2003.07.29_TC_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
July 29, 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.
1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Because of the multiple meetings scheduled this date, Town Manager Ben Saag
• requested his presentation of the FY 2003/2004 Budget be deferred until the September
2 Regular Meeting. There was no objection and the Agenda was accepted as amended.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Jose Echeverria, Russell Drive, requested that Russell Drive residents be re-surveyed
as to installation of landscape islands and speed humps (initial survey resu{ts showed
the majority not in favor of either).
Martin Thirer, attorney for Stephen Golding, requested time to discuss the Ocean Cove
boat docks which Mr. Golding feels adversely affect his property. Because of the
complexity of the issue, Town Attorney Sliney advised Mr. Thirer to put his request for
discussion in writing.
Jack Halpern, Ambassador East, requested current zoning be applied to the Azure
property.
Joseph Yucht, Boca Hi, advised that Boca Hi, as well as the county, is now being sued
by Lucia Milani regarding the proposed county park in the south end of Town.
Bill Quinn, President of Beach Walk East Condo Association, read a letter into the record
which requested that current zoning be applied to the Azure property. (see Minutes of
• July 29, 2003 Public Hearing.)
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• July 29. 2003 Page 2 of 6
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS (continued)
Don Schultz, Beach Walk East, read petition from residents of several condominiums into
the record, all requesting current zoning be applied to the Azure property. (See Minutes
of July 29, 2003 Public Hearing.)
Bill Gross, President of Villa Costa Condo Association, advised that 34 unit owners in
his condo had opposed extension of the Second Amendment to the Azure property.
Steve Daniels, attorney for the second mortgage holder, advised that if extension of the
Second Amendment was not granted to the Azure property, his client would most likely
decide not go forward.
3. PRESENTATIONS
(1) PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES FOR 4th OF JULY FLAG PLACEMENT.
Mayor Reid presented certificates of appreciation and commendation to Brandon Epling
and Brian Briggs; the young men placed American flags at certain areas in Town to
commemorate the 4th of July. Applause followed and photos were taken.
• (2) JAMES W. WICK, DOGWOOD CONSULTING GROUP: RESULTS OF
BUILDING DEPARTMENT SURVEY
Mr. Wick presented results of the survey, using breakdown of percentages from
respondents. Overall, the Building Department fared well, with the clerical staff receiving
receiving 4.15% out of a possible 5%. There were no questions or discussion; Mr. Wick
was thanked for his presentation.
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE.
B) BOARD VACANCIES: ONE (1) ON CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD.
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE the vacancy
on the Code Enforcement Board was filled by the nomination of Andrew Guglielmo.
Roll call met with unanimous roll call vote.
C) BOARD ACTION REPORT
• Mayor Reid read the BAR for the month of July into the record.
Minutes of Town Commission regular Meeting
. July 39, 2003 Page 3 of 6
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (continued)
D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS:
Mayor Reid also read the scheduled meetings for the month of August into the record.
5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, TO
EFFECT A TAX LEVY BASED UPON THE 2003 TAX ROLL OF THE
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH,FLORIDA,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004,
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2003 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2004.
The above proposed budget ordinances were given first reading. It was noted that a
Special Meeting to set tentative millage and public hearing dates will be held immediately
following the Public Hearing on the Azure property.
• 6. NEW BUSINESS
NONE.
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
(1) SFRN CONTRACT RENEWAL AND CONTRACT AMENDMENT.
Having discussed this issue at the July 22 Workshop Meeting, MOTION to renew the
SFRN contract for one (1) year was made by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER
SORRELLI, followed by favorable roll call vote.
(2) AZURE PROPERTY.
Because a Public Hearing was scheduled to consider extension of the Second
Amendment or enforce current zoning, there was little discussion at this time. It was
noted that the Town had the right to have the property returned to its original state,
should it be so decided.
•
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• Julv 29, 2003 Page 4 of 6
(3) LANDSCAPE ISLANDS AND SPEED HUMP DISCUSSION
MOTION was made by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI to go forward
with the project on Highland Beach Drive and Bel Air Drive, but hold off on Russell Drive
for the time being, as the original survey showed those residents wanted neither
landscaping islands nor speed humps. Roll call met with unanimous favorable vote.
(4) MINUTES FOR APPROVAL:
The following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI.
JUNE 24, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING
JULY 1, 2003 REGULAR MEETING
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone addressed the Azure issue, noting that
historically its ordinances protect the Town; she also offered he opinion that noted that
reduced density is always desirable, and that the time limit for meeting the provisions of
• the Second Amendment had expired.
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report.
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli had no report.
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill noted the DOT Survey on timed versus on-request
openings of the Spanish River Bridge was interesting, and he had copies made which
were available to the public. The Vice Mayor also said while it appeared the report
favored timed openings, he suggested the Town work with other communities and the
League of Cities to ensure timed openings are decided upon.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid advised he had been approached by Seagate resident John
Bury, who had planned the first event, if the Town would be interested in taking over the
annual memorial to the victims of 9/11. After some discussion, the issue was delegated
to Town Manager Saag.
Mayor Reid also advised that the book on the history of Highland Beach was in the final
stage of writing (spelling, typos, etc.), and a final draft should be available within a
month; the Mayor noted that the Historical Committee would be asked to be involved the
promotion and distribution of the book, and plan akick-off celebration.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• Julv 29. 2003 Page 5 of 6
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued)
Commenting on the Azure property, the Mayor noted the Town's options -for
expediency, grant the extension of the second amendment agreement to Luxury
Developers, LLC in order to proceed with the long overdue project, or impose the current
zoning since all the provisions of the second amendment were not met. He noted the
Public Hearing on the issue to be held immediately following this Regular Meeting.
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 VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE, the following
Consent Agenda item was unanimously approved:
LETTER TO BOCA RATON CITY MANAGER RE LAND SALE OF PROPERTY
IN BOCA RATON.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING
AI Bresnahan, 3310 S. Ocean Blvd., requested the Commission impose the current
zoning on the Azure property. Mr. Bresnahan also asked for a status report on the A1A
project; Mr. Saag replied that a timeline had been received from the DOT this date,
indicating work would be completed the second week of November, and was posted on
the administrative bulletin board
Joe Yucht, Boca Hi, reminded that the traffic count on the Spanish River Bridge also
affects the back-up of vehicles on A1A. With regard to the Town's history book, Mr.
Yucht suggested that since the Town is paying for it, each resident should receive a free
copy.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid
• adjourned the Regular Meeting at 3:10 P.M. upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR
HILL/COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE. dmt
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• July 29. 2003 Page 6 of 6
APPROVE:
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Thoma J. Reid, Mayor
Mi ael W. Hill, Vice Mayor
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hn J. Sorrelli, missioner
•
L. Lowe, ~6mmissioner
Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner
Attest:
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Date: ~~~--/ ~ 3