HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 03_04/12/2018 MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
WORKSHOP February 26, 2018
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CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Assistant to the
Village Clerk, Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice-Mayor Frank
D'Ambra, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun, and Council
Member Tom Paterno.
Mayor Brennan asked if Council would like to remove item number three, Discussion on
Historical Tree Ordinance, due to Village Attorney Davis being unable to attend the
evening's Workshop. It was a Consensus of Council to pull the item.
1. Continued Discussion on SE 01-18: Special Event Application for the July
4, 2018 Run 4 Freedom Race
Mayor Brennan recalled the February 8, 2018 Regular Council meeting where Council
had suggested the two parties involved in the Run 4 Freedom Race, meet with Manager
Couzzo and turn in additional information. The parties had both done so and the
information had been reviewed; thus alleviating any of Mayor Brennan's original
concerns. Council agreed that there was no reason to rescind the permit, and the race
was scheduled to move forward. Mayor Brennan reminded Council that the Village was
not in the business of being in the operator's business. Mr. Bob Anderson, of Palm Beach
Race Management addressed Council and asked for consideration due to the fact that
he had brought the race to the area and had a long history with the Village as well. He
felt the current application had been plagiarized. Council maintained their desire to move
forward with the existing permit.
2. Findings and Proposed Plan for Retention of Surveillance Camera Footage
including Personnel Training, Cost of Plan, Proposed Retention, and
Potential Phasing for Council to Prioritize
Mr. Brad Gomberg, Village IT Director informed Council of the research he had done at
their request regarding retention of surveillance camera footage. He reported that other
municipalities he had reached out to were adhering to the State requirement of 30 days,
as their retention. He felt this was an adequate number and recommended that Council
consider the State requirement, as additional storage was very expensive. Council asked
about the types of cameras, lighting, and ability to track movement. Mr. Gomberg
believed the cost to increase to 90 days retention was approximately $30,000. Council
Member Paterno opined that the retention should be at least 60 days, at an additional
$15,000. Chief McGrew could only recall one incident where the video data was needed
Village Council Workshop Minutes
February 26, 2018
past the 30 day period. It was revealed that there was not a person continuously
monitoring the footage on any of the cameras.
Council Member Paterno asked the three Police Chief Candidates in attendance, to give
their input on security cameras. Each candidate gave a brief description of how their
current municipality used surveillance and of the retention schedule associated with each
municipality.
Council Member Arena asked Mr. Gomberg to prepare a list of areas in which a motion-
activated camera would be beneficial. Acting Chief McGrew agreed to meet with Mr.
Gomberg and come up with a report that would detail the areas which needed constant
monitoring. He recommended that once the new police chief was hired, he or she should
also weigh in on the issue.
Chief McGrew revealed that a new monitor for a police car was needed. Council Member
Paterno asked that the Village utilize its current equipment to its fullest potential and cut
back where possible.
Council agreed to move towards 60 days on the surveillance footage. Acting Chief
McGrew agreed to look into having a volunteer monitor the camera screens.
Council Member Arena asked that during the next Workshop Meeting a discussion take
place regarding golf carts and a presentation on boat storage.
Mayor Brennan announced that the Jupiter Hills Four Ball Tournament planning was
moving along with Manager Couzzo meeting with tournament representatives tomorrow.
Vice Mayor D'Ambra announced that a meeting between Commissioner Valache and the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, regarding the Jupiter Narrows topic, was set for
March 14, 2018. Also, there would be a set of alternatives coming forward to increase
water flow back into the Loxahatchee River without tapping into Lake Okeechobee.
3. Discussion on Historical Tree Ordinance (removed from agenda)
ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Vice Mayor D'Ambra. The motion to adjourn carried unanimous/y 5-0; therefore, the
meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Village Council Workshop Minutes
February 26, 2018
PENDING TASKS:
;
List of areas where s ecific cameras should be used rad Gomber
Meet with Brad re ardin areas needin constant monitorin hief McGrew
Golf cart streets and boat storage ouncil Member
rena
Respectfully submitted,
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.
MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
REGULAR MEETING _ � March 8, 2018
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 Village Clerk Lori McWlliams. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Frank
D'Ambra, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun, and Council
Member Tom Paterno.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Reverend Beresford spoke the invocation, and then Council Member Paterno led the
pledge of allegiance.
APPROVALOFAGENDA
MOTION: Vice Mayor D'Ambra moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Council
Member Okun; motion carried unanimously 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Brennan introduced John Terzakis, Public Safety Pension Trustee
1. Public Safety Pension Board Presentation by John Terzakis, Public Safety
Pension Trustee
Mr. Terzakis stated that the fund was in a strong actuarial position with an elevated funding
ratio of 98.1 and a contribution by the Village that was lower, as a percentage of payroll,
when compared to other Florida municipalities. He reported that the contribution this year
was 15.19 percent; next year a 22.32 contribution was expected; administrative and
investment costs were 76 basis points, which was considered low. Vice Mayor D'Ambra
asked whether the administrative cost included consultant fees and Mr. Terzakis confirmed
that it did. Vice Mayor D'Ambra observed that the cost was much lower than in the past
then asked for a breakdown of the cost components; Mr. Terzakis responded that steps
had been taken to lower costs. Next, Mr. Terzakis referenced a Florida statute that stated
a local government sponsored retirement plan may not reduce the contributions required
to fund normal costs. He stated that in the absence of this provision, the Village
contribution to the police portion would be zero and that the total fund gross for the quarter
was 3.97 percent. Council Member Arena thanked Mr. Terzakis for his work on behalf of
The Village.
Minutes — Regular 03/08/18
Page 2
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Brennan requested that item three be removed from the Consent Agenda.
MOTION: Vice Mayor D'Ambra moved approval of the Consent Agenda without item
three; seconded by Council Member Arena; motion carried unanimously 5-0.
2. MINUTES: 1/29/18 Workshop; 2/8/18 Regular Meeting Minutes
4. Annual Report of the Village Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Committee
5. RESOLUTION NO. 08-18, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, INCREASING THE GENERAL FUND #001
2017/2018 BUDGET BY INCREASING REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES IN
THE AMOUNT OF $22,000.00 TO RECOGNIZE ACCEPTANCE OF THE
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES GRANT EQUIPMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$22,000.00
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve Extension of the Marcum LLP Contract to Year Ending 2018
Mayor Brennan remembered Council requesting a Request for Proposal for these
services. Consensus of Council was to reconvene an audit selection committee.
MOTION: Council Member Okun moved approval of Extension of the Marcum LLP
Contract to Year Ending 2018 with an audit selection committee created for an RFP
process in 2019; seconded by Council Member Arena; motion carried unanimously 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
Darrell Pastuch of 391 Riverside Drive spoke about his water bill increase of 20 percent
and felt that the water department could do a better job with water quality.
Jim Tursi of 104 Yacht Club Place and Buddy Frezza of 355 W. Riverside Drive both spoke
strongly against the US 1 project.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL
Council Member Patemo commended Village Manager Michael Couzzo, Human
Resources Director/Assistant Village Manager Merlene Reid and the selection committee
for their work on finding a new police chief.
Minutes — Regular 03/08/18
Page 3
Council Member Arena thanked Public Works Director poug Chambers for all the recent
roadwork, landscaping and sign installations and benches on the bridge. He
complimented Assistant Police Chief James McGrew on how safe he felt at recent Village
events and how he stepped up to address residents' concerns. Chief McGrew thanked
Council Member Arena for his kind words but directed the credit to his officers.
Vice Mayor D'Ambra thanked the Village Manager, department heads and staff for carrying
out the Village's vision and business. He revealed that some of his campaign signs had
been stolen and that the police were working to determine who took them.
Mayor Brennan announced that Firefighter/Paramedic Dave McGovern and Police
Lieutenant James Pike were the recipients of a new Public Safety Award given by the
Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce and she welcomed members of the Police
Benevolent Association to the night's meeting.
STANDING REPORTS
Villaqe Attornev
Village Attorney Keith Davis reported that the Forth District Court of Appeals reversed the
final judgement and attorney's fees and costs award regarding the Luscavich matter and
remanded it back to the Circuit Court for a new trial.
Villaqe Manaqer
Mr. Couzzo gave his time to Director of Public Works, Doug Chambers who updated
Council on the various projects taking place throughout The Village.
Police
Assistant Police Chief McGrew advised that K9 Erik was progressing through training and
thanked Council and the Village Manager for their support with this program. He
announced that Officer Robinson was moving to the state of Washington; planning for the
National Night Out on August 7th was underway as was planning the swearing in ceremony
for the new police chief on April 2, 2018.
Fire
Fire Chief Joel Medina completed the arduous process of filing for FEMA reimbursement;
it was now being reviewed at the state and federal levels. He advised that the Fire
Department adopted the new Handtevy system of treatment for pediatric patients and in
keeping with the Village Manager's mandate for community involvement, the Department
participated a Strawberry Festival at the Presbyterian Church. He announced that
Firefighter/Paramedic McGovern was coordinating an Easter event and Open House for
the end of March.
REGULAR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
Minutes— Regular 03/08/18
Page 4
NEW BUSINESS
6. Approval of Amendment to the PBA Contract to Modify the Police Retirement Plan
from a 401 A Defined Contribution to a Defined Benefit Plan
Vice Mayor D'Ambra summarized the history of the item and stated that negotiations in
2011 resulted in offering newly hired police officers a defined contribution retirement plan
instead of a defined benefit plan due to uncertainty in the economy and investment
markets. He stated that at the time, it was anticipated that other retirement plans would
become defined contribution plans as well, however other Village Retirement plans did not
change and, to be fair he felt that the police should be returned to a defined benefit plan.
Further, he stated that the defined benefit plan provided a meaningful disability benefit to
the police officers in light of the risk inherent to their job.
Council Member Paterno expressed extreme displeasure regarding the lack of information
available at the Workshop meeting in which this topic was discussed and the lack of an
alternate date for a second meeting which he was unable to attend. He questioned the
urgency of the issue since The Village was only halfinray through the present union contract
and union negotiations were normally a lengthy process involving several issues. Council
Member Paterno suggested a political motivation behind the timing of the item.
Vice Mayor D'Ambra addressed the concerns of Council Member Paterno, which was
followed by discussion between them both that included some details of the plan.
Council Member Arena expressed support for the change, as it was comparable to
neighboring police agencies. He was concerned about the effect of the economy on the
value of the officers' 401A plans as compared to the risk they take to keep Tequesta
residents safe.
Mayor Brennan thanked Vice Mayor D'Ambra for the research he did on this issue and
thanked the police officers for staying with The Village.
Ray Korkowski thanked Council on behalf of the Police Benevolent Association and the
police department.
MOTION: Vice Mayor D'Ambra moved approval of item six; seconded by Council Member
Okun; motion carried 5-0.
7. Discussion and Request for Council Direction Regarding Application for Alleyway
Abandonment
Community Development Director Nilsa Zacarias advised that a formal application was
received and was being reviewed concerning an alleyway behind a planned development.
She cla�ified that since it was not advertised as such, this was not a request for a formal
vote rather simply a request for Council guidance on the matter.
Minutes— Regular 03/08/18
Page 5
The applicant, Troy Holloway of Gentile, Glass, Holloway and Associates explained that
his client's site plan included purchase of the alley to provide north/south access befinreen
the easUwest streets. The applicant proposed purchasing the alley from The Village for
the same price as they purchased the two neighboring properties ($72.15 per square foot
or $83,320.00).
Vice Mayor D'Ambra asked whether planned landscaping was in keeping with the US 1
improvement project and whether they would contact and work with neighboring property
owners regarding any of their concerns. Mr. Holloway affirmed both points.
Council Member Okun stated he thought it was a good plan.
Council Member Paterno was concerned about private ownership of the alley until it was
explained that residents would still be able to use it as a road. He also brought up the
traffic congestion due to the US 1 project.
In response to a request by Vice Mayor D'Ambra for an update on the BB&T bank building
and Austrade projects, Community Development Director Nilsa Zacarias briefly updated
Council, however she would get back to them regarding the expected completion dates.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 09-18, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING AND
INCREASING THE FISCAL YEAR 2017/2018 GENERAL FUND #001 BUDGET BY
APPROPRIATING FUND BALANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $123,460.00 TO FUND
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REORGANIZATION OF THE BUILDING
DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Finance Director Chris Quirk clarified that this resolution should have stated that it was
regarding restricted fund balance, which was reserved for this department. Council
Member Paterno expressed that he was in favor of the resolution while Mayor Brennan
wanted to review the details at a Workshop. Council Member Okun also expressed his
support of the project however; consensus of Council was to discuss this at the next
workshop at which Building Director Jose Rodriguez could present his idea.
MOTION: Vice Mayor D'Ambra moved to remove Resolution 09-18 from the night's
agenda for further discussion at a workshop meeting; seconded by Council Member
Arena; motion carried unanimously 5-0.
9. Discussion on Cato Bridge Closures and Reaching out to the County
Vice Mayor D'Ambra reported that a vehicle struck a crossing arm on the Cato Bridge;
though the bridge was not damaged (only the arm) the County ordered it closed and
Tequesta police responded. Vice Mayor D'Ambra advised that a large traffic jam ensued
and requested that the County be contacted to see how this could be handled differently
in the future.
Minutes — Regular 03/08/18
Page 6
ANY OTHER MATTERS
There were no other matters.
Meetinq Task Assiqnments
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ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Okun moved to adjoum the meeting; seconded by
Vice Mayor D'Ambra. The motion to adjoum carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the
meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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.