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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_02/02/2015 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 2, 2015 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was held at the First Baptist Church of Tequesta and called to order at 7:05 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun, Council Member Tom Paterno and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Abby Brennan led the pledge of allegiance. Some Agenda Items were heard out of order. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Council Member Paterno; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 1. Presentation of US 1 Corridor Proposals by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Kim Delaney, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) Director of Strategic Development and Policy presented details regarding the funding breakdown through FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) and estimated costs associated with portions of the project. She suggested constructing all necessary conduits and piping for phasing items such as lighting as funding and need came to be. She also noted that funding may be available through the State and felt Tequesta was in a great position to obtain model project assistance. Shaun MacKenzie, MacKenzie Planning, Inc. President, explained a creative new concept offered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) which offered shared bike lane conditions and operated as a bicycle and pedestrian area with appropriate dimensions. He also noted that there was not a speed limit recommended for the area but noted it could be set at 40 MPH. 2. Remarks by Mayor and Council Council Members voiced their likes and concerns with the ideas presented from the recent resident workshop along with support for improvements, safety and opportunities to the area. Council felt congestion and the right lane being utilized as a turn lane were big issues and discussed funding strategies. Minutes — Workshop 2/2/15 Page 2 3. Public Comments Dana Anderson 48 Yacht Club Place felt bicyclers prefer street for the smoother ride and asked if citations had been issued to cyclists. Dr. Rusel Sutcliffe noted his office location on US1 and reported he has viewed very few bikes utilizing US1 over the many years he has been there. He stated that bikers seemed to be in small groups on the weekend mornings Nan Gorecki, 8 Oakland Court, shared that she loved Tequesta for its quiet demeanor but would like to see progress and youth come to the area. She felt Tequesta was being progressive not aggressive with their plans. Donald Hearing, Jupiter resident, recalled earlier times in the area and his support for Tequesta's vision. He felt it would offer a great return to the area and agreed that a speeding highway did not offer the feel of a Village. Mr. Hearing believed this was a great opportunity. Greg Monico, Turtle Creek resident for 55 years, commented on several issues he has seen and contemplates them continuing with the addition of bike lanes. Kevin Foley, TCRPC Chairperson commented on the many concerns with costs and that the financial support would not be open to the project until decisions were made. He added that TCRPC could assist in the process of locating available funding. John Walker, local resident, was impressed with the quality of questions. He suggested a light at Village Blvd. and additional roundabouts in the Village. George Gentile, President Gentile and Associates /local resident, applauded TCRPC on the project and reducing lanes. He felt more bikes would use the road if lanes were reduced and supported slower speeds. Local Crossfit business owner Buddy Frezza felt turn lanes were crucial and that Council was being rushed into a decision. He questioned costs associated with having to reverse lane reduction if traffic proved the cutback a bad choice. Douglas Elslager, 12022 SE Prestwick Terrace, commented that the word "raceway" was being overused when referring to Jupiter and Tequesta, as police controlled speeding very well. He felt the road did not have issues and that money was being misspent. Pat Watkins, 167 River Drive thanked the TCRPC for going above and beyond on informing and involving the public. She shared her feelings that residents and safety were most important and suggested balance versus doing too much. Bill Taylor host committee and, long time resident suggested six lanes. He stated there were over 60 entrances on US1 (within a 1.3 mile span) and there were other areas of need. Mr. Taylor felt Tequesta should pay to have much needed stop lights added. Minutes — Workshop 2/2/15 Page 3 Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle, asked who was responsible for funding the re- striping/re- surfacing and alternate phase options. She inquired about the south portion of the project which was part of Jupiter. Mayor Brennan responded that Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) would pay for the resurfacing and restriping portion and alternate funding would be located through the TCRPC, She indicated she would be opposed to paying from the Village's operating budget. Steve Oenbrink, 35 River Drive, a retired civil engineer, cautioned never to give up pavement. He advised he had a solution to use the six lanes coming into Alternate Al A, and offered to meet with all of the Council. Amy Angelo, Oceana Coffee, noted she would not take kids on US1 to ride bikes and asked how long it would take to complete the project, to which Mayor Brennan responded paving completion was anticipated for 2018 but it would take longer if additional things were added. Wendy Harrison indicated bridge lanes would stay at four with bike paths. Resident at 200 Beach Road commented past Council members had made the decision of six lanes instead of four after much deliberation, and he recommended using six lanes. Robert Mando, Jupiter, recommended cleaning up so that residents could see beyond the landscaping to the businesses, putting more police on the road to slow traffic, and not losing any pavement. Fern Hirschfeld, Martin County resident, noted getting into shopping centers in the Tequesta area along US1 was dangerous and asked if flooding at US1 and Alternate A1A would be addressed, to which Mayor Brennan responded that was in Jupiter, and not part of the corridor plan. Ms. Hirschfeld commented something needed to be done with the turns. Jim Matthews, unincorporated South Martin County resident, favored Option 1, keeping six lanes, doing Subparagraph b, painting the right -hand lane green. Jim Mosley commented for anything beyond Option 1 Council would need to consider ongoing costs and they had not done a good job with landscaping and maintenance. Basil Dalack, 225 Golfview Drive, stressed the importance of space, cautioned not to lose pavement, and commented this was a make work project. Steve Oenbrink, 35 River Drive, commented again, advising that more safe crossings for people to cross the road were needed. 4. Summation by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and Mayor and Council Kim Delaney, Director of Strategic Development & Policy, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, advised they had initiated an application on behalf of the Village. Minutes — Workshop 2/2/15 Page 4 Dr. Rusel Sutcliffe commented when there were only four lanes one could not make a U turn and there would be a lot of traffic tie -ups. Mayor Brennan thanked all those who had commented at this meeting and by writing and phone calls, and stated that all comments would be considered by Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member D'Ambra. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, } 1 Lori McWilliams, MMCc, -I , LP Village Clerk Note These summary, **i�Re'spared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of tfijxr ,�4!'verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referencedItYA`c y ments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.