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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_07/11/1995VILLAGE 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 MIrfUTES JULY 11, 1995 I. CALL TO ORD]3R AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a workshop meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Tuesday, July 11, 1995. The meeting was called to order at 5:32 P.M. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor William F. Burckart, Elizabeth A. Schauer, Carl C. Hansen, and Joseph N. Capretta. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. II. APPROVAL OF AGFSNDA Couucilmember Capretta moved that the Agenda be approved as submitted. Yice Mayor Burckart seconded the motfoa. The vote on the motion was: Roa T. Mackail - for William T. Burckart - for Ilizabeth A. Schauer - for Carl C. Hansen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for x~~~~e~t Paper village Council workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 2 ------------------------------- The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was therefore approved as submitted. III. REVIEW OF PROPOSED FY 1995-1996 BtTDGETS A) General Fund Village Manager Bradford stated that the proposed millage rate was 6.3429, compared to the FY 95 rate of 6.1280, a 3.5~ millage rate increase, and a 5.4$ increase over the estimated rolled back rate of 6.0187; and that fa order to achieve the recommended tax rate, current year capital outlay expenditures of $102,025 would be required, with funding to be provided from fund balance. village Manager Bradford explained that while the tax base had increased due to new construction and 1994 annexation of properties on Riverside Drive; existing properties were not keeping pace with inflation, which necessitated a tax increase. Village Manager Bradford commented that a priority of the village Council was to have no tax increases; however, that would not be prudent at this time. Total expenditures of the General Fund Budget had increased 6.1~, and in order to maintain the 3-1/2$ millage rate, capital outlay expenditures must be made immediately for drainage repairs and the pavilion at Tequesta Park to avoid budgeting them as capital expenditures next year. The village Manager explained a proposal to give employees as inflation adjustment bogus in the form of a check is lieu of a cost of living adjustment which increased base pay, gad to increase base salaries only by initiative, such as promaotions. Since operating expenses and capital had stayed fairly constant while the cost of personal services had rises, Village Manager Bradford proposed FY 96 as a transition period while determining a long-term solution. The Village Manager stated that employees would not like the new program since village Council workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 3 ------------------------------- the bonus would not count toward retirement unless they placed that money into the deferred compensation plan. The village Manager commented that it was hoped that insuraace costs would stay down, and reported that the undesigaated fund balance was is good shape. Village Manager Bradford stated that the Police Department could no logger contain costs and must have increased funds. He described the COPS FAST great program under which one additional officer had bees requested, and recommended that a new officer not be hired if the grant was denied. Councilmember Capretta noted that the village Manager's budget presentations over the past few years had reflected a decline is growth and property values, gad the Village Council had adopted a policy of waiting, which could not continue. Building Official Scott D. Ladd reported new construction by Gary Vaa Brock, the Divosta development, gad Cliveden would add approximately $42,000,000 to the assessed value tax base. Councilman Capretta proposed that a 5-year projection be created which would show projected costs of new municipal facilities plus police/fire facilities gad the new central garage offset by the increase to the tax base. Village Manager Bradford suggested those improvements would amount to approximately $10,000,000. Councilman Capretta recommended stimulation of the value of current properties by instituting a positive plan similar to the Lantana Plaa to encourage residents to improve their property, beginning with one 8o~meowaers Association. 8e also suggested the possibility of tax incentives from Palm Beach County to encourage construction. village Manager Bradford agreed with Councilman Capretta's comment that the Councilmembers could get re-elected by doing nothing, citing many residents' coaommeats that they had moved to Tequesta because it was built out and problems such as crime could not come to the village= sad stated that no growth and ao tax Village Council workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 4 ------------------------------- increases were mutually exclusive. Councilman Capretta stated that taxes should be increased to show the residents that they must participate in a program to keep their property is the condition it was in when they moved to the village. village Manager Bradford stated that Ordinance 377 had placed commercial property owners oa notice to upgrade their property. Building Official Ladd reported eight pleas and approximately 40 letters of intent had bees received. Councilman Capretta suggested the Mayor speak to the Chamber of Commerce to explain why Ordinance 377 had bees passed, and proposed that a $50,000 donation from the Chamber be requested to establish a fund so that residents who could not afford improvements could be helped, and that wealthy residents should also be asked to contribute. Councilman Capretta stated he would begin the Investment Incentive Fund by contributing $1,000 the next day. Councilman Capretta state8 the Village employees should be helping the Council, and suggested a chart showing a dollar goal to increase the value of the village by the year 1997. village Manager Bradford coamleated that a good Development Incentive Program to encourage people to develop in the central business district could be created. Vice Mayor Burckart suggested the Country Club Drive Task Force be refocused to be positive and to look at the condition of houses oa Country Club Drive. Councilman Capretta commented that the property values within the Country Club Comom~wnity were declining more thaw on Country Club Drive. Chairman Mackail stated that an investment must be made within the village, since it took between $100,000 to $150,000 just to maintain operations each year; that the only way to maintain property values would be to adopt a plea such as the Lantana Plaa, that bike paths and more landscaping would increase the value of the co®munity, and that the residents must be made aware of the problem. Chairman Mackail stated that the Country Club Drive was not negative, since they were looking at the traffic problems of the satire Village, mot just Country village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 5 ------------------------------- Club Drive. Councilwoman Schauer expressed concern that only a few miles away is Palm Beach Gardens a SWAT team was dealing with gangs. village Manager Bradford explained that the cost for Fire-Rescue had decreased, however, that the level of service remained the same. Vice Mayor Burckart proposed a contact to County Commissioner Bill Murphy to supply Fire Rescue services to the North end of the County; and reported he had been very impressed when he had reported a brush fire and the police cars had responded within 5-10 seconds, the fire trucks had arrived is less than one minute, and the fire had been put out is nine minutes. Village Manager Bradford stated that the total budget expenditures of all other departments had risen 7.5$, due to increased costs of legal, planning, engineering, traffic engineering, and increased funding to the Capital Improvement Fuad. village Manager Bradford pointed out that the Village needed their own planner who would be knowledgeable regarding Comprehensive Plan amendments, and who could also be utilized as an economic development coordinator; and commented that funds were available is the Operating Expense budget to accomplish this. The village Manager cautioned against interfuad transfers from the Water Department since 3t seeded funds. Chairman Mackail suggested possible consolidation of projects through a long-term bond. village Manager Mackail explained that taxes represented about 50~ of the total General Fuad revenues and estimated that a minimum of $544,000 would be seeded is the fund to cover the period from October 1 until that tax money was received. Councilman Capretta suggested that the tax revenue from $42,000,000 in new development be figured out so that the amount the village could borrow oa that could be predicted. Building Official Ladd sated he had not considered the lead is that valuation, only the improvements, and cautioned against nay reduction is permit fees. village Council workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 6 ------------------------------- Village Manager Bradford discussed the 5-year Capital Improvement Program, and explained that the village needed to make significant improvements in the form of capital investments to enhance the value of the Village and its attractiveness as a desirable place to live and raise a family. The Village Manager stated that the Plan reduced the contribution frcm water Retained Earnings by 50~ for FY 1996 and that it should be eliminated in FY 1997. village Manager Bradford reviewed the following projects: 1. Tequesta payment: explained the water payments period. Branch Library, including interest $214,360. Village Manager Bradford that the $214,000 which was takes from Enterprise Fuad must be repaid, and the should be stretched out over a long-term 2. Stormwater IItility Implementation: $38,000. village Manager Bradford stated that the Stormwater IItility had been created by Ordinance sad a Master Plan must be developed. A suggested possibility for funding was to take money from the General Fund for implementation, then to shift to a user fee program. Pinnace Director Kascavelis reported that although the water surcharge had increased revenue by $150,000 that the water enterprise fund was barely able to beadle carryovers. Village Manager Bradford suggested a bond anticipation note might be utilized. Chairman Mackail questioned whether any of the stormwater utility or drainage problems could be attributed to the water enterprise fund. The Village Manager stated that residents could be assessed instead of taxed. Chairman Mackail questioned how funds from bonding would be pooled. Village Manager Bradford explained the funds would be added to the existing approximately $200,000 village Council Norkshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 7 ------------------------------- uadesignated fund balance aad would be used for one-time non-reoccurring expenses. 3. Country Club North Gate Curbing: $7,000. 4. Country Club Drive Streetlights: $22,000. Village Manager Bradford explained that FP&L ao longer provided streetlights free of charge. 5. Dover Ditch: $52,115. Village Manager Bradford reported that because of recent legislation the Village might be able to resolve the maagrove mitigation problem if they got authority from the State. Chairman Mackail suggested that Jupiter could be billed for one-half of the Dover Ditch expenses. The village Manager agreed, and explained he believed that Jupiter might be willing to pay their share but their staff needed advance notice for budgeting and planning. 6. Drainage Poad $xpaasion - Tequesta Country Club: $42,500. Parks aad Recreation Director Gary Preston reviewed the pond expansion plans. Sasuiag discussion included comments that the Country Club wanted to expand different ponds than the Village needed to expand, aad that ponds should be excavated as deeply as possible and the fill sold to generate income, since the price of fill was rapidly rising. 7. Seabrook Road Streetscape Improvements: $5,000. village Manager Bradford explained that this amount was just for the design of improvements, aad that the improvements had been included is the proposed 5-year Capital Improvement Program for $121,500 in FY 1997. Village Council workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 8 ------------------------------- 8. Tequesta Drive Bridge: $15,000. Couacilmember Schauer questioned the FY 1998 projected figure for the Tequesta Drive Bridge to which Mr. Preston responded that every 4-6 years the Village was required to perform additional maintenance underneath the bridge. 9. U. S. One Median Improvement: $75,000. Village Manager Bradford commented that the cost of the improvements would be reimbursed by the State. The Village Manager explained that the Community Appearance Board would be reviewing the medians oa II.S. Highway Oae the next day aad cautioned that the flowering plants they wanted could create high maintenance costs. Chairman Mackail suggested the Boardmembers go to PGA Boulevard to see how brick pavers had been used to coarpliment trees aad shrubs for an attractive low mafatesaace landscape. Councilman Capretta suggested getting rid of all boards since the Village Council could not reverse their decisions. village Manager Bradford reported he was working oa streamlining the development process. 10. Tequesta Drive Streetscape: $12,500. Couacilmember Schauer objected to beautification at the entrance of Bermuda Terrace paid for by the village since they had voted against annexation. Councilman Capretta suggested Bermuda Terrace be asked for the mosey aad if they declined then the village should not do the improvements. Village Manager Bradford commmented that the County might pay for the improvements. Couacilmember Capretta commneated that the village should try to get Homeowners Associations to upgrade property inside their own areas and when they requested anything from the village Council workshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 9 ------------------------------- village should be told they must help the Village or pay for their iatprovemeats themselves. village Manager Bradford stated he would meet with Mayor Mackail to develop a dog and pony show. Village Manager Bradford requested direction from the village Council as to whether they wished to consider wiping the books clean with a bond aad if so, he would work oa the budgetary impact. Chairman Mackail comomeated that as exercise similar to the charette conducted a few years ago for commercial development might be applied to the whole village, and that long-term bonding should be considered. Village Manager Bradford explained that staff would determine the anticipated new development revenue aad what the village could afford, so that a decision could be made. Further discussion included the JTJC Clubhouse, which was said to be in good shape inside, however, improvements must be made to the roof and exterior. Village Manager Bradford stated he would add to the 5- year tax plea the estimated future property values, and the cost of bonds for capital improvements. The Village Manager reported a proposal had been received for grant writing by the group doing grant writing for Jupiter. Councilmember Schauer suggested making great application for parks equipment. Chairman Mackail mentioned landscaping grants. I V . ADJOIIRNl~NT Couacilmember Schauer moved that the meeting be adjourned. Vice Mayor Burckart seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Village Council Norkshop Meeting Minutes July 11, 1995 Page 10 ------------------------------- Roa T. Mackail - for William E. Burekart - for I311zabeth A. Schauer - for Carl C. Haasen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for the motion was therefore passed aad adopted aad the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: ~_,.,_ _~_ ~ o ..~ oann Ma.ngani to village Clerk DATE APPROVED: a ~ . i 9 9s'