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1996.08.06_TC_Minutes_RegularE August 06, 1996 1:30 P.M. MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING REGULAR MEETING • 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, Commissioner David Augenstein and Commissioner Thomas J. Reid were present. Vice Mayor John F. Rand and Commissioner Arthur Eypel were absent. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano were also present, as were members of the general public. Following Roll Call, the Pledge of Allegiance was given. ADOPTION OF AGENDA There being no objection, Mayor Voress declared the Agenda accepted as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon MOTION by the COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER REID, the following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved: TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH June 25, 1996 - Workshop Meeting July 02, 1996 - Regular Meeting PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Judge Richard I. Wennet addressed the Commission, advising he was visiting as many municipalities as possible as part of his circuit court re-election campaign. Judge Wennet gave a brief background of his judicial leadership, advising he had served the court for 12 years; he concluded his remarks with thanks to the Commission for their kind and courteous reception. Jose Echeverria, Turtle Program Coordinator, gave an update on the season, advising that a total of 701 nests had been laid by the end of July. REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION Neither Mayor Voress nor Commissioner Reid had a report. Referring to the monthly Police report for July, Commissioner Augenstein questioned Chief Anthony Cervasio regarding a decrease of approximately 1500 patrolled miles as compared to July of last Town Commission Regular Meeting - Minutes August 06, 1996 Page 2 of 4 • year. Chief Cervasio's explanation cited an increase in the number of calls responded to, as well as an officer on sick leave and others on vacation leave. REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY Town Attorney Sliney advised he had conferred with Attorney Charles Schoech regarding the Commission's decision to use a Certificates of Participation method to finance the Town Hall renovation/expansion, and noted the Commission must now choose a name for the building authority that will be the leaseholder. After some discussion, it was agreed that "Town of Highland Beach Building Authority" would be appropriate. It was also agreed that the Commission would serve as the Authority's Board of Directors, with details to be worked out to the Commission's satisfaction. Mr. Sliney advised that per Mr. Schoech, it will take 4-6 weeks to finalize necessary documents, which will then be presented to the Commission for approval. However, as a point of information, Ms. Mariano noted that the resolution for approval of the "Town of Highland- Beach Building Authority" should be ready for the September Regular Meeting. Also regarding the renovation/expansion project, Attorney Sliney advised that having reviewed the contract submitted by Architect Randall Stoft, he and Ms. Mariano would be meeting with him on • August 7 to clarify certain points and bring the contract to finalization. REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Mariano said Vice Mayor Rand had asked her to raise the issue of the recent newspaper article in the Sun Sentinel, wherein it was reported that there might be a raise in taxes to accomplish the Town Hall Renovation/Expansion. Noting that Kevin Krause, the reporter who had written the article was in the audience today to hear her presentation, Ms. Mariano recapped events since the article was published and members of the Commission had taken grievous exception to its headline and content. She advised that Mr. Krause had conferred with his editors, with the result that their position was thus: although the headline may have been unfortunate, the article itself was noncommittal and related only to future possibilities, not certainties, of what could happen in terms of a tax increase; therefore, no action would be taken as to retraction or correction. Concluding her remarks, Ms. Mariano said unless she heard otherwise from the Commission, she would consider the issue closed as far as the Town was concerned. Commissioner Reid agreed the matter should be considered closed, with the reservation that he felt the article was not noncommittal, rather flat-out indicative that there probably would be a tax increase, and he was not pleased with the paper's attitude, saying it was inappropriate to imply, infer or insinuate a tax raise in this instance, as a tax increase to accomplish the project was never considered. Town Commission Regular Meeting - Minutes August 06, 1996 Page 3 of 4 • Commissioner Augenstein stated that, in his opinion, the article was erroneous and harmful, and whether it was done without malicious intent was another story, as it did happen. Therefore, Commissioner Augenstein stated he felt the Town should be given a published retraction, apology or rewrite. • Some discussion followed, with Ms. Mariano giving the reasons why she felt the matter should be dropped; Town Attorney Sliney agreed. However, Ms. Mariano did advise that it would be the Commission's decision to proceed with the matter or not. Mayor Voress noted that while Vice Mayor Rand's ongoing serious concern of the matter was appreciated, he also thought the matter should be dropped, as the newspaper was well aware of the Commission's position. In conclusion it was agreed that, although none of the Commission was happy with either the article or the resultant Sun Sentinel position, it would be in the best interest of the Town to consider the issue closed. Regarding the completion of the newly renovated fire station, Ms. Mariano advised that a tentative move-in date of August 12 has been set for fire/rescue personnel. If all final inspections are completed satisfactorily, Ms. Mariano said the building should be issued a Certificate of Occupancy before the August 12 date. Ms. Mariano noted she will be beginning August 9, but had itinerary in case of emergency. out of Town for two (2) weeks informed the Commission of her REPORTS - BOARDS & COMMITTEES The Board Action Report for July was accepted as information; Mayor Voress read the various Board meetings scheduled for August into the record. PROPOSED ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS The following proposed ordinances were given first reading: (1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, TO EFFECT A TAX LEVY BASED ON THE 1996 TAX ROLL OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH. (2) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1996-97, BEGINNING OCTOBER O1, 1996 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996. Although there was no discussion at this time, the ordinances will be carried on the August 27, 1996 Workshop Agenda should discussion be warranted. REGULAR BUSINESS Items Left Over None. Town E.`ommission Regular Meeting - Minutes Auaust 06, 1996 page 4 of 4 • Consent Agenda The following items were unanimously approved upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER REID/COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN: (1) A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, REQUESTING A PRO-RATA SHARE OF THE COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE SURCHARGE AWARD PROGRAM FUNDS. (2) RETAINER AGREEMENT RE HODGSON, RUSS, ANDREWS, WOODS AND GOODYEAR. OTHER BUSINESS Before adjournment Dr. Ray Murphy--(-~'b23 S. Ocean Blvd. ) and Al Bresnahan (3310 S. Ocean Blvd.) questioned the Commission about the Survey being taken by the State on AlA. It was explained that Ms. Mariano has been in touch with the Department of Transportation and was advised that the survey relates to the widening of the road on both east and west sides by 5' to accommodate a bike path; however funds for the project will not be available until 2005. It was advised that Ms. Mariano will continue to monitor the project. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this time, Mayor Voress adjourned the Regular Meeting at 2:05 PM. upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER REID/COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN. dmt APPROVE: - Arlin G. Voress, Mayor -AB5ENT- John F. Rand, Vice Mayor -ABSENT- ATTEST : ~ ~'~--~Q~~ DATE : ~~ G~ ~~ Arthur Eypel, Commissioner a..%i.1-~ f Q irs-- David Augenste' mmissioner ~'`~ i Thomas J. Reid, Commissioner