HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_06/14/2001r
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VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
Post Office Box 3273 250 Tequesta Drive, Suite 300
Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (561) 575-6200
Fax: (561)575-6203
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
VILLAGE COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2001, 7:02 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
V~.D
The Tequesta Village Council held a meeting at 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida,
On Thursday, June 14, 2001. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor
Geraldine Genco. Roll call was taken by Mary Wolcott, Village Clerk. Councilmembers
present: Councilmember Russell J. von Frank, Councilmember Sharon D. Walker,
Mayor Geraldine Genco, Vice Mayor Joseph N. Capretta, and Councilmember Basil E.
Dalack. Also in attendance: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Village Attorney John
C. Randolph, Village Clerk Mary Wolcott, and Department Heads.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
• Councilmember von Frank led the Pledge of Allegiance, and presented an invocation
quoting from Provisional Letters by Pascal, written in 1656, "The law has not changed
nature, but has instructed it..."
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Walker requested a report from the manager on "Smoke Signals."
Village Manager Couzzo stated the next issue of "Smoke Signals" is anticipated to come
out the 4th of July.
Councilmember Walker asked about the Encom Action Strategy Plan which was deferred
from the May 30th Special Council Meeting. Mayor Genco remarked she pulled it herself
from the Council meeting because there were changes to be made that were not, and there
was not enough time.
Councilmember Walker questioned regarding the potential loan from Bank of America.
Mayor Genco said she also pulled this in part due Mrs. Walker's inquiry as to why we
were not doing a bond issue, and we decided to get an independent registered investment
advisor or CPA to do any presentation of the alternatives to be presented to the Council.
Councilmember Walker asked to speak to "Smoke Signals" under "Any Other Matters"
as well as the Jupiter High School Groundbreaking Ceremony, and would like to ask for
Council's consideration of workshops on recreational needs for our citizens. Mayor
Genco remarked it will be part of the budget process, and we'll be having workshops.
Recycled Paper
Page 2 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
• Mayor Genco struck from the "Consent Agenda" item A, Approval of Village Council
Minutes May 10`", and struck IV. E. Approval of Financial Audit, and added an item on
public communications under "Any Other Matters."
MOTION: Councilmember Dalack moved to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by
Councilmember von Frank. Motion carried S-0.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Appointees to Charter Review Board
Mayor Genco requested starting with the apointments: Councilmember Dalack
selected Bob Cook, Vice-Mayor Capretta nominated Colonel Ed Resnik,
Councilmember von Frank nominated Jim Humpage, Councilmember Walker
nominated Vi Laamanen, Mayor Genco nominated Gary Van Brock.
MOTION: Councilmember Dalack moved to approve the nominations, seconded by
Councilmember von Frank.
Councilmember Walker stated she personally went out into the community to find
someone who was not politically aligned so the product of the Board could be
• seen as such.
Motion carried S-0.
B. Ordinance -Second Reading -Ordinance of the Village Council of the
Village of Tequesta, Florida, for Securing Construction Materials in the
event of a hurricane.
Attorney Randolph read the ordinance by caption only.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve, seconded by Councilmember
Dalack.
Councilmember von Frank aye
Councilmember Walker aye
Mayor Genco aye
Nice Mayor Capretta aye
Councilmember Dalack aye
Motion carried S-0.
C. Discussion, review and consideration of draft resolution for possible action
• for approving formation of a Village Citizens Advisory Committee.
Page 3 of 26
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June 14, 2001
• Mayor Genco requested questions. Sharon Walker the creation of this kind of
board might very well have another layer of government between
Councilmembers and those they represent. Councilmember von Frank finds
citizens, not affiliated to any organization, are willing to serve. Mayor Genco has
talked to a lot of people across the Village who consider it a great idea, giving
citizens an opportunity to bring concerns and independent ideas to the Council.
There are things like the skateboard park, Tequesta Park and the YMCA. There
are a number of communities that are using advisory boards quite successfully,
taking advantage of one of the resources of our community, which are its citizens.
It is up to us to select people who are nonpolitical. She stated she would like
members to be nominated like with the Charter Review Committee, although it
will be a general nomination. Vice-Mayor Capretta feels it is a bad idea because
it will become political. He wouldn't mind having ahalf--dozen people who
would volunteer as if to do staff work for us, have them look at the possibility of a
skateboard park, and in the next 30 days come back and give us a report it, but
doesn't like the idea of them deciding what they would like to study. Mayor
Genco stated so many people have more to say than just the five of us.
Councilmember Dalack mentioned contributions from the citizens is appropriate
and valuable, but hesitates because of formality--the Sunshine law would prohibit
any interchange with formal board and Council outside of open meetings. If
citizens who are interested in a particular subject come to the Council with their
ideas, nothing prevents us to speak to those and pursuing whatever thoughts they
• have. Councilmember von Frank was in favor of it.
Harold Taylor, 14 Chapel Court, mentioned you have a Sunshine Law problem,
either they are going to violate the thing, or they won't be able to talk to one
another. If people are interested in a problem, whether it be the skateboard park
or some kind of facilities program for under fiver-year-old children, let them form
in a formal committee, they can come up here and make a presentation just like
anyone else can.
Jim Humpa~e stated he was very pro this, and in listening to Mr. Dalack and Mr.
Capretta, believes they have a point. It could generate some problems. If the
Council comes up with some items that are of citizen interest, the people that
show up for the workshop will be the people that are interested in that particular
item.
Mayor Genco stated this dies, and thinks if there are special projects, the Council
will form committees or workshops for them.
Councilperson Dalack stated the notion of communications of citizens to the
Council is an essential thing.
V. PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS
• A. Introduction of New Employees
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June 14, 2001
1. Police Department -Joseph Petrick (Patrol Officer)
Village Clerk Wolcott stated the officer was not able to make it to the
meeting.
B. John Zuccarelli, JMZ Properties
Mr. Zuccarrelli stated he asked them to make a decision about where the Village
Hall was going to go, and how it impacted his project on Tequesta Drive.
Negotiations first started with the Village in February 1998. He stated he had
been in the middle of a couple of elections. The first building is almost done, and
he wants to move on. There are a couple of ways to go. He feels he had a
commitment from the prior majority of the council back to August 2000, and
there has be disagreement to how strong that commitment is and where we stand
legally. It was set as March 2001 where if the construction hadn't started, he
could buy the corner back. In March he notified the town that he was ready to buy
the property back, and he still is. He understands where the Town and Council
are and some of the problems they have to overcome in order to make a decision,
such as the referendum, and knows it is hard decision now. He has been working
with Mike Couzzo and has gotten a lot of things straightened out. He asks that
the Council authorize Mi-. Couzzo to sit down him to try to settle or clear up grey
• areas, and see if they can draft up an agreement that all parties could sign, and
also give him the finality of some point in time that if it is decided not to build
over there, at least we can move off where we are now, which is going nowhere
with two pieces of property tied up over there with nothing moving. It will at
least give us timing and him finality. That would help move things along.
Mayor Genco asked him to clarify the grey areas mentioned, about building or not
building, and two pieces being tied up. Mr. Zuccarelli stated there are grey areas
such as his building should be opening two to three weeks from now, and there
are no streetlights on Main Street, and there is no landscaping. He asked if we
don't build, let him buy his property back and let him finish the project. He has
discussed other things he needed to take care of with Mr. Couzzo. If he takes
everything on paper and brings it back to the Council for a yes or no vote, at least
he has something to work with.
Mayor Genco requested the status of streetlights and landscaping. Village
Manager Couzzo stated the Director of Public Works is going to bid the
landscaping, and the Community Development Director is preparing the bids for
the lighting.
Vice-Mayor Capretta mentioned Mr. Zuccarelli is trying to get a CO for his
building so he can start renting it to tenants. He mentioned a couple of examples
• of streetlights, the real issue obviously is something that we discussed some time
ago. Mr. Couzzo has a list of action items that need to be completed before we
Page 5 of 26
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June 14, 2001
• can grant the CO and clearly identify who has the action to get it done and when it
will be done so we can assure the items that we are controlling will be done by
certain dates, and that he can get done the items that he controls, and he can get
his CO in the next few months. Does that list exist and has it been agreed to? Mr.
Zuccarelli stated he has a list, and he has been working with Jeff Newell. Village
Manager Couzzo stated there is one issue of obtaining a just a CO, and a CO in an
existing building. We know what the items are. There is the issue of swapping
parcels. There are different issues tied to each one of them.
Village Manager Couzzo said the second item was the swap, which means the
Village owns a lot on the southwest corner, and we want to swap it for one on the
northwest corner, we have agreed to a price, that swap agreement was to be made,
and there was a date it was to be completed and it was not completed. Mr.
Zuccarelli and I have been working on this for six months now. When the Council
approves him working with me and ultimately developing an agreement that will
be brought back for you, we can come to some terms. We have narrowed the list
considerably, there are a few outstanding items that need to be addressed, and I do
think John is ready to proceed with the swap, and the Village is ready to proceed
with the swap.
Vice-Mayor Capretta stated the key issue is that if we didn't exercise our option
to proceed, he would give us back our $470,000, and when we make the swap
• agreement, which is for another number, there is some date. If there is some date
which we don't proceed to build a municipal center downtown, you have the right
to give us that money back and proceed and own your property. Your point is
very clear that if we do not proceed with the building downtown, you do not want
all the property back, and you can control your own project.
Attorney Randolph stated he would suggest that Mr. Couzzo and Mr. Zuccarelli,
with any assistance needed by his office, will attempt to work out any
disagreements to the form of final agreement, and hopefully come back to you at
you next meeting. I would suggest to the Village that you finalize this thing if
you can by your next meeting, because you have work to do and you have to
know where you are going. Mayor Genco stated we are encouraging Mr.
Zuccarelli to swap parcels because the selection for location right now is the piece
we had a workshop on, as when we sent a notice to when--failing to execute
would you be opposed if in fact a municipal center wasn't "constructed there" if
that area be utilized for a public art park? Mr. Zuccarelli stated we would cross
that bridge when we come to it, but at this point, I want to see an agreement and a
date.
Mayor Genco stated in order to negotiate with us, you need to get a little tougher.
When we pay for an attorney to be there, that you need to confront those issues
with that attorney, and you need not walk out of a meeting. Mr. Zuccarelli stated
• Mr. Holten was there to preach the law and said he was going to sue me for
specific performance. I don't have to be here, I am here trying to help. Mayor
Page 6 of 26
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June 14, 2001
• Genco asked that he maintain that when dealing with Mr. Couzzo and our
attorneys.
Attorney Randolph stated Mr. Couzzo needs to sit down with Mr. Zuccarelli and
try to work out any disagreements there may be in order to give him and the
Village finality, and I would suggest that you attempt to have that done no later
than the next meeting.
Village Manager Couzzo stated he and Mr. Zuccarelli have been able to have
cordial conversations and could reduce the list-they are trying to identify the
issues and clearly delineate them for your consideration.
Harold Taylor, 13 Chapel Court, remarked the Village now owns parcel C, which
is the southwest parcel as well as property north of the fountain. Given a choice,
a majority of the people will probably want it north of the fountain. If you want
to upgrade, you'll probably want to do the land swap, and that will give you the
northwest parcel. If you want to upgrade even further, you can purchase the
remainder of parcel C after you do the land swap. After the land swap the cost of
land should come to about $400,000.
Cvrese Colbert, Gallery Square North Property Manager, stated a former village
staff member was after one of her tenants to move to Mr. Zuccarelli's property,
• and wanted to find out if it was endorsed by the Village. Mayor Genco stated it is
the first she has heard. Ms. Colbert stated she wouldn't think that would be a part
of government, but it happened--a lot of things seem to be given to Mr.
Zuccarelli. Mayor Genco stated it wouldn't be a position of the Village Council,
no. Village Manager Couzzo stated it was the first he has ever heard of it.
C. Presentation by Sprint Communications regarding the proposed cellular
monopole installation at the Tequesta Water Plant.
Julio Dumas representing Sprint PCS stated they have been working with our staff
on formulating a proposal to enter into a licensed agreement to construct a stealth
facility at the water treatment plant. What is proposed is a flagpole-he referred to
a photograph of an existing one at the north part of the county superimposed to
the water plant. He asked for conceptual approval to authorize the Village
Manager and Attorney to conclude the negotiations on a proposed agreement and
authorize to proceed with the zoning process so it can be seen as a regulatory
body, and it allows it to move forward. Village Manager Couzzo stated we are
looking for a consensus of the Council to allow the process to move forward and
seek zoning consideration.
Mayor Genco stated she understood they were talking with another property
owner about locating a tower on private property, and that is a very real
possibility. Mr. Dumas remarked they are prepared to bring that application
forward as an alternate.
Page 7 of 26
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June 14, 2001
• Village Manager Couzzo said the Village has been considering a cell tower for a
number of years, and when the flagpole proposal came to his attention they were
negotiating with another property owner, and he felt we should reconsider the
item and bring it back for Council consideration. The one pole has the ability to
have four independent antennas on it that can be leased by the Village. It is
somewhere in the area of $24,000 plus annual CPI adjustments. There is a
possibility two additional monopoles could be installed on that site in which the
Village could generate revenue from. If it isn't placed on the Village site it could
be placed on the site that is adjacent to the water plant site on a commercial piece
of property and that commercial entity would generate that revenue.
Mayor Genco asked where they are proposing to locate it? Mr. Dumas stated our
code requires a 110 percent setback from the height, this is a proposed 130 ft.
flagpole, we would need roughly 125 ft. all the way around from the property.
We looked at an alternative to bring it up towards the front by the gate, at the
center of the property where the old building that housed communications
equipment for an old tower that was there, and the other location is on the
northern part of the property, but our concerns were that it was predominantly
residential to the north.
Vice-Mayor Capretta stated it was rejected before because of the looks of it, and
• we wanted to be good neighbors to those north of us, now we have the flagpole,
and revenue of approx $25,000, as long as we can do it in a way that is not
offensive to our neighbors, he has no problem with this proposal, even though he
voted against the others.
Councilmember Walker questioned if the Village were not to enter into agreement
with them, what property would they place it on. Mr. Dumas stated it would be
the County Line Plaza property.
Mr. Dumas stated the code would require that it would blend in, so we would still
have some regulatory authority over it. They would propose a light fixture, like in
a parking lot, but it wouldn't accommodate as many people or benefit the city,
and other people are going to have to go through the same ordeal as we would.
Councilmember Walker asked if the exact location on our water plant has not
been determined and would they take into consideration the potential expansion
of the water plant. Mr. Dumas stated she was correct.
Taylor Carey,199 Raynor Drive, stated he was a physician, and really surprised
no Councilmember asked a question about radioactivity on the neighborhood.
Mayor Genco stated we did a get a book that addressed it, and essentially it is 50
percent safer.
•
C~
The Sprint Engineer stated one of the advents of PCS technology, the technology
that Sprint uses, is that operates at very low power. A lot of tests that have been
done in the past of a lot of the cellular communications operated in the 900 MHz,
where they used an awful lot more power. Power outputs on the cellular
communications were usually in the 1 SO-200 watt range. We are producing
power outlets below 30 watts on a cell site. That is a considerable fraction
thereof. And we are also operating at a 1.9 G, which is a much smaller, less
powerful frequency. There is an awful lot of debate over exactly what this is.
One of the reasons why the Federal Government reissued licenses at lower powers
and smaller bandwidth frequencies was they wanted to reduce the risk associated
with this. We have been exposed to electromagnetic radiation for all of our lives
far above what the cell towers and our cell phones produce. In science it is very
difficult to prove a negative. Mayor Genco stated they used an example of a 50
times safety factor. An airplane tire has a safety factor of three according to the
book. Mr. Dumas stated at 10 ft. from the antenna of the tower, you are roughly
100' of the amount of electromagnetic radiation less than 10 or 15 ft. in front of
the television set. There is no heat associated with this.
Hal Hutchinson, Camelia Circle, asked what size flag they proposed to fly. Mr.
Dumas stated it would have to comply with the federal regulations.
Jim Humpa~e, Cypress Drive, had been opposed to this, but is less opposed now.
• He likes the aesthetics. He feels if we don't do this, and it goes up in the Plaza,
the Village is going to take the heat anyway, we should take the money. In
consideration of where it goes on the property, we need to keep in the back of our
heads the intent to expand the facility.
Thomas Eichorn, President of the Condo Association at Tequesta Hills, spoke
with one of the officers at Sand Point and Tequesta Pines, and they are all three
against it.
Sandy Wood, Tequesta Hills, just recently purchased a townhouse in Tequesta
Hills and heard about this. She is against this, although it doesn't look as bad as
she thought it was going to be. This gentleman has shared some information
regarding our concerns. She wondered how accurate these studies are with regard
to time. Mr. Dumas stated the statistics to the degree of power are actual as we
speak today. It is anticipated the Federal Government is going to continue to
reduce the power output. The studies are constantly ongoing. This is an
automatic two-way, it is a voice activated-a transmitter and a receiver built into
a box with an automatic switch.
Councilmember Walker asked if the Council votes to proceed with this, that we so
properly notice, not only in the Courier, but the Palm Beach Post, as to when final
action by the Council will be taken on the subject so that all the residents know
• what is happening in their back yards.
Page 8 of 26
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June 14, 2001
Page 9 of 26
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June 14, 2001
• Mayor Genco stated she understood we would be authorizing the Village
Manager to pursue it on our behalf and finalize this.
Attorney Randolph stated it is required in the ordinances to be properly noticed
and advertised, in fact it is going to be an application for a special exception.
Anything done tonight is not tantamount to approval, it is just authorizing the
manager to move on your behalf as landowners to go forward with the appropriate
zoning considerations. You would have a public hearing and give consideration
to special exception, and if you granted it, you would give authorization to the
agreement.
Mayor Genco stated we need to authorize the Village Manager to proceed at this
point so that we don't delay this, and this may end up being constructed in the
shopping center.
MOTION: Councilmember Dalack moved to authorize the Village Manger to proceed
with consideration of the proposed cellular monopole installation at the Tequesta Water
Plant. Seconded by Councilmember von Frank. Motion carried S-0.
•
•
Page 10 of 26
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June 14, 2001
VI. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
A. Consideration of the reappointment of Karen Flint to a one-year term
as an alternate member of the Community Appearance Board or
appointment of a new alternate member, with said term expiring June
8, 2001.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to appoint Mrs. Flint, seconded by
Vice Mayor Capretta. Motion carried 5-0.
B. Consideration of the reappointment of Victor Strahan to a three-year
term as a regular member of the Community Appearance Board or
appointment of a new regular member, with said term expiring July
31, 2001.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to appoint Mr. Strahan, seconded
by Vice Mayor Capretta. Motion carried 5-0.
VH. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Genco noted items A and E were struck.
B. Approval of Special Master Hearing Minutes, March 29, 2001.
C. Approval of Special Master Hearing Minutes, Apri126, 2001.
D. Special Village Council and Stormwater Utility Board Meeting
Minutes, May 30, 2001.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve the Consent Agenda,
seconded by Councilmember Dalack. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Genco stated we had to strike the Village Council Minutes because there
was a requirement when we had an abstention from voting at a Council meeting
that we read these in when the person abstained. Mr. Dalack abstained from
voting in the May 10th meeting. Mayor Genco read the abstention from voting
letter into the record.
A. Approval of Village Council Meeting Minutes, May 10, 2001.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve the May 10, 2001
minutes, seconded by Vice Mayor Capretta. Motion carried 5-0.
E. Approval of Report of Financial Audit as of September 30, 2000 by
. Nowlen, Holt & Miner.
•
•
•
Page 11 of 26
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June 14, 2001
Mayor Genco stated she struck this because on June 7~' Michael Couzzo
received a memorandum from Councilmember Walker with regard to this,
and was afraid that some of the issues Mrs. Walker addressed might be
shared or misunderstood by other Councilmembers or citizens. The letter
was with regard to the Special Council Agenda which was for the
presentation purposes by the Accounting Firm of Nowlen, Holt, et. al.--her
questions and concerns and request that answers be submitted to her prior
to the next regularly scheduled meeting of June 14'h. One of the first
things was under the major initiatives. The items outlined under this
heading correspond to the current administrative efforts, the CAFR, for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2000. This paragraph is
nonrepresentative of the Council administrative initiatives for the fiscal
year ending September 2000. For people who don't understand it, that is
exactly what an audit is supposed to do. An audit is addressing the state of
your accounts as of the close of business on a specified date. The calendar
goes from September 30 to September 30, so this was addressing the audit
and the state of the general ledger accounts as of that period of time. The
statement that was made on initiatives did say that the initiatives that were
being addressed were for the next year. There were some other comments
with regard to item #1. You need to understand that an audit has nothing
to do with the budget. It may compare things from year to year showing
you how you did or did not meet your budget, an example would be your
automobile expenses. You figured your budget was going to be $1,200 a
year, but it turns out your automobile expenses were $1,500, okay your
budget would be three hundred dollars a year more, but your fiscal year
may show at the end of the year you have no assets in that account. Your
budget is saying when you do your budget every year, you are budgeting
$1,200, and that when we do our audits, we sometimes find that we were
or were not spending the money we intended to spend. We will be doing
our budget around July of this year, and we will be doing a number of
items in the budget, and you will have opportunities to discuss, but there
were really no budget issues. There are also some questions about
licenses and permits. Again, the word declines as of September 30, 2000,
and that is because in 1998 our Occupational Licenses and Permits, we
had a lot more development which we were getting fees for. Tequesta
does not have that much undeveloped real estate, so as time goes on, a lot
of those things may start declining. As far as Emergency Services, there is
no real way to know how much money we are going to make every year
from our EMS department. That is user initiated. There was a comment
in there about the Cypress Drive Stormwater project. The reason the
CAFR does not correspond to the budgeted line items, again, one of the
biggest problems we had in the budget that was pointed out to us by the
auditors is that general ledgers were not clearly identified, and that certain
assets were put into the undesignated funds and were not labeled. After
them, we lost out finance director, we lost other people on staff. They
ended up knowing we had money that we didn't know had been set aside
Page 12 of 26
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June 14, 2001
• for. That doesn't mean we didn't have the money that was noted in Mrs.
Maganiello's letter, simply that the lump of funds it was in was so co-
mingled. Jody Forsythe, Finance Director is trying to go through and
identify all of the projects the Village has proposed, find out much money
needs to be allocated for them, and start identifying money in the
undesignated fund. The General Fund overspending. There was noted in
there, contractual services over budget by $35,702. Note this was
probably due to three persons heading up the office in Community
Development, Newell, Horniman and Hybrid, if so, when will this practice
cease given that Mr. Newell has been on the job long enough to overcome
any learning curves. Again, this audit was for a time period when Mr.
Newell didn't work for us. Mr. Horniman at that time for that year did not
provide that much in the way of consultative services, and Hybird was a
contractor that Scott Ladd had hired because he was unable to keep up
with the inspection services he needed to do, so he hired an outside
consultant. Mr. Newell has, although he has only worked for us for about
two months, has already addressed everything, as a matter of fact, it
appears he is able to handle more inspections and more reviews than Mr.
Ladd was, so Mr. Hybird's services may not be needed to the extent they
were, and he is proceeding extremely well on some of the newer issues
that Mr. Ladd didn't have to deal with, so I feel he doesn't have an issue
of learning curves.
• Councilmember Walker asked Mayor Genco, why we are still $35,000
over budget, could she help her. Mayor Genco stated there is not enough
records, in some instances, for knowing exactly why they were over
budget, and it wasn't due to Newell, Horniman and Hybrid. And that is
one of the problems, because when the staff is getting a letter like this,
because we don't have the records that we should have for something like
this, it takes them hours and hours of time to find out an answer to
something, which isn't getting us ahead to where we need to go. Right
now we know what the dollar amount is, we are adjusting records, and
we're trying to get the finance department back into shape and go forward
so we can do this year's budget without having to find out everything that
was done wrong for the last year or two. And I know it may be a source
of concern for you, but unfortunately that my feeling that the resources of
our administrative staff is better spent on current administrative problems.
But again, Jody Forsythe, Mr. Couzzo, myself, and some other members
on the Council were not a part of this. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it
won't be accounted for. Councilmember Walker stated and that is what
I'm asking for Mayor Genco, financial accountability. I appreciate you
going through this, thank you. Mayor Genco stated that is one of the
reasons she ran for Council a little over a year ago, and one of the reasons
she wanted a finance committee meeting for 18 months, which we never
• had.
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Page 13 of 26
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Councilmember Walker stated the next item is Road Repair and
Maintenance over budget by $21,000. Mayor Genco stated that and the
Police Overtime, which is the next item, was mainly due to Hurricane
Irene. The CAFR extension, it was common knowledge, we received
several letters from the auditors describing problems they were having
from doing the audit in staffing, because we didn't get a finance director
until January, and we only had an administrative assistant handling your
finance to some degree, and the auditors pointed all of that out to us in a
letter of December 14th, and again in a letter of January 12~' or 13a'. Also
both you and I asked Michael Couzzo and Jody Forsythe several times
when we would be getting the financial audit so we could have a Council
meeting to discuss them, and we were both told they weren't done, so I
thought that was kind of self-evident. Councilmember Walker said she
just never received any letter formally requesting extension, because when
it comes to financial audit, when you need to request an extension when
the deadline is up, they request the extension. Mayor Genco said I agree
with you, we probably should have been copied on it, but I don't think it
was something that was out of our control to do. The letter of conveying
this audit from Nowlen, Holt, et. al. was dated April 13th, why was there a
six week delay in providing this letter and accompanying materials to the
Council-the reason is that letter is a standard letter written by an auditor
on the last day they are doing the audit, and it is simply saying that at that
period of time, they are doing no more work. It appears to someone who
doesn't really understand what the document does, that it is something we
would have known about, but it is simply not a memorandum saying that
at a certain period of time, this is the last day we are doing our field work,
and as of the last day we were doing our field work, this is the way we
found it and this is the way we left it. That then becomes a part of, if we
wish it to, which we did, the audited financial statement. Mr. Couzzo and
Mrs. Forsythe were not involved actively with the time period that the
financials were actually representing, but they did do a cover letter in
there, and they did note at that point in time there was acting Village
Manager Joanne Maganiello and Thomas Bradford responsible for all of
the things that were found in that time period that the audit was covered.
Councilmember Walker asked Attorney Randolph if the council needed to
accept the CAFRA as apposed to approving it? He stated yes, you can call
it approval or acceptance, it's item E now, you have to vote on approval or
acceptance.
Mayor Genco stated the next item is to approve or accept the financial
audit as of September 30, 2000 by Nowlen, Holt & Miner.
Vice-Mayor Capretta stated if you ask the question, how many people
• does it take to staff our Finance Department properly, a manager, an
accountant, people, and how often in that period did we have those
•
•
•
Page 14 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
people? We have always had about financial da ect rs s we kept trying
have, and we had two controllers or
to patch it up. And then we were withoccountinm department with only
And then what happens is we have an a g
three people instead of six, and the manager is missingroll ouhe actthe
py
manager does those things that must be done, get the Paostin things just
bills and all the other d~then it getscso bad we then bring the audit firm
keeps sliding behind, a
in a different role--helping to catch up. m nths with several ter people
who comes in and works for two to four
at a cost of $140 an hour and gets he hires austaff, and thedfirst t ing yo
manager, like Jody Forsythe, and
know, they start catching up, and then they can start answering these
questions like the kind Mrs. Dais tell me tomorrow isWwe lost half our
account. But all you have to d
staff again and here we go. This happened two or three times in the past
four or five years. It is difficult to get and ih ai a peOear. t Otherd people try
have had two or three in the water plant m P Y
to help, it is very likely you see we slippl one off. Ourereal prob em has
Jody is up to staff at the moment or is st
been in the financial department. Why do pioploea water managerah shold
series of reasons- Mr. Couzzo s made offe hard to maintain.
job offered him $10,000 more. Talented people are very ood 'ob now,
I am very concerned abouof the operation andlbusiness sues concerned
when it comes to the r
with water, you need a manager. The financial department is the one that
is critical in the sense we find ourselves geese g ma lnerand not being able
to catch things like you should catch m a ti y
MOTION: Councilmember Dalack moved the ane PtaMr °on Praank seconded.
a f s- p mfier 30, 2000 by Nowlen, Holt & M
Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
J iter, thanked the Village and the Village
Lim 1515 Venus Avenue, up
Council regarding interest in beautifying the Median in Riverside Dr e Park,ea
for the entrance off Riverside Drive to the
senior community, where a homeowner's asso ri heir entrance off of Rivers de
hopes to get a neighborhood matching grant fo
Drive. Her neighborhood was initially a senior citizens and a grassroot effort to
getting anything going over there. The Nature Conservancy over at Blowing
Rocks Preserve has endorsed along-term prudent project that will enhance their
entry with low maintenance and low water native penture enhancing Tequesta's
my Tequesta neighbors to join a cooperative
Page 15 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
corridor on Riverside Drive Park's entrance. She would like a letter of support
stating that you recognize it's a good effort.
Mark Buren, President of Board of Director Lighthouse Habitat for Humanity,
recently was delighted to receive a check from the Town of Tequesta which goes
to their building fund, and read mission statement: To make homeownership
available in northern Palm Beach County and Southern Martin County for
families who otherwise would not be able to break the bonds of poverty and
substandard housing. Our purpose is to build and rehabilitate simple, decent and
affordable housing using the principles of now interest, no profit. We provide the
whole community an opportunity to work together to eliminate substandard
housing. We believe that in doing so, we will provide hope, dignity, stability and
self-esteem for God's people in need. Because we are blessed in our community
that we don't have shacks, we still have families living in substandard housing in
our community. These are people in the service sector. They man the service
jobs in our community, they need somewhere to live too. That is our goal to see
they eliminate eventually all substandard housing in our area. Thank you, not just
for the money, but the encouragement and support.
Arnold Blum, 410 Tequesta Drive, stated there are one or two rhetorical questions
in my statement that do not need to be answered but should be reflected upon.
Mrs. Walker, in 2000 you were elected to occupy a seat on the Village Council to
• represent the Village of Tequesta. Although your duties as Councilmember may
be many and varied, they do not include usurping the position of Village Manager
or Village Clerk. You were not elected nor were you appointed to the Village
Manager or Village Clerk. In fact, our Village Charter specifically prohibits you
and your fellow Councilmembers from becoming involved with Village
employees. Further, it prohibits a councilperson's involvement with the daily
business activities of the Village. To approach outsides potential employees,
contractors or subcontractors of the Village as though you were representing the
entire council, most assuredly this is prohibited by our charter. In no case does a
single Councilperson represent the entire council or the entire village except by a
majority vote of the Council and for a specific purpose could a Councilperson be
placed in such a representative position. The duties and responsibilities of the
Village Councilmember was spelled out to all Councilmembers by our Village
Attorney at a special meeting. At another meeting, Mayor Genco once again cited
the duties and responsibilities of all Councilpersons. You attended those
meetings, so I assume you were present at these meetings, yet you persist in
creating chaos and stress for employees of the village. Your behavior is
irresponsible and certainly not befitting an elected official. You obviously still do
not understand your position, its duties and limitations. What do you hope to gain
by causing strife and turmoil? Your written articles and comments are witness to
the fact that you have no clue as to the legitimate fact as to most of the issues
coming before this council. Mr. Humpage, I believe, will address only a few of
• these items, as time does not permit a full airing of all of the issues. It is sad and
shameful that you appear to be working against the Village and the people you
Page 16 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
. were elected to represent. I believe you owe your fellow Councilmembers,
Village employees and your electorate an apology. If you are truly concerned
about the welfare of Tequesta, you will relinquish your seat from this Council and
proffer your resignation. Thank you.
John Giba, stated sometimes you have a problem where the solution is very
complex, involved, has many ramifications, and is costly. If you want to increase
the clearance between the river and bridge, you raise the bridge. We have a
similar situation in a conclave of Jupiter Residents on the Tequesta side of the
Loxahatchee River on Riverside Drive. It is a situation where they are on the
natural boundaries of the Village of Tequesta, but they belong to the Jupiter.
Another factor is we buy water from Jupiter and sell it back to Jupiter residents in
that conclave. Jupiter comes along and says we want to sell water directly to our
Jupiter residents, in the first place, it has legal, financial and costly engineering
problems to redo the distribution system to accommodate what they want. I have
a suggestion-with one operation we can solve the whole problem-annex the
people of this conclave into the Village of Tequesta where they belong, and
secondly we'll be selling Tequesta water to Tequesta residents.
Jim Humpage stated in March of this year, the election was based on referendum
and financial accountability. I think this Council is doing a great job. I have
misgivings with Mrs. Walker primarily because of some of the articles she has
• written. ACT and Jim Humpage do not wish to abandon any wells. I looked into
well number seven, the well are concerned about only to make a second property
viable. We probably don't have to do a thing to that well, we can get a variance.
The only stipulation is the stormwater from the parking lot must run away from
the well. We may also be able to drill a second or third well in the park. Let's do
what is best for the Village of Tequesta. True leaders are not made of negative
cloth. I ask Mrs. Walker to become positive and work with all of us and the
Tequesta Council, let's move forward and bring harmony back to the Village.
Harold Taylor, 13 Chapel Court, brought up a book by Spencer Johnson, Who
Moved M~Cheese?, regarding change, recommends it to all of the Council, and
presented the Council with the book.
Peggy Verhoeven, 18996 Pointe Drive, thanked Mr. Blum, Mr. Humpage, and
Mr. Giba for their comments. She stated when we went to Encon we went with
about nine problematic issues, we were near last on the list. She asked what
happened. She also thanked the Mayor for the accounting of auditing and
bookkeeping and how those things should be done.
Jim Humpage, stated he was primarily talking about the same two facts that were
part of the election, and that is the referendum and financial accountability. The
reason I am here is because of former manager Bradford and the letter he wrote.
• What I would like to do is briefly hit on that, which correlates to the train issue.
Tonight the Council is going to talk about the US 1 overlay, that boils down to
Page 17 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
two lanes on US 1 and changing some zoning, and four-laving Dixie Highway.
And the train station will go at the old mall plan opposite Village Boulevard or
perhaps the vacant property at the railroad property at Tequesta Drive. He thinks
it is a bad idea because we have enough traffic in this town. The best thing they
can do with TriRail is put a depot in Jupiter and the next one in Stuart. Mr.
Bradford also stated that the parcel we purchased in Tequesta for the Tequesta
Plaza was done through eminent domain and condemnation. That is false, it was
done with a purchase and sale agreement.
Attornev Randolph, read his letter of June 13~' to Mike Couzzo, and read a letter o
of June 13~' from Ed Geddes, (see Attachment A).
IX. DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
Village Clerk Wolcott swore in witnesses to any of the development matters
en mass.
Ex parte communication was disclosed by Mayor Genco as she looked over
the JIB marina site and asked the manager regarding site location, fences,
hedges, and proposed construction.
A. 30' x 55' covered pavilion with ADA compliant restrooms at JIB
• YACHT CLUB MARINA, 46 BEACH ROAD.
1. Special Exception Hearing
2. Zoning Variance Hearing
3. Site Plan Review
Spencer Lloyd, 6 Bay Harbor Road, General Partner of JIB Yacht
Club Marina, on Jupiter Island, state they received a grant from the
Florida DEP to put in a pumpout facility, enabling them to be part
of the Florida Clean Marine Act. In an effort to get off of the
septic system and get on to the sewer line, they have facilities in
the ground to enable this, and will put in new restrooms and a
covered pavilion. He received support from the condominiums
and residents who would be viewing the facility.
Community Development Director Newell stated he received a
letter in support, and a letter of concern from a citizen, regarding
noise.
Spencer Lloyd, stated the reason for the special exception is the
setback rule: we could build it but would not be able to comply
with ADA.
Page 18 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
Community Development Director Newell remarked he had an
evaluation from staff. The applicant proposes to construct this on
an existing concrete slab, which is adjacent to the marina's
swimming pool. It will contain new restrooms of ADA
compliance. The existing building will be properly used for
storage. The proposed use is valid, it is designed so the public
health, safety and welfare will be protected. There should be no
adverse effect on the surrounding properties. Adequate landscape
is provided, as well as off-street parking. The applicant is seeking
a variance to the 10 ft. rear yard setback to allow the placement of
the proposed pavilion to be located one foot from the rear property
line, so you would have a 9 ft. encroachment. The site plan review,
the final comment, the use of the deck area will not change, staff s
recommendation is approval.
Vice Mayor Capretta asked about losing parking spaces, and was
told they would not.
Councilperson Walker ask about roofing material choice, and was
told there would be a tin roof.
Vice Mayor Capretta asked the number of people that had condos
• in the JIB Club who had boats in the marina, and was told there
were two.
Joe Walsh, a representative of the Beach Road Association
commented they heartily support the project.
Elda Chism, 164 Lighthouse Drive, nearest abutter on the
southeast side, said she heartily endorses--he has made it a
showplace.
Peter Sheptal, Jupiter Inlet Colony, lives 300 ft. away from the
marina, it is a beautiful place and he supports him wholeheartedly.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to accept the special
exception, variance and the site plan review. Seconded by Vice Mayor
Capretta. Motion carried 5-0.
B. Site plan review for proposed change in signage to a 44.87 sq. ft.
monument style sign for BANKATLANTIC, 701 US ONE
NORTH.
Summer Gottlieb, Representative for BankAtlantic, remarked this is
one of the last banks we are changing. They would like to replace
what is there with the exact same size, 8 ft. high, monument sign, the
Page 19 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
• only difference would be the new graphics designed, used and
registered for BankAtlantic. They have met the criteria of the code.
Community Development Director Newell stated he has met the code
requirements. In the new configuration there is a widening of the base
of the sign. Staff is of the opinion that due to the widening of that
base, it should be brought for Council approval.
Councilmember Walker asked if it is going in the same location and if
the accompanying signage on the bank be changed to coordinate, Mr.
Gottlieb responded that it would.
MOTION: Councilmember Dalack moved the approval of the change,
Seconded by Councilmember von Frank. Motion carried S-0.
B. Special exception hearing for the proposed renovation of the
vacant bank building located at 722 US One North, and outparcel
of County Line Plaza.
1. Special Exception Hearing
2. Site Plan Review
• Hollis Hoover, P.E., introduced Jose Valar, Field Construction
Engineer, stated they propose to renovate the bank building at
the County Line Plaza, and presented the rendering. It will be
similar to the existing building with the exception of the hipped
roof which will be changed to a mansard S-tile terracotta with
the same stucco finish, and the Wendy's corporate signage and
the work around the pick-up windows and awnings.
Landscaping will be improved. Parking code has been met.
The back of the building will be hedged.
Community Development Director Newell stated the proposed
use is a valid use, it has been reviewed by police and fire
rescue to ensure the public health, safety and welfare will be
protected, with no adverse effect on the value of the
surrounding properties. The use is compatible with adjacent
development and the character of the zoning district. Adequate
landscaping and screening is provided, as well as off-street
parking and loading. Staff recommends approval.
Councilmember Walker asked if there would be a monument
sign on US One, and was told yes, and it will be converted to a
Wendy's sign, by Mr. Newell. Councilmember Walker was
• concerned about the waste, and Mr. Newell commented it
would be gated.
Page 20 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
MOTION: Vice Mayor Cappretta moved to approve the special
exception and site plan review for Wendy's. Seconded by
Councilmember von Frank. Motion carried 5-0.
C. Preliminary plat of Tequesta Trace.
Community Development Director Newell remarked along with the
submittal of the preliminary plat, there is also a waiver to Article 2,
Section 5, which would allow Centex to receive building permits
before the final recording of the plat.
Vice-Mayor Capretta asked if the trailer was approved. Community
Development Director Newell stated the temporary trailer was
discussed when the site plan was approved, and there was some
confusion. Attorney Randolph stated Centex though they had approval
and could just go forward with their building permits, they understand
they had to have a plat approval prior to going forward with the
building permit. The community development department at that time
advised Centex we cannot grant them permits-they have had site plan
approval, now the code has the technical requirement to get the plat
approved. They are asking you to allow them to go forward with their
. improvements, which would include the construction and sales trailer.
Vice-Mayor Capretta commented that Mr. Zuccarelli has been
building his building and he hasn't got a plat. Attorney Randolph
stated that under our code, that yes, the plat should have been
approved first. Vice-Mayor Capretta suggested we should have a
process we can follow.
Mayor Genco mentioned that if we approve the waiver, he is allowed
to put the trailer up. Ron Collins, Attorney from Greenberg, Traurig,
representing Centex, stated the sales trailer and landscaping for the
trailer was part of the presentation that was made to you and your staff
and was approved. The reason it got confused about the trailer on one
hand and platting on the other was because Centex originally thought
it could start with the trailer before the property was platted. We are
here because we platted the property, our engineers, and it has been
reviewed by your staff. When all of the technical requirements are
met, you receive technical compliance from the town, which it has.
Recording the plat is purely a ministerial process, and we would like to
continue construction. We are asking you for that waiver.
Community Development Director Newell stated a certificate of
• occupancy cannot be issued until you have a final plat recording.
•
Page 21 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
Harold Taylor, stated at the meeting that addressed this last year, I
believe the plan for the condo locations were laid out, the question
came up about parking availability inside the closed community,
because parking around the surrounding areas wouldn't be palatable.
Is there a provision for guest parking in the community? Mr. Collins
responded the parking fully satisfies our code, which requires a certain
number of guest parking.
Community Development Director Newell stated the staff
recommendation is to approve.
Arnold Blum, 410 Tequesta Drive, stated he was here to support Mr.
Capretta regarding the confusion of plats. He suggested the Council
direct Mr. Couzzo to direct the building department to lay down a
simple step by step procedure, then have it available in the building
office so there is no confusion. Let them bring it back to the Council
and vote for approval.
• MOTION: Vice Mayor Capretta moved the preliminary plat approval with
waiver to Art. III, Sec. 5 allowing them to receive a building permit prior to
recording the plat. Seconded by Councilmember von Frank. Motion carried
5-0.
X. NEW BUSINESS
Village Manager Couzzo requested to move item D up to A.
Consensus granted from the Council.
D. Approval of Phase I Negotiated Contract for Tequesta Village Center
- Consideration of scheduling Council Workshop dates with Song +
Associates Architects.
Village Manager Couzzo stated the Architectural and Engineering
Negotiating Committee for the Village of Tequesta Center recommends
the contract be entered into two phases, the first being a phase of contract
of professional services for site analyses with Ms. Song.
Councilmember Walker requested the justification for spending almost
• $18,000 for needs assessment when one was just completed a few years
ago. Village Manager Couzzo stated we have been unable to find the
records of the needs assessment. Ms. Song can address that, she is not
only and architect, but a registered engineer and interior decorator.
Page 22 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
• Young Song, from Song + Associates, remarked we have done several
assessments, and it is very common that you have to update them every
year.
Councilmember Walker offered to provide Ms. Song and Mr. Couzzo
copy of the first needs assessment.
Village Manager Couzzo stated the firm will provide some type of mailer
to each and every resident of the Community of Tequesta to make them
aware of Council Workshops to discuss the entire process was part of this
contract. There were tentative dates scheduled: next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Dalack moved to schedule the workshop dates and
approve the contract. Seconded by Vice Mayor Capretta. Motion carried S-0.
A. Resolution No. 44-00/O1, a Resolution of the Village of Tequesta, Palm
Beach County, Florida, vacating and abandoning a five foot wide utility
easement located on the northeasterly portion of property commonly
known as 110 River Drive, in the Village of Tequesta.
Community Development Director Newell stated there is currently a pool that
encroaches on the easement. There are no utilities on any sort that are on the
• encroachment, nor are they needed.
MOTION: Councilmember von Frank made a motion to approve, seconded by
Vice Mayor Capretta. Motion carried 5-0.
B. Resolution No. 45-00/Ol, a Resolution of the Village of Tequesta, Palm
Beach County, endorsing the concept of an Overlay District for the
U.S. One/Old Dixie Highway Corridor within the Village; directing
staff to proceed with the necessary backup in order to pursue
implementation.
Community Development Director Newell we met with Jupiter's planning
department and are currently working on three items, which would be
coordinated Land use for the corridor, coordinated site regulation and joint
community concurrence to the potential reduction in lanes to US 1. These
have to be resolved before we can come forward with a recommendation.
Palm Beach County is basically relinquishing its zoning control to the
individual municipalities.
Mayor Genco commented the biggest issue may be U.S. One vs. Dixie
Highway as far as the road district goes, the uniform desire on U. S. One is
to have two lanes in each direction, and that does not necessarily mean we
• have to have another lane on Dixie Highway. Community Development
Page 23 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
• Director Newell stated the County's position on that is the lane
combination between Old Dixie and U. S. One has to equal eight lanes.
Vice-Mayor Capretta stated a lot of businessmen talk to him, and they feel
this is similar to 377, in which they were not in compliance, they put this
in, get grandfathered for five years, no one did one thing, at the end of five
years we were exactly where we were before. They are concerned that
they are all out of compliance. I want to make sure we get input from all
the businessmen. We should lay out the pros and cons and the differences
between the two.
Councilmember Walker stated Mr. Randolph notes in his letter that it is
not necessarily to go to the length of a resolution, but to give direction to
staffto go forward with further study and activities. Community
Development Director Newell stated he needed direction from the
Council.
MOTION: Councilmember Walker to move forward with the study of the
overlay district and whatever work needs to be done in preparation for it.
Seconded by Councilmember von Frank.
Mayor Genco stated she would like a memorandum in about three months
advising the Council as to if assistance is needed, and if there is something
being done.
Di Cameron, suggested when the next issue of "Smoke Signals" comes out
to have an insert and give and insert with a diagram and some information
about this. If I were a merchant on U.S. One, I would be most concerned.
U.S. One is a thoroughfare, I don't understand the idea of making it
quaint. Let's not destroy something that is working.
Mayor Genco commented the one thing that will come out of this is the
uniformity, and streetlighting may be more attractive.
Councilmember Walker stated that Jupiter will soon be embarking on a
1.5 million dollar landscaping enhancing program. It is a great
opportunity for us to work together.
Peg~y Verhoeven, Pointe Drive, stated she hopes there will be a great deal
of information and workshops with the public. What I have read about
this is terribly detrimental to the businesspeople. If you are going to be
constructive, pursue further study before you accept something like this.
She presented examples of similar situations that had a negative outcome
for the businesses involved. She stated we should protect our businesses.
• Plans have already been laid. Please do not commit without the out if we
don't like the way it looks.
Page 24 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
• Gary Van Brock, business owner on U. S. One in Tequesta, this Resolution
is endorsing the concept of the overlay district, and you really don't know
what the overlay district encompasses, and there are a number of things
that we have to review. You need workshops and input from property
owners and so forth before you do anything. Once you create the district
you have made a commitment to the county.
Bruce Rothenberg, 521 Old Dixie, having read this thing it scares us to
death. We put a lot of money into the building. We have a business,
we're simply trying to make a living. We would be nonconforming. I
would like to talk about it first and vote on it later.
Mayor Genco commented the resolution was just to endorse the concept,
and not to go any further than that at this point in time.
Jim Humna~e, Cypress Drive, stated I think the key issue is that you can't
endorse something you don't understand. Direct staff to look into it, but
do not endorse it until after you look at it.
Motion carried S-0.
C. Resolution No. 48-00/O1, a Resolution of the Village of Tequesta, Palm
Beach County, Florida, establishing village priorities and authorizing the
village manager to provide updates to the Village Council on a monthly
basis which shall thereafter become the basis for the Village Manager's
Report.
Vice-Mayor Capretta stated we have two priorities over the last several years,
and one of them is for the Council itself, and the second is for the Village
Manager. The difference was we were setting policy and the Town Manager
is implementing. We wanted the priorities for the Town Manager so we can
be specific on what to rate his performance on. We set the priorities on the
Town Manager so we can tell him how we did. What are the priorities for the
Council? The five of us should select the priorities.
Councilmember Walker stated we should all have the opportunity to make this
list together like we used to. We always put down what our list of priorities
were. I think expansion of water customer base is important and master
planning for the 2003 water franchise agreement.
Council Dalack suggested they defer this to the next council meeting, and
each come up of what we think is a priority.
• MOTION: Councilmember Dalack made a motion to defer to the next Council
Meeting. Councilmember von Frank seconded. Motion carried S-0.
Page 25 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
• XI. ANY OTHER MATTERS
Councilmember Walker stated she is upset that "Smoke Signals" is now going to
be published six times a year instead of twelve times a year, and if you look at our
survey, it is the number one read item as for information as to what this body
does. Secondly, we are now going outside for printing and graphic design
services, I'd like to know why. Councilmember Dalack stated we are trying to
establish something, "Smoke Signals" was never an effective means of
communications. We are trying to make some sense out of it.
Councilmember Walker stated that the Jupiter High School Groundbreaking
Ceremony June 4'h was a delightful ceremony, the superintendent of schools was
there, and it is a shame not many of our residents were there too. These are our
children. I'd like to focus in on some workshops prior to our budget.
Mayor Genco clarified that an editorial in Jupiter Courier written by Ms. Walker
was incorrect in the comment that was made that the Architectural and
Engineering Committee comprised of various department heads and the manager
are focusing on the pros and cons of forever abandoning this drinking well during
the process of choosing the top three contenders to design the Village Municipal
Center that is not true. They are having an architectural firm come back to
• them, and the architectural firm will make a recommendation as to the location
that they suggest for the Village Hall. The focus of the Architectural and
Engineering Committee is not to abandon this drinking well, but to simply who
will get the contract for the RFP, and give them direction as to what they are
supposed to be doing. This basically is a situation that if a Councilmember is to
write something like this, for someone to read it will think the Council is
endorsing it, it is not. The second thing is that the second most productive well
for drinking well lies underneath the land in back of the Village Green.
Abandonment of even one well site is absolute stupidity, considering it costs tens
of thousands of dollars to get one permitted, and about 300,000 to afflict. How
much money will the Village of Tequesta lose by tapping this one well? We have
a lot of wells. Ten surficial wells and two other wells. We do have a good well at
that location at the Village Green. The Village is not suggesting we should
abandon wells or do without. The position that was in this editorial, I would have
not taken exception to it had it come from a citizen, but from a Councilmember its
inaccuracy is somewhat embarrassing. It takes a little bit to sit up here. We need
to trust each other and work with each other. We can accomplish more.
Councilmember Walker stated she would love to work with them all. It could start
with the manager speaking to her. The manager has not spoken to her since the
day after the election. He has not accepted a single phone call, he has not
accepted a single request for an appointment from her. Many of you have
• criticized me for putting all of my requests in writing. I have no alternative. I am
trying to do a job, and the manager has chosen to not speak to me. Good night.
Page 26 of 26
Council Minutes
June 14, 2001
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 11:25 p. m.
Respectfully submitted by,
/~%
Mary Wo cott, Village Clerk
Approved: