2001.03.06_TC_Minutes_Regular:...
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday. March 6. 2001 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, Paul R. Kane and Robert L. Lowe 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, the Mayor declared the Agenda accepted as presented.
• Before proceeding with the Agenda, Mayor Reid advised that the idea of Government
Channel 20 being used to air discussion/debate among this year's Commission
candidates had been discussed and it had been concluded that the Government Channel
would not be appropriate for this purpose. Mr. Sliney noted that this type of forum was
usually handled by a civic group, such as the League of Women Voters, and not the
municipality itself. Vice Mayor Hill suggested that some. of the larger condominiums
might be interested in hosting such an event.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
(1) Developer Frank LaHage submitted for consideration an amendment to the sign
code regarding temporary construction signs. Town Attorney Sliney noted that while this
usually be a Workshop presentation, the Commission could accept the proposed
amendment today, have the Building Official review it, and then transmit the issue back
to the Commission for further discussion and consideration. (copy of proposed
amendment attached to and made part of these Minutes)
(2) Joseph S. Yucht, 4748 S. Ocean Blvd., candidate for a Commission seat, said he
"respectfully disagreed" with the decision not to make Channel 20 available for candidate
discussion/debate, noting there were no civic groups in Town and, therefore, it was a
disservice to the voters for the Town not to supply facilities for this purpose.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
March 6, 2001 Page 2 of 6
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued)
Asked for their thoughts on the issue, Commission candidates Commissioner Robert L.
Lowe and Rachael Scala-Pistone noted that because their campaigns were well under-
way, at this juncture the timing was wrong for a televised discussion/debate.
Concluding discussion, it was the consensus to agree with Commissioner Sorrelli's
suggestion that the Television Advisory Board, with the Town Attorney in attendance,
consider the possibility of utilizing Government Channel 20 regarding this issue.
3. (1) FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY -DIANE BEHRMAN, PRESIDENT
Mrs. Behrman presented a check from the Friends for $11,000. On behalf of the
Commission and residents, Mayor Reid extended sincere thanks to the Friends for their
continued generous support.
(2) AUDITORS HAAS, DIAZ -COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL
FINANCIAL REPORT
Debbie Diaz conducted the presentation, noting there was not much fluctuation from the
• previous report, and advising that the Town shows a "strong financial balance with no
unusual fluctuations or transactions." Thanks were forthcoming from both the
Commission and the auditors to the Finance Department and to Financial Advisory Board
for their work in bringing the report to fruition. (copy of "Financial Highlights" pamphlet
attached to and made part of these Minutes)
(3) ARCHITECT RICHARD BROOKS -LIBRARY CONCEPTUAL PLAN
Mr. Brooks conceptual plans for a proposed 10,000 sq.ft. two-story library to be built on
a portion of the land behind Town Hall, including site plan and elevations, etc.
Substantial discussion took place, with the Town Manager advising that the conceptual
plans were necessary to accompany an application for amatching-funds grant of up to
$500,000; however, he noted actual cost of the new library would be approximately $2
million. Mr Saag also answered many questions regarding the grant itself and the timing
of procedures if it was awarded. The possibility of the issue going to referendum was
also discussed. (This presentation was in conjunction with a proposed resolution in
support of such a project, also to accompany grant application, which the Commission
was scheduled to address later in this meeting.)
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
. March 6. 2001 Page 3 of 6
4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
a) Boards Correspondence: None
b) Board Vacancies:
Two (2) on Board of Adjustment
MOTION to continue to table these vacancies was made by VICE MAYOR
HILL/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI followed by unanimous favorable vote.
c) Board Action Report: The BAR for the month of February was read into the
record by the Mayor.
d) Monthly Board Meetings: The Mayor also read the scheduled Board Meetings for
the month of March into the record.
5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
The following proposed ordinance was given final reading and, upon MOTION by
• COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER KANE, it was adopted by unanimous
favorable roll call vote:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 680, WHICH APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 1999-2000, WHICH BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 1999 AND ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. (first reading 2/6/01; published 2/17/01)
Having been discussed at length during Architect Richard Brooks' presentation, the
following proposed resolution was approved by unanimous favorable roll call vote
following MOTION by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER KANE.
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND
BEACH SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
ANEW MUNICIPAL LIBRARY.
6. NEW BUSINESS
None.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
i March 6. 2001 Page 4 of 6
7. MISCELLANEOUS -ITEMS LEFT OVER
(1) DISCUSSION RE: -IDENTIFYING SEATS IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS;
HOLDING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER.
Mayor Reid first called fora MOTION to close the issue or move it forward;
COMMISSIONER SORRELLI moved to close the issue. COMMISSIONER LOWE
seconded for discussion purposes.
Vice Mayor Hill expressed the view that moving the elections to November would
ultimately serve no purpose; likewise changing the terms of service from three (3) two-
yearterms to two (2) three-year terms would be serve no purpose as it applied to even-
year elections when specific seats for vice mayor and one (1) commission seat were
voted on. However, Vice Mayor Hill reiterated that in odd year elections, aside from the
mayoral seat, he was in favor of identifying the two (2) Commission seats to be voted
on.
Mayor Reid responded that if the terms were changed to three (3) years and rotated, i.e.,
one (1) commission seat being voted on every third year, with the mayoral and vice
mayoral seat also being voted on every third year, the problem would be solved.
•
Commissioner Lowe said he was not in favor of a change to November municipal
elections, but did agree with Mayor Reid's comments regarding term changes.
Town Attorney Sliney advised that he and the Town Manager would have to be directed
by the Commission if they wished any change implemented.
Concluding discussion, Mayor Reid called for a roll call vote on the MOTION by
COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/COMMISSIONER LOWE to close the issue:
Commissioner Kane -Yes
Commissioner Lowe - No
Commissioner Sorrelli -Yes
Vice Mayor Hill - No
Mayor Reid - No
Motion carried by majority.
VICE MAYOR HILL moved that the Commission carry forward the idea of identifying the
seats and/or changing the terms for discussion at the next Commission meeting. Mr.
Sliney advised a Charter amendment would be in order if the Commission decided to
affirm these issues. COMMISSIONER LOWE seconded the Motion.
Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting
i March 6, 2001 Page 5 of 6
Mayor Reid called for a roll call vote, with results as follows:
Commissioner Sorrelli - No
Commissioner Kane - No
Commissioner Lowe -Yes
Vice Mayor Hill -Yes
Mayor Reid - No
Motion defeated by majority.
(2) MINUTES FOR APPROVAL:
The following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER LOWE/COMMISSIONER KANE:
JANUARY 30, 2001 - WORKSHOP MEETING
FEBRUARY 6, 2001 - REGULAR MEETING
8. REPORTS -TOWN COMMISSION
• Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report.
Commissioner Paul R. Kane had no report.
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli had no report.
Mayor Thomas J. Reid noted this was Commissioner Paul R. Kane's last Commission
meeting, as he had opted not to run for re-election due to health reasons. On behalf of
the Commission, the Mayor thanked Commissioner Kane for his generous efforts on
behalf of the Town; those in attendance agreed with enthusiasm.
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 Meeting
March 6. 2001 Paqe 6 of 6
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR HILL/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI, the following item
was unanimously approved:
CH2M HILL TASK ORDER 2001-02 - SALTWATER INTRUSION MONITORING
PROGRAM.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid
adjourned the Regular Meeting at 2:40 P.M.
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•
APPROVE:
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Thomas J. Reid, Mayor
Michael W. Hill, Vice Mayor
Jgchn J. Sorre ,Commissioner
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Attest:
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Date: ~~3~0/
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Paul R. Kane, Commissioner
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Robert L. Lowe, Cb(nmissioner