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2013.04.30_TC_Minutes_Workshop TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesday, April 30 2013 1 30 PM Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Workshop Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at 1:30 PM. CALL TO ORDER: Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Bernard Featherman; Vice Mayor Ron Brown; Commissioner Dennis J. Sheridan; Commissioner Louis P. Stern; and Commissioner Carl Feldman. Also present: Town Attorney Glen Torcivia; Town Manager Kathleen Dailey Weiser; Town Clerk Beverly Brown; Finance Director Cale Curtis; Public Works Director Jack Lee; Patrol Officer Jon Alvarez; Assistant to the Manager Zoie Burgess; and members of the public. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of silence. 1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Mayor Featherman asked for any additions or deletions. Receiving none, the Agenda accepted as submitted. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS No comments received. 3. PRESENTATIONS: No presentations. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A) Board Correspondence: • None Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 2 of 11 B) Board Action Report: • None C) Board Vacancies: • Board of Adjustment & Appeals - One Appointment D) Monthly Board Meetings • Planning Board — May 8 th — 9:30 AM • Beaches & Shores Advisory — May 14 — 9:30 AM • Board of Adjustment & Appeals — May 15 — 2PM • Code Enforcement — No Scheduled Meeting 5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A) RESOLUTION NO. 13 -003 R A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE EXTENSION OF RESOLUTION NO. 10 -002R WHICH PROVIDED FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE VARIANCE AND DEVELOPMENT ORDER OF THE HIGHLAND BEACH RENAISSANCE; PROVIDING FOR APPROVAL OF REVISED FACADE AND ELEVATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Town Clerk Brown — Read Resolution No. 13 -003 R, title only, into the record. Thomas Sliney, Esq — This property has been the bane of the existence of the Town for a long time for various reasons. Numerous litigations and attempts for development have happened, which have failed through the years. In recent years, the Town granted the final approval on the property to the Masi owners. Unfortunately, because of the economic turndown, the Masi interest went into foreclosure. We are here today to propose to you a resolution of this problem; and that is to put a most attractive building on this property, instead of what people have been facing for a long time both on either side of the property looking down on the vacant lot. We are here requesting an extension of the Resolution which basically allowed the Masi Project to be approved. You may remember historically, Senate Bill 360 was done during 2009 and the problems on a statewide level with the properties being developed in foreclosures. So, this project substantially complies with your prior approvals as the Architect will show you. One of the problems in the past, and it still continues in a sense, is you still have an economic downturn. That is one of the reasons we are requesting this extension; so that both the property owners and the Town can benefit by this building being constructed and getting rid of this long time problem. Kobi Karp, Architect - 2915 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. — We are basically keeping the same building setbacks and heights of the original project. We are looking at the colors to make it blend in with the existing surrounding buildings. I have sketches of the proposed building for your review. Comm.Feldman — I have a question for our Town Attorney. As an abutter to the property and the President of the Homeowner's Condo Association, is there any conflict with the Ethics Law where we were just notified by a real estate agent telling us that if this unit goes up, and it looks like it is going up, it will greatly improve our value to our property. So, would that be considered a financial interest on us asking questions? There are three Commissioners that abut the property. Could you give us a legal Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30 2013 Page 3 of 11 opinion? Town Attorney Torcivia — How many units in your development? Comm.Feldman — There are 36 units. Comm. Sheridan — I have 79. Town Attorney Torcivia - Generally speaking, when there is a benefit that is going to accrue to the public at large, and you are just one of the public at large, you should be fine. If there were two, that would be different. I think it is good that you are disclosing this on the record, but in this kind of speculative, we hope that it will improve values, but you never know for sure. You are fine to vote on it, but I would appreciate any other Commissioner who abuts the property disclose, for the record, that you do. Mayor Featherman — We have three people; Commissioner Feldman, Commissioner Sheridan and myself, so can we vote ethically according to the Sunshine Law. Town Attorney Torcivia — As long as you have done what you just did. You disclosed that and none of you have a financial interest in this property. You are simply neighbors and, whatever benefit, it will accrue to the whole town and surrounding area not just your unit. Comm. Feldman — My question to the Architect is that you mentioned you are not changing the height or the footprint; but I thought the height is different on this building then on the Masi Property. Boris Grandison, Architect — The height is exactly the same; 91 feet and 4 3 /4 inches was the original variance granted to our clients, and it was mandated from our clients to maintain that height for the variance. Comm. Sheridan — I would like to make an addition to Section I of this Resolution. Where it says "This Resolution, 10 -002 R is extended for an additional year to expire one year from the effective date of this Resolution "; I would like to add "And no further extensions will be considered ". Comm. Feldman — I would agree that there should be some type of wording to this affect. Town Attorney Torcivia — We have had conversations about this topic earlier. What you have in front of you is a draft Resolution, and there are some tweaks that need to be made. The biggest issue is how long; twelve months or any longer than that and will there be further extensions. I am glad Commissioner Sheridan brought this up, because if that is the direction, I will need to revise this to bring it back next week in a final form. Comm. Stern — Regarding the twelve months, is that twelve months before they start; is that twelve months shovel ready and just what are we granting here? Town Attorney Torcivia — The conversations that we have had, we would put in here that it will be twelve months to submit an application for a permit. I had some different conversations with members of this Commission that some of you would want there to be a date that a shovel would be in the ground. Mayor Featherman — What we are trying to do here is be equal to everyone else who has applied here. Mitchell Kirschner, Co- Counsel - 1515 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton — With respect to the time period, this being an extension following within the concept of SB- 360 and 1752 which was the enabling legislations that allowed for extensions of development permits because of the downturn in the economy in recent years. The intent was that the period of time in which to make application for an approval would simply extend by virtue of the length of time granted. In this case, Glen's draft proposed one year. A building of this nature with the economy just turning around; we think we should have no problem filing for the application within one year's time. However, for you to propose that no further extensions would be given, it is somewhat punitive because it ties your hands as well as ours. In case there should be unexpected events such as a county wide moratorium, hurricanes, etc.; we would ask that you reserve the power that you have to determine reasonably if we should come back before you. There is so much money involved in not only the purchase but the development, and there is so much to be done in terms of the professionals to be hired, environmental considerations that to have an artificial "drop dead" date; I don't think it would work to the benefit of the town because you would like to see this building go up. My clients, as developers, it is certainly in their best interest to move as quickly as possible. My Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30 2013 Page 4 of 11 proposal to Glen was that his draft was one year and we had suggested an extension of six months on a showing that we have performed diligently moving forward in good faith, and certainly if there were any situations that were out of our control as mentioned before, the Town would give some reasonable discretion in reviewing that. Comm. Stern — This Commission was very generous to Mr. Masi. We did give the twelve months and then we also gave the additional six months. It didn't do us much good. Comm. Feldman — If we give the extension, what happens if there is a change of ownership in that time? Atty. Kirschner — In the event that there is a change in ownership what would happen is that the approval you give in terms of the revised fagade, the items that were suggested in your Resolution; they are of course binding to the project and anybody who is to own the project. Comm. Feldman — What I meant was if the extension is given to this owner, and six months down the line they want to flip it, so they can have a financial gain and sell it with all these approvals in line, is that permissible? Atty. Kirschner — I will refer this to the Town Attorney, but I don't think approvals are given to a person or persons but are given with respect to projects. The Resolution drafted by the Town Attorney and the Town Manager would be binding on the property and it would run with the property. Town Attorney Torcivia — I agree that when you give these types of approvals, you are doing it for a piece of property and you are not doing it for an owner. Whatever you are approving sticks with that property no matter who the owner is. If the Commission wants us to look at this and it is the direction you want us to go, we can spend a few days looking at it. If you are satisfied that as long as the fagade and the plans stay the same and the ownership doesn't matter, then that is obviously the easier path. We have had conversations for example; when you get into ownership, what if they want to bring in a partner or bring in joint ventures, coming up with the right language is not going to be easy, but if that is what the Commission wants, we certainly will try. Comm. Sheridan — If there is a one year for filing for permits, are we going further with the next six months to put a shovel in the ground? Atty. Kuschner — Your code provides that one must put a shovel in the ground within six months of the issuance of the permits. Vice Mayor Brown — What is the norm in the industry as to what Comm. Feldman is asking as to whether it is to the property or whether it is to the owner. Town Attorney Torcivia — Normally it is to the property. Tying up real property rights is a tricky thing and I would suggest we not do that; but if you want us to try we can try. Town Attorney Torcivia — The consensus is a one year limitation to apply for a permit for the property and not tying up the owner. All agreed. B) RESOLUTION NO. 13- 004 R A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING RESOLUTION 755 OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA AND CLARIFYING THAT THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF TWO PARCELS OF LAND WHERE THE TOWN'S OLD WELL FIELD AND WATER PLANT ARE LOCATED HAVE NOT BEEN PLEDGED, DEDICATED OR OTHERWISE RESTRICTED; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 5 of 11 PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Town Clerk Brown — Read Resolution No. 13 -004 R, title only, into the record. Town Attorney Torcivia — There were a number of Resolutions that were passed. The most significant ones, and the most legally binding ones, are the Bond documents and the Bond documents don't have any of these kinds of restrictions in them. In reading the Resolution, I was a little concerned because in Section Il, Paragraph II it says "One hundred percent (100 %) of the proceeds from the sale of the two parcels of land where the Well Field and Water Plant are located, will be invested and equally distributed over the life of the debt service." I was not sure what debt service means. In talking to the Finance Director, he told me that over the past decade or so the General Fund has put in much more than the debt service amount would have been. In fact, millions of dollars has been put in. Rather than have a dangling issue out there, let's just clarify that the Commission is saying, that upon the sale of the property, the proceeds can be used at the best interest of the town as you, the Town Commission, decides. I don't think the language that is there is binding, because it is not that clear. I did not want to leave loose ends because later on in the agenda is the sale of this property. Comm. Feldman — There was another comment in the old Resolution that says "Ninety percent (90 %) of the town residents voted in favor of this." Over the years they were told that whenever that property was sold, it would reduce the debt. Right now we are paying three percent (3 %) interest on the debt. If we get this money and put it in the General Fund we are not gaining that much. Should this be brought before the Finance Committee before we make a Resolution as to whether we should put this money into Reserve Funds, General Funds or not keep it to reduce the debt for the water plant? Town Attorney Torcivia — It is unclear as to what fund this should go to. That is why I feel it should go back to the Commission to decide what you should do with this money when it comes in. You have the authority to decide how is best to use that money. Comm. Sheridan — I would like some input from our Finance Director to see how we should go about this. Finance Director Curtis — What we have is a restriction on the proceeds. What we are trying to do is eliminate that restriction and give the Commission the authority to, either use part of it to pay down the debt, use a part of it to fund other things in the Water Plant and/or in the General Fund. Things have changed since this Resolution was put in place. We are trying to give the Commission, Management and Staff the opportunity to use the proceeds as the Commission would see fit. There are two debt instruments on the Water Plant. One is with the State Department of Environmental Protection Revolving Fund and the other is with Bank of America. The one with Bank of America has a pretty stiff prepayment penalty on it which would not make it in the Town's best interest to pay down that debt before it is actually due. The State Revolving Loan Fund does not, but it also has an interest rate of 2 '/2 %. It is up to you whether you want the proceeds to go to paying down debt or loosen that restriction as you see fit. Vice Mayor Brown — According to your research in the previous Resolution, it did not say anything at all about that specific sale. From what I read it says "ad valorem taxes" is how we will pay back the bond issue. Finance Director Curtis — That is correct. Comm. Feldman — Where it says 100% of the proceeds from the two parcels of land where the Well Field and Water Plant currently are located will be invested and equally distributed over the life of the debt Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 6 of 11 services. It doesn't say what debt. Town Attorney Torcivia — That is why I am looking for clarification. It is up to the Commission to decide what you want to do with these proceeds. Mayor Featherman — Who negotiated that sale? Town Manager Weiser — Myself and the Public Works Director. I will update you on the appraisal later on in the agenda. Consensus was to include item on the May 7, 2013 Consent Agenda. 6. NEW BUSINESS A) Commission authorization of the Issuance of a One -Year Blanket Purchase Requisition to Harcross Chemical, Inc. for 25,200 Gallons of Sodium Hydroxide in the amount of $47,880.00. Funding is budgeted in Account Number 401 - 533.000 - 52.000. Town Manager Weiser — This is something the Commission approves every year due to the dollar amount. It is a blanket purchase order requisition for the chemical sodium hydroxide that we use in our water treatment plant. We are recommending you approve this requisition. Consensus was to include item on the May 7, 2013 Consent Agenda. B) Consideration of placing a Town Ad in the Florida League of Cities Conference Issue of the Quality Cities Magazine. Town Manager Weiser — If you would like to put an ad in the Florida League of Cities Conference Magazine it is a cost of $300.00. It is basically congratulating the city that holds the conference and also congratulating the Florida League of Cities. Cities across the state do this as part of the conference. It is a half -page ad. Consensus was to include item on the May 7, 2013 Consent Agenda. 7. MISCELLANEOUS — ITEMS LEFT OVER A) Minutes March 25, 2013 — Workshop Meeting April 2, 2013 — Regular Meeting No corrections received from Commission. Consensus was to include minutes on the May 7, 2013 Consent Agenda. Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 7 of 11 8. REPORTS — TOWN COMMISSION A. Commissioner Carl Feldman — Rather than a report, I would like to have an open discussion on the spending limits. Back in 2012 the Commission was presented with a proposed budget which included the revamping of the Town Chambers and the Police Department for approximately $850,000. It was presented to the Commission and also to the Town. I questioned the fact that we had a $350,000 cap spending limit. It was then brought up at another meeting how we were going to pay for this. Our Finance Director indicated that we could probably take it from our reserves. Our former Mayor Arlin Voress stated that we could go to the Charter Commission and just revise the Charter. I submitted a petition from 200 of the residents asking that it not be changed without the vote of the people. It was changed by the Charter Commission and raised to a cap of ten percent (10 %). The people of Highland Beach are still not happy since they feel they have not had a voice in doing so. Can this be changed? Town Attorney Torcivia — There are two ways to change that particular provision of the Charter. The first way is the way it was just changed. The Town Commission could vote to change the Charter; which they did. The Citizens also have the right to try and change the Charter. I will give an outline but they would have to have their own attorney for legal advice. They would have to have a petition that was signed by ten percent (10 %) of the registered voters as of the last election. It is my understanding that at the last election we had 3,482 registered voters so you would need 348 registered voters to sign a petition. If you have those signatures that could be verified by the Supervisor of Elections, then it could be placed on the next regular election which would be March of 2014. Comm. Feldman — Is this just spinning wheels by the residents or can they really get something? Town Attorney Torcivia — I have been in court cases on both sides of that issue as to whether the Commissioners must put it on an election or whether the Commissioners have discretion to put it on the election and also questions as to whether the Commissioners have to put it on the next election or a future election. This is a gray area. However, I would say that this would not be an exercise in futility. The Commission would have to give it serious consideration. I would hope the petitioners would think through their wording because if it is approved, then that wording is going to be the wording that is in the Charter. B. Commissioner Louis Stern — I would like to compliment Kilbourne & Sons who are doing a superb job on repaving our southern half of the town with the repaired walk way. C. Commissioner Dennis Sheridan — I would like to discuss the previous conversations the public and the Commission had regarding the purchase of a new fire truck. I contacted the New York City Fire Department and was informed that last year they spent one hundred and twenty three million dollars on replacement of fire - fighting tools and equipment. This dollar amount represents sixty -two percent (62 %) of their total Fire department budget for the year. The New York Fire Department undertook successful rebuilding efforts during the past decade to increase its operational capabilities and preparedness with renewed focus on fire prevention and pre - hospital care strategies and programs. I spoke to the Captain at the New York Fire Department and he reinforced that the department replaces vehicles every ten to twelve years and the determining factor is not the age of the vehicle but the number of hours on that vehicle. After speaking with him, I think we should give serious consideration to the report that was given by Chief Connor and consider what we are going to do about our fire truck. D. Vice Mayor Ron Brown — No comment. Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 8 of 11 E. Mayor Bernard Featherman — At our last meeting, one of our Commissioners criticized me for working too many hours each week at our Town Hall. It was a hurtful remark, but I largely ignored it, at the time. I want to respond to it now. It is true that I put in a lot of hours at my job of being the Mayor of Highland Beach, and it is true that I work more hours than my predecessor did. It is even true that I do not have to work as many hours as I do. But I want to tell everyone in this town that I am proud that I work hard for us. I am proud that I am always available to hear your concerns and issues. People here know that they can visit me here or call me at any time, and I will take their call. If I am not here, or am on another call, I will get back to them as soon as I can. And I call them myself. I don't put responding back on other people's shoulders. Those of you have come to me with problems, after storms, or with concerns about leaks, or pavement cracks, or trucks coming too early in the morning, or odors, or any other problems, also know that I will come to visit them and see the problem for myself; if they want me to do that. I could work fewer hours. I could be less available to the people of Highland Beach. But this town deserves my attention, and I will continue to work hard on behalf of all of us. I spoke with Captain Wise of our Fire Department and he told me the truck was coming back this week after approximately six months. They spent $19,000 for the repairs and maintenance. We are talking about a new fire truck of $850,000 to a million dollars. That is a lot of difference. The truck is eighteen years old. But it isn't that old to have replaced it. I called the people who manufactured that truck and they told me they have the parts in stock whenever we need them. I spoke with people in Highland Beach and we have a bicycle problem. I received the following letter from Sam Jontra in Highland Beach: "Dear Mayor, I want to alert you to a dangerous condition that has been developing on our roads. Last evening, at approximately 6:15 P.M., I was driving on A 1 A and there was a heavy volume of bicycle traffic often riding two abreast and weaving in and out of traffic. This has been happening more and more and at different times of the day. I realize that bicyclists have the right to travel on the road but this is creating a dangerous condition and inevitably someone is going to get hurt. I believe the town needs to act before serious injury occurs." I spoke to Chief Hartmann and gave him a copy of this letter. I asked, if a bicyclist was breaking the law and did not have an I.D., could we impound his bike until he brought his I.D. The Chief did not think it could be done. But that is another idea that could be happening. We ran an electric sign which was borrowed or rented and it stopped people, not only to drive their cars but their bikes properly in our community. It was for only two weeks, but maybe we need to buy one or two of these signs to remind the bicyclist that we want them to go two abreast and if they go four abreast they take the same responsibility that a car has. Sam wrote in his letter "The cops have a difficult job and wants to see them do something about it." The Police have been giving out some tickets. We have looked at this for so many years and I can't believe we still haven't done enough to resolve this situation. Hopefully the Commission will take some sort of action in the future and I would appreciate it if we could have some help on that. 9. REPORTS — TOWN ATTORNEY GLEN TORCIVIA: A) Presentation on: Roles of Mayor, Commissioners and Staff; Government in the Sunshine Law; Public Records Law; and Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees. This is presentation for newly elected officials and a refresher for those who have been here. I gave you details in the written material that was given to you. I will go over them briefly. The first is the Sunshine Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 9 of 11 Law. You can't speak with each other outside of a public meeting about matters that come in front of the Commission and you cannot use other people to convey messages. Second is the Public Records Law which applies more to Staff. Any documents you might receive, even if you get an email at home, regarding town business is a matter of public record. If you receive these I would suggest you talk to Beverly so she can guide you as to whether they should be retained in Town Hall or at your home. They must be available if someone should make a request on all documents received by the Commissioners. Third is the Code of Ethics and there are several Ethics in this presentation. There is the Statewide Code of Ethics, County Code of Ethics, Inspector General. All of them revolve around the same thing; don't corrupt or use your office. Transparency is the hallmark of most of these ethic's laws and rules. As long as you disclose any potential issue and you don't do anything that is going to put money in your pocket or the pocket of a family member. It is my responsibility to give you advice and if I am not sure I will request an opinion from the local county Ethics Commission or the statewide one. The last one is the role of the Mayor and Commissioners. Most towns now have the form that this Town has; Commissioner/ Manager form of government. In general you all are policy makers; you pass ordinances and resolutions; you adopt budgets. The Town Manager is the Administrator and she makes the day in and day out decisions on running the Town; hiring and firing employees; disciplining. The overall big picture policy questions come in front of you. B) Update on Boca Raton Properties - There is an entity that has negotiated with the Town; 3.5 million dollars to buy the two Boca properties. We have been working on a real estate contract over the last week to two weeks. It is not finalized yet. One of the issues is the appraisal; Kathleen has ordered an appraisal. If the appraisal comes in at that number or close to it I am sure we will have a deal and will have that contract on your agenda next week. If for some reason the appraisal is way off then it is obviously decision time for both you and the purchaser. Kathleen based it upon the Property Appraiser's appraised value which is generally pretty accurate. Comm. Feldman — I think Kathleen did a great job. There was no agent involved so you could put another couple of hundred thousand dollars back in your pocket. 10. REPORTS — TOWN MANAGER KATHLEEN DAILEY WEISER• A) Palm Beach County League of Cities Annual Installation Luncheon — Wednesday, May 22, 2013 The date has been switched this year. Consequently, it overlaps with the state conferences for Beverly and 1, and we will not be able to attend. We want to make sure before we get the table that you all want to attend that luncheon at the Kravis Center on Wednesday, May 22 All Commissioners indicated that they would attend. B) The Coastal Planning and Engineering Company who did our study on the beach is going to be here on Tuesday and give a summary presentation of their findings. C) We had budgeted to do a Classification and Compensation Study for our employees. We received five bids for that ranging from $7,500 to about $20,000. 1 am going to be signing the contract with the low bidder Cody & Associates out of Coco Beach which is within my limits but I just wanted to give you an update on that. We will be starting on that project and they will be looking into our salaries and our classification structure with all our employees within the next 90 days. Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 10 of 11 D) We recently had a discussion on the Fire Truck. One alternative that I am looking into is the possibility of going with a vehicle maintenance fee with Delray that we would just add to their contract and take us out of the vehicle business. They would be in charge of buying the trucks and we would just add a fee to the contract. 11. CONSENT AGENDA None. 12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING Karen Gross — 3210 S. Ocean Blvd — I live in the building just south of 3200 S. Ocean Blvd. and I would like to know how this meeting was publicized because I do see very few residents here from the both buildings. Comm. Feldman — I asked the Town Clerk about that and she said we don't have to give notice because it is a continuation of an old item. I think to give courtesy to the abutters, in the future, we should give them a notice of the meeting. Mrs. Gross — If this is the first meeting on this will there be more meetings? Town Manager Weiser — This is an extension of an approval that too place in 2008. They had all the meetings of the actual variances that went to the Planning Commission back in 2008. They don't have to go through that process again as long as the Commission approves the Resolution they can move forward with the plans that were approved back in 2008. Mrs. Gross - We have several questions that we would like answered such as setbacks, how many units, how many would have to be sold before the start of construction, how are they treating the mangroves, etc. Comm. Sheridan — We have a set of plans that you can look at that are in the Clerk's Office at Town Hall. It shows the height, setback, mangroves, etc. George Kelvin - Braemer Isle — With respect to this new building, hopefully everything will go through and the Town will give them permission to go ahead and proceed with the construction. However, in the past, no provision was made to where the workmen were going to park their cars and that should be taken into consideration. Mike Ferrara - Boca Highlands — Regarding the sale of the property, a very important point is to first have the money and then worry about what you are going to do with the money after that. Hopefully the appraisal will come out at a reasonable number so that you can then direct the ultimate sale with the contract that is done by your Attorney. After the sale, the contract is signed and you have the money, then you should decide what you want to do with the money. With regards to the 3200 S. Ocean Blvd. property, the Town Manager indicated that this was an extension of an approval. Unfortunately I thought the architect was going to touch on what she was asking and at least give some of the highlights for the people who were not aware of the details years ago. The details are exactly the same but somehow or another I thought the architect would touch on that subject. Town Manager Weiser — I am going to echo your comments because they were supposed to give that kind of presentation so I am going to ask that on Tuesday they give more of a background on all the things you were talking about. We do publicize the meeting on the Web and if you don't get our agendas make sure you give you email address to Town Hall because we send it out to anyone who has subscribed to receive agenda notices. Comm. Feldman — We are not supposed to give out information that we receive to the public but with something like this could Town Commission Workshop Minutes April 30, 2013 Page 11 of 11 the Town just email the managers and post it in the buildings. Town Attorney Torcivia — You are allowed to talk to the public just not to each other. You can communicate with the members of the building to let them know what is going on. Mr. Ferrara - The Sunshine Law is always a problem. The fine line that you have to draw is so that you don't have conversations that affect us. John Ackerman - 4202 Intracoastal Drive — I appreciate your frugality in how you spend our money. The two areas that I don't want you to skimp on are police protection and my fire protection. In talking with the firemen, they are not looking forward to our truck coming back. The truck is miss - designed for the way it is used. They would prefer to use the back -up ladder truck they have been using. We need to replace the equipment we bought; it is improper for the job it is doing. George Kelvin — With regard to the Sunshine Law, I went on the Internet and typed in the question Sunshine Law how many convictions, how many fines within the past five years and the answer came back four. I don't know how accurate that is but if you could look into that it would be of great interest to a lot of people as to how effective the Sunshine Law is. Town Attorney Torcivia — The numbers are pretty accurate. There are not a lot of criminal prosecutions. It is a misdemeanor, not a felony. But it means that you can be prevented from occupying office for a number of years. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 2:50 PM upon a MOTION by Commissioner Sheridan and seconded by Commissioner Stern. APPROVED: Be ar Featherman, May Ron Brown, ice Mayor D e J. S . d Conuni ssioner o P. Stern o issioner Carl Feldman, Commissioner ATTEST: Be erly M. Br wn, MMC Date