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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 08A_06/10/1999©6i©4/1999 ©?:56 4©76941591 t ~- . ~'tTi- p1 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA REDE V ELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 10,1999 I. CALL TO ORDBR AND ROLL CALL PAGE 14 The Tequesta Redevelopment Comomittee held a regularly scheduled meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Monday, May I0, 1999. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairman Mayor Ran T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, the Recording Secretary. In attendance were: Chairman Ron T. Mackail, Co-Chair Joseph Capretta and Co-Chair Basil Dalack. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. II. APPjtOVAL OF ACiB~TDA Co-Chair Capretta made a motion to accept the agenda as sutmzitted. Co-Chair Dalack seconded the motion. The vote oa the motion was: Ron T. ]dackail - for Joseph Capretta - for Basil Dalack - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the agenda Was accepted as submitted. 06'04/1999 0?: 56 40?6941591 PAGE 15 REDEVELOPMENT COIrII~IITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 2 III- CONNLINICATIONB FROM CITIZSNS There were no communications from citizens. IV. RRVIB'iP OF TNQIIBSTA FACILITIES NSSDS ASSS3SI~NT village Manager Bradford explained that today's meeting was held for the purpose of informing the new Councilmernber, Cauncilmember Dalack, as to the village Council's efforts to date regarding space needs of the Village staff. village Manager Bradford reported that the first action had been to engage Gee aid Jenson to look at existing facilities, and the, life safety and code compliance issues. The second step had been preparation of a professional needs assessment by Gee and Jenson. 1} OvervieM of Facility Needs AsseBSmeat Report, Lisa Lemaao~ricz, AIR, C~ee and Jenson a) Code Compliaace Issues b) Departmental 3paee Needs Ms. Lemanowicz explained that the Needs Assessment had been dated December 13, 1993. In preparing the Needs Assessment, Gee and Jenson had evaluated the various departments and their report had been the first analysis that illustrated the village needed additional space for growth. Cost estimates at that time had been $1.5 million for Public safety and $1.7 million for new administrative offices. Ms. Lemanowicz reported the needs assessment had been very detailed in contrasting existing versus required or needed square footage. The second item undertaken by Gee ~ Jenson, in 1995, had been Life Safety and Code Compliance evaluation for the annex and Village Hall for ADA and life safety of people in the buildings. The cost estimated to correct the violations was just under $77,000. Ms. Lemanowicz reviewed the ©6~'04i'1999 ©?: 56 40?6941591 PAGE 16 REDEVELOPMENT CCk~IITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 3 items cited, some of which were indoor air quality for village Hall, no vents in the holding cell and police department, no fans in rest rooms, musty smell in the annex building, access to buildings and public rest rooms, egress, and fire ratings of walls and door assemblies. In March, 2997, the initial needs assessment was used to whittle down space needs and a preliminary master plan had been created. Several different scenarios had been developed, placing all facilities on- site or placing the administrative functions off-site. The village Hall was stated to be 34 years old and was the building designated to be used for residents who needed to be evacuated during an emergency. Ms. Lemanow~cz explained that some of the deficiencies in the fire rescue facilities were insufficient living quarters and decontamination spaces, inadequate space for a crew of six people, no medical treatment area, and not enough room for apparatus. The double wide trailer used for living quarters was not hurricane safe. In the police department some of the cited items were life safety issues, not enough space to accommodate a wheel chair, inadequate space far a viewing area to protect a victim from a prisoner when identification was needed, etc. The Community Development Department in the annex building was cited for limited public reception area, no meeting room, limited storage, tight layout, no wheel chair accommodation, etc. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that it would be desirable to include community development with administration so that space could be shared. 2) Space Optioa Alternatives and Coat 8atimatea a) Hew Construction - Village Hall, Fire-Rescue Facility. Police Department b) Reaovatioa sad Leasing (Status Quo) c) sritt Building - (Administration) ©6~'©4/1999 ©?: 56 4D?6941591 PAGE 1? REDEVELOPMENT COM[KITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 4 Ms. Lemanowicz explained that several floor plans had been developed in the master plan. The village Council had approved a plan wherein Fire Rescue occupied a new 10,400 s.f. complex at the rear of the present site and the present Village Hall was renovated at the same time to save money. Gee and Jenson had proceeded with this scheme and submitted a design package on August 18, 1997. At that time discussions were still ongoing regarding whether there would be an EOC and to what degree buildings would be hurricane hardened. After it had been decided to hurricane harden only the west end of the Police Department and the new building to the upper limits of a category 3 storm, Gee and Jenson had proceeded to a 30~ design submittal stage. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that all new construction was required by code to be constructed to upper limits of a category two storm. The cost at that time for the two buildings was estimated at just over $2 million. Since that time several options had been evaluated for Fire Rescue from a metal building to a 2-story building. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that what was now under consideration was a 2-story Fire-Rescue building 8,500 square feet at roughly $100 per square foot, for a total of approximately $1.3 million_ Village Clerk Manganiello distributed a handout of the latest Fire Rescue Site Plan, situated to the northeast on the existing property. Chair Mackail commented that the Village Council had discussed the police facility far 12-14 years, and that even though Fire Rescue was a fairly new department within the Village the original intent was to have temporary facilities for some time and then combine Police and Fire Rescue into a Public Safety Facility. Chair Mackail explained it had never been thought that Fire Rescue would have to stay in ©6/©4'1999 ©?:56 4D?6941591 PAGE 18 REDEVELOPI~NT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 5 a double wide mobile hams or that the Police Department would stay in a 34-year old building; and that although most managers felt it was desirable to have one building encompass all Village operations, the lack of land in Tequesta made that impractical unless a building of several stories was constructed. Chair Mackail noted the village Council had never given clear direction which avenue would be undertaken. Co-Chair Capretta commented the Village Council had looked at many alternatives and everything came down to affordability. One plan placing a modern facility on the present site had been estimated at $7-$8 million and that cost had not been feasible at that time. Other options that had been discussed were listed by Co-Chair Capretta. Finally it had been decided that because of lack of space the Village Administration offices would be moved to the third floor of Wachovia Bank, where they were still located. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the Britt Theater/old hardware store site was now available, consisting of approximately 12,000 square feet and recently converted into offices and a conference room. This building was available for purchase, rent, or lease, and all village operations except Police and Fire Rescue could be accommodated there for approximately $1 million. The only drawback was only 34 parking spaces, which could be inadequate for a village Council meeting. Parking at the present village xall was no problem because the Village had retained the right to use the adjacent lot at Gallery Square North forever for overflow parking. Co-Chair Capretta explained that the Village did not have enough tax revenue to proceed earlier; however, with new construction the assessed value of the Village would rise to $500 million by 2001 and the Village could now afford to make improvements. Co-Chair Capretta outlined a ©6r'©4x`1999 ©?:56 4D?6941591 PAGE 19 REDEVELOPMENT COI~IITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 6 plan to inform residents by deciding on plans A, B and C, showing the people and asking them which one they preferred. Meetings could be held at the Village Hall with presentations of the plans and Smoke Signals could also be utilized. Co-Chair Capretta suggested a survey in Smoke Signals to get feedback from the people as to which plan they preferred. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the plans should be completed within the next few months and then sold to the people, and then implemented. Co-Chair Capretta commented that as a minimum the present Village Hall should be brought up to code and decent quarters provided for Fire Rescue. Co-Chair Dalack questioned whether it would be possible to return to Palm Beach County for fire protection, to which Village Manager Bradford responded affirmatively. Co-Chair Dalack questioned whether a cost-benefit comparison could be done to show whether it would benefit the Village to dispense with the Pire Rescue Department. Village Manager Bradford responded that staff could prepare a comparison. Co-Chair Dalack questioned whether when an arrest was made for something other than a nan-violent crime if booking was done at the village Police Department ar at the Palm Beach County jail. Police Chief Allison responded that until three weeks ago booking had been done at the Village facilities but due to problems with the Village's failure to meet fire codes, he had closed the cells for 60 days and booking during that period would be done at the County jail. nrawbacks to booking at the County's facility was overtime for police because of the time on the road and doing paperwork at the County jail, and a backup officer to be called on duty to stay at the Tequesta Police Department while the D6/©4/1999 ©?:56 4D?6941591 PAGE 20 REDEVEIAPMENT CoIrHMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 7 officer on duty transported the prisoner. Ms. Lemanowicz commented that Gee and Jenson had just finished the North Palm Beach Public Safety Facility, which included a processing area, and that a processing area was usually desirable. Chair Mackail commented that in regard to 'the possibility of dispensing with the Fire Rescue Department, that the people had voted for the department in a referendum and the Village was a full-service municipality which offered its residents better service than that provided by the County Sheriff or Fire Rescue. Chair Mackail explained that the Villages response time was less than half that of the County. Chair Mackail also commented that the Village being in control of their own destiny was a critical point of operation. Chair Mackail stated his belief -that the real issue was that the needs assessment showed the Village facilities to be antiquated and that must be addressed; and he felt it was up to the Village Manager and Department Heads to come up with the most feasible and economical plan. Chair Mackail stated Public Safety was a critical part of the Village and the Village Council owed it to the co~ununity to provide adequate facilities for Police and Fire Rescue. Village Manager Bradford explained that the Village had built the public facilities building on Bridge Road and the village Council had leased offices for the Administrative offices at the bank in December 2996. The next step which had been planned was to do something about the Fire Rescue Department, leaving aside the question of Police and Village Hall, because of the necessity of doing something immediately to provide Fire Rescue facilities. Village Manager Bradford explained that the money ©6/04/1999 ©7:56 4©76941591 PAGE 21 REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 8 ----------------------- for a Fire Rescue facility was available and the village could proceed; however, a cost comparison as requested by Co-Chair Dalack could be done. Co-Chair Capretta recommended looking at a strategy, and stated the village had been proceeding step by step, but could not agree to a master plan. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the most persuasive argument for keeping the Village's Fire Rescue was response time, which could mean the difference between life and death. Co-Chair Capretta stated that although residents felt more comfortable with the police nearby, there was no real hard data to prove having a police department in the village was a deterrent to crime; however, it was clear that when Fire Rescue came within two minutes that a resident's life could be saved, and Tequesta's Fire Rescue Department had provided better service than any in Palm Beach County, plus the people had voted for it and indicated they wanted it. Co-Chair Capretta commented he had questioned whether the Fire Rescue facility could be built and not interfere with the other departments, to which the response had been affirmative, and the cost was estimated to be $i to $1-1/2 million. with the Fire Rescue facility out of the way, the next step could be to consider administrative facilities. Co-Chair Capretta commented that the hang-up had always been the present Village Hall and what should be done_ Co- Chair Capretta recommended the committee bring to the village Council the idea of confirming once and for .all the Village would have a Fire Rescue Department and proceeding with their facilities. Chair Mackail expressed his opinion that Fire Rescue should be combined into Public Safety, which would make economic sense. village Manager Bradford agreed that a Public Safety facility would REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 9 be the best plan but the money was not currently available for both. Ms. Lemanowicz explained that a public safety facility for both police and fire rescue, with a new building for fire rescue and renovating the present building for police and hurricane hardened to upper limits of a category 3 hurricane would cost approximately $2 million. village Manager Bradford stated if that was done there would be no Village Council chambers for meetings. Chair Mackail and Co-Chair Capretta expressed a desire to find temporary facilities off-site. Co-Chair Capretta suggested renting the Britt building with option to buy for the Administrative offices, Community Development Department, and Village Council chambers. The consensus of the Committee was to proceed with Public Safety facilities as discussed and direction to the Village Manager was to find out the economics to lease the Britt building with an option to buy. 3) Financial Capabilities a) Current Funding b) Financial Forecast village Manager Bradford explained the Village now had $212,000 from recurring revenue resources for debt service, as well as room left on the letter of credit. Mayor Mackail commented that the newspaper had printed that the Village had $5 million in debt, which was totally inaccurate, and explained that the $5 million was a line of credit on which funds could be drawn up to that amount. Mayor Mackail suggested there was another way to finance the Village's debt service without using the $5 million line of credit. Chair Mackail explained ©6/©4!1999 ©8:~9 4D?6941591 REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE i 0 PAGE D1 that the Water 8nterprise Fund generated between $200,000 and $400,000 annually, which could be utilized for internal financing, borrowing from the Water Enterprise Fund to pay debt service, which could be repaid when the tax value of the Village went up or if it did not then the letter of credit would still be available. Using the Water Enterprise Fund to finance internally, the Village would not have to pay interest on those funds plus would eliminate a payment of $212,000 annually on the letter of credit for the purchase of Tequesta Plaza. Chair Mackail suggested using the $212,000 already set aside for debt service to pay back the water Enterprise Fund. It was estimated that $100,000 annually in interest would be saved by this proposal, and Village facilities could be paid off in five years. Village Manager Bradford clarified that Chair Mackail•s proposal was to take money from the Water Enterprise Fund to pay back NationsBank and to put $212,000 annually into the water Enterprise Fund. Co-Chair Gapretta made a motion to recomamead to the village Council at their next meeting to proceed with the Public Safety concept on the currant site and as a temporary solution to secure the Britt building with a lease, lease ~rlth option to purchase, or purchase, Mhichever is moat advantageous to the Village. Co-Chair Dalack seconded the motion. The vote oa the motion ~-as: Ron T. 'sackaii - for Joseph Capretta - for sash Dalack - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. ©6/©4/1999 ©8:29 4D?6941591 PAGE D2 REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 11 cna~r Macxa~l commented ne naa nears the r~amnoo ~araen was for sale. Jim Humpage, a member of the audience, commented that the sale price was $340,000. Village Manager Bradford reminded the Committee that if the Village ended up with the Britt building that was near the future site for a Tri Rail station. Chair Mackail asked staff to check on the Bamboo Garden property, which could solve all the Village's parking problems. Mr. Humpage expressed his opinion that the decision made at today's meeting was a good move. Hurricane hardening levels were discussed. Mr. Hall, a member of the audience, questioned whether the money in the Water Enterprise Fund was currently invested, to which village Manager Bradford responded affirmatively, but stated the concept was the village would be losing that interest from themselves. Chair Mackail explained that during the construction process the Village could incrementally use the funds as construction progressed, and the village might go to long-term bonds when construction was complete. Betty Nagy, a member of the audience, inquired when the present lease on administrative offices would expire, to which Village Manager Bradford responded it would expire in December, 1999. vi . ~-n.7ov~n~T Co-Chair Caprstta made a motion to adjourn the maeting. Co- Chair Dalack seconded the motion. The vote oa the motion was: Roo T . ][ackai 1 - for Joseph Capretta - for Basil Dalack - for The motion aas therefore passed add adopted sad the meeting 06,'041 1999 08:29 40?6941591 REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 10, 1999 PAGE 12 r-as adJ ous~aed at 6 :18 P . ad. ATTBST: Joann Manganiello Village Clerk ReCSpectfully submitted, ~~ 0 Betty Laur Recording Secretary PAGE 03 DATE APPROVED: