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2015.03.31_TC_Minutes_Workshop TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesday, March 31, 2015 1:30 PM Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Workshop Meeting to order in the Commission Chambers at 1:30 PM. CALL TO ORDER: Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Bernard Featherman; Vice Mayor William Weitz, Ph.D; Commissioner Louis P. Stern; Commissioner Carl Feldman and Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker. Also present: Town Attorney Glen Torcivia; Acting Town Manager Beverly Brown; Acting Town Clerk Valerie Oakes; Finance Director Cale Curtis; Public Works Director Edward Soper; Library Director Maria Suarez; Police Chief Craig Hartmann; Assistant to the Manager Zoie Burgess; and members of the public. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of silence. Civility Pledge: The Civility Pledge was recited by the Acting Town Clerk. 1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Mayor Featherman called for any additions or deletions to the agenda. Commissioner Stem — Under item 6D, I would like to add "Discussion on the replacement of the Town Manager ". Receiving no other additions or deletions, the agenda was accepted as amended. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: Carl Gehman, 1123 Highland Beach Dr . congratulated Vice Mayor Weitz and thanked the Commission for doing a great job. Elyse Riesa, 1133 Boca Cove Lane — During the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board Meeting, a great number of residents attended voicing their concern regarding the drowning that took place over the weekend of March 14''. I have asked Ken Thompson, who gave a presentation on Disaster Preparedness, to also provide a session on "Beach and Ocean Safety ". I will advise everyone when this will take place. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Page 2 of 11 Ann Gehman, 1123 Highland Beach Dr . — After the last meeting of Beaches & Shores, my husband and I contacted Congresswoman Lois Frankel. We spoke with her assistant who stated that banning plastic bags is a major movement and viable. The Beaches & Shores Advisory Board is working very hard for our community. 3. PRESENTATIONS: • Update on the Water Infrastructure Project By: Ed Soper, Public Works Director Public Works Director Soper — I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters and everyone involved in approving the referendum on March 10 That was part of the Town's Strategic Plan focusing on repair and replacement of critical infrastructure, improve customer service, water quality and the quality of life. The tasks at hand are going to be putting together an RFQ (Request for Qualifications), RFP (Request for Proposals) in compliance with Florida State Statue 278.005, to bring a consultant on board in order to design the improvements. The estimated time should take between 30 and 45 days. We are working with the Commission on the specifications. We will then advertise, go out to bid and have a mandatory pre -bid meeting. After review, the top ranked firms would be invited for an interview, if deemed to be necessary or prudent. The Town would then enter into contract negotiations with the chosen firm who would then work on the design and specifications. It takes about one year from approval to get the shovel into the ground, so I am anticipating April of 2016. Most of this is driven by the State Revolving Loan Fund. We are applying for the low interest loan opportunity that the State affords for this type of project, and Finance Director Cale Curtis has already received a commitment for a request for inclusion from the State. The next step would be to get our bid plans to the State for their review. Once the contract is signed, the State will then enter into a loan agreement with us and the interest rate will be established at that time. The money we put out of pocket for engineering and administrative cost is reimbursable. The loan will cover the two projects; the water main and the improvements to the Water Treatment Plant. Vice Mayor Weitz — I know we combined the two projects under one referendum to make it easier to get a vote. In your procedures for procurement on bids, are you looking at getting bids independently on the two separate and distinct projects, or do you see a single integrated bid? PWD Soper — There have been discussions with the Town Attorney and Finance Director and the suggestion is to have one contract with two separate scopes. The bidders could bid on one scope or both. For the sake of administrative, financing, loans and bids it is prudent to combine them as much as we can. Commissioner Zelniker — I want to thank you for all your hard work and keeping us updated on the project. Commissioner Feldman — On the two projects, one seems completely different than the other. Could we start on one before the other, or do we have to get the complete funding first? PWD Soper — You could do them independently, but then you would be entering two design contracts, two construction contracts and two State Revolving Fund contracts. This will be a big enough project that it will attract engineering firms that will have the capability of doing Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Pase 3 of 11 both. As far as the construction project, that is why we are going to have two scopes. There are construction companies that can easily handle both. It would be entirely up to them to decide if they are lucrative enough for them to pursue both. Mayor Featherman — Since these are two separate contracts, it may pay for us to get two separate bonds at that low rate to start one project immediately. PWD Soper — We are going to be in contact with the State and the elements of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program to make sure we get the best deal for the town. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES: A) Board Correspondence: • Acting Town Clerk Oakes read the correspondence into the record, attached as Exhibit « B) Board Action Report: • No Report C) Board Vacancies: • Beaches & Shores Advisory Board — Two Year Unexpired Term ending 12/2015 Talent Bank Interview • Katharina Braun, 2727 S. Ocean Blvd gave a summary of her background and qualifications. She lives on the ocean and is very interested in keeping our beaches clean and safe, and serving on the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board. • Myles Schlam, 3594 S. Ocean Blvd stated that he is a native Floridian and is an avid beachgoer, loves to surf and walk the beach. He cares very much about our beaches and would love to serve on the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board. The Commission thanked both candidates for applying for this position. Consensus was to place this item on the April 7, 2015 agenda under Miscellaneous Items — Left Over. D) Monthly Board Meetings: • Town Commission Regular Meeting — April 7 t ` — 1:30 PM • Planning Board — April 8 — 9:30 AM (Cancelled due to lack of agenda items) • Code Enforcement Board — April 15` — 9:30 AM • Town Commission Workshop Meeting — April 28' — 1:30 PM Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Pase 4 of 11 5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: A) ORDINANCE NO. 15 -002 O — Scheduled for 2 °d Reading on April 7, 2015 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 7 " ELECTONS" SECTIONS 7 -7 "PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING ELECTION ", 7 -8 "OPENING AND CLOSING OF POLLS; CANVASS OF RETURNS" AND 7 -9 "DECLARATION OF ELECTION" TO REMOVE LANGUAGE IN CONFLICT WITH THE TOWN CHARTER SECTION 1.06 "TOWN COMMISSION CREATED; ELECTION; TERMS; TOWN CLERK; QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS; GENERAL ELECTION LAW "; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Acting Town Clerk Oakes read Ordinance No. 15 -002 O into the record. Acting Town Manager Brown — The Supervisor of Election of Palm Beach County requested that the Town change their Charter to coincide with the State Statutes. In 2014 we held a referendum which was approved by the voters of the town. This ordinances changes the wording in accordance with the referendum. B) ORDINANCE NO. 15 -003 O — Scheduled for 1 st Reading on April 7, 2015 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 23, "SIGNS AND ADVERTISING," OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY AMENDING SECTION 23 -3, "PERMIT REQUIRED; APPLICATION; WAIVER ", TO CLARIFY THE APPEAL PROCESS; SECTION 23 -5, "PERMITTED SIGNS ", SUBSECTION (C)(2), "TEMPORARY NON - COMMERCIAL SIGNS ", TO CLARIFY THE RESTRICTIONS GOVERNING POLITICAL SIGNS; SECTION 23 -8, "APPEALS ", TO CLARIFY THE APPEAL PROCESS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Acting Town Clerk Oakes read Ordinance No. 15 -003 O into the record. Acting Town Manager Brown — Last year we updated the sign ordinance but failed to add in political signs. At the last election, there were questions as to how many signs could be on a single piece of property and their size. This ordinance updates political signs within our system. Comm. Zelniker — Are we allowed to pass a referendum for non - commercial signs? Town Manager Brown — The Town cannot spend money to approve or deny a referendum, but a regular citizen could do it. Comm. Feldman — Under Section 23 -3, does the Building Department judge the value of the existing sign? Is it the price before it was put in or the price today? Town Manager Brown — That is correct, and it is the price today. Comm. Feldman — Originally the signage permits Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Patee 5 of 11 went before the Planning Board. Are we now saying that it is the Building Department making the decision to approve the signs and not the Planning Board? Town Manager Brown — If the Building Department denies the sign, then it would go to the Planning Board. C) ORDINANCE NO. 15 -004 O — Scheduled for 1 st Reading on April 7, 2015 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, "OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS", BY PROVIDING THE CURRENT SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 18 SHALL BE INSERTED UNDER ARTICLE I, "GENERAL" BY ENACTING ARTICLE II, "SEXUAL PREDATORS /SEXUAL OFFENDERS" TO PROVIDE FOR RESIDENCY/RESTRICTIONS FOR SEXUAL PREDATORS AND SEXUAL OFFENDERS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, THE REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT, CODIFICATION AND FOR AN EFFECTICVE DATE. Acting Town Clerk Oakes read Ordinance No. 15 -004 O into the record. Town Manager Brown — We had a request from an attorney who had a client that wanted to move into Highland Beach, and the rental property would be within 1,000 feet of a bus stop. In reviewing our Ordinances, we discovered we had nothing that pertains to sexual offenders or predators. The question was do we go with the County or the State regulations. We chose to have our attorney draw up an ordinance to address this within our codification. The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioners were all very much in favor of this ordinance. 6. NEW BUSINESS A) License Plate Recognition Cameras — Approve the Waiver Policy and enter into an Agreement with NDI Recognition Systems. Police Chief Craig Hartmann — In the 2014 /2015 annual budget, funds were approved to implement the license plate recognition cameras. In our research, we found that NDI Recognition Systems is the optimal company that will provide the best needs and service for our town. They currently have servers for Delray Beach and the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office. The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office is our communications center; the one who dispatches for us. Either agency has given us the approval to be incorporated into their system. This is a critical amount of savings to our town, and importantly shares data. NDI is the sole source for these two agencies; our adjoining agency and our agency that dispatches for us. In the Town's Purchasing Policy, purchases in excess of $25,000, have a three bid process. There is a waiver in that policy that allows you to waive that process when it is impractical or advantageous. This has been reviewed by the Town Attorney and there are no issues with moving forward. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Page 6 of 11 Comm. Feldman — You indicated that the estimated cost is between $50,000 and $68,000. Why does it vary so much? Chief Hartmann — The $68,000 cost in the budget was an estimate. If we could consolidate cameras with adjoining agencies, there would be some cost savings. Comm. Stern — Could you refresh our memories on how our calls are handled through the dispatch center? Chief Hartmann — Any non - emergency calls or 911 calls go directly to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. If it is a police related matter, they dispatch us. If it is a fire- rescue /medical emergency, it is then routed from the Sheriff's Office to Delray Beach because that is your fire personnel in the Highland Beach fire house. Comm. Stem —There was a question brought up at the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board meeting as to why we don't switch to Delray. Chief Hartmann — We were ready to do that and it was approved by the Commission. At that time, we discovered that Delray Beach Fire Rescue was in negotiations with Palm Beach County (PBC) fire rescue communications. You now have PBC fire rescue communications and Palm Beach County Sheriff's law enforcement communications. The City of Delray Beach appears to be moving towards PBC fire rescue communications. The response time for the recent drowning was less than four minutes, which was faster than any response time you would get in other communities. Vice Mayor Weitz — While I have been a strong advocate for three bids, on occasions when there is a legitimate rationale and explanation as to why it may in the interest of the town and our community, both in terms of quality and cost savings to go with a single bid, you have made the case for that. As a single bidder, it is beneficial to the company and perhaps they can make some concessions to the Town for their willingness to consider this as a single bid process. I am very concerned about issues around loss of life, but as a town we must be very careful not to jump into situations where we have no legal authority. The beaches are private and we do not offer public services. The signage that should be out there is "These beaches are not guarded. Swim at your own risk ". We have to be aware of our legal responsibilities to the taxpayers of this town. Comm. Zelniker — I feel that to waive the three bid process in this situation is the right decision. Consensus was to place this item on the Consent Agenda for April 7, 2015. B) Authorization to Opt -out from Community Rating System. Town Manager Brown — A few years ago we opted into this Community Rating System, which gave policy holders a five percent discount on their flood insurance. This past year the Community Rating System responsibilities have changed. In order for the town to continue with this system, it would cost us approximately $150,000 to $200,000 a year, and the town residents save only $46,000. 1 am requesting to send a letter opting out of this system since it is not a viable option at this time. Consensus was to place this item on the Consent Agenda for April 7, 2015. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Paae 7 of 11 C) Recommendation from the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board on the installation of two water fountains on A1A. Acting Town Manager Brown — Even though this is not the responsibility of the Beaches & Shores, there are a number of problems in doing this. We do not own any of the property along the walking path. In order to do this, we would have to get an easement from an owner and cut open the water pipes into their house. There would also be a sanitary problem and I am not recommending it. Vice Mayor Weitz — I have concerns regarding the cost of installing these fountains, the liability of sanitation problems, the possibility of vandalism and leakage. I am not sure it becomes the town's responsibility to provide these services and am not in favor of this. Comm. Zelniker — It is a nice gesture, but in reality, the water is very warm in the summer and the fountains get hot. We would need some type of refrigeration which could be very costly. There is a water fountain in front of Town Hall, and the Fire Department has been very generous in helping the walkers with services needed. I also do not feel it is the town's responsibility. Comm. Feldman — The town does a great job in accommodating our residents. We have a great water fountain in front of Town Hall and I do not feel we need any additional ones. Comm. Stern — I feel the water fountain in front of Town Hall is sufficient. D) Discussion on the replacement of the Town Manager. Comm. Stern — We agreed to wait until after the election to have a discussion on what we would do for the replacement of our Town Manager. We have an Acting Town Manager doing an excellent job. Do we want to go out on a search for a Town Manager, or do we want to elevate our Acting Town Manager into the Town Manager position? Comm. Feldman — I would like to see a draft contract presented at our next meeting which would include provisions that would protect the Town more than the employee. The Town has to take control of what we are spending and what we are doing. Acting Town Manager Beverly Brown and Acting Town Clerk Valerie Oakes are doing a fantastic job and I do not feel we need a search committee. We have the best sitting here. Comm. Zelniker — I agree with Comm. Feldman and feel the contract has to be worded very carefully. We have two people here, Beverly Brown and Valerie Oakes, who are extremely knowledgeable and know this town very well. They are both doing a wonderful job. Vice Mayor Weitz — My observations, both as a public representative and now sitting on the Commission, is that there are other candidates out there, but none are more qualified as the person currently sitting in the position. Acting Town Manager Brown has the knowledge of the town, the experience and working with the Commission. In the past few weeks I have seen an Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Page 8 of 11 incredible positive morale, cooperation, friendliness and a stress reduction staff. I attribute that to the way she relates to her people and their way of relating to her. I agree that we need to have a legitimate contract that will protect the Town as well as the person occupying that position. Acting Town Clerk Valerie Oakes has also done an outstanding job and I believe there is no need to go elsewhere for these positions. Comm. Stern — I am in agreement with my fellow Commissioners. We need to put this on the agenda for April 7 Mayor Featherman — Acting Town Manager Beverly Brown and Acting Town Clerk Valerie Oakes have both done an outstanding job. We have an excellent staff and should support them. Town Attorney Torcivia — We will have a contract drafted for the Commission's review at the next regularly scheduled meeting. At that meeting, the Commission can appoint Valerie Oakes as Town Clerk; the Town Manager can negotiate her salary. Consensus was to place this item on the Consent Agenda for April 7, 2015. 7. MISCELLANEOUS — ITEMS LEFT OVER A) Minutes: • February 3, 2015 — Regular Meeting • February 24, 2015 — Workshop Meeting • March 3, 2015 — Regular Meeting • March 12, 2015 — Special Meeting Consensus was to place the minutes on the Consent Agenda for April 7, 2015. 8. REPORTS — TOWN COMMISSION: A) Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker — I wish everyone a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover. B) Commissioner Carl Feldman — I attended a Friends of the Library meeting last week, not only as a Commissioner, but also as a contributor. I have some concerns. The Friends of the Library felt that they had to repair air conditioners, etc. in the amount of $4,000. 1 feel the Library building is the property of the Town and any repairs should be made by the Town, not the people who donate to the Friends of the Library. I understand the Friends of the Library are to promote the programs that they schedule, not maintain the building. I would like to have a presentation, at one of our meetings, as to who owns the Library and is responsible for the maintenance of that building. I also feel anything that has to be done to the Library should come before the Commission. Is the Library the property of the Town? I would like to know more about the Library and our responsibility to the Library. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Page 9 of 11 C) Commissioner Louis Stern — The U.S. Customs at the Boca Airport has been approved and will be located at 3400 Airport Road, next to the Fairfield Inn. I would like to know if any decision has been made on a sign in memory of Dennis Sheridan. Acting Town Manama Brown — I don't believe any specific sign was approved. There were a number of different ideas. Acting Town Clerk Oakes and I have discussed this and would like to get a smaller plaque with a Civility Pledge dedicated to Commissioner Dennis Sheridan, and post it on the middle pole so people would see it when they walk in. I will go to the sign company to see if they have something I can take a picture of and show it to you. Comm. Stern — There was a dedication plaque for the renovation of the Police Department and the Commission Chambers at a cost of $600. It has not been up very long and the letters that are glued on are bending and falling off. I am asking my fellow Commissioners if they would join me in researching a new plaque that would last. Town Manager Brown — I contacted the sign company and the cost would be $675 to repair it, or to replace it with a bronze plaque would be $1,600. Comm. Zelniker asked me about the lettering on the doorway coming in and the original company quoted $200. They felt the damage was done by vandals and it is not their fault. I received a quote from the original company and a quote of $1,572 from another company. I would never go back to the original company, but they are all about the same price. I will look further into this. D) Vice Mayor William Weitz, Ph.D — I wish everyone a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover. I attended the installation of new Commissioners in Boca Raton along with Comm. Stem. It was a nice gathering with many dignitaries, and I would like to thank Comm. Stern for inviting me. It is important for someone, if not myself, on this dais to represent the Town of Highland Beach at these functions. I understand, at one time, there were opportunities during the year for town staff and the Commission to have a barbecue. I would like to reinstitute that policy to see if we could periodically have that barbecue to maintain the morale and get to know each other a little better. E) Mayor Bernard Featherman — Communications are the most important thing we have here in our town. We listen to you and it is important for you to get involved. I also would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and Happy Passover. 9. REPORTS — TOWN ATTORNEY GLEN TORCIVIA: I want to give you an update on the Inspector General lawsuit. The County prevailed and the Judge issued an order finding in favor of the County. The lead cities are moving forward and asking the Judge to have a rehearing. The next step is an appeal and will probably be at least a year before there is any decision. 10. REPORTS — ACTING TOWN MANAGER BEVERLY BROWN: Ken Thompson from the Delray Beach Fire Department and the CERT Program coordinator for the two towns came to Highland Beach and gave a presentation on disaster preparedness. It was very successful and they will be having more lectures in the future regarding this type of situation to help the residents. Finance Director Cale Curtis has submitted the information to the Department of Environmental Protection and we have been put on the planning portion of the priority list for Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Page 10 of 11 funding for our two water projects. There are certain requirements we need to complete before getting on the actual funding list. The Police Department received a $1,000 grant from the Edward Byrne Department of Justice for a programmable message board. It does not cover the entire cost of the message board, so we will have to looking for additional funding. Our new benches have arrived and are in the process of being installed soon. For the people who have been complaining about the train signals, Boca has been designated a non - whistle city. 11. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING ONLY: Lynn Rodis, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — If you are walking or riding along AlA and you see a crime in action, who do you call? Chief Hartmann — A crime in progress calls for a 911 call. When they receive it, they will dispatch the call to us. Carl Gehmann, 1123 Highland Beach Dr . — Why can't we have a 911 here in Highland Beach? Chief Hartmann — The Town does not have their own 911 communication center. That would depend on the Commission and the cost. We use a joint operations center for dispatching. Mayor Featherman — Most people don't know that you can dial 112 on your cell phone and it will go to the nearest Police Department. Allen Teller, 4210 S. Ocean Blvd — About twelve years ago, I was in the position of negotiating insurance premiums for the Town and found that our private beach affected our insurance in a positive way. Before you do anything to help save lives, you need to contact the insurance company to find out how it would affect your premiums. The cost of the premium could increase or the insurance could be cancelled. Edward Neidich, 4740 S. Ocean Blvd — This meeting today was an example of how cohesive and how productive our Commission meetings can be. The way this meeting was handled, the productive give- and -take, which includes the audience, was nothing short of phenomenal. Acting Town Manager Beverly Brown and Acting Town Clerk Valerie Oakes have proven their capabilities, expertise and their ability to deal with the public and the staff and should be given the opportunity to become Town Manager and Town Clerk. I am also in favor of the License Plate Recognition Cameras. I believe there are still some issues that need to be discussed regarding stolen cars. 12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman called for a motion to adjourn the Workshop Meeting at 3:22 PM. MOTION: Commissioner Stern moved to adjourn the workshop meeting at 3:22 PM. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Feldman which passed unanimously. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Page 11 of 11 APPROVED: 4 ' Sl & L4MMM Bernard Featherman, Mayor /zl ilham eitz, , Vi Mayor X. Stem, ssioner 1 Carl Feldman, Commissioner �r 4 da Zelniker, C issoner ATTEST: U D�� Valerie Oakes, CMC Town Clerk /s // �S Date: fD ) Valerie Oakes rom: Elyse Riesa <eriesa @gmail.com> 'Sent Monday, March 23, 2015 12:49 PM To: Rosalie DeMartino; Valerie Oakes Subject: Ocean Safety Suggestions Received by the Beach and Shores Advisory Board but not voted on Please read at the next commission meeting To the Mayor, Vice Mayor and Town Commissioners, On March 19, 2015 the Beaches and Shores Advisory Committee met. Many residents from Sea Gate, a condo within the town, attended the meeting to discuss the safety of those swimming in the ocean when the ocean is in a dangerous state i.e.. rip tides or rough water. In light of a recent drowning several suggestions were made. It should be noted that residents fully recognized that the beach is private. These suggestions were not voted on by the advisory committee. 1. The town needs to review its 911 process and response time. The 911 call is routed to Palm Beach and then Delray Beach before paramedics are dispatched. This is too timely a process when life threatening emergencies take place. 2. If the beach is closed by Boca Raton Lifeguards, Highland Beach should use its red alert phone message system to call residents and notify them the beach /ocean is dangerous. 3. Many residents requested flags be posted the mirrored flag placements at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton. Flags m ould be voluntary at condos and secured at public right of ways. Police would place the flags. 4.If there are no legal issues, life rings could be placed at each condo and right of way for emergency use only. 5.Signs stating "no Lifeguard Protection" or signs describing a rip tide could be placed on the beach at strategic locations that owners approved. Our residents are seeking ways to make the beach safer and are asking for your assistance to review these ideas carefully. I am interested in finding a qualified speaker to give a talk similar to one we are holding for disaster Preparedness and will be researching this in the coming weeks. Elyse Riesa Chair, Beaches and Shores Advisory Committee 1