2003.08.26_TC_Minutes_Workshop
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION METING
WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesday, August 26. 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 Robert L. Lowe and Rachael Scala-Pistone were present. Commissioner
John J. Sorrelli was absent.
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
• The Agenda was accepted as presented; however, in the interest of time, it was the
consensus that the Presentations be heard before Public Comments.
3. PRESENTATIONS
(1) OCEAN COVE PROJECT: MARTIN THIRER, ESQ.
Attorney Todd Messenger gave the Presentation, not Attorney Martin Thirer. Mr.
Messenger cited alleged code violations regarding the installation of boat docks by Jeff
Norman, developer of the Ocean Cove Project. His clients, Stephen Golding (1101A
Highland Beach Drive), Susan Stowe (1101 B Highland Beach Drive) and Dominick Conte
(1103 Highland Beach Drive), showed "before and after" pictures of their Intracoastal
views.
Jeffrey Levine, attorney for Mr. Norman, refuted the alleged code violations, noting that
Mr. Norman had received permitting from all applicable state and federal agencies to
install the dockage.
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney stated it would be inappropriate to draw any
conclusions at this time; he would need to get more input from the various parties. It
was also noted that the Town had followed all applicable codes in approving the
development.
S Note: Copy of Mr. Messenger's materials attached to and made part of these Minutes.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
August 26, 2003 Page 2 of 5
(2) BEL LIDO RESIDENT, DR. JONATHAN WIENER
Dr. Wiener gave a comprehensive comparison of crime statistics of the Town and
surrounding municipalities, which was prompted by a recent burglary at his home,
followed by what the Doctor considered an unacceptable (delayed) response time by
Police Officers. Dr. Wiener requested that the Commission consider the formation of a
Public Safety Committee to review facts and make recommendations to improve security
and emergency services to the residents of Highland Beach; the Commission agreed.
Note: Copy of Dr. Wiener's materials attached to and made part of these Minutes.)
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Betty Mechler, Porta Bella Condo, Jeffrey St., Boca Raton, (across the Intracoastal from
the Ocean Cove property) presented pictures of the Ocean Cove docks as seen from her
unit; she was disconcerted that Ocean Cove did not notify any of their Boca Raton
neighbors.
Mattie Wiener, Dr. Jonathan Wiener's wife, was very emotional about the recent burglary
• at her home; the gist of her remarks was that she no longer felt safe in Highland Beach.
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE.
B) BOARD VACANCIES: NONE.
C) BOARD ACTION REPORT: NONE.
D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED.
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. (first reading 7/29/03; published 8/20/03)
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.
(first reading 7/29/03; published 8/20/03)
There was no discussion of these two (2) budget ordinances.
Town Commission Workshop Meeting
Auqust 26, 2003 Page 3 of 5
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
(1) LANDSCAPE ISLANDS & SPEED HUMPS -RUSSELL DRIVE
Town Manager Saag thanked Jose Echeverria for his voluntary re-survey of Russell
Drive, which resulted in positive results for both speed humps ad landscape islands.
There was little discussion and it was agreed to move this item to the September 2, 2003
Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
(2) DISPLAY OF NEW SIGNS FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS
Mr. Saag presented a sample sign, larger and more colorful, that the DOT had approved
for installation as the Town's crosswalks.
The following sets of Minutes were forwarded to the September 2, 2003 Regular Meeting
for further consideration and possible approval:
• (1) MINUTES FOR APPROVAL AT SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 REGULAR MEETING:
JULY 22, 2003 WORKSHOP MEETING
JULY 29, 2003 REGULAR MEETING
JULY 29, 2003 PUBLIC HEARING/SPECIAL MEETING
(AZURE PROPERTY)
JULY 29, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING (TENTATIVE MILEAGE)
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner Rachel Scala-Piston expressed her hope the Ocean Cove conflict
between developer and residents of Highland Beach Drive who were heard today would
be amicably settled among all parties; she urged mediation and negotiation.
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe agreed with Commissioner Scala-Pistone, but cautioned
that negotiation should not be one way; all parties must cooperate.
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill had no report.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid reported on an upcoming meeting with Sandy Simon, at which
time he would receive the final draft of the Town's history book.
• The Mayor also announced an invitation to the Commission from Greenacres regarding
their yearly Mayor's golf tournament.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
August 26. 2003 Page 4 of 5
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney referred to remarks by Commissioner Scala-Pistone
and Commissioner Lowe regarding the Ocean Cove conflict, noting the issue was
complicated and was more a real estate/neighbor matter, as the Town had followed the
Code of Ordinances in processing this development. .
Vice Mayor Hill proposed an amendment to the Code of Ordinances regarding pilings in
the Intracoastal; in his opinion, this issue shouldn't be the Town's business.
Commissioner Lowe suggested that setbacks also be reviewed, and Commissioner
Scala-Pistone noted there should be a Code distinction between Intracoastal Waterway
and canal.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag first announced the cancellation of today's R.O. Plant tour
due to inclement weather, and said it would be rescheduled for September 2 at 1:00
P.M. Mr. Saag then reported on the following:
• (1) LEAGUE OF CITIES MEETING -WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 10:30 A.M.
AT HIGHLAND BEACH HOLIDAY INN -hosted by the Town, Gulfstream
Ocean Ridge, Manalapan and South Palm Beach.
(2) FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY TRAINING COURSE: SEPTEMBER 8-12 -
Mr. Saag, Police Sergeant Rieger, Utility Superintendent Bill Moore,
Building Official Bob Dawson and Public Works Director Jack Lee will
attend the course, which will be held in the State of Maryland.
(3) SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 CEREMONY AT SEAGATE CONDOMINIUM -the
Town will share coordination of this event with Seagate.
(4) CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING RE AZURE
PROPERTY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003, 9:30 A.M..
11. CONSENT AGENDA
NONE.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
August 26, 2003 Page 5 of 5
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING
Public Comments and Requests will be limited to five (5) minutes each. This is
the designated time for the public to speak.
Town Code, Section 2-28 (Rule No. 9). No communication or petition to the
Commission shall be entertained unless same be in writing.
NONE.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid
adjourned the Workshop meeting at 3:15 P.M., upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR
HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE.
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'~~` Attest:
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Thomas J. Reid, Mayor M' ael W. Hill, Vice Mayor
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John J. Sorrelli, Commissioner Robert L. Lowe, Commissioner
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Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissione
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