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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_01/11/1990 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive e Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 FAX: (407) 575 -6203 h r C V I L L A G E O F T E Q U E S T A 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 J A N U A R Y 1 1, 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, January 11, 1990. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Mayor Joseph N. Capretta. A roll call was taken by the Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Joseph N. Capretta, William E. Burckart, Ron T. Mackail, Earl L. Collings, and Vice -Mayor Edward Howell. Village Officials present were: Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager; Wendy K. Harrison, Administrative Assistant to the Village Manager; Bill C. Kascavelis, Finance Director, and Department Heads. Scott Hawkins, Esquire, was sitting in for Village Attorney, John C. Randolph. II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Ron T. Mackail gave the Invocation and led those in attendance to the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Burckart suggested Item VIII A), Public Safety, be moved to the end of the Agenda, taking care of all other business first. Council agreed and Item VIII A) appeared after Item VIII C). Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 2 ------------------------ IV. CONSENT AGENDA All items appearing with an asterisk ( *) on the Agenda were considered routine and were enacted by one motion. Councilmember Collings moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. Councilmember Mackail seconded that motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice Mayor Howell - for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and the Consent Agenda was approved as submitted. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND REPORTS Approved under "Consent Agenda ". VI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS DOTTIE CAMPBELL, resident of Tequesta, and Voting Clerk, Precinct. 14. For approximatley the past ten years, residents of Precinct 14 have voted at JTJC. There has now been a change of location because JTJC could no longer adequately provide the Precinct, with handicap ramps. Precinct 14 will now vote at the Baptist. Church on Tequesta Drive. Ms. Campbell requested Council's assistance in notifying residents of this change, as well as reminding these residents that Precinct 1.4 votes at the Tequesta Village Hall for municipal elections, and also to remind voters to sign their new voting cards. She also requested that the Election Board of Municipal Elections include working representatives of Precinct 2 and Precinct 14. Mayor Caprett.a commented that these were good suggestions and asked Village Manager Bradford to include these facts in the next. Village Newsletter. Since there were several other citizens in attendance who had signed up to speak on the Public Safety issue, Communications From Citizens will. be heard under Item VIII Aj at the end of all other business. Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 3 ------------------ - - - - -- VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) Ordinance No. 394 - Second Reading - Amending the Noise Ordinance to Provide for Higher Noise Decibel Levels and the Times of Applicability. Attorney Scott Hawkins read Ordinance No. 394 by Title. Councilmember Collings explained this Ordinance was discussed and approved on the first reading. Councilmember Mackail moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 394. Councilmember Burckart seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice Mayor Howell - for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A) To be considered at end. of Agenda. B) Consideration of Request from Downtown Development Task Force for Funding for Advertising of the Master Plan in Palm Beach Life Magazine Total Funding of $2,890.00 Requested. Mayor Capretta reminded Council that $1,500 was previously approved for printing and marketing of the Master Plan, and this is a further request. Councilmember. Collings stated he did not object to the advertising, but did question the validity of Palm Beach Life Magazine as a medium, since its exposure is very local. Councilmember Burckart inquired as to the status of exposure through urban Land Institute magazine Carlton Stoddard, Chairman, Downtown Development Task Force, answered this was not yet official. Jim Pilz responded regarding Palm Beach Life advertising: This is an opportunity to make aware not only the people of Palm Beach County who only spend winter months here, but the magazine Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11., 1990 Page 4 ------------------ - - - - -- also is circulated to distinguished financial people around the United States who have an interest in the Palm Beach County area. Also, this advertising is very inexpensive "rifle- shot ", demographics being good, for catching businessmen and families who are inter - .related with developers. This would be an opportunity to do something quickly, while preparing for mailing the other marketing packages. If this is approved now, the ad could appear in the March and April 1990 issues. Councilmember Collings moved to approve the $2,890.00 for advertising in Palm Beach Life Magazine Councilmember Mackail seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice Mayor Howell - for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. C) Report to Village Council on Annexation Conflict with the Town of Jupiter. Village Manager Bradford briefed the Council: A copy of Resolution No. 9 -87/88 was provided to each Councilmember, which is the basis upon which the reaction is based upon Jupiter's proposed annexation of 169 acres of land in Section 27 west of the Loxahatchee River. Approximately 1 1/2 -2 years ago, there was an effort in the northern part of the County to have all municipalities to designate areas they would like to ultimately annex in order to avoid the kinds of conflicts taking place right now with Jupiter. During the above - referenced process, Jupiter indicated a. desire for the same land that Tequesta indicated. Those areas, if they would ultimately come into Tequesta, would square off its boundaries, which does include going one mile into Martin County. The 169 acres in question begin at the southwest corner of Section 27. Jupiter currently is only contiguous at that boundary where those corners actually touch. Based upon that, Palm Beach County has indicated that, pursuant to Florida Statute 171, it is truly not contiguous in the proper sense of the definition in that Statute, therefore objecting to the annexation. Tequesta objects because it lies within Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 5 ------------------------ Tequesta's designated reserve area. Mr. Bradford stated he had met with Griff Roberts, Town Manager of Jupiter, and. Marty Hodgkins, Jupiter's Director of Community Development, to go over this issue. Neither was in a. position to talk about trade -offs or compromises. Jupiter's Town Manager felt Jupiter had_ a stronger position since current property owners in this area have asked Jupiter to annex into their boundaries. Mr. Bradford contends that annexation, and the timeframe for so doing, is dictated by the City, and not by the property owners. He stated there is a meeting scheduled for Monday morning, January 15, between Mr. Bradford, Jack Horniman, Tequesta's Planning Consultant, and Attorney Randolph and Jupiter, to determine if there is any point of compromise. Palm Beach County representatives will also be in attendance at that meeting. Jupiter will probably attempt to adopt the Ordinance annexing those parcels on second reading at their Council meeting on January 16. Mr. Bradford sought direction from Council. Councilmember Collings stated he gathered from Griff Roberts letter that no municipality has the ability to reserve an area for annexation. Mr. Bradford stated that is a debatable point. Palm Beach County is now a chartered county government which has the ability to act above and beyond. certain planning dictates of State Statutes. The Palm Beach County Planning Council was appointed the review these kinds of issues, but their annexation policy has not yet been finalized. A footnote to the Policy is that Mediators can be requested by both municipalities to review the issue, to determine an acceptable solution. Tequesta has not yet requested a Mediator. Mayor Capretta felt some homework was necessary by having a Council Workshop to review the issue in depth to decide on Tequesta's strongest position. Councilmember Collings responded that this workshop would have to take place for the scheduled meeting with Jupiter on January 15. Councilmember Mackail stated he agreed with the workshop and with the annexation and would like to move forward with the process. Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 6 ------------------ - - - - -- Mayor Capretta suggested the Village Manager be instructed in one of two ways: 1) Make sure Jupiter knows Tequesta is serious about this annexation issue and plan to proceed with their plan; 2) Tequesta needs to do their homework by reviewing this issue, because he is concerned about Council's lack of preparation and strategy. Mr. Bradford stated Tequesta, would have 30 days to file for injunction for relief if Jupiter moves forward with annexation - legal action can still be taken. Councilmember Collings moved that a Council Workshop be scheduled for Friday, January 12 at 5:30 p.m. Vice Mayor Howell seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice Mayor Howell - for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. VI. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS CARLTON STODDARD, Chairman, Tequesta Downtown Development Task Force. It was Mr. Stoddard's position that TAVT served its community well by its report on Public Safety and that North County Ambulance is in a position to serve the community of Tequesta. He felt that if Tequesta was turned over to Inner City, costs would double. North County Ambulance already has an ALS license. He commented. that the consultant's report on Public Safety had some good guidelines, the main thrust being: "go ahead with Public Safety." RICHARD BERUBE, Tequesta resident: Mr. Berube stated he had articles from six different towns who had a Public Safety program and turned away from it. He invited anyone to review these articles with him. Mr. Berube felt Council's opinion on Public Safety was not an objective one. Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 ?age 7 ------------------------ Councilmember Burckart asked Police Chief Roderick if in fact his officers were first on the scene before Fire /Rescue. Chief Roderick answered, "Yes, the majority of the time." JIM PILZ, representative of Beach Road Association, where there 17 condominiums, a little over 500 families, some high but most are low, some are in Palm Beach County but most are in Tequesta. Beach Road Association believes Tequesta should take charge of its own destiny regarding Public Safety. Their position is that response time is slow with anything involving the County. The Association compliments the Tequesta Police Department on their great response time and that the Public Safety Program should be pursued. BOB SMITH, Tequesta resident: Mr. Smith felt the Public Safety workshop which took place earlier in the week did not address some of the long -term issues, though he was impressed with the meeting. He did not believe the consultant's report recommended going ahead with the Public Safety program. He felt Tequesta had an ideal opportunity to be different, to be independent, and take charge of its own destiny. The next 20 years may be a political divergence of opinion. Tequesta needs to "dig in" and pursue Public Safety. BETTY JANE NAGY, Tequesta resident: Mrs. Nagy had many questions she felt were left unanswered: 1) The police response time may be faster than Fire /Rescue, but does the officer have the proper equipment to attend the emergency? If the equipment is in the patrol car, does the officer know how to operate it, and how long will it take him to `prepare' to use it? Where does the officer secure his gun while attending this emergency? If his unattended gun should be confiscated by an unauthorized individual, is the Village property insured for that? Exactly how much equipment would a patrolman be required to carry in his patrol car? 2) If there is a fire and a serious automobile accident at the same time, should the police officer direct traffic or attend the fire? 3) Will insurance rates increase when this type of program is pursued.? Will taxes go up? 4) Why is there a need for a Police Chief and a Public Safety Director? Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 8 ------------------------ 5) The Public Safety consultant criticized the way the patrolmen patrolled the Village, yet he did not question any of the patrolmen. Where did he derive his information? Mrs. Nagy felt the Village needed to have more public meetings for this issue, that flyers be sent out to inform the residents regarding the issue, and that it be put on a Referendum in November so the citizens might make the decision on Public Safety. CONRAD MILLER, retired Police Officer, Tequesta: Mr. Miller felt it would take too much additional training to better skill Tequesta Police in first aid. SHARON HAYWARD, Tequesta resident: Ms. Hayward felt Tequesta's present Fire Department was very cost effective, when compared to the cost of a Public Safety program, and that asking police officers to bear more responsibility while perhaps being underpaid for that additional responsibility would not be cost effective. If Tequesta does not have an organized Fire Department, her house insurance will double. The fire at Riverbend earlier this week is a fine example of unpreparedness. It is good to save tax money, but the idea of combining Fire /Rescue and the Police Department did not appeal to her. Ms. Hayward felt further research should be required by Council. DR. STANLEY JACOBS, 16 -year Tequesta. resident.: Dr. Jacobs felt Tequesta needed to look to the future in this Public Safety issue. He felt the consultant gaven an ad-equate presentation - but perhaps enough research had not been done. Tequesta boundaries should be squared off since too many outsiders are using Tequesta's facilities. Palm Beach County fire costs have gotten out of hand and the Village needs to take a look at what the future holds. J. YODER, TAVT: Mr. Yoder stated that time is of the essence. Council has the consultant's report, TAVT's report, and it's time to go directly into Public Safety before September 1990. The consultant recommended Public Safety as a viable option. It will increase revenue in the future, but will not save taxes. Mr. Yoder recommends the Village hire a Public Safety Director and move forward with all prudence and care. EMMETT DOWNES, Tequesta resident: Mr. Downes stated the Village needs to separate its needs from its wants. He is impressed with Tequesta's Fire /Rescue service and found them to be very professional. If implementation of further training is to take place for the police force, it should be done so gradually. Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 9 ------------------------ DOTTIE CAMPBELL, Tequesta resident: The life quality in Tequesta is great. Ms. Campbell cautioned Council to be progressive in a decision as of today. Since she felt this was a matter everyone should be allowed to vote on, her suggestion was it be done by Referendum by November. VIII. A) Acceptance of Public Safety Options for the Village of Tequesta Report by the Center for Public Safety Options. Mayor Capretta gave each Councilman an opportunity to express his views on the Public Safety issue: COUNCILMEMBER BURCKART: Council has spent much time looking into this matter. There has been much input - pro and con. Each has had opportunity to talk to Chief Brice of Palm Beach County. This has not been a rushed issue. Mr. Burckart felt Tequesta has the best police department in the area, but that does not mean it could not be better. He also was not sure this should be a voter Referendum. Mr. Burckart favored the hiring of a Public Safety Director to explore the issue. COUNCILMEMBER MACKAIL: Mr. Mackail concurred that the Police Department in Tequesta was a good one. He also felt there was a need to move forward with the consultant's recommendation, and that the citizen's questions needed to be answered. By implementing Public Safety, in time, all of the answers to the citizens' questions would be known. A Referendeum may or may not be the answer. Mr. Mackail stated the decision he makes will be one that is best for the Village. He desired to see the Village in control of its own destiny. Tequesta is not trying to compete with Palm Beach County. Mr. Mackail reiterated that no police department employee would lose their job by virtue of going to Public Safety. COUNCILMEMBER COLLINGS: Mr. Collings felt all citizens who spoke regarding Public Safety had valid input. However, cost increases are inevitable, no matter which course Tequesta takes. If Tequesta leans towards Fire /Rescue, the up -front figure would be meaningfully higher for the first year or SO. Either alternative would have approximately equal protection. Mr. Collings agreed North County Ambulance is good, and good for Tequesta, as well as for the other communities they serve. Northern Palm Beach County, however, is rapidly growing. The insurance issue is a concern if Tequesta had its own Fire /Rescue. Mr. Colling felt it was a good solution to move toward a Public Safety Director. Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 10 ------------------ - - - - -- VICE MAYOR HOWELL: The Public Safety issue did not arise on Monday to be decided upon on Thursday. Much analysis has been done. This has transpired over a period of 1 1/2 -2 years. The real issue is a matter of cost control and improved response time. It is apparent the citizens of Tequesta want to be in control of their destiny. The control aspect is important. Tequesta needs to be flexible, yet tied in with the rest of the County - keep options open. Tequesta can benefit from a higher level of service. The Village Manager's recommendation is a good compromise. MAYOR CAPRETTA: Mayor Capretta agreed Tequesta was not ready to go to Public Safety at this time. He felt the Village Manager should be directed to begin negotiations with Palm Beach County to renew our Fire /Rescue contract, with the option to withdraw with an 18 -month notice based on the fact costs are now getting out of control at an unacceptable rate. The Village Manager should be directed to conduct a search for a qualified Public Safety Director. At that point, a thorough study can be made. This qualified Director could work with the Village Manager, Chief of Police, and the Fire Department, and North County Ambulance to determine if a thorough plan can be developed and implemented to provide a level of service equal or better than is presently received. Mayor Capretta reassured everyone that he and the Council are absolutely committed to the Police Department and that their jobs are safe. This is not a ploy to reduce the Police Department. The object is to provide a better level of service. 1) Motion to Direct Village Manager to Conduct Search for a. (qualified Public Safety Director. 2) Motion to Direct Village Manager to Begin Negotiations with Palm Beach County to Renew Contract For Fire- Rescue Services. Councilmember Collings moved that Item VIII (A), (1) and (2) be approved. Councilmember Mackail seconded that motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice Mayor Howell for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and adopted. Village Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 1990 Page 11 Councilmember Burckart suggested that during negotiations with Palm Beach County Fire /Rescue, Chief Bryce be asked to also be receptive to helping Tequesta to help its police to be better first responders. VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters before Council. VII. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Mackail moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Burckart seconded that motion. The vote on the motion was: Mayor Capretta - for Vice Mayor Howell - for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for the motion was therefore passed and the meeting was adjoured at 10:50 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Fran Bitters Recording Secretary A /' c Bill C. ascavElis Finance Dir ctor / Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: