2003.09.02_TC_Minutes_Regular
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesdav, September 2, 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.
1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Hearing no objection, Mayor Reid declared the Agenda accepted as presented.
• 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Jean Ellis , 4205 S. Ocean Blvd., expressed her opinion that tractors "cleaning" the
beach were harmful to the beach ecosystem and asked that the Commission consider
a ban on their use. (Copy of Mrs. Ellis' remarks attached to and made part of these
Minutes.)
AI Bresnahan, 3310 S. Ocean Blvd., had several questions and comments:
.are residents aware of overages on R.O. plant?
.health care insurance increase of 60°/a over last 3 years;
of the opinion that surrounding municipalities paying less. .why use Palm
.why Palm Beach County Dispatch as back-up for our
Police Department since they don't know our streets?
.of the opinion that one of the Town's police officers
should be "on call" to back-up in emergency.
3. PRESENTATIONS
JAMES W. WICK, DOGWOOD CONSULTING GROUP: SALARY SURVEY
AND PAY GRADE ANALYSIS/RECOMMENDATION.
Mr. Wick gave background information on how he had gathered the information he
presented to the Commission, noting that the number of job .grades had been reduced
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
September 2 2003 Page 2 of 5
3. PRESENTATIONS (continued)
from 24 to 12. His presentation also suggested an accounting adjustment; i.e., all full-
time hourly-wage employees would be on a 40-hr. work week, rather than a 35-hr work
week. This would be accomplished by lowering the hourly wage per hour, but paying
for the lunch hour, so no hourly worker would lose any pay. Mr. Wick also
recommended that the EXCEL payment for those who had reached the top of their pay
grade be kept as an incentive.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the issue be reviewed and addressed
again at the September 30 Workshop.
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE.
B) BOARD VACANCIES: NONE.
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C) BOARD ACTION REPORT. Mayor Reid read the BAR for the month of
August into the record.
D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS:
Board of Adjustment -None Scheduled.
Code Enforcement Board -Special - 9/4/03 - 9:30 A.M. (Azure).
Financial Advisory Board -None Scheduled - 9:30 A.M.
Planning Board -None Scheduled (lack of quorum)
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;
final reading at September 16 Public Hearing/Special Meeting at 5:01 P.M.)
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; final reading at September 16 Public
Hearing/Special Meeting at 5:01 P.M.)
There was no discussion of these two (2) budget ordinances.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
September 2. 2003 Page 3 of 5
6. NEW BUSINESS
WASTE MANAGEMENT -ASSIGNMENT & ASSUMPTION OF CONTRACT
It was advised that BFI had sold their Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach
interests to Waste Management. Messrs. Sliney and Saag answered the Commission's
questions to their satisfaction, noting it was a standard contract that reflected that the
purchase had not yet been closed by the principal parties. Concluding discussion,
MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI to approve the
assignment and assumption of the contract was unanimously approved upon roll call
vote.
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI, the following
sets of Minutes were unanimously approved:
• 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
Referring to the recent burglary at the Weiner residence, Commissioner Rachael Scala-
Pistone suggested it might be time for the Commission to discuss the possibility of
police on the Intracoastal Waterway, perhaps joining with either Boca or Delray. During
the discussion that followed, Mr. Saag advised that Delray's patrol is comprised of citizen
volunteers who report speeding violations only; they were not empowered to issue
tickets. It was noted that Boca had its own Intracoastal patrol. Mr. Saag also advised
he had been in touch with Dr. Weiner to set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of a
Public Safety Committee.
Commissioner Scala-Pistone announced that on September 26 at 8:30 A.M., she would
meet with Dan Bates of Environmental Resources Management, at which time Mr. Bates
will survey beachfront properties regarding dune preservation; all property owners are
welcome to join in the survey.
Commissioner Robert L, Lowe had no report.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
September 2. 2003 Page 4 of 5
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued)
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill requested the Town Manager recap the reasons for
overages on the R.O. plant. Among those noted by Mr. Saag included the "tight" site
that caused bids came in higher than expected; the Commission had opted to add a
second floor; and, because of its proximity to residential properties, aesthetics also were
given consideration.
The Vice Mayor also ascertained that the Town had not received any complaints about
the proliferation of disease-bearing mosquitos in our area.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid noted all current projects are a total Commission effort.
Regarding costs related to the R.O. plant, the Mayor reiterated that no information had
been withheld from the public.
The Mayor next led a discussion regarding the Town's history book; it was the
consensus that the book be sold, but no price was set at this time.
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
• Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney suggested the auditors be contacted regarding
monetary issues on the sale and pricing of the Town's history book, especially as
pertains to sales tax.
Regarding the Hoffmann issue, Mr. Sliney advised that Judge Brunson has periodic case
status hearings; the next will be held in December.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag first wished Police Chief Tony Cervasio a fast recovery from
open heart surgery, and then gave a summary presentation of the 2003/2004 fiscal year
budget. (Copy attached to and made part of these Minutes.)
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE, the following item was
unanimously approved:
LETTER TO BOCA RATON CITY MANAGER RE LAND SALE OF PROPERTY
IN BOCA RATON.
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Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
September 2. 2003 Page 5 of 5
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING
AI Bresnahan, 3310 S. Ocean Blvd., referred to a breakdown of costs relating to the R.O.
plant that Mr. Saag had previously provided (neither had a copy available at this time),
which showed the amount of savings realized on the original contracts (approximately
$700,000+), and which would cover the addition of a second story as well as other add-
ons; however, expenditures versus these savings was awash-out. Mr. Bresnahan again
stated that, in his opinion, the current overages put the project at an excessive cost
the Town.
Mr. Bresnahan also again expressed his opinion that the Police Department should not
rely on distant dispatch back-up, which was not familiar with the Town; rather back-up
should be contained with the Department itself.
Paul D'Relli, attorney for Luxury Developers (Azure property) asked if the Special Code
Enforcement meeting set for September 4 was still scheduled; Mr. Sliney responded that
it was.
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 COMMISSIONER
SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE.
13. ADJOURNMENT
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Attest:
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Thomas J. Reid, Mayor
ohn J. S elli, Commissioner
Robert L. Lowe,_,C~rnmi
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Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner
Attest: ~= Date:
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