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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_03/04/2013 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP - MARCH 4, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5 :30 p.m. Present were: Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Abby Brennan, Council Member Steve Okun and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. Vice Mayor Vince Arena arrived at 5:53 p.m. 1. Discuss Annexation Process with Area C Residents Nilsa C. Zacarias, Director of Community Development explained the annexation process and timeline. Katherine McClain, 19457 Riverside Drive, questioned voting and voiced her feelings on the process and expense. Attorney Davis responded. Jerry Rupar, 4349 Nicole Circle, questioned the voting process in regards to annexation. Attorney Davis offered details. John Simpson, 1925 N. River Drive, stated July would be a difficult time for seasonal residents to vote. Attorney Davis noted absentee ballots would be available. Mr. Simpson voiced his concern for feeling forced, and suggested allowing individual parcels to vote. Mayor Paterno responded that Council had made many considerations regarding the annexation, and they did not want to create additional enclaves. Debbie Nelson, 4395 River Pines Court, offered her opinion regarding the timing and costs of the vote. 2. Discuss Annexation of Sandpointe Bay Nilsa C. Zacarias, Director of Community Development, noted developments with Sandpointe Bay and asked Council for direction. Vice Mayor Arena arrived at 5:53 p.m. Council Members Okun, D'Ambra, and Vice Mayor Arena felt accurate residential feedback was needed, and Mayor Paterno voiced his concerns. Village Council Workshop Minutes March 4, 2013 Page 2 3. 201212013 Budget Status and Update Finance Director Forsythe reported the budgets appeared to be on target with minor adjustments to be made in department budgets when the insurance bill was received. She noted one area of concern was that annexation costs which were not yet in the legal budget and suggested appropriations to be done. Ms. Forsythe explained that some costs such as fuel and police lights had increased and could be an issue by year's end. 4. 2013/2014 Budget Discussion and Direction Village Manager Couzzo asked for speck Council direction regarding staff. Council Member Brennan felt there were too many variables, and a separate workshop should be held to consider everything. Council Member Okun emphasized residents were accustomed to certain standards and he did not want to compromise the level of service. Council Member D'Ambra felt costs should be restrained and increases were off the table as far as he was concerned, and costs should be kept as they were. Mayor Patemo suggested budgetary work begin in April. 5. Discussion of Florida Municipal Insurance Rebate Council Member D'Ambra suggested using the $23,000 rebate to fund agenda items 7, 8, and 9. 6. Discussion of Right -of -Way Improvements and Code Compliance Issues Village Attorney Davis advised that items were being placed in the Village rights -of -way (ROW), some which may offer safety issues, and have made maintenance of the areas difficult. He suggested notices be given to anyone with items in the ROW, then abandoned items be removed. Mayor Paterno showed pictures of mailboxes and hedges which blocked the view at some stop signs. Council discussed installing sidewalks where needed. Council Member D'Ambra suggested asking the County to enforce their code violations. Village Attorney Davis advised that the Village could not make the County enforce their codes but anyone could make a call to report a violation. Vice Mayor Arena felt the top priority was safety, and recommended a letter go out blanketing incorporated and unincorporated areas. Council felt the public should be educated and informed and given an opportunity to address problems. Village Attorney Davis noted violations that should be corrected immediately. Consensus of Council was to move forward with Attomey Davis doing an analysis on the Village Council Workshop Minutes March 4, 2013 Page 3 three safety issues, and come back to Council to re- evaluate. 7. Discussion on Suppression of Feral Cats Village Manager Couzzo offered Village history on feral cats. Jay Rodericks, Save A Pet noted procedures from groups associated with feral cats and her experiences with different areas. She noted that the program had been very successful. Leslie Dasher, Save A Pet shared that the problem was from people dropping unwanted cats in the communities and felt educating the community was key. Attorney Davis noted language in (first reading approved) Ordinance 6 -13 which prohibit feeding of cats. Ms. Roderick confirmed that once colonies were registered, permission of property owner granted and surrounding owners notified feeding was allowed by the county. Consensus of Council was to fine tune language relating to feral cats and discuss the item at next meeting. 9. Council Discussion on Branding Efforts This item discussed out of sequence. Council Member Okun offered an overview of the beautification project and noted funding was needed to move forward for items such as flowers, computer and software. He felt organization was essential to starting the initiative and that curb appeal would be an asset in Tequesta. Vice Mayor Arena suggested $5,000 be allocated to the beautification efforts and recommended funds from Public Works budget be utilized. Council Member Brennan supported the $5000 figure. Consensus of Council agreed to fund the initiative with $5000 from the Florida Municipal Insurance rebate. 8. Council Discussion on Procuring Grants and Utilization of Funding Council Member D'Ambra stated he would be looking into grant infrastructure opportunities over the next year. Village Council Workshop Minutes March 4, 2013 Page 4 10. Council Discussion on the Beautification League Findings and Efforts Item discussed under item nine. ANY OTHER MATTERS Attorney Davis offered a handout and noted recent events associated with Futures and their request regarding medical insurance. Consensus of Council was not to discuss the topic at this evening's meeting and for Futures to contact staff to move forward. Mike Holloway, Futures, stated he respected Tequesta's process and noted their project was costly and they were requesting changes in order to administer better habits of doing business. 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 8:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori McWilliams Village Clerk, MMC 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.