2003.11.04_TC_Minutes_Regular
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday November 4 2003 2:25 P.M.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid called the Regular Meeting to order in Commission Chambers
at 2:25 P.M., after a brief recess following adjournment of the Special Workshop to
interview candidates for the newly created Public Safety and Beaches advisory Boards.
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 preset.
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
Upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER LOWE, the Agenda was
amended to include discussion and possible appointment of the interviewed candidates
• for the above referenced Boards (See Minutes of Special Workshop re format.)
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Steve Golding, 1101 Highland Beach Dr., expressed concern regarding what he termed
the "latest word" from Jeff Norman's attorney regarding the Ocean Cove boat dock issue
was that Mr. Norman would do "nothing." Attorney Sliney responded that if the parties
do not settle, it may be left to the court to settle; he understood Mr. Golding's opinion,
but advised the issue has not yet been adjudicated.
3. PRESENTATIONS
NONE.
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
A) BOARD CORRESPONDENCE: NONE.
B) BOARD VACANCIES: Financial Advisory Board.
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Town Commission Regular Meeting Agenda
November 4, 2003 Page 2 of 6
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (continued)
Discussion took place regarding the number of vacancies on the FAB,i.e., two (2), with
Mr. Saag reiterating that Felix Goldenson had offered to resign if the Commission had
a capable candidate to fill his seat. Concluding discussion, and upon each Motion
followed by unanimous roll call vote, the following residents were appointed to this
Board:
James Newill (Commissioner Scala-Pistone/Vice Mayor Hill)
Max Angel (Commissioner Sorrelli/Commissioner Lowe)
Anthony Philosophus (Vice Mayor Hill/Commissioner Sorrelli)
Each will serve athree-year term.
Having tallied the survey of each Commission member's choices for the newly created
Public Safety and Beaches advisory Boards (See Minutes of 11/4/03 Special Workshop,
Mr. Saag read into the record the results of the survey. Upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONENICE MAYOR HILL, followed by unanimous roll call
vote, the following were appointed members of the Public Safety Advisory Board:
AI Bresnahan
• Tony Casale
Harold Hagelmann
Jonathan Wiener
After nominations failed on roll call vote for two (2) of the three (3) survey choices tied
for the fifth seat, MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONENICE
MAYOR HILL, followed by unanimous favorable vote for:
Lawrence Pitzer
Each will serve athree-year term. It was also noted by Mr. Saag that a representative
of the Police and Fire Departments, as well as himself, will also serve on this Board as
non-voting members.
Regarding the Beaches Advisory Board, upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER
SORRELLINICE MAYOR HILL, followed by unanimous roll call vote, the first six (6)
survey choices were appointed members of this Board:
Matthew Berman
Jean Ellis
Lucy Miller
Evelyn Weiss
Betty Jean Hofstadter
Martha Pando
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• November 4. 2003 Page 3 of 6
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (continued)
After nominations failed on roll call vote for two (2) of three (3) survey choices for the
seventh seat, MOTION was made by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER
SCALA-PISTONE, followed by majority roll call vote (Commissioner Lowe dissenting)
for:
Joseph Asselta
Each will serve athree-year term.
With the newly created Boards now having all seats filled, Mr. Saag advised he would
notify all the appointees, and suggested organizational meetings be held in early January
2004, so as not to conflict with the upcoming holiday season
C) BOARD ACTION REPORT: Read into the record by Mayor Reid.
D) MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS: Also read into the record by the Mayor.
Planning Board Regular - 11/12/03 - 9:30 A.M. (cancelled/lack of agenda)
Board of Adjustment -None Scheduled.
Code Enforcement Board -None Scheduled.
• Financial Advisory Board -None Scheduled.
Building Fee Ad Hoc - 11/17/03 - 9:00 A.M.
5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
NONE.
6. NEW BUSINESS
NONE.
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
(1) DISCUSSION RE: -EMPLOYEE BONUS SUGGESTION
At the October 28 Workshop Meeting, it was Commissioner Lowe's suggestion that the
funds in this forfeiture or "dead" fund (Approximately $28,000) be distributed to full-time
($700 each) and part-time employees ($350 each) as a one-time bonus in lieu of any
other monetary Town gifts for this holiday season (See Minutes of October 28).
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Mr. Saag had previously addressed this issue in his November 3 memorandum (copy
attached and made part of these Minutes), and, during discussion, explained the
• auditor's opinion, as did Attorney Sliney, i.e., with budget amendment, such an action
was legal; it then became a business judgment for the Commission. Concluding
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
• November 4, 2003 Page 4 of 6
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER (continued)
discussion, and at Commissioner Scala-Pistone's request, it was agreed to invite auditor
Debbie Diaz to a Commission Meeting to answer additional questions. As the issue was
at Commissioner Lowe's suggestion, he requested timing coincide with his travel
schedule so he could be in attendance.
(2) CONSIDERATION OF SALARY SURVEY RE COMMISSION PAY RAISE.
Some discussion took place regarding the salary survey taken of surrounding
municipalities and upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER
SORRELLI, Town Attorney Sliney was directed to draft an ordinance noting a salary
increase from $600 monthly for Commissioners and Vice Mayor to $1000 monthly, and
from $750 monthly for the Mayor to $1250 monthly. Motion was followed by majority roll
call vote, with Commissioner Scala-Pistone dissenting.
(3) MINUTES FOR APPROVAL:
In response to Commissioner Scala-Pistone's inquiry, the Clerk responded that the
• verbatim portions of the September 30 and October 14 had been so directed by the
Town Attorney. Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SCALA-
PISTONE, the following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved:
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 -WORKSHOP MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2003 -REGULAR MEETING
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone questioned the Town Manager regarding funds
earmarked for "Open Space and Recreation." Mr. Saag responded he was waiting for
information from the Finance Department and would transmit to her as soon as it is
available. The Commissioner replied that this was an area of interest to her and she
would like to discuss it in depth at a later time.
Commissioner Scala-Pistone also expressed her pleasure that the Beaches Advisory
Board was now fully staffed and congratulated those appointed.
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report.
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli asked Town Manager Saag for an update on the A1A
work being done by DOT. Mr. Saag replied that the work was hurried in order for the
contractor (Weekley) to receive a $100,000 bonus if done by a certain date.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
November 4. 2003 Page 5 of 6
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued)
When it was noted that the road still flooded after a heavy rain, which would cause
cyclists to avoid water in the bike lanes and swing out into the traffic lanes,
Mr. Saag said the DOT initially advised that, when the project was completed, the road
would be higher than the grass swales. It was agreed that a letter expressing concerns
and disappointment in the quality of the work would be sent by Mr. Saag to the proper
DOT authority.
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill had no report.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid had several items in his report:
.directed the Town Manager to get information on cost and availability of the
vacant lot across from Town Hall.
advised that a Lyric Chamber Orchestra will perform in St. Lucy's Church on
December 19; dress rehearsal on December 17. All are welcome.
.as a Master in Chinese Brush Painting, invited interested parties to attend his
• televised classes held in St. Lucy's Hall every Wednesday (shown on BRET in
Boca Raton.
.will make tapes of the above classes available to the Town free of charge for
re-play on Government Channel 20.
.invited interested parties to a demonstration in Chinese Brush Painting, which he
will give starting Saturday, November 15 and, except for Thanksgiving weekend,
the following three (3) weekends, at "Creations," in Delray Beach.
.within the next few weeks will begin a mural on the east wall of the Town's
screened porch area, in either a Chinese or Floridian motif.
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag had no report.
•
•
Minutes of Town Commission Regular
November 4, 2003 Page 6 of 6
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE, the following
Consent Agenda item was unanimously approved:
CH2M HILL TASK ORDER 2004-1: GENERAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING
Harold Hagelmann and Joseph Yucht, both of Boca Hi, had questions/comments about
the A1A project. Mr. Hagelmann was advised that while the Town will ultimately be
responsible for the trees planted by the DOT, there is a 6-month warranty on their
survival. Mr. Yucht again referred to the landscape drawings originally provided by DOT,
and soundly criticized the A1A project as sub-standard; he said he trusted the Town
would chastise the DOT accordingly.
Before adjournment, and in consideration of the late hour, it was the consensus to
postpone the meeting regarding the sale of the Town's land in Boca Raton, which was
to follow this meeting, until December 9 at 9:30 A.M.
•
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time.and upon
MOTION by COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI, Mayor Reid
adjourned the Regular Meeting at 3:45 P.M.
dmt
APPROVE:
Thomas J. Reid, Mayor
ohn J. S Ili, Commissioner
Attest:
Date:
Michael W. ill, Vice May
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Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner