2004.09.23_TC_Minutes_SpecialTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH. FLORIDA
TOWN COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 23. 2004 9'30 A M
Mayor Thomas J. Reid called the Special Meeting to"order in Commission Chambers at
9:30 A.M., noting that this was a special meeting for the purpose of discussion and/or
disposition regarding the Town Manager position.
Acting Town Clerk Jane Dillon called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta
and Commissioners Robert L. Lowe, Rachael Scala-Pistone and Miriam S. Zwick were
present.
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Acting Town Manager Doris Trinley were also
present, as were members of the general public.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.
Mr. Benzinger offered a recap of what has transpired, noting that originally the Town had
selected Carrie Hill as its first choice as Town Manager. Mr. Sliney started to draw up
• a contract and about the same time a draft was completed, Ms. Hill withdrew. Mr.
Benzinger notified Mr. Taylor that he was the next choice. A draft contract was faxed
to Mr. Taylor, unsuccessfully, therefore he drafted his own contract. Two proposals now
stand, one from the Town and one from Mr. Taylor. He noted that the town contract was
drafted with Carrie Hill in mind.
The three questions are: Do we want to proceed with negotiations; Assuming we do,
how do we want to proceed; and some of the terms i.e. salary, car allowance, which
were not in initial proposal need to be addressed.
Mr. Sliney stated that he would like to use the Town's contract and any amendments the
Town agrees to from Mr. Taylor's contract can be added to contract. The first order of
business is to decide if the Town is going to proceed with Mr. Taylor.
Mayor asked fo.~ a Motion for the purpose of determining whether the Town proceed, with
discussion, to start negotiation with Rex Taylor.
M~TIOP~-was mare by COMMISSIONER ZWICK/COMMISSIONER LOWE.
The follo~nrirg ro!Icall vote was taken:
Town Commission Special Meeting
September 23. 2004 Page 2 of 3
Commissioner Lowe yes
Commissioner Zwick yes
Commissioner Scala-Pistone yes Motion carried 5/0.
Vice Mayor Asselta yes
Mayor Reid yes
Commissioner Lowe feels Commission should not negotiate, Town Attorney and Acting
Town Manager should negotiate and come back with a contract.
Ms. Trinley noted that today's meeting was to get the Commission's approval to proceed
with negotiations. She and Mr. Sliney will conduct the negotiations.
Commissioner Scala-Pistone noted that applicant was in the room and felt uncomfortable
discussing the contract. Commissioner Zwick stated she had only a few of the points
to discuss, while Vice Mayor Asselta said that there were several differences he would
not accept. Mayor Reid noted that there are a few differences that need to be
addressed, but did ask Mr. Taylor if he would be negotiable on the salary. Mr. Taylor
spoke to the Commission on how he arrived at what he did.
Vice Mayor Asselta noted that Highland Beach is smaller then Vero Beach, and the
• needs of the Town Manager not as great, therefore he asked Mr. Taylor if he would be
willing to negotiate the salary, of which Mr. Taylor responded "yes".
The Commissioners will individually submit to Ms. Trinley or Mr. Sliney their concerns,
of which will be negotiated with Mr. Taylor.
Mayor Reid entertained a MOTION that the Commission today not attempt to negotiate
the contract, but to have the Town Attorney and the Acting Town Manager conduct the
negotiations. MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER
ZWICK.
The following rollcall vote was taken:
Commissioner Scala-Pistone yes
Commissioner Zwick yes
Commissioner Lowe yes Motion carried 5/0.
Commissioner Asselta yes
Mayor Reid yes
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Town Commission Special Meeting
September 23. 2004 Page 3 of 3
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission today, MOTION to
adjourn was made by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER ZWICK at 10:00 a.m.
APPROVAL -
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Mayor Thomas J. Reid
Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe
Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone
Commissioner Miriam S. Zwick
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ATTEST:
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DATE: l ~ " 7 " ~Y