Council approves design contract for Tequesta Park; public raises maintenance, state-ownership concerns

The Village of Tequesta council voted to approve a work authorization with Kimberly Horn for full construction plans and limited permitting services for Tequesta Park.

The authorization covers “100% construction plans with limited permitting services,” and the presenter said the agreement cost is $499,755. Staff told the council the project will rely on a state appropriation and the village’s capital program rather than the general fund. "We were awarded an appropriation from the state in the amount of $681,000," the presenter said, adding that the total state appropriation figure is "actually $900 and little over $900,000" and that the village’s share is about 35 percent. The presenter also said the $499,755 design amount is budgeted in the capital program.

The council majority moved and seconded the measure and voted "Aye" to approve the work authorization.

Why it matters: The vote clears the next step toward design and permitting for Tequesta Park, a project that will rely on state funding and later construction spending that the village will need to match in part. Council members noted the design authorization is drawn from capital-program funds rather than the general fund.

What council and staff said: Jonathan Hay (staff) described the scope: design development, site-plan preparation, a traffic-impact study, 100 percent plans, limited permitting services, and project coordination that includes presentations to council and staff schedule management. The presenter said certain elements — surveying, geotechnical work and environmental services — were removed from this contract and will be brought back through separate agreements under the purchasing process.

Public comment and concerns: Marsha Nielsen urged the council to table the expenditure and reconsider the project. Nielsen said the park “does not belong to us — it belongs to the state of Florida,” and warned that pending bills in Tallahassee could change allowable uses (for example, restrictions on ball fields) or otherwise affect the project. She also urged caution about long-term maintenance costs and the village’s ability to sustain them.

Council reaction: Several council members acknowledged those concerns while supporting moving the design forward. One council member said the project will be difficult to stop later and described the funding as coming indirectly through sales-tax receipts rather than directly from property taxes; that member said they would support proceeding with design but noted future capital commitments would be harder to approve.

What's next: Staff will proceed with the design work under the Kimberly Horn work authorization and return separate agreements for surveying, geotechnical, and environmental services through the village purchasing process.

Ending: The council approved the design authorization by voice vote. Additional project expenditures and construction-phase approvals will return to council review as necessary.