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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_07/26/1999C 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 SPECIAL VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 26, 1999 4:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Monday, July 26, 1999. The meeting was called to order at 4:14 p.m. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor Carl C. Hansen, Councilmember Basil E. Dalack, and Councilmember Elizabeth A. Schauer. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Court Reporter Jane Pastore. Attorney Scott G. Hawkins arrived at 4:20 p.m. • II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Under Any Other Matters, Councilmember Dalack wished to discuss events regarding Fire Chief James Weinand. After a brief discussion, Councilmembers affirmed that the events regarding Chief Weinand was an administrative matter per the Village Charter and that it was not the purview of the Village Council. Councilmember Dalack withdraw his request to discuss the same under Any Other Matters. It was suggested that Councilmember Dalack speak directly to Chief Weinand regarding his concerns when Chief Weinand returned to work. Under Any Other Matters, Mayor Mackail wished to discuss an issue brought up at the July Budget Workshops. Vice Mayor Hansen made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended. Councilmember Dalack seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: • Basil E. Dalack Carl C. Hansen Ron T. Mackail Elizabeth A. Schauer - for - for - for - for Recycled Paper Special Village Council Meeting Minutes July 26, 1999 Page 2 --------------------------------------------------- The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as amended. HI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Taimour Carey, M.D, 199 River Drive commented that he had received conflicting information regarding whether ENCON was proposing to install gravity sewers or a low pressure sewer system on the Tequesta Peninsula. He was of the opinion that a low pressure sewer system would be problematic in that objects would get stuck in the 2 inch pipes (lines) associated with the same. He was also concerned about the back-up of sewage should power be lost. He inquired if the Village Council was aware of this situation. Mayor Mackail noted that the Village Council was fully aware of the situation, and acknowledged that sewers have been an issue for years, and misinformation regarding the • sewering of the Tequesta Peninsula has been generated. He explained that the Village of Tequesta was involved in on-going litigation with the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District (ENCON) regarding the issue of sewers, as well as, other municipal concerns, such as, saltwater intrusion. He told Dr. Carey that the purpose of this Special Village Council Closed-Door Session was to discuss strategy as to what to do next relative to the sewer issue. IV. VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA V. PALM BEACH COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SFWMD, AND THE LOXAHATCHEE RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DISTRICT (ENCON) CLOSED-DOOR ATTORNEY/CLIENT SESSION: F.S. 286.011(8) allows the Village Council and the Village Manager to meet in a Closed-Door Attorney/Client Session for the purpose of discussing settlement negotiations or strategy sessions related to litigation. Mayor Ron T. Mackail announced: a) The Attorney-Client Closed/Door Session b) The estimated time is one hour c) The names of the persons attending: • Special Village Council Meeting Minutes July 26, 1999 • Page 3 --------------------------------------------------- Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor Carl C. Hansen, Councilmember Basil E. Dalack, Councilmember Elizabeth A. Schauer, Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Attorney Scott G. Hawkins, and Court Reporter Jane Pastore, Ley and Marsaa Court Reporters. d) Members of the public in attendance were asked to vacate the Village Hall Council Chambers at 4:30 p.m. V. RECONVENE SPECIAL VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING a) Call to Order The Special Village Council Meeting reconvened in the Village Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 6:27 p.m. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. Councilmembers present • were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor Carl C. Hansen, Councilmember Basil E. Dalack, and Councilmember Elizabeth A. Schauer. Also reconvening were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Attorney Scott G. Hawkins, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Court Reporter Jane Pastore. b) Announcement of Termination of the Attorney/Client Session Mayor Ron T. Mackail announced the termination of the Attorney/Client Session. VL ANY OTHER MATTERS Mayor Mackail commented that he had concerns and reservations relative to the Village Council's directive at the July Budget Workshop Meetings for the Village Manager to seek competitive bids for legal services for the Village. He noted that, although he agreed to it at the time, he does not think it is fair to Village Attorney Randolph's firm (Jones, Foster Johnston & Stubbs, P.A.) and is no longer in favor of pursuing the same for the following reasons: 1) He is not displeased with the firm's performance. 2) Attorneys Randolph and Hawkins have always given good advice; not once has the firm misguided the Village. • Special Village Council Meeting Minutes July 26, 1999 • Page 4 ------------------------------------------ 3) The Village Manager will have to put in a lot of time and effort to go out for bids. 4) Expectations and efforts of other legal firms in the area may be raised/exerted unnecessarily. 5) Attorneys Randolph and Hawkins cannot adjust their prices. Their firm has other municipal clients and rates for municipal legal services are uniform. 6) The Village is in the middle of litigation and has been represented well; continuity is very important, and the depth of the firm is overwhelming. • In light of the above, the Mayor felt it is unprofessional to shop price and did not see the need to seek competitive bids. He stated that he did not want to take it one step further and asked that the Village Council take action on it now. Vice Mayor Hansen and Councilmember Schauer also praised Attorneys Randolph and Hawkins and the commitment and expertise provided by them and their firm. Vice Mayor Hansen suggested that, perhaps, once a year, the law firm of Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A. could justify its costs to the Village. Councilmember Dalack noted that he was just looking to save money and was casting no aspersions when he suggested the Village seek competitive bids. He stated that if the Councilmembers did not want the Village Manager to pursue seeking competitive bids, it was fine with him. Mayor Mackail passed the gavel and made a motion directing the Village Manager to not seek competitive bids for legal services. Vice Mayor Hansen seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Basil E. Dalack - for Carl C. Hansen - for Ron T. Mackail - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. VII. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Dalack moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Schauer seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Basil E. Dalack - for Carl C. Hansen - for • Special Village Council Meeting Minutes July 26, 1999 • Page 5 --------------------------------------------------- Ron T. Mackail - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joann Manganiello Village Clerk • ATTEST: Joann Manganiello Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: ~~, i 9 ~'9 U