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2004.02.03_TC_Minutes_Regular TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, February 3. 2004 1:30 P.M Mayor Thomas J. Reid called the Regular Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at 1:30 P.M. Town Clerk Doris Trinley called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill, and Commissioners John J. Sorrelli, Robert L. Lowe and Rachael Scala-Pistone were present. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Town Manager were also present, as were members of the general public, After roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance was given. Before addressing the Agenda, the Mayor called for a moment of silence in memory of David Augenstein, a former Commissioner and, briefly, Vice Mayor. . 1. ADDITIONS. DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Hearing no objection, Mayor Reid declared the Agenda accepted as presented. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Harold Hagelmann, Boca Hi, requested that the pay per meeting for Board members be increased from $25 to $50. The Commission asked that a survey of payment for volunteer services be taken from several adjacent communities, and presented at the February 24 Workshop. AI Bresnahan, Seagate, presented several questions regarding the R.O. plant (copy attached to and made part of these Minutes). Joe Yucht, Boca Hi, presented his idea of a "fiscal note" form that he requested the Commission to implement for unbudgeted expenditures (copy attached to and made part of these Minutes); he also requested that the name of whoever sponsors an ordinance or resolution be noted on agendas. Seymour Strauss, Boca Hi, advised of a successful concert .given at St. Lucy's by the lyric orchestra; he said 350-400 people attended and two (2) patrons had each given a $500 donation, as well as other donations from those in the audience. Minutes of Tow Commission Regular Meeting • February 3, 2004 Page 2 of 7 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS (continued) Joseph Asselta, Casuarina, advised he planned to file for the Vice Mayoral seat in the March 9 municipal elections; he gave background information on his law career and military service. 3. PRESENTATIONS NONE. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: FINANCIAL ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE BUDGET TRANSFER ORDINANCE. Mayor Reid read the FAB's memo of recommendation to approve the budget transfer ordinance, which was to have first reading this date under No. 5 "Ordinances and Resolutions" (copy attached to and made part of these Minutes). B) BOARD VACANCIES: Two (2) on Board of Adjustment; one (1) on • Planning Board (Victor Hadeed eligible for reappointment). It was agreed to defer appointments to the Board of Adjustment. Victor Hadeed was reappointed to the Planning Board for a second 3-year term. While it was inadvertently not included on the Agenda, it was noted that there was one (1) opening on the Beaches Advisory Board. Upon MOTION by Commissioner Scala-Pistone/Vice Mayor Hill, Ruth Samuels was unanimously appointed to that Board fora 3-year term by favorable roll call vote C) BOARD ACTION REPORT The BAR for the month of January was read into the record by Mayor Reid. The Mayor also read into the record the February Board meetings listed below. D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: Planning Board Regular -None Scheduled. Board of Adjustment -None Scheduled. Code Enforcement Board -None Scheduled. Financial Advisory Board -None Scheduled. Building Fee Ad Hoc -None Scheduled. • Public Safety Advisory - 2/9/04 - 9:30 A.M. Beaches Advisory - 2/10/04 - 9:30 A.M. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting • February 3, 2004 Page 3 of 7 5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, SETTING SALARIES OF COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR. (first reading 1/6/04; published 1/20/04; final reading.) MOTION to adopt this proposed ordinance was made by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI. During discussion, Vice Mayor Hill's Motion to amend the effective date to 3/1/05, rather than 3/9/04, lacked a second. Roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Sorrelli -Yes Commissioner Scala-Pistone - No Commissioner Lowe -Yes Vice Mayor Hill - No Mayor Reid -Yes AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 699, WHICH APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL • YEAR 2002-2003, WHICH BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2002 AND ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003. (first reading) There was no discussion; publication will take place 2/17/04 A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT CERTAIN MUNICIPAL ISSUES DURING THE 2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWENICE MAYOR HILL, this resolution was unanimously approved (copy attached to and made part of these Minutes). 6. NEW BUSINESS NONE 7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER (1) MINUTES FOR APPROVAL Upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE, the Minutes of the • January 6, 2004 Regular Meeting were unanimously approved. • Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting February 3. 2004 Page 4 of 7 7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER (continued) (2) POLICE DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION During discussion it was noted that Police Chief Cervasio plans to retire sometime this year; therefore, to reorganize the Department (add three (3) more sergeants/see Minutes of 1/27/04) at this time would put the newly appointed Chief at a disadvantage as he/she would not have the opportunity to assess the Department's needs as he/she saw them. MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE to DENY the reorganization was unanimously voted by roll call as follows: Commissioner Lowe -Yes Commissioner Scala-Pistone- Yes Commissioner Sorrelli -Yes Vice Mayor Hill -Yes Mayor Reid -Yes (3) FLIGHT PATTERN MONITOR • Because its initial cost and monthly maintenance far outweighed the value of the information it would supply the Town, MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI to DISAPPROVE the purchase of the flight pattern monitor. Roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Scala-Pistone -Yes Commissioner Lowe -Yes Commissioner Sorrelli -Yes Vice Mayor Hill -Yes Mayor Reid -Yes (4) CONSIDER BUDGET AMENDMENT TO REASSIGN LANDSCAPE ISLANDS AND STREET SIGNAGE FROM OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION TO GENERAL FUND RESERVE. Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone had requested this transfer and explained how it could be accomplished. However, after substantial discussion, and upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI to table the subject until Town Manager Saag and Finance Director Novak could provide additional information. The Motion passed with majority call vote as follows: Commissioner Lowe -Yes • Commissioner Scala-Pistone - No Commissioner Sorrelli -Yes Vice Mayor Hill - No Mayor Reid -Yes Minutes of Town Commission Meeting • February 3. 2004 Page 5 of 7 8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone advised of a phone conversation with Richard Walesky, Director of PBC Environmental Resources Management, during which she was told that there are State/Federal grant monies available for municipalities as pertains to open space and recreation purposes. Discussion included inviting Mr. Walesky to the February 24 Workshop and having Town Attorney Sliney draft a letter to the owners of available lots in Town, expressing interest on the Town's behalf, but, as Mayor Reid stressed, making certain that no offers on the Town's part can be construed by those property owners. Mr. Saag suggested the draft letter be an agenda item for discussion at the February 24 Workshop or, should the Commission so decide, for discussion at a Special Workshop. Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report. Commissioner John J. Sorrelli referred to recent torrential rains and the failure of DOT to ensure adequate drainage, as guaranteed. The Commissioner spoke to the danger of bicyclists leaving their lanes to avoid puddled water, especially on the east side of A1A. Town Manager Saag said he would contact DOT again, but advised there had . been no action taken on his previous correspondence which cited this and other complaints regarding the A1A project. Commissioner Sorrelli also requested a survey of board member payments made by surrounding municipalities. Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill questioned how the Town pays its board members; Mr. Saag replied that while payment was made on a yearly basis in past year, that method has been rescinded and a $25 monthly payment is now made to members who meet monthly or quarterly, or depending on how often they meet. Mr. Saag further advised that no additional payment is made if a Board sits for more than one meeting in one day, i.e., a Regular Meeting and a Public Hearing, for example. Vice Mayor Hill requested a summary of payments to all boards over the past three (3) years. Vice Mayor Hill also questioned the last appraisal for the water plant property located in Boca Raton. Mr. Saag replied that the last appraisal came in at 1.8 millon; however, it is thought that when it is next appraised it will come in at 2 million, which will be applied to the cost of the new R.O, plant. Mayor Thomas J. Reid addressed the R.O. plant cost overages, saying that as the project progressed, such issues as a second floor, additional noise and odor controls, and other add-ons which would benefit the Town, as well as the immediate neighbors, were contemplated by the Commission and approved by them for the benefits that would derive from them. Therefore, the completed project, Mayor Reid said, will prove that the decisions which increased costs were incurred by a Commission who acted intelligently and thoughtfully for the benefit of all residents. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting • February 3. 2004 Page 6 of 7 8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued) Mayor Reid also reiterated his admonition that any inquiry letters sent to owners of open lots for sale not in any way be construed as an offer. 9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report. 10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Ben Saag asked for clarification on two (2) issues: Should Environmental Resource Manager, Richard Walesky, be invited to the February 24 Workshop, and should Town Attorney Sliney draft a letter to lot owners as regards open space possibilities for the Town (see Commissioner Scala-Pistone's report). The answer to both questions was positive. Mr. Saag also advised of a new number for Adelphia customer service: 1-888-683-1000; . he also advised that Adelphia had anounced a new director of government services, who was willing to appear before the Commission if invited. 11. CONSENT AGENDA NONE. 12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING Joe Yucht, Boca Hi, said he was glad the draft letter to owners of open lots will be discussed at a Workshop, and the Commission's decision not to purchase the flight monitor. Mr. Yucht also agreed with Commissioner Sorrelli's comments regarding the A1A project. AI Bresnahan referred to the Mayor's comments regarding the R.O. plant cost over-runs, saying it was the residents' right to be informed of same. Judy Asselta said she was happy the Commission was exploring the possibility of obtaining open space. Mrs. Asselta also suggested that a staff member take pictures of flooding on A1A after the next storm and present same to the DOT. Regarding the cost of the R.O. plant, Mrs. Asselta asked if, at the time of the original bond issue, if voters were made aware of a 2 million dollar contingency based on the future sale of the existing water plant in Boca Raton. • Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting February 3, 2004 Page 7 of 7 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid adjourned the Regular Meeting at 3:25 P.M., upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE. dmt APPRO E: Thomas J. Reid, ~_ W. Hill, __.. _. ' J n J. Sorrelli, ommissioner ,. s .~ Robert L. Lowe, Co issioner ~~ Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner Attest: ~~~_ /~~ ~ --~