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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/17/2015 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL MEETING & 2 ND PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 2015/2016 BUDGET Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 5:01 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. Open Public Hearing • Announce that the proposed operating millage rate necessary to fund the budget is 6.58% greater than the rolled -back millage rate of 5.9034 mills. • Announce Proposed Millage Rate is 6.2920 Mayor Brennan opened the public hearing; Attorney Davis announced the millage rate. • Summary of Tentative Budget Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Finance Director, summarized the budgetary figures. Mayor Brennan asked for public comment. There being no public comment the hearing was opened to Council. • Citizen Comments There were none. • Council Comments Council Member Paterno noted this was an increase of 6.58% greater than the rolled -back rate and is an increase in revenues. He noted council had been working on a cap increase in revenues and expenses going forward and questioned if this was above the number council agreed to, thereby starting the new year off already above. Mr. Couzzo explained council had agreed that the cap would start in FY 2016/2017. Close Public Hearing 1. Resolution 75 -15 Adopting Final Millage Rate by Motion of Council Attorney Davis read Resolution 75 -15 title into the record. MOTION Council Member D'Ambra moved to approve Resolution 75 -15 to set the final millage rate at 6.2920 mills, seconded by Vice -Mayor Arena, motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Minutes — Special 2 "d Budget Hearing Meeting and Special Council Meeting 9/17115 Page 2 2. Resolution 76 -15 Adopting Final 201412015 Budget by Motion of Council Attorney Davis read Resolution 76 -15 title into the record. MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of Resolution 76 -15 adopting the 201512016 FY budget, seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; item was opened for discussion. Council Member Paterno asked if the two pickup trucks for Public Works were included in the 2014/2015 budget or in the 2015/2016 budget? Mr. Couzzo explained the purchase would come out of the current fiscal year, but believes there is an appropriation for next year included in the 2015/2016 budget for the debt in case it did not go through this year. Ms. Forsythe noted the amount was included in the 15/16 budget pending a decision later this evening by council on how to move forward this year. The Manager noted the funds would come out of the budget and that an adjustment would be made to the 15/16 budget should council approve spending the funds in the 14/15 budget. The motion carried unanimously 5 -0. The Mayor closed the Public Hearing and proceeded into a Special Council Meeting. 4. Discussion and Action Regarding Budget Amendments for the Purchase of Two Trucks for Public Works Ms. Forsythe explained the trucks had been budgeted, however, noticed the approved Resolution that indicated they were going to be leased. She explained there was not enough time to go out for leasing and noted she could not speak to why the leasing did not occur earlier. She recommended the Village purchase the trucks and save the interest. She explained there would not need to be an appropriation due to the wording "lease at inception" and noted this was more for transparency since it was initially presented as a lease. The Village would save been $4,000 - $7,000. Council Member Paterno asked if the trucks were being funded out of budget cost savings and Ms. Forsythe responded no. He questioned why the vehicles were not purchased earlier in the year. MOTION: Council Member Okun moved approval of Item 4; seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; motion carried 4 -1 with Council Member in dissent. S. Update on the Status of the Joint Participation and Project Funding of the Jupiter Inlet Colony Neighborhood Rehabilitation Village Manager Couzzo noted he met with Mayor Comerford to continue the dialog regarding costs, overrun, benefits, and how to proceed in the future. He referenced an email from Mayor Comerford outlining Jupiter Inlet Colonies position, which was for the Village to put $1.2 million in the upcoming fiscal year budget and another $346,000 in 16/17. Council discussed in depth asking the Colony residents to pay a water surcharge to defer costs. The Manager explained this is the one opportunity to provide parity amongst customers outside the system to be treated equably and recommended council strongly consider. He does not believe the request to be Minutes — Special 2 "d Budget Hearing Meeting and Special Council Meeting 9/17/15 Page 2 unreasonable and suggests amending only that portion of the franchise agreement to articulate the surcharge. Manager Couzzo reminded Council Tom Jensen left Arcadis and the new company agreed to loan him for 600 hours at the cost Mr. Jensen was charging to the project and he has been told there would be no additional engineering costs, however reminded Council construction projects do have change orders that are necessary due to the complexity of the project. Council Member D'Ambra stressed the need to bring parity to external users of the water system who are not Village taxpayers. Council Member Paterno voiced concern with the last paragraph of Mayor Comerford's letter stating the Manager was advocating on behalf of Jupiter Inlet Colony and reminded him he should be advocating for the Village of Tequesta. Mr. Couzzo stated he is an advocate for the project. Council Member Paterno inquired if Mr. Ori had been contacted to discuss potential alternatives. Attorney Keith Davis confirmed it was legally permissible to charge a surcharge up to 25% to customers outside of your jurisdiction and it does not change when dealing with another municipality. Council Member Paterno stated it was 57.45% above the original estimate and the Mayor noted it was before the $300,000 was removed. Consensus of Council directed the Manager to negotiate the 25% water surcharge with Jupiter Inlet Colony before the Council would agree to the $300,000 plus. 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 5:46 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.