Loading...
1996.07.30_TC_Minutes_Workshop • TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesday July 30, 1996 1:30 P.M. Mayor Voress called the Workshop Meeting to order at 1:30 P.M in Commission Chambers. Town Clerk Doris Trinley called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor John F. Rand, and Commissioners Arthur Eypel, David Augenstein and Thomas J. Reid were present. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano were also present, as were members of the general public. After roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance was given. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER REID, the Agenda was accepted as submitted. • 96.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Under Public Comments and Requests, Leonard Bell, 2727 S. Ocean Boulevard (Villa Magna) referred to a newspaper article published in the "Palm Beach Plus" section of the Sun Sentinel on Sunday, July 28, 1996, which reported that at a July 23rd Financial Advisory Board Meeting, it was considered that the Town might face a raise in taxes in order to renovate/expand Town Hall facilities. Mr. Bell asked for clarification on this issue, as he said it was his understanding that no tax increase would be entailed regarding this project, and the newspaper article was in error. Commissioner Reid agreed with Mr. Bell's remarks, noting that it was specifically stated at the FAB meeting that there would be absolutely no increase in taxes necessary to complete the project. Vice Mayor Rand likewise noted the article was completely erroneous. Mr. Bell then suggested that it would be appropriate for the Town Commission to meet with Sun Sentinel managerial staff personnel to demand an apology and a follow-up article that reflected the facts in order that other Town-related projects would not be jeopardized. (Note: Mr. Bell is Chairman of the Library Foundation, now in the process of raising funds for the library portion of Town Hall Renovation/Expansion.) 96.2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Under Boards and Committees, there were no vacancies to consider; neither was there any correspondence to review. • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes July 30, 1996 Pacie 2 of 4 96.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, REQUESTING A PRO-RATE SHARE OF THE COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE SURCHARGE AWARD PROGRAM FUNDS. In the short discussion of this proposed resolution, Ms. Mariano noted that approval of such is done yearly on behalf of Delray Beach Fire/Rescue and, as they are the providers of these services to the Town, any enhancement to their operation would likewise benefit the Town. It was the consensus to move the Resolution to the August Regular Meeting Consent Agenda. 96.4 REVIEW FALL EDITION OF COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER After review and discussion, with suggested changes agreed upon, it was the consensus that the Town Clerk ensure such changes were made and then transmit to the printer for distribution. MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER • Two (2) sets of Minutes were moved to the August 6th Regular Agenda for further consideration and possible adoption: June 25, 1996 - Workshop Meeting July 02, 1996 - Regular Meeting REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION There were no reports forthcoming from Vice Mayor John F. Rand, Commissioner Arthur Eypel, Commissioner David Augenstein and Commissioner Thomas J. Reid. Commissioner Augenstein did, however, introduce Richard Selznick, President of the Clarendon Condominium Association. Mayor Arlin G. Voress gave an update on the State's progress regarding the model for the proposed Palm Beach County Coastal Construction Control Line, saying he had been advised that progress had been impeded by the State's having to work on the Bay County line because of Hurricane Opal, and the serious illness of one of the scientists assigned to work on the Palm Beach County model, who was recovering from a kidney transplant. These factors, the Mayor surmised, would put the project behind by at least two (2) months. In this regard, Attorney Sliney made reference to the recent enactment of property rights legislation (Harris Act), noting that • affected property owners might now have support under this Act for possible claims regarding the westward imposition of the CCCL, • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes July 30, 1996 Page 3 of 4 which they did not have when the State initially proposed to move the line a few years ago. The Mayor next advised that, as of this date, 23 of 38 Palm Beach County municipalities have indicated support for the Municipal League's position regarding the school concurrency issue; as a result, a proposed 1-cent sales tax will not appear on the November ballot. Further, the Mayor advised that this municipal support will assure the League of greater participation in deciding where and when new schools will be built. REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY Referring to the Mayor's report on the CCCL, Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney noted that regardless of the State's reasons for a revised timeframe in issuing their report, as explained by the Mayor, when the work was finally completed the State must hold the required Hearings to receive public input on the proposed line before the model can be implemented. At this time, Vice Mayor Rand asked if there was any new information regarding the "Hidden Harbor" property. Mayor Voress • replied he most recently heard that proposals to represent the property were again being solicited from real estate (asset management) companies; Attorney Sliney and Commissioner said they had no new information. REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Mariano first addressed an agenda item relating to the Retainer Agreement with Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods and Goodyear. She explained that the previous 1991 agreement was with Dilworth, Paxson, et al, the firm with which Town Attorney Sliney was associated at that time; and while Mr. Sliney's move to Hodgson had been acknowledged in letter form by the Town, a formal retainer agreement had not been put in place. Ms. Mariano noted that there was no increase in hourly rates, which had been in effect since 1991; also, there had been no increase in the retainer agreement since 1993. Therefore, Ms. Mariano said the proposed retainer agreement clarifies the firm with which the Town is dealing, as well as the billing arrangement as it relates to items billed separately from the retainer fee. After brief discussion, it was the consensus to move this item to the August 6 Regular Meeting Consent Agenda. Before introducing Peter Ince who was to present a revised preliminary cost estimate regarding the Town Hail • Renovation/Expansion, Ms. Mariano asked for direction from the Commission regarding their approval of a Certificates of . Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes July 30, 1996 Paae 4 of 4 Participation method to fund the project. Specifically, Ms. Mariano asked to be advised of the term of the funding, as both 15- year and 10-year terms had been discussed. Commissioner Reid then gave a brief synopsis of the philosophies behind each term and why each had been considered; in conclusion, it was the consensus of the Commission to approve the 10-year funding term, which Ms. Mariano advised was the term considered for budgetary purposes. Mr. Ince then addressed the Commission, explaining he had been requested. to refine estimated cost figures to arrive at the most accurate total possible. He went over redefined areas item by item and answered questions to the Commission's satisfaction. (A copy of of Mr. Ince's revised cost estimate is attached to and made part of these Minutes.) Ms. Mariano next advised of hiring Jim Duvall as Building Official, and gave a brief history of his working background, noting Mr. Duvall is certified as a general contractor, building official and code enforcement officer; his past working experience includes the Cities of Boynton Beach and Fort Lauderdale, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers. Other issues covered under Ms Mariano's report included that the new fire station had just recently had its "substantial construction completion" inspection, with a Certificate of Occupancy to be awarded shortly; followed by a formal dedication once the fire/rescue personnel have settled into the facility. Also, Father Louis Guerin had given approval for the use of St. Lucy' s Parish Hall for the Town-wide barbecue scheduled for Friday, September 27 at 5:30 P.M. And in response to Vice Mayor Rand's inquiry, Ms. Mariano advised that all necessary permits continue to be in place regarding the possible necessity of installing a second Intracoastal pipeline. There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this time, Mayor Voress adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 2:25 P.M. dmt APPROVE: in d. Vore Arthur Eypel, Mayor ssioner • ATTEST: BATE : ~~ / r ~~ . Rand, Vice Mayor ~~~ 11 ,,,~ David $,ugenst,.,,Commissioner o ~ atii-i C~~~ ~ -e Thomas J. Reid, Commissioner