HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 03_10/02/2017 Village Residents Merit Safe Refuge When Storms Come
I've been discussing the potential of a Village safe-haven shelter with the Village Manager for several
years... and he has further discussed it with others on staff. He also envisions a Community Center along
with the extraordinary benefit of integrating a community safe-place component within a quiet indoor
recreation facility... and advocates for its creation.
Village Community Center
Location:To Be Determined — Remembrance Park, Paradise Park, Constitution Park
Normal Use: Recreation, learning center, homeowner meetings, child-care, cultural activities.Theater.
Emergency On-Demand Shelter Use: safe, temporary overnight housing
Creating A Community Safe-Haven
� Multi-Purpose Facility
� Self-Contained Utilities(Power Generation, Emergency Communications, HEPA-Quality Air&
Ambient Odor Filtration)
� On-Demand Pet-Friendly Shelter(dogs&cats)
� Hardened Construction—Category 5+
• Kitchen/Refrigerated Storage Component
� First-Aid Component
• Restrooms/Showers/Laundry
The specifics of location focused on either what is referred to as the Remembrance Park property
located on Seabrook Road... or possibly a portion of Paradise Park. The facility would provide a multi-
purpose format and be compatible and sensitive to its surroundings.
After researching the idea, my suggestion for the concept, irrespective of the final location,was that
Village residents would greatly benefit from our constructing a "hardened structure", meaning a self-
contained component inside a building that could withstand maximum hurricane-force winds and be a
safe haven from violent storms.
The building, in a time of need,would accommodate a pet-friendly shelter specifically intended for
Village residents as well as their dogs& cats. The facility would provide a convenient life-sustaining
safe-place specially designed for residents along with their pets. Many residents frequently refuse to be
separated from their 4-legged extended family companions, and instead remain in their home at their
own risk.
We have the emergency staff& resources(policed &fire-rescue paramedics) and can sensibly
accommodate all the sheltering needs within the temporary confines of a safe Village cocoon that also
incorporates voluntary veterinary support.
Previous hurricanes have provided a perfect example of how beneficial such a resource would be for all
residents. And the uniqueness of this provision would greatly enhance the exceptional value
proposition of living in the Village.
The Village of Tequesta,from the very beginning, has fervently embraced the absolute importance of
maintaining an exceptionally high priority of public safety for the Village,as witnessed by our
outstanding commitment for around-the-clock police and fire-rescue protection. This action continues
to embrace and bolster that safeguarding spirit.
Accordingly, I encourage my fellow Councilors to explore how we can best move forward to achieve an
even higher level of service that uniquely enhances life-saving protection specifically for the residents of
the Village of Tequesta.
Councilman Steve Okun
18 September 2017