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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_05/30/2017 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP May 30, 2017 -� .� , CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A roll cail was taken by Assistant to the Village Clerk, Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Vice Mayor Frank D'Ambra, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun, Council Member Tom Paterno and Mayor Abby Brennan was conferenced in via telephone. 1. Discussion on Sec. 46-73 — Parking of Certain Commercial Vehicles, Trucks and Recreational Vehicles in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts Specifically Sec. 46- 73(2)(c) Council Member Paterno revealed that he had recently met with the Building Department staff and had learned that only one resident applied for the free boat permit. He felt that our boat ordinance had no "teeth" in it, which, in his opinion, rendered Village staff powerless to enforce the rules. He informed Council of several Village residents that were operating a commercial business involving repairs and upkeep of non-residential boats, on their property. Council Member Arena pointed out that the boat peRnit would serve as proof of ownership of the vessel, as it would be based upon information from the official registration, (which included data on ownership). Once the Village had received a permit on each boat, it would be much easier to recognize which boats belonged to residents and which were being stored or worked on illegally for non-residents. Council Member Arena believed there was widespread abuse of the boat ordinance throughout the Village. Vice Mayor D'Ambra opined that a stiff penalty must be imposed upon the non-permitted boats within the Village. He felt a warning should be the first step,followed up by a penalty if compliance was still not achieved. Explaining the purpose via Smoke Signals, social media and a mailed letter, would be helpful as well. Vice Mayor D'Ambra emphasized the importance of conveying to Village residents that the intent of code enforcement was to maintain and protect the individual rights of peaceful enjoyment. Council Member Arena agreed that attaching a fine to the ordinance was necessary to achieve compliance as boat owners simply had no incentive to comply currently. He further stated that as of 2014, all new residents with boats located east of the Tequesta Bridge, were required to screen their vessels on four sides. He felt that many residents simply were not aware and/or did not fully understand the ordinance. Village Councii Workshop Minutes May 30, 2017 Page 2 Council Member Patemo asked if Manager Couzzo would advise the Village Building Director, Mr. Jose Rodriguez, to please communicate with him (the Manager) if and when he was unable to complete the responsibil'rties that Council had requested. Council Member Patemo believed that communication was key in resolving several issues, including the boat permits, which had been left unresolved for some time. He also mentioned the fad that Yllage "right of way' areas were being neglected because Mr. Rodriguez had no ability to enforce the ordinance. Manager Couzzo mentioned that the "right of way" maintenance was a police matter. Council Member Patemo continued to emphasize that if the Vllage staff deemed something "unerrforceable�, they must bring the matter badc to Manager Cou�o so that he (Manager Couzzo) could forvvard it to Counal for further action. Council Member Patemo revealed that within the last 10 days there were 3 complete home renovations in process on River Drive, with no permits pulled. He emphasized that Village oode stated the fines for failing to pull a permit, would be doubled, iF caught. He believed contractors were willing to take the chanoe as they then avoided the original permit fee and ul�mately any inspections. Council Member Patemo advised making the fines higher as other municipalitie,s have recen�y done. Council Member Arena reported hearing about a contraCtor doing work in a residence at night, using headlamps in order to avoid being seen. He felt strongly about having the police involved to cut down on unpermitted work being performed at night and on the weekends. Council asked Manager Couzzo to please address the c�de violation issues with the appropriate parties and to add the previously discussed "fine amounY language to the current ordinances. 2. Removed from Agenda: Discussion on Medical Marijuana Draft Ordinance 3. 2017-2018 Budget Review Manager Couzzo revealed that work had been done on the expenditure side of the budget and reported that the budget was now under the 3.62 percent direction ftom Council. He informed Counal that revenues came in today from property valuations at 5.75 percent above, and he believed there was enough revenue to do everything Council would like to do. He opined that the 3.62 peroent Council had requested was lean, but the departments had cut badc and were able to accommodate Council's guidelines. Manager Couzzo assumed Council would like to keep the millage rate the same. The property appraiser's office had also made projections on the impact of the house bill that would come before voters in 2018. If passed, it v+rould affect the Village at a cost of�250,000 or a 4 percent increase to make up the difference. Manager Couzzo also reported that utility revenues were coming in slightly stronger because of the hot, dry weather. voe Mayor D'Ambra recommended the�Ilage start to fund the utility infrastrucUure soon. Council Member Patemo asked if there was money set aside in reserves to pay for upcoming projects. Manager Couzzo assured Council that any funds that were Village Council Workshop Minutes May 30, 2017 Page 3 earmarked for certain projects could not be switched to other ventures, without Council giving consent to do so. Council Member Paterno stated that he had concerns with savings being expended into other areas, simply because the funds were there and obtainable. He would like to save whenever the funds were available to do so. He also advised hiring an independent contractor over a full time employee in most instances. Manager Couzzo revealed that the Public Works department was adding one full time employee and that the fire department was adding one part time position. Manager Couzzo felt that the fire department intern program might need to be reexamined in the future, as the Village was training the interns, however, some were taking full time positions elsewhere. He further revealed that Chief Medina would like to hire another full time firefighter. Council was not able to justify the hiring of another firefighter when five firefighters on each shift was the norm and seemed to be more than adequate. However, Council was clear in requesting three separate zones for the Police Department to patrol. Mr. Chris Quirk, Finance Director, handed out 2 budget worksheets that illustrated a breakdown by department, of the proposed increase, compared to the 3.62% increase mandated by Council. The worksheet indicated the difference between the two, both over and under budget. Mr. Quirk explained that the budget came in at approximately $5000.00 under, (3.52%) and that everything was included. Council Member Paterno voiced concern over the worksheet showing that the Building Department was under budget. He wanted to be sure that the funds were kept in that specific department as mandated by law. Manager Couzzo explained that this was part of the general fund and would not be problematic. Mr. Quirk assured Council that any excess funds would be directed into a SBA account. Council was interested in looking at the numbers in greater detail, especially the sales and use taxes, and the one percent tax as a separate line item. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Okun moved to adjoum the meeting; seconded by Council Member Ar�ena. The motion to adjoum carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the meeting was adjoumed at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C��1.�. n�1 u,� `c�:c.� Lori McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk Village Council Workshop Minutes May 30, 2017 Page 4 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.