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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/06/1990 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (407) 575-6200 FAX: (407) 575-6203 V I L L A G E O F T E Q U E S T A S P E C I A L V I L L A G E C O U N C I L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S S E P T E M B E R 6, 1 9 9 0 I. The Tequesta Village Council held a regularly scheduled meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, .Florida, on Thursday, September 6, 1990. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Joseph N. Capretta. A roll call was taken by the Recording Secretary, Fran Bitters. Councilmembers present were: Earl L. Collings, Edward C. Howell, William Burckart and Vice-Mayor Mackail. Village Officials present were: Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager; Bill C. Kascavelis, Finance Director; and Department Heads. Village Attorney, John C. Randolph was not in attendance. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Collings suggested that Item IV 'VILLAGE COUNCIL ADOPTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN'S be removed from the Agenda since it appeared to be out of place in light of last week's motion for a Referendum. Village Manager Bradford suggested that since some action needed to be taken relative to a plan to have a Referendum, it might be wiser to change the wording to ~~VILLAGE COUNCIL ACTION RELATIVE TO THE PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN". Council agreed to change Item IV. to VILLAGE COUNCIL ACTION RELATIVE TO THE PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. III. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA. (Greg Spencer, Director of Public Safety) A) Review of Applicable Public Safety Considerations for the Village. Mr. Spencer gave a detailed report of the Implementation Plan of Public Safety and his recommendations. i Recycled Paper Village Council Meeting Minutes • September 6, 1990 Page 2 ------------------------------- Mr. Spencer evaluated alternatives for Fire/Rescue as provided by Palm Beach County to provide an equal or better level of service and at an equal or less cost. According to the Fire Administration, a tracked trend clearly points out that fire and fire losses have declined, building and fire codes have been strengthened, and there is less need for fire suppression personnel than in the past. More emphasis should be placed on emergency medical services and disaster preparedness. A Public Safety Officer is trained, equipped and prepared to respond immediately to any police, fire or medical emergency. With Tequesta essentially built out, and a population of approximately 4,500, it averages approximately one call per day between fire and medical. Tequesta pays 65% of the cost of the Palm Beach County Fire/Rescue Station (No. 11) in Tequesta and receives only 20% benefit. When Fire/Rescue Station No. 12 in Jupiter is eliminated, which is in immediate plans, Station No. 11 will be used to cover that area, making Tequesta's future benefit from Station No. 11 even less. Two years ago, County costs went up 34%. The County is proposing to float a $55m Bond. One of the major issues is that if a municipality is in the MSTU at the time the Bond is passed, each municipality will be responsible for paying for the Bond for the entire life of the Bond. Tequesta has three alternatives: o Provide its own medical and fire; o Provide its own fire service and contract medical; o Contract all services (police, fire, medical) The components of these alternatives would be: o North County Ambulance; o Martin County Fire/EMS (this would add about 3 minutes additional response time in the Village); o NAMAC; o Tequesta Fire/Rescue Reserves; o Tequesta Police; o Jupiter Police; o Palm Beach County Sheriff; o Palm Beach County Fire/Rescue. t Village Council Meeting Minutes . September 6, 1990 Page 3 ------------------------------- B) Recommended Public Safety Option for the Village. Mr. Spencer's recommendations were: Phase I o Enhance Police Service Capability Starting October 1, 1990 with voluntary 30-hour basic fire fighting course and 200-hour EMT training Phase II o Provide for Village Managed and Operated Fire Delivery System with Contracted ALS and Mutual Aid Backup Starting February 1, 1991, with implementation October 1, 1992 C) Discussion and Questions. Councilmember Burckart asked if there were any assurance regarding Station 11 and its future. Mr. Spencer responded that there were no assurances. It is included in their Comprehensive Plan that they would like to keep Station 11 open, with plans to close Station 12. Councilmember Howell stated that retaining control should be a major point of focus, and he agreed that more training is necessary. Councilmember Collings was impressed by Mr. Spencer's contention that the Police Department is really the front- line to Public Safety. He asked Mr. Spencer if it was his position that no police officer would be forced to go into this program if he did not want to. Mr. Spencer responded that the whole concept behind Public Safety was voluntary cooperation. He would want all police to want to participate, because it would make them a better servant to the community. For EMT certification, a $100/month incentive monies will be given in addition to base pay. There is no incentive money for fire fighting until State certified, then it's 10% in recognition of added training capability. • Village Council Meeting Minutes September 6, 1990 Page 4 ------------------------------- Vice Mayor Mackail felt that when one considers Tequesta's geographics and its chemistry, his proposal makes sense. He asked what the $55m Bond was for. Mr. Spencer answered that it was for recapitalization of equipment, relocation of stations and additions of other stations, relocation of 911 Dispatch Center, new headquarters, and build a new training facility. Mr. Mackail stated he also liked the phase-in approach to Public Safety, which will allow Tequesta to control its own costs and create its own destiny. Village Manager Bradford asked Mr. Spencer to clarify, for the benefit of the public, the primary difference between a basic level firefighting course as opposed to fire fighter certification. Mr. Spencer answered that the basic difference is the number of hours and the level of intensity. A 30-hour course is an overview that touches on nearly all the same subjects as the 280-hour course - familiarization, not certification. The 30-hour course would eliminate the fear any policeman might have regarding losing his job because he is not certified. Mayor Capretta recounted to the public how Tequesta came about looking at Public Safety (i.e., exorbitantly rising County costs) thereby possibly driving Tequesta toward Public Safety, and the contractual agreement between Tequesta and the County which has an escape clause. The Mayor also rehearsed the hiring of Greg Spencer and the need to have a good response time in the Village. He commended the phase-in approach to Public Safety. Public Safety would give Tequesta an alternative way to fight rising County costs. All Councilmembers and the Village Manager commended Mr. Spencer for a well-prepared and well-presented report. IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Sherry Oronato asked - what the attrition rate was. Mr. Spencer responded, 25%/year. - who controls the inventory. Mr. Spencer answered a support services officer would do that. - would Martin County expect back-up services in return if they backed the Village? The answer was "yes". Village Council Meeting Minutes September 6, 1990 Page 5 ------------------------------- Ms. Onorato felt that if Phase I was adopted this evening, that would undermine democracy, and the Referendum initiative. Pert Towne felt it was unfortunate that Council did not follow the consultant's recommendation when all of her facts and figures reinforce that report. She felt there did not exist a strong conclusive costs savings nor significant service delivery improvement to warrant immediate adoption of the Public Safety concept. Joe Yoder complimented the Council on hiring a capable individual such as Greg Spencer, whose presentation of the Public Safety program was very thorough. Dr. Stanley Jacobs complimented Mr. Spencer on his great presentation of Public Safety for Tequesta. Blake Hooper, member Beach Road Association, was impressed by Council, and Greg Spencer's presentation. He was much concerned about the bureaucracy taking place in the County and regarding Beach Road. Mr. Hooper was much in favor of Public Safety in Tequesta. Mr. Hooper was very surprised and bewildered about the vehement objections of the seemingly organized group against Public Safety. William Chulton, regarding Phase II, asked these questions: - will savings really happen - is the County overcharging - what recourse does Tequesta have - has cost-sharing been considered Mr. Spencer answered that: 1) the cost projections were based on the needs of the community; 2) if Tequesta breaks even, saves, or costs are higher, the officer is better trained; and 3) the costs could be cut by 4 mills, but there would be great risk involved. Glenn Rloiber complained that nothing regarding Public Safety was mentioned in the Village Newsletter, except for a small pie-chart and asked why? Village Manager Bradford answered that the issue of Public Safety was never really clarified until after the last election. The pie-chart was not for Public Safety but for classifying expenditures. Mr. Kloiber stated once again that he would like to see Fire/Rescue appear as a line item on the tax bill. Mr. Bradford stated he would be glad to put into the Newsletter what the Village will pay for Fire/Rescue in millage and dollars. Village Council Meeting Minutes September 6, 1990 Page 6 ------------------------------- Hutchinson felt there was a conflict of interest when the Public Safety Director and the Village Manager speak publicly, doing what he called "politicking on company time". He suggested that this campaigning of promoting Public Safety be stopped. Ray Lynette Rocca stated she felt the further training for the police force was good. She also felt that if Public Safety is to be adopted for Tequesta, it should be by Referendum. Dorothy Campbell felt the Village should "not screw up what is okay"....present Village police and Fire/Rescue are serving the community well, and Public Safety is not needed. Ms. Campbell read the Employment Agreement of Greg Spencer for the public's information. Mary Seay stated she had a signed letter from Chief Brice stating that as long as Palm Beach County has a contract with Tequesta, Fire/Rescue Station No. 11 will remain where it is. Ms. Seay felt Council was not looking strongly enough at the negative side of Public Safety and suggested that before deciding that it is right for Tequesta, they inquire as to why Juno and Jupiter declined switching to Public Safety. Kevin Larkin stated that if Council adopted Phase I this evening, that would be deception on the part of the Council after it was agreed at the last meeting that nothing would be done on Public Safety until after the Referendum. Mr. Larkin asked if Mr. Bradford's sitting on the Board of Directors for North County Ambulance was a conflict of interest. Mayor Capretta explained it was not a conflict of interest because he is not in any way involved with the day-to-day administration nor the proposal that was submitted to the Village. One reason for his occupation of a seat on the Board is to discover the financial health of North County Ambulance if, in fact, they will be playing a primary role in Public Safety in Tequesta. Richard Berube asked many questions: - why did Council hire a Public Safety Director when the consultant's report said no. Village Manager Bradford responded that the same report recommended that the Village hire a Director of Public Safety to serve as the chief law enforcement officer of the Village and implement a Public Safety Plan to be approved by the Village Council. Village Council Meeting Minutes September 6, 1990 Page 7 ------------------------------- - quotes for response times were not accurate since County operates by seconds when the Village operates in minutes. - what kind of EMT can possibly be obtained with only 30 hours or 200 hours of training. Village Manager Bradford answered that these trained officers will be able to improve their knowledge, and will be better prepared to treat the sick and injured. Mr. Spencer explained the difference between Basic Life Support (BLS) and the proposed EMT level: "First Responder is possibly a 40- hour program, part of which is CPR, taught as part of the Fire Academy and as part of the Police Academy. The EMT is a 200-hour certification program, which gives a better understanding of how to package a patient, how to splint, dressings, closures and wounds, medical emergencies, cardiac problems, and de-fribulation while in touch with a medical director. The better understanding should make a better attendant." Mr. Berube was not convinced that this type of training would allow the same kind of expertise nor the same quality level of service that now exists in Tequesta. Lou Ann Hinds asked how long the training time was for the 200 hours. Mr. Spencer responded, over seventeen (17) weeks. V. VILLAGE COUNCIL ACTION RELATIVE TO THE PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Councilmember Collings moved that the Village Council direct the Village Staff and the Village Attorney to prepare a Preliminary Referendum Statement, in concert with a committee of four (4) representatives from the public to represent both points of view, to check and work with the Village Staff on that Statement. Councilmember Howell seconded the motion. Village Manager Bradford stated that his recollection of the Charter was that the Referendum language is constructed by the Village Attorney and is approved by the Village Council. Mayor Capretta stated the Council will still end up with the final approval even if this motion passes. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice-Mayor Mackail - for Edward Howell - for Earl Collings - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. Village Council Meeting Minutes • September 6, 1990 Page 8 Mrs. Nagey requested that there be no more public speaking on the part of Village Staff regarding the promotion of Public Safety. Vice Mayor Mackail responded by saying: "If people have asked Mr. Bradford, or Mr. Spencer, or any member of Council to speak before them on Public Safety, it is their obligation to inform and give the facts, just as they have in tonight's meeting. It's the obligation of the group collectively to hear these views and opinions, and try to consolidate to make the best of what is available. There are two sides to every story. The public cries that they have not been informed, but now would like to see a "gag" order on public speaking concerning the issues." Councilmember Collings, stating he could not vote for half a ship, felt he could not vote in favor of Phase I of the Public Safety Implementation Plan. Vice-Mayor Mackail felt it was in the interest of the Village to move forward with the Budgetary item of approximately $153,000 for Phase I, since the Referendum will allow the residents to make the decision, regardless of the outcome. If the Village does not, and the Referendum goes the other way, the Council is not in a position to go forward with phased implementation. Richard Berube asked what happens to Greg Spencer and his job if the Referendum wins. Mr. Spencer explained that when he took this job as Public Safety Director, he knew there were no guarantees. Having left a job of 11 years, making the same pay, with a car, all the benefits plus disability, and knowing it was possible to lose this job in Tequesta, he asked for one year severance pay, but was only given six months. He reminded the public that he did make a commitment to the Village. Vice Mayor Mackail moved that the Council adopt the Budgetary Item relative to the action on the proposed Public Safety implementation plan on Phase I, which is approximately $153,000. Councilmember Burckart seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice-Mayor Mackail - for Edward Howell - against Earl Collings - against William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. ~] Village Council Meeting Minutes September 6, 1990 Page 9 ------------------------------- VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters before the Council. VII. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Mayor Mackail moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Collings seconded the motion. The vote was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice-Mayor Mackail - for Edward Howell - for Earl Collings - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, i ~~~~ Fran Bitters Recording Secretary ATTE S „J Bill C. K cavelis Finance Directfor/Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: ~2~ a2 7 . i 9 S'U -~ t • VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • 0107) 575-6200 FAX: (407) 575-6203 V=LLAG7E 'I'HURSDA`.Y. NOT = C E O F COUNC = L AUGU S T ~:oo P'_M_ MEET = NG 2 3, 1 9 9 0 The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Florida, will hold a Village Council Meeting on Thursday, August 23, 1990 at 7:00 P.M., in the Village Hall Council Chambers; 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. For your information, an agenda of the items to be acted upon by the Village Council at the August 23, 1990 meeting will be available on Monday, August 20, 1990, at the Village Administrative Office. PLEASE TAKE NOTI(:E AND appeal any decision made matter considered at this record of the proceef:~ings, need to insure that . ~ verb. which record include:::, the appeal is to be based." BE ADVISED: "If any person decides to by this Council with respect to any meeting or hearing, he/she will need a and that, for such purpose, he/she may stim record of the proceedings is made, testimony and evidence upon which the ~~<~~~ ,w~c. ~~~~ Bill C. scavelis Village Clerk • TGB/mk cc: News Media Posted: August 17, 199C Recycled Paper