2003.04.29_TC_Minutes_Workshop
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesday, April 29, 2003 1:30 P.M.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid called the Workshop 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 Ben Saag were also present, as
were members of the general public.
After roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance was given.
A warm welcome-back was given to Police Chief Anthony Cervasio, when Mayor Reid
advised the Chief had returned to full-time status after a lengthy illness.
• 1. ADDITIONS,DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
With no objection, Mayor Reid amended the Agenda to include interviews with Talent
Bank Applicants under No. 4, Boards and Committees; it was then accepted.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Turtle Coordinator Jose Echeverria advised that nesting had already started for the
season.
Doug Johnstone, Villa Mare, expressed concern about the condition of the bike path;
Commissioner Scala-Pistone advised it would be repaired as part of the A1A project
going on at this time.
AI Bresnahan, Seagate, inquired about the status of the police contract; Town Manager
Saag advised that, as a result of the April 22 Executive Session, labor attorney Robin
Fawsett is preparing an agreement which will be forwarded to the FOP for their review.
Marie Beary, Seagate, expressed concern that A1A driving lanes will be reduced to 11'
(12' at present) due to bike lane installation; she suggested new bike lanes be limited
to north of Linton Boulevard.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
• April 29, 2003 Page 2 of 5
3. PRESENTATIONS
(1) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPRESENTATIVE LARRY
KELLY: VARIOUS A1A ISSUES.
Lengthy discussion took place with Mr. Kelly, among which were the reduction in speed
to 25 MPH during construction of bike paths; possibility of a traffic light or pedestrian
activated crossing lights on A1A; reduction of vehicle lanes from 12' to 11'; and larger
signs to alert vehicles to more brilliantly painted pedestrian crossings installed when the
bike lane work is completed. Mr. Kelly suggested the Commission request the DOT to
do a "warrant study" regarding pedestrian crossings at specific locations, which will be
an agenda item at the May 6 Regular Meeting.
(2) RAY COPPOLA RE: "CHAMBER OF VOLUNTEERS"
After Mr. Coppola presented his idea for this volunteer organization to be a Town-
sponsored activity, substantial discussion took place. Mr. Coppola did not take kindly
to a number of opinions voiced by Commission members, all of whom deemed the
project a worthy endeavor that might be supported by the Town, but some of whom did
not agree it should be a Town agency for a variety of reasons, including liability issues
• and the fact that it was not government-related. The idea will be addressed again at the
May 6 Regular Meeting. (Copy of Mr. Coppola's written presentation attached hereto
and made part of these Minutes.)
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
The following Talent Bank Applicants were interviewed by the Commission. Each gave
a brief background of their employment and interests, and answered questions to the
Commission's satisfaction:
Andrew Guglielmo
D. Leonard Poser
Ray Coppola
A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE.
B) BOARD VACANCIES: ONE (1) ON CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
(DAVID GOLDBERG'S TERM COMPLETED), AND ONE (1) ON PLANNING
BOARD (NEIL BURD ELIGIBLE FOR RE-APPOINTMENT
C) BOARD ACTION REPORT: NONE.
D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
• Aril 29. 2003 Page 3 of 5
5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
(1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
UPDATING THE TOWN CODE BY AMENDING THE FOLLOWING
SECTIONS AND ARTICLES OF THE TOWN CODE:
.AMENDING SECTION 2-28(1)
.AMENDING SECTION 2-28(4)
.AMENDING SECTION 2-54
.AMENDING SECTION 4-8(c)
(first reading 4/1/03; published 4/18/03)
It was noted that this proposed ordinance will be given final reading at the Regular
Meeting on May 6.
(2) A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, REQUESTING A PORTION OF THE
COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE GRANT AWARD PROGRAM
FUNDS.
• Mr.Saag explained that this proposed Resolution is a response to a yearly request by
Delray Fire/Rescue, which ultimately benefits the Town.
6. NEW BUSINESS
(1) DISCUSSION RE: - INSTALLATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
POSSIBLE FUTURE GENERATOR.
Town Manager Saag advised that the original R.O. contract did not include funding for
a future generator; however, now that construction of the plant is underway, he
requested the Commission to decide if they desired the infrastructure for a generator be
included at this time, as to install it later would be even more costly. After some
discussion, it was the consensus to move this item to the May 6 Regular Meeting
Consent Agenda. (Copy of Mr Saag's memorandum attached to and made part of these
Minutes.)
(2) CH2M HILL TASK ORDER 2003-011 YEAR 2003 SALTWATER
INSTRUSION MONITORING PROGRAM.
The Town Manager advised that this was a yearly, budgeted item that would be
eliminated when the R.O. plant was in operation. After some discussion with Dave
Schuman, CH2M HILL engineer, it was the consensus to move this item to the May 6
Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
• April 29, 2003 Page 4 of 5
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
The following sets of Minutes were moved to the May 6 Regular Meeting for further
consideration and possible approval.
MARCH 25, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING
MARCH 25, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING (ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT)
APRIL 1, 2003 REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 22, 2003 EXECUTIVE SESSION (POLICE NEGOTIATIONS)
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone had no report.
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe addressed the ongoing police negotiations, advising the
last contract presented by the union would be extremely costly to the Town. In
consideration of the protracted back-and-forth negotiations with no progress to date,
Commissioner Lowe therefore suggested it might be timely for the Town to consider
study of other law enforcement options, such as the Sheriff's office, or Delray Beach.
• Commissioner John J. Sorrelli noted his approval of the 25 MPH speed limit imposed
by the DOT on A1A during bike lane construction. Commissioner Sorrelli also suggested
that yellow ribbons, in support of the U.S. troops who fought in Iraq, be placed on the
Town's trees. It was the consensus to follow the Commissioner's suggestion in this
regard.
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill questioned the Town Manager regarding "Open House"
realty signs being placed on A1A by residents who live on the side streets and Bel Lido
Island. Mr Saag replied that he planned to cover this topic under his report, bit generally
was in favor of a change in the sign ordinance to accommodate these residents.
In the interest of time, Mayor Thomas J. Reid deferred his report on his "5-year Plan."
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag addressed the following
(1) CITIZEN REQUEST -OPEN HOUSE SIGNS
• Mr. Saag repeated he was in favor of Open House signs being placed on A1A for
residents who live on side streets and Bel Lido Island, and suggested an amendment to
t.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
i April 29, 2003 Page 5 of 5
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER (continued)
the sign ordinance was in order in this regard. The Commission members agreed,
noting all residents had a right to market their property. Mr. Saag suggested that how
how this amendment could be implemented might be an issue for the newly formed
Building Ordinances Ad Hoc Committee to address.
(2) BFI REQUEST FOR CONTRACT EXTENSION
Attached to the Commission's agenda packet was a copy of a letter Mr. Saag had sent
to BFI (attached hereto and made part of these Minutes), in which he detailed the
reasons for a requested reduction in rates. A response from BFI is awaited.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
NONE.
12. ADJOURNEMENT
There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this time,
Mayor Reid adjourned the meeting at 3:35 P.M. upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONERSORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE.
dmt
APPROVE:
;; ^
cr7Y~ ~_ __ _
Thomas J. Reid, Mayor
,r
-~ a ..
,John J. Belli, Commissioner _, ert L. Lowe, Cc~jx(mis~ioner
\''
~/~ F
Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner
i ~
Da ~ zoo 3