VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA FALL NEWSLETTER

VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA NEWSLETTER

SMOKIE SDGINIALS

FALL 2021

IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 VOT Parks Master Plan • P a ge2 • VOT Parks Master Plan continued Page3 Page4 Tequesta Firefighters and Fi re Rescue • Pages • 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Budget-in-Brief Pages Around t heVillage Projects Webpage Railroad Crossing FULLClosure Page? • • • Special Events Permits Fire Safety Tips Build Responsibly Page B • Community Center Progress Pages • Stormwater and Me Page 10 • • Stormwater and Me Know the Flow Page 11 Go Solar- Tips & Tricks • P a ge 12 • • · Tequesta Employees UF Survey Fall Festival SMOKE SIGNALS SMOKE SIGNALSis published by the Village ofTequesta Village Clerks Office Editor:Lori McWilliams, MMC, Produced by: GLENN GRAPHICS • • • • • • Molly Young Local Officials Election Update

VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA PARKS MASTER PLAN Our Parks Our Values

Our Parks Our Values Master Plan wi ll provide an understand ing of t he community needs and vision; and enable the Vil lage to prioritize resource al locations, programs, and services in a manner that is fiscal ly responsible, environmentally sound, publ icly supported, and politica lly prudent. An effective master plan is the result of a collaborative effort that incorporates input from a diverse group of residents, local government leaders, staff members, and the community at large.

Our Parks

Our Values

outstanding recreation opportunities, wel l-maintained facilities, and a cus t omer- focused and responsive park system. It will be a guiding document, a long-term road map and strategy for the Vi llage of Tequesta parks. We encourage all Village of Tequesta and surrounding area residents to participate. Community Vision OurParks Our Values Master Plan wi ll embrace Tequesta's strong sense of community by facilitating a proactive public participation program (4Ps). The resident's active engagement and feedback will be the keystone of the Master Plan. The purpose of the proposed public outreach and participation program includes the following: • Create a fun, inclusive and engaging process that celebrates Tequesta's parks and recreation programs • Engage a wide range of ages by providing mu ltiple ways to participate • Inform the community aboutTequesta parks and available programs • Listen to the resident's current and future needs regarding parks and recreation • Define the vision and core va lues that will serve as the basis of the Master Plan

The Parks Master Plan will provide a foundation for: • Building support and consensus from residents and community members • Informing citizens about a park's needs and its community assets • Identifying capital improvement goa ls that are needed to assess fiscal requ irements and fundrais ing needs • Guiding cri t ical decisions about parks and recreation faci lities, infrast ructure, programs, and services • Developing recommendations and an implementation strategy

Our Parks Our Values Master Plan will result in a community vision w ith tangible plans for

Continued on Page 2

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VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA PARKS MASTER PLAN Our Parks Our Values

Continued from Page 1

The following initiatives will be accomplished to foster a meaningful public discussion:

Surveys: The survey questions are intended to understand the needs of the community related to parks and recreational programs. Open-ended questions are included for residents to provide ideas and feedback. Complete the survey online or print a copy and d rop it in the drop box outside of the Village Hal l lobby entrance. Interviews: A series of one-on-one interviews are being conducted with residents, elected officials, JTAA representatives, and Village's staff to gather information to have an in-depth understandi ng. Kiosks: The project team is attending numerous Vi llage events to reach out to residents and provide in-person surveys. These kiosks or pop-ups wil l facilitate communication di rect ly with the community. Staff has already attended several events to gather input, such as the Halloween event, Shred It/Coffee with a Cop, and food trucks events. The remaining events the project team will attend to gather input are: • Tunes 'N Trucks Event: November 5th (5 - 8:30pm) • Openhouse: November 6th (10 - 11 :30pm) • Chili Cook Off: November 13th • Fall Festival: November 19th (5 - 8 pm) and November 20th (1 - Spm) Village Boards and Committees: The project team will conduct a workshop with the Planning and Zoni ng Board and t he Environmental Advisory Committee to gather information from ou r board and committee members. For questions and comments, please reach out to: Nilsa Zacarias, AICP, Community Development Director 561-768-0457 nzacarias@tequesta.org

Click here for an online survey

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HIGHLIGHT

Comm11nicate with your Elected Officials

Council Member Molly Young

It is hard to believe it is that t ime of year again - a time to be thankful,

a time to count blessings, and a time for family traditions. I am thankfu l to live in this idyllic place called Tequesta and feel blessed to be part of such an incred ible community. I am happy we have been able to get back to some of ou r cherished t raditions like Food Truck nights and the various Fall Festivals. As we wrap up this year and forge ahead into the next, I look forward to and am excited for what is in store for our Vill age. The high ly anticipated new Recreation Center is currently is tracking to open in February 2022 and programming being fine-tuned . The Parks Master Planning has kicked offwi th robust public involvement opportunities through the end of November. The design for seve ral Water Treatment Plant projects has commenced that are projected to save approximately $105,000/year in energy consumption and reduce our carbon foot print by approximately 144 tons of carbon dioxide per year. We have received America Rescue Plan Act funds t hat have allowed us to recoup revenue lost from Covid 19, plan for new Pol ice and Fi re Rescue vehicles, expedite some road and storm water improvement projects, and even add a new Recreation & Business Relations Coordinator position . And these are just a few! In addition to the Village projects, thi s year we have received generous donations from the community for our Publ ic Safety Fitness Center and maintenance of t he Bay Harbor and Point Drive Banyan t ree. We continue to improve our commu nicati ons and transparency to the residents with enhanced content and postings on a variety of social media platforms, our website, and weekly newslet ters. We remain committed to supporting our local small businesses w ith an improved Business Resources page on our website, and offer business and video highlights on our social media platforms. We are closely monitori ng t he Jupiter US l Bridge Replacement Project and are working w ith FDOT to make sure we are up to date wi th the latest news and are prepared for the closu re. As I look back on the yea r, I am reminded of the privilege to be in the position to serve our residents and work w ith our outstanding Village staff. Know that we, the Council, always want to hear from you. You are the eyes and ears of what makes the Village great and we couldn't do it without you. As t he holiday season arrives, may we all take the time to slow down and enjoy the paradise we call home.

Top row L to R: Council Member Prince, Mayor D'Ambra, Vice-Mayor Stone. Bottom row L to R: Council MembersYoung and Brandon Interested in communicating with your local elected officials? Use the "Email All Counci l Members" form or emai l each one ind ividually. They are always interested in receiving input from our residents. Visit our websi te to access the email forms. Visit our website to access the email forms ** ELECTION UPDATE** The next municipal election is scheduled for March 8, 2022 and the qualifying period begins at Noon on November 2, 2021 and ends at Noon on November 16, 2021 . When a resident decides to seek office, they should schedule an appoint ment with the Village Clerk to review t he "Candidate Election Handbook:' It is important this meeting take place well before the start of the qualifying period as there are certain requ irements t hat need to be fu lfilled prior to qualifying. During this meeting, a comprehensive explanation of the process is provided, including the review of required forms, election laws and important dates and dead lines. The following seats are scheduled for the March 2022 election:

Date Filed to Run

Name

Seat

Opposition

Frank D'Ambra

Seat 1

10/12/21

No opposition as of 10/27/21 No opposition as of 10/27/21 No opposition as of 10/27/21

Laurie Brandon

Seat 3

9/28/21

Bruce Prince

Seat 5

10/5/21

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Tequesta Firefighters and Fire Rescue

You Can Never Train Too Much For aJob That Can Kill You!

In This PaJDily, No One Pights Alone!

Thank you to everyone who came out to t he events to help support Firefighter/Paramedic James Stack in his fight against non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer known to effect firefighters. Because of the generosity and kindness of everyone who attended, hundreds of people were swabbed to try to find James a bone marrow match and $25,000 was raised to help James with his medical bills!

Our Tequest a firefighters were able to take part in training on September 14th with Pa lm Beach Gardens (PBG) Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at the new PBG fire tra ining site. The multi - company drills included garden apartment and high-rise scenarios with fire attack, search and rescue including vent-enter-search (VES), down firefighters, Fire Department Connection, water supply, and Incident Command System (ICS). Thank you to all involved in coordinating this training!

Tequesta Fire Rescue Annual Open House

Come join Tequesta Fi re Rescue for our annual Open House on December 4, 2021 9:00- 11:30 am. We will have breakfast, fire truck rides, station tours and special friends li ke Jake Blaze, Sparky the Fire Dog and Santa!

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Fiscal Vear 2021/2022 Budget-in-Brief

Council approved the Fiscal Year 21/ 22 budget in September. To view the Budget -in-Brief and Budget Book, vi sit our website.

Proposed General Fund Budget Summary Village of Tequesta Fiscal Year 2021/2022

Where the Money Comes From General Fund

53%

7%

Estimat ed Revenues Ad Valorem Taxes Sales and Use Taxes

s s $

8,158,070 s 1,910,660

2%

Franchi se Fees

462,000

Licenses and Permits

1,000

3%

$ $ $ $ $ $

Intergovernmental Revenues

939,720

Charges for Services

1,507,260

6%

Miscellaneous Revenues lntragovernmental Services

289,420 856,310

Unrestricted Investment Earnings

8,300

6%

Other Financing Sources

0

10%

13% • Sales & Use Taxes

$ 14,132,740

Total Revenues

$ $

-

Transfers In

• Ad Valorem Taxes Charges for Services

Fund Balances/Reserves/Net Assets

1,145,230

• Intergovernmental

$ 15, 277,970

Total Revenues, Transfe rs & Balances:

• lntragovernmental

• Franchise Fees

• Appr. Fund Balance

• Other Misc. Revenues

Estimated Ex(!enditures General Government

$ $ $ $ $ $

3,120,770 7,855,145 1,546,915

Public Safety Transportation Leisure Services

Where the Money Goes l o/o General Fund 27 % 5% 1%

942,080 886,280

1%

Debt Service

Other Financing Uses Total Expenditures:

0

$ 14, 351,190

$ $

Transfers Out

827,260 99,520

6%

Fund Balances/Reserves/Net Assets Total Appropriated Expenditures, Transfers, Reserves & Balances:

6%

$ 15,277,970

23%

Proposed Budget for Other Funds Village of Tequesta Fiscal Year 2021/2022

10%

$

Building Fund

676,260 765,260 342,000 530,010 679,210 74,920 12,937,350

$

Capital Improvement Fund Capital Projects Fund Water Utility Fund Refuse & Recycl ing Fund

21%

-

$

• Police

• Fire Rescue General Government Leisure Services lnterfund Transfers Allocate to Fund Balance • • •

$

Transportation Debt Service Code Compliance • • •

$ $

Storm Wat er Fund

$

Special Law Enfor cement

$ 16,005,010

Total for Other Funds

Proposed 2021 Ad Valorem Taxes Paid for a Homesteaded Home with a Value of$300,000

2021 Property Value Highlights

Millage Rate History by Fiscal Year Ending September 30th

• The Gross taxable value of property for operating purposes rose by $69,056,167 or 5.63% since the previous year. • This resulted in a gross taxable value of $1,295,434,699 for Tequesta in 2021. • This is the tenth consecutive year that values have increased.

25

$1,891, School Board

$435, Other Taxing Authorities

·~

20

15

J $1,657, $1657,

10 5

$1,349' Palm Beach County

0

M V

00

0

M N

Village of Tequesta

~ ~ ~

~

M M

M M N N N

rl

rl rl

0

0

0

0 N

0

0

0

0

0

0

N N N

N N N

N N N

• VOT • OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES

*Calculat ions do not i nclude the "Save Our Homes" cap

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Around the Village

US 1 Bridge Replacement Project The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted a Construct ion Open House and Webinar regarding the scheduled bridge and roadway improvements on US 1 from CR A1A to CR 707. The webinar is available on our website and provides an extensive overview of the upcoming bridge replacement project including improvements, traffic impacts, and answers to submi tted questions. Also on our website, you will find the following handouts regarding the bridge replacement:

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING RAIL ROAD CROSSING FULL CLOSURE!

Brightline Project Notification Rail Road Crossing FULL Closure ~-

• US 1 Bridge Replacement Project Fact Sheet • Presentation • Proposed Bridge Renderings

@ N

IAt••H

Location: County Line Road and Old Dixie Highway Dates: 11/ 10/2 1 thru11/21/21 Contractor: HSR Constructors Contact: Zachary Aeschleman: Crossing Engineer 915.412.3193 • zaeschleman@hsrcjv.com

See full size version ofmap on our website.

Projects Affecting Residents '\Nebpage There are exciti ng projects taking place in the Village - all designed to make Tequesta a special place to cal l home. This is your one-stop-shop for up-to-date information on the major projects in the Village. To access traffic pattern changes, bridge closures, projects taking place and Bright line Tra in updates visit our "Projects Affecting Residents"webpage:

-+Select

Find the project you want to view on the left hand side of the screen and click it "Projects Affecting Residents" on top tool bar D

-+

~rojects Around the Village Thero aroo lot of exciting proj«tsgoing on around tho Villago oll dcsl9nod to molul Toqucsto a special ploco to coll homo. This Is your one-stop-shop for up-to-date informattOn on thomajor projects around toYm. To ~cess traffic pattern changes. bridge closures. projects taldng place around tho Villa9a and Brjghtlinc Train updat es. use the links to the left of this page

Current Projects

s

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips • Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop so that you can keep an eye on the food. • Never leave the house if you have the oven on. • Keep kids away from hot foods, liqu ids and stovetops. Remember, if they're close enough to touch it, it's close enough to burn them. • Be sure t hat electrical cords from electrical knives, coffee makers, plate warmers or mixers are not dangling off the counter or wi t hin easy reach of a chi ld.

Special Event Permits When is a permit required?

Special event permits are required for any outdoor activity, gathering, group of people or vehicles, upon public or private property, likely to inhibit the usual flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create noise in excess of that typically associated with the area. Examples are block parties, parades, races, grand openings, fund raisers and similar events. What documents do I need to provide? Acompleted application is required along with a site plan showing the layout for the event. A Certificate of Insurance is also requ ired, naming theVillage ofTequesta as an additional insured. What is the deadline? For events with 200+ attendees, the appl ication must be submitted at least 45 days in advance. You can apply up to a year in advance for a special event permit. For events with less than 200 attendees, applications should be submitted at least 20 days in advance. Do I need to go before Village Council for approval? Al l special event permit applications with 200+ attendees requ ire you to attend a Vi llage Council meeting for approval. Such special event permits must be submitted at least 45 days in advance and wil l be placed on the calendar for t he next regu larly scheduled Vil lage Council meeti ng. What else do I need? If alcohol will be sold or served, you wil l need to obtain a temporary alcohol license from the Department of Bus iness and Professional Regulation (DBPR). A copy of the issued license temporary alcohol license must be provided to the Building Dept. prior to the date of the event. What happens if my special event permit is denied? To avoid denial, please ensure that you submit a timely application. If your appl ication is denied, you can request an appeal to the Village Council. The request must be in writing to the Village Manager within ten days of the denial and wi ll be considered by the Village Council at its next scheduled meeting. If you have any questions or require any assistance with your application, please call the Building Department at (561) 768-0450. Click here download a Application PDF

• Keep matches and utility lighters out of reach of ch ildren - up high in a locked cabinet is best! • Never leave a child in a room alone with a lit candle. • Make sure your smoke alarms are working before you start cooking. Test them by pushing the "test" button. • Keep kids busy with games, puzzles or books. If they would like to help with food preparation, cookie decorating is a fun and safe way for t hem to help. The mission of the Tequesta Bu ilding Department is to make sure t hat al l bui ldings within t he Village are safe for its citizens. To do this, the Building Director inspects structu res in a timely manner to ensure const ruction, alteration, repairs and modificat ions are performed in accordance with state and federal laws and Vi llage ordinances. The first step in the construction process is to hire a licensed contractor who is requi red to meet specific State standards. Following building codes is critical to ensuring t hat structures remai n safe. In the state of Florida, it is il legal to hire an unlicensed contractor. It is a dangerous practice that could resu lt in a defective structure that is not code complaint, and ultimat ely could lead to a safety risk wi t hout the proper inspections by the Bu ilding Department. Many unlicensed contractors operate without genera l liability or workers compensation insurance making the homeowner responsible for any injuries suffered due to non-compliant work. Tequesta residents can rest assured that prior to the approval of a permit, the building department has researched the contractor to verify they are licensed and insured. Hiring an unqualified, unlicensed contractor leaves you open to fraud and exploitation, and may subject you to future fi nes. To avoid financial liability, and for your safety, always hire a properly licensed contractor. If you have any questions, please contact the Building Department at (561) 768-0450. 7

Community Center Progress

Progress is being made on the much-anticipated Community Center.

a

Stormwater and Me

Along its path, runoff can collect pollutants such as:

Stormwater runoff is rainfall that runs over the ground’s surface and into waterways.

Oils, greases, paints Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers

Detergents, cleaners Hazardous chemicals

Even if it flows into a storm drain, the runoff almost always ends up in our waterways without treatment.

Leaves and grass clippings Sediments, trash and debris Pet waste

Keep Pollution Out of Our Waters !

www.StormwaterAndMe.org

You can help! Clean up, pick up, or relocate materials so runoff won't wash them into our waterways.

Call your local authority to report local water pollution activity.

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Stormwater

What you can do to fiefp keey our waters crean!

and'Me! Keep pollution out of our waters

How you can help...

If you suspect discharge or spi ll is hazardous, call 911 ! For all other discharges, spills and illegal dumping, do one of the following: Call the local enity responsible for the stormwater system. (A reporting list may be found at www.StormwaterAndMe.org).

Only stormwater belongs in a storm drain

These are some of the things that should not be discharged to or placed in a stormwater system: • Leaves or grass clipping •Wash water with detergents • Fertillizers, herbicides, or pesticides • Paints, oils, or solvents •Sediment or debris

Call the FDEP Environmental Crimes toll -free number 1-877-2-SAVE-FLA (1-877-272-8335) or #DEP from your cellular phone. Know the Flow

Reporting Illegal Dumping and Illicit Dischagers

N i hb h d Tertiary Drainage System What path does stonn water typically follow from your neighborhood to its final destination?

fl ri ' an

!:" I FNe lnclles of rain falls In 24 hcus CNer an Inland community. This rain follows awet period, so110llldwater leYBls are aln!ady lutL According to most iipproYed drainage desqls, somewater Is temporarily stored In publtc recrMtlonaJ areas, yard swales llld streets. The elll:8SS "au1ace water" slowly aalos to rommunlty lakes/oo-slle ponds via street and Ycl'll drailageQBtes or cutvert3 and/or via swales, ditches or canals. water then dl'llils from the community or "IBrtWY" system through lllder(1Wld p~ ID the ' sec;ond;rf" system, usually operated by a special taxing district or the COlllt'//clty. Malntelllll1C8 and l4Jkeep of community dl'llilage facilities Is typlcalty the responslillty ofhomeo- assodi!llons.

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SAVE MONEY & HELP SAVE THE PLANET

GO SOLAR

OHomes with solar PV systems sell for more! According to appraiser and realtor data, the increase in re-sale value is $2 to $3 per watt of a PV system.With an average sized roof-top system of about 6-7KW, that equates to the re-sale value of your home increasing between $12,000 to $21,000.

Solar Fast Facts Let's start with the basics. The two most common ways to harness the energy of the sun at home is either through a Solar Thermal or a Solar Photovoltaic system. A solar thermal system takes the heat of the sun and warms water. This type of system can assist with hot water needs for a home or pool. A solar photovoltaic (PV) system utilizes solar cells and panels that create electricity for the home. While solar thermal is a wonderful means to assist with hot water production at home, this article will focus on the merits of home PV systems. What will it cost to install a Solar PV system at my home? The size (number of panels) of a photovoltaic system installed on your roof will determine the cost. Besides your budget, your home's electricity needs as well as your roof design will determine the size of a system. The more PV cell panels, the more kilowatts (KW) of electricity it will produce. An average-sized home's PV system in Florida can cost between $12,000 to $25,000. If you need a loan to pay for a system, check out the Solar Energy Loan Fund or the Florida Pace (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Funding Agency. What's this about saving money? OThe cost to install a Solar PV system has dropped 36% in the last 5 years. OWith the Federal lnvestmentTax Credit (ITC), you can reduce the cost of your PV solar energy system by 26%. (Note: After 2022, the federal tax credit starts to step down). OThere is no state sales tax (6%) on the purchase of a renewable energy device like a solar PV system. OThe non-profit SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS (SUN) of Florida helps set up regional solar co-op's wherein homeowners can save money by going solar in a group. Solar installers compete for the co-op business and offer bulk discounts. O With the reduction in and saving on your electricity bill, the cost of a typical Solar PV system is paid off in 7-10 years.

How can I learn more? There are over 480 solar industry related businesses in Florida. To help gather and sort out all the information you might need, check out; Solar United Neighbors (SUN) of Florida.This non-profit offers an abundance of information for homeowners considering adding a solar PV system to their home. They are planning a solar co-op for Palm Beach County next year.They also offer one-on-one assistance to homeowners that don't participate in a co-op program. The Solar Energy Industry Assoc. (SEIA) and link to their Florida page. The EnergySage. Its panel of solar advisors is on hand to answer your questions and connect you with the resources you need to make an informed decision. They offer a Solar Marketplace free service that makes it easy to accept qualified quotes from solar power system companies. Over 90,000 Florida homeowners already generate their own electricity via solar and sell their excess back to utility companies via net metering. Let's continue the progress of our Sunshine state in the use of clean and renewable energy. One more home on solar is one less dependent on energy production that relies on carbon-based fuels that generate greenhouse gases. Finally, don't let the utility companies and legislators take away your ability or incentives to produce your own clean energy at home.

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SURVEY Florida Department of Environmental Protection ·- ' © .,-·-tllf

Star Award Winners

m w w >

Keith Robinson Kurt Blanc EmirYildiz Max Cooper Ron Sambeli Ray Giblin John Kostyo David McGovern

The University ofFlorida (UF) is conduct ing a survey on beha lf of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP to learn more about

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Kris Wilhelm Chris Chance

plast ic bags, auxi liary materia ls (e.g., reusable bags, paper bags, gift bags, gift boxes, hat boxes, cloth bags and food takeout boxes and clamshells) and wrappi ngs. The study's principal investigator is Dr. Tim Townsend from UF and the Sustainable Materials Management Research Laboratory. The survey will be administered online using Qualtrics, if you are able to participate, please visit the link below. https://faculty.eng.ufl.edu/ timothy-townsend/survey/ https://faculty.eng.ufl.edu/timothy-townsend/survey/

Anniversaries

5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 10 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 20 years

Michael Filipkowski

Thomas Jarrell

Christopher Scaduto

John Rouse Lee Ferguson Walter Paris Debra Telfrin John Kostyo Vanessa Allison Michelle Gload

Retirements

Michael Roulund

fALL fESTIVAL

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