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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_03/02/2015 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP MARCH 2, 2015 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 6:00 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. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 1. Capital Budget Discussion Village Manager Couzzo suggested a three year plan in response to Council's recent discussion regarding development of a multi -year plan. He also noted that the Village had submitted an application for the US1 grant funding. Manager Couzzo explained that Tequesta Drive would be the next big project, and was estimated at $665,400, which must be paid up front. He reported departmental requests totaled approximately $2 million over the next three years and, that during his investigation of loan options it was revealed that lending agencies were hesitant to loan for 20 years. He noted seven years was desired due to low interest rates. He added that the Village would need five percent on the ad valorem side to pay the $2 million and suggested a general obligation bond (which would require a referendum, at additional costs). Manager Couzzo noted a few of the budgetary requests were not necessities and prioritizing would be necessary. Council Member Paterno felt park programs for children were important. Council Member Okun voiced his preference for Tequesta Drive as the main concourse through the Village and felt that this project was pressing and would take up much of the budget for the next three years. He then inquired about moving forward with water transmission lines. Village Manager Couzzo provided a status summary. Council Member Paterno asked about budgeted water projects. Village Manager Couzzo responded that sleeves would be placed underground and, without unforeseen failure all else could wait another 25 years. Manager Couzzo estimated approximately a four percent cost increase in operating and personnel at the water plant for the next year and advised that he would identify and prioritize all costs discussed. Mayor Brennan felt putting items off year after year was not advisable. Council Member Okun felt steps should be taken to enhance the community. Council continued to discuss benefits and drawbacks of the cost savings account. Village Manager Couzzo offered a list of items he felt required Council's direction for continuation. Vice Mayor Arena suggested seeking an MPO (Metropolitan Planning Minutes — Workshop 3/2/15 Page 2 Organization) grant every year to help and funding through Homeland Security for police. Mayor Brennan expressed concern with the budgetary IT requests and questioned what was actually necessary. Council Member Okun suggested avenues for enterprise money and contract for services be researched. Council Member D'Ambra felt projects and their costs should be identified and itemized to be complete, evaluated for a 10 year span and then work backwards through strategic planning. Council Member Paterno believed improvements were required to promote home values and recommended the Village Manager prepare a list of items discussed. Council Member D'Ambra suggested Council's input by listing their desires and perspectives over the next ten years be offered to the Village Manager to assist the Managers research before returning to Council. Mayor Brennan explained the North Palm Beach County branding initiative to promote areas and business and asked for Council's desire. She noted a firm had been hired, and Tequesta had been invited to hear the proposal. She suggested Council Member Okun attend for additional information as Tequesta's appointed liaison. Council Member Okun agreed. 2. Image and Identity Council Member Okun reported his feeling that the Police Department and vehicle markings held identity issue and differed from the graphics generated through the Manager Couzzo and Council. He expressed his understanding that they had their own vision of what was best for their department and vehicle logos and, felt Council should not impose their opinions over their fleet. He stated many departments had developed their own stationery and too many existed. Council Member Okun commented on the importance of uniformity within the Village regarding stationery, logos, etc., and requested council support. Mayor Brennan suggested Manager Couzzo supply what was currently utilized Village wide and hold a workshop to begin a discussion. Council Member Okun suggested styles along with an integrated identity so that all of the municipality would be consistent; use same colors, same logos, etc. Council Member Paterno supported the standardization. Mayor Brennan asked that signage also be included and, felt one party should be designated as the vendor contact and make all purchases. 3. Park Improvements and Events Village Manager Couzzo advised this would be part of the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). 4. Celebrating the Successes of Village Businesses Discussion Council Member Paterno commended Futures of Palm Beach for turning a deserted property into a success and suggested they and others who were making the Village a better place be recognized. He encouraged Council to help develop an idea that would stir up excitement. Council Members brain stormed ideas to place new businesses in Smoke Signal's and on the Village website to offer an opportunity to inform residents of their businesses /new ventures. Council discussed ideas such as: Minutes — Workshop 3/2/15 Page 3 • Business photo • Businesses responsibility to advertise on their own • Chamber of Commerce opportunities • Framed proclamations • Number of words allowed in articles • Placing on web site • Possible appearance to markettadvertise for non profits Clerk McWilliams supported the idea and advised of the time barriers for placement on the Village website along with requirements to change the site each time a business closed or had any change in their information. She noted that businesses had asked for their events to be placed on the Village website and, that this could not be done for one and not all. Clerk McWilliams also explained difficulties with getting new businesses to respond to the Village's request which offered a free spotlight in Smoke Signals. She suggested placing the opportunity on the back page for business owners to contact the Village if they were interested. Chief Elg felt most people searched the web to find businesses and would not utilize the Village website to do that type of search. Council Member D'Ambra supported Clerk McWilliams using the next Smoke Signals to reach out to the new businesses. Council members also supported the development of a business directory to which Clerk McWilliams explained already existed. Clerk McWilliams asked for clarification if all businesses, including home based would qualify, and suggested all businesses with phone numbers be placed on the back page of Park & Recreation's insert. She suggested the businesses contact her if they wished to have more descriptive information or a link on the website and stated she could include the information in business weekly as well. Vice Mayor Arena suggested several categories be developed and used for any recognition initiatives to help keep equality with all businesses. Council discussed plaques and awards along with Council Member Okun's suggestions and ideals to be brought back. Council agreed that Clerk McWilliams would move forward with the Smoke Signal to notify all businesses for updates. ANY OTHER MATTERS Mayor Brennan provided an update on the freight trains and confirmed that the old homs had been replaced with new, louder homs which were on the high end of the decibel scale but, within range. She believed the volume could be lowered. She also updated Council regarding the trestle bridge and necessary funding for repairs. Mayor Brennan felt that the concept that there was not enough money for the trestle repairs was overridden as she understood funding could be located. She believed this would be another issue that showed All Aboard Florida (AAF) and Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) to be disingenuous. Mayor Brennan noted her understanding was that freight would come whether or not AAF did, and noted quiet zones had been placed in areas where AAF had been accepted. Minutes — Workshop 3/2/15 Page 4 Council Member Paterno voiced his concern regarding opposition to the AAF deal and freight trains as he felt it offered jobs to the area. Mayor Brennan responded that the mission was not to stop AAF but to make the project as safe as possible. She also noted that Florida Not All Aboard had growing support. Mayor Brennan congratulated Manager Couzzo on his well done pension reform interview and, offered an update on removal and relocation of the Village's problematic propane tank. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk Note These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.