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2004.08.31_TC_Minutes_Workshop• TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA TOWN COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 31.2004 1:30 Vim. Mayor Thomas J. Reid called the Workshop Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at 1:30 P.M. Acting Town Clerk Jane Dillon called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta and Commissioners Rachael Scala-Pistone, Miriam S. Zwick, and Robert L. Lowe were present. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Acting Town Manager Doris Trinley were also present, as were members of the general public. 1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Ms. Trinley asked that under item No. 6, New Business, add to include disposal of three computers from the Police Dept. to auction to staff. The amended Agenda was accepted. • 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Jim Newill, 3210 S. Ocean Blvd., expressed concerns on the water department budget. He noted that he was a member on the Financial Advisory Board, but was representing himself, not the board. He met with two Highland Beach officials and it was mentioned that the electrical cost for the new water plant was going to be somewhere between $200,000 to $25,000 more than what the old plant runs. There is a $53,000 increase in this year's budget or a $100,000 increase from what it is running this year. He believes there is a shortage. Also there may be a shortage for cleaning of the filters. The $100,000 for beach cleaning should be addressed and pay for by the state. The $100,000 could then be moved to the water department, it wouldn't change the tax calculations. He also commended the Commission on the improved process for choosing the Town Manager as compared to the Police Chief. Joe Yucht, Boca Highlands, requested that the Commission schedule a public meeting for the candidates for public office can debate or be interviewed in Town Hall. He expressed concern about the eight constitutional amendments on the ballot, and that the public receive information about what they are. He also hoped the Commission had • more knowledge of the Town Manager candidates than was presented at the Town Town Commission • Tuesday, August 31, 2004 Page 2 of 5 Commission open interviews. Mr. Yucht also expressed concern on how the selection of the police chief was handled. Mayor Reid stated that much time was spent investigating the potential police chief candidates. 3. PRESENTATIONS Peter Corralas, Corralas Group Architects, stated that he was requesting an approval for a material cost increase for the library in the amount of $86,853. Due to the delay in construction due from the delay in finishing the water plant, material costs have risen in the lost months. The permitting process took longer than normal also. Commissioner Scala-Pistone asked about the original bid, which Peter stated was $2,032,000 which .included the .sea wall ($170,000). She expressed dismay about the $86K additional figure. Commissioner Lowe inquired about the additional permits. Peter stated that one for the for the wetlands was needed, and the entire property had to go to the South Florida Water permit, which was not anticipated. • Sean Skehan, CH2MHill, noted that from the list one item needs to be taken care a#. The other problems have been resolved. The electrical issue problem is more understandable now, as he explained to the Commission. He noted that the final additional cost to the Town is approximately $35,800. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: Beaches & Shores Advisory Board recommendation re dune vegetation and representation on Palm Beach Countywide Coastal Council. carryover to September 7 Regular Meeting B) BOARD VACANCIES were noted as follows: One (1) on Code Enforcement Board. C) BOARD ACTION REPORT: None. D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: Previously Submitted. 5. PROPOSBD ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, TO EFFECT A TAX LEVY BASED UPON THE 2004 TAX ROLL OF THE TOUVN OF HIGHLAND BEACH. (first reading 8/3/04; published 8/24/04) • Carryover to September 7 Regular Meeting Town Commission • Tuesday, August 31, .2004 Page 3 of 5 2) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2004 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. (first reading 8/3/04; published 8/24/04) Carryover to September 7 Regular Meeting 3) A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH TO ADOPT THE REVISED UNIFIED PALM BEACH COUNTY LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY PLAN; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Carryover to September 7 Regular Meeting 4) A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, APPOINTING A REGULAR AND ALTERNATE TOWN REPRESENTATIVE TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTYWIDE COASTAL COUNCIL. Carryover to September 7 Regular Meeting 6. NEW BUSINESS • 1) DISCUSSION RE: INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY TO EXTEND RENEWAL DATE TO 2010. Move to September 7 Consent Agenda. 2) DISCUSSION RE: AUDIT AGREEMENT WITH NOWLEN, HOLT & MINER. Move to September 7 Consent Agenda. 3) Disposal of Computer Equipment: place three computers up for bid to the staff. Move to September 7 Consent Agenda Stan Novak spoke re sale of old fire rescue truck, worth approximately $20,000. He suggested it go through a broker, and the Commission gave consent to go forward with this. 7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER 1) DISCUSSION RE: CAR OR CAR ALLOWANCE FOR NEW POLICE CHIEF. A survey was conducted with other cities/towns to determine who offered a car. Six .out of eight offer cars, one offers an allowance, one has no police force:.. The following vote was taken in favor of a car or car allowance. Town Commission • Tuesday. August 31 2004 Page 4 of 5 Comm. Zwick allowance Comm. Lowe allowance Comm. Scala-Pistone neither V-Mayor Asselta neither Mayor Reid allowance This will have further discussion at the September 7 meeting. 8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION COMMISSIONER MIRIAM S. ZWICK: None COMMISSIONER RACHAEL SCALA-PISTONE: Expressed her dismay in the high salary for the new Police Chief, and now adding another $6,000 or so for a car allowance. She is concerned about the range that was created for the Chief of Police, and now the normal range for the Town Manager will need to be higher. COMMISSIONER LOWE: No Report • VICE MAYOR ASSELTA: Spoke on the Budget and the problems with the water plant, noting that the cost of operating the plant is not reflected in the budget, yet should be. The cost of energy, chemicals, and other things are missing. The present budget shows a depreciation that is not correct. MAYOR REID: Mayor Reid stated that the Chief of Police is an employee under the purview of the Town Manager who makes the decision as to salary, benefits etc. The car allowance issue will be discussed Sept. 7. 9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY Attorney Sliney spoke re Ocean Cove reading a letter from Jeffrey Levine which with enclosure of amended South Florida Water Management permit modification for the Ocean Cove dock. Noting that the agency has approved the changes requested by Mr. Norman. The Army Corp of Engineers should be issuing its revised permit in the near future, and at that time Mr. Norman will be able to complete construction project. 10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER Ms. Trinley noted that although there are still eiectrical problems, a Certificate of Occupancy was issued yesterday for the construction of the RO plant. Also the celebration for the plant has beers set for Thursday, January 20, 2005 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. If the town needs to evacuate due to the hurricane, the county will use • their communicator system to advise. Our system is only 50% max. • Town Commission Tuesday, Au4ust 31. 2004 Page 5 of 5 A plaque was presented to the Town from the Dept. of Transportation via Weekley for the A1A job they did in Town. • 11. CONSENT AGENDA None. 12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING Jim Newill, 3210 S. Ocean Blvd., noted that the FAB did not "throw out the car", just noted that the value to paint it was the same as the value of the car. Joe Yucht, Boca Highlands, stated that he was cut off and not allowed his five minutes to speak. He did not intend for the candidates to come before the Commission, but be allowed to use the facilities for their own use to debate and have the public meet them. Should the first Chief candidate not accept the Town's contract, would the second choice person receive the same contract? Thought the details were to be left up negotiations. Commissioner Scala-Pistone stated that she was hired without any input regarding to salary and benefits. Ms. Trinley stated that there was no contract. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, MOTION to adjourn was made by VICE MAYOR ASSELTA/COMMISSIONER ZWICK at 3:36 p.m. APPROVAL: Mayor Thomas J. Reid Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta ~~ `' l/ Commissioner Robert L. Lowe ~ ~ Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone 9 ~. Commissioner IVI'ri~ ATTEST: --~,,, -, S. Zwick ~~L~Z~L-~ ~L- :--~~ ' ~-~ .C/~G~~ DATE: C~ ~ S ' U