Loading...
1995.10.31_TC_Minutes_Workshop,-- TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesdav, October 31, 1995 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 David Augenstein, Arthur Eypel and John F. Rand were present. Also present were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano and members of the general public. ADDITIONS,___DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER RAND, the Agenda was accepted as submitted. 95.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS • Felix Goldenson of the Seagate Condominium addressed the Commission, with comments related to the flooding of AIA in front of Seagate during heavy rains and what could be done to correct it, as well as a recent Sun Sentinel article that misrepresented the crime rate in Town. Abe Futernick of the Coronado Condominium also commented on these two issues. Mayor Voress responded to Mr. Goldenson's concerns regarding flooding of AlA in front of the Seagate Condominium, saying that the Town's utility engineers (Harvel) have already studied the problem and feel confident that it can be corrected through Town efforts, rather than having to deal with the State Department of Transportation. Further, the Mayor said that this action should also alleviate flooding problems at Ambassador East and, to some extent, the Coronado. Regarding Mr. Goldenson's comments that the Sun Sentinel article on the crime rate was misleading as the numbers listed (597 in 1984 versus 706 in 1994) referred to "per 100,000 population," Police Chief Anthony Cervasio clarified the matter by giving statistics for this year, advising that from January 1, 1995 to this date, the actual crime rate was as follows: • Town Commission Workshop Meeting - Minutes October 31, 1995 Page 2 of 7 13 burglaries (the majority being reported by the Holiday Inn) 8 thefts 3 stolen vehicles Chief Cervasio further advised that the remainder of police calls were "service calls" relating to aid to residents, malfunctioning alarms, animal nuisance, etc. 93.8 DISCUSSION RE ADELPHIA CABLE During discussion, Attorney Sliney advised that, per Attorney Cormac Conahan, there was nothing new to report at this time. 95.2 BOARDS AND COIrIIrIITTEES 1) Presentation by Leonard Bell, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Start-Up Committee re the Highland Beach Library Foundation. Lengthy exchange took place between the Commission and the members • of the Ad Hoc Committee, which concluded with what was agreed to be a better understanding among all as to the what areas the Committee will be addressing to get the Foundation in working order. Some aspects covered included library space needs, securing tax exemption status for the foundation, and how long the foundation should exist. It was also the consensus of the Commission that the Committee should have access to its members and the Town Manager for discussion purposes, as well as to the advice of the Town Attorney and his legal staff. It was also noted that representatives of Gee & Jenson will attend the November Workshop meeting to present revised plans for the entire Town Hall complex, which will include the Library. 2) Vacancies After it was noted that Jane Rayner's 6-year term on the Board of Adjustment will be completed this month, Commissioner John F. Rand read into the record a statement supporting BOA Chairman Harold B. Cohen's request that Mrs. Rayner's tenure be extended at least until the Petition for Variance now pending before that Board is completed (No. 10-95-56A/Dolphin Apartments property). Both Chairman Cohen and Commissioner Rand referred to the complexity of the proceedings thus far, wherein it was necessary to conduct multiple Workshops, with a Public Hearing finally scheduled for November 13. In this regard, both gentlemen also noted Mrs. • Rayner's valuable contributions to these proceedings, as well as her full understanding of the Petition, saying it would be in the Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes October 31, 1995 Page 3 of 7 best interest of the Town and the Petitioner to allow her to serve through the November 13 Public Hearing. During discussion of this issue, the Town Attorney advised that if the Commission were to extend Mrs. Rayner's tenure on the BOA, they do so until the Petition under consideration is brought to conclusion rather than fix an exact date. The Commission agreed with Mr. Sliney, and it was the consensus to place this matter on the November Regular Meeting Consent Agenda. Note: A copy of Chairman Cohen's memo is attached to and made part of these Minutes. 95.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS None. MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER 1) The Status of Building Development in Town was accepted as information. • 2) Vice Mayor Paul noted that of the three (3) sets of Minutes listed on the Agenda for possible approval at the November 07, 1995 Regular Meeting, one set was misdated, i.e., the September 26, 1995 Special Meeting was listed as having taken place on October 03, 1995. Following, therefore, is a correct list of Minutes which will receive further consideration and possible approval at the November Regular Meeting: September 26, 1995 Workshop Meeting September 26, 1995 Special Meeting October 03, 1995 Regular Meeting REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION Under his report, Vice Mayor Bill Paul asked for an explanation of recent newspaper articles wherein he first learned that the Town was in favor of the Linton Bridge barriers being removed to create three (3) lanes of traffic in both the east and west directions. He expressed concern that the issue was never brought before the Commission. Vice Mayor Paul noted that historically the Town has always been opposed to the widening of AlA, and he was against any action that would promote use of AlA by virtue of three (3) lanes turning into _ one (1) lane in both the south and north directions, which might result in the Department of Transportation's intention to indeed • widen AlA to three (3) lanes. The Vice Mayor said that even at this time, with the bridge open to only one (1) eastbound and Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes October 31, 1995 Page 4 of 7 one (1) westbound lane due to repairs, he personally had experienced no difficulty in using it, even at peak traffic hours. He said it was beyond his comprehension that after years of opposing the widening of AlA, the Town might be actually inviting its widening by virtue of asking for the removal of the barriers on the bridge. Mayor Voress responded to the Vice Mayor's comments, noting he had transmitted to his fellow Commission members copies of correspondence received from resident James Schubert suggesting removal of the barriers and the Mayor's letter to. Delray Beach Mayor Tom Lynch endorsing such action. However, the Mayor noted that because the bridge is located in Delray Beach, only that City Commission could recommend that the matter be pursued with the County Commission. Mayor Voress stated that he personally supported the opening of the additional bridge lanes and explained what he felt would be a safer traffic pattern created by such action. Concluding discussion on the issue, Vice Mayor Paul said that because the issue was not discussed by the Commission, he felt the Mayor had used his position to state his own opinion. The Vice • Mayor also stated that many residents would not agree with the Mayor, and said he found it offensive for the Mayor to have taken such action on behalf of just one resident's suggestion. Commissioner Arthur Eypel encouraged the continuance of healthy dialogue with the Ad Hoc Start-Up Committee of the Library Foundation, noting the divergence of opinion on the Committee, as well as the Commission. He commented that ongoing open communication between the two will ultimately result in Town's residents enjoying a better equipped and more functional Library. Commissioner John F. Rand referred to recent state investment policy legislation, which had been reviewed by the Financial Advisory Board, and which was in place by October 1, 1995 as mandated, but which will be further revised. The Commissioner further referred to that portion of the legislation as summarized in a uality Cities article, which stated that "...The Chief Financial Officer shall establish a written system of internal controls and operational procedures by January 1, 1996." The Commissioner then questioned if this had been done. In response, the Town Manager advised that the Finance Director already had in place a complete operations manual for that department, which did not have to be revised as a result of this legislative action. The Town Attorney added that most probably a number of cities did not have written internal controls before this • legislation was passed, and were thus were now required to institute same; however, because the Town had such a written Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes October 31, 1995 Page 5 of 7 • system in place previously to October 1, 1995, it was already in compliance with this aspect of the legislation. Concluding discussion, and at the Town Attorney's suggestion, it was agreed the Town Manager will double check with the Town's auditors to ensure that the Town is in compliance in this regard. Commissioner Rand then asked if a previously scheduled meeting with Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, which Commissioner McCarty had to cancel, had been rescheduled. The Town Manager answered that a new date was still pending, but Commissioner McCarty had hoped to schedule a meeting sometime in January when most of the Town's population were in residence. Commissioner David Augenstein had no report. Under his report, Mayor Arlin G. Voress first advised he had been informed by the RTC that six (6) bids had been received on the "Hidden Harbor" property. Two (2) bids were very low and four (4) were in close cluster, but all were below the RTC target selling price, which the Mayor noted was unknown to him. RTC also advised that all of the bids were for significantly less than the 427 units allowed, possibly 200-225 units. Further, because those developers who did bid opted for fewer, larger units, the RTC was going to ask their marketing people to review the assumptions that went into the target price deliberations and then would most probably revise the target market value of the property. Based on this information and further review with the aforementioned four (4) bidders, the RTC. had also advised that the submission of another set of bids would be set for November 15, 1995. In his capacity as a Director of the Palm Beach County Municipal League and a member of that League's "Issues Committee," the Mayor noted the Committee's concerns about monies the School Board is asking from the voters - in the neighborhood of $800,000,000. In this regard, he referred the Commission to previously distributed drafts of a Resolution passed by the Municipal League, which suggest that the Board of Education work with the County Commission, the Municipal League and the private sector to develop .recommendations for necessary structural reform in the entire county education system, including criteria for the selection of a new superintendent. The Mayor explained that the first draft considered by the League contained language that was modified in the second draft, which was ultimately adopted. He requested that Commission review both drafts and be prepared to adopt one of the versions at the November Regular.Mee ing so it is on record that the Town of Highland Beach believes something needs to be done in the way the School Board is being managed in Palm Beach County. Under his report, To~rri Attorney Thomas E. Sliney first noted his agreement with Commissioner Eypel's comments regarding the preceding disc:~ssion with the Ad Hoc Start-Up Committee of the Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes October 31, 1995 Page 6 of 7 • Library Foundation. He said the discussion not only helped focus on a number of issues, but would also assist him in formulating the final documents that must be submitted to the IRS. Attorney Sliney next referred to finalization ~of the bond issue, noting that pertinent documents had been submitted by the underwriters and the bond counsels. Acknowledging that some of the bond language was technically difficult, Mr. Sliney nonetheless noted that factual and financial information was also contained in the submitted documents, and he encouraged the members to review same so that any discrepancies or factual inaccuracies found could be reported to the Town Manager, who in turn would communicate with the persons drawing the documents. REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano first referred to a request from Robert Eisen, Esq. on behalf of developer Frank Lahage, which was actually solicited by staff, and asked Building Official Edward G. Hardy to explain it. Mr. Hardy said that Mr Lahage was requesting that through calendar year 1996 he be allowed to continue to use the construction "cottage," located on his property at 2435 S. Ocean Boulevard as a permanent central construction office site, rather than have individual construction trailers located on various sites in Town that he planned to develop. Mr. Hardy said he was in favor of granting such request, as not only would it eliminate the need for unsightly construction trailers on the Lahage sites as they are being developed, but the cottage itself is unobstrusive and totally out of sight. Concluding discussion, it was the consensus to place this item on the November Regular Meeting Consent Agenda. Ms. Mariano noted that Gee & Jepson's presentation of revised plans for the Town Hall complex will be an agenda item for the November Workshop, and finalization of the bond issue would be an agenda item at the November Regular Meeting. Concluding her report, Ms. Mariano advised the Boards Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, December O1, 1995 at noon, and the year]_y Government Open House for Tuesday, December 12, 1995 from 1-0' AM to 3 PM . ADJOURNMENT There being rio further business to come before the Commission at this- time, Mayor Voress adjourned the meeting at 3:15 PM upon MOTION by CO~INII~SIONER RAND/COMMISSIONER EYPEL. dmt Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes October 31, 1995 Page 7 of 7 APPROVE: Arlin G. Voress, Ma~~y F~ //// ~ ~ ~G Bill Paul, Vice Mayor Dav'd Au enstein, ommis inner Al '~ i / `'' Arthur Eypel, Comm' sinner Rand, Comthissioner ATTEST: • DATE: