2002.03.26_TC_Minutes_Workshops
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesday, March 26, 2002 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 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
• Hearing no objection, Mayor Reid declared the agenda accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Joseph Yucht, Boca Highland, thanked Police Chief Tony Cervasio for arranging to have
Officer Ron Martin demonstrate the use of a defibrillator to Boca Hi residents. Mr. Yucht
also questioned how to secure the discounted membership rate to the Delray Beach
Tennis Complex for Highland Beach residents; Mayor Reid advised. (See Mayor's
Report).
Rosemarie Catrone represented residents of Bel Air Drive who wanted a temporary
speed bump removed from their street. Noting that an initial survey had indicated 15 for
and 12 against, Mrs. Catrone presented a petition, claiming that now 35 people were
against the bump and 12 were for it; she then requested that it be removed. Town
Attorney Sliney advised that because a claim had been filed alleging injury due to a fall
caused by the bump, it could not be removed until the Town's insurance carrier reviewed
the issue; Mr. Saag added that an expedited review had been requested. (Petition
attached to and made part of these Minutes.)
Vice Mayor Hill acknowledged that he had spearheaded the speed bump issue after he
had received complaints from residents living on the Town's side streets of speeding
vehicles which were creating a safety issue, and a subsequent survey indicated that a
majority of residents on Bel Air Drive favored a speed bump; hence a "temporary" bump
• was installed for test purposes. The Vice Mayor suggested that when the streets are re-
paved, perhaps a "rumble strip" rather than speed bump could be considered.
• Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 26, 2002 Pac1e 2 of 5
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS (continued)
Leonard Bell, 2727 S. Ocean Blvd., in his capacity as Chairman, thanked the members
of the Library Study Committee, Library Director Mari Suarez and her staff, and Mayor
Tom Reid and Town Manager Ben Saag for their diligent and enthusiastic efforts, which
led to the very favorable vote of the library referendum question on the March 12
municipal ballot.
3. PRESENTATIONS
COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT: AUDITORS HAAS, DIAZ & CO.
Introductory remarks were made by Chuck Haas, while Debbie Diaz presented the
"Financial Highlights" booklet. All questions were answered to the Commission's
satisfaction, and commendations for their part in the preparation of the 2000-2001
Comprehensive Financial Report were given by Ms. Haas to the Finance Director and
his staff, the Town Manager and members of the Financial Advisory Board. (Copy of
"Financial Highlights" booklet attached to and made part of these Minutes.)
• 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
NONE.
6. NEW BUSINESS
(1) DISCUSSION RE: CONTRACT AWARD -FIRST PHASE OF REVERSE
OSMOSIS WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
David Schumann of CH2M HILL advised that after review of bids received, it was
recommended that the contract for the first phase of the reverse osmosis water be
awarded to the low bidder, Chaz Equipment Co. Questions were answered to the
• Commission's satisfaction and when discussion concluded, it was agreed to place this
item on the April 2 Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 26. 2002 Page 3 of 5
6. NEW BUSINESS (continued)
(2) DISCUSSION RE: INCREASE IN HOURLY RATE -TOWN LABOR
ATTORNEY ROBIN FAWSETT.
Mr. Fawsett requested that his hourly rate regarding police negotiations be increased
from $225 to $245. Substantial discussion took place, with no agreement among the
members. Commissioner Scala-Pistone referred to Mr. Fawsett's original contract with
the Town, noting it contained no reference to periodic hourly increases. The issue will
be re-visited at the April 2 Regular Meeting. (Copy of Mr. Fawsett's request attached to
and made part of these Minutes.)
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
The following sets of Minutes were forwarded to the April 2 Regular Meeting for further
consideration and possible approval:
FEBRUARY 26, 2002 WORKSHOP MEETING
MARCH 5, 2002 REGULAR MEETING
• MARCH 13, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING (ELECTIONS)
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner Rachael Scala-Pistone advised she had arranged for Daniel Bates of
the Palm Beach County Environmental Enhancement Committee to meet with residents
to discuss various beach plantings that inhibit erosion; meeting place is on the beach at
4517 S. Ocean Blvd, April 4, at 1 P.M.
Commissioner Scala-Pistone further advised that arrangements had been made with the
members of the KEY Club (Kiwanis Educating Youth) to do a beach clean-up on April
13 (rain date April 14); (6) students each will be assigned to five (5) districts.
It was agreed that the Town Manager would see that the-two (2) events would be
advertised via fliers to the condos and Government Channel 19.
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report.
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli had no report.
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill had no report.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid referred to the success of the library referendum and
commended the Library Study Committee -Leonard Bell, Neil Burd, Joanne Freeman,
James Niehoff and Michael Ferrara - as well as Library Director Mari Suarez and Town
Manager Ben Saag, who assisted the committee, for their fine efforts in ensuring its success.
. Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 26, 2002 Page 4 of 5
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION (continued)
Mayor Reid recommended that an architect for the new library be selected in the fall,
and noted that the Town's lobbyist would be working to ensure that the Town received
the maximum grant funding for the project.
Regarding reduced membership rates for Highland Beach residents at the Delray Beach
Tennis Center, the Mayor read a letter from Delray Mayor David Schmidt relating to this
issue, a copy of which is attached hereto and made part of these Minutes.
9. REPORTS -TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report.
10. REPORTS -TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag reported on the following:
• .Coronado Condominium Mangrove Issue: Mr. Saag advised the Coronado had been
given a nuisance citation regarding the odor emanating from the mangrove area, with
a response due within 28 days; he then read into the record a letter of response from
the Coronado enumerating the ways in which they intended to solve the problem. After
some discussion, the Commission requested affirmation that all the members of the
Coronado Board of Directors had agreed to the content of the letter, a copy of which is
attached to and made part of these Minutes.
.Mr. Saag advised that the Town is close to agreement with Delray Fire/Rescue
regarding renewal of contract. He requested the members review information previously
transmitted to them in this regard, so the matter could be placed on the April Workshop
for discussion.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
NONE.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid
adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 2:40 P.M. upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER
SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER SCALA-PISTONE.
• dmt
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 26. 2002 Page 5 of 5
APPROVE:
Thomas J. Reid, Mayor
Michael W. Hill, Vice Mayor
~_
John . Sorrelli, Co issioner
Attest:
1
~C~
Date: S ~7 ~U Z
Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner