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2015.08.25_TC_Minutes_Workshop TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP MEETING Tuesday, August 25, 2015 1 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; Commissioner Carl Feldman; Commissioner Louis P. Stern; and Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker. Also present: Town Attorney Glen Torcivia; Town Manager Beverly Brown; Town Clerk Valerie Oakes; Finance Director Cale Curtis; Interim Library Director Suzi Hayes; Lt. Eric Lundberg; Utilities Superintendent Bill Moore; 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 Town Clerk. 1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Mayor Featherman called for any additions or deletions to the agenda. Town Manager Brown requested that the subject of Strategic Plan be added under New Business as item #6C. Consensus was to accept the agenda as amended. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: Ed Neidich, 4740 S. Ocean Blvd — At Braemer Isle, the hurricane windows were mandated. I have had several complaints from the residents that the permits needed for the installation of these windows have been very slow in arriving and has caused some problems. Commissioner Feldman explained that the building submitted 100 applications on July 1 There was a change in the ordinance and Building Official Desorcy had to review each one individually. Permits will be issued in approximately one week. Lynn Rodis, 3224 S. Ocean Blvd — There have been many complaints about the seaweed on the beach. They were told that the seaweed is necessary for ecological reasons, but they will not accept Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Page 2 of 7 that answer. Some of the residents informed me that they are going to the newspaper or the radio to complain about this issue, and that Highland Beach should be able to do something about it. Comm. Feldman — The condominiums pay to have the beach cleaned at least two to three times a week. You need to contact your property manager. Comm. Zelniker — As a volunteer at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, I can say that the seaweed has a purpose in nature and is necessary for the wellbeing of the baby turtles. 3. PRESENTATIONS: None. 4. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES: A) Board Correspondence: • None B) Board Action Report: • No Report C) Board Vacancies: • Financial Advisory Board — One Unexpired Term Ending October 2017. D) Monthly Board Meetings: • Town Commission Regular Meeting — September 1 St — 1:30 PM • Board of Adjustment & Appeals — September 2 nd — 9:30 AM • Beaches & Shores Advisory Board — September 8 th — 9:30 AM • Town Commission 1 st Budget Public Hearing — September 10 — 5:01 PM • Town Commission 2 nd Budget Public Hearing — September 24 — 5:01 PM • Town Commission Workshop Meeting — September 29 — 1:30 PM • Town Hall will be closed on Monday, September 7 th for Labor Day 5. PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: None. 6. NEW BUSINESS A) Discussion on Library Mayor Featherman — There was a keynote speaker at the Florida League of Cities Conference who reminded us of the importance of getting true input before making major decisions on situations concerning our Town. One was the Library which we are looking into at this time. There will be a list given to residents to see what they feel is needed to better our Library. Comm. Feldman — I received a call from a resident of Braemar Isle who wished to obtain a Library card, and was told there was a cost of $70.00. She is a full time resident, and the owner of the unit she is renting from pays taxes which supports the Library. We should look into a permanent resident getting a Library card without being charged. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes j Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Page 3 of 7 j Mayor Weitz — I am in agreement with Comm. Feldman and feel our Library should be utilized to the fullest extent of the Town. With regard to Mayor Featherman's comment, we were made aware of the fact that there is an organization that is now pursuing work in Florida to manage Libraries on a contractual basis. My recommendation is to have our Town Manager gather information in terms of their operation, functional management style, staffing and cost so we can have appropriate data to compare against the data we have running an in -house service. I am also recommending that we withhold any hiring of any personnel in the Library, at this time, until a reasonable decision is made as to whether we want an in -house system or a contract. Comm. Zelniker — I am waiting for a policy from the Town Attorney and Town Manager Brown about the exact way we want to handle people running a business from our Library. Comm. Stern — While attending the conference, I met with George Bateman of LSSI which is a company that does take over your Library on a contractual basis. He is willing to come to Highland Beach, see our Library and discuss what he could offer. Town Manager Brown should bring this gentleman here because it is certainly something we should look into. With regard to the Library cards, when there are renters here who are not full term, they had to pay. I believe it was less than $70.00. When we do our consideration of full time residents, we should also consider the part time residents that are here. The person who owns the apartment is a taxpayer. Town Manager Brown — I received the Library's policy on charges to residents and non- residents. Previous Town Commissions have continued this policy of not issuing Library cards to renters. We are discussing this with the new policy, and it will be addressed in the future. B) Discussion on Bicyclists in Highland Beach Mayor Featherman — The residents of Highland Beach are very concerned about the bicyclists not stopping for pedestrians in the crosswalks. There are police officers warning these bicyclists that if they do not stop they will be ticketed. Town Manager Brown — Police Chief Craig Hartmann has started a new section that addresses bicycle problems that we have in our Town. On the nights that there are large groups of bicycles coming through Town, a Police Officer will follow them, and with a bullhorn, remind them that they can only ride two abreast. We have had FDLE follow them on a motorcycle for a great distance, not only Highland Beach but through Boca Raton and Delray, to try and stop these massive groups driving fast through the Town. C) Strategic Plan Town Manager Brown — We have a Strategic Plan that has been updated every year. There are some items in this plan that this Commission does not seem to be in favor of. I am asking the Commission to consider hiring a Strategic Planner to meet with the Commissioners and the department heads, one on one, to see what each person is looking for towards the future of the Town. We can then meet as a group to prioritize everything so that we are all in agreement as to which direction we are going in next year's budget. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Page 4 of 7 Comm. Feldman — The last Strategic Plan was presented by the Planning Board to the residents, and there was very little feedback. I think if we are going to hire someone to look into this, we should set a limit as to what we are going to pay for this service. Town Manager Brown — I have contacted a number of towns in the county and was given the name of one group. I contacted them directly, and they indicated that they would do it for under $10,000. 1 also contacted Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to see if they had a source to do it, and it turned out to be the same source. If we went through FAU, they would charge an administrative fee on top of what the company would charge. The fee of $10,000 would be all inclusive. When it was finalized, we would have a public meeting. Comm. Feldman — We could then send out a questionnaire to the residents. I would be in favor of that. Vice Mayor Weitz — I have no objection to the plan you are outlining. I have been involved in Strategic Planning in government. However, sometimes it is not that people don't know what they want or don't want; it is that they disagree, and a Strategic Planner cannot resolve political differences. This town does not have a lot of critical need areas that would be difficult to assess, itemize and specify. We are a small land area. What I see is differences over items and differences over utilization of certain projects, which are political differences. Comm. Stern — We need to get a good facilitator and then have it all prioritized. It does work. The Strategic Plans that we have put together have been meaningful. Yes there are differences, but you work them out. I am in favor of this. Mayor Featherman — We need a basic list of what we feel is important here. Then we can itemize it and put it in priority of what is most important. I am asking my fellow Commissioners to think about this, and also figure out how many items we need to consider for the next three to five years. Comm. Feldman — When you have an expert in this field, they could provide us with guidance and assistance. Comm. Zelniker — We are a small town and I am hesitant in getting involved with a Consultant as they do not live here. The Planning Board did a very good job on changing a few things for us, and I believe we may have people in the town who could do this without spending $10,000. If we need it, I would be in favor of it. Consensus was to place this item on the agenda for September 1 St under Miscellaneous — Items Left Over. 7. MISCELLANEOUS — ITEMS LEFT OVER A) Minutes: • July 28, 2015 — Workshop Meeting • August 4, 2015 — Regular Meeting • August 4, 2015 — Budget Meeting Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Page 5 of 7 There being no modifications to the minutes, consensus was to place the minutes on the Consent Agenda on September 1, 2015. 8. REPORTS — TOWN COMMISSION: A) Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker — I attended the Florida League of Cities Conference and it was very informative and educational. (Provided a summary of the classes she attended while at the conference.) There was one class in particular that dealt with senior citizens and I thought it would be a good idea if the Library had a senior center. I do feel the amount of money our Town is spending on this particular program that we possibly could cut it down and have less people going. I would like to eliminate some of the spending on this particular conference and not have as many people attend. B) Commissioner Feldman — I feel that when a person gets up for public comments, anyone sitting on this dais should be able to answer them. There is no purpose in someone giving their comments if we don't give them any feedback. To answer the comments made by James Jiovanazzo, the plant growth on the walk path was taken care of by Town personnel, and the hedges encroaching on the walk path at the south end of Town were cutback by the HOA landscaper. Public Works Director Ed Soper is looking at the walkway to see what can be done. If a Commissioner wants to answer a resident when they have a comment or question, they should be able to do so. i C) Commissioner Louis Stern — Commissioner Abrams has informed me that the Tri-Rail has engaged a vehicle that will meet every single train that comes into the Palm Beach station, which will provide transportation to the Palm Beach International Airport within 10 minutes. D) Vice Mayor William Weitz — As a Veteran and someone who has lived their life in the military, I want to send my regards and commend the servicemen who through their bravery, action and initiative prevented what I believe could have been a catastrophic terrorist event on a high speed train with civilians travelling with no way of escape. I do agree that it is appropriate to offer feedback to individuals and respond. I differ as to where in the meeting and how to do it. The problem is if we get into considerable debate and discussion with individuals, it could have an impact on the meeting in terms of getting through the agenda and getting to other items. We have the opportunity to discuss it in our statements at the end of the meeting, or at a future meeting. It can also be in written correspondence if it is something that has to be responded to by the Town Manager. I do encourage residents to come to our meeting to discuss their comments rather than calling the Commissioners or the Mayor. It is much more effective that way. E) Mayor Bernard Featherman — I do like the idea of a Senior Center being set up at our Library. We have many residents in Highland Beach that are senior citizens. This is something we should consider for the future. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Page 6 of 7 9. REPORTS — TOWN ATTORNEY GLEN TORCIVIA: I agree with the Commission that the Florida League of Cities Conference was educational and informative. 10. REPORTS — TOWN MANAGER BEVERLY BROWN: We have repaired the major issues with the walking path. There are new flag poles at both ends of the Town. We have contacted the Supervisor of Elections about moving the elections away from St. Lucy's Church. The next time there is an election, one voting precinct will be here at Town Hall and the other voting precinct will be at the Library. On Saturday, the cement pour for 3200 S. Ocean Blvd. will be taking place all day. The area residents have been notified that it will start between 4:30 and 5:00 AM and might last until 9:00 PM. They will be hiring police security for the road to help eliminate some of the problems with the traffic. The beaches in Highland Beach are private, and the Town cannot go on the beach to clean up the seaweed. Whoever owns the property is responsible to clean the beaches. We have no public access to the beach, and to get to the beach we have to enter through the Boca Raton or Delray Beach access. If the news media should come, they would have to get authorization from that particular owner of the property where they want to access the beach. The mangroves are on private property. They have to be licensed to cut them. The Coronado Condominium will have to have someone come in to cut the mangroves. There are a couple of residents moving from the area that have been longstanding attendees at these meetings. One is former Mayor Harold Hagelmann who is moving to an assisted living facility, Mike Ferrara of Boca Highlands who is moving back to New Jersey and former Commissioner John Sorrelli who is in a New York hospital. With the remaining monies from the Cultural Advisory Board, we have bought a new plaque which is on the wall outside the Commission Chambers. 11. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED AT MEETING ONLY: Carol Stern, 1115 Russsell Drive — I was Chairman of the Planning Board when we did the Strategic Plan at the request of Mayor Featherman. No one on the Planning Board had any knowledge of this type of plan. We were able to work it out. If we had a professional facilitator at that time, we would have provided a better result. George Kelvin, 4740 S. Ocean Blvd — I agree with Comm. Feldman about answering questions. We do have a limitation of five minutes, and I don't believe it would get out of hand if the five minute limit were adhered to. Also, a resident complained to you about the exit sign in the parking lot. It is too low and positioned the wrong way. It really needs to be looked at. Town Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Page 7 of 7 Tim Burnich, 4505 S. Ocean Blvd — Regarding the exit from the parking lot, my suggestion would be to put a gate that is activated when you exit and it would deter anybody from entering at that driveway. Miles Schlam, 3600 S. Ocean Blvd — I am a member of the CERT Team and feel we should all be prepared and made aware of what to do in case the hurricane hits Highland Beach. I would like to know if it would be possible to have some type of concession stand on the municipal grounds; especially after a storm. 12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman called for a motion to adjourn the Workshop Meeting at 2:18 PM. MOTION: Vice Mayor Weitz moved to adjourn the workshop meeting at 2:18 PM. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stern which passed unanimously. APPROVED: Bernard Featherman, Mayor William Weitz, Ph. O M r s P. ommissi elm Commissioner 1 o a Zelniker, o ioner ATTEST: 01 Valerie Oakes, CMC, Town Clerk Date