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1993.02.23_TC_Minutes_Workshop~ ., TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesday, February 23, 1993 1:30 .m. Vice Mayor Bill Paul, in the absence of Mayor Joseph A. Boulay, called the Workshop Meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, to order in the Commission Chambers at Town Hall at 1:30 p.m. Others present were Commissioners Arlin Voress, Arthur Eypel, and John F. Rand. Also in attendance were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager Mary Ann Mariano, Town Clerk Anne M. Kowals, and members of the general public. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Without objection, the Agenda was accepted as presented. 93.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS No one addressed the Town Commission under Public Comments and Requests. • 93.2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Vice Mayor Paul noted there are no vacancies on the Town's Advi- sory Boards and Committees, and no correspondence from same. 93.3 PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS The Vice Mayor further noted there are no proposed ordinances and resolutions on the agenda for discussion. MISCELLANEOUS - ITEMS LEFT OVER Status of Building Development in Town Members received and reviewed the Status of Building Development in Town, a report submitted by the Building Department. Minutes for approval at March 1993 Regular Meeting The Members reviewed two sets of Commission Meeting Minutes which were moved to the March Regular Meeting Agenda for possible consideration. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes February 23, 1993 • Page 2 of 6 Discussion - Memo re Poll Workers for March 09, 1993 Municipal Election The Commission received a memo from the Town Clerk listing names of poll workers for the March 09, 1993, Municipal Election. In response to a query, it was noted poll workers must be certified by the Supervisor of Elections office before they are considered for working the polls at an election. This matter was moved to the March Regular Meeting Consent Agenda for possible approval. REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION Vice Mayor Bill Paul Vice Mayor Bill Paul reported attending a meeting at County Com- missioner Mary McCarty's office regarding the Urban Form Study. Noting there presently are 900,000 residents in Palm Beach County and it is estimated the population will increase by an additional 900,000 people moving into this area, the County may not be able to handle the growth. Palm Beach County is in the process of taking an Urban Form Study to establish a vision for the County and to address the challenge of growth. The Vice Mayor advised he will be working to get our residents move involved as our Town is • vitally interested in the progress of the County. The Vice Mayor reported Mayor Boulay is home in Highland Beach where he is recuperating well from recent surgery. Vice Mayor Paul, noting resident Jan Sheller will chair the "Mini- walk' for the March of Dimes scheduled for Saturday, April 3rd, urged everyone to participate in this fund raising event. Commissioner Arlin Voress Commissioner Arlin Vores, noting the Appropriations Committee of the House and Senate passed the DNR's budget request for $300,000/ $400,000, reported said budget is going to the Legislators for approval. The Commissioner, noting Representatives Carol Hanson and Sharon Merchant are very active in this matter, stated efforts are being made to make the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegates aware of this important issue. It was noted County Commissioner Mary Mccarty, Chair of the Palm Beach County Board of County Com- missioners, wrote to all Palm Beach County Legislative Delegates requesting they support the DNR's request for funding. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes February 23, 1993 • Page 3 of 6 Commissioner Voress advised a group of Beaches and Shores Associa- tions held a meeting in St. Petersburg (where the Army Corps of Engineers presented a 'Genesis Model') to discuss many aspects relating to the coast. The Commissioner noted the DNR representa- tives were impressed with the information and will consider the 'Genesis Model' when they revise their model. The Coastal Coali- tion Group is working with the DNR to determine how the DNR model will be revised. Commissioner Voress noted Town Manager Mariano is travelling to Tallahassee to represent the Town's interest at the "Legislators' Day" where she will contact the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegates with regard to the needs of our area. Responding to Commissioner Rand's query, it was noted attorneys representing Palm Beach Coastal Property Owners have not responded to an invitation to join the Coastal Coalition Group; with both groups having the same aims and goals, the concerns of all are being addressed through the Coastal Coalition Group. Commissioner Arthur Evnel Commissioner Arthur Eypel reported, as a member of the Fire/Rescue • Task Force, he attended a meeting with Town Manager Mariano, Delray Beach City Manager David Harden, and Delray Beach Fire Chief Koen. Said meeting was positive where the Town provided information to Delray Beach to determine if there is a viable alternative to our current Fire/Rescue Services provided by Palm Beach County. Following inspection of our facilities by Chief Koen, Delray Beach is in the process of preparing a proposal, for consideration by our Town Commission, that will provide a level of service that is equal to, or higher than, what we now receive from Palm Beach County. Noting there is a rating system for Fire Departments throughout the State, Commissioner Eypel advised Delray Beach enjoys an extremely high rating, as does Palm Beach County Fire/ Rescue Service. The paramount goal of all in attendance at the February 9th meeting was that only one thing is to be considered-- the quality of service, financial considerations are only secondary. Noting residents are questioning why the Town is trying to make a change, Commissioner Rand advised, while the Town has done its utmost to maintain the services of Palm Beach County, the problem Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes February 23, 1993 Page 4 of 6 is the cost allocation process (costs have increased 50~ over the last two years). Efforts have been made to have the system of fee assessments changed to a more equitable system as, in the pre- sent system of assessment, we are subsidizing the unincorporated areas of the County. Continuing with his report, Commissioner Eypel, noting an important referendum pertaining to term limitations for elected officials is included on the ballot, encouraged all to exercise their right by voting in the Municipal Election on March 9th. It was noted sample ballots are available at Town Hall. Commissioner John F. Rand Commissioner John F. Rand had no report. Mayor Joseph A. Boulay Mayor Joseph A. Boulay was absent. REPORTS - TOWN ATTORNEY Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney had no report. • REPORTS - TOWN MANAGER Agenda Report Form re proposal of PSC rate structures on water and sewer utility systems The Agenda Report Form concerning the Florida Public Service Com- mission proposal to transfer authority to said Commission so they have jurisdiction over rates, fees, and charges as well as opera- tion of municipal utility systems, submitted by Town Manager Mariano was discussed. It was the consensus to move a resolution opposing the FPS's proposal to the Regular Meeting Agenda for further discussion and possible approval. The Town Manager advised she will hand deliver packets listing the concerns of our Town, previously reviewed by the Commission, to the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegates in Tallhassee on Wednesday, February 24, 1993. Ms. Mariano further advised she will also present said information to representatives from Duval and Broward Counties. Town Manager Mariano noted, at Commissioner Rand's recommendation, letters will be forwarded to our Senate and House Representatives Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes February 23, 1993 Page 5 of 6 requesting they consider amending the "trim bill" to require one public hearing for taxes and budget purposes. The Commissioners will be advised of the response when it is received. The Town Manager stated Representatives Carol Hanson and Sharon Merchant are working hard with regard to the CCCL issue. Responding to Commissioner Rand's question, the Town Manager noted she has a verbal commitment from Palm Beach County Administrator and a number of County Commissioners to indicate they will not hold our Town to the Fire/Rescue contract should we decide to opt out of same. Seagate of Highland resident Patrick Beary addressed the Town Commission noting he proposed, on 2/25/92, an open forum or town meeting be held at Town Hall to allow candidates to present their platforms and debate the issues. Mr. Beary requested the Commis- sion, at this session, schedule a date for an open forum or town meeting in which the current candidates for the two commission seats may participate. Vice Mayor Paul, noting the Town Commission does not sponsor such forums, advised a group of citizens may arrange a forum and • request same be held in the Commission Chambers. Alluding to Mr. Beary's comments regarding Boca Raton's candidate forum airing on cable tv channel 20, Vice Mayor Paul emphasized the City of Boca Raton is not sponsoring that forum--the Boca Council approved the request to air the matter on cable tv. Town Attorney Sliney advised it would not be appropriate for the Town Commission to sponsor a candidates' forum; however, if a private group were to sponsor such forum to be held in the Town Hall, that would be appropriate. In response to Mr. Beary's comments, Mr. Leonard Bell of 2727 South Ocean Boulevard noted the Concerned Citizens of Highland Beach have held 8 or 9 forums in the Town Hall which is open to all the citizens of the Town. Responding to Mr. Bell's request, Town Attorney Sliney advised the RTC matter, discussed at length many times, is presently before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. The appeal is being handled by the Appellate Counsel in Miami which Counsel is confi- dent we will have a reversal of the judgement. It was noted oral arguments may be scheduled late in 1993 in Florida or Atlanta and any decision from the 11th District Court of Appeals may not be rendered until 1994. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes February 23, 1993 Page 6 of 6 Commission Candidate Michael Hill approached the podium to ques- tion the possibility of all candidates getting together. At this point, Mr. Leonard Bell voiced his objection to this Workshop Meeting being used for political means inasmuch as the Vice Mayor, at the January Workshop Meeting, emphatically announced that no campaigning for elected office would be permitted at any Town Commission Meetings. Vice Mayor Paul, reiterating the fact the Town Hall facilities are available to any group of Highland Beach citizens wishing to sponsor a candidates' forum, stated the Town Commission will not sponsor any political meetings or forums. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at this time, Vice Mayor Paul, upon proper Motion, adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 2:15 p.m. APPROVED: .(Absent) Joseph A. Boulay, Mayor J~.....~..~'"J Bil Paul, Vice Mayor e ress, ~Comm~s,sioner Arthur Ev~el,~mmiss -~. r - ~ ~~.-- Rand, rCommiss