HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_03/08/2018 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 McWilliams. 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
CONSEMT AGENDA
Mayor Brennan requested that item three be removed from the Consent Agenda.
MOTION: Vice Mayar D'Ambra moved approvai of the Cansent Agenda without item
three; seconded by Counci!Mer»ber Arerra; mofion carr�ied unanimausly 5-0.
2. MINUTES: 1/29/18 Workshop; 2/8/18 Regular Meeting Minutes
4. Annual Repa�t of the Village Infrastructure Su�kax Citizen Oversight Committee
5. RESOLUTION NO. 08-1$, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
ViLLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, INCREASING THE GENERAL FUND #001
201712018 BUDGET BY iNCREASING REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES IN
THE AMOUNT OF $22,0OO.OQ TO RECOGNIZE ACCEPTANCE OF THE
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN PALM BEACH CCIUNTY AND THE
VI�LAGE OF TEQUESTA FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT {�F EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES GRANT EQUIPMENT iN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$22,Q00.00
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve Extension of the Maccum LLP Contract to Year Ending 2018
Mayor Brennan remembered Council requesting a Request for Proposal far these
services. Consensus of Council was to reconvene an audit selection cammittee.
MOTION: �ouncil Member pkun moved approval of Exfension of the Marcum LLP
Cantract to Year Ending 2018 with an audit selection committee created far an RFP
proeess in 2019; secanded by Council Member Arena; rnotion 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 da a better jab with water quality.
Jim Tursi of 104 Yacht Club Place and Buddy Frezza of 355 W. Riverside Drive bath spoke
strongly against the US 1 project.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL
Council Member Paterno commended Village Manager Michael Couzza, Human
Resaurces 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
Cauncil 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 Palice Ghief James McGrew on how safe he felt a# recent Village
evertts and haw he stepped up to address residents' concerns. Chief McGrew thanked
Council Member Arena for his kind words but directed the credit to his afficers.
Vice lltlayar D'Ambra thanked the Village Manager, department heads and staff for carrying
out the Village's vision and business. He reveaied that some of his campaign signs had
been stolen and that the police were working to determine who took them.
Mayar Brennan announced that FirefighterlParamedic Dave McGavern and Police
Li�utenant James Pike were the recipients of a new Public Safety Award given by the
Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce and she welcamed members of the Police
Benevalent Assaciation ta the night's meeting.
STANDING REPORTS
Villaqe Attarnev
Viilage Attorney Keith Davis reparted 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 Caurt for a new trial.
Villaqe Manaqer
Mr. Couuo gave his time to Director af Public Works, Daug Chambers wha updated
Council on the variaus projects taking place throughaut The Village.
Police
Assistant Palice Chief McGrew advised that K9 Erik was progressing through training and
thanked Council and the Village Manager far their supporE with this program. He
annaunced that Officer Robinson was moving to the state af Washington; planning for the
Natianal Night Out on August 7th was underway as was planning the swearing in ceremony
for the new police chief on Apri12, 2418.
Fire
Fire Chief Jael 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 Nandtevy 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 tha#
Firefighter/Paramedic IVIcGavern was caordinating an Easter event and Open Nouse for
the end of March.
REGUt..AR AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
There was nane.
Minutes — h�gular 03/Cl8/18
Page 4
NEW BUStNESS
6, Approval 4f Amendrnent to the PBA Contract to Modify the Police Retirement Plar�
fr�m a 4(}'�A �}efir�e� Contcib��ion ta a Deftned Benefit Plan
Vic� Mayor C�'Ambra summariz�d the hi�tory of the item and stated that negatiations in
201't resulted i� �fferir�c� �e�,v�y hire� �olice r�fficers a �efined c��fributic�� retiremen��lan
insteac3 ofi a defined benefit pian cfue to uncertainty in the economy and investment
m�r`kets. H� stated th�t at th� time, it w�s anticip�ted that other retirement pl�ns would
become defined contribution plans as w�ll, hotirvever other Village Retir�ment plans did not
change ar�d, tc� t��fair he ��It that t�� police s�c�uld be �efurne€� �c� a defi�ed benefi� �1an.
Furkher, he s#ated th�t the defin�d bene�t pian prravided a meaningful disability benefit to
the poliee a�icers in li�ht of the risk inher�nt to their job.
Gou�c�1 !1tlember Paterno expressec�ejctreme ciispleasure regarci�nc�the lack c�f inft�r�nation
av�ilable at the Workshop me�ting in which this #�apic was discussed and the lack of a�n
alt�rnate da#� for a s�cond m��ting which he was� unable to attend. He questinned th�
urger��y c�f fihe issue since T�e Villa���n+as or��}�hal�Fway through��e present�nior�c�r�tract
and union negotiations were narmaliy a I�ngthy process inucalving several issu�s. Cauncii
M�mber Pat�rno sug��sted a pc►litical mtativation ��hind th� timing pf the item.
Viee 11r�ayc�r D'Arr��ra acici�essed tt�� concer�s o€ Co�r�cil Mern��r Paternt�, whic� was
follr�wed by discussic�n between them bath that included same details af the plan.
�our�ci� Member F�rena �xpresse� support fc�r #t�e change, as it was �ompara��e to
neight�c�ring police agencies. He was concerned ab�ut the effe�t �f the e�€�nomy gn the
vaNue of th� c�fficers' 401A plans as c�rr�pared ta the risk they tak� to keep Tequest�
residents sa�`e.
Mayor Brennan thanked Vice Mayor D'Ambra far the research he did on this issue and
tharrked the �olice officers for st�ying with The Vill�ge.
Ray Kc�r�cowski ��anked Gc��nci! on k�ehalf c�f��e Police Benevc��ent Ass��iation ar�ci the
pali�e department.
1�UT1{)�; tliee l�ayvr C?'A�abra trt��e�appr��a!of iter�six;sec��t�ed by G�crncit�lernber
Ukun; rr�otion carried 5-0.
7, Discussion and Request fnr Cauncil Direcfiian Regarding Application for A!leyway
A�iancion�ent
Cammunity C7eveloprr��»nt Dire�tor Nilsa ;�acarias �dvised that a formal appMication wa�
receiveci and was being reviewe� c€�ncernin� an alleyuvay behin�i a planne�develQ���nt.
Sh� c�arified tt�a� sin�e it v�ras �tot a�3vertisecl as such, ��is was �c�� a req��:s�fc�r a fc�rmal
vot�: rather simply a r�quest far Gouncil t�uidance on the m�tter.
Minutes— Regular 03/08/18
Page 5
The applicant, Troy Holloway af Gentile, Glass, Hol{oway and Associates expiained that
his client's site plan included purchase of the alley ta provide north/sauth access between
the east/west streets. The applicant p�oposed purchasing the alley from The Village far
the same price as they purchased the two neighboring properties {$72.15 per square foat
or $83,320.00).
Vice Mayor D'Ambra asked whether planned landscaping was in keeping with the US 1
improvement project and whether they wauld contact and wark with neighboring property
owners regarding any af their cancerns. Mr. Holloway affirmed both paints.
Council Member Okun stated he thought it was a good plan.
Cauncil Member Paterno was concerned about private ownership of the alley until it was
explained that residents wouid still be able to use it as a raad. He also braught up the
#raffic congestion due to the US 1 project.
In response to a request by Vice Mayor D'Ambra far an update on the BB&T bank building
and Austrade projects, Community Development Director Nilsa Zacarias briefly updated
Council, however she wauld get back to them regarding the expected completion dates.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 09-18, A RESO�UTlON O� THE VILLAGE GOUNCI� OF THE
VILLAGE 4F TEG2UESTA, PALM BEACH C4UNTY, F�4RIQA, AMENDING AND
WCREASING THE FISCAL YEAR 2017/2018 GENERAL FUND #001 BUDGET BY
APPROPRIATING FUND BALANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $123,460.00 TO FUND
GOSTS ASSOCIATED V1lITH TNE REORGANIZATION OF THE BUILDING
DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILlTY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Finance Qirector Chris C2uirk clarifred that this resolution should have sta#ed tha# 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 Mayar Brennan
wan#ed ta review the details at a Workshop. Council Member Okun also expressed his
suppor� of the praject hawever; consensus of Council was to discuss this at the next
workshop at which Building Director Jose Rodriguez could present his idea.
MOTI{)N: Vice Mayar D'Ambra moved to remove Resolution 09-f8 from the night's
agenda for further discussion at a workshap meefing; secanded by Couneil Mem6er
Arena; motian carried unanimously 5-0.
9. Discussion on Gata Bridge Closures and Reaching aut ta the County
Vice Mayor D'Ambra reported that a vehicle struck a crossing arm on the Cato Bridge;
thaugh the bridge was not damaged �only the arm� the Caunty ordered it closed and
Tequesta police respanded. 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
� � �
Auditor contract to be placed out to bid next Manager
year
Correct Scriveners Error on Agenda (401A Lori
not 401 K
Reach out to County regarding Cato Bridge Manager
Anticipated Completion Dates for BB&T Nilsa
and Austrade Projects
ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Okun moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Vice Mayor D'Ambra. The motion to adjourn 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.