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2003.06.03_TC_Minutes_Regular• TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, June 03. 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. Following roll call the Pledge of Allegiance was given. 1. ADDITIONS. DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA . Hearing no objection, Mayor Reid declared the Agenda accepted as presented. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Turtle Coordinator Jose Echeverria gave an update on nestings thus far. Joseph Yucht, Boca Hi, presented a written petition, which he read into the record, pertaining to the Hoffmann/Siemens Settlement Stipulation (copy attached to and made part of these Minutes). Turtle Program Volunteer Lucy Miller, 3301 S.Ocean Blvd., requested that trash receptacles be returned to the beach so turtle volunteers can participate in beach clean- up as they check on nestings. Ms. Miller also requested a workshop to determine how this beach clean-up participation could be formally implemented; Mr. Saag suggested it be an agenda item for the July or August workshop. Leonard Bell, 2727 S. Ocean Blvd., suggested that the Town Attorney's March 3, 2003 statement of events leading to the present status of the Hoffmann/Siemens property ("Hoffmann - Again") be shared with the residents via the Town newsletter. Commissioner Scala-Pistone disagreed, saying in her opinion the information contained therein did not represent the official position of the Town. The issue was discussed at length later in the meeting under the Mayor's report. s Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting • June 3. 2003 Page 2 of 6 3. PRESENTATIONS (1) WATER PLANT UPDATE: CH2M HILL AND J.J. KIRLIN Noting that no representative from J.J. Kirlin was available, CH2M HILL Project Engineer Dave Schuman gave a substantial technical update on the progress of the R.O. water treatment plant, advising that the project was basically on time despite some inclement weather. The Commission thanked Mr Schuman for his report; there were no comments or questions. (2) UPGRADED POLICE BODY ARMOR: DICK ROY, SPECIAL PRODUCTS GROUP Mr. Roy noted the differences between the existing vest used by the police and the vest that was being proposed. He presented examples of both, advising the difference in weight and thickness, and suggesting the Commission approve purchase of the newer, lightweight vests at a cost of $560.24 each. Police Chief Tony Cervasio agreed the purchase would be a welcome addition to police equipment, as it is mandatory that the vests be worn by officers on duty. Concluding the presentation, MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE thatthe Commission endorse the purchase of new body armor for police officer use at a cosy of $560.24 each; roll call followed with unanimous favorable vote. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE B) BOARD VACANCIES: NONE C) BOARD ACTION REPORT: Mayor Reid read the BAR for the month of May into the record. D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: The Mayor also read scheduled meetings for the month of June into the record. 5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF TIMED BRIDGE OPENINGS FOR THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY BRIDGES. There was little discussion regarding this proposed resolution and, upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE, it was unanimously approved by favorable roll call vote. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting June 3. 2003 Paae 3 of 6 6. NEW BUSINESS (1) RATIFICATION OF CONTRACT WITH FLORIDA STATE LODGE, FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, INC. Following a statement by Mayor Reid, the contract was unanimously approved by favorable roll call vote upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE. (Copy of Mayor Reid's statement attached to and made part of these Minutes.) (2) CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS Town Manager Ben Saag advised these amendments were consistent with provisions of the police contract, dealing mainly with longevity pay and shift differential for all employees. Regarding longevity pay, Mr. Saag requested that it be retroactive to May 15 (the union signed off on the contract May 11) as a water plant employee would be eligible at that time, and he thought it inequitable that the employee would have to wait until next year to reap this benefit. The Commission agreed and, upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI, the amendments to the Personnel Rules and Regulations were approved, as requested Mr. Saag, by unanimous • favorable roll call vote. 7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER The following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/VICE MAYOR HILL: APRIL 29, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 6, 2003 REGULAR MEETING MAY 22, 2003 SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING (LIBRARY) 8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone advised of a beach clean-up by KEY club members scheduled for June 14 and invited interested residents to participate. The Commissioner thanked in advance the Police Department and Utilities Director Bill Moore for their help in this project. Commissioner Scala-Pistone also advised she had received favorable response to her dune restoration project. Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting June 3. 2003 Page 4 of 6 • 8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued) Commissioner John J. Sorrelli went on record to advise that the 25 MPH speed limit throughout the Town was imposed by the Department of Transportation; it is a temporary measure while installation of the bike path is in progress. Commissioner Sorrelli also requested that a Proclamation congratulating Ruth Swenson of Monterrey House on the occasion of her 100th birthday (July 1) be presented at the July 2 Regular Meeting. Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill had no report. Mayor Thomas J. Reid initiated what became a lengthy discussion on Leonard Bell's comments regarding a reprint of Attorney Sliney's March 4, 2003 statement of events leading to the current status of the Hoffmann/Siemens project,i.e., "Hoffmann-Again," which the Mayor read into the record. Vice Mayor Hill agreed, but suggested it be edited to a shortened version for publication, as the original was meant as a guideline for the Commission. Commissioner Scala-Pistone reiterated her opinion that this did not represent the official position of the Town, noting that the document did not address what Mr. Sliney had • termed "inaccuracies" in the document's opening remarks. Commissioner Lowe suggested something be put together, :. perhaps a brochure, that could clear up residents' confusion on this issue. Town Attorney Sliney agreed that "Hoffmann-Again" did not represent an "official" position of the Town Commission; it was written in response to an anonymous "History of the Hoffmann Parcel" to give background information to new residents, and to correct factual misinformation. At this time, Mayor Reid allowed Mr. Bell's request fora "paint of personal privilege" (Robert's Rules of Order) to refute Commissioner Scala-Pistone's understanding that he had referred to the document as the "official" position of the Town. Concluding discussion, MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/VICE MAYOR HILL to publish "Hoffmann-Again," in a shortened version edited by Mr. Sliney and Mr. Saag, in the next newsletter. Roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lowe -Yes Commissioner Sorrelli -Yes Commissioner Scala-Pistone - No Vice Mayor Hill -Yes • Mayor Reid -Yes Note: Copy of "History of Hoffmann Parcel" and "Hoffmann -Again" attached to made part of these Minutes. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting 'June 03. 2003 Page 5 of 6 9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney briefly reiterated his previously made comments on "Hoffmann-Again." Regarding ITCO/Azure, Mr. Sliney advised that the project had received County approval regarding traffic standards; Mr. Sliney also advised of a letter from attorney Joseph Mansilla, stating that his clients were working toward applying for a building permit within the agreed timeframe. 10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Ben Saag reported as follows: (1) UPDATE: SURVEY REGARDING LANDSCAPE ISLANDS AND SPEED BUMPS. Mr. Saag requested this update be postponed until he and Fire Chief Kerry Koen had a chance for discussion. (2) DISTRIBUTION OF UPDATED TIMELINE FOR PROJECTS WITHIN MUNICIPALITY. . Mr. Saag noted the various projects now underway or anticipated in the near future. A black/white copy is attached hereto and made part of these Minutes. 11. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING Turtle Program Volunteer Lucy Miller related past problems with beach-cleaning volunteers removing turtle nest markers, and requested that those involved in the June 14 beach clean-up be advised of the markers' importance. The following residents spoke against the Commission's newsletter publication of "Hoffmann-Again." They were of the opinion that there would be nothing to gain by such action: Jack Halpern, 4511 S. Ocean Blvd. AI Bresnahan, 3310 S. Ocean Blvd.. Joe Yucht, Boca Hi 12. CONSENT AGENDA NONE. • Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting 'June 03 2003 Pa e 6 of 6 • There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid adjourned the Regular Meeting at 3:35 P.M., upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOW/VICE MAYOR HILL. 13. ADJOURNMENT dmt ohn J. ; ..~. fi Ili, Commissioner Robert L. Lowe, Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner Attest: ,,~ r~ h~ Date: ! , ~ ~ 4~ 5