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1999.01.05_TC_Minutes_RegularI • TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 05, 1999 1:30 P.M. Mayor Arlin G. Voress 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 Thomas J. Reid and Commissioners David Augenstein, Michael W. Hill, and John J. Sorrelli were present. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Town Manager Ben Saag were present, as were members of the general public. After roll call, the Pledge of allegiance was given. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA With no objection, the Mayor amended the Agenda to include a presentation by Mark Gregory regarding permanent signs for the Ocean Grande Place project. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER SORRELLI/VICE MAYOR REID, the following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved: November 17, 1998 - Executive Session November 23, 1998 - Special Meeting November 24, 1998 - Workshop Meeting November 24, 1998 - Special Meeting December O1, 1998 - Regular Meeting 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND RE VESTS Jose Echeverria, 1112 Russell Drive, advised the Navy League's Holiday "Toys for Tots" program was again successful and thanked residents who had made contributions. Jeff Norman, developer of the Ocean Grande project directly south of Town Hall, asked about plans for the property in the rear of Town Hall. Mayor Voress said immediate plans were to make the area presentable for the Town's 50th anniversary celebration on February 18. Commissioner Hill suggested that Commissioners Augenstein and Sorrelli, who had previously done work on the development of the area, revisit the possibilities with the Town Manager and report back to the Commission. Mr. Norman again volunteered his assistance in the project in general and the anniversary . celebration as well. Minutes of Town Commission Meeting • Januarv 05, 1999 Regular Meeting Paae 2 of 4 PRESENTATION RE PERMANENT SIGNAGE FOR OCEAN GRANDE PROJECT Mark Gregory presented a rendering of the signage and explained the particulars thereof. Building Official Bob Dawson advised that while Town Code allows only one (1) double-sided sign, because this was a settlement of litigation property the proposed concept of duplicate signage on either side of the entranceway was being presented to the Commission for their consideration. Mr. Dawson further noted that the concept was in keeping with the aesthetics of the project, and advised that with the addition of identifying street numbers, he was satisfied the proposed positioning of the signage would provide adequate visibility for emergency location. After brief discussion, MOTION by VICE MAYOR REID/COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN met with unanimous favorable vote to approve the permanent proposed signage for the Ocean Grande project, contingent upon the Building Official's final approval of plans. 4. REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION Vice Mayor Thomas J. Reid read a letter addressed to the Town Clerk announcing his resignation as Vice Mayor, effective January 12, 1999. in order that he might run for Mayor. He explained that the . timing of his resignation would allow the electorate to choose his successor rather than have the Commission appoint someone to fill the vacancy. On behalf of the Commission, Mayor Voress thanked Mr. Reid for his many contributions to the Town in his capacities as Vice Chair of the Financial Advisory Board, Commissioner, and Vice Mayor, and wished him well in his endeavor. Note: A copy of the Vice Mayor's letter is attached hereto and made part of these Minutes. Commissioner David Augensteia advised he had contracted for a f final re-design of selected areas of the landscaping around Town Hall. Commissioner Michael W. Hill had no report. Commissioner John J. Sorrelli had no report. Mayor Arlin G. Voress gave a status report of the 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee's activities thus far. He noted the date chosen was Thursday, February 18, 1999, 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. There was no objection from the members regarding costs, i.e. advertising [signage], refreshments, souvenirs, etc., incurred to cover the event. Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting Januarv 05, 1999 Paae 3 of 4 5. REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report. 6. REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER This being his first day of employment, Town Manager Ben Saag expressed pleasure in his affiliation with the Town and said he looked forward to working with the Commission and accomplishing good things for the Town. 7. REPORTS - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES The Board Action Report for December 1998 was accepted as information. James F. Niehoff was unanimously reappointed to a three-year term on the Board of Adjustment upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER SORRELLI. 8. MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS Mayor Voress noted Board Meetings scheduled for January 1999. 9. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS None. 10. REGULAR BUSINESS Items Left Over None. 11. Consent Agenda None. 12. ADJOURNMENT Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/VICE MAYOR REID, Mayor Voress adjourned the Regular Meeting at 2:15 P.M. dmt • Minutes of Town Commission Regular Meeting Januarv 05, 1999 Page 4 of 4 APPROVE: lin G. Voress, Mayor ~es,~h~1 as d ~ ,/~Zl~y Thomas J. Reid, Vice Mayor s~k David Augenste ssioner ~.. chael W. Hill, Commissioner 1.-~ ~ - ------~ ~--. ; Jo n J. So e i, Commissioner Attestl: ~~-~ /~,. ~~~ ,~~~1~ _~ Dat~ : ,~~~~- . a . ~ . j'.~` (Town Clerk) (Ms. Doris Trinley) January 5,1999 Town of Highland Beach 361.4 South Ocean Boulevard Highland Beach, Florida 33487 Dear Ms. Trinley Re: Resignation of Vice Mayor Reid As you know, on March 9, 1999 there will be an election for the office of Mayor of Highland Beach. Mayor Arlin G. Voress' term as Mayor of our Town is ending. Under the provisions of our Town Charter, he will have given the town all the service as Mayor that he is allowed to give. It is my intention to seek election to the office of Mayor. Under applicable Florida law, I am required to resign my present office of Vice Mayor of the Town in order to qualify as a candidate for the office of Mayor. The resignation must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the first day to qualify for the office that I intend to seek, i.e., 10 days before January 26, 1999. As I understand it, the Law provides me with at least 2 options with respect to an effective date of the resignation. Option(11: My resignation may be made effective as of March 9,1999, the date of the election for Mayor. If I were to adopt this option, the new Town Commission would be called upon to appoint a successor Vice-Mayor for the one year unexpired balance of my term. Option (21 My resignation may be made effective at least 10 days prior to the first day that one can qualify to run for a seat on the Town Commission at the next election. If I adopt this option, my office as Vice Mayor will become vacant at least 10 days prior to the qualifying date for the next election. In that event, an election will be required on March 9,1999 to fill my unexpired one year term. ,~ ~ ,~' After considerable thought, I Gave come to the conclusion that rather than leaving the choice of my successor to the appointive process the best interests of the residents of our Town will be served, and the democratic process will be honored, if the residents of our Town are given the opportunity, this coming March 9th, to elect my successor as Vice-Mayor. Hence, I am submitting this letter, as my resignation, to become effective as of January 12,1999. By taking this action my office as Vice Mayor will become vacant as of January 12,1999 and the electorate will be empowered to choose my successor on March 9,1999. It has been a privledge and a rewarding experience for me to have been associated with the present Commission Members. Further, I am sure that I speak for all of us when I thank Mayor Voress for the outstanding service he has given to the residents of our Town both as Commissioner and Mayor. His record as Mayor will stand as the benchmark against which the achievements of future Mayors' will be measured. Sincerely, Dyrt Thomas J. Reid Vice-Mayor cc: Hon. Jeb Bush, Governor Hon. Katherine Harris, Secretary of State Members of Town Commission