's meeting for their review. Ms. Jensen agreed. Ms. Jensen departed the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Attorney Davis asked that Any Other Matters be added to the agenda. Council agreed. Approve Agenda MOTION: Council Member Okun moved approval of the Agenda; seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; motion carried unanimously 5-0. Minutes — Special Council Meeting 1/7/13 Page 2 2. Council Consideration and Approval of Chief Christopher Elg's Employment Agreement Manager Couzzo advised that Mr. Christopher Elg would be sworn in on February 4 as the new police chief. He then noted his confidence in the changes to come. Council discussed terms of the new chiefs employment agreement. MOTION: Council Member Okun moved approval of the employment agreement; seconded by Council Member Brennan; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 3. Council Discussion and Action of Federal Tax Exempt Debt Policies and Procedures Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance clarified details of the item. Attorney Davis noted the item would be heard at Thursday's regular Council meeting. 3. Ordinance 7 -13, First Readina. Providing for the Repeal of Ordinance No. 519 which Levied the Insurance Premium Tax Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 185.08 Item removed from agenda by Attorney. 4. 201212013 Budget Status Update Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance offered an update on the present budget and clarified that overall, she saw no problems. Manager Couzzo noted that the new chief would determine objectives for the police department which could potentially offer savings and added that exceptional things were happening in the Community Development department adding additional revenues to the budget. Manager Couzzo agreed to develop a report for the February Council meeting to show revenues, expenses and possibilities toward reducing the deficit. 5. Council Discussion and Action to Allocate Funds to Council Member Okun's Branding Initiative and a Grant Writing Pilot Project Council Member D'Ambra requested that Council allocate funds from the recent health care savings toward branding and a grant writing project. Manager Couzzo commented that the grants were scarce in this economy. Mayor Paterno noted that the health care savings was no longer in the budget or available and he did not support funding projects without the funds in the budget. Council Member Brennan suggested researching availability of grants and any revenue producing activities that may possibly support the Village budget. Minutes — Special Council Meeting 1/7/13 Page 3 Manager Couzzo referenced his repart for the February agenda as a tool for this subject. Anv Other Matters Council Member Okun requested a change to the usage of Council discretionary funds. Attorney Davis responded that he would have modified language to bring back for approval under Thursday night's agenda. Council Member Okun voiced concern regarding a re-inspection program implemented by insurance companies and stated he would bring documentafiion explaining the issue for review during Thursday night's regular Council meeting. Mayor Paterno requested that Council consider electronic agendas for small meetings. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _ �� ,� �, ,� ; l .-� � -- _.t _ : f r 1 _ _ ...� � � ` , � Deanna Mayo, Assistant to the 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.