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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_03/15/1994VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (407) 575-6200 Fax: (407) 575-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES MARCH 15, 1994 I. The Tequesta Village Council held a Village Council Workshop Meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Tuesday, March 15, 1994. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Fran Bitters, the Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor William E. Burckart, Liz Schauer, Earl L. Collings and Joseph N. Capretta. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Capretta asked that a general discussion take place under ANY OTHER MATTERS to determine Village Council strategy on several issues concerning Martin County. Councilmember Collings moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Vice Mayor Burckart seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for William E. Burckart - for Liz Schauer - for Earl L. Collings - for Joseph N. Capretta - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as amended. uo,,,,.~o,~ n,,,,o~ Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 15, 1994 Page 2 ------------------------------- III. DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATING4 TO MARTIN COUNTY impact Fees; Maintenance of Country Club Drive; Tequesta Park: Village Manager Bradford explained that impact fees are a way of extracting funds from Developers to pay for their impacts to the different infrastructure of government, some of which are roadways, sanitary sewers, parks, etc. Palm Beach County has a comprehensive program. Relative to Country Club Drive, since Martin County does not have sufficient roadway to handle developments proposed within the "Lost Tribe" area, it has been suggested that Tequesta enter into an agreement with them, where Martin County would give Tequesta a certain percentage of those impact fees to be used by Tequesta for upkeep of Country Club Drive. However, impact fees cannot be used for maintenance, but only used to enhance and expand the infrastructure. Therefore, if a percentage of impact fees is accepted from Martin County, Tequesta may be required to provide bigger and better facilities on Country Club Drive, which may be contrary to what Tequesta desires to accomplish. Councilmember Capretta proposed that Tequesta get a percentage of impact fees from Martin County as a permanent commitment which could be used for something like Tequesta Park, to increase capacity for the Water Department, etc, by signing an Interlocal Agreement with Martin County. He felt the Village, in the next few years, can expect to spend millions of dollars on capital projects which would benefit southern Martin County and therefore felt impact fees for new development in southern Martin County should be shared with Tequesta. Janet Gettig, Martin County Commissioner, arrived at 5:40 p.m. Councilmember Capretta continued that Martin County is in the process of gathering their own data to complete a traffic study covering south Martin County and Country Club Drive traffic which will show that 51$ of the traffic on Country Club Drive generates from Martin County and that study should result in an Interlocal Agreement for sharing impact fees. He felt the Village Council should determine a way to accept that percentage of impact fees from Martin County. Councilmember Collings felt it served no useful purpose to share a joint meeting with Jupiter, Tequesta, Palm Beach County and Martin County on a confrontational basis. Though } it is true that new development will put an increasing burden on everyone, it would help to mutually try to find a way to solve the problems, as opposed to pointing the finger. Councilmember Capretta answered that he didn't want to fight -- he wanted money for Tequesta. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 15, 1994 Page 3 ------------------------------- Councilmember Collings stated that statistics show that 19~ of the youth who use Tequesta Park are Martin County residents, and asked what percentage of adults who use Tequesta Park are Tequesta residents, Martin County residents or Palm Beach County residents. Mr. Bradford stated that statistic is not known. Councilmember Capretta stated he had no problem with Palm Beach County giving their share of the support for Tequesta Park. Currently, the major adult use of Tequesta Park is the tennis courts and basketball court. The basic user of the Park is Jupiter/Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA), with an age group ranging up to age sixteen. Councilmember Collings queried whether there was any possibility of creating another east/west roadway (i.e., perhaps through Jonathan Dickinson State Park) to help ease the problem. Mr. Bradford responded that if lands are already claimed by the State, there is no such possibility; however, if there are still some old dedicated rights-of-way, that might be a possibility. Vice Mayor Burckart reminded the Council of the irate residents of Country Club Drive who do not want Tequesta sharing revenues with Martin County, but would rather see traffic cut off from Martin County. Cutting off the road would merely re-route traffic another way through Tequesta, and would not relieve Tequesta roadways at all. Vice Mayor Burckart felt Councilmember Capretta was correct in stating that Tequesta and Martin County need to work together to resolve issues. Mayor Mackail agreed cutting off Country Club Drive would not solve the problem for anyone. He saw Martin County in participation regarding Tequesta Park, the Water Department, and possibly the consider of impact fees, or some form of reimbursement for Country Club Drive, if in fact no other solution could be found. Though he felt it was important for all parties to be cooperative, he felt it equally important to have a clear understanding of what will be done short-term and long-term. What is done now will affect the community twenty years from now. Councilmember Collings felt it would be illogical to close Country Club Drive and that residents should clearly understand that. Councilmember Capretta stated that the number one choice of the citizens regarding Country Club Drive is to close it, but that is not possible. However, it is possible to lower the speed limit - perhaps even slower for trucks than cars. Village Council Workshop ~,,, Meeting Miautes March 15, 1994 Page 4 ------------------------------- Councilmember Collings stated that if Martin County would be convinced to increase the tonnage limit on their bridges, truck traffic in Tequesta would be much less. The Council agreed that it would be expressed at the Joint Meeting about to take place with Martin County that some agreement, at least in principle, was desired regarding the sharing of impact fees, taxes, and revenues to help relieve the problem in the area of roads, water and parks, for both capital and maintenance. Cliff Brockton, Country Club Drive resident, stated he would not want to see Martin County dictate to Tequesta because they share revenues with Tequesta, felt Martin County ought to be encouraged to open the Connector Road, and that Tequesta ought to close Country Club Drive at the Martin County border. Dave Qettig, husband of Martin County Commissioner Janet Gettig, stated he understood Tequesta's concern regarding traffic, but philosophically the same problem exists with every other municipality, in that bordering neighbors use the infrastructure of other municipalities. The same arguments can be made for any municipality which interfaces with another. Councilmember Capretta answered Mr. Gettig that though his philosophy is correct, Tequesta is the one which spends all of the money for the upkeep of the roads and parks, and feels that responsibility should be shared by its users. Susan Brennan, Country Club Drive resident, stated she would like to see a full accounting of the costs of Tequesta infrastructure Tequesta provides Martin County. She urged the Village Council not to pursue sharing costs with Martin County, fearing that Tequesta would give Martin County a chance to dictate to Tequesta. Ms . Brennan stated that : 1) when water restrictions were on in Tequesta, no restraints were practiced by those Martin County residents who are on the Tequesta water supply; 2) Tequesta should look at more ways of funneling Martin County traffic through the Tequesta area (i.e., moving more down Seabrook); 3) Tequesta should make themselves a county unto themselves. Mayor Mackail stated that the upcoming Joint Meeting should be in the spirit of cooperation, addressing roads, impact fees (if they are to be considered), Tequesta Park, look at the infrastructure, look at other ways to disperse traffic, and, with the growth taking place in southern Martin County, what will Martin County do to provide the necessary roads to be conducive with Village goals. Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 15, 1994 Page 5 ------------------------------- Commissioner Gettig stated that her staff is in the process of analyzing the data which had been collected regarding their traffic study for Country Club Drive, but the results have not yet been made available to the Commission. When asked where she stood on some of the issues discussed this evening, Mrs. Gettig reminded the Council that though she was only one Commissioner out of five, she was glad to see discussion taking place regarding seeking avenues to solve the problems. She felt that if analysis of each issue was done in a calm, cooperative manner, that would be a good start. She also state that she would like to see Jupiter and Palm Beach County take up their share of responsibility regarding Tequesta Park, in a way that's mutually beneficial for all. Mrs . Gettig stated it was her understanding that discussion at the Joint Meeting would basically be thoroughfare issues. Village Manager Bradford agreed that the Joint Meeting would allow only enough time to discuss anything but the roadways. Mrs. Vi Coke, stated she has been a Village resident since 1971, when Tequesta was a quiet, bedroom community, but now has become heavily traveled because of the heavy flow of traffic from southern Martin County. She was emphatic about stating that Tequesta citizens have no intention of carrying the expenses of anyone else. Village Council Workshop Meeting Miautes March 15, 1994 Page 6 ------------------------------- IV. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Collings moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Capretta seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Liz Schauer - for Earl L. Collings - for Joseph N. Capretta - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ,,~~ Fran Bitters Recording Secretary ATTEST: J ann Mangan' llo Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: ...