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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_10/31/2016 MINUTES , VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP October 31, 2016 ,� . , CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:56 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk, Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Tom Paterno and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. Council Member Steve Okun left the room at 6:53 p.m. during the preceding Special Council Meeting and returned at 6:56 p.m. after the roll call had been completed. 2. Water Usage Waiver Presentation by Dan Amero Mr. Amero had water service turned on at a vacant property in Tequesta he had just purchased. Upon receipt of a very large bill, he surmised that there was a break in the water line. After several inspections of the property, including some assistance from Water Utilities Director Sam Heady, a hidden leak was discovered. Mr. Amero suggested The Village adopt a system that notified property owners when their water use was above normal before they received an unusually large bill. Vice Mayor Arena relayed a personal experience with a similar situation. When asked, Village Manager Couzzo replied that this scenario occurred roughly 12 times per month. Council Member Paterno suggested a more modern, technological solution that provided better customer service to Village residents, but this was cost prohibitive and there were higher priorities to address. The Village was not allowed to give any water away however they would charge a different rate tier for the water which helped reduce a bill usually by more than 50%. The problem was the time frame in which the meters were read and the data entered. Every reasonable accommodation was also made for residents to structure a payment plan if necessary. Manager Couzzo suggested that once the water service was turned on at a newly purchased property, the meter was read a few days later which would have helped in Mr. Amero's case. A cost benefit analysis would not support a new meter system; however extra readings were not out of the question. 1. Discussion on Extending the No-wake Zone North of Cato Bridge Due To Significant Safety Issues Peter DeWitt who worked with park services brought the idea of extending the no-wake zone to Mayor Brennan who along with Vice Mayor Arena was fully supportive of it due to shoreline erosion. Council Member Paterno was against the idea because of the reduced number of areas where travel greater than idle speed was allowed. Manatee safety was also an issue in winter and programs existed to help subsidize the patrol of this area. According to Council Member Paterno, and Vice Mayor Arena agreed, the erosion was caused in part by people on land gaining access to the water through the mangroves. The idea of a slow speed minimum wake zone for the length of the area was mentioned. Vice Village Council Workshop Minutes October 31, 2016 Page 2 Mayor Arena agreed to be on a committee if one was formed. 3. Infrastructure Sales Tax — Tentative Projects If the one percent sales tax on the election ballot was voted in, The Village received $370,000 per year for 10 years for infrastructure. Department input on possible projects funded by the money was not organized in a way that was conducive to meaningful discussion so Village Manager Couzzo agreed to categorize the projects which enabled Council to prioritize them. Council Member Okun suggested expanding the Fire Rescue services to the south Jupiter Island area as those services created revenue, however feasibility was an issue. There was talk of annexation and the status of the Banyan Park purchase which was still being finalized. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Vice MayorArena. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � �,c� � Gf�� �cAiy 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.