1984.04.23_TC_Minutes_Workshop r �
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
WORKSHOP MEET ING RE
FIRE STUDY
Monday, April 23, 1984 1:30 P.M
A Workshop Meeting was called to order by Mayor Louis Y. Horton
at 1:30 p.m. in the Town Commission Chambers of Town Hall. Also
present were Vice Mayor Mary Louise G. Blosser, Commissioners
William E. Paul, Betty Jean Stewart and Harry Walker.
Also present were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney; Town Manager
Elaine W. Roberts; Town Clerk Mary Ann Whaley; citizens and the
general public.
It was noted that the purpose of this meeting was to hear from
Mr. Vincent Bonvento, Assistant County Administrator; Chief
Herman Brice, newly appointed Chief of the Palm Beach County
Fire Department; Chief Everett Frye of the Del Trail Fire District;
and Chief Louis Spano of the Ocean Ridge Public Safety Department
with regard to the proposed implementation of a Highland Beach
Fire Department.
Chief Louis Spano addressed the Town Commission advising of the
operation of the Ocean Ridge Public Safety Department, indicating
that they had an 11 member force and approximately 15 active
volunteers. Chief Spano stated that the transition to the Public
Safety Department took a total of approximately 5 years. Chief
Spano also indicated that in his opinion, the Public Safety Depart-
ment worked well for Ocean Ridge and proved to be a savings in
terms of manpower. It was noted however, that the Ocean Ridge
Public Safety Department received its paramedic assistance from
Delray Beach.
Chief Brice, Chief Frye and Mr. Bonvento all spoke in relation
to the transition of the Del Trail Fire District being absorbed
into the Palm Beach County Fire Department. It was stressed
that the services and manpower now provided to the Highland Beach
station would in no way change except that the administration
of the above department would be handled through West Palm
Beach. Mr. Bonvento urged the Town Commission to initially contract
with the County for fire services while studying the feasibility of
creating its own department and stressed the importance of studying
Town Commission
Workshop Meeting re Fire Study
April 23, 1984 Page Two of Three
such matters as liabilities, the importance of rotating paramedics,
possible manpower shortages and the fire insurance rating the Town
would be eligible for under its own department. Mr. Bonvento,
Chief Brice and Chief Frye all offered to meet further with the
Town Commission to address any specific matters of concern.
Commissioner Stewart questioned whether the members of the Del
Trail Department were allowed to hold other jobs, which question
was answered in the affirmative and further asked about the
quality of the equipment now assigned to the Highland Beach
Station. Chief Frye assured that the 750 gallon pumper now housed
at Highland Beach was in excellent condition and more than adequate
for the job, and additionally, a ladder truck would come from the
Boca Del Mar Station.
Mayor Horton asked about the salary schedule proposed for the
Palm Beach County Fire Department and was advised by Mr. Bonvento
that a countywide contract would need to be negotiated for consistency
in salaries throughout the county. Mayor Horton also suggested
that the method of evaluating the cost for protection be based
upon usage rather than property assessment. Commissioner
Walker also shared in the concern over methods of assessing
costs.
Commissioner Stewart then recommended that when and if a county
contract were looked into for the provision of fire services,
that compensation for the provision of the Town's fire station be
taken into consideration.
Mr. David Custage, Secretary of the Highland Beach Civic League,
noted that in relation to the Ocean Ridge Public Safety Department,
Highland Beach was made up of different structure types and
should not be- compared as far as needs were concerned.
Mr. McArthur, a Seagate reaident, addressed the Town Commission
urging them to consider the quality of service being received
now and not to put monetary savings ahead of lives. Mr. McArthur
stated that he was well pleased with the services which had been
provided by the Del Trail district and was opposed to any change.
Mr. Douglas Elliott, also of Seagate, spoke in opposition to the
consolidation of the police and fire departments into a Public
Safety Department and urged further study into the information
and figures as contained in the Mayor's report dated March 23,
1984 prior to taking any further action on the matter.
Town Commission
Workshop Meeting re Fire Study
April 23, 1984 Page Three of Three
There being no further business to come before the Town Commission
at this time, the speakers and citizens were thanked for their
attendance and the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
APPROVED: .0 D/vn�
Louis Horton, Mayor
Ma / Louise G. Blosse Vice Mayor
William E. Paul, Commissioner
Bett Jean Stewart, Commissioner
(Not Re- elected)
Harry Walker
ATTEST:
Town Cl rk ,
Date:- �t