1995.08.29_TC_Minutes_Workshop~ ~, i
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesdav, Auaust 29, 1995 1.30 P M
Mayor Arlin G. Voress called the Workshop Meeting to order at 1:30
P.M. 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.
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney was also present, as were Building
Official Lee Leffingwell and members of the general public. Town
Manager Mary Ann Mariano was absent.
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Upon MOTION by COMMISSIONER,~~AUGENSTEIN/COMMISSIONER RAND, the
agenda was accepted as submitted.
Before proceeding with the agenda, Mayor Voress invited Talent Bank
Applicant Byron McKinley to be interviewed by the Commission. Mr.
McKinley gave a brief summary of his background and while
expressing a primary interest inthe Financial Advisory Board, said
he would serve on any Board where the Commission felt he was
qualified to do so.
95.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Jose Echeverria gave an update on the turtle program.
93.8 DISCUSSION RE ADELPHIA CABLE
During discussion of Adelphia Cable franchise, Attorney Sliney
advised no response had been received to Attorney Conahan's letter
of iGlay 31 as yet, and there would ,most likely be no response until
pending legislation is enacted. He further advised that Attorney
Conahan had recently sent a follow-up letter, reminding them that
their response was still outstanding.
Mayor Voress advised he had received a recent communication from
Adelphia wherein it was announced that rates for Adelphia's cable
services will increase as of October 1.
95.2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
There were no vacancies or correspondence to consider regarding
Boards-and Committees.
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Town Commission
Workshop. Meeting - Minutes
August 29, 1995 Paae 2 of 6
• 95.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There was no discussion of the following Ordinances, which were
read for the record:
1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE. TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING SECTION 6.01 IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPEALING
SECTIONS 6.02, 6.03, 6.04 AND 6.05 OF THE TOWN CHARTER
UNDER ARTICLE VI ENTITLED "BONDS" AS ADOPTED IN ORDINANCE
NO. 636; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (First Reading
08/04/95; Published August 15, 1995.)
2) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, TO
EFFECT A TAX LEVY BASED UPON THE 1995 TAX ROLL OF THE
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, (First Reading).
3) AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1995-1996,
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1995 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
94.7 DISCUSSION RE LIBRARY FOUNDATION
• Lengthy discussion of the proposed Highland Beach Library
Foundation took place among the Commission Members, Attorney Sliney
and his colleague, Kevin Ross, as well as residents Felix Goldenson
• and Leonard Bell. At the request of Mayor Voress, Library Director
Elizabeth Poulsen also gave an informal presentation regarding the
activities of the Friends of the Library.
Much time and attention was given to the draft Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws, as well as check list of information,
prepared by Mr Ross, which will be needed in order to set up the
foundation. Several revisions to the Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws were suggested by the Commission and will be incorporated.
The check list was reviewed and answered item by item.
It was the consensus to address the Library Foundation again at the
Regular Meeting, at which time Commissioner Augenstein's original
Motion to establish an interim 3-member ad hoc Committee for start-
up purposes will be amended to refer to "not less than 3 members or
more than 6 members". At the request of Attorney Sliney, the
amended Motion will also include the names of those who will serve.
MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER
1) The Status of Building Development in Town report was received
as information.
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Town Commission
Workshop Meeting - Minutes
August 29, 1995 Page 3 of 6
2) The following three (3) sets of Meeting Minutes were moved to
the September Regular Agenda for further consideration and possible
adoption:
July 25, 1995
July 25, 1995
August 04, 1995
Workshop Meeting
Special Meeting
Regular Meeting
3) A review of bids received for renovation of the fire station
was made with Mike Flattery of Gee & Jenson. Asked to explain why
the lowest bid so far exceeded G & J's plan estimate [plan
estimate: $400,000; lowest bid: $557,000], Mr. Flattery said a
possible reason was the existence of a "mini building boom" which
caused a real shortage of primary sub-contractors, i.e.,
electrical, mechanical and plumbing. He advised that he will
continue to work with the low bidder, as well as Delray Beach
Fire/Rescue, to determine if the total cost could be reduced
without affecting quality. Mr. Flattery said he would appear at
the September Regular Meeting to give the Commission a progress
report, and would comply with the Town Attorney's directive to send
a letter to Mayor Voress stating the exact date when the Town must
accept or reject the bid.
Continuing discussion relating to the new fire station, Mayor
Voress advised that the removal of asbestos from the existing
building(s) would cost $4,575 per Gee & Jenson. Brief discussion
followed with Mr. Flattery and, because this is a environmentally
mandated procedure, it was the consensus to put approval of the
project on the September Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION
Vice Mayor Bill Paul had to leave the meeting to keep a medical
appointment and, therefore, had no report.
Under his report, Commissioner Arthur Eypel referred to the
resolution adopted by~ the Town Commission at the August Regular
Meeting which opposed changes to the tourist development tax
allocation that would result in a reduction in funding for the
beach improvement program, as well as an annual cap on those funds .
He read into the. record a letter received from Palm Beach County
Commissioner Mary McCarty, which in part said that although the
beaches and shores allocation had been reduced from 16.67 % ($1.6
million) to 14.4% ($1.3 million), they would receive an additional
allocation from ad valorem taxes of $600,000.
The Commissioner next addressed a proposed extension of the Boynton
Beach inlet jetty and commented that if this were effected, it
would increase the danger of navigating an already dangerous inlet.
Town Commission
Workshop Meeting - Minutes
August 29, 1995 Page 4 of 5
• Commissioner John F. Rand commented on the Montgomery-Watson report
regarding the status and condition of the Town's utility system and
asked for several clarifications, which were provided with the
notation that the report was required as background data for the
upcoming bond issue. Commissioner Rand commented that the report
was very favorable, with the total operation being called
"exemplary."
The Commissioner also asked if inspection of the Intracoastal
pipeline was included as part of the study for the report. Mayor
Voress replied that it was not; however, none was required as the
inspection done a few years .ago still sufficed considering the
proposed life of the pipeline.
Asking for an update on RTC activities regarding the "Hidden
Harbor" property, Commissioner Rand was advised of their proposed
timetable for bids. Mayor Voress said printed information would be
forthcoming shortly and would be distributed as soon as it arrived.
Commissioner David Augenstein had no report.
Under his report, Mayor Arlin Voress addressed several topics:
• The annual Boards Appreciation Luncheon will be held
Friday, December 1, 1995.
. .In a speech given recently to the Palm Beach County
Municipal League, Bevin Beaudet, County Water Utilities
Director, addressed the South Florida Water Management/
Army Corps of Engineers proposed project to divert 25% of
Floridan Aquifer water to the Everglades, which would create
a serious water shortage for municipalities.
.Per reporting in recent newspaper articles, the DNR is
proposing to establish a revised Coastal Construction Control
Line using a model which is not technically adequate. In this
regard the Mayor plans to meet with DEP as Chairman of the
Palm Beach Coalition, which is comprised of all coastal
communities. Further, the Mayor has spoken with all
appropriate State and House representatives, stating that
the Town is opposed to any effort to establish a CCCL which is
not developed in accord with established coastal engineering
principles and subject to peer review.
.The repair of Well No. 7 was successful and will probably
cost less than anticipated.
.Lead and copper testing by the water plant is currently
• taking place.
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Town Commission
Workshop Meeting - Minutes
August 29, 1995 Page 5 of 6
• .The fire/rescue response time to the recent boat fire in
Braemar Isle marina was 5 minutes from receipt of the 911 call
to the personnel and equipment being on site. (As a resident
of Braemar Isle, Commissioner Augenstein here attested to
excellent response by the Department.)
.Recent changes in legislation are available for review in
Town Hall.
.Florida Concrete & Products Association will conduct a tour
on September 14 of a house built to new hurricane code
specifications. Return trip bus service will be provided.
.Regarding the Governor's commission on a "Sustainable South
Florida," an article was printed in the August 27 edition of
the Sun Sentinel which spoke to the potential growth of the
tri-county area and what it will take in taxes to accommodate
such growth. The Mayor suggested that all become aware of
this issue, as it will have a tremendous financial impact
if enacted - possible taxation up to 10 cents on the dollar.
.A revised space needs study by Gee & Jenson regarding the
• Town Hall complex was asked for favorable consideration at the
September Regular Meeting.
REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY
• Attorney Thomas E. Sliney reported that the revised surveys
regarding the 70th Street Wellfield property have not yet been
received, but are expected shortly.
Attorney Sliney noted the second installment to the RTC regarding
the "Hidden Harbor" settlement is due shortly; Finance Director
Michael Seaman will wire the funds on September O1, 1995.
Regarding RTC's dredge and fill application for the above property,
Mr. Sliney advised that before preparing a draft response for the
Mayor's signature, he had been in direct phone contact with David
Young of the DEP and clarified several points regarding procedure
relating to the DEP's "intent" letter to approve or deny. It was
noted that included in the draft response was a request that the
DEP keep the Town advised of the proceedings. There was no
objection to Mr. Sliney's proposed letter and it was moved to the
Regular Meeting Consent Agenda for approval.
Mr. Sliney explained that the lease with Drexel Properties
regarding the space to be provided by them for the temporary
trailer, which will house the Police and Fire Departments during
the fire station renovations, will be redrafted to include
reference to a "Spacemaster" modular.
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Town Commission
Workshop Meeting - Minutes
Auaust 29, 1995 Page 6 of 6
REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER
In Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano's absence, Mr. Sliney gave her
report, which included a proposed agreement for utility maintenance
and construction with Harvel Utility Construction, Inc., and a
request for assignment of franchise agreement from County
Sanitation to Browning-Ferris Industries of Florida (BFI).
Commissioner Rand requested some figures of Finance Director
Michael Seaman regarding previous monies paid to Harvel this past
fiscal year and what had been budgeted for the upcoming fiscal
year. Regarding the assignment of franchise agreement from County
Sanitation to BFI, it was noted that BFI should be requested to
supply the Town with a letter of appropriate documentation
attesting to the formal assignment of the existing contract wherein
BFI will assume all the terms and conditions of same. Both items
were moved to the Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
There being no further business to come before the Commission at
this time, the Workshop Meeting as adjourned at 3:40 P.M. upon
MOTION by COMMISSIONER RAND/COMMISSIONER AUGENSTEIN.
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APPROVE:
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Arlin G. Voress, Mayor
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ATTEST:
DATE:
/~ o Rand, Commissioner,
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