2016.06.28_TC_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday,June 28, 2016 1:15 PM
Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Special Meeting to order in the Town Commission Chambers at
1:15 PM.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members Present: Mayor Bernard Featherman; Vice Mayor William Weitz, Ph.D;
Commissioner Carl Feldman; Commissioner Louis P. Stern and Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker. Also
present: Town Attorney Brian Shutt; Town Manager Beverly Brown; Town Clerk Valerie Oakes; Police
Chief Craig Hartmann; Finance Director Cale Curtis 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, hearing none the agenda was
accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
Carl Gehman, 1123 Highland Beach Dr. — The generator at 4201 S. Ocean Blvd. is very loud and
annoying. I would appreciate you looking into this issue.
3. NEW BUSINESS:
A) Ratification of Memorandum of Understanding Between Town of Highland Beach and
Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
Town Manager Brown—After the Commission voted on the employee health insurance at the last
meeting, the Town Attorney received a call from the representative from the police union asking
that we negotiate the insurance for the FLOP (Florida Lodge Order of Police). We had a meeting
with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and our insurance broker to see exactly what they were losing. They
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Tuesday,June 28,2016 Pace 2 of 3
chose to negotiate further. The memorandum of understanding is for one year only. We start
negotiations on the new contract in the spring. It gives the Police Department the right to take the
top tier of the insurance that we approved for the other employees, and they would continue to pay
what they are paying now without any additional fees, if they so choose to take that. The overall
cost to the Town would be less than $20,000 in savings. That would be an additional cost to us.
They questioned how much each employee would be contributing towards the insurance. The
employee with spouse would be paying 26% towards the insurance; the employee with children
would be paying 22% and a family of which we have five would be paying 20%.
Commission Discusssion:
Commissioner Zelniker—If they don't take our insurance, are they compensated? Town Manager
Brown —They would get a stipend. Comm. Zelniker— I feel we have no choice and have to vote
for it.
Commissioner Stem—It is a binding contract and we have to approve it.
Commissioner Feldman — Does the police insurance policy start in September? Finance Director
Curtis—The insurance for all Town employees,bargaining and non-bargaining, starts July V. The
contract covers the period beginning October 1 S` to September 30`h for the Police Department.
Comm. Feldman — It was my understanding that we could not change our renewal date without it
costing more money. Fin. Dir. Curtis—I will speak with our broker, but I believe we could change
our renewal date and enter into a three month agreement with whoever the next provider is that
ends in September and then start a new insurance plan that begins in October, which will mirror
the contract. Comm. Feldman — It would be a benefit to us if we could get an extension and
combine the two dates. If an employee chooses not to cover their spouse, what is their stipend?
Fin. Dir. Curtis—It amounts to $113 per paycheck. They would still get this amount if they do not
have a spouse. Comm. Feldman — I was told that this was adopted in 1995. Why do we pay a
stipend for an individual who does not have a spouse? I think this is wrong and how could we
change this? Town Manager Brown—That stipend was given because it was a way to even out the
benefits for the Town. This can be discussed at our personnel meeting. Comm. Feldman—Can we
find out when this policy was instituted and why?
Vice Mayor Weitz—I will place the issue of the deferred compensation on the agenda for the next
Commission meeting for discussion. This is a budgetary item, an authorization item and should
not have to be changed. The Commission is responsible for policy and budgeting in this Town;
not the Town Manager or the Finance Director. I want data and responsible information. It was
the Town's responsibility to notify the union. Therefore, we have to approve this Memorandum of
Understanding.
Mayor Featherman—I am also in agreement that we must approve this.
MOTION: Commissioner Feldman moved to Ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between
the Town of Highland Beach and Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Stern.
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Tuesday,June 28,2016 Paee 3 of 3
ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Feldman - Yes
Commissioner Stern - Yes
Commissioner Zelniker - Yes
Vice Mayor Weitz - Yes
Mayor Featherman - Yes
Motion carried 5 to 0.
4. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman called for a
motion to adjourn the Special Meeting at 1:42 PM
MOTION: Vice Mayor Weitz moved to adjourn the Special Meeting at 1:42 PM. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Feldman, which passed unanimously.
APPROVED: �n
Bernard Featherman,Mayor
Wiljiwp Weitz, Vi e Mayor
Commissioner CarIT41dman
Commissioner to is Stern
o 'ssioner Rho Zelniker
ATTEST:
Valerie Oakes, CMC Date
Town Clerk