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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_02/11/2016 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2016 fu 3' CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Abby Brennan at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun, Council Member Tom Paterno and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Brennan led the meeting with the invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of the agenda, seconded by Vice Mayor Arena, motion carried unanimously 5 -0. PRESENTATION 1. Presentation by Bill Watkins. Bill Watkins, husband of former Mayor Pat Watkins, offered a framed, pictorial history of construction of the Tequesta Drive Bridge back in 2010. Aerial photos of the progress of the bridge construction were taken by Mr. Watkins and offered to the Village in a framed format. Mayor Brennan thanked Mr. Watkins and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Village of Tequesta. Mr. Watkins, in turn, thanked Village Clerk McWilliams for her photo contributions as well. 2. Proclamation Proclaiming February 22, 2016 — February 28, 2016 as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in Tequesta. Mr. Matthew Murray, Program Coordinator for The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, in West Palm Beach, Florida represented his organization and offered sincere gratitude towards the Village of Tequesta for the Proclamation. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra moved approval of the following Consent Agenda with item number nine removed; seconded by Council Member Paterno; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 3. Minutes: January 4, 2016 Workshop and January 11, 2016 Regular Council Meeting 4. Approval of Contracts Signed by Manager Under $25,000 (Per Village Ordinance we are presenting the following agreements, proposals, commitments and memorandum of understanding to Council):1. Southeastern Printing - Winter Smoke Signals Newsletter Quotation # 74391 - Printing and folding - $1,721.00; 2. Southeastern Printing - Winter Smoke Signals Newsletter Quotation #74392 - Mailing preparation - $508.00; and 3. Verizon GPS Network Fleet Hardware & Service Order Contract - Public Works - $2,415.78 5. RESOLUTION NO. 04 -16, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING PIGGYBACKING THE CONTRACT BETWEEN EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND THE CITY OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE PURCHASE OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND LEASE OF A CHEMICAL TANK AND EQUIPMENT 6. RESOLUTION NO. 05 -16, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, AWARDING A CONTRACT TO DON REID FORD FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE 2016 FORD TRANSIT WAGON T350 HIGH ROOF XLT IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,860. 7. Approval of Advisory & Consulting Agreement with Montgomery Retirement Plan Advisors Regarding Village of Tequesta 401 and 457 Retirement Plans 8. Council Approval of the Additional Line Item Pricing and Maintenace Costs for Terracon END OF CONSENT AGENDA 9. Council Approval for the Purchase of Bamboo HR — HRIS Software Suite in the Amount $13,679.10 including a required Budget Amendment in the Amount of $8,730. Council Member Paterno asked Human Resources for a synopsis of how the upgraded software would affect the agenda process. Mrs. Merlene Reid, Director of Human Resources, explained that the current process was completely manual and antiquated. The new software would automate vacation slips, contacts, addresses and other tasks. The new system would allow one database to be used across multiple departments for efficiency and time savings. In addition, supervisors could run leave- reports on staff. Council Member Paterno commended Mrs. Reid on researching the upgrade and felt it would be a positive purchase for the Village as it would save time and money. Minutes -- Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 3 COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Austin Nuquist, of 39 Yacht Club Place, voiced several concerns regarding traffic and safety within the community. He commended Mr. Doug Chambers, Superintendent of Public Works, for his professionalism and responsiveness. Mr. Nuquist felt the need for a more permanent solution to the traffic concerns he had experienced recently within Tequesta Country Club. He encouraged Council to schedule a workshop to address some of his concerns. Council Member Paterno agreed that a workshop would be a great idea. John Walker, of 1611 Tremont Avenue, addressed the need for a red - light camera at US Highway One and Tequesta Drive. He noted that the police did a great job but could not be expected to monitor the intersection 24 hours a day. He continued to address the topic of Martin County appropriating money to fight AAF (All Aboard Florida) and encouraged Council to cooperate with Martin County on this effort. Austin Nuquist, of 39 Yacht Club Place, spoke again regarding curbing installed on Golfview Drive and Fairway North in Tequesta Country Club. He recommended the installation of more curbing throughout the Village's main roads to keep our streets aesthetically maintained. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL Council Member D'Ambra thanked the Village of Tequesta Parks and Recreation Department for the improvements that were just completed at Constitution Park. Council Member Paterno asked that Council remember Mr. Russell White and mentioned that he had passed away three years ago this March, and had been a Village of Tequesta employee for 38 years. Vice Mayor Arena complimented Police Chief Elg on the police presence on North Dover Road. Village of Tequesta Police Chief Elg, informed Council that the Village was invited to partake in a canine demonstration in Juno Beach this week. Council Member Paterno inquired as to the number of officers on shift during the evening hours. Chief Elg replied that it could be anywhere between 3 and 4 on the road at any given time. Vice Mayor Arena commended Mr. Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation, for a job well done on recent events that included the Village Yard Sale, the monthly Food Truck Invasion and Movie in the Park. Mr. Corbitt responded with an update on the playground equipment at Constitution Park. He reported that $25,000 of the grant money was used to purchase additional playground equipment, resurface the basketball court and enhance some of the exercise equipment. He informed Council of plans to add synthetic turf in an area of the big kids" playground in addition to creating a 6 -hole putting green near the preserve area. He pointed out that the $50,000 grant money really went a long way and added that the putting green was being donated. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 4 Vice Mayor Arena asked Council if it would be possible for the Business Forum to use Village Hall as a possible location for their monthly meetings. Mayor Brennan replied that it would be fine for them to use. Vice Mayor Arena mentioned the Sea to Shore event for next year and asked for Council to keep ideas in mind for upcoming workshops. Vice Mayor Arena asked Council Member Okun to decide which dog signs should stay and which should be replaced. Vice Mayor Arena recognized Mr. Doug Chambers for his outstanding performance as Supervisor of Public Works for the Village of Tequesta. He asked if Mr. Chambers might consider planting impatients and marigolds at the entry ways to the Village. Council Member D'Ambra expressed concern regarding the request for the Business Forum to use Village Hall for meetings. He felt that if one group used the facility it opened up the door to other requests. He recommended taking a look at the guidelines regarding this topic. Manager Couzzo assured Council he would evaluate and come up with a policy use. Mayor Brennan reported on a potential passive park located at the Banyan Tree on the corner of Point Drive and Bay Harbor Road. She recalled speaking to a Jupiter High School student by the name of Alex Commette who wanted to do something for this location as his school project. Mayor Brennan suggested adding some landscaping benches and possible signage to make it more of a passive park. She thought his ideas were refreshing and recommended the Village assist him in his vision. Council Member Paterno proposed the Village keep Remembrance Park on Seabrook, and develop it into a passive park. Mayor Brennan mentioned that she attended a Palm Beach County Commission meeting this week and learned of a proposed sales tax increase request for county, school district and fire. She reported that all sales tax increases would have to go up for vote on the ballot. STANDING REPORTS Village Attorney Attorney Davis reported on the Tequesta vs. Thomas foreclosure matter and expected the Village to receive a summary judgement hearing date in March, 2016. Attorney Davis also advised Council of the Luscavich matter set for the 9 -week trial docket on February 22, 2016. Attorney Davis advised Council of the Cox appeal, noting that the 4th District Court of Appeals reversed and sent it back to the arbitrator for review. It was currently caught up in procedural issues. He also offered a legislative update on the public records bill that would give trial courts discretion on awarding attorney's fees as well as a five - day notice period for certain requests. Attorney Davis further advised Council of the expected Senate Companion Bill up for consideration regarding municipal election dates. The Palm Beach County League of Cities had sent out a "Call to Action" to all the municipalities in the area, regarding this bill. Lastly, Attorney Davis reported on a "utility and rights of way" bill which would require a municipality to pay for possible utility relocation costs. He felt that this bill could have serious budgetary implications. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 5 Mayor Brennan received a packet from someone with photos of numerous violations at the Budget Rental Company. Attorney Davis informed Council of a scheduled meeting with Budget Rental's representatives, to discuss the various violations, later this month. He added that the Village was also moving forward with a violation hearing. Village Manager Manager Couzzo commended Mr. Doug Chambers, Supervisor of Public Works, on successful completion of his probationary period and asked him to elaborate upon some upcoming projects scheduled for public works this year. Mr. Chambers updated Council of some equipment purchases, including a striping machine for maintaining roadways. He further mentioned his department planned to continue with striping the park, planting flowers, trimming oak trees as well as many other projects. He revealed that a portion of the work was being done "in house ", thus saving the Village money and resources. He further mentioned crosswalk improvements in the area of Country Club Drive and Tequesta Drive. Mr. Chambers concluded that speaking with residents made a difference in developing positive feedback towards the upgrades being implemented throughout the Village. Manager Couzzo informed Council of the meeting between the negotiating team and the Police Benevolent Association, which had two new representatives. He also reconfirmed the Tequesta Drive crosswalk drawings had been received earlier in the day, and noted that the estimates seemed reasonable, while much of the work would be performed by Village employees. Council Member Paterno asked if Council would be able to view the plans before the work was performed. Manager Couzzo assured Council that only routine maintenance projects would be performed without bringing the plans to Council first. Manager Couzzo emphasized that there was a lot going on in the Village at the moment, and cited the renewal of the concentrate discharge permit as a huge undertaking. He pointed out its' critical importance, due to very costly alternatives. He also mentioned the Consumer Confidence Report being released within the next couple of months. Lastly, Manager Couzzo announced that the Building Department would be holding an Open House in order to inform residents and contractors, of updates regarding building permits, code enforcement, and various licenses. Council Member D'Ambra questioned if there was an extension on the permit for the concentrate discharge. Manager Couzzo maintained that the permit he was referencing was for a different type of discharge pipe. OLD BUSINESS 10. ORDINANCE 01 -16, SECOND READING, AN ORDIANANCE 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 WATERL, SECTION 70 -121, BY REDUCING THE Minutes — Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 6 PUBLIC SERVICE TAX ON THE PURCHASE OF WATER FROM 9% TO 6 %; LEAVING THE PUBLIC SERVICE TAX ON THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS, LIQUIFIED 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. Council Member D'Ambra noticed the back -up material had not been changed. Attorney Davis pointed out that he would provide the correct ordinance for signature. MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of Ordinance 01 -16, seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. NEW BUSINESS 11. SE 1 -16 Special Event Application for Annual Strawberry Festival. Request from First Presbyterian Church, 482 Tequesta Drive, for Annual Strawberry Festival (indoor sales) on Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 9:OOam to 1:OOpm. No alcohol will be served. Projected number of attendees is 600 people. of Community Development MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of SE 1 -16, seconded by Vice Mayor Arena; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 12. SPM 01 -16. Application from Bealls Outlet Stores, Inc. for a Site Plan Modification to modify their storefront by removing the existing recessed entry doors and adjacent windows and install an automatic sliding door system and adjoining windows (to be flush with the existing building facade). The property owner is DDR Southeast Tequesta, LLC. The address of the proposed application is 151 North US Highway 1, Tequesta, Florida 33469. Attorney Davis announced that the item was quasi-judicial and read SPM 01 -16 title into the record. He then swore in two people involved with the site plan modification and asked Council for any ex -parte communications; there were none. MOTION Council Member Okun moved approval of SPM 01 -16; seconded by Council Member Patemo; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. 13. ORDINANCE 5 -16, FIRST READING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLROIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 46. MOTOT VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC. OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, AT SECTION 46 -141 BY REVISING THIS SECTION TO ALLOW THREE AXLE BOAT TRAILERS TO BE DRIVEN ACROSS THE TEQUESTA DRIVE BRIDGE. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 7 Attorney Davis read Ordinance 5 -16 title into the record. Council Member D'Ambra explained that there had been several workshop meetings and a significant amount of discussion from both Village residents and Council prior to the ordinance language being modified. Council Member Paterno questioned whether the word "tandem" referred to Village of Tequesta residents, exclusively. Attorney Davis explained that it was never intended to apply to only the residents for a variety of reasons. Council Member Paterno referenced a future meeting with Martin County and asked if there were any other requests coming forth regarding traffic and the Tequesta Drive Bridge. Manager Couzzo responded by informing Council that there was a possibility of Martin County asking for additional discussion on this matter. ANY OTHER MATTERS Council Member D'Ambra informed Council of a federal proposal which could eliminate the tax exemption status of municipal bonds. Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Director of Finance, explained to Council that all of the Village loans were currently tax exempt and losing this status would automatically cause an interest rate increase for those loans. Council Member D'Ambra recommended drawing a consensus immediately as it had to be submitted by February 15, 2016. Motion: Council Member Okun moved approval of supporting the continuation of the tax exemption on municipal bonds and authorized the Village Manager to sign a letter expressing support, seconded by Council Member D'Ambra; motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Council Member D'Ambra reported on proposed changes in the GASB Reporting requirements that would adversely affect pension liability. He suggested that Council address this topic at the next scheduled workshop. Council Member D'Ambra addressed Chief Elg and commended him on providing additional police presence along US Highway One. Council Member Paterno asked how the Village of Tequesta was conveying its' opposition to the proposed sales tax increase, to Mr. Richard Radcliffe, Executive Director of Palm Beach County League of Cities. Manager Couzzo assured Council that he had clearly conveyed verbally, the Village's position on the sales tax issue. Mayor Brennan felt concerned after attending a county commission meeting because she believed "stonewalling" might not work in the Village's favor, regarding this issue. She concluded, if the sales tax increase passed, the Village would receive funds based on a "needs" and not "wants" basis. Her suggestion was to have a list of Village "needs" ready to submit, just in case the sales tax increase was approved. Attorney Davis felt that we did not need to provide a list at this time. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting 02/11/16 Page 8 Council Member Okun urged the Village to find out who owned the parcel on Point Drive where the proposed Banyan Tree project was located. Attorney Davis informed Council that the parcel was not privately owned, according to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser website. Vice Mayor Arena mentioned that traffic was already problematic on Dixie Highway and Tequesta Drive and added that the major road construction had not even been started. He suggested the Village contact Palm Beach County to better synchronize the traffic lights. Vice Mayor Arena addressed the Tequesta Drive Bridge lighting and suggested those lights be moved up by six to ten feet. Lastly, he recommended that any Village of Tequesta business should be permitted to print and post their own event signage. Council Member Paterno countered, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling would prohibit that type of scenario. Attorney Davis agreed that it could be problematic due to the recent Gilbert case ruling. Council Member Okun asked for an update on the propane tank located next to the railroad tracks. Mayor Brennan informed Council of the extensive search that had been performed, in hopes of relocating the propane tank. She was still working on several different angles to solve the location issue. 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 7:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, �L ' l &,,-)L 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.