1999.02.23_TC_Minutes_Workshop~.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION
WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesdav, Februarv 23, 1999 1:30 P.M.
Mayor Arlin G. Voress 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
David Augenstein, Commissioner Michael W. Hill and Commissioner
John J. Sorrelli 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.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Hearing no objection, Mayor Voress declared the Agenda accepted as
submitted.
98.1 PUBLIC COI~IENTS AND REQUESTS
• Ronnie Svenstrup, Seagate Condominium, advised of setting up a
volunteer beach clean-up day on March 13. In turn, D.J. and Jose
Echeverria noted that their ongoing beach clean-up project has been
in place for several years. It was concluded that Ms. Svenstrup
and her group of volunteers would work together with the ongoing
beach clean-up volunteers on March 13. It was the consensus of the
Commission that the Town would cover associated costs for the
event, i.e., professional beach cleaning equipment, food for
volunteers, etc.
In his capacity as President of the Library Foundation, Leonard
Bell, 2727 S. Ocean Boulevard, advised that a recent $5,000
donation from Shepard Osherow put the Foundation within $1,000 of
$100,000 in total donations. Mr. Bell requested that someone in
the viewing audience might consider a $1,000 donation to meet this
goal.
As his allowable 6-year term expires March 9, both Messrs.
Echeverria and Bell complimented Mayor Voress on his outstanding
service to the Town, noting his professional and level-headed
approach to its leadership.
PRESENTATIONS
1) Auditors Haas, Diaz & Co, presented highlights of the
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for F/Y 1997-1998, which had
• Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeeting
Februarv 23, 1999 Page 2 of 4
been recommended for Commission approval by the Financial Advisory
Board. During discussion, Felix Goldenson, Chairman of the FAB,
noted there were no significant changes to consider, and Finance
Director Stanley M. Novak answered questions about the Town's
investments. Concluding discussion, it was the consensus of the
Commission to accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as
submitted. (copy of Financial Highlights brochure attached to and
made part of these Minutes.)
2) The developers of the Toscana project, which property involves
the RTC Settlement Agreement, presented amended plans regarding.
altered roofline(s) of the high rise building(s). After
substantial discussion, and upon Attorney Sliney's advice, it was
requested that the developers submit a memorandum to the Building
Official and Commission members explaining the proposed amended
plans. After review, if favorable, the appropriate process to
amend the Settlement Agreement would then be initiated.
3) Jaimebeth Vicidomini, representing the American Cancer Society,
showed a video explaining a "Relay for Life" race, which will be
held in Boca Raton on May 14 & 15.
• 98.2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
1) Vacancies: None.
2) Correspondence: It was the consensus that a recommendation
from the Planning Board regarding changes to dune walkover
requirements (Chapter 6, Section 6-1(b) be accepted, and Attorney
Sliney was asked to have a proposed ordinance ready for first
reading at the March 2 Regular Meeting. (Planning Board
recommendation attached to and made part of these Minutes.)
98.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There was no discussion of the following proposed ordinance, which
will be given final reading at the March 2 Regular Meeting:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 672, WHICH APPROPRIATED
FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1997-98, WHICH BEGAN
OCTOBER 1, 1997 AND ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
(first reading 02/3/99; published 2/11/99)
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• Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
February 23, 1999 Page 3 of 4
The following proposed resolution was moved to the March 2 Regular
Meeting Consent Agenda:
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF
GOVERNMENT AT PALM BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND
URGING THE COLLEGE TO CONTINUE ITS FULL
SUPPORT OF THE INSTITUTE'S FINANCIAL AND
PROGRAMMING NEEDS; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER
The following sets of Minutes were moved to the March 2 Regular
Meeting for further consideration and possible approval:
January 26, 1999 - Regular Meeting
February 02, 1999 - Regular Meeting
REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION
Commissioner John J. Sorrelli advised he will head the "Welcoming
• Committee" for new residents.
Commissioner Michael W. Hill reminded residents of the importance
of going to the polls to vote in the March 09 Municipal Elections.
Vice Mayor David Augenstein requested to give what would be his
final report at the March 2 Regular Meeting (Note: Vice Mayor
Augenstein's 6-year Commission term ends March 09.)
Mayor Arlin G. Voress thanked all who took part in the Town's
successful 50th Anniversary Celebration on February 18. He also
thanked the Sun Sentinel reporter for the article featuring him,
which appeared in their Community News section on Sunday, February
21.
REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report.
REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Ben Saag had several issues to report on:
.There is a reception planned immediately following the March 2
Regular Meeting to honor Mayor Voress and Vice Mayor Augenstein on
the completion of their terms.
• .To expand parking availability in the rear of Town Hall, the
architect awarded the renovation of the maintenance garage has been
requested to include as an alternate in the bid package an increase
in parking from 36 to 64 spaces.
• Minutes of Town Commission Workshop Meeting
February 23, 1999 Page 4 of 4
.Advised of a letter he had drafted to BFI and read same into the
record; it was the consensus of the Commission that Mr. Saag
forward the letter to BFI.
(Copy of said letter attached to and made part of these Minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at
this time, Mayor Voress adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 3:00 PM,
upon MOTION by VICE MAYOR AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI.
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APPROVE:
Arlin G. Voress, Mayor
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David Augenstein, Vice Mayor
hael~W. Hill,- Commissioner
J Sorrelli, Commissioner
Attest:
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 5, 1999
TO: Town Commission
FROM: Felix R. Goldenson, Chairman
Financial Advisory Board
SUBJECT ~ DATEDE EPTEMBE~0~1998~CI~ PORT
At its January 21, 1999 Financial Advisory Board Meeting, the Board _
concluded review 3 th19 r8a`f and precommends app oval aby1 t e eTown
dated Septembe ,
Commission.
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~i~..~.~.G V \
Felix R. Goldenson, Chairman
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cc: Town Manager
FAB Members
Town Attorney
Town Clerk
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h. FLOHIOA~
Town of Highland Beach
3614 SOUTH OCEAN BOULEVARD • HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA 33487
Palm Beach County, Florida
561-278-4548
FAX 561-265-3582
February 23, 1999
Mr. William Redman, Municipal Market Developer
1475 SW 4~' Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Deaz Mr. Redman:
Mayor:
Arlin (3. Voress
Vice Mayor:
Thomas J. Reid
Commissioners:
David Augenstein
Michael W. Hill
John J. Sorrelli
Town Manager:
Ben Saag
Since we last met, I have had the chance to discuss with the Town's elected officials some
problems which exist with solid waste collection in some detail. It is my general conclusion that
the Town is interested in correcting problems which exist before any conversations concerning an
extension of BFI's contract aze considered.
• First and foremost among the problems that exist aze the deterioration in the quality of
service which has been provided by BFI. Pick up schedules at condominium buildings were
amended without notification or permission from the Town. This is a violation ofsub-section 8.1
of the Town's contract with BFI which states "the Town Manager shall approve any changes to
all collection routes." Further, collections at some condominium buildings have been occurring as
late as 8:00 p.m. and routinely after 7:00 p.m. Sub-section 6.3 of the Town's contract cleazly
states that collection shall cease no later than 6:00 p.m. The Town realizes that with the new
development which has occurred since the contracts inception it is now difficult, if not impossible,
to collect the entire Town between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m The Town is willing to work with
BFI to develop a mutually agreeable amendment to the contract to reasonably accommodate this
situation. If the problem persists and no contract amendment is reached, I will instruct the Chief
of Police to notify the sanitation driver that he/she must leave the Town at 6:00 p.m.
It has come to the Town's attention that complaints received by BFI with regazd to
deteriorating service aze either not being responded to in a timely fashion or being ignored all
together. It goes without saying that this is totally unacceptable. I have provided you with copies
of letters written by Carron House, Ambassador South, Ambassador One and Villa Magna. I
requested that if BFI has written responses to any of these letters to please receive copies of those
response letters. To date, I have received no response letters. In addition, I have attached a letter
I recently received from Seagate which also indicates a failure on BFI's part to respond to a
complaint. The Town insists that all complaints be responded to in a timely fashion and that the
Town receive copies of all response letters.
"Tree City U.S.A."
• s
The next issue which is of serious concern to the Town is BFI's charging for landscape
material collection at the high rise condominium buildings. Sub-Section 4.13 of the Town's
contract excludes landscapers or lawn maintenance service materials. When BFI began charging
for sepazation of waste materials, the high rise condominium building residents were chazged this
fee even though by contract provision their landscape waste is excluded from the contract. BFI
has stated that they do collect some landscape waste from condominium buildings when the waste
is left at the side of the road. Town Ordinance, however, states that professional landscapers are
required to haul off landscape debris. Therefore, the Town will cease payment of the separation
surchazge effective immediately and for the remainder of the contract period for high rise
condominium dwellers. The Town will notify condominium associations that their landscapers are
required to remove debris. The Town further hereby instructs BFI to not collect landscape debris
left at the side of the road in front of high rise condominium buildings. Finally, the Town believes
that some credit for the amount collected for this service for the past five yeazs is warranted and
requests that BFI consider such a reimbursement.
It remains the Town's belief that the problems enumerated above should be resolved
immediately with no direct correlation to a contract extension. The Town believes that these
problems aze adequately covered under the existing contract. Once the problems are satisfactorily
resolved and tested for a period of no less than four months, I believe that the Town Commission
would entertain a discussion concerning the extension of the BFI contract beyond September,
2000. I believe the Town's principle goal is to improve service and to satisfy the high
expectations of the residents who live in the Town. If BFI is capable of doing this, I do not see a
• pressing reason why the Town Commission would be desirous to change carriers.
I look forward to a positive working relationship with you and your new local manager. I
will be holding a quarterly meeting of condo managers beginning in late March and I would
appreciate the attendance of a BFI representative at these meetings to deal with sanitation related
issues.
Sincerely,
Ben Saag
Town Manager
cc. Town Commission
Tom Sliney, Town Attorney
Stan Novak, Director of Finance
Bruce Roy, BFI