HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/03/2014 MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 3, 2014
AIL%
r
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. A roll call was taken by Assistant to the Village
Clerk Deanna Mayo. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council
Member Steve Okun and Council Member Tom Paterno. Council Member Frank D'Ambra
was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Council Member Okun moved approval of the agenda, seconded by Vice Mayor
Arena; motion carried unanimously 4 -0.
1. Discussion and Direction on Sale of Seabrook Property
Attorney Davis noted an appraisal had been completed on the property and advised a sealed
bids process would be necessary if the property was to be sold. He noted that the land was
accounted for in the Village Comprehensive Plan and offered a break down regarding Village
properties and how they qualified under the plan.
Council Member Paterno stated he was against selling the property and suggested expanding
small parks within the Village. Council Member Okun agreed with keeping the parcel and
voiced concern with limited options regarding the locations of the property. Vice Mayor Arena
expressed his feelings that, if a park was developed it should exist as a quiet park.
Mayor Brennan noted previous considerations and noted consensus was not to move forward
at this time with selling the property.
2. Discussion on Pending Regulations Reference Florida Amendment 2 — Medical
Marijuana
Attorney Keith Davis noted details of the amendment and suggested an ordinance be
prepared and in place to address the allowance of facilities (if the ordinance was passed). He
pointed out the businesses could exist in C3 as Special Exceptions and explained limits within
the ordinance. Discussion ensued regarding restrictions, placement and, the benefits of a
moratorium to join surrounding municipalities. Attorney Davis voiced his concern with a catch
all phrase and compared the possibilities with the pill mill topic. Council Member Paterno
suggested language added to restrict discounts offered on cash purchases, along with
Village Council Workshop Minutes
November 3, 2014
Page 2
camera installation to cover 360 degrees of parking areas and the building(s) mandated.
Mayor Brennan suggested police accessibility to in -store videos as a mandate. Attorney
Davis clarified that retentions associated with video would be subpoenaed for criminal
prosecutions and maintained for 90 days. Vice Mayor Arena asked if the requirement could
be extended to 120 days. Mayor Brennan suggested the attorney bring the ordinance to the
next meeting. Attorney Davis clarified that the ordinance would only be necessary if the
amendment passed.
Consensus of Council was for the ordinance to be placed on the upcoming agenda if
Amendment Two was passed.
3. Discussion on US 1 Highway Project Update
Mayor Brennan noted that Council Member D'Ambra, who was absent, was the lead Council
Member on the item, and questioned Council support regarding four lanes. She explained
rapidity of timelines through the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), funding, and
possible grant money and suggested moving forward with the project and committee plans.
Council discussed ideas for changes to the US1 roadway plan, offered input and choices for
and against committee participation along with historical data and cost concerns; they also
debated Village involvement and/or withdrawal on the project. Mayor Brennan stated she
would like to withdraw her request at the State level for funding on the project as soon as
possible if Council withdrew from the project.
Mayor Brennan noted all proposed items such as speed reduction, bike lanes, etc. would be
requested through the FDOT for approval and, questioned if a workshop with FDOT and key
people to answer Council's questions would be necessary and felt input from Council Member
D'Ambra was crucial.
George Ralston, 405 Beacon Street, voiced his support for the project along with a protected
bike path and expressed his understanding of the FDOT traffic projections.
4. Discussion on All Aboard Florida
Mayor Brennan presented a detailed update regarding AAF (All Aboard Florida) and voiced
her dissatisfaction with the trail of events associated. She felt that many, if not all of the
original Village requests had not been heard and the assemblies held regarding AAF had not
been honest or forthcoming in their depiction of what the project offered.
Council Member Paterno voiced his opinion that the Coast Guard would dictate what was
Village Council Workshop Minutes
November 3, 2014
Page 3
acceptable regarding the venture and felt the train would be an economical positive.
5. Discussion on Capital Improvement Plan
Council Member Okun voiced his concern with the safety aspect of unlit sidewalk areas and
felt the necessity had been put off too long. He felt frustrated that items needing immediate
maintenance or replacement were addressed and all else was ignored. He suggested better
planning being put into place with the development of a three year plan. Mayor Brennan
expressed that the Village Manager had a clear idea of the Village needs and that the budget
dictated what was considered on the Village's list of priorities.
Council Member Paterno pointed out that changes may occur in the budget regarding the
police vehicles purchase and the Treasury Department ruling on the use of forfeiture funds.
Attorney Davis explained the overall budget was reduced inappropriately to guidelines.
Council Member Okun voiced his feeling that the Village desired to keep their quaint Village
feel with regards to consistency within all Village items and, his aversion to the recent change
in police departmental graphics. He felt the Manager should monitor consistency with Village
items. Vice Mayor Arena questioned the color change on the new vehicles and the reason it
veered off of a decision made from many hours of Council discussions. Mayor Brennan
suggested Manager Couzzo obtain quotes from graphic companies to develop a package for
consistency within all Village departments. She stated she was not opposed to the cars
display of large lettering and felt that departmental knowledge and input was important.
Mayor Brennan felt standardization was a must and suggested Council Member Okun and
Manager Couzzo work with the Chief to be certain a standard was met.
Consensus of Council was for Council Member Okun and the Village Manager to establish a
comprehensive uniform standard relating to the Village's image.
ANY OTHER MATTERS
Council Member Patemo questioned the progress of the recently discussed evaluation form.
Mayor Brennan voiced that she would like to see an outside firm do a full managerial review
on staff and Council. She felt concern had existed for years regarding moral and
management and this would be the best way to address the concerns. Vice Mayor Arena
questioned if Council was willing to listen to any evaluation concerns directed at them. He
voiced frustration that Council had met numerous times to discuss topics which needed
attention, then never did anything about them. Mayor Brennan clarified that the evaluation
would focus on the management structure as a whole. Attorney Davis pointed out that an
outside firm would observe, interview and evaluate.
Village Council Workshop Minutes
November 3, 2014
Page 4
Mayor Brennan pointed out that an objective view was needed and that Attorney Davis had
one firm as a contender out of three that he had contacted. Council agreed that one bid was
not enough and asked the attorney to search for additional qualifying firms if available.
Vice Mayor Arena reiterated his surprise regarding the color change on the police cars and
recalled examples such as pet signs and banners that Council as a whole had been left out of
during discussions. He stated decisions as these always had been a five person consensus
and felt that should not change.
Consensus of Council was to bring an outside firm in to evaluate management and Council,
with Attorney Davis locating qualified local firm(s) for a completive bid process.
ADJOURNMENT Council Member Okun moved to adjourn; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena.
The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 4 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21
P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
)I
Deanna Mayo, CMC
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.