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1996.02.27_TC_Minutes_WorkshopTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesdav, Februarv 27, 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 Bill Paul, and Commissioners John F. Rand and David Augenstein were present. Commissioner Arthur Eypel was absent. Also present were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano and Attorney Cormac C. Conahan, as were members of the general public. The Agenda was accepted as presented. 96.1 PUBLIC CO1~IIrIENTS AND REQUESTS Town Hall was filled to capacity regarding a discussion of the "no- see-um" problem experienced by many residents who live in • condominiums on the west side of A-1-A near mangrove swamp areas. Several residents spoke on behalf of their fellow unit owners to the severity of the situation, relating stories that ranged from discomfiture to what they believed to be real health problems; they also spoke of ongoing frustration in seeking relief. Following a recent newspaper article which spoke of one company's success in some areas of "The Sanctuary" development in Boca Raton, and having previously delivered a 464-name petition to the Town Manager, they asked the Town Commission to help them get some kind of action to alleviate their problem, including financial assistance if possible. Mayor Voress responded that he had been in touch with some companies that do work of this kind, as well as members of the Board of Directors of "The Sanctuary" development in Boca Raton, who advised of the extreme cost (approximately $11,000 monthly) of ridding some of their area of the insects, with only temporary results. Advising that the Town is precluded by law to expend public monies on private lands, Mayor Voress, after relating further scientific information on research he had done thus far, including toxicology effects, nonetheless assured that the Town Commission would be willing to arrange a meeting with representatives of firms that dealt with this type of problem to discuss, among other items, toxicology and costs. Also, at Commissioner Rand's suggestion, it was agreed that Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, as well as state representatives, be invited to attend. • Town Commission Workshop Meting - Minutes Februarv 27, 1996 Page 2 of 6 Reiterating that the Town by law was prohibited from expending public funds for private gain, Town Manager Mariano nonetheless agreed with the need for such a meeting; however, she advised that she had already been in touch with the Director of Palm Beach County Mosquito Control to possibly expedite relief. She noted that Florida statutes identify these insects as "midges," an arthropod in the same family as mosquitos, which would place the problem under the County's Mosquito Control jurisdiction. In this regard, Ms. Mariano advised that she has requested immediate special attention for affected areas from that department. For the record, those residents who spoke to this issue, and their respective condominiums are noted as follows: John Ciavacco/Casuarina Carl Baren/Coronado David Plotkin/Coronado Maurice Stein/Coronado Lawrence DellaCorte/Coronado Riia Futernick/Coronado Marilyn Goldberg/Coronado • Also under "Public Comments and Requests," Horace Leng addressed the Commission, saying he had submitted a Talent Bank Application and would appreciate consideration for appointment to the Code Enforcement Board. Ending discussion, Mayor Voress recessed the Workshop at 2:30 PM and called to order a Special Meeting to consider renewal of the Adelphia Cable franchise. The renewal met with unanimous favorable vote of the Commission and Mayor Voress reconvened the .Workshop Meeting at 3:05 PM. (A separate set of Minutes has been prepared for this Special Meeting.) After reconvening, as a courtesy in the interest of time, Mayor Voress moved the presentation of proposed renovations to the Town Hall complex from an item under the Town Manager's report and invited Randall F. Stofft, Architect, to present his rendering at this time. This presentation was the result of recent Commission approved meetings in which the Town Manager met with Mr. Stofft and developer Peter Ince in this regard. While generally pleased with the conceptual plan, it was agreed that further review and consideration would be in order, to include spatial needs and total costs. During discussion, Mr. Stofft answered questions to the Commission's satisfaction, and Ms. Mariano, for the record, thanked Mr. .Ince for his efforts on the Town's behalf. This item will receive further consideration at the March 6 Regular Meeting. • • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes Februarv 27, 1996 Page 3 of 6 96.1 (a) STATUS REPORT RE FIRE STATION REMODELING Building Official Ed Hardy gave a status report on the fire station renovation, advising the work is proceeding in a timely manner. 96.2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES There were no Board vacancies or correspondence to consider. 96.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS The following resolution was read by title only: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING THE ELECTION FOR ONE (1) COMMISSION SEAT TO HAVE BEEN HELD ON THE 12TH DAY OF MARCH 1996, TO BE UNNECESSARY SINCE THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO QUALIFIED WAS UNOPPOSED. • The Mayor advised that Thomas J. Reid was the unopposed candidate; the resolution was moved to the March 5 Regular Meeting for possible adoption. 94.7 DISCUSSION RE LIBRARY FOUNDATION Attorney Thomas E. Sliney advised that because the Library Foundation is now a viable entity, the Ad Hoc Start-Up Committee has been dissolved and discussion of the Foundation no longer need be carried as a Workshop agenda item. MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER The Status of Building Development in Town was received as information. Three (3) sets of Meeting Minutes were moved to the March 5 Regular Meeting-for further consideration and possible approval: January 23, 1996 - Special Workshop Meeting January 30, 1996 - Workshop Meeting February 06, 1996 - Regular Meeting REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION Vice Mayor Bill Paul, Commissioner John F. Rand and Commissioner . David Augenstein had no reports at this time. • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes Februarv 27, 1996 Page 4 of 6 Mayor Arlin G. Voress addressed the County's recent adoption of an ordinance that would require either hurricane shutters or impact resistant glass to be installed in all new construction and major renovation projects and suggested it would be prudent for the Commission to consider adoption of such an ordinance for the Town. Building Official Ed Hardy joined in this discussion, agreeing that he thought it a good idea to adopt such an ordinance, noting that Dade and Broward counties already have it in place. However, although impact resistant glass is now available, Mr. Hardy advised that it is extremely costly and not quite perfected; therefore, he suggested that should an ordinance of this kind be considered, it would be reasonable to offer an option of shutters or glass. Concluding discussion, the Commission concurred with Attorney Sliney's suggestion that this issue be readdressed at the April 30 Workshop Meeting. The Mayor complimented Chief Robert Rehr on the annual report recently submitted by Delray Fire/Rescue, saying it contained important information regarding their activities in Highland Beach. He requested that Town Manager Mariano write Chief Rehr to express the Commission's appreciation. On behalf of Commissioner Eypel, who was absent, the Mayor asked that the Commission consider adoption of a proposed resolution requesting the 1996 State Legislature to provide adequate funding for the preservation and repair of the State's beaches. This will be given formal consideration at the March 5 Regular Meeting. Another proposed resolution noted by the Mayor was an endorsement of House and Senate bills which would constitute it a third degree felony for any person 21 years of age and older to impregnate a child under 16 years of age. He noted that the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners had enlisted the Town's support in this regard. It will also be given formal consideration at the March 5 Regular Meeting. Concluding his report, Mayor Voress advised that the Town has been recommended for "Tree City USA" recertification by Bob Crawford, Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY Rather than a formal report, Town Attorney Sliney advised he would comment on some items to be discussed under the Town Manager's report. REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER • Under her report, Town Manager Mariano first noted Gee & Jenson's Scope of Services regarding the Evaluation and Appraisal Report Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes February 27, 1996 Page 5 of 6 (EAR) relating to the Town's Comprehensive Plan, which had been revised at the Town Attorney's request. Mr. Sliney explained the revisions related to timing and payment terms. After brief discussion, it was the consensus that approval of same be placed. on the Consent Agenda for the March 5 Regular Meeting. Ms. Mariano next gave an update on the four (4) proposed amendments to building code, which were previously recommended by the Building Official. She advised .that she, Town Attorney Sliney and Building Official Ed Hardy had met to further review these proposed amendments. And at this time, it was their recommendation that two (2) of them - prohibiting yacht basins on inland waterways and aligning height of seawalls - be first transmitted to the Planning Board because they have to do with amendments to the Zoning Code (Chapter 30). It was also their recommendation that the proposed amendment to Chapter 6 (Section 6.5) having to do with additional language as to "contractor" and "sub-contractor" be abandoned, as it was felt the existing language in that section was quite clear. Lastly, it was recommended that the proposed amendment regarding minimum height of guardrails on single family homes be adopted; this would be a simple amendment to Chapter 7 and a proposed ordinance will be drafted by Ms. Mariano for first reading at the • March 5 Regular Meeting. Concluding her report, the Town Manager advised that at the time the Town contracted with Delray Fire/Rescue, some "up front" money had been given to them; however the terms of the contract call for their charging only what the service costs to provide. Accordingly, over the tenure of the contract, Delray has been able to stabilize costs and is now ready to reimburse the Town $150,000 while retaining $70,000 as a "buffer." Ms. Mariano noted the $150,000 will be additional revenue that was not provided for in the current budget, and requested the Commission's approval to expend up to $20,000 of these reimbursement monies for completion of Town Hall's computer network system. It was the consensus of the Commission to approve this request, and it will be placed on the March 5 Regular Meeting Consent Agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 PM. dmt APPROVE: ~L Arlin G. Voress, Mayor • Term Expired (March 13, 1996) Bill Paul, Vice Mayor • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes February 27, 1996 Paae 6 of 6 David Augenst Commissioner Arthur Eypel^Commissione / r~ . Rand, Commissioner ATTEST: DATE: ~l