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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_01/11/2001F rE "r GF~i~ VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 250 Tequesta Drive Suite 300 ~ ~ o` Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (561) 575-6200 ~a c~ Fax: (561) 575-6203 B 4" P7CN CO + VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2001 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Thursday, January 11, 2001. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by Mayor Joseph N. Capretta. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Joseph N. Capretta, Vice Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer, Councilmember Basil E. Dalack, Councilmember Geraldine Genco, and Councilmember Sharon walker. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Village Attorney John C. Randolph, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Genco gave the Invocation and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Genco requested addition under Any Other Matters of two items: Lighthouse Gallery and the Finance Committee. Councilmember Walker requested Item V (H) regarding the CWA agreement be pulled from the consent agenda; that under Any Other Matters a report regarding Palm Beach County League of Cities Ad Hoc Committee on ` Annexation be added; and that her request for two items to • be added to the February agenda be considered. Recycled Paper • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 2 Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Genco seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as amended. IV. PRESENTATIONS A) LOXAHATCHEE RIVER INITIATIVE 1. David L. Brown, Director of Utilities, Town of Jupiter Mr. Brown distributed a booklet regarding the Loxahatchee River Watershed Action Plan, and explained that it contained a list of projects critical to the long-standing health of the • Loxahatchee River, and there were now approximately 40 projects critical to the river. Mr. Brown explained that a similar initiative in the St. Lucie Basin had been successful in obtaining funding of $10 to $15 million annually. Mr. Brown reported that approximately six months ago he, Richard Dent of ENCON, DEP representatives, and Palm Beach County representatives had established a committee to obtain funding. An advisory panel to the Governor would sort through projects presented to determine the effectiveness of each and it was anticipated that only the eight most effective would be funded this year because not much money would be available. Mr. Brown requested support from the Village in the form of a Resolution or a Letter of Support to accompany the initiative, which would request State funding of 50%, and reviewed areas where projects were located. Councilmember Genco commented the Village Council had passed a Resolution approximately a month ago asking to restore water flows to the river, and questioned since Mr. Brown's proposal was quality oriented • whether quantity was addressed at all, to which Mr. Brown responded that South Florida Water • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 3 Management District addressed quantity issues and that State funding requests must be earmarked specifically for either quality or quantity. Councilmember Walker thanked the Village Manager for following up on her suggestion regarding this issue, thanked Mr. Brown for his presentation, indicated that agricultural runoff had been of concern for many years, and expressed pleasure that the potential for obtaining $8 million in funding was now available. Mayor Capretta reported that during the Village's struggle with ENCON over the sewers the Village had hired a nationally recognized consulting firm to identify the sources of pollution to the river, and the resulting study had indicated that septic tanks were not among the top polluters; however, ENCON had pursued the sewering, which was profitable. • Mayor Capretta indicated he had thought ENCON would use the money they made from the sewers to fund projects to help the river, and reported that the Village had agreed to jointly work on one project with ENCON. Mayor Capretta commented there were many governmental organizations responsible for the river that did almost nothing, and that the organization represented by Mr. Brown was fine and that somebody should speak for the river. Mayor Capretta explained that his problem was there were so many people who claimed to be interested in the river and headed organizations with a lot of money, yet he had lived on the river 17 years and had watched it become more and more polluted. Mayor Capretta expressed hope that Mr. Brown's organization would do something to help the river, commented that the river was more polluted than the RO plant discharge that was being drained into the river, commented that the people responsible to help the river had not done a good job, and that one organization which was supposed to be responsible for coordination • of all the organizations had spent more than one meeting on the subject of reverse paddling of canoes rather than on their designated purpose. • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 4 In response to a question from Councilmember Genco asking whether the projects had been prioritized, Mr. Brown explained that the advisory panel would rate the projects and each would be approached specifically for matching funds, and those that received funding would proceed. Councilmember Genco commented that when ENCON was established there was supposed to be a treatment plant set up to treat water back to drinkable quality to recharge the water basin, and questioned what had been done, to which Mr. Brown responded he was unable to address that issue. Mr. Brown indicated he shared Mayor Capretta's thoughts that the many organizations set up to help the river were not accomplishing much, that he had also attended one of the committee meetings, and that the intent of this group was to get things . happening. Mr. Brown commented that if the funding could be obtained that results of these eight projects could be seen within 12 months. Mayor Capretta questioned where political pressure could be applied, to which Mr. Brown responded contact could be made with Representatives Atwater, Negon, Shaw, and Senator Pruitt. B) Resolution No. 10-00/O1 - A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, Declaring its Support of the Loxahatchee River Initiative's Efforts to Restore and Preserve the Loxahatchee River and Authorizing the Mayor to Approve the Same on Behalf of the Village. Mayor Capretta read Resolution No. 10-00/Ol by title only. Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 10-00/O1. Councilmember Walker seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous • 5-0 vote. The motion was therefore passed and adopted. • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 5 C) CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Capretta read the following items on the Consent Agenda: D) Approval of Special Master Meeting Minutes, September 28, 2000 B) Approval of Community Appearance Board, October 20, 2000 C) Approval of Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes, November 20, 2000 D) Approval of Village Council Meeting Minutes, December 14, 2000 • E) Approval of Village Manager's Report, December 11, 2000 - January 5, 2001 F) Resolution No. 11-00/Ol - A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, Approving a Mutual Aid Agreement Between All Law Enforcement Agencies in Palm Beach County and the Village of Tequesta, Establishing Operational Assistance and Voluntary Cooperation Across Jurisdictional Lines, and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Same on Behalf of the Village. G) Resolution No. 12-00/O1 - A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, Approving a Proposal From A & T Printing, Inc., of Port St. Lucie, Florida, For the Production and Printing of the Police Department Year 2000 Annual Report, in the Amount of $4,500.00, With Funds Being Appropriated From the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund, Having a FY 2000/2001 Budget Allocation of $11,720.00. I) Consideration of Approval of Payment in the Amount of • $8,120.00 to the YMCA of the Palm Beaches, Inc., for Tequesta's Equal Share of the FY 2000 Budget Deficit for the Tequesta Branch Recreational Programming. • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 6 J) Resolution No. 13-00/Ol - A Resolution of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, Approving a Proposal from Dawson- Williams, Inc., of Jupiter, Florida, For Services Relative to Utility Infrastructure Maintenance for Miscellaneous, Drainage, Sewer and Water System Repairs and Alterations, in an Amount Not to Exceed $7,500, Per Job, Having a FY 2000/2001 Budget Allocation as Follows: Water Fund, Water System Maintenance: $@6,000, Stormwater Utility, Drainage Maintenance: $12,000; With Funds Being Appropriated From the Applicable Fund and Authorizing the Village Manager to Execute the Applicable Proposal on Behalf of the Village. Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to approve the Consent • Agenda. Councilmember Genco seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. Item (H) - Consideration of Approval of Amendment to Collective Bargaining Agreement With the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 3181, which Councilmember Walker had requested be pulled from the Consent Agenda, was discussed. Councilmember Walker questioned whether the Village had received reimbursement under the 911 Call- Taker Reimbursement Program. Police Chief Allison explained no funds had been received as yet since the CWA union membership had just ratified this change on December 21, 2000. The Palm Beach County Commission had approved the program in September and the first quarterly request which should have been made December 1 had been delayed because negotiations with CWA were not complete. Chief Allison explained that the amount reimbursed was based on the actual hours worked by the dispatchers, which was an improvement over the old system in which he had submitted a budget every March to EMS to operate the 911 system, which was reimbursed according to the time the phone was off-hook during 911 calls, which for this year would have been $809.48. Under the new system with the County was • reimbursing 20% of salary cost, and the Village would receive $25, 275, which would exceed the amount paid out for VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 7 raises, bonuses. workers compensation, FICA, retirement and insurance of $23,974, leaving a surplus. Councilmember walker asked Chief Allison to explain why an increase in dispatchers' salaries was needed. Chief Allison explained chat dispatchers were a very hot commodity with a drastic shortage in the County, and it was a very high-stress position providing a lifeline when residents were in need, which had been traditionally underpaid. Currently there was a shortage of dispatchers in the County. The Village had four full-time and two part-time dispatchers. The old pay scale was $22,345 to $30,753; and the proposed pay scale would be $26,505 to $34,913. The Village had lost one dispatcher this month. Chief Allison explained that Jupiter's starting pay for dispatchers was about $1,000 less than the top of Tequesta's pay scale, and Jupiter had been faxing pay scales into the Village's dispatcher trying to recruit employees. Chief Allison reported that Palm Beach Community College had a dispatch training program. • Councilmember Walker made a motion to approve Agenda Item V (H). Councilmember Genco seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. VI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Bill Burckart commented that when he had been a member of the Village Council, projects had been approved and then never heard from, and that developers Jerry Gray and Ned wayman were present to provide an update on the status of the Tequesta Terrace assisted living facility. Mr. Gray explained that he and Mr. Wayman were on the scene daily to effect construction and that the project was on target for completion in May, 2001. Mr. Gray presented drawings of the front entrance and building architecture. Vice Mayor Schauer commented she passed the project daily and the work was progressing nicely. Mr. Gray indicated marketing had started at their offices located behind Speedway on the northwest corner of Tequesta Drive and U.S. One. Mr Gray noted the project would contain 100 units which would include assisted living, extended care, memory • care, and dementia. Mayor Capretta commented he had counted almost 100 workmen on the job, while few workers • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 8 were seen at the Sterling House project, where one building was virtually complete but the other had to be at least 51% complete before they could open. Mayor Capretta reported they were now putting the roof on the second building . Mr . Gray responded to a question from the audience that Tequesta Terrace would hold an opening to which the public would be invited. Mr. Burckart commented he had noticed that in this project when there was a choice to be made the best option had consistently been chosen over the cheaper one, and the project would be a real asset to the Village. Joe Hall, 159 Country Club Drive, reported he had returned from a trip to find stakes next to his front yard where ENCON was going to dig in order to place a lift station, and that he had not been previously notified. Mr. Hall explained that he had contacted Director of Community Development Scott D. Ladd, who advised that this project had been done through the DRC rather than through the • process of approval by the Village Council and no notice to the residents had been required. Mr. Hall explained that he had also contacted Paul Brienza and Richard Dent of ENCON to try to get the lift station location moved, as well as former Village Manager Tom Bradford who verified that approximately a year ago he had requested that ENCON move the lift station farther north. Mr. Hall explained that after his many contacts to ENCON they had now agreed to move the lift station approximately ten feet north. Mr. Hall expressed concern that the lift station would be an eyesore and that the landscaping could be a safety hazard by blocking visibility when pulling out of his driveway. Mr. Hall requested help from the Village Council so that this project would be made the best it could be and that residents would be notified of such future projects. Mr. Hall urged that if anyone had a concern regarding something they heard was to be done they should go check on it since he had been naive in this situation and assumed that ENCON would not place the lift station so near his property line. Councilmember Genco questioned whether the Village had received drawings indicating that the lift station would be in front of Mr. Hall's house, to which Village Manager Couzzo responded this was part of the overall mitigation with ENCON and had been on the drawings, and ENCON had . stated they did not recall the request that the lift station be moved. Mr. Couzzo reported he had been • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 9 guaranteed there would be no odor, and stated that he would guarantee to Mr. Hall that the landscaping would meet his needs. Mayor Capretta commented the engineers were going around and picking the locations in Phase II and there had been complaints from residents that the engineers had no identification. Councilmember Genco noted there was more than one lift station proposed for Phase II, stated she was requesting this not happen again and that residents receive notice, and that the Village Council be given an opportunity to make comments. Councilmember Walker explained that there was a map at the back of the packet of mitigation documents and the larger dots on that map were the lift stations, and those locations had been on the maps when the residents were asked to choose between gravity or low pressure sewering. Councilmember Walker commented that the lift stations were subject to the landscaping code of the Village. Councilmember Genco stated she had lived in the Village since September 1997 and was located in Phase I I , and had never received any notices. Mr. Hall commented he had received a letter that day from ENCON. Mayor Capretta requested that Village Manager Couzzo contact Community Development Director Scott Ladd to have him provide an enlarged map of the lift station locations that showed the addresses involved and that a meeting with the residents and ENCON representatives be held to show them the proposed locations. Councilmember Genco commented if ENCON could move the station next to Mr. Hall's property 10 or 20 feet, that they should do it. Mr. Hall commented that in conversations with ENCON over the past few days they had indicated the location had been approved by the Village and it was too late to change it. Richard Berube, 4 Country Club Circle, commented he lived 300-400 yards from Mr. Hall and that there was a swale from Mr. Hall's property north to Golf Club Circle that extended for approximately 500 feet, which would be a better location for the lift station since there was no house next to it; and suggested that if nothing could be done that the Village could provide a circular drive on Mr. Hall's property so that he could safely pull out onto Country Club Drive. Mr. Berube commented that the lift station could • affect the value of Mr. Hall's home. Mayor Capretta commented that the engineers located lift stations according to grade, to which Hal Hutchinson responded that VILLAGE COUNCIL . MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 10 lateral movement would have no effect on the lift station. Vice Mayor Schauer requested that Mr. Dent be contacted to have a meeting with the Village Council, residents, and ENCON to tell the people about the lift stations. Mr. Couzzo explained that conversations had been held regarding Mr. Hall's situation and that at this point it would be costly to re-engineer this lift station. Mayor Capretta commented a 2-week status report had been due January 5 which he had not yet seen. VII. NEW BUSINESS A) Consideration of Approval of the Village Manager's Proposed Appointment of JoAnn R. Forsythe, CPA, as Tequesta Finance Director Pursuant to Section 3.02 (7) of the Village Charter. Village Manager Couzzo introduced JoAnn R. Forsythe, candidate for Finance Director and described her background and qualifications. Mr. Couzzo indicated that the auditors were now working to bring Village financial records up to date since the Village had been without a Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director for some time. Village Manager Couzzo noted that Cynthia Sementelli had been Acting Finance Director and had done a commendable job. Ms. Forsythe expressed her desire to work with the Village and indicated she had been impressed with the Village Council's concern for the residents expressed at this meeting. Vice Mayor Schauer verified with Mr. Couzzo that he would show Ms. Forsythe his budget plan, and Councilmember Walker thanked Mr. Couzzo for following through with concerns expressed by the Village Council. Mayor Capretta commented that the Village had previously had a problem with financial information not being presented in an understandable fashion, and that the Village Council had been impressed when interviewing Mr. Couzzo for the position of Village Manager with his ability to present data in a way that could be understood by the Village Council and the residents. Mayor Capretta noted that some residents were concerned with the VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 11 financial health of the Village because of upcoming proposed projects. Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to approve the Village Manager's Proposed Appointment of JoAnn R. Forsythe, CPA, as Tequesta Finance Director Pursuant to Section 3.02(7) of the Village Charter. Councilmember Dalack seconded the motion. Mayor Capretta requested a roll call vote. The vote on the motion was: Joseph N. Capretta - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Basil E. Dalack - for Geraldine Genco - for Sharon Walker - for • The motion was therefore passed and adopted. B) Ordinance - First Reading - An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, Amending Chapter 14, Land Development, By Including a New Article VII, Preservation of Historic and Specimen Trees; Providing for Purpose and Intent; Providing for Definitions; Providing for Criteria; Providing a Procedure For Designation; Providing for Enforcement; Providing for Severability; Providing for Repeal of Ordinances in Conflict; Providing for Codification; Providing an Effective Date. Mayor Capretta read the above Ordinance on First Reading by title only. Village Manager Couzzo explained that this Ordinance had been put together by the Planning Department and had been reviewed by the Village Attorney, and would provide a mechanism to preserve designated trees as historic or specimen trees. Vice Mayor Schauer recommended some type of marker to indicate the tree • was to be preserved and that language to that effect be included within the Ordinance. Village Attorney • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 12 Randolph explained that it was not necessary to include such language in the Ordinance since the Village already had the right to enforce that no one touch the designated trees, even if they were located on private property, and advised that the Village could place markers on trees located on Village property or in the Village rights-of-way, if they desired; however, asked that the pros and cons be considered since markers could target the trees and possibly invite vandalism. Councilmember Walker suggested the Tree Board consider this matter. Village Attorney Randolph indicated that the Town of Palm Beach did not use markers on the trees they designated to be preserved. Mayor Capretta commented that some of the most interesting historical trees in the Village were located on private property, and suggested tours be conducted for children to see them, which was the kind of thing that could be done • by the Tree Board. Mayor Capretta noted that his grandchildren had never seen a ficus tree and that they had been very interested to see how the tree grew its own braces to support itself. Councilmember Genco expressed concern with legalities of the proposed Ordinance and whether it would infringe on personal property rights, to which Village Attorney Randolph responded that it was perfectly legal to have this Ordinance in place just as it would be to have an historic landmark Ordinance in place and that the property owners would be responsible for maintaining trees designated to be preserved on their property and could be penalized for not doing so under this Ordinance. Councilmember Genco noted that criteria included the age and aesthetics of the tree, questioned whether the specie of a tree was considered, and commented that according to Palm Beach County a ficus tree and others were undesirable species. The Village Attorney commented that presumably the Tree Board would not recommend nuisance trees to be preserved. Councilmember Genco questioned what the Village was doing to preserve species important to scrub jay habitat, commented that developers had been allowed to destroy these species without mitigation, and expressed her opinion this Ordinance should be all inclusive. The Village • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 13 Attorney responded that there was nothing limiting this particular Ordinance, that the Tree Board would look at the significance of each tree they considered, and the species to be preserved should not be included in this Ordinance, but should be in a separate Ordinance. Councilmember Genco indicated she would like to have this Ordinance as well as another which stated the species that should be preserved. Village Attorney Randolph responded that if the Village Council was going to be telling the Tree Board which species to preserve then perhaps the Village Council should not have the Tree Board act on this but should amend the Ordinance so that the Village Council would be involved. Attorney Randolph explained that this Ordinance was set up so that the Community Appearance Board, acting as the Tree Board, would have the opportunity to consider specimen trees as set out in the Ordinance, and suggested that . another Ordinance could be set up for preservation of trees which had nothing to do with specimen or historic trees. Councilmember Genco indicated she would like to add that item under Any Other Matters. Councilmember Walker suggested that the Village Council could provide the Tree Board with their thoughts as to how the Village Council had hoped the Tree Board would enact the Ordinance, that it was subject to different Councils in the future, and she would hate to put something in writing which would limit and tie hands, not that limiting scrub oaks would do that since they were certainly a specimen in her eyes. Village Attorney Randolph responded that the State regulated that and looked at scrub jay and gopher tortoise habitats for every development, and before the Village could issue a permit they were required by the State to look at those issues. Councilmember Genco commented that unique areas in Tequesta could be so small and isolated that the State would not look at them and that most of the biohabitats in the Village were not protected by the State so the Village must do it. Vice Mayor Schauer commented there was a habitat between St. Jude church and Tequesta Terrace that the State investigated . quite frequently, described the items that St. Jude had been required to submit to the State, and noted • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 14 the scrub jay population there was increasing. Vice Mayor Schauer expressed her opinion that the Tree Board could work out their procedure which Mr. Ladd could report to the Village Manager and Mr. Couzzo could pass that information along to the Village Council, who could then follow through if needed. Councilmember Walker noted that both of the Ordinances presented tonight were subject to final determination made by the Village Council. Vice Mayor Schauer indicated she understood that, but wanted to let the Tree Board start, see where they were going, let them work with the Ordinance, and then have Mr. Ladd provide a status report to Mr. Couzzo, who would pass the report on to the Village Council, who could then follow through if they needed to enhance the Ordinance. Councilmember Genco commented that in addition to this Ordinance she would like another to supplement it, and a good • example was the scrub oaks which had been removed at the post office without mitigation, and another development of a storage facility was going to be impacting a small stand, so she would like something on the Village books to address species preservation and ecohabitat. Councilmember Walker recommended adding a fourth category in Section 14-108, Chapter 14 Land Development before second reading that would include native trees. Councilmember Genco agreed, stating that the language could say something to the effect that trees that are important to preservation to endangered or threatened species must also be considered for mitigation prior to their destruction or removal. Vice Mayor Schauer agreed, stating it would be in the purpose and intent. Mayor Capretta cautioned care in the area of passing an Ordinance delegating to the Community Appearance Board acting as the Tree Board or whoever was to handle it that the Village Council should not get into the details of telling what birds, what trees, etc., telling them how to do their job, which always led to trouble. Mayor Capretta indicated that the Village Council could monitor the Tree Board's performance and get feedback on it but could not tell them how to do it, and if that was what was wanted then the Village Council might as well do it themselves. . VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 15 Councilmember Genco stated her agreement. Councilmember Walker clarified that the proposal was to add language such as native trees and or scrub trees in need of preserving native habitats and/or endangered Florida trees. Councilmember Genco commented, or providing habitat for endangered Florida species. Councilmember Walker stated that her original intent in asking the Council to consider this and asking the Community Development Department to draft the language was to preserve a part of Tequesta that was irreplaceable, especially threatened by private redevelopment, and to involve both the commercial and private portions of the community. Village Attorney Randolph commented that since several changes had been proposed to the Ordinance, it would need to come back for first reading again, and suggested giving staff the proposed language so they could incorporate it into • the Ordinance. C) Ordinance - First Reading - An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, Amending Chapter 7, of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Tequesta Relating to the Community Appearance Board, by Amending Section 7-7, Powers and Duties as the Official Tree Board of the Village; Providing for Severability; Providing for the Repeal of Ordinances in Conflict; Providing for Codification; Providing For an Effective Date. Councilmember Genco made a motion to table the Ordinances proposed in agenda items VII (B) and VII (C). Vice Mayor Schauer seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • A) Ordinance - Second Reading - An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 16 Beach County, Florida, Amending Exhibit "A" of Section 2-30 of the Code of Ordinances, Village of Tequesta, Florida, Relating to the Employees' Pension Trust Funds by Amending Definitions, Providing that the Boards of Trustees Should Adopt Statements of Investment Policy; Correcting Scrivener's Errors; Providing for Early Retirement Guaranteed Payments; Clarifying Disability Retirement as Required by State Laws; Providing for Eligible Rollover Distributions; Providing for Severability; Providing for Repeal of Ordinances in Conflict; Providing for Codification; Providing an Effective Date. Village Attorney Randolph read the above Ordinance on Second Reading by title only. Councilmember Walker questioned why the firefighters were no longer required to make deposits to a fund while the police and general employees were still required to do so, to which the Village Attorney responded there had been a change in State statute. Village Manager Couzzo explained this Ordinance would bring the Village Ordinance into compliance with revisions in the State statutes. Councilmember Ordinance on seconded the vote. Genco made a motion to approve the Second Reading. Vice Mayor Schauer motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 IX. ANY OTHER MATTERS Councilmember Genco commented that last month there had been discussion regarding the Lighthouse Center for the Arts and their lack of cooperation. Councilmember Genco indicated she had since spoken to Margaret Inserra, Director for the Center, who had written a letter in which she explained that the two individuals with whom she had contracted to do the decorating for the Village had quit • at the last minute. Ms. Inserra had then spent $250 to purchase the lights, and her staff had begun decorating. A short in the lights had been discovered, and Ms. Inserra . VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 17 had hired an electrician to correct that problem. Meanwhile, Village staff, Mr. Preston and Ernest, had started working on the tree, and Ms. Inserra had been informed that the Village would complete the tree and that any other plans she had for decorating would need to be approved. Councilmember Genco indicated that Ms Inserra had done the best she could, the Lighthouse Center for the Arts had done a lot for the community, had volunteered to work with the YMCA on programs for children and adults, and was an asset to the community, and expressed her opinion that the Village had penalized her for doing her best. Councilmember Genco commented that the Lighthouse Center for the Arts would be coming to the Village to request funds since they were very dependent on the Village's contribution to continue their programs, and expressed her concern that the decorating situation had prejudiced the other members of the Village Council against the Gallery. Councilmember Genco recommended that Ms. Inserra be invited • to give a presentation and get through this issue of perceived lack of cooperation. Vice Mayor Schauer indicated Ms . Inserra had called her twice but she had been unable to meet with her because of the holidays and that she and Village Manager Couzzo planned to meet with Ms. Inserra. The Vice Mayor explained she had spoken to Ms. Inserra to request the decorating and at a later date she and Mr. Couzzo had attended a meeting with her and some of she members of the Board, but no letter had been written requesting the work. The Vice Mayor indicated she would meet with Ms. Inserra, and then invite her to make a presentation to the Village Council after this issue had been cleared. Councilmember Genco commented she had received phone calls from several people who were concerned because the Village Manager had hired auditors. Councilmember Genco clarified that residents should have no concerns and that the auditors had been hired merely to help catch up due to lack of staff and bring some of the general ledgers into line, and commented that due to the new Fire Rescue facility and possible new Village Hall she would like to put the Finance Committee on notice when the material was available that . a Finance Committee meeting should be held to evaluate the updated numbers for the cost of these projects and to make recommendations to the Village Council, which hopefully • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 18 could occur by March. Mr. Couzzo indicated he had no problem with doing this by March, and that he would probably be coming to the Village Council in a short period of time with recommendations for financing options since he was currently investigating doing some institutional financing due to the lower interest rates to possibly combine existing outstanding debt and to secure financing for the future, extending time frames out, which would be extremely beneficial to the Village. Mr. Couzzo explained that the auditors had been primarily brought in to catch up and bring everyone up to speed--including himself and the new Finance Director, who would help assimilate the information. Mr. Couzzo indicated he was pleased with the auditors. Mayor Capretta recalled the auditors had helped the Village catch up each time a Finance Director left, and commented on the importance of keeping the financial data recorded properly. The Village Manager recommended that should the Village find itself in the situation again of • being without a Finance Director to immediately call in auditors to keep the bookkeeping caught up. Councilmember Walker presented an update on the work of the Palm Beach County League of Cities Ad Hoc Committee on Annexation Policies. Councilmember Walker reported that the committee would meet bi-weekly and had produced draft annexation language which had been reviewed by the County Commission staff. Councilmember Walker explained that this effort was undertaken by the League of Cities at the request of the County Commission to produce a document to be approved by both bodies and then adopted and enforced. Councilmember Walker explained the remaining process and commented that it was hoped that adoption by the County Commission could occur by October 2001. Councilmember walker indicated she would provide a second draft when it was available. Councilmember Walker requested an update on staff efforts regarding creating neighborhood parks to be added to the February agenda. Councilmember Genco objected since she stated that would cost money and she preferred to get a better feel for the budget first, to which Councilmember • Walker responded she only wanted to know what staff had done-whether they had talked to any prospective property owners, whether any property owners had indicated they • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 19 would make donations, if they had determined whether any neighborhoods were more in need of park space than others-and that this was certainly not an item for action, but a request for an update from staff. There were no objections from the Village Council. Councilmember Walker requested addition to the agenda for the February Village Council meeting of a complete report of Item 6 of the Village Manager's report, in which he had noted he had contacted the Jupiter Courier regarding the possibility of publishing the Village Council meeting agenda and had learned the cost would be $310.00. Councilmember Walker requested a report with accurate cost estimates and then to put this item on the agenda for consideration to see if there was money to advertise the agenda. Vice Mayor Schauer questioned whether staff was working on a web site, to which Village Manager Couzzo responded that they were and that interviews were being • conducted for a firm to design the web site. The first firm interviewed had been more expensive than anticipated. The Village Manager indicated that he might have to interview several firms, and anticipated an approximately 10-page web site. Mr. Couzzo commented the agenda would be placed on the web site and that the Village could update the pages. Pert Town indicated that Dana Anderson could probably provide the name of a lady who lived in Tequesta Country Club who did web sites and who might provide a good deal to the Village. Councilmember Walker indicated her request for a report could include costs, size, all or part of the agenda, etc. Mr. Couzzo indicated he would provide the report. Jim Humpage questioned whether the Palm Beach Post affiliate www.gopbi.com provided free municipal web sites, as they did for other types of organizations, which could be updated by the organizations. Councilmember Dalack requested including in the report alternative ways to get the agenda before the public other than advertising in the Courier, and suggested using Smoke Signals. Village Manager Couzzo indicated he thought that using Smoke Signals was a good suggestion but explained that it was not really feasible due to the timing of publication. • X. ADJOURNMENT • VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 11, 2001 PAGE 20 Councilmember Genco moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Walker seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: Jo nn Manganiel Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: ~ ooi •