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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 05_05/08/2008MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2007 1. Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Humpage at 1:02 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Tom Paterno, Council Member Amero and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. and Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: Council Member Amero moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Vice- Mayor Watkins; motion carried 5-0. 3. Interview of Legal Services Applicants • 1:00 p.m. Corbett and White • 2:00 p.m. Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole and Boniske Corbett and White Trela White introduced herself as a Managing Partner and Keith Davis, soon to be partner and share holder and provided a short history of their qualifications and municipal services. Vice-Mayor Watkins asked for clarification on who would be the Village's representation and Ms. White explained four of the five firm attorneys practiced municipal law and all worked together as a team; however a lead and co-counsel would be designated. Ms. White stated she would serve as lead with Mr. Davis appointed as co-counsel. Ms. White responded to Council Member questions regarding representation of other municipalities, her Palm Beach County League representation, location of office, and travel time for which they do not charge. In response to Council's question of what major challenges or decisions she had been involved with Mr. Davis answered Palm Beach Shores had just finished the construction of their new community center, which provided the Village with a major redefinition. He explained Mangonia Park was in the process of developing a Jai Lai Fronton site and commented briefly on litigation related matters facing Atlantis. Ms. White explained Mr. Davis handled code enforcement issues and recently rewrote Manalapan's police and procedure manuals. She noted she would handle annexation and commented that most municipalities had their own labor attorneys and was not involved with labor related issues. In response to Council Member Amero regarding Council being given one hour of free time each month with the firm; Ms. White advised that could be negotiated in the contract and responded the firm proposed $175 per hour for general work and $195 an hour for litigation. Council Member Amero stated he wanted to ensure the manager had free legal access. Ms. White reviewed recent issues they had worked on that were unique to Palm Beach County and Mr. Davis noted a major hurdle they resolved was the rezoning of a residential single family district. He reassured Council that taking on Tequesta would not cause a hardship and frequently did not have to reinvent the wheel because they had most likely already researched and resolved the issue for another municipality. Council Member Paterno discussed the need to have legal opinions during the meeting as opposed to returning later after research and Ms. White explained she would be well versed on issues on the agenda; however anything not on the agenda she might be able to provide an immediate response but would not want to mislead you. She addressed Council Member Paterno's request regarding the fee schedule and Council Members and the manager being charged for phone calls. Council took a short break at 2:12 p.m. and reconvened at 2:18 p.m. Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole and Boniske Lynn Dannheisser introduced the firm: Steve Helfman, founding partner, Dan Abbott (litigation), Brett Schneider (labor), Jeff Cazeau (her assistant), and Shantoya Berrard. Mayor Humpage clarified Ms. Dannheisser would be the lead attorney and asked her to elaborate on the AV rating to which she explained it was an achieved level of expertise as recognized by their peers. She noted that 80% of their workload was representing municipalities; they had 43 lawyers of which 90% practiced in local government law. She advised Tequesta would be the firms first client in Palm Beach County; however, noted they had at times represented Palm Beach Cities such as Juno Beach. In response to Vice-Mayor Watkins questions, Ms. Dannheisser stated the firms location would not be an issue as they have handled Islamarda and Marco Island for years. In response to Council Member Amero, Ms. Dannheisser stated major challenges to the firm had been the victory on challenging the property tax ballot referendum; helping cities establish wifi; dual taxation issues; development /redevelopment and stop development issues and annexations. Mr. Schneider discussed his labor experience and noted he represented 15 municipalities for labor management and collective bargaining. Ms. Dannheisser commented on the rate structure as $210 an hour and with this the Village would receive senior attorneys with paralegals being used on a limited basis. She responded in response to Council Member Amero that free access for the Village Manager and one hour a month for Council would not be a problem. Council Member Turnquest voiced concern with distance and Ms. Dannheisser stated the Village would not be charged for travel time and communications with the Clerk would be billed in .2 billable hours. Council Member Paterno clarified Ms. Dannheisser would attend the meetings to which she confirmed; however Mr. Cazeau and herself would attend Code Hearings. Council Member Paterno voiced concern with being collectively charged for two or three lawyers talking about an issue. Ms. Dannheisser discussed their billing process and advised the Village would be billed for communications between herself and the other attorneys; however, they would not have to reinvent the wheel. Mr. Helfman explained the Village would not be billed for time to prepare another attorney when he could not attend a meeting. Mayor Humpage asked if two attorneys attended the meetings would the fee then be $400 an hour to which Ms. Dannheisser stated could be negotiated. 4. Selection of Village Attorney and authorization to direct the Village Manager to begin negotiating a contract Following the two interviews, Council discussed in depth the pros and cons to both firms. MOTION: Council Member Amero moved to approve entering negotiations with the firm of Corbett and White to be the Village Attorney and the work towards obtaining Council time without charge and Ms. White would serve as lead Counsel for the Village and form a letter of agreement; seconded by Vice-Mayor Watkins; after a show of hands the motion carried unanimously 5-0. 5. Schedule Upcoming Workshops • Joint P&Z Workshop to discuss Tequesta's vision • Memorial Committee • Tequesta Park Master Plan • Annexations • Health Insurance • Fire Safety issues with no stations north of the river come July 2008 • ASA Volunteer Committee • Executive Session to Discuss Negotiations Consensus of Council prioritized the workshops as follows: Executive Sessions to discuss negotiations; a luncheon retreat would be held on January 16, 2007 to address the Joint P&Z Workshop, the Memorial Committee Tequesta Park Master Plan and Annexation; and lastly the Fire Safety Issues wit no station north of the river and ASA Volunteer Committee. 6. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Vice-Mayor Watkins moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:27 p.m.; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully Submitted Lori McWilliams, CMC Village Clerk