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1996.06.25_TC_Minutes_Workshop TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesday, June 25, 1996 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 John F. Rand and Commissioners Arthur Eupel, 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 Callm the Pledge of Allegiance was given. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA The Agenda was unanimpusly accepted as submitted upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER REID/VICE MAYOR RAND. 96.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Concordia representative Michael Evert, developers of several major condominium projects in Highland Beach (Villas Magna, Nova, Mare and Costa), addressed the Commission on two issues. Mr. Evert first expressed opposition to the Town's settlement agreement with the original owners of Lot 102W (immediately north of Villa Costa), in which density and height parameters had been granted in perpetuity. Next Mr. Evert expressed opposition to the 200 rental units planned for the Drexel property (just north of Town Hall), saying he thought a rental project would devalue Town properties. Noting there were those present today who were in agreement with this opinion, Mr. Evert asked if the Town was contemplating any change to its zoning ordinance to address the issue. Mayor Voress then invited additional comments from the audience, and residents Victor P. Hadeed (Beach Walk East) and Violet Falcone (Ambassadors East) addressed the Commission. Mr. Hadeed questioned if each of the rental units would be titled individually; Ms. Falcone asked if AlA would be widened to accommodate increased traffic. Substantial discussion took place, with Vice Mayor Rand, Town Attorney Sliney and Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano offering information regarding various aspects of the project. Attorney Sliney advised there was nothing in Town Code to preclude rentals; in fact, the principle was much like an individual condo L ~ 'i. ~ , s • Town Commission Workshop Meting - Minutes June 25, 1996 Page 2 of 6 owner renting his unit. Mr. Sliney stressed that the law pertained to the "use" of property, not "ownership", and in this case the use would be residential not commercial, which met all requirements of Town Code. Ms. Mariano noted that the developer had built a comparable rental project in Aventura, with the thought of turning it "condo" within 24-36 months; however, it was converted in only 18 months. She advised that while it was not known if the units would be individually titled., it was known that the intent was to eventually convert the project to condominium. Ms. Mariano further noted that although there was no guarantee as to how long it would take to convert the project, as this would be a business decision, plans indicated that the word "rental" would not even appear on the entrance sign. Regarding an increase in traffic on AlA, Ms. Mariano advised that the road would not be widened; in fact, the developer had already been in touch with the Department of Transportation and had received necessary approvals for the project. Vice Mayor Rand noted that the developer enjoyed an outstanding reputation and rentals would be high-end, i.e., expected to start at $1,000 monthly for a one-bedroom and increase to $2,000-$3,000 monthly for larger units. The Vice Mayor also reiterated that there was nothing in the Town Code of Ordinances which would prevent such a project from being built. Discussion ended with those in the audience giving indication that their concerns had been answered satisfactorily. Jose Echeverria, Turtle Program Coordinator, gave an update on nestings thus far and distributed a pamphlet on sea turtles as an endangered species, which outlines ways the public can assist during the nesting season. 9 6.2 BOARDS AND COIrIIrIITTEES Mayor Voress noted a vacancy on the Code Enforcement Board, Victor P. Hadeed having completed his 6-year term, and asked that the Commission give consideration to making an appointment at the July 2 Regular Meeting. There was no Board correspondence to consider. 96.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS There were no proposed ordinances to consider. t ~ i Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes June 25, 1996 Page 3 of 6 The following proposed resolution, which pertained to adoption of the Municipal League's position regarding the school concurrency issue: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE POSITION OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, INC. WITH REGARD TO THE SCHOOL CONCURRENCY ISSUE; REQUESTING THAT EACH AND EVERY OTHER MUNICIPALITY IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ADOPT THE SAME POSITION IN ORDER THAT WE MAY ALL WORK TOGETHER TOWARD ACHIEVING QUALITY EDUCATION IN PALM BEACH COUNTY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Voress, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Municipal League, explained the League's position on this issue and, after some discussion, it was the consensus to move the Resolution to the July 2 Regular Meeting Consent Agenda. • MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER The following sets of Minutes were moved to the July 02 Regular Meeting for further consideration and possible adoption: May 28, 1996 - Workshop Meeting June 04, 1996 - Regular Meeting REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION Vice Mayor John F. Rand reported on several issues. He first addressed the Town's Hurricane Awareness Program to be held Thursday, June 27 at 1 PM in Commission Chambers. It was the Vice Mayor's suggestion that since the program will be televised, it should also be taped so it could be re-run several times throughout hurricane season. The Commission readily concurred with this suggestion. Regarding Adelphia Cable, the Vice Mayor noted Town Manager Mariano had been in touch with them relative to their informing residents of their plans for expanding channel selection. He added that this expansion could well meet the needs of residents' TV requirements and, in this regard, suggested that those who might be considering it, defer purchase of the new, small satellite dish until this expansion was in place. ~ ~ i . . Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes June 25, 1996 Paae 4 of 6 Vice Mayor Rand next reported on a meeting he had with representatives of Barnett Bank to determine what Barnett might offer the Town regarding financing of the proposed Town Hall renovations, when and if the Town Commission makes a decision on this project. The Vice Mayor noted he had received a letter from the Manager of Boca Highland, solely for informational purposes, regarding a dispute between a developer and Boca Highland. He advised a copy has been furnished to the Town Commission, Town Attorney and Town Manager; Attorney Sliney will review the matter and advise if a further report is in order. Referring to rubbish and bush and tree plantings that he has noticed laying curbside on the Town's streets, sometimes for several days at a time, Vice Mayor Rand requested that the violators be made aware of the Town Code in this regard, including notice on Government Channel 12 and the Community Newsletter. In the discussion that followed, Ms. Mariano advised that when an outside contractor is hired for this kind of landscaping service, the cuttings should be removed by them; if the work is done in- • house, the vegetation is picked up on Thursdays. She also noted that "door hanger" reminders which specifically spoke to this violation have been and are continuing to be given out to violators; Chief Cervasio concurred with Ms. Mariano's remarks. Under his report, Commissioner Arthur Eypel gave background material on the proposed resolution he had presented to the Commission just prior to the Meeting. The Commissioner noted that it was the follow-up to the previously adopted resolution (No. 686, May 7 Regular Meeting), which opposed President Clinton's 1996 budget request to remove federal participation in all water resources projects, including beach renourishment, which were not "nationally significant." Commissioner Eypel explained that the proposed follow-up resolution had been transmitted from the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association; it urges adoption of the "Shore Protection Act," which will ensure the federal government's participation in a more "common sense" way. The Commissioner noted that passage of the Act is critically important to the State of Florida. After some discussion, it was the consensus to include the proposed resolution on the Consent Agenda for the July 2 Regular Meeting. Commenting on the highly technical nature of the issue, Commissioner Eypel took the opportunity to publicly recognize Mayor Voress for his continued and concerted efforts, since 1993, in dealing with the State to prevent the westward movement of the - . ; • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes June 25, 1996 Page 5 of 6 Coastal Construction Control Line. The Mayor thanked the Commissioner for his remarks and said he would be relating details of his latest trip to Tallahassee regarding this issue when he gave his report. Neither Commissioner David Augenstein nor Commissioner Thomas J. Reid had a report. Mayor Arlin G. Voress brought the Commission up to date on his trip to Tallahassee to meet with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection for the reasons described in his report given at the June 04th Regular Meeting. The Mayor advised that the trip was successful in that the DER not only withdrew the proposed regulation that included. seawalls, it had agreed to the original understanding that Palm Beach County would be allowed input into the model as it was being run. He said he would report on further developments as appropriate. Referring to the 125' tall steel water tank which is situated behind Town Hall, the Mayor advised that, for the first time in approximately 25 years, its interior will be inspected within the near future. He added that during that time full precautions will • be in effect in all areas regarding water supply and pressure, as well as physical safety for residents and properties. Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report. Under her report, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano first noted that she had placed a full text of materials distributed at the School Board/County Commission/Municipal League Meeting held on May 27 regarding the school concurrency issue in the Commission Office for the members' information. Regarding an Adelphia update on channel expansion, Ms. Mariano referred to her recent memo to the Commission, wherein she advised that Adelphia will be in touch with all Town residents in the near future, via a special mailing, advising them of planned upgrades. Concluding her report, Ms. Mariano advised that she was still working on refining cost and space particulars regarding Town Hall renovations and would report to the Commission when this information was available. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor. Voress adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 2:25 P.M. upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER EYPEL. dmt • ~.. s ;, • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes June 25, 1996 Page 6 of 6 ATTEST: DATE.: David Augenste ~ir»-r [ems ~ ~ '~/; ~ Thomas J. Reid, Commissioner Arlin G. Voress, Mayor