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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/02/2015 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 2, 2014 f Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Assistant to the Village Clerk Deanna Mayo. 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 Paterno, motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 1. Council Review and Discussion on Code Compliance Issues Manager Couzzo commented that the residents in attendance were largely for the boating storage issue, which would be discussed tonight. He confirmed that by majority residents approved the deletion of the word "gunwale ", which was considered for removal from the code verbiage. Attorney Davis offered clarity regarding boats on trailers, fence heights and acceptable screening. Manager Couzzo noted that nothing else in that code would change. Residents and Council discussed numerous details including motors, outriggers and transportation of boats. Vice Mayor Arena offered to personally address any reports / complaints made regarding clanking noises from boats. Attorney Davis noted the following changes to the Village Code: maximum screen height of six feet to be created by use of fence, wall or vegetation, along with removal of the word gunwales. Council Member Paterno offered a handout noting the County /State road maps /surveys differed in opinions of where the municipal / county boundaries laid on Cove Road, and believed that, in 1992 the Village authorized parking in an unincorporated area, according to one of the documents. Tim English, Building Department Director /Building Official offered historical information on the area and adjacent plaza. He noted that the existing permits would not pass until appropriate regulations were adhered too within the permitting process. Council Member D'Ambra questioned the probability of the road being released to the Village. Manager Couzzo responded that he believed the County would release the road, and noted that they had recently performed its maintenance. Council Member D'Ambra suggested the issue could be solved by making a request to the County along with a request for funding to correct the water issue at Cove Road, leaving the choice up to the Waterway Village HOA if they would like to retain their rights or have the Village maintain the north half of the road. He Village Council Workshop Minutes November 2, 2015 Page 2 felt the backside property was a whole different issue. Vice Mayor Arena questioned the Village's approval regarding parking places previously approved adjacent to the Corner Cafe. Attorney Davis noted Village Square's previous lien of $56,000, with their new lien accruing at $150 per day under a stipulation agreement. Manager Couzzo stated that he would investigate who the Plaza paid taxes to. Stefan Levine, 3380 Pebble Place, Waterway Village Representative voiced his concern for the limited area for parking and felt the development desired to transfer the road maintenance /management to the Village of Tequesta. Mayor Brennan stated that staff would research correct property lines and responsibilities. Manager Couzzo added that staff was working on the issues, and that the plaza was not compliant at present. Attorney Davis explained what work was in process for the plaza and what was remaining. He noted that the plaza had asked that the lien be removed as they were unable to secure loans with it in place. He then noted that they would post an $80,000 bond, which would be a leveraging device for compliancy. Tim English, Building Department Director /Building Official explained that the Village may not have authority and that he would get back to Council once Code Officer Petrick and he had clarification. Council Member Paterno responded that the issues had been going on for five years; he wanted answers within two weeks. Manager Couzzo stated that the attempt was to rectify the old issues (although there were new ones), and explained the bond /lien satisfaction /compliance dynamics. Attorney Davis noted that plaza representatives had asked for an onsite inspection together with the Village to be clear on all expectations. Council Member Paterno questioned Tequesta's jurisdiction on Cove Road. Manager Couzzo explained that there was authority on the north side of the road, not the south side. Chief Elg clarified that was correct. Manager Couzzo stated there had been much evolving in this situation, and a great deal of positive /proactive ideas generated. Council Member Paterno felt code enforcement was one of the most important tools in a municipality; he supported the path of the Village being pro - business but felt it must be accomplished without allowing disorder of the code. Vice Mayor Arena mentioned the differences between items such as plastic and permanent sheds, their placement and permit requirements varied greatly. Chief Elg explained the police officers were going paperless; they were being pro active and electronically communicating potential violations to Code Officer Petrick. Manager Couzzo added that Officer Petrick was expected to be on the road more, and that IT had outfitted his vehicle recently with electronic equipment as well. He noted that Community Development had complications with merging the building inspector and code enforcement officer, and filing that position, which would assist enforcement once successful. Council Member Paterno felt police officers should deliver the notice of violations to help expedite the code process. Council Member D'Ambra believed the appearance of an armed officer was too strong. Mayor Brennan inquired if a courtesy notice must be given for each Village Council Workshop Minutes November 2, 2015 Page 3 incident. Mr. English responded that the courtesy notice was in the Tequesta Code and not State mandated. Council Member Paterno suggested stricter enforcement and less flexibility with offenses, especially repeat. Attorney Davis noted that the Village Code did a great job of following State mandates, and existing verbiage may be changed to implement a modified notice delivery process for recurring offenders. Mr. English explained that "repeat offender" was defined by — someone who has been found guilty, and noted that violators can continuously correct a violation before their special magistrate date to avoid repercussions. He agreed that a second notice should not be offered to a person the Village was aware of which has had resistance to compliance. Mr. English confirmed that he would meet with Officer Petrick to discuss this change. Chief Elg questioned if the repercussions were severe enough and held incentives that impacted the violators. Attorney Davis responded that the Special Magistrate imposed sufficient fines and held persons responsible. Council Member Paterno reiterated that violators avoided Special Magistrate, and felt Tequesta allowed it. He felt something different must be done. Manager Couzzo responded that the process would be different, and more efficient. He stated compliance was always the goal. Vice Mayor Arena suggested a list of the ten most common code violations be offered to new accounts, placed on the Village website and placed in Smoke Signals twice per year. Manager Couzzo responded that that could be done; he also noted that plans were presently being discussed to offer better coverage /alternative hours of enforcement. 2. Discussion on the Purchase of 14 Metal Halide Pathway Pole Lights Manager Couzzo asked that the item be removed as there were new developments which did not offer ample time to bring information to Council. Council Member Paterno suggested that the path and roadway be lit versus path only. 3. Update on the Status of the Jupiter Inlet Colony Neighborhood Rehabilitation Project Manager Couzzo noted that the Village Attorney had offered Council an update regarding the mornings meeting with JIC (Jupiter Inlet Colony) Mayor. He advised Council that they discussed the Village number at $1.63 million and that he felt more comfortable at $1.425. He reported that a letter was received from Mayor Comerford following, which stated that JIC desired $1.5 with no cap on material overage. Manager Couzzo voiced his feeling that - that may not be enough. Council Member Paterno voiced his concern regarding JIC's multiple decision agreements, followed by changes. Manager Couzzo commented that it was a tough decision, but it was in a good place, with Village representatives involved and everyone attempting to do the best in the situation. Council discussed $1.425 as a max number. Council Member D'Ambra suggested 1.45, with a ten percent cap on material. Manager Couzzo summarized that JIC did not want a cap. Village Council Workshop Minutes November 2, 2015 Page 4 Council felt they did not want to offer an open ended figure. Manager Couzzo noted timelines of upcoming meetings and suggested timing was an important factor regarding decisions. He noted that presently the figure was approximately 1.596 with zero cap, and suggested an audit of any overages be written into the agreement at Tequesta's discretion. Attorney Davis responded that he would update the verbiage and have it to Council in the morning. Consensus of Council was $1.425 million plus $75,000 for material, with an audit permitted by Tequesta on any overages. ANY OTHER MATTERS: Mayor Brennan noted that FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) would incorporate all costs regarding quiet zones and crosswalks at Rail Road intersections, leaving Tequesta with zero costs. She stated that the Village would continue to move forward with an application for the $300,000 TAP grant to use for any extras needed on the project. Vice Mayor Arena noted his experience at the recent business meeting. Mayor Brennan recalled her meeting with a lighting representative for use on the upcoming US1 project. Council Member Paterno suggested simple and classic lighting choices be used on the US1 corridor, and questioned progress for Tequesta Drive sidewalks and lighting. Council Member D'Ambra suggested a crosswalk /kids crossing be completed at Tequesta Drive's intersection with Country Club Drive. Manager Couzzo responded that could be done, and noted that the Village was looking at purchasing a striping machine. ADJOURNMENT Council Member D'Ambra moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Vice Mayor Arena. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 9J I p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deanna Mayo, CMC Assistant to the 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.