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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Regular_08/14/2008MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 7:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice-Mayor Calvin Turnquest, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage, and Council Member Tom Paterno. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, Village Clerk McWilliams, and Department Heads. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Reverend Paul Beresford gave the invocation followed by Council Member Paterno who led the pledge to the flag. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the Agenda; seconded by Council Member Arena; motion carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. Council Member Paterno moved approval of the Agenda with 5a moved to 7; Council Member Humpage seconded; motion carried by unanimous 5-D vote. PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS 5a. Presentation of Sergeant Promotions Mayor Watkins presented badges and certificates to promoted Sergeants Smolen, Turner and Velez. Council Member Arena awarded Council Member Turnquest with an award from the summer camp children dedicated to his injury received on National Night Out. STANDING REPORTS Village Attorney Village Attorney Davis stated he was working with Chief McCollom and Code Enforcement on updating their procedures. Village Manager Village Manager Couzzo commented on • Tequesta Bridge project design • Renewing the Refuge and Recycling agreement Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 2 • The membrane manufacturer, for promotional purposes, will be focusing on Tequesta Water Utility/RO Treatment Facility and their maintenance procedures used on the membranes which have maintained an extended life 1. Presentation by South Florida Water Management District Jesus Rodriquez, Chief Conservation Officer, explained the long term conservation rule and irrigation plans of South Florida Water Management including common areas, golf courses and residential watering schedules. Representative Snyder offered his support and commended the Village of Tequesta on their efforts. Council Member Arena questioned South Florida Water Management on Lake Okeechobee and the decreases implemented. Council Member Paterno asked about exemptions that would change the watering schedule. Council Member Turnquest asked what mandated restrictions. Citizen Questions Mr. Harold Taylor, 13 Chapel Court, commented on the lake water being lowered during hurricane season in concern for storm surge waters and being detrimental to surrounding areas. Carl Hansen, 264 River Drive, asked if the regulations would be infinite. Council Member Arena commented on the millions spent and felt Tequesta's efforts should be rewarded. 5. Presentation of Girl Scout Butterfly Garden for Constitution Park Amanda Klopp, Arielle Valdez, Shelby Ganzel and Emily Nys presented their plan including a project time line. 2. Proclamation -Loxahatchee River District Mayor Watkins read the Proclamation declaring August 23, 2008 as Loxahatchee River Environmental Center Day. 3. Proclamation -Muscular Dystrophy Association Brandy Miller spoke on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association thanking Firefighters for their hard work and support. Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 3 Ray Giblin, Village of Tequesta Firefighter, offered the Firefighters ongoing support. Mayor Watkins read the Proclamation into the record declaring the month of August as Firefighter Appreciation month. 4. Presentation on FAU Honors College update on programs available to residents - Jeff Buller, College Dean, gave a presentation on programs, lectures and cultural events offered. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the following Consent Agenda; seconded by Vice-Mayor Tumquest; motion carried 5-0. MINUTES 6. 6/12/08 Workshop, 7/17/08 Special Meeting 7. Council Approval of Budget Amendments exceeding the $5,000.00 limit and/or affecting Capital Accounts for FY 2007/2008 8. Release of Code Enforcement Lien on 498 Dover Road; formerly known as the "Siegel Property" 8a. Approve Tequesta Bridge Rehabilitation Reimbursement Agreement between the Village of Tequesta and Palm Beach County END OF CONSENT AGENDA COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle, commented on registered voters and voting procedures. Geraldine Genco Dube, 7 Country Club Drive, questioned the Boy Scout Camp and its property's project. Russell Von Frank 489 Dover Road, presented his concern with monies spent on salaried employees. Manager Couzzo provided a synopsis covering the Tequesta Bridge project. Joan Soilleux, 10 Bayview Court, suggested no fishing on the new bridge design. Harold Taylor, 13 Chapel Court, felt the bridge improvements should be put out for bid. Linda Serraes, 475 Tequesta Drive, voiced her concern with visibility issues, and people who use the bridge parking on private property. Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 4 Sue Hamm, 475 Tequesta Drive, had concern with the impact from the bridge construction affecting swimming pools and structures close by. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL Council Member Arena • Commented on dialogic calling used to announce emergencies and special events • Commended Parks and Recreation on the success of National Night Out and summer camp events • Applauded department heads on their diligence in making cuts to the budget Vice-Mayor Turnquest • Asked for input on presentations that would benefit Tequesta • Would like to bring AT&T in to explain a new cost saving program offered Council Member Humpage • Thanked department heads • Informed residents that they were welcome to attend Council Workshops Mayor Watkins • Reiterated National Night Out was a wonderful event • Was delighted to hear from so many residents giving their appreciation for living in such a great Village that offered such nice events • Applauded staff for jobs well done REGULAR AGENDA NEW BUSINESS 9. Resolution 33-08, Adopting the Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste Collection Rates for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2009 Attorney Davis read the Resolution title into the record. MOTION: Vice-Mayor Turnquest moved approval of Resolution 33-08; seconded by Council Member Arena; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 10. Resolution 34-08- Amending Resolution 2-08 by reducing the amount of the grant and approving the purchase of items as specified on the EMS Grant Program Change Request Attorney Davis read the Resolution title into the record. Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 5 MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of Resolution 34-08; seconded by Vice-Mayor Tumquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0. 12. Report on Compressed Workweek Findings for Village Council's Consideration - Ms. Merlene Reid, Human Resources Manager, explained preferences and concerns from the employee survey. Manager Couzzo confirmed other municipalities' success with the compressed work week. Council Member Humpage • Commented that any cost saving plan deserved a trial run Felt the four day work week would cut cost complying with request from residents to find areas to help save money • Noted the Village, environment and employees would all benefit • Stated residents would have the option of four extended work days as an alternate to the five day week Vice-Mayor Turnquest • Agreed the savings would be beneficial for the Village, environment and employees • Stated the Village was responsible to the residents first and did not feel the shorter week would be neglecting their needs • Was confident permits could be left at the Police Department for easy pick up the day the Village would be closed • Added the increase in employee moral would be important to the Village and its residents Council Member Arena • Was concerned possible problems might arise that no one had thought about. • Established going back to the original schedules was always an option Council Member Paterno • Felt the Villages purpose was to be of service to the residents • Did not feel proper service could be given in four days • Presented the option of Tuesday through Saturday operating hours Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 6 • Did not believe the savings outweighed the inconvenience • Felt employees had enough days off with holidays, personal days and vacation days • Had concern with the safety level of employees leaving work during the darker night hours Mayor Watkins • Believed the current economic climate justified the idea worth trying • Stated the employees would continue working 40 hours per week • Did not feel working 10 hour days a perk for employees • Insisted she would not support anything that would inconvenience the residents • Has not heard any negativity from residents Geraldine Dube, 7 Country Club Circle, commented on the water connections/disconnections, delays to permitting and inspections and suggested alternating days to keep the extended hours and five days. Frank Dambra, 23 Leeward Circle, supported the Tuesday through Saturday work week his experience was productivity suffered with the four day week. He also felt there were better ways to cut expenses Ms Reid, Human Resources Manager • Noted the Village had one job share position in dispatch • Confirmed the City of Coconut Creek does close on Fridays and were content with the four day work week • Affirmed the Property Appraisers office was having problems with the four ten hour days while using 270 employees to cover a five day week • Stated research suggested large staff would be needed to cover a five day work week with employees working ten hour days Council Member Humpage • Reassured that permitting would not be a problem • Reminded that the purpose of the four day week was to shut down the building for economic purposes • Would be willing to change back immediately if the plan was not working • Concluded that he was proud Council continually looked outside the box for ways to save money Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 7 Vice-Mayor Turnquest was concerned that a trial period would be difficult to change back once in motion and felt employees would be disgruntled. Stated his employees were tired at the end of their long work day. Reiterated this was about the economic value. MOTION: Council Member Patemo moved to table item 12; seconded by Council Member Humpage; motion carried unanimously 5-0. Manager Couzzo asked for direction from Council. Council agreed to experiment using select employees. Mayor Watkins felt this was not a true trial. Manager Couzzo presented working with staff on trial options and would run trials through February 2009. He explained the Village Hall operated on a lean staff which made it difficult to conduct experimental trials. Betty Nagy, 26 Shay Place, addressed the safety of employees at dark Carl Hansen, 264 River Drive, noted that it should be explicitly expressed to employees to prepare to go back at any time during the trial period if the Village decided to go forward. Ben Ward, 28 Starboard Way, noted the national engineer company he worked for tried an altered work week and offered the Human Resource department contact information to the Village for research purposes. 13. Approval to renew 1 year agreement with the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FNIT) for Property, General Liability, Law Enforcement Liability, Automobile and Workers' Compensation MOTION: Council Member Patemo moved to approve item 13; seconded by Council Member Humpage; motion carried unanimously 5-0. ANY OTHER MATTERS Manager Couzzo noted there was someone interested in purchasing the property at the rail road tracks between Tequesta Drive and Cypress Drive who requested to lease the Village owned right of way property. He proposed if the venture took place environmental regulations should be placed into the agreement. Council Member Arena asked if the code regulation on signs could be updated. Mayor Watkins commented on the Jupiter Inlet Colony Fire Rescue agreement, and asked Council if they would be willing to coordinate a joint meeting. Council replied yes. She asked for a meeting regarding the addition of names to the Memorial Fountain and the Bridge engineering matter. Betty Nagy, 26 Shay Place, commented the advertising for tonight's meeting pulled in a larger audience. Minutes -Regular Council Meeting 8/14/08 Page 8 Mayor Watkins noted each meeting was noticed. Mayor Watkins asked to hold a Special Meeting for the Manager's Performance Review Compensation. Council agreed to combine the Manager Performance Review Compensation and the Memorial meeting and felt the Bridge engineering should be during the September Council Meeting. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Arena, the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 10.55 p. m. Respectfully submitted, `. ~, ~Yl t 1,c~c.a~:c~ Lon McWilliams, CMC Village Clerk ,.~~`~ p,GE. OF T'%, .cF '- ~;~~~.•GORPp;4 .P'; ` S' m ~,' ••lN~p ~qL :-~_ APpAgT :a. ,, ~_ y FD . ., .. '%F~•'•••4, 19~..•• • ~,~°'.