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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_02/01/2016 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL MEETING February 1, 2016 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. ORDINANCE 01 -16, FIRST READING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA AMENDING CHAPTER 70. TAXATION. OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA BY AMENDING ARTICLE IV. PUBLIC SERVICE TAX, DIVISION 2. ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER., SECTION 70 121, BY REDUCING THE PUBLIC SERVICE TAX ON THE PURCHASE OF WATER FROM 9% TO 6 %; LEAVING THE PUBLIC SERVICE TAX ON THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, MANUFACTURED GAS AT THE CURRENT 9 %; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 70 SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED. Attorney Davis read Ordinance 01 -16 title into the record. Attorney Davis explained the change was to reduce tax on water only and not on all utilities. In order to remain on schedule to meet deadlines, it was brought back to first reading. Mayor Brennan opened the public hearing to Council for comments; there being none she opened the hearing to the public. There being no public comment, the public hearing was closed. . MOTION .: Council Member Okun moved for approval of Ordinance 01 -16, seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 3. Discussion on Cross Walk Plan and Right -Away Improvements at Tequesta Drive and Country Club and Cross Walk Plan Across Tequesta Drive at Tequesta Oaks (Tiramisu and Entrance to Zuccarelli Building) and Paradise Park. Council Member D'Ambra asked where the Village was in the timeline of having these improvements made. Manager Couzzo informed Council that the project design should be ready for review by next week. Minutes — Special Meeting 2/01/16 Page 2 4. Update on Remembrance Park Sale Attorney Davis informed Council that a RFP was placed for proposals to purchase and develop the Remembrance Park parcel. There were no proposals, however, an inquiry had been made by Mr. Ken Dalsguard to purchase and develop the vacant land. He asked if he could create seven lots out of the existing parcel. Attorney Davis advised him that only five lots would be allowable according to Village Code. Mr. Dalsguard offered to purchase the land for $200,000 in consideration of being able to develop only five lots. Attorney Davis reminded Council that we paid $250,000 for the land several years ago. Attorney Davis advised Mr. Dalsguard to submit a formal proposal, which as of yet, had not been received. Council Member Paterno recommended keeping the property, while Council Member D'Ambra stated that he did not want to give it away, but noted that there was not a proposal to even consider at the moment. Mayor Brennan and Council Member Okun agreed there was nothing to discuss at this point. 5. Update on HB 7059 — Election Dates for Municipal Office Attorney Davis informed Council of the proposed legislation which would preempt the authority of municipalities to set their own election dates. It could have a negative impact on local municipalities, however, at this time it did not have a Senate Companion Bill, which was required in order for it to pass. Council Member D'Ambra felt the election date should be our choice. Council Member Paterno added that if this passed the House, an amendment could be added to any Senate bill and it could be passed through. He also understood that the State would like to see more turnout at election time. 6. Discussion of Village Infrastructure Investments for 2016 Manager Couzzo reviewed the handout. He updated Council on the pathway lights which had been ordered and were expected to arrive within the next ten weeks. Also, the signage enhancement would be discussed and conceptualized during the next workshop meeting. The roadway improvements included repairing potholes, restriping, identifying other priority roads, along with various other work. Council Member D'Ambra asked if the Village received money thru the State, for the US Highway One Project, would that then alleviate the need for the expenditure. Manager Couzzo informed Council of an email he had just received from a consultant for the DOT, advising the Village of its' responsibility in maintaining and testing the enhanced traffic stamped asphalt, once it was installed. Manager Couzzo reiterated the fact that the Village would essentially inherit that responsibility. He had no idea of the cost estimate for such maintenance. Mayor Brennan stated that the US Highway One Project was 100% absorbed by the FDOT. She continued to inform Council that the Village had asked for an additional $300,000 which had been approved. Minutes — Special Meeting 2/01/16 Page 3 Council Member Okun felt that any hazardous conditions should be reviewed by staff and given priority over any aesthetic enhancements. Council Member D'Ambra suggested having someone from FDOT come to a meeting and to provide an update. 2. Discuss Communication to Residents Regarding Water Rate and Utility Tax Changes Council Member D'Ambra recalled Council discussing communication for Village residents regarding the new rate structure. Manager Couzzo cautioned that the topic was complex to translate and needed to be crafted and effectively communicated. Council Member D'Ambra pointed out that it was an ideal time to explain the importance of clean water, as many municipalities were having major issues involving tainted water resources. Manager Couzzo offered to create a draft for Council to review, regarding quality tied in with rates and reductions. He acknowledged that there were two elements that needed to be addressed with water customers. The first one related to the quality of water system and long term rates. The second was the utility tax reduction for Village residents. Council Member Okun advised Council to not blend the two messages but instead communicate separately to the water customers and the residents of Tequesta. Manager Couzzo added that a message in Smoke Signals could go out to the residents only. Council Member Paterno felt that the timing was not ideal for addressing this topic to water customers, due to so many issues across the country having to do with problematic water utility systems. Council Member Okun disagreed and stated that the time was right as it was fresh in people's minds and they were aware of the issues that many municipalities were experiencing. Manager Couzzo added that there was an opportunity to inform water customers in the Annual Water Treatment Plant Consumer Report coming up within the next couple of months. 7. Continued Discussion on Ordinance 24 -15 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE O TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES ATCHAPTER46. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT ARTICLE Ill. PARKING, STOPPING OR STANDING, BY AMENDING DIVISION 2. "PARKINGOFCOMMERCIALEHICLES, TRUCKS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES" AT SECTIONS 46 -73 AND 46 -74TO REVISE SCREENING REQUIREMENTS FOR BOATS ON TRAILERS IN ZONING DISTRICTS R -1 A, R -1, R -2 AND R -3; AND AT SECTION 46 -71 TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR THE TERMS "EFFECTIVELY SCREENED ON THREE IDES ", AND "FULLY SCREENED "; PROVIDING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER SECTION AND SUBSECTION OF CHAPTER 46. SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Paterno stated that the eight and ten feet proposed fencing height gave him cause for concern. He felt that this issue could potentially change the entire atmosphere of the neighborhood dramatically. He further emphasized that according to FPL standards for placing boats under the drop, there must be at least three feet of clearance. There was also a stipulation for 30 inches of clearance near the electrical Minutes — Special Meeting 2/01/16 Page 4 meter. He questioned whether Council was legislating for a few boat owners or for the remaining 97% of the Village's residents. He further questioned how code would measure a boat over the fence. In addition, he expressed concern for where water runoff would accumulate, and stated that it would ultimately affect the neighbor's property. He suggested Council base the ordinance upon the gunnel only. Mayor Brennan stated the measurement issues would still exist with smaller boats as well. Council Member Okun referred to motorhomes in relation to the fence height. He felt that six feet was not much of a screen. He would prefer to see the gates be at eight feet as it made good sense and married well with a hedge line. Council Member Paterno countered that allowing gates to be eight feet would position them at the roof line of most homes. Mr. Timothy English, Village Building Director, informed Council that anything over six feet was required to adhere to the Florida Building Code High Velocity Hurricane Zone, which required extra engineering and costs. Council Member D'Ambra asked Vice -Mayor Arena how many boats exceeded the ten -foot height limit in the Village. Vice -Mayor Arena concluded that there were very few boats that would exceed the height, and additionally, he understood Council Member Paterno's concerns. Council Member Paterno mentioned that boats were currently parked inside the setback zones on many properties. Manager Couzzo informed Council as long as the object was "moveable ", it was allowed inside of the setback. He further suggested any boat be permitted through the building department in order to remain in control of compliance. He felt that doing this without a fee would demonstrate a good will gesture toward the boat owners. Council Member Paterno suggested a compromise by making the height restriction seven feet with no view of the gunnel. Mayor Brennan opined that the Village was surrounded by water and was attracting younger families. She did not feel the boats would erode property values. Council Member Okun urged Council Member Paterno to consider a compromise of eight feet instead of seven feet. Vice Mayor Arena assured Council that control of the boat length would generate an automatic control of the height. He had never heard a single complaint about gunnels or heights of boats within the Village. He felt that the building department could handle most all of the concerns simply by requiring a permit. Mayor Brennan summarized by stating boats parked on a property should be permitted with no fee and that the ten -foot limit should remain. Council Member D'Ambra felt the ordinance was fine as it was currently written. Vice Mayor Arena agreed. Council Member Okun felt the wording was fine as written with no mention of the gunnel. Attorney Davis wanted to clarify that the only thing that was ever grandfathered, was the screening requirement, not the size of the boat. He asked for extra time to put the new wording together for the ordinance. Minutes — Special Meeting 2/01/16 Page 5 . ANY OTHER MATTERS Manager Couzzo announced that the county was considering a referendum adding an additional sales tax option to be paid by the residents. The County and League of Cities wanted to know if the Village supported this type of tax increase. The Council unanimously agreed to oppose a sales tax increase. Council directed Manager Couzzo to respond back to the County, indicating the outcome of the Village Special Meeting brought unanimous opposition to the sales tax increase. Vice Mayor Arena brought forth an idea to have a "Sea to Shore" business event. He described it as having a $20 admission, with rides, games, and seafood, while allowing the Village to retain 50% of the profit. Mayor Brennan announced that she was very pleased with the recent Business Forum success and applauded the efforts of Village Clerk McWilliams and Vice Mayor Arena for their hard work and dedication to this cause. Council Member D'Ambra mentioned to Council that he was impressed with the Hobe Sound Community Directory. He felt it may be worth looking into as a nice offering for the Village residents and felt the directory's advertising would pay for it. Council Member Paterno asked for an update on the current year budget meeting schedule. Manager Couzzo confirmed it would be forthcoming. 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 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ul �L% F�@Lc� C�tnz 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.