1996.01.02_TC_Minutes_Regular~. • ~ ~ ~
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
Mr1~UTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesdav, January 02, 1996 1.30 P M
Mayor Arlin G. Voress called the Regular Meeting to order in
Commission Chambers at 1:3 P.M.
Town Clerk Doris Trinley called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor
Bill Paul and Commissioners David Augenstein, Arthur Eypel and John
F. Rand were present.
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
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER RAND, the
Agenda was accepted as presented.
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The following sets of Minutes were unanimously approved upon MOTION
by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/VICE MAYOR PAUL:
October 31, 1995. - Workshop Meeting
November 28, 1995 - Workshop Meeting
December 05, 1995 - Regular Meeting
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
There were no Public Comments or Requests; however, Talent Bank
Applicants Jane Rayner and Herbert Lewin were briefly interviewed
by the Commission, both saying they would be willing to serve where
needed.
REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION
Mayor Arlin Voress, Vice Mayor Bill Paul and Commissioner Arthur
Eypel had no reports.
Commissioner John F. Rand addressed the issue of the annual
Government Open House, asking if there were any reason why it could
not be held at a time of year other than early December. He
suggested that perhaps the month of February might be a better
time, to ensure that the majority of winter townspeople are in
r ~
Town Commission
Regular Meeting - Minutes
Januarv 02, 1996 Paae 2 of 5
residence. The Commissioner also suggested that highlights be
videotaped and replayed on Government Channel 12. It was agreed
that these suggestions be considered; they will be discussed at the
October 1996 Workshop Meeting.
Commissioner Rand also addressed the Town's liability insurance.
He said that having worked closely with the Financial Advisory
Board on this matter, he was personally aware of all aspects
regarding the recent change in the insurance carrier; however, he
felt a summary should have been provided to the other Commission
members so they might be aware of the process which resulted in
this action.
Ms. Mariano responded to Commissioner Rand's remarks regarding the
liability insurance issue. She noted that the new coverage (Titan)
substantially exceeded the old (Florida League of Cities), i.e.,
.reduction in premiums payments.
.$2 million base policy with $8 million "umbrella" policy.
.no restrictions (specifically "Hidden Harbor" property).
• .cost of policy is within amount budgeted.
.three-year premium rate guarantee.
.no penalty to change carriers. (30-day notice only
requirement of Florida League of Cities)
Ms. Mariano further noted that because of their share of pay-out
regarding settlement with Resolution Trust Corporation ("Hidden
Harbor" litigation), i.e., $1 million, the League had restricted
their maximum coverage ($2 million) to exclude, .for all time,
anything pertaining to that property.
Because their historical knowledge of the Town is substantial and
long-lived, Ms. Mariano advised that she had requested, and Titan
had agreed, after receipt of pertinent information, that the firm
of Roberts & Reynolds (George P. Roberts, Jr., Esq.) continue to
represent the Town in all matters pertaining to liability
insurance.
The Town Manager also advised that during the process to determine
if a change would be beneficial to the Town, she had not only
worked closely with the Financial Advisory Board, but had also
acted on the Town Attorney's suggestion that several townspeople
who are expert in the insurance field review the various presented
plans and advise which they felt was most advantageous to the Town.
Ms. Mariano said that it was only after this thorough process that
• Town Commission
Regular Meeting - Minutes
January 02, 1996 Page 3 of 5
the Financial Advisory Board made their recommendation that the
change be made, and she acted on same in her administrative
capacity. However, agreeing with Commissioner Rand that it would
be appropriate for the full Commission to be apprised of her
administrative actions, Ms. Mariano advised she will transmit a
monthly report of same to them.
During this discussion, Attorney Sliney noted that because it is
such a complicated issue, any time the Town is considering
insurance matters of any kind, it would be wise to seek expert
advice, as was done in this case.
Commissioner Rand concluded his report by stating he was of the
opinion that the handling of this matter was entirely commendable,
as everyone recognized it was of the utmost importance that the
Town have the maximum insurance possible and, considering the
recent debacle with the RTC, he said there was no such thing as
having too much insurance. However, he reiterated that any action
taken on an insurance matter such as this, whether administrative
or not, should be summarized for all the Commission members so they
can be fully informed.
• Under his report, Commissioner David Augenstein noted that this was
the first meeting of his 11th year in general service to the Town,
and the first meeting of his 4th year as a member of the Town
Commission. The Commissioner noted that it has been a most
pleasurable experience working with such a great group, in which he
included not only his fellow Commission members, but legal counsel,
staff and Town residents.
REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY
Attorney Sliney said he would make his report when discussion of
the revised Investment Policy was addressed under the Town
Manager's Report.
REPORTS TOWN MANAGER
Town Manager Mariano likewise advised that any report she might
make would be given when the revised Investment Policy was
addressed.
REPORTS - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
The Board Action Report was accepted. as information.
Mayor Voress noted Merton Rubin's completion of 6 years of
exemplary service on the Code Enforcement Board and asked for
nominations to fill this seat. Upon nomination by Vice Mayor Paul/
Commissioner Eypel, Jane Rayner was unanimously appointed as a
member of the Code Enforcement Board.
* ~ + ~
Town Commission
Regular Meeting - Minutes
January 02 , 199b` Paste 4 of 5
At this time, Leonard Bell, a member of the Code Enforcement Board,
offered to relinquish his seat on that Board if other Talent Bank
Applicants were waiting to serve. Acknowledging Mr. Bell's offer,
the Commission assured him there was no need for such action.
PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
The following ordinance was given final reading by title only:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 642, WHICH APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 1994 WHICH BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 1994
AND ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995. (First Reading
12/05/95; Published 12/12/95)
It was unanimously adopted by roll call vote upon MOTION .by VICE
MAYOR PAUL/COMMISSIONER EYPEL.
REGULAR BUSINESS
Items Left Over
Re__c~uest of Financial Advisory Board re Amendments to Investment
Policy
Town Attorney Sliney gave some background on this issue, noting
that recent Florida legislation had mandated all local governments
to adopt an Investment Policy by October 1, 1995. Mr. Sliney said
that although the Town had to act quickly to comply, the Investment
Policy adopted on October 1 did meet the requirements of all 14
areas contained within that legislation, with the State allowing
some discretionary leeway regarding possible future amendments.
The Town, therefore, had opted to make several amendments to the
Policy and, upon review of those recommended by the Financial
Advisory Board, the Town Attorney said he was satisfied they, too,
met all requirements of the 14 areas incorporated in the State
legislation. Brief discussion followed and concluded with the
amended Investment Policy being unanimously adopted by the
Commission upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER RAND/COMMISSIONER
AUGENSTEIN.
Consent Agenda
None.
There being no further business to come before th
this time, Mayor Voress adjourned the meeting at
MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/VICE MAYOR PAUL.
e Commission at
2:10 P.M. upon
dmt
~,
Town Commission
Regular Meeting - Minutes
Januarv 02, 199b Page 5 of 5
APPROVED : <~ci~
Arlin G. Voress, Mayor
~~<J~~~'
Bill Paul, Vice Mayor
David Augenste' Commissioner
~ ~ /1 .•
Arthur Eypel, ~c~ 'ssioner
J Rand, Vice Mayor
' ~~
ATTEST : ~~-~'~ ~ ,.~C/~G
DATE : ~ ~~~~,~ E~ ~ ~ ~ !~