2003.05.06_TC_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
• MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, May 6, 2003 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 Ben Saag were also present, as
were members of the general public.
After roll call the Pledge of Allegiance was given.
It was the consensus to delay presentation of appreciation plaque to the Sheriff s
Department until representatives were present.
• 1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Hearing no objection, Mayor Reid announced the Agenda accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Jean Ellis, 4205 S. Ocean Blvd., expressed concern over what she identified as "rumor"
that the Police Department was being dissolved.
Turtle Program Coordinator Jose Echeverria advised the nesting season had begun; he
also noted his approval that the "lights out for turtles" ordinance would now include
the stipulation of "direct" and "indirect" lighting.
Mary Barlow, 1084 Bel Lido Drive, echoed Ms. Ellis' concern over the rumor that the
Police Department would be dissolved.
Leonard Bell, 2727 S. Ocean Blvd., commented on the recently formed "Committee for
the Preservation for the Integrity of Highland Beach;" he expressed puzzlement and
concern about the Committee's agenda that was recently outlined in an article published
by The Sun Sentinel.
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Minutes of Town Commission Meeting
• May 6, 2003 Page 2 of 6
Joseph Yucht, Boca Hi, said he agreed with Mr Bell's remarks. Mr. Yucht also
asked that the Town review the pedestrian crossing issue which he had addressed
previously.
At this time, Sheriff Ed Bieluch and Major AI Musko arrived, and Mayor Reid called on
Police Chief Tony Cervasio to advise the reason for the appreciation plaque, i.e., 441
man-hours contributed free of charge to the Town. by the Sheriff's Department when the
Town's Police Department was recently short-staffed. The Mayor then presented the
plaque and photos of the event were taken.
3. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Reid read two (2) Proclamations into the record. The first was an endorsement
of safe boating week, May 17-23, and was accepted by members of the Coast Guard
Auxiliary. The second proclaimed the month of May as "Civility Month." (Copies are
attached hereto and made part of these Minutes.)
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE.
B) BOARD VACANCIES: ONE ON CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD; ONE (1)
ON PLANNING BOARD.
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE/COMMISSIONER
LOWE, Martin Sahn was unanimously appointed to a three-year term on
the Code Enforcement Board.
Upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILUCOMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE,
Neil Burd was unanimously re-appointed to a second three-year term on
the Planning Board.
(Note: Vacancies acted upon at the time of Vice Mayor Hill's
report when he suggested the Commission do so.)
C) BOARD ACTION REPORT: Mayor Reid read .the BAR for April into the
record.
D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: Board meetings for the month of May
were also read into the record by the Mayor.
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Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• May 6, 2003 Page 3 of 6
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)
This proposed ordinance was given final reading and, upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR
HILL/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI, was unanimously approved by roll call vote.
(2) A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, REQUESTING A PORTION OF THE
COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE GRANTAWARD PROGRAM
FUNDS.
It was again noted that this yearly request from Delray Fire/Rescue is honored by the
Town Commission and, upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE,
the Resolution was unanimously approved. (Copy attached to and made part of these
Minutes.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
NONE.
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
(1) DISCUSSION RE: -WARRANT STUDY REQUEST TO DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION RE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS ON A1A.
Some discussion took place, including the criteria for installation of a pedestrian
crossing (100 people crossing within a 4-hour period); however, upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONENICE MAYOR HILL, itwas unanimously agreed that
the Town request a warrant study from the DOT within 30-60 days of the time the Town
would like the study done.
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Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• Mav 6, 2003 Page 4 of 6
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER (continued)
(2) DISCUSSION RE: - "CHAMBER OF VOLUNTEERS"
After minimum discussion, it was agreed that this activity was not appropriate for the
Town to sponsor and, upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER
SORRELLI, it was unanimously removed from consideration.
(3) The following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI:
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 inquired how the work of the Library Study
Committee was progressing; Mr. Saag replied, advising there would be a joint meeting
• of the Committee and the Commission in the near future, which would include review of
design criteria. Regarding 3200 S.Ocean Blvd., Mr.Sliney advised was nothing new to
report at this time.
Commissioner Scala-Pistone next addressed the dune restoration project she will
facilitate, and polled each of the members regarding their change of position in not using
Town employees to do the plantings, which, with the exception of Commissioner Lowe's
"no" vote, they approved at the December 2, 2002 Regular Meeting, and subsequently
reversed their decision at the April 1 2003 Regular Meeting in agreement with
Commissioner Lowe. The members gave a number of reasons for reversing their vote,
including setting a precedent for Town employees to do work on private property; what
the Town's responsibility might be if the plantings did not flourish; and general liability.
The Commissioner thanked her colleagues for discussing the issue, but said she was
of the opinion that their vote reversal not only created its own precedent, but also was
a vote against the will of the residents; however, she advised the letter inviting
oceanfront property owners to voluntarily participate would be mailed out in the near
future, and would be worded to reflect the Commission's majority vote in this regard.
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report.
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli had no report.
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Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• Mav 6, 2003 Pape 5 of 6
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued)
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill suggested Board Vacancies be addressed, and the
Commission agreed (See Board Vacancies, page 2 of these~Minutes).
Vice Mayor Hill also advised he was in agreement with Commissioner Lowe's suggestion
that a study be done regarding contracting for law enforcement services, if only to
determine cost effectiveness.
Mayor Thomas J, Reid advised he had attended a Palm Beach Realtors Association
meeting this date, and was happy to have had an opportunity to tout Highland Beach.
The Mayor gave a substantial recap of the talk he had given about the Town, in which
he recalled its history and development, its 5-year Plan and type of government, and
various projects the Town has underway such as the R.O. plant and new library
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag had no report.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE, the
following Consent Agenda items were unanimously approved:
(1) ADDITION OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO R.O. PLANT FOR POSSIBLE
FUTURE GENERATOR.
(2) CH2M HILL TASK ORDER 2003-01: YEAR 2003 SALTWATER
INTRUSION MONITORING PROGRAM.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid
adjourned the meeting at 3:20 P.M., upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR
HILL/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI.
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Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• May 6, 2003 Page 6 of 6
APPROVE:
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Tho s J. eid, Mayor
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ice Mayor Michael W. Hill
J n J. Sorrelli ommissioner
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~ Robert L. Lowe. ,.miss~oner
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Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner
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