2016.02.17_TC_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 2:00 PM
Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Special Meeting to order in the Town Commission Chambers at
2:00 PM.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members Present: Vice Mayor William Weitz, Ph.D; Commissioner Carl Feldman;
Commissioner Louis P. Stern and Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker. Member Absent: Mayor Bernard
Featherman. Also present: Town Attorney Glen Torcivia; Town Manager Beverly Brown; Town Clerk
Valerie Oakes 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:
Vice Mayor Weitz called for any additions or deletions to the agenda, hearing none, the agenda was
accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
I
i None.
I
3. NEW BUSINESS:
A) Discussion on Fire Services
Town Attorney Torcivia—Town Manager Brown and I have worked with other municipalities and
Palm Beach County in the past with respect to fire services for the Town. We always anticipated
that we would sign the agreement with the City of Delray Beach, which was negotiated in good
faith. We thought it might be helpful if one of the members of the Commission be appointed to
work with us on a fact-finding mission to re-engage in the different conversations we had with the
City of Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County, and what the prices would be. There was also
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Wednesday,February 17, 2016 Paae 2 of 3
talk about the coastal communities banning together and creating their own fire district. The
private sector was another option.
Commissioner Feldman — A Commissioner should be present when there are any major contract
negotiations in the future, so there is no misunderstanding. That Commissioner could report back
to the other Commissioners.
Discussion ensued regarding Commissioner Feldman's recommendation that a Commissioner be
present when there are major contract negotiations. The amount of the contract where a
Commissioner is to be present is to be determined.
Vice Mayor Weitz—Town Manager can you place this recommendation on the agenda, at a future
date, for discussion by the Commission.
Commissioner Zelniker — What are the responsibilities of this volunteer, and if he would be
looking into Highland Beach having its own fire department as well?
Town Attorney Torcivia —All options are on the table, and this Commissioner would be involved
with fact-finding in order to avoid any Sunshine Law issue. They would be bringing these facts
back to the Commission for discussion and their approval.
Vice Mayor Weitz asked for a volunteer to work with Town Manager Brown and Town Attormey
Torcivia. Commission Feldman volunteered.
MOTION: Commissioner Zelniker moved to appoint Commissioner Feldman to the fact-finding
committee with respect to investigating fire services for Highland Beach. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Stern, which passed unanimously.
Town Manager Brown — I distributed a copy of the agenda item from the City Manager at last
night's City of Delray Beach meeting, which gives you a history of what has transpired. He stated
that the City of Delray Beach Commission never authorized the staff to negotiate with the Town of
Highland Beach, and it is to be on their agenda for the beginning of March. This is for your
information only, and I am not asking you to take any action.
Comm. Feldman — Who gave us the contract? Town Attorney Torcivia — Their Town Manager,
Town Attorney and the Finance Director. I thought they had the authority since we were
negotiating with them for almost two years.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING ONLY:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Vice Mayor Weitz called for a
motion to adjourn the Special Meeting at 2:13 PM
MOTION: Commissioner Stern moved to adjourn the Special Meeting at 2:13 PM. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Feldman, which passed unanimously.
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Wednesday,February 17, 2016 Paae 3 of 3
APPROVED:
Absent
Bernard Featherman, Mayor
William Weitz, V rce f9fa or
( j r -Zoa
C -Feldman, Commissioner
AI �—
tern, Co Toner
o a Zelniker, C issione
ATTEST:
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Valerie Oakes, CMC Date
Town Clerk