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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/04/2013 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 4, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun and Council Member Tom Paterno. Council Member Frank D'Ambra arrived at 7:14 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Okun moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Vice - Mayor Arena, motion carried unanimously 4 -0. 1. Discussion on ORDINANCE NO. 34 -13, SECOND READING AMENDING CHAPTER 78. ZONING. ART. XI. SIGNS. BY UPDATING INTENT AND PURPOSE EXPLANATIONS, PROVIDING TIME LIMITS ON THE PERMITTING PROCESS; CLARIFYING SIGN MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS, UPDATING TEMPORARY SIGN REGULATIONS AND PROHIBITED SIGN REGULATIONS, CREATING NEW FLAGPOLE REGULATIONS AND PROVIDING FOR GENERAL INTERNAL CONSISTENCY; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUB - SECTION OF CHAPTER 78. ZONING. SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED - (First Reading 9/12/13) Mrs. Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle and owner of Gallery Square North, noted small business owners needed all the help they could acquire. She discussed the past restrictions on sandwich boards, window signs and the number of days a business could post events. She stressed that less regulation would be appreciated and mentioned some felt selective enforcement was happening. She noted rocking chairs and flowerpots could bring a nice ambiance to a plaza and suggested Council permit sidewalk sales towards the end of season. Mr. Harald Hartmann, Tequesta Coffee Lounge, noted that since they were not on the US Main Street, it was hard for customers to find the business. He used flags to assist, however was told to remove them as they violated code. Mr. Pete Bohnsack, Good Shepherd Church, inquired about the placement of the current church sign since its renovation. Village Manager Couzzo noted if the sign went through the correct process, it should not be adversely affected. Joshua Wragg, 26 Ridgewood Circle and computer support business owner (Plaza 222), asked about vehicle wraps and mobile signage limitations. Attorney Davis advised that vehicles used in business were okay, however, the issue was where the vehicle was parked after hours. He stated it should be parked in a garage if it was Village Council Workshop Minutes November 4, 2013 Page 2 within a residential area, or behind the commercial establishment. He explained the problem was when the car was parked on the street side and acting as a sign. Mr. Wragg asked if covers were acceptable and Mr. Davis confirmed covers were okay. He stated most regular cars like his Kia were small and wraps were now part of everyday advertising. Attorney Davis advised the need to keep commercial aspects out of residential areas. Council Member Paterno mentioned some might find wraps unacceptable within their neighborhoods such as one which advertised gentlemen clubs. Joe Wood, Facilities Manager of Good Shepherd Church, inquired about reserved parking space signs, which they were asked to remove. She explained the spots were auctioned as fundraisers. Ms. Wood stated the church offered many community events and placards were usually removed by the police. Vice-Mayor Arena suggested they obtain a permit at no cost for the placards, to which Council Member Okun stated Council needed to temper signs with the responsibility of removal placed upon the applicant. Mr. Richard Berube, 4 Country Club Circle and past business owner, stated this was reminiscent of meetings held several years ago during the bridge construction. He suggested businesses with problems contact Council personally. Vice-Mayor Arena suggested allowing businesses to place flags, signs and banners once a month on a Friday through Sunday without having to pull a special permit. He believed this would help draw attention to local businesses. Joan Dowrick, Travel Gallery, stated she had been at the location for 28 years without problems. She liked Vice -Mayor Arena's suggestion and recommended it be held in coordination with the Green Market and other Village events. She emphasized it was the merchant's responsibility to advertise properly, but Council could assist. Council Member Okun suggested the businesses create a merchants association to pull resources and publish a guide. The following were discussed regarding the proposed ordinance: • Thirty (30) days being excessive for permitting of signs. Attorney Davis noted a number was needed to protect the Village from challenges of prior constraint. Village Manager noted normal signage turnaround time for permitting was one week unless larger development review was required. • Sec. 79- 742(k) — The definition of a temporary sign was addressed and some felt businesses would take advantage of this section. Ms. Jay Fiore, Fiore D'ecor suggested businesses self -police themselves by putting expiration dates on their temporary signs. Village Council Workshop Minutes November 4, 2013 Page 3 • Sec. 78- 745(1) - Detailed discussion took place on video imagery being used as signs behind the storefront window. A business owner commented on the flashing lights and pointed out the lighted display board advertising the chili cook - off. Council Member Patemo opined that ordinances should apply equally to all, non - profit, government, etc. James Hulburt, Tradewinds Travel, stated the Village should not regulate what was inside ones business. He voiced concern with applicants applying for signs in Gallery Square South and receiving differing answers from staff. The Village Manager stated he would look into the issue, however pointed out it might be regulated by State Building Codes. Additional comments by Council regarding various items in the proposed code: • Sec. 78- 742(n) — discussion took place on the language indemnifying and holding the Village harmless. Attorney Davis believed the code, as written, was enforceable. Village Manager Couzzo stated anything was challengeable, but with the wording in the Code the Village's liability might be diminished. • Sec. 78- 744(a) — discussion took place on removal of unsafe signs. • Sec. 78- 745(h) — discussion took place on limiting the amount of allowed outdoor merchandising and interference with ingress and egress. Mr. Mike Antonucci, owner of BizCard Xpress stated he was a new business and liked the discussions he was hearing, especially the idea of a business association. He noted it was important small businesses had a level playing field with consistent rules and suggested Council offer free permits for banners and signs with an expiration date included on the permit. Mr. Hulburt felt Council was becoming too detailed and reiterated his previous stand that government was here to take care of the big issues and the businesses could handle the small issues through self - patrol. He suggested businesses could contact their landlords if needed. Linda O'Laughlin, Stock Exchange, asked if she was allowed to have a rack of clothing out front of her store to which the Mayor noted that was not allowed per Code. Council Member D'Ambra stated that when the economy took a downward turn, Council had lightened up on the rules to help businesses survive. Ms. O'Laughlin stated the more rules you create, the harder it would be to police. Joshua Wragg suggested utilizing police officers and the volunteer Citizens on Patrol Unit with code enforcement, to which the Manager noted that was currently being done. • Discussion took place regarding reserved parking spaces (Sec. 78- 745(i)) to which Attorney Davis noted the intent was for tenants and property owners. He did not believe it applied to churches, which were not like shopping centers where spaces were blocked off during the site plan process. Village Council Workshop Minutes November 4, 2013 Page 4 Council took a four - minute break to relocate its meeting to the Village Manager's conference room (recessed at 7:48 p.m. and reconvened at 7:52 pm.). ANY OTHER MATTERS 2. Discussion by Council Member Paterno Council Member Paterno asked to bring back the roundtable style meetings and the Mayor agreed. He voiced concern with branding, a new tagline that was implemented without Council approval, the direction of Smoke Signals, hats being purchased for marketing purposes without Council authorization, relocation of Tequesta Fest and the high price tag for the beautification project. He felt there were numerous projects recently that should have had Council input and possible direction. Village Manager Couzzo noted Human Resources was no longer editing Smoke Signals and during the last Council Meeting Council Member Okun agreed to assist. Council discussed the project in detail and asked that Human Resources continue with the publication. Attorney Davis cautioned with the idea of a Council Member assisting as it could unintentionally become political in nature and should continue to be handled at a staff level. Manager Couzzo stated he would look into Council Member D'Ambra's previous suggestion and come up with some considerations. Council Member Paterno asked for a better understanding of the branding initiative and projects taking place. Council Member Okun stated the Village had not previously established a tagline so he developed one and put it out on banners and hats. Council Member Paterno felt Council needed to stick with the direction of governing and was concerned the Manager was being influenced to do certain things. Manager Couzzo discussed the funds spent on the beautification project and traffic markings and noted the funds were included within the budget. He provided an update on the AC pipe, in which he planned to strip the surface, lay a sub -base and repave. Council Member D'Ambra suggested Council use the workshops to focus more strategically on future plans; does not want to micromanage, but wanted to know when and why projects were taking place; he suggested looking at bonds to facilitate some of the Village's needed infrastructure projects. Mayor Brennan agreed it was important that Council as a whole discuss the larger projects and to prioritize them so they all had a stake in decisions based on the majority. Manager Couzzo pointed out Council did not budget any marketing funding this year and there were no resources available other than through individual departments. He summarized the past history of the banners and hanging flowerpots on the bridge and the criticism he received, so Council Member Okun took it upon himself to install the current banners. Village Council Workshop Minutes November 4, 2013 Page 5 Council Member D'Ambra agreed with Council Member Paterno's previous comment that a Village "tagline" was worthy of Council discussion. Detailed discussion on police positions and vacancies took place; the move of Tequesta Fest back to Paradise Park was also discussed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ci I t } � GLc%L.E.e_n� 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.