1979.02.16_TC_Minutes_SpecialTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
• Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
Special Meeting
February 16, 1979 2 00 P M
The Special Meeting of the Town Commission was called to order by Mayor
Horton at 2:00 P.M. on February 16, 1979. Those in attendance were:
Mayor Horton, Vice Mayor Mumford and Commissioners Bauer, Genovese and
Storm. Also in attendance were: Elaine W. Roberts, Town Manager,
Thomas E. Sliney, Town Attorney, M. Maree Birkbeck, Finance Director
and Jane E. Barker, Town Clerk.
Mayor Horton called for any comments from the audience. Mr. Dent, a
Town resident, discussed Governor Graham's budget, which had been in
the newspaper this date, regarding millage set by municipalities.
Mr. Earl Totz, another Town resident, talked about the buildings on the
lot south of Town Hall, which the Town recently purchased. He stated
that they were full of termites, the electricity was gone, they are
below elevation and recommended tearing the buildings down.
Mr. Blankenship, a Town resident, questioned the article in the news-
paper concerning the Town Commission's approval for a branch of Palm
Beach County Library System. Mayor Horton explained that approval
would be given by the Palm Beach County Commission providing everything
else worked out here in Town. This approval is needed before the matter
can be put to the electorate. Mayor Horton stated that he would discuss
this matter further under the Agenda.
1. Proposed Bond Issue
Mayor Horton stated that thought had been given to the Town
having their own library. However, the expense of maintaining
the staff to man the Library would be quite high. The next
idea was for the Town to provide the building with the Palm
Beach County Library System providing the books and the
personnel.
Mayor Horton discussed the bond issue being used for the
addition to the fire station, the addition to the present
Town Hall, redoing the entry way and sign, plus the new
Library and Post Office.
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
• Special Meeting
February 16, 1979
Page 2 of 4
Prolonged discussion took place. Mayor Horton explained that
at the last meeting, it was the consensus of the Commission to
present this bond issue to the electorate and what they were
trying to do today was to come up with some better figures.
There would be two parts to the bond issue - 1) the Water Plant
Expansion and 2) the Municipal Complex.
Discussion continued. Vice Mayor Mumford said she is in favor
of maintaining the character of the small town which she con-
siders Highland Beach to be. Mayor Horton went into great detail
explaining what would be needed at the fire station, the opinion
of various people in Town regarding the entrance way to the Town
Hall, and the necessity for sufficient parking.
Mr. Sliney informed the Commission that he had spoken to Mr.
Livermore of Freeman, Richardson, Watson, Slade, McCarthy &
Kelly, P.A. this date and told him that we would need the
proposal for the bond issue for the February 27th meeting in
order for the Resolution to be adopted at the Regular Meeting
• on March 6, 1979.
Commissioner Storm asked if this bond issue could be looked into
further and possibly hold a Special Election on July 1, 1979
rather than rush into this for the Election on May 1st. It was
determined that the Town could hold a Special Election, under
Home Rule powers.
Mayor Horton then explained for the benefit. of all that the
Town did have a surplus of funds and when the sale of the seized
boat went through, the Town would have another $20,000. With
this, possibly the amount needed for the bond issue could be cut
down with the balance taken out of the surplus funds.
Commissioner Genovese asked why the Town could not vote on just
one bond issue at this time - the one for the Water Plant Expan-
sion and postpone the Municipal Complex? Commissioner Bauer
answered him by saying that costs are going up every day and the
money market is bad at the present time.
Mrs. Roberts explained that the bond consultant's fee has been
lowered about $4,000. due to the type of municipality and the
• type of people they are dealing with.
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
• Special Meeting
February 16, 1979
Page 3 of 4
After much more discussion, Mayor Horton then asked if it was
the consensus of the Commission to proceed with telling the
bond counsel that the sum of $1,375,000. would be needed for
the water plant? (Part A) Mayor Horton then reviewed the
figures for Part B of the bond issue - the new building -
$120,000., fire station improvements - $25,000., business
office expansion - $5,000., parking, landscaping, new sign, etc.
$14,000., legal and fiscal - $3,000. - for a total of $167,000.
Mayor Horton asked if $67,000. should be taken out of surplus
funds and request $100,.000. bond issue for the Municipal Complex?
The total bond issue then would be for $1,475,000.
The Resolution that will be needed was discussed. It was de-
termined that one Resolution will do - with two subjects listed:
Part A in the amount of $1,375,000. and Part B for $100,000.,
for a twenty-five year bond issue, with a millage rate cap of
2 mills. This Resolution will be presented on February 27th at
a Special Meeting which will be held just prior to the Regular
Workshop Meeting.
A Resolution calling for an Election of the bond issue will have
to be prepared for adoption on March 6, 1979 at the Regular
Meeting. The Election must be advertised during the fifth week
and the third week prior to the Election.
Mayor Horton then announced that the South Florida Water Manage-
ment District Board approved the Town's request for increased
water allocation at a meeting held on February 15, 1979.
ProAOSed Ordinance No. 347 - Amending Ordinance No. 228 as
regards the Braemer Isle Section of the Boca Hi RPUD
Proposed Ordinance No. 347 was read in its entirety by the Town
Clerk. This ordinance was discussed and studied by the Town
Commission. It was determined that this ordinance applied only
to the "A" site - Braemer Isle. Mrs. Roberts will write to Mr.
Delaney, requesting that he break down the number of Apartments
and Townhouses for each individual building.
Proposed Ordinance No. 347 will be read in full at a Public
Hearing being held on March 6, 1979 at 1:30 P.M.
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
• Special Meeting
February 16, 1979
Bills for Approval
Mrs. Roberts presented the bills for approval.
Page 4 of 4
MOTION by Commissioner Storm/Vice Mayor Mumford that the bills be
approved for payment. All Commissioners voted Aye.
Mayor Horton wished to point out that Mr. Earl Totz did a
great job in getting the property to the south of Town Hall.
Mrs. Roberts then informed the Commission of the invitations
that had been mailed out for the 30th Birthday Party on
Sunday, February 25, 1979. She displayed the signs which
will be posted around the Town Hall on that Sunday.
Mrs. Roberts said that she will be appearing at the Unemploy-
ment Board on Wednesday, February 28, 1979 regarding Mary
Kleintop. She will need witnesses for this hearing at 10:45 A.M.
• Mr. Dent then addressed the Commission again regarding the
buildings on the lot to the south of Town Hall, the Boca Hi
RPUD and other subjects.
Being no further business to come before
ADJOURNED at 4:27 P.M.
APPROVED:
this Commission, the meeting
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Loui~""~/. Horton, Mayor
Ruh E. ~1slumford, Vice Maf~or
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Bauer Commissioner
ATTEST: cL~z-~ !(~ /~~
own Clerk
Dated: March 5, 1979
Peter ~ Genoves Commissioner
Harold C. Storm, Commissioner
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