1999.03.30_TC_Minutes_Workshopr
~ ..~ TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesday, March 30, 1999 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, Paul R. Kane
and Robert L. Lowe were present.
Also present were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Town Manager
Ben Saag, as were members of the general public.
After roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Prior to addressing the agenda, Mayor Reid made the following
comments for the record:
Before we start our official duties, I wish to take a
moment to recognize that we are about to start a new
administration. I know that we are aware of our
responsibilities and obligations to the citizens of the
Town of Highland Beach. I sincerely pray that we
represent the Town in a manner that will fully support
the administration of the Town, and the growth of the
Town, in such a way that will bring pride and honor to
our citizens.
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Town Manager Ben Saag advised the "Ocean Grande" project request to
locate a retention wall on Town property had been withdrawn by the
developer. With the deletion of this item, and hearing no
objection, Mayor Reid declared the agenda accepted as presented.
99.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND RE VESTS
Dr. Ray Murphy, 4203 S. Ocean Blvd., requested a direct phone line
be installed for the Police Department. The Town Manager advised
a meeting with Bell South is scheduled to discuss a general
upgrading of the town hall complex system and this issue will be
addressed at that time.
Chris Koumas, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd., presented a list of 125
signatures from various condominium residents petitioning the
Commission to build two (2) tennis courts on the land behind Town
Hall. During discussion, it was noted this land is a little over
an acre, and Mrs. Koumas was asked to obtain information on how
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• Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 31, 1999 Page 2 of 5
much land is required to build one (1) tennis court. [Lists of
signatures attached to and made part of these Minutes.]
Eula Bresnahan, 3310 S. Ocean Blvd., also addressed the Commission
on the tennis court issue, saying it was her understanding that the
land would be developed as a passive park. She asked if renters as
well as property owners would have use of the courts; what the
Town's insurance risks would be; and if additional restroom
facilities would be considered. Mrs. Bresnahan also noted the need
for more parking spaces would affect use of the land.
Jose Echeverria, 1112 Russell Dr., coordinator of the Town's Turtle
Program said two (2) nests had already been noted, and reminded all
that turtle season actually begins May 1, when "lights out" on the
beach (Ordinance No. 554) will go into effect.
Ronnie Svenstrup, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd., reported on the success of
the March 13 beach clean-up, and presented a list of signatures
petitioning the Commission to take a continued interest in the
cleanup of the Town's beachfront. [Lists of signatures attached to
and made part of these Minutes.]
PRESENTATIONS
. "Toscana" Development Request re Height Amendment to RTC Settlement
Stipulation
Substantial discussion took place, and developer Frank Zammiello
presented drawings and photos showing the proposed height changes
to the project; he noted there would be no change in density.
Concluding discussion, Attorney Sliney requested a memorandum from
Mr. Zammiello outlining the proposed changes, which he and the
Building Official would review and then advise the Commission of
their findings. It was also suggested that the members
individually visit the scale model of the project located in
Toscana's beach club on the east side of AlA to get a clearer
understanding of the proposed changes. It was the consensus that
the matter be addressed again at the April 6 Regular Meeting.
99.2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Mayor Reid announced one (1) vacancy each on the Planning Board and
Board of Adjustment.
Talent Bank Applicants Rachael Pistons and Joseph Yucht were
interviewed for Board positions, answering questions to the
Commission's satisfaction.
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• Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 30, 1999 Page 3 of 5
99.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There was no discussion of the following proposed ordinance, which
was given first reading March 2 and published March 16. It will be
given final reading at the April 6 Regular Meeting:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING SECTION 6-1(b) OF CHAPTER 6, "BUILDINGS AND
STRUCTURES," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH PERTAINING TO DUNE WALKOVER STRUCTURES.
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99. 4 REVIEW OF COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER (ring Issue)
After brief discussion, it was the consensus that this issue could
be delivered to the residents. Mayor Reid advised that he would
request condominium managers to make an effort to have the
newsletter distributed directly to individual unit owners, rather
than just left in piles near mailrooms.
MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER
The following sets of Minutes were moved to the April 6 Regular
Meeting for further consideration and possible approval:
February 23, 1999
March 02, 1999
March 10, 1999
- Workshop Meeting
- Regular Meeting
- Special Meeting (Elections)
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REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner Robert L. Lowe had no report.
Commissioner Paul R. Kane had no report
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli had no report.
Vice Mayor Michael W. Hill referred to the Commission's decision to
table several of the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations until a new
Town Manager and new Commission were in place. This being
accomplished, the Vice Mayor suggested the Commission act on those
recommendations, and questioned when the Ad Hoc Committee would
resume its review of the Coty Report. In response, Chairman Victor
Hadeed advised that before resuming its work the committee would
like some direction from the Commission as to how the members
wanted the committee to proceed; he also noted that two (2)
additional members needed to be assigned, as Commissioners Kane and
Lowe had previously served on the committee.
Vice Mayor Hill also suggested that before taking action on the
development of the land behind Town Hall, a consultant should be
hired to give some idea of what there is room to put in that area.
Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
March 30, 1999 Page 4 of 5
Commissioner Sorrelli responded that he and former Vice Mayor David
Augenstein had previously met with landscape architects, but the
project had been postponed by the previous Commission.
Referring to today's discussion regarding development of the land
behind Town Hall, Mayor Thomas J. Reid expressed appreciation for
the ideas presented and said all would be considered. However, he
advised that ultimately it was the Commission's responsibility to
determine how the land would be developed in the best interests of
the Town; as an example, he explained that some of the land might
be needed within the next five years if the building of a water
desalinization plant becomes necessary. The Mayor further noted
several other intermediate and long range considerations, including
upgrade of the sewer system to accommodate an expected increase in
population; correction of drainage problems throughout the Town;
and the addition of bike lanes along AlA by the Department of
Transportation. Mayor Reid also spoke of expanding the library
into the current Chambers in order to give it audio/video
programming capabilities with an ancillary reading room, which
would in turn necessitate the building of new Commission Chambers.
Concluding his report, Mayor Reid assigned the following areas of
interest to the Commission members:
Commissioner Lowe - Police & Fire
Commissioner Kane - Water & Sewer
Commissioner Sorrelli - Buildings & Grounds
Vice Mayor Hill - Beaches & Shores
Finance will remain Mayor Reid's area of interest.
REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report.
REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag reported on several issues:
.Advised of his first meeting with condominium managers and
representatives of homeowners associations on March 31 at 10 AM to
discuss issues of concern and/or interest. Mr. Saag advised he
plans to hold such meetings quarterly.
.Following up on a resident request for an ordinance that all
swimming pools be fenced, presented information regarding same from
neighboring municipalities.(attached to and made part of these
Minutes)
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March 30, 1999 Paste 5 of 5
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Jd~`in J. Solli, Commissioner
Paul R. Kane, Commissioner
Robert L. ~owe,(,G`ommissioner
REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER (continued)
.In response to a complaint by former Vice Mayor Bill Paul
regarding ambulance service, presented a survey of ambulance
service providers in neighboring municipalities. (attached to and
made part of these Minutes)
.As requested by Mrs. Saunders of Villa Magna condominium, advised
the Police Department had issued reminders to residents that
garbage must be presented for pick-up in covered containers, not
bags.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission,
Mayor Reid adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 3:10 P.M. upon MOTION
by COMMISSIONER HILL/VICE MAYOR HILL.
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APPROV
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Thomas J. Reid President
Michael ill, Vice ayor