Tequesta council reappoints mayor in 3-2 vote; approves noise ordinance, pension changes, road projects and park grant

TEQUESTA, Fla. — The Village of Tequesta council on March 13 reappointed Molly Young as mayor in a 3-2 roll-call vote, installed Rick Sartori as vice mayor and approved a string of ordinances, contracts and grant actions affecting noise rules, pensions, roadwork and park improvements.

The reappointment marked the council’s annual reorganization. The council voted 3–2 to confirm Molly Young as mayor; Vice Mayor Rick Sartori received unanimous support in a separate roll-call vote to remain vice mayor for the next year. Council members present were Mayor Molly Young, Vice Mayor Rick Sartori, Council member Brandon, Council member Patrick Painter and Council member French.

The meeting also covered a series of routine and project-level approvals. The council completed second readings and adopted amendments to the village noise ordinance (Ordinance 01-25) and to the general employee pension trust fund (Ordinance 04-25), approved multiple public-works contracts for milling, paving and utility repairs, and accepted a state appropriation to rebuild Tequesta (Topazza/Tequesta) Park with a local match.

Why it matters: The approvals commit local funds and contract authority for infrastructure and park work that will affect village maintenance budgets and capital projects, and the gas-tax interlocal decision preserves the municipality’s ability to participate in countywide mobility funding formulas.

Key actions and details

Votes at a glance - Mayoral appointment: Council reappointed Molly Young as mayor by roll-call vote, 3 yes (Mayor Young, Council member Brandon, Council member Patrick Painter) and 2 no (Vice Mayor Rick Sartori, Council member French). Outcome: approved. - Vice mayor appointment: Rick Sartori was confirmed vice mayor by roll-call vote (5–0). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 01-25 (construction/noise hours amendment): Adopted (second reading). Outcome: approved by voice vote; no roll-call no votes recorded on the transcript. - Ordinance 04-25 (general employee pension trust fund amendments): Adopted (second reading). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Contract: Milling, paving and striping for six open-cut repairs on Country Club Drive related to Water Main No. 4 — amount approved $91,998; council approved leveraging an existing piggyback contract. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Roadway capital improvements FY 2024–25: Milling and paving program using Palm Beach County piggyback contract (Winn & Sons). Total approved cost: $688,861.35. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - State appropriation / park grant: The council approved acceptance of an appropriation of approximately $681,776 from the state for Tequesta Park; the village’s share was described as about $380,000 with $250,000 already set aside toward matching funds. A separate consultant/plan agreement (Kimley‑Horn) was pulled from the agenda for further review. Outcome: grant acceptance approved by voice vote after public comment. - Palm Beach County local option gas tax interlocal agreement: Council authorized the mayor to sign the interlocal agreement that would reaffirm the county’s existing municipal distribution formula for the 6¢ local-option portion of the gas tax. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Resolution supporting a countywide regional transportation plan: Council approved Resolution 06-25 urging collaboration between municipalities and the county on a countywide transportation plan and coordination process. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

Discussion highlights and clarifications - Reorganization: The mayor’s seat drew two nominations. After two nominations and a roll-call vote, Molly Young was reappointed mayor; the transcript shows a 3–2 result and the mayor thanked the council for the action.

- Park grant and matching funds: Village Manager Jeremy (identified in the meeting) told the council the state appropriation came in larger than expected and that the village’s share would be approximately $380,000. He said the village had set aside $250,000 for matching purposes and that staff pulled the planned Kimley‑Horn design agreement from the agenda to revisit scope and maximize the grant before returning with a refined plan.

- Public comment on park ownership and risk: Marsha Nielsen, a resident and recipient of the meeting’s volunteer award, urged caution about long-term state ownership and maintenance conditions for the park and federal/state policy changes that could affect Bureau of Land Management properties. Nielsen said residents should be vigilant; she noted that the park land does not belong to the village and cautioned against assuming long-term control.

- Road projects and procurement: Staff said the roadway program will proceed using an existing Palm Beach County piggyback contract to save costs. The $688,861.35 package covers milling, paving, manhole adjustments and several named neighborhood streets. The Country Club Drive open-cut repairs tied to Water Main No. 4 were estimated at $91,998 under a leveraged contract.

- Pension ordinance: Ordinance 04-25 amended code language for the general employee pension trust fund (exhibit A). The item was presented at second reading and adopted with no public objections recorded on the transcript.

Other reports and departmental notes - Utilities reported a $45,000 reimbursement for a vulnerability assessment and plans to bid a filter-plant rehabilitation and membrane replacement; staff said DEP had requested additional information on Water Main No. 2 (Beach Road). - Police and fire chiefs gave routine monthly reports, including training and community events.

What’s next: Several items (notably the park master plan and the pulled Kimley‑Horn agreement) will return to staff and the council for further scope review. Staff said road work is slated to begin in mid‑April, and additional grant- and procurement-related details will be presented at upcoming workshops.

Ending: The council adjourned following the business items and closed the regular meeting after approving the evening’s agenda items and votes.