MINUTES – ANNUAL MEETING – MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009

1. OPENING REMARKS – President John Goodland welcomed the 45 members present at the annual meeting. Those present represented 18 of the 21 condominiums on Beach Road. The Board of Directors, special guests and main speaker Commissioner Karen Marcus were introduced. Attending from the Village of Tequesta were Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Tom Paterno, Councilman Vince Arena, Village Manager Mike Cuzzo and Police Chief William Cullen.

2. SPEAKER – Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus, in her last term after serving this district for 24 years, acknowledge the pleasant association the county has with the Tequesta Village Council, noting that the two parties are really in partnership on many things of interest to both municipalities.
Commissioner Marcus said the county is going through the budget process now, stating, “although, not a pretty year for us with dollars and impact fees down, but we were fortunate to have put a large amount in savings and are getting by.” She pointed out, however, that most departments are being asked to cut budgets by 10 percent, despite the fact that the police and fire departments asked for a $10 million increase. “We are asking ourselves, ‘how are we helping the economy and how do we make sure the services residents expect are still in place?’”
The Commissioner explained that the county has been very dependent on construction, but are trying to get to a point where it is not, and still promote development. She said the Scripps and Max Planck developments in Jupiter’s Abacoa area are very important to the county now and much of the attention is being placed on those developments. “We expect to have the best of the best right here in Jupiter,” she concluded.
Commissioner Marcus pointed out that the Florida Legislature is now in session and it appears that it plans to pass a couple of bills that are of great concern to the county. If the bills pass, she said, much of the money we were expecting would be eliminated and some programs will need to be cut. Further, “it would put limits on future development,” she said, “as a way to keep taxes down. The legislature calls it an economic stimulus.” Marcus asked Beach Road residents, and others, to take time to contact their legislators to voice concern on these bills. “They need to know your feelings,” she advised.
The commissioner said Palm Beach County received $21 million of the federal governments economic stimulus monies and it is being put to good use. She noted that the Village of Tequesta received an additional $3 million to help finance the new Tequesta Drive Bridge over the Loxahatchee River. The bridge is to be built this summer.

3. MAYOR WATKINS – The Village of Tequesta mayor said the Council is grateful for Beach Road residents support and involvement in community activities. She stated, “We’re not anticipating any cuts in departmental budgets, especially police and fire.” She also pointed out that Village officials are excited to receive funds for the new bridge.

4. POLICE CHIEF – Chief Cullen told those present that the Village of Tequesta now enforces county ordinances at Coral Cove Park and have full jurisdiction in patrolling there. Village police have increased patrols and violations appear to be down. “The working relationship we now have with the county is a natural one and we’re pleased to have this association,” he said. He asked residents to call police to report any violations.

5. SECRETARY’S REPORT – Secretary Jerry Johnson called for a motion to waive reading of the minutes of the March meeting. The motion was made, there was a second and it passed. The minutes were approved as mailed.

6. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Joe Walsh reported that the association’s checking account stood at $(Redacted) and a money market account balance was $(Redacted).

7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Goodland said the final landscaping program had been completed, except for planting of one tree. The total spent on the landscaping program was $96,348, with the county funding $50,000 of the total. The Village of Tequesta contributed $12,000 to the project, and the remainder was financed through Beach Road Association. Goodland noted that the final phase came to $8,000.
The president announced that the BRA Board of Directors had voted to eliminate the December meeting next season, and that the meetings next season would be held the second Monday of each month, rather than the first. The Annual Meeting in April will continue on the first Monday of the month.
Goodland reviewed this year’s programs and noted there had been a number of interesting speakers. He also noted the association’s new website. “Just Google Beach Road Association and it will appear,” he said. Condominium presidents were asked to send in e-mail address so quick messages could be forwarded when needed.

8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Joe Walsh, Jerry Johnson, Karen Cohen and Goodland’s terms had expired on the Board of Directors. Upon motion by the members, the four were unanimously re-elected. Goodland pointed out that Walsh, who is 96, has served as a director and treasurer of the Beach Road Association since 1987.

9. CLOSING REMARKS – President Goodland thanked the directors, presidents and representatives, his wife Karen, the reservations committee, catering services and general membership for their contributions to the association the past year.

10. ADJOURNMENT – With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:57 pm.

Respectfully submitted,




Gerry Johnson,
Secretary

The following officers were elected at the Directors meeting on April 9, 2009: John Goodland, president; Gerry Johnson, secretary; Jack Lighton, vice president; and, Karen Cohen, treasurer.